RadioLAN Network Card 140 MOBILINK User Guide

Model 140 MOBILINK

User Guide

890-013 06/02/99 Version 1

Disc la im e r

The instructions in this document have been carefully checked for accuracy and are presumed to be

reliable. RadioLAN and its writers assume no responsibility for inaccuracies and reserves the right to

modify and revise this document without notice.

It is our goal at RadioLAN to always supply accurate and reliable documentation. If you discover a

discrepancy in this document, please e-mail your comments or suggested corrections to

[email protected].

No part of this publication may be placed in a retrieval system, transmitted, or reproduced in any way,

including but not limited to photograph, photocopy, computer disk or other record, without prior

agreement and written permission from:

RadioLAN

455 DeGuigne Drive

Suite D

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

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Tra de m a rk Disc losure s

RadioLAN has made every effort to provide disclosures when using trademarks owned by other

companies. Trademarked designations appear throughout this publication. The publisher states that it

is using the designations only for editorial purposes, and to the benefit of the trademark owner with no

intent to infringe upon that trademark. The following trademarks are found in this manual:

Microsoft™, and Windows for Workgroups™, and Windows 95™, and Windows NT™ are trademarks of the

Microsoft Corporation.

Novell™ and Netware™ are trademarks of Novell, Inc.

Xerox™ is a trademark of the Xerox Corporation.

IBM™ is a trademark of International Business Machines.

10BaseRadio™ and RadioLAN10™ are trademarks of RadioLAN.

Ma nua l Conve ntions

The following text formats are used throughout this manual.

References to other locations in the manual or to other Manuals provided by RadioLAN are italicized.

Narrow Letters describe buttons and fields on the screen

SMALL CAPITAL LETTERS describe Screen Names or Screen Tab Names

Bold and Italicized Letters indicate important information.

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Table Of Contents

NOTICES ........................................................................................................................................................................... I

FCC................................................................................................................................................................................... I

DISCLAIMER...................................................................................................................................................................... II

TRADEMARK DISCLOSURES................................................................................................................................................ III

MANUAL CONVENTIONS.................................................................................................................................................... III

INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................................1

ITEMSINCLUDEDWITHTHEMODEL 140 MOBILINK ............................................................................................................ 3

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

INSTALLING THE MODEL 140 MOBILINK............................................................................................................................ 4

Inserting and removing the MOBILINK........................................................................................................................... 5

Removing the MOBILINK .............................................................................................................................................. 8

Installing RadioLAN Drivers.......................................................................................................................................... 9

INSTALLING RADIONET MANAGER ................................................................................................................................... 13

RANGE OF OPERATION...................................................................................................................................................... 14

Roaming .................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Performing a Site Survey ............................................................................................................................................. 16

GETTING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE......................................................................................................................18

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Introduc tion

Welcome to wireless networking. You have

purchased RadioLAN’s Model 140 MOBILINK, a

wireless network device that allows you to connect

a PC that uses a PCMCIA slot to a RadioLAN

wireless network. RadioLAN wireless networks

allow network stations to access shared network

resources using a full-speed 10Mbps connection,

without typical cabling requirements.

Using the Model 140 MOBILINK in a notebook PC,

you can easily move from one location to another

without searching for a network port. If your

notebook is powered on and placed upon a rolling

cart, you can route through the workplace while

taking notes or performing data entry. One example

of this type of user would be a medical professional

that regularly dispenses medication to a number of

patients. While operating on battery power, the

Figure 1: The Model 140 MOBILINK

nurse moves from one room to the next. While using the Model 140 MOBILINK, the nurse’s station

maintains a wireless connection to the facility’s network, and can continually receive network

messages, e-mail, and chat requests throughout the day.

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Another example of Model 140 use would be a professional in an office complex. When using a hard-

wired network, the professional would typically have connection to the network in his office, but would

leave this connection to valuable resources behind when going to meetings in conference rooms.

When using the Model 140 MOBILINK, the professional would have network resource access while in

his office, and during meetings in conference rooms. The professional would enjoy necessary

network resources any time they were required.

The Model 140 MOBILINK comes with RadioNET Manager, RadioLAN’s powerful network connection

application. RadioNET Manager manages wireless network stations, enabling them to function at

optimum speeds and performance.

With RadioNET Manager you can gain access to shared network resources like printers, hard disk

drives, and other network stations. You can also receive network performance information that allows

you to:

View detailed information for a selected station.

View information about several stations at once.

Modify your station name.

Modify station Subnet ID.

Identify access type for each station.

Test individual stations to determine success/failure rate of transmissions.

Test the communication connection between stations.

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Ite m s Inc lude d with the Mode l 140 MOBILINK

When you received your new Model 140 MOBILINK, you should have received the following items in

the product container:

This Manual

The Model 140 MOBILINK PCMCIA Card

Network Drivers and Configuration Utilities Diskette (1 of 1)

RadioNET Manager Diskette (1 of 1)

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Syste m re q uire m e nts

To use RadioNET Manager, station computers must meet or exceed the following requirements:

Windows 95b or later operating system

32Mb of RAM recommended

3.5 inch floppy disk drive

Hard disk drive with at least 1Mb of available space

Insta lling the Mode l 140 MOBILINK

When installing the Model 140 MOBILINK for the first time, Windows displays a series of screens that

guide you through a driver installation procedure. After properly installing the unit’s drivers, your PC

may annunciate the presence of the PCMCIA card after the operating system boots, or when you

insert the card while the PC is operating normally.

This section of the manual discusses the steps needed to install the Model 140 with the Windows

operating system. Actual installation procedures may vary depending upon the version of Windows

that you use, but driver installation is intuitive, and easy to perform.

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Inse rting a nd re m oving the MOBILINK

The transceiver comes installed on the end of the PCMCIA card, and is hinged for easy installation

and safe storage after removal. The unit is designed to open at a 130-degree angle from the PCMCIA

card. This allows the card to slide completely into the PCMCIA slot inside of the PC.

When using other PCMCIA devices: When the unit is open, the MOBILINK’s antenna points

upward. If you use other PCMCIA devices in a second slot, consider inserting the MOBILINK into the

top slot. This allows cable access to other the other card because the MOBILINK’s antenna does not

cover the other card.

The PC card interfaces the transceiver with your personal computer. It slides into any Type II or Type

III PCMCIA slot inside your notebook. After properly installing the MOBILINK, and software drivers,

you will configure the unit using RadioNET Manager.

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To insert the MOBILINK:

Gently open the antenna so

that it is angled away from the

PCMCIA card at a 130-degree

angle.

Figure 2: Opening the MOBILINK

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Carefully align the PCMCIA

card into the guides of the

PCMCIA slot. If there are two

slots, select the top slot.

Insert the PC card firmly into

the slide the card into the slot

until it stops and then press

firmly to seat the card into the

slot.

Figure 3: Inserting the PCMCIA Card Into the Slot

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Re m oving the MOBILINK

Always take care when removing the

MOBILINK from the slot. PCMCIA slots

are designed to tightly hold the card into

place. There are usually ejector buttons

on one end of the slot. Before

attempting to remove the card, follow

these important steps:

1. Press the ejector button. Pressing

the button causes the unit to

unplug from the internal connector,

and to partially slide out of the slot.

2. Once the card has moved slightly

outward, grasp the MOBILINK on

each side, at the hinge, and then

pull the card free from the slot.

Figure 4: Ejecting the MOBILINK from the Slot

3. Fold down the transmitter for

storage.

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Insta lling Ra dioLAN Drive rs

After inserting the card into the slot, the

operating system displays the NEW

HARDWARE FOUND screen, and offers driver

choices that are appropriate for the

hardware.

Select Driver from disk provided by

manufacturer, and then click OK.

Figure 5: The New Hardware Found Screen

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The operating system displays the INSTALL

FROM DISK screen.

Insert the Network Drivers disk into drive A, and

then click OK.

Figure 7: The Install from Disk Screen

The operating system begins copying files from

the diskette, and shows progress on the

Copying Files screen.

Figure 6: The Copying Files Screen

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Soon after, the INSERT DISK screen appears, prompting

you to insert the operating system diskette.

Insert the disk into the appropriate drive, and then click

OK. If the operating system cannot find the operating

system CD, it displays a screen that allows you to

Browse for the location of the CD. After locating the

proper path for the CD, click OK.

Figure 9: The Insert Disk Screen

During the installation, if a file being installed conflicts with

a newer version, the operating system displays the

VERSION CONFLICT screen, allowing you to preserve the

newer file. Under normal circumstances, select Yes to

keep the existing file.

Figure 8: The Version Conflict

Screen

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If your computer is set for TCP/IP with DHCP,

then after the operating system completes

copying files onto the hard disk drive, it begins

searching for a DHCP client. If it does not locate

the DHCP client, it displays a notification

screen. The screen allows you to bypass DHCP

client searching in the future. If you are not

using a DHCP client, select No to stop future

DHCP client searching.

Figure 10: The DHCP Client Screen

If your PC normally provides audible annunciation of PCMCIA card activation, it displays or sounds

this annunciation at this time, indicating that the MOBILINK drivers are installed and that the

hardware is operating properly.

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Insta lling Ra d ioNET Ma na ge r

Install RadioNET Manager onto your computer’s hard disk drive.

1. Insert RadioNET Manager Diskette (1 of 1) into your floppy disk drive.

2. Double-click the My Computer icon on the Windows 95™ desktop, then double-click the drive

letter where you inserted the diskette. Windows 95 displays the contents of the diskette.

3. Double-click Setup to launch the installation program. Follow the instructions on the screen to

complete the setup.

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Ra nge of Op e ra tion

RadioLAN networks provide a radio carrier range of 250 feet

120 feet

data range

with a nominal data range of a 120 feet radius from each

station. Your system’s range may be greater than 120 feet

depending upon the environment. Within the data range, a

station can exchange information at full Ethernet speeds.

For best operation, RadioLAN recommends that you locate

all stations within a 120-foot circular area (see Figure 11).

This ensures proper operation of the network’s CSMA/CA

feature, which overcomes network communication

collisions.

Obstructions can decrease the data range: RadioLAN is

designed to operate in a semi-open office environment.

Listed below are some obstructions that may reduce your

data range:

Walls made of a metallic substance

Thick concrete walls

Figure 11: Range of Operation

Walls reinforced with metallic studs

Foil-backed insulation installed within walls

Desktop objects that surround your RadioLAN transceiver

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Roa m ing

Two Radio Carrier Areas

RadioLAN networks provide an automatic

ability in the client stations to select the

Access Point with the best signal. This allows

the client stations to move from one Access

Point to another without user intervention.

For instance, a portable computer using the

RadioLAN Model 140 card may easily move

from one area of the building to another area

served by a separate Access Point, while

receiving 10Mb service. This allows the user

to take the computer from the office area, to a

conference room and continue to work on the

network.

RadoLNA

WAP #1

RadoLNA

Roaming PC

WAP #2

Roaming PC

RadoLNAi

Roaming PC

The client stations software manages the

relationship to the nearest access point, and

when conditions change, the client station will

notify the new Access Point that it is selected

Figure 12: Roaming Between Access Points

to provide service for that client, and the old Access Point to discontinue service. This is performed

automatically and seamlessly.

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Pe rform ing a Site Surve y

Performing a site survey allows you to map out your signal quality ratings throughout the office area.

To perform the survey, you need to configure two stations. For example, the first station might be a

desktop station. The second station might be a wireless notebook station using the Model 140

PCMCIA Card. While testing, each station is monitoring the other for connectivity quality.

Ma p ing the Site

Create a map of the wireless site. On the map, mark the locations of each stationary station, for

example, mark each office where a wireless station will be located. Also specify and mark the station

that will connect to the hard-wired 10BaseT local area network. In this example, the Access Point is

the center point of the wireless network.

From the Access Point, measure the distance to each office where a wireless station is located. Note

the distance at each station on the map.

Pe rform ing the Te st

1. Using RadioNET Manager, view the NETWORK INFORMATION AND CONNECTIVITY screen at both

stations to monitor the connectivity quality of the other station.

2. Raise and locate the desktop Access Point station’s transceiver to the highest possible location,

clear from obstructions on any side.

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3. With the portable notebook station, move to the location where each wireless station will be

located. Locate the notebook so that you can position its transceiver as close to the location

where the proposed station’s transmitter will be located. Place the transceiver, and then call up

the NETWORK INFORMATION AND CONNECTIVITY screen onto the notebook’s screen. Read the

rating for the Access Point. If the Access Point does not have a rating of 5, attempt to raise the

value to 5 by relocating the transceiver. Note the highest rating that you attain during the test on

the map. Also note that this rating was noted at the notebook’s location.

4. With map in hand, go to the Access Point, and then read the connectivity rating for the notebook

on the NETWORK INFORMATION AND CONNECTIVITY screen. Note this rating on the map at the

location of the notebook. Also note that this reading was taken from the Access Point.

After noting the two ratings, move to the next designated station location. Repeat the steps above

until you note each location’s connectivity quality rating from the Access Point and the notebook.

When you have completed your mapping, you will have an illustrated view of the best connectivity

quality that can be attained between the Access Point and each station in the network. You will also

be familiar with the best locations to position transceivers throughout the network.

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Ge tting Te c hnic a l Assista nc e

If you have technical questions, or have determined that your equipment is damaged, RadioLAN

offers a number of ways to get assistance:

1. Contact your local RadioLAN reseller where you purchased the product.

2. See the RadioLAN Web Site for technical assistance:

http://www.radiolan.com

When your browser accesses the Web Site, click Technical Support.

3. You can reach RadioLAN Technical Support directly by dialing:

(408) 616-6300.

4. Alternatively, you can reach our technical staff at the following e-mail address:

[email protected]

Please have the following information available and ready:

Your name, address, and phone number

The serial number of the RadioLAN part in question

A description of the problem that you are experiencing

Technical Support may ask you to run tests and give results of those tests. It is therefore best if you

are located as close as possible to the unit when you call.

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455 De Guigne Drive

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Phone (408) 616-6300

Fax (408) 524-0600

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