Getting started The Wireless Palette is a sftware applicatin fr mnitring the cmmunicatin status between the Wireless LAN PC Card and the Wireless LAN Access Pint (hereinafter referred t as the Access Pint). It resides n a client cmputer and is als used fr switching an Access Pint int use when multiple Access Pints are present. The receptin level is typically indicated n the task tray. Yu can als view the Internet cnnectins status with the cmmunicatin status windw. This Help file is verified truble-free with Micrsft Internet Explrer 5.0. With the lder versins, sme parts including step numbers may nt be prperly displayed. Rles f the Wireless Palette and the Access Pint Setup Utilities (1) Use the Wireless Palette t make settings required fr cmmunicatins between the cmputer and the Access Pint. (2) Use the Basic Access Pint Setup Utility r the Custm Access Pint Setup Utility t make settings required fr cnnectin between the Access Pint and the Internet Service Prvider (ISP). The utility must be used n ne f the cmputers n the wireless LAN. Page 1
Wireless Palette Windw cmpnents The figure belw details the varius cmpnents f the Wireless Palette. 1. Back t Task Tray buttn Minimizes the Wireless Palette t the task tray. When the Wireless Palette is minimized t the task tray, tw icns are displayed: ne indicating the cmmunicatin status with the Access Pint and the ther indicating the dial-up cnnectin status. Icn indicating the cmmunicatin status w ith the Access Pint. / / Indicates the receptin level. Indicates that yur cmputer is lcated ut f the cmmunicatin range. Indicates that the Wireless LAN PC Card is nt inserted r w rking prperly. Indicates that the Wireless LAN PC Card is cmmunicating in th Indicates that cnnectin t the ISP is nt established. Icn indicating the dial-up cnnectin status. Indicates that a call t the ISP is attempted. Indicates that cnnectin t the ISP is established. 2. Nickname f the selected Access Pint The nickname specified when the Access Pint was registered. 3. Clients cnnected t the Access Pint The names f cmputers cnnected t the Access Pint. The cmputer name displayed here is the name assigned t the cmputer in Windws. Nte When the Wireless Palette is displayed in a windw, it peridically updates the client names. It may display names f the clients that are nt cnnected depending n the update timing. The crrect client names may nt be displayed if a third-party wireless LAN card is in use. Hint If the number f clients is nine r mre, the Wireless Palette lists their names in a scrllable windw. Page 2
4. Advanced buttn Click this buttn t expand the windw dwnward and view the wireless cnnectin status and Advanced infrmatin abut the Access Pint. 5. Tl Bx buttn Click this buttn t display the Tl Bx dialg bx. This dialg bx allws yu t view and change the Access Pint and the Wireless LAN PC Card settings. Access Pint List A list f registered Access Pints is displayed in the Wireless Palette. Select Selects an Access Pint t use. Select the Access Pint yu want t use frm the Access Pint List and click this buttn. Add Adds a new Access Pint t the Wireless Palette. Fr details n the peratin, see Registering the Access Pint. Delete Deletes an Access Pint frm the Wireless Palette that is n lnger required. Select the Access Pint yu want t delete in the Access Pint List and click this buttn. 6. Receptin level indicatr The receptin level indicatr icn indicates whether r nt yur cmputer is cmmunicating with the Access Pint. When this indicatr appears as, n cmmunicatins are taking place between yur cmputer and the Access Pint. If the cmputer is lcated clse enugh t the Access Pint fr cmmunicatins but the same indicatr appears, check the Access Pint setting. 7. Dial-up status indicatr When Phne Cnnectin is the selected Cnnectin Mde f the Access Pint, either ne f three statuses is indicated: Discnnected, Dialing, r Cnnecting. 8. Dial-up Cnnect/Discnnect buttn When Phne Cnnectin is the selected Cnnectin Mde f the Access Pint, the Cnnect r Discnnect buttns is displayed. Click Cnnect t cnnect t the ISP r Discnnect t discnnect frm the ISP. Nte This buttn is enabled fr the dial-up cnnectin nly and nt displayed in the ther cnnectin mdes. Clicking Discnnect disables Cnnect fr a minute. Clicking Discnnect may nt ntify ther clients f yur discnnected status. Page 3
Mnitring the cmmunicatin status The Wireless Palette allws yu t mnitr the cmmunicatin status between the Access Pint and the Wireless LAN PC Card, and the cnnectin status t the Internet. 1. Duble-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray. The Wireless Palette appears. 2. Click the Advanced buttn. The Advanced infrmatin is displayed. Page 4
Advanced infrmatin Click the Advanced buttn n the Wireless Palette t display advanced infrmatin abut the Access Pint. 1. Wireless Status Item Encryptin ON/OFF Cmmunicatin Rate Channel De s criptin Displays w hether encryptin mde is enabled/disabled. Displays the w ireless cmmunicatin rate. Displays the channel number. 2. 3. WAN Displays infrmatin abut the Access Pint. This infrmatin varies depending n the Cnnectin Mde f the Access Pint. Item De s criptin Phne Number Cnnectin Speed Displays the telephne number. Displays the cnnectin speed f yur mdem t the ISP. Cnnected Time Displays the length f time the Access Pint is cnnected t the ISP. * Traffic IP Address Displays the amunt f data exchanged in bytes. IN indicates the amunt f data received; OUT indicates the am Displays the IP address assigned t the Access Pint. * If yur access t the Access Pint has already established a dial-up cnnectin t the ISP, the crrect cnnected time may nt be displayed. 4. Lcal Displays infrmatin abut the Access Pint n the LAN. Item IP Address De s criptin Displays the IP address f the Access Pint assigned n the LAN. Page 5
Registering the Access Pint Register the Access Pint t use fr cmmunicatin n the Wireless Palette. When yu have tw r mre Access Pints, yu can select the Access Pint yu want t use by registering every Access Pint. Yu may register up t fur Access Pints. 1. Duble-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray. The Wireless Palette appears. 2. Click the Tl Bx buttn. The Tl Bx dialg bx appears. 3. Click Add. The Add New Access Pint dialg bx appears. 4. Specify the Nickname, Access Pint ID, and Encryptin Key. Nickname Enter the nickname fr the Access Pint. Yu may enter up t eight alphanumeric characters. Access Pint ID Enter the ID fr the Access Pint that yu want t register. The Access Pint ID is printed n the ID label n the bttm surface f the Access Pint. If yu have checked Peer t Peer, enter a string f up t 32 alphanumeric characters. Encryptin Key Enter the Encryptin Key specified fr the Access Pint yu are registering with Access Pint Setup Utilities, if yu want encrypted wireless cmmunicatin. If the Encryptin Key is nt specified fr the Access Pint, n wireless cmmunicatins are encrypted. If s, leave this field blank. Ntes Enter the Encryptin Key that yu specified using ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities fr Encryptin Key n the Wireless Palette. Ask yur Access Pint manager fr the Encryptin Key. Hint Change the Encryptin Key as fllws: Change the Encryptin Key using ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities. When yu have changed the Encryptin Key, register the Access Pint as a new entry using the Wireless Palette. (1)If nly ne Access Pint is registered n the Wireless Palette, Page 6
1. Register a new Access Pint. 2. Select the new Access Pint. 3. Delete the ld Access Pint. (2)If multiple Access Pints are registered and yu have anther Access Pint available fr wireless cmmunicatins, 4. Select anther Access Pint. 5. Delete the ld Access Pint. 6. Register a new Access Pint. 7. Select the new Access Pint. (The Encryptin Key f the cmputer n which yu used ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities is autmatically changed. There is n need t re-register the Access Pint.) Peer t Peer Check this ptin t build a wireless LAN envirnment withut the Access Pint where direct cmmunicatins amng cmputers are enabled. Nte Make sure t check Peer t Peer nly n the first cmputer yu register the Access Pint using the Wireless Palette. Channel This ptin becmes available fr selectin when Peer t Peer is checked. When ther wireless LANs exist in clse prximity, specify a unique channel fr each LAN t avid radi interference. 5. Click OK. A new Access Pint is registered. T use the new Access Pint, yu must select it as the Access Pint t use. T change the registratin data f the Access Pint Delete the registered Access Pint, then register a new ne. Page 7
Selecting an Access Pint With multiple Access Pints registered, yu can switch frm ne t anther in accrdance with yur needs. 1. Duble-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray. The Wireless Palette appears. 2. Click the Tl Bx buttn. The Tl Bx dialg bx appears. 3. Frm the Access Pint List, select the Access Pint t which yu want t cnnect. 4. Click Select. The registratin data f the selected Access Pint is displayed. Nte Yu cannt change the registratin data here. T change the registratin data, re-register the Access Pint, select the re-registered data, then delete the ld data. 5. Click OK. The selected Access Pint is used fr the wireless cmmunicatins. Nte If an errr message appears during the peratin and the Access Pint is nt switched, verify the fllwing: If switching the Access Pint fails, the previus Access Pint is still selected. The Wireless LAN PC Card is inserted in yur cmputer. The Access Pint is pwered. The cmputer cntaining the Wireless LAN PC Card and the Access Pint are placed clse enugh t cmmunicate with each ther (within apprximately 50 m (165 feet)). Ask a persn wh cnfigured the Access Pint with ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities if he changed the Encryptin Key f the Access Pint. T use a new Access Pint, d the fllwing: Register a new Access Pint using the Wireless Palette. Select the new Access Pint fllwing the abve prcedure. If necessary, use ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities t change the Access Pint cnfiguratin n ne f the cmputers n the wireless LAN. Fr hw t use the Basic Access Pint Setup Utility, refer t the Operating Instructins manual that cmes with the Wireless LAN Page 8
PC Card. Fr hw t use the Custm Access Pint Setup Utility, see the Custm Access Pint Setup Utility Help. Page 9
Deleting an Access Pint T delete a registered Access Pint, fllw the steps belw. 1. Duble-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray. The Wireless Palette appears. 2. Click the Tl Bx buttn. The Tl Bx dialg bx appears. 3. Frm the Access Pint List, select an Access Pint yu want t delete. 4. Click Delete. The setting fr cnnecting t the selected Access Pint is deleted. Nte Yu cannt delete the setting fr the Access Pint t which yu are cnnected. Page 10
Manually cnnecting/discnnecting the dial-up cnnectin If the telephne line is used fr Internet access, yu can manually cnnect r discnnect the dial-up cnnectin t the Internet. T establish the dial-up cnnectin (make a call) 1. Duble-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray. The Wireless Palette appears. 2. Click Cnnect. The dial-up cnnectin is established. T discnnect the dial-up cnnectin (hang up) 1. Duble-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray. The Wireless Palette appears. 2. Click Discnnect. The dial-up cnnectin is discnnected. Nte The Access Pint allws multiple cmputers simultaneus access t the Internet, but des nt autmatically discnnect the dial-up cnnectin when an e-mail r brwser applicatin is clsed. If n cmmunicatins are made fr tw minutes, the Access Pint will autmatically discnnect the dial-up cnnectin. The time perid allwed befre autmatic discnnectin may be changed using the Custm Access Pint Setup Utility. Nte that autmatic discnnectin may nt wrk due t unexpected packets sent frm the Internet. Click Discnnect t discnnect the cnnectin when yu are thrugh with the Internet access. See the descriptin n hangup after in the Custm Access Pint Setup Utility Help fr mre infrmatin. Hint Yu can set yur cmputer t autmatically cnnect t the Access Pint when an e-mail r brwser applicatin is launched. See the descriptin n autmatic cnnectin in the Custm Access Pint Setup Utility Help fr mre infrmatin. If the dial-up cnnectin fails, yu can pint the muse cursr t the dial-up status indicatr ( etc.) t see the cause. Page 11
Additinal infrmatin Trubleshting Glssary Trademarks Page 12
Trubleshting The name f the same Access Pint displayed n the Wireless Palette varies depending n the cmputer. The Wireless Palette displays the nickname that each user assigned when registering the Access Pint using the Wireless Palette. Therefre, the nickname f a single Access Pint varies depending n the user. I dn't remember the Encryptin Key Use the Sny-supplied Access Pint Firmware Upgrade Utility t resume the factry-set cnfiguratin f the Access Pint. Next, use the Wireless Palette t register the Access Pint and establish cmmunicatins with it. Then, use ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities t cnfigure the Access Pint. Fr further infrmatin abut hw t use the Access Pint Firmware Upgrade Utility, frm the start menu, select VAIO - Wireless LAN - Access Pint Firmware Upgrade - Manual t see its n-line manual. The Wireless Palette still shws the previus cmputer name after change. The Access Pint has nt yet recgnized the new cmputer name. Click the Nickname f the Access Pint t cnnect in the Tl Bx windw f the Wireless Palette and click Select. If the crrect infrmatin is displayed, click OK. I named the Access Pint n the Wireless Palette. Why is the Access Pint ID left unchanged? The Wireless Palette registers a nickname fr the Access Pint n yur cmputer. It des nt change the Access Pint cnfiguratin. The Access Pint ID is fixed and cannt be mdified. I want t change the Encryptin Key. Use ne f the Access Pint Setup Utilities n a cmputer cntaining the Wireless LAN PC Card t change the Encryptin Key. Cmmunicatins between the Access Pint and the abve cmputer are maintained because the change in the Encryptin Key is simultaneusly reflected n the cmputer. On any ther cmputers cnnected t the same Access Pint, hwever, yu must use the installed Wireless Palette t mdify the Access Pint's cnfiguratin (the Encryptin Key in this case). Nte that access t the Wireless LAN Access Pint fails if the mdificatin is nt perfrmed. I cannt cntrl the dial-up cnnectin frm a cmputer n the Ethernet netwrk. Nt supprted. I use the Access Pint in the Phne Cnnectin mde. When I launch my brwser r e-mail applicatin, the Dial-up Cnnectin dialg bx appears and I cannt cnnect t the Internet. Yu need t change the Internet cnnectin settings. Fllw the steps belw. Micrsft Internet Explrer 1. Click Settings n the Dial-up Cnnectin dialg bx. 2. Cnfirm that the Cnnectins tab is selected. 3. Check Never dial a cnnectin. 4. Click LAN Settings. 5. Check Autmatically detect settings under Autmatic cnfiguratin. 6. Click OK. 7. Click OK. 8. Click Refresh in the brwser windw. Netscape Cmmunicatr 1. Launch Netscape Cmmunicatr. 2. Click Preferences frm the Edit menu. 3. Click Advanced. 4. Click Prxies, then check "Direct cnnectin t the Internet." Page 13
5. Click OK. The Preferences dialg bx clses. 6. Click Relad in the brwser windw. Yur brwser applicatin may have been timed ut. Click Update (Internet Explrer) r Relad (Netscape Cmmunicatr) t see what happens. I dn't knw the MAC address f the Access Pint Ethernet netwrk. Fllw the steps belw t view the MAC address. 1. Right-click the Wireless Palette icn n the task tray 2. Select Versin frm the menu. 3. Check the number displayed under Wireless Access Pint Ethernet Address. It takes time t switch t the Peer t Peer mde. Switching t the Peer t Peer mde causes Windws t search the DHCP server n the wireless netwrk t btain an IP address. Thus, it will take lnger if n DHCP server exists. If n respnse is returned frm the DHCP server, an unused IP address in the range f 169.254.0.0 t 169.254.255.255 is assigned (Windws Aut IP feature). N cmmunicatins are available in the Peer t Peer mde. The AutIP may have assigned an IP address in the range frm 169.254.0.0 t 169.254.255.255 t ther interfaces including Ethernet and i.link (SmartCnnect). Fllw the steps belw fr checkup. Fr Windws 98 Secnd Editin 1. Select Run frm the Start menu and enter "winipcfg." 2. Click OK. 3. Select an interface ther than Sny PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card. 4. Check the IP address. Verify that n IP address in the range f 169.254.0.0 t 169.254.255.255 is assigned. Fr Windws 2000 1. Select Accessries - Cmmand Prmpt frm the Start menu. 2. Enter "ipcnfig /all." 3. Check the IP address f interfaces ther than Sny PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card. Verify that n IP address in the range f 169.254.0.0 t 169.254.255.255 is assigned. If yu find any interface that is assigned with ne f the addresses in the range f 169.254.0.0 t 196.254.255.255, fllw the steps belw t disable the interface. 1. Select Settings - Cntrl Panel frm the Start menu. 2. Click System. 3. Select the Device Manager tab. 4. Duble-click the device that yu want t disable (e.g. Intel 8255x-based PCI Ethernet Adapter(10/100) fr PCG-Z505JX). 5. Check "Disable with this hardware prfile." 6. Click OK. The disabled devices are indicated with a crss mark. Page 14
Changing the IP address setting f the Access Pint disabled cmmunicatins frm the cmputer. It appears that the IP address is nt matched between the Access Pint and the cmputer. Try either f the fllwing. Re-select the Access Pint in the Tl Bx windw f the Wireless Palette. Restart the cmputer. Remve and re-insert the Wireless LAN PC Card. Fllw the steps belw t release and re-btain the IP address running winipcfg (r ipcnfig). Fr Windws 98 Secnd Editin 1. Select Run frm the Start menu and enter "winipcfg." 2. Click OK. 3. Select Sny PCWA-C100 Wireless Card. 4. Click Release. 5. Click Renew. Check if the re-btained IP address is suitable fr yur netwrk envirnment. Fr Windws 2000 6. Select Prgrams - Accessries - Cmmand Prmpt frm the Start menu. 7. Enter "ipcnfig /release" and press the Enter key. 8. Enter "ipcnfig /renew" and press the Enter key. This re-btains the IP address. 9. Enter "ipcnfig /all." Check if the IP address btained is suitable fr yur netwrk envirnment. I want t cnnect t multiple Access Pints. Yu can register up t fur Access Pint cnnectin settings with the Wireless Palette. This way, yu can switch cnnectin frm ne PCWA-A100 Wireless LAN Access Pint t anther withut being trubled with recnfiguratin each time yu change the destinatin. Hwever, yu cannt cnnect simultaneusly t multiple Access Pints. Page 15
Glssary Channel number Frequency used fr wireless cmmunicatins. Wireless cmmunicatins are available nly amng client cmputers and Access Pints that use the same channel. Client Cmputer n a wireless LAN. It may be called a client cmputer as well. DNS (Dmain Name System) A system that translates hst names int IP addresses. Netwrks that use the TCP/IP prtcl, such as the Internet, use a set f numbers like 192.168.0.1 (IP address) t identify a cmputer. Hwever, since the IP address is rather hard t remember, DNS was develped t allw a name like "www.sny.cm" t identify a cmputer fr cnvenience. DNS servers manage these translatins frm hst names int IP addresses. Encryptin Key Key used in the IEEE802.11-cmpliant security system (WEP). Using the Encryptin Key as the passwrd, nly client cmputers and Access Pints that have the same ID and passwrd may lg nt the same wireless LAN fr file sharing. LAN (Lcal Area Netwrk) A netwrk which is accessible nly t its members, unlike the Internet which is pen t an unlimited number f peple. A LAN may be built fr different purpses. Fr example, yu can build an ffice LAN that is accessible nly t members f the same department r a hme LAN that is accessible nly t family members. SSID (Service Set ID) IEEE802.11-cmpliant wireless LAN grup identifier. The Access Pint uses the Access Pint ID fr the SSID. WAN (Wide Area Netwrk) A netwrk that intercnnects remte LANs thrugh the Internet r telephne lines. Page 16
Trademarks Prgram Cpyright 2000 Sny Crpratin, Cpyright 2000 Lucent Technlgies, Cpyright 1998 by Carnegie Melln University CMU DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL CMU BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE. Dcumentatin Cpyright 2000 Sny Crpratin VAIO is a trademark f Sny Crpratin. Micrsft and Windws are registered trademarks f Micrsft Crpratin in the United States and ther cuntries. Netscape and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel lgs are registered trademarks f Netscape Cmmunicatins Crpratin in the United States and ther cuntries. All ther trademarks are trademarks f their respective wners. Page 17