Sony PCWA-C700 - Manual

5 Graph scale
This controls the scale for indication of transmission and reception link rate and throughput. Normally, the transmission and reception throughput will be
about half the link rate.
6 “Streaming Mode” button
This button is shown only when using Windows XP. It allows you to temporarily suspend the Windows XP wireless configuration functions (Wireless
Zero Configuration service) in order to optimize throughput for real-time playback of streaming data over the wireless network.
Note
When playback of streaming data is finished, do not forget to set the “Streaming Mode” button to Off. If the setting is left at On, network switching is not possible.
7 “Renew IP” button
Clicking this button causes the computer to obtain a new IP address.
The button can be used when the setting for automatically assigning an IP address is activated.
Notes
• When a fixed IP address has been assigned to the computer, this function cannot be used.
• Under Windows Me, this function cannot be used.
8 “AP Setting” button
Clicking this button starts your Web browser and displays the Access Point home page (setup page). This function is available when the Wireless LAN
Access Point PCWA-A500* or another Access Point that supports the function is used (*As of February, 2003). The function is not available in a Peer to
Peer network.
9 “Show Graph/Hide Graph” button
Lets you turn the status graph ( 0 ) on an off. The default setting is off.
0 Graph
Shows the reception level, RX link rate, and TX throughput. These parameters are useful for finding the optimum location of computer and Access
Point, and for measuring throughput.
Connecting to a wireless network/registering network
settings
The “Network List” tab shows a list of 802.11b/802.11a wireless networks operating within communication range of the computer, found as the result of a
scan. Under Windows Me and Windows 2000, you can select a network from this list to connect to, and you can register networks for the computer.
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1 Status display icon
The status of registered networks is shown as an icon.
Access Points within communication range are shown as colored icons, and Access Points outside communication range are shown as gray icons.
Connection mode
Status Access Point Network Peer to Peer Network
Connected
Data encryption On
Data encryption Off
Not connected
Data encryption On
Data encryption Off
2 “Network Name (SSID)”
The unique network IDs of 802.11b/802.11a wireless networks operating within communication range are shown here.
To change the settings for a network with Windows Me or Windows 2000, select the network here.
3 “Signal Level”
Shows the signal level (field strength) of the received radio signal. Higher numbers mean better reception.
4 “Channel”
Shows the channel used by the respective network. If multiple networks use the same channel, communication may be impaired.
5 “New” button (Windows Me, Windows 2000 only)
The “New” button is used to create new profiles.
6 “Register”/“Edit” button (Windows Me, Windows 2000 only)
• When you select a network from the list, the button indication changes to “Register”.
• When you select a registered network from the list, the button indication changes to “Edit”.
7 “Delete” button (Windows Me, Windows 2000 only)
This can be used to delete settings for a registered network. (The currently connected network cannot be deleted.)
8 “Scan” button
Clicking this button causes the computer to scan again for 802.11b (2.4 GHz)/802.11a (5 GHz) wireless networks operating within communication
range. The network list is updated according to the results of the scan.
9 “Registered” check mark (Windows Me, Windows 2000 only)
Indicates that a network setting has been registered in Wireless Panel.
Connecting to a wireless network (Windows Me, Windows 2000)
1 Double-click on the network to which you want to
connect.
If data encryption is not enabled for the selected network, the
connection will be established.
2 If data encryption is enabled for the selected network,
enter the encryption key (WEP key) and click “OK”.
Consult the administrator of the Access Point regarding the proper
settings.
The connection will be established. The encryption key is also
registered at this stage.
z Hints
• The encryption key is also called WEP key or network key.
• Unless the exact encryption key is input, connection to the network is not possible.
• The required number of characters for the encryption key is as follows.
ASCII Hex
40 bits 5 characters 10 digits
104 bits 13 characters 26 digits
PCWA-C500/C700
Wireless LAN Quick Guide
•
Optimizing your wireless LAN with Wireless Panel
• Building a Peer to Peer Network
4-670-763-11(1)
Sony Corporation © 2003 Printed in Japan
Optimizing your wireless LAN with Wireless Panel
What is the Wireless Panel?
Wireless Panel is a software utility supplied with the Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C500/C700. This utility lets you configure the computer for wireless
connection and monitor the network status.
After installation of the Wireless Panel, the
icon becomes resident in the taskbar.
z Hint
The appearance of the icon will change depending on the signal condition and on the display setting selected for the icon. For details, refer to the documentation of the Wireless
LAN PC Card.
When you double-click the icon, the main screen of the “Wireless Panel” appears. This screen lets you check the network status and configure various
settings. (When using the PCWA-C500, some functions are not available.)
z Hint
The PCWA-C700 complies to the IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b wireless LAN standards. The PCWA-C500 only complies to the IEEE 802.11a standard.
Wireless Panel main screen
Under Windows 2000 and Windows Me Under Windows XP
Checking the wireless network status
The “Status” tab lets you check various performance aspects of the currently connected network. (The screen example is from Windows XP.)
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1 Status indicator icon
The icon type indicates the type of network to which the computer is connected.
Network mode
Access Point Network Peer to Peer Network
On
Off
2 “Signal Level”
Indicates the signal level as a bar graph.
Install the computer and Access Point so that the signal level displayed here is as high as possible.
3 “IP Address”
Indicates the computer’s IP address.
In Access Point Network connection mode, if an IP address starting with “169.254. ...” or if “0.0.0.0” is shown here, the Access Point and computer are
not connected, or the Access Point is not connected to the Internet. For details, refer to the Troubleshooting Guide “Case 1 – Cannot connect to the
Internet”.
4 Wireless ON/OFF
Wireless signal transmission can be switched On/Off independently for the 802.11b (2.4 GHz) and 802.11a (5 GHz) band. Select the On/Off status
according to the environment you are in. Take special care if you are using your computer in locations where radio emissions are prohibited, such as
outdoors (802.11b band) or within an aircraft (802.11a and 802.11b bands). Be sure to set wireless signal transmission to Off with these buttons in such
cases.
You cannot switch between 802.11b and 802.11a when you use the PCWA-C500.
Icon differs according to Wireless Panel setting.
Data
encryption
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