Configuring the Adapter

Intel® PROSet II, management software for the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter, is included on the Intel CD shipped with the adapter.

Configuring the Adapter on Windows* XP

You can manage adapters through either Intel PROSet II or Windows XP.

If you want to manage your adapters through Intel PROSet II, do the following.

  1. Left-click the Windows XP Network icon in the System Tray. This is typically in the lower right corner of your computer screen.
  2. Click the Properties button.
  3. Click the Wireless Network tab.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Select an SSID from Available Networks and then select Configure. Configure the required Encryption and WEP key settings. The selected SSID is listed under Preferred Networks when configuration is complete.
  6. Make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings checkbox is checked.
  7. Follow the instructions below for installing the software on a Windows 2000 system.
  8. On the desktop, click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel. Double-click Intel PROSet II. You are prompted to select Intel PROSet II as the management software for your wireless settings.
  9. Click Yes.
  10. Configure your wireless settings in Intel PROSet II. For more information, click here

If you want to manage your adapters through Windows XP, do the following.

  1. Left-click the Windows XP Network icon in the System Tray. This is typically in the lower right corner of your computer screen.
  2. Click the Properties button.
  3. Click the Wireless Network tab.
  4. Make sure that the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings checkbox is checked.
  5. For additional information on how Windows XP manages adapters, refer to the online documentation shipped with Windows XP.

Configuring the Adapter with Intel® PROSet II

Before configuring the adapter on Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows NT, or Windows 98 system, you must install the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Software from the Intel CD included with your adapter. For installation instructions, click here. If you are running Windows 95, the installation program installs the Intel® WLAN Utilities. For information on managing the adapter on Windows 95, see the Help for the WLAN Utilities.

Viewing signal strength

Signal strength for the wireless adapter can be displayed in the System Tray. If the icon is not present in the System Tray, click Start, select Settings, and Control Panel, and then double-click the Intel® PROSet II icon. To display the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray, make sure Show the tray icon is selected in the Intel PROSet II  General window.

By default, the signal strength is displayed for the first wireless adapter installed. If you are using more than one wireless adapter, right click the icon in the System Tray and then select the adapter. The icon displays the signal strength for this adapter. 

Changing network settings

Intel PROSet II allows you to change two groups of network settings:

To view or change the network settings

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray, usually located to the right of the Taskbar and at the lower right corner of the computer screen. If the icon is not present in the System Tray, click Start, select Settings, and Control Panel, and then double-click the Intel PROSet II icon. To display the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray, make sure "Show the tray icon" is selected in the Intel PROSet II  General window.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. To view or change basic settings, click the Settings tab.

For more information about configuring wireless network settings, click Help on the Intel PROSet II Help pull-down menu.

Connecting to the network using an access point

A wireless infrastructure network consists of one or more access points and one or more computers with wireless adapters installed. Each access point can have a wired connection to the Local Area Network (LAN). Computers with an installed wireless adapter communicate through an access point.
  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray. This is typically located in the lower right corner on your computer screen.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Settings tab.
  4. Click Network Settings.
  5. For the operating mode, select Communicate with access point (802.11 Station).
  6. Type a Network Name (SSID) or select one from the list. 

If you are connecting to an Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point and the Broadcast SSID feature for the access point is enabled, you can leave the SSID field empty. Intel PROSet II automatically obtains the SSID from the access point.

Use the Network Name (SSID) assigned to the access points in the wireless LAN (WLAN). The wireless adapter scans the access point and uses the channel selected by the access point. You cannot change the channel.

Connecting to a peer-to-peer network

A peer-to-peer wireless network is a simple network of wireless computers that communicate directly with each other without using an access point.

To connect to a peer-to-peer network

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Settings tab.
  4. Click Network Settings.
  5. For the operating mode, select Peer to Peer (802.11 Ad Hoc).

  1. Type a Network Name (SSID) or select one from the list.
  2. Select a Channel Number from the pull-down list.
The Network Name (SSID) and Channel Number must be the same for all the computers in a peer-to-peer network. For the channel, follow the regulatory requirements below.

Country

ID

Channels

 

First

Last

Argentina

AR

1

13

Australia

AU

1

13

Austria

AT

1

13

Bahrain

BH

1

13

Belarus

BY

1

13

Belgium - Indoor

BE

1

13

Belgium - Outdoor

BE

1

2

Brazil

BR

1

13

Bulgaria

BG

1

13

Canada

CA

1

13

Chile

CL

1

13

China

CN

1

13

Columbia

CO

1

13

Costa Rica

CR

1

13

Croatia

HR

1

13

Czech Republic

CZ

1

13

Denmark

DK

1

13

Finland

FL

1

13

France

FR

11

13

Germany

DE

1

13

Greece

GR

1

13

Guatemala

GT

1

13

Hong Kong

HK

1

13

Hungary

HU

1

13

Iceland

IS

1

13

India

IN

1

13

Indonesia

ID

1

13

Ireland

IE

1

13

Israel

IL

5

8

Italy

IT

1

13

Japan

JP

1

14

Jordan

JO

1

13

Kuwait

KW

1

13

Liechtenstein

LN

1

13

Lithuania

LT

1

13

Luxembourg

LU

1

13

Malaysia

MY

1

13

Mexico

MX

11

13

Morocco

MA

1

13

Netherlands

NL

1

13

New Zealand

NZ

1

13

Norway

NO

1

13

Peru

PE

1

13

Panama

PA

1

13

Philippines

PH

1

13

Poland

PL

1

13

Portugal

PT

1

13

Qatar

QA

1

13

Romania

RO

1

13

Russian Federation

RU

1

13

Saudi Arabia

SA

1

13

Singapore

SG

10

13

Slovak Republic

SO

1

13

Slovenia

SI

1

13

South Africa

ZA

1

13

South Korea

KR

1

13

Spain

ES

1

13

Sri Lanka

LK

1

2

Taiwan

TW

1

13

Thailand

TH

1

13

Turkey

TR

1

13

UAE

UE

1

13

Ukraine

UA

1

13

UK

UK

1

13

USA

US

1

11

Venezuela

VE

1

13

Protecting your network with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption

You can prevent unauthorized reception of your wireless data using the IEEE 802.11 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption. The specification includes two levels of security, using a 64-bit key or a 128-bit key. For better security, use a 128-bit key. If you use encryption, all wireless devices on your WLAN must use the same encryption settings. 64-bit encryption is sometimes referred to as 40-bit encryption.

To set up 64-bit encryption

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Settings tab.
  4. Click Network Settings.
  5. Select 64-bit WEP.
  6. Click WEP Keys.
  7. If required, type your WEP password.
  8. Click OK. The WEP Key Configuration dialog box is displayed.
  9. Use one of four keys. In the WEP Key Index field, select a key. All devices, including access points and adapters, must use the same key.
  10. Choose how you want to enter the key. You can enter the key in one of two ways.
  1. Click OK.

To set up 128-bit encryption

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Settings tab.
  4. Click Network Settings.
  5. Select 128-bit WEP.
  6. Click WEP Keys.
  7. If required, type your WEP password.
  8. Click OK. The WEP Key Configuration dialog box displays.
  9. Use one of four keys. In the WEP Key Index field, select a key. All devices, including access points and adapters, must use the same key.
  10. Choose how you want to enter the key. You can enter the key in one of two ways.
  1. Click OK.

Using Wireless Profiles

A profile is a saved group of network settings. If you are moving from one wireless network to another, it is convenient to save the network settings for each wireless network as a profile. When you move from one network to another, you can easily select the profile for the appropriate network.

Settings include but are not limited to the network name (SSID), channel, security settings, and TCP/IP settings. Intel® My WLAN Places allows you to edit and create new profiles.

When you start using a profile, the settings in the profile override the settings in the Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA). For more information about NCPA, click here.

To set up a profile

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the System Tray.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Settings tab.
  4. Click My WLAN Places.

To edit a profile

  1. Click the Settings tab.
  2. Click My WLAN Places.

To start using a profile

  1. Click the Settings tab.
  2. From the pull-down menu, select the appropriate WLAN profile for your networking situation.
  3. Click Activate Profile.
For more information about My WLAN Places, select Contents from the pull-down Help menu in the My WLAN Places window.

After changing the profile you want to use, you must release and renew the adapter's IP address. The adapter regains connectivity to the network.

Switching between wired and wireless adapters

Adapter Switching allows your computer to seamlessly switch between wired and wireless adapters. You also indicate what type of adapter you prefer to use. If the preferred adapter type is unavailable, your computer uses the type of adapter available.

To change the Adapter Switching settings

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the Systems Tray.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Mobility tab.
  4. Click Adapter Switching.

Setting the adapter's power consumption

If your notebook computer is operating on battery power, you can adjust the power settings to extend battery life.
  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon in the Systems Tray.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Settings tab.
  4. Click Power Settings.
  5. Make sure that the Switch power mode based on power source check box is not selected.
  6. Make sure that Let adapter manage power check box is selected.
For more information about the power settings, click the Help button.

Managing the Adapter from the Control Panel

After you install the driver for the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter, you can access the adapter property pages. This piece of software is called the Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA). Intel recommends that you use NCPA if you are running Windows 95. 

If you are running Windows XP, do not use NCPA. For more information about managing wireless settings, click here.

If you are running Windows 2000, Windows Me, or Windows 98, use Intel® PROSet II to manage your adapters. For more information about Intel PROSet II, click here.

For driver installation instructions, click here.

When you start using a profile, the settings in the profile override the settings in the Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA). For more information about profiles, click here.

To display the adapter properties on Windows ME, 98, and 95

  1. Double-click My Computer, and then double-click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Network.
  3. Select the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter and click Properties.
To display the adapter properties on Windows 2000
  1. Double-click My Computer, and then double-click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Network .
  3. Right-click the Local Area Connection for the wireless adapter and click Properties.
The Card Properties window for the adapter displays the properties for the adapter and allows you to set the Network Name (SSID). The SSID is sometimes referred to as the ESSID. It is a string of characters identifying the WLAN.

Click the Advanced button to view or edit WLAN adapter settings using the Mobile Unit, Power, Mobile IP, Encryption, and Computer Settings property pages.

The Easy Setup window and the Advanced property pages can differ in appearance between the Windows 95, 98, 2000 and CE operating systems.

You can limit access to the Advanced property pages by setting a password on the Computer Settings property page. When enabled, no one can access the Advanced property pages without entering the correct password.

Computer Settings Property Page

Use the Computer Settings property page to configure the adapter operating mode and Network Name (SSID).

Use the Operating Mode pull-down menu to select one of the following operating modes for the adapter.

Enter a Network Name (SSID) in the Network Name (SSID) field using a maximum of 32 characters. You can also enter the Network Name in the Easy Setup window. To communicate with an access point, the Network Name must match the Network Name of the access point.

Select Send Long Preamble Headers if the associated access point is using a long preamble when transmitting. The preamble is approximately 8 bytes of packet header data generated by the access point and attached to the packet prior to transmission. The access point and adapter are required to use the same preamble length to interoperate. Ask your system administrator if you do not know the preamble length used by the access point.

Select the International Roaming check box to enable the adapter to roam and associate to access points with different country codes. This feature is helpful if you anticipate using access points with different country codes operating within the network.

You may use the Mandatory AP address field to enter the IEEE Media Access Control (MAC) address of the access point the adapter is required to associate. The adapter associates to this access point when communicating on the network. Enter an access point MAC address to associate to an access point that has a compatible Network Name.

Battery Usage Property Page

Use the Battery Usage property page to control adapter power consumption. The adapter has two power consumption modes, Continuous Access Mode (CAM) and Power Save Poll (PSP) mode. CAM yields the best performance but uses the most power. CAM is the preferred mode for systems running on AC power. PSP saves significant amounts of power over CAM. PSP is the preferred mode for systems running on battery power.

Set the slider to the far right to keep the adapter in CAM or set the slider to a PSP performance index (1 to 5). Each mode is described underneath the sliding scale.

If the adapter is installed in a desktop computer, you cannot manually set the transmission power level. It is automatically set and cannot be changed.

If you are running Windows 95, disable Power Management capabilities in WLAN Monitor to use the settings on this property page. For instructions, start WLAN Monitor and access online help. To start WLAN Monitor, double-click the icon in the System Tray. The System Tray is typically located in the lower corner of your computer screen.

Transmission Power Property Page

Use the Transmission Power property page to set the adapter power level for data transmitted. Set the operating mode for the adapter on the Computer Settings property page.

Adjusting the adapter transmit level enables you to expand or confine a transmission area in respect to interference or other wireless devices that could be operating nearby.

Use the 802.11 Tx Power Options to set the transmission power level for adapters operating in Connect to an Access Point (Infrastructure) mode. If the adapter is installed in a desktop computer, you cannot manually set the transmission power level. It is automatically set and cannot be changed.

Use the IBSS Tx Power Options to set the transmission power level for computers operating in IBSS mode. Select a transmit power level from the AdHoc Tx Power list. 

Mobile IP Property Page

Use the Mobile IP property page to configure the adapter to support roaming across routers. Mobile IP enables a computer to communicate with other access points using its home IP address after changing its point-of-attachment to the Internet/intranet.

If you are running Windows 95, devices supporting Mobile IP require the WLAN Utilities software for the Mobile IP feature to function properly. If you are running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98SE, or Windows NT, devices require Intel PROSet II software. WLAN Utilities and Intel PROSet II are on the Intel CD. 

Select the Enable Mobile IP check box to enable Mobile IP support. For the changes to take effect, restart the system.

Use the Home Agent AP Address field to view the IP address of the access point last associated with the adapter in the home subnet. The adapter can use this access point IP address as a "home residence" when transmitting data with different access points. Therefore, the adapter always has the means to associate to an access point in its home subnet.

Enter a Mobile Home MD5 Key matching the MD5 key on the access point of the home subnet. The MD5 key is a password that is a maximum of 13 characters. You can use this feature to protect data from being tampered with when transmitting and receiving data across a foreign subnet. An adapter is required to use the MD5 key set for the access point in the access point System Configuration page. The default MD5 key is "Intel". If unsure which MD5 key to use or where to configure it for an Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point, see your system administrator.

Use the Registration Timeout pull-down menu to select a timeout value. When the computer registers with a foreign subnet access point, the registration is required to take place within the time specified. The default registration time is 60 seconds. If the computer does not register with the foreign subnet access point within the specified time, the foreign subnet access point removes the computer from its list of registered computers.

Use the Delay Time pull-down menu to select the time a computer waits for a response from a foreign subnet access point when trying to register with that access point. A computer attempts to register with an access point three times before stopping.

Encryption Property Page

Use the Encryption property page for configuring WLAN adapter encryption settings. The absence of a physical connection makes wireless links vulnerable to information theft. Encryption is an efficient method of preventing data theft and improving data security. The adapter supports Open System, 64-bit and 128-bit encryption methods.

If you are running Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, you can also use Intel PROSet II to set up security. Instead of manually entering the encryption code, you can enter a pass phrase. Unlike the NCPA encryption property page discussed above, the keys or pass phrase you enter are displayed as asterisks. This practice prevents someone from reading the encryption information from your computer screen. 

Use the Encryption Algorithm list below to select the Encryption algorithm you want to use for the adapter. The default setting is Disabled. Disabling encryption means that no data encryption occurs. The other two settings are 64-bit and 128-bit encryption. 128-bit encryption provides more security than 64-bit. In NCPA, 64-bit encryption is referred to as 64-bit encryption.

Select Disable to disable encryption for the WLAN adapter and allow for the transmission and receipt of data with no security. Data packets are not encrypted over the network.

To associate and transmit data, an access point and adapters must use the same encryption settings, as summarized below.

    Access Point

    Mobile Unit

    Association

    Disabled

    Disabled

    OK

    64

    64

    OK

    128

    64

    Association,
    No data transmission

    Disabled

    64

    No Association

    Disabled

    128

    No Association

    64

    128

    Association,
    No data transmission

    64

    Disabled

    No Association

    128

    Disabled

    No Association

    128

    128

    OK

If an access point is set to 64-bit encryption and the computer is set to 128-bit encryption, the devices can associate but no data transmission can occur between the two devices.

To set up encryption

  1. Select 64-bit encryption or 128-bit encryption from the Encryption Type pull-down menu. The 128-bit Encryption option provides a higher level of security than 64-bit Encryption while maintaining an 11 Mbps data rate.
  2. Select the WEP Key Index. This is a number between 1 and 4. All devices in a wireless network must use the same key index.
  3. Select the WEP Key Format. If you select HEX, you enter the appropriate hexadecimal in the WEP Key boxes. If you select a pass phrase, enter a phrase comprised of any combination of letters and numbers. The computer generates a hexadecimal WEP Key from the phrase. When 64-bit encryption is selected, enter the 10-digit hexadecimal encryption key into the two text windows.
  4. Click OK.

Click Reset Keys to clear the entries in the Shared Encryption Key fields.

128-bit strong encryption is subject to export restrictions and may not be available in all countries. If you select 128-bit encryption and there are export restrictions, you must also enter an access code. An Export Restrictions dialog box displays. Contact the Intel Corporation Technologies Support Center (1-800-653-5350) for information on acquiring an access code for 128-bit Encryption.

If an access code is required, click the Access Code button to display the Enable 128-bit Encryption dialog box. Type in the access code in the three fields provided and click OK . After you type an access code, the Access Code button is no longer displayed on the Encryption property page, and the access code is stored.

WLAN Adapter Property Page

Use the WLAN Adapter property page to configure the adapter hardware and radio settings and to use the password protection feature.

To set up password protection

  1. Click Password from the WLAN Adapter property page. A password dialog box displays.
  2. Enter a case-sensitive password (10 characters maximum) in the field provided and click OK.
  3. The Advanced property pages password dialog box is enabled and displays when you select Advanced from the Easy Setup window.

To disable the password dialog box, enter the current password and leave the two new password fields empty. Click OK.

To change the password, enter the current password and type a new password in the two new password fields, Click OK.

To configure the adapter hardware and radio settings

  1. Use the Card Type pull-down menu to specify the type of adapter in the system.

The Interrupt Number , I/O Port Address and Memory Base Address fields are automatically updated.

  1. Select the appropriate Diversity setting for your wireless network:

To optimize network performance and maintain adapter association, the Diversity setting must match the antenna configuration for the network access points your adapter associates .

Diversity is the use of two access point antennas simultaneously. Diversity improves radio reception by receiving through one antenna while transmitting at the same time through the other antenna. In highly reflective environments, antenna diversity improves network speed and performance and increases the likelihood of maintaining adapter to access point association and a high data rate.

When a single primary antenna is used, it transmits and receives. Outgoing access point transmissions must wait until all incoming data packets are received before they transmit through the single primary antenna. If an adapter is set for Primary and an access point is set for Diversity, the adapter's ability to maintain the access point's throughput is compromised and numerous missed beacons may result in the access point dropping the adapter from its list of supported devices.

Using the Diversity setting when associated with a single-antenna access point can also cause poor wireless network performance.

Updating the Driver Version

Verify the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Adapter driver is the most recent version to ensure optimal functionality.

Verifying the Driver Versions

In Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, and Windows NT, use Intel PROSet II to view driver and firmware versions.

To view the driver and firmware versions

  1. Double-click the Intel PROSet II icon on the right side of the Windows taskbar.
  2. Select the wireless adapter on the left side of the Intel PROSet II window.
  3. Click the Network Driver tab.
In Windows 95, use the WLAN Monitor utility to view driver and firmware versions. The WLAN Monitor General properties page allows you to verify driver firmware version data and view WLAN adapter signal and transmission quality information.

Upgrading Drivers for the Adapter

The most recent driver is available at the Intel support website. If the driver version on this website is more recent than the driver version on your computer, Intel recommends that you upgrade to the latest version.

To update the driver in Windows 2000 and Windows XP

  1. Right-click My Computer and click Properties .
  2. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
  3. Open Network adapters and double-click Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN PC Card.
  4. Click the Driver tab and click Update Driver.
To update the driver in Windows Me, Windows 98, and Windows 95
  1. Right-click the Network icon on the desktop and click Properties.
  2. Select the old network adapter and click Remove.
  3. Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and then Add New Hardware.
  4. Follow the steps in the Add New Hardware Wizard to install the driver form the Intel CD.
To install the Version 3.0 Utilities tools
  1. Insert the Intel CD into your CD-ROM drive. If you do not have the Intel CD, you can download the software package from the Intel support website.
  2. When the program starts, click Install Drivers and Utilities and follow the instructions on the screen. If you downloaded the software package from the support website, navigate to the appropriate directory on your computer and double-click autorun.exe.

Updating the Firmware for the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011 Adapter

You do not need to update the firmware of the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B Adapter when you update the driver.  However, if you update the driver for the driver of the 2011 Adapter, you should also update the firmware.

  Caution

If you update the firmware of the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011 Adapter when it is installed in a PCI carrier, you can no longer use the PC Card in a laptop computer.  Install the adapter in a laptop computer to perform the firmware update.

If you are running Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000, update the Intel PRO/Wireless LAN adapter firmware in Intel PROSet II. Click the Network Driver tab and click Update.

If you are running Windows 95, update the firmware through the Intel WLAN Update Utility. Before updating the firmware, make sure that you update the driver and install the Intel WLAN Utilities.


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