MIMO 108Mbps Pre N Wireless CardBus Adapter

CQW-NS108G

Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Features ................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Package Contents................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Wireless Network Options..................................................................................................... 3

1.3.1 The Peer-to-Peer Network............................................................................................. 3 1.3.2 The Access Point Network............................................................................................. 4

1.4 LED Indicators....................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.1 Link Indicator (Green LED) ............................................................................................ 4 1.4.2 Act Indicator (Green LED) ............................................................................................. 4

Chapter 2 Installation ................................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Utility Installation ................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Hardware Installation ............................................................................................................ 7

2.2.1 Notes for Windows 2000 users...................................................................................... 8 2.2.2 Notes for Windows XP users ......................................................................................... 8 2.2.3 Hardware Verification..................................................................................................... 9

3. Configuration ........................................................................................................................... 11 3.1 Tray Status Icons ................................................................................................................ 11 3.2 Accessing the Configuration Utility...................................................................................... 11 3.3 Link Information Tab ........................................................................................................... 12

3.3.1 Current Profile String ................................................................................................... 12 3.3.2 Wireless & IP Information ............................................................................................ 12

3.4 AP List Tab.......................................................................................................................... 15 3.5 Profile Setting Tab............................................................................................................... 15

3.5.1 Add & Edit New Profile ................................................................................................ 16 3.6 About Tab............................................................................................................................ 21

Chapter 4 Uninstallation........................................................................................................... 22 Appendix A Specifications....................................................................................................... 24 Appendix B Safety Statement.................................................................................................. 25

2

Chapter 1 Introduction

The PLANEX MIMO 108Mbps Pre N Wireless CardBus Adapter CQW-NS108G is a high performance wireless LAN adapter. It provides the wireless access to the networked resources. The adapter applies the MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), a smart antenna technology to significantly not only enhance the throughput but also to extend the coverage range. The adapter is fully compliant with IEEE 802.11g & 11b standards and therefore offers the compatibility with existing 802.11g and 11b products. Its high transmission data rates and reliable performance are ideal for streaming multimedia applications .

The adapter also features WEP, AES, TKIP hardware-based security capabilities. This allows you to protect data over wireless communications, and still without sacrifice the performance when encrypting and decrypting the data. With friendly user interface and easy setup wizard tool, the adapter is easy to install and use.

1.1 Features Compliant with IEEE 802.11 g & b Standards on 2.4GHz Band Airgo True MIMO Technology Provides up to 108 Mbps High-Speed Data Rate within a

Single Channel Provide High-Performance and Throughput by Applying Smart Antenna Technology Support QoS, Draft 802.11e Capable of 64/128-Bit WEP and AES, TKIP Hardware Encryption Support Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc Networking Modes Plug-and-Play Operation Provides Easy Setup Drivers support Windows 2000, and XP

1.2 Package Contents CQW-NS108G Quick Installation Guide CD-ROM (User’s Manual / Driver & Utility) Warranty Card

1.3 Wireless Network Options 1.3.1 The Peer-to-Peer Network This network installation sets a small wireless workgroup easily and quickly. Equipped with wireless cardbus adapters or wireless pcibus adapter, you can share files and printers between each desktop and laptop computer.

3

You can also use one computer as an Internet Server to connect to a wired global network and share files and information with other computers via a wireless LAN.

1.3.2 The Access Point Network The network installation shares files, printers, and Internet access much more conveniently. With Wireless LAN Cards, you can connect wireless LAN to a wired global network via an Access Point.

1.4 LED Indicators 1.4.1 Link Indicator (Green LED) Lights up when the Card links to a wireless network.

1.4.2 Act Indicator (Green LED) Lights up and flashes when the Card is active.

4

Chapter 2 Installation Caution: Do not insert the CQW-NS108G into your laptop computer until the procedures in Utility Installation has been performed.

2.1 Utility Installation 1. Insert the CD-ROM into the drive on your PC. 2. The auto-run program should start automatically. Click Install Utility to start the installation. If it

does not, run the CD-ROM path:\setup.exe program.

5

3. When the InstallShield Wizard screen appears, click Next to continue.

4. The Choose Destination Location screen will show you the default destination chosen by the utility. Click Next to continue.

5. Follow the instruction to select the program folder. Click Next to continue.

6

6. Click Continue Anyway to continue.

7

7. Click Finish to complete the installation.

2.2 Hardware Installation Note: Make sure the procedure in Utility Installation has been performed. 1. Please locate your cardbus slot. 2. Carefully slide the CQW-NS108G into the cardbus slot. Push evenly and slowly and ensure it is

properly seated. 3. Windows will detect the new hardware and then automatically copy all of the files needed for

networking.

2.2.1 Notes for Windows 2000 users During the installation, when the Digital Signature Not Found screen appears, click Yes to continue.

2.2.2 Notes for Windows XP users 1. Select Install the software automatically (Recommended) and click Next.

2. Click Continue Anyway.

8

9

3. Click Finish to complete the installation.

2.2.3 Hardware Verification To verify that the device has been properly installed in your computer and is enabled, go to Start

Settings Control Panel System (Hardware) Device Manager. Select the Network adapters item. If the PLANEX CQW-NS108G 108Mbps Wireless LAN Card is listed, it means that your device is properly installed and enabled successfully.

10

3. Configuration After installing the CQW-NS108G driver successfully, a Utility icon will display in the task bar. You will be able to access the Configuration Utility through the Utility icon.

If the icon does not appear automatically, go to Start Programs bRoad Lanner Wave PLANEX CQW-NS108G Utility, it will appear in the task bar.

3.1 Tray Status Icons Different icons in the system tray indicate the status of the wireless connection:

Not Connected (Red)

Connected (Blue)

3.2 Accessing the Configuration Utility The Configuration Utility is accessed by clicking on the Network Status Icon.

All settings are categorized into 4 Tabs:

Link Information Tab

AP List Tab

Profile Setting Tab

About Tab

11

3.3 Link Information Tab The Link Information tab displays the status of the network. When the CQW-NS108G 108MbpsWLAN Card Utility initializes, it displays the Link Information tab:

3.3.1 Current Profile String The Current Profile String field displays the name of the profile in use. Additional information about the profile is provided in the Profile Setting.

Select one of the profiles previously defined by clicking the down arrow and highlighting a profile from the pulldown list.

Profiles are created, modified, and deleted through the Profile Setting.

3.3.2 Wireless & IP Information Clicking the More button displays the Information dialog box:

12

Click Back button to close Information dialog box. 3.3.2.1 Wireless Information The Wireless Information section contains the current information about the wireless connection:

(1) Connect To Network – shows current the SSID and BSSID. Network SSID label (i.e., Network Name). The Network Name is a text string of up to 32 characters. The BSSID is a 48-bit identity used to identify a particular BSS within an area. In Infrastructure BSS networks, the BSSID is the MAC address of the AP. In independent BSS or Peer to Peer networks, the BSSID is generated randomly.

13

(2) Network Type – type of environment to which you are connected the choices are Access Point mode or Peer to Peer mode.

Access Point Mode: In this mode, wireless clients send and receive information through APs. When a wireless client communicates with another, it transmits to the AP. The AP receives the information and rebroadcasts it. Other devices then receive the information. APs are strategically located within an area to provide optimal coverage for wireless clients. A large WLAN uses multiple APs to provide coverage over a wide area. APs can connect to a LAN through a wired Ethernet connection. APs send and receive information from the LAN through the wired connection.

Peer to Peer Mode: In this mode, wireless clients send and receive information to other wireless clients without using an AP. This type of WLAN only contains wireless clients. Use Ad Hoc mode to network computers at home or in small office, or to set up a temporary wireless network for a meeting.

(3) Channel – displays the channel used by the detected device. (4) Encryption – encryption on or off. (5) Link Speed – connection speed, (i.e., 54 Mbits / sec, 48 Mbits / sec, etc.) (6) Signal Strength – shows the wireless signal strength of the connection between the wireless

LAN card with the Access Point. (7) Link Quality – shows the link quality of the wireless LAN card with the Access Point when

operating under Infrastructure mode. 3.3.2.2 IP Information The Internet Protocol specifies the format of packets, also called datagram, and the addressing scheme. Most networks combine IP with a higher-level protocol called TCP, which establishes a virtual connection between a destination and a source.

The parameters of the Internet Protocol are:

(1) DHCP Status – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. Either enabled or disabled. (2) Current IP – an identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. The format of an IP

address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be 0 to 255.

(3) Subnet Mask – a mask used to determine what subnet an IP address belongs to. An IP address has two components, the network address and the host address. The first two numbers represent the Class B network address, and the second two numbers identify a particular host on this network.

(4) Default Gateway – the default node on a network that serves as an entrance to another network. In enterprises, the gateway is the computer that routes the traffic from a workstation to the outside network that is serving the Web pages. In homes, the gateway is the ISP that connects the user to the internet.

(5) DNS Server – the IP Address of the Domain Name Server which is currently used.

14

3.4 AP List Tab This tab shows a list of all of the Peer to Peer and Access Point stations within range of the adapter.

(1) Network Name – the Network Name is a text string. (2) Band – the Band indicator shows the data rates the client card operates.

B: an 802.11b capable AP. G: an 802.11g capable AP (backward compatible to 802.11b).

(3) Signal – displays the signal strength of the detected device as a percentage. (4) Network Type – the type of environment to which you are connected. The displays are Access

Point mode or Peer to Peer mode. (5) Channel – displays the channel used by the detected device. (6) Encryption – encryption on or off. (7) Surveyed at – the MAC address, a hardware address that uniquely identifies each node of a

network. Select any one of them to establish communications by simply mouse double-click or click on the Connect button. Click Refresh button to start scanning for network again.

3.5 Profile Setting Tab Clicking on the Profile Setting tab displays the Profile Setting dialog box. The Profile Setting displays the profiles available and allows you to add, edit, and delete profiles:

15

(1) Profile Name – the Profile Name is a text string. (2) Network Name – the Network Name is a text string. (3) Network Type – the type of environment to which you are connected. The displays are Access

Point mode or Ad Hoc mode. (4) Channel – displays the channel used by the detected device. (5) Encryption – encryption on or off. (8) IP Setting –This will display On or Off. (6) Add – add a profile. (7) Edit – edit a profile. (8) Delete – deletes a profile. (9) Connect – establish communications.

3.5.1 Add & Edit New Profile 3.5.1.1 Profile Name

16

(1) Profile Name – enter the name in the Profile Name fields.

Please press Next for next step. 3.5.1.2 Wireless Network Setting

(1) Network Name – enter the name in the Network Name fields. (2) Network Type – the type of environment to which you are connected. The choices are Access

Point mode or Peer to Peer mode. (3) Transfer Rate – the choice is only Automatic mode. (4) Channel – the channel function is only appear when Network Type is selected Peer to Peer

mode. Please press Next for next step. 3.5.1.3 Wireless Security Setting

17

(1) Authentication Mode – the choices are Off, Open System, Shared Key, WPA-PSK, WPA, 802.1x, WPA2-PSK, and WPA2.

Off: No data encryption used. Open System: Using Open System authentication, any wireless station can request

authentication. The station that needs to authenticate with another wireless station sends an authentication management frame that contains the identity of the sending station. The receiving station or AP grants any request for authentication. Open authentication allows any device network access. If no encryption is enabled on the network, any device that knows the SSID of the access point can gain access to the network.

Shared Key: Using Shared Key authentication, each wireless station is assumed to have received a secret shared key over a secure channel that is independent from the 802.11 wireless network communications channel. Shared key authentication requires that the client configure a static WEP key. The client access is granted only if it passed a challenge based authentication.

WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK: Personal provides this level of security in the small network or home environment. It uses a password also called a pre-shared key (PSK). The longer this password the stronger the security of the wireless network. If your Wireless Access Point or Router supports WPA/WPA2 Personal (WPA-PSK) then you should enable it on the access point and provide a long, strong password. The same password entered into access point needs to be used on this computer and all other wireless devices that access the wireless network.

WPA / WPA2: Enterprise provides this level of security on enterprise networks with a 802.1x RADIUS server. An Authentication Type is selected to match the authentication protocol of the 802.1x server.

802.1x: 802.1x authentication is independent of the 802.11 authentication process. The 802.1x standard provides a framework for various authentication and key-management protocols. There are different 802.1x authentication types, each providing a different approach to authentication but all employing the same 802.1x protocol and framework for communication between a client and an access point. In most protocols, upon the completion of the 802.1x authentication process, the supplicant receives a key that it uses for data encryption. With 802.1x authentication, an authentication method is used between the client and a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server connected to the access point. The authentication process uses credentials, such as a user's password that are not transmitted over the wireless network. Most 802.1x types support dynamic per-user, per-session keys to strengthen the static key security. 802.1x benefits from the use of an existing authentication protocol known as the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP).

(2) Encryption – the choices are 64 bits, 128 bits, TLS, and PEAP.

18

(3) Input Method –the choices are TKIP and AES. Please press Next for next step.

(1) Input Method – the choices are Alphanumeric, Hexadecimal (0-9, A-F), and Passphrase Alphanumeric: use 5 or 13 alphanumeric characters, 0-9, a-z or A-Z. Hexadecimal (0-9, A-F): use 10 or 26 alphanumeric hexadecimal characters, 0-9, A-F. Passphrase: use up to 31 alphanumeric characters.

(2) Key – enter the wireless network Password (WEP Key) in the text box. (3) Key Index – 1,2,3,4: Up to four passwords may be specified by changing the Key Index.

19

(4) Certificate on this computer – this certificate identifies you as the user. This certificate is used for client authentication.

(5) Validate server certificate – the server certificate received during TLS message exchange must have been issued by this certificate authority.

(6) Login Server – the server name entered must match exactly the server name found on the certificate. The server name should include the complete domain name (e.g., Server name, Domain name) in this field.

(7) User Name – this user name must match the user name that is set in the authentication server. (8) Password – this password must match the password that is set in the authentication server.

(9) Key – enter a text phrase with at least 8 up to 63 characters in the Key field. Please press Next for next step. 3.5.1.5 IP Setting

20

(1) IP Setting – the choices are Disable and Enable. Disable: the Complete button will appear when IP Setting select to Disable.

Press Complete button to finish setting. Enable: Press Next button to continue.

(2) DHCP Status – the choices are Enable and Disable. Enable: your IP Address is allocated automatically, when you connect to wireless network. Disable: your MIS allocates a permanent IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and

DNS Server to you.

3.6 About Tab The About tab show you copyright and version information about the driver and the utility.

21

Chapter 4 Uninstallation In case you need to uninstall the Utility and driver, please refer to below steps. (As you uninstall the utility, the driver will be uninstalled as well.) 1. Go to Start Programs bRoad Lanner Wave Uninstall PLANEX CQW-NS108G

Utility.

22

2. Select Remove and click Next.

3. Click Finish to complete the uninstalled procedure.

23

24

Appendix A Specifications Product Name MIMO 108Mbps Pre N Wireless CardBus Adapter Model Number CQW-NS108G Spreading 802.11b: DSSS, CCK, QPSK, BPSK

802.11g: OFDM (Airgo True MIMO, 64QAM, 16QAM, QPSK, BPSK)

Frequency Range 802.11b/g: 2.4 ~ 2.4835GHz (subject to local regulations)Number of Channels USA, Canada and Taiwan – 11

Japan – 14 Most European Countries – 13 France – 4

Roaming Seamless roaming among 802.11g compliant access points

Data Rate 802.11b: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps 802.11g: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps Airgo True MIMO: 108, 96, 72 Mbps within a single channel

Security 64/128 bits WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2 and WPA2-PSK

Modulation 802.11g: OFDM, Airgo proprietary MIMO 802.11b: CCK (11, 5.5 Mbps), DQPSK (2 Mbps), DBPSK (1 Mbps)

Transmit Power 802.11b: 20 dBm (typical) 802.11g: 17 - 20 dBm (typical)

Receive Sensitivity 11Mbps: -86 dBm (Typical) 54Mbps: -73 dBm (Typical)

Temperature Range Operating: 0ºC to 40ºC (32ºF to 150ºF) Storage: 0ºC to 70ºC (-40ºF to 185ºF)

Humidity Operating: 10% to 85%, Non-Condensing Storage: 5% to 90% Non-Condensing

Network Protocol TCP/IP, IPX, NDIS4, and NDIS5 ,NDIS 5.1 Standards IEEE 802.11b standard

IEEE 802.11g standard Support for draft IEEE 802.11e

LED Indicators Power Indicator Network Link Indicator

Dimensions 123 x 54 x 5 mm Unit Weight 48 g

Appendix B Safety Statement CE Statements

This device has bee tested and found to comply with the requirements set up in the council directive on the approximation of the law of member states relating to EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and R&TTE Directive 99/5/EC.

FCC Safety Statements

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept m\any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

The radiated output power is far below the FCC Radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, this device should be used in such a manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized.

Warning: Change or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by the manufacturer. May void the FCC authorization to operate this equipment.

Important

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communication. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

25