Sony PCWA-A220 - Manual (Page 2)

2 Connect the Access Point to a power outlet.
z Hint
The Access Point does not have its own power switch.
Notes
• Depending on your communication service provider, it may be necessary to make certain settings in your computer and
the connection tool. If such settings are necessary, make them before proceeding to procedure 3.
• To set up the Access Point, there must be two or more available IP addresses in the network where the Access Point is
connected.
Establishing a Wireless Connection
Procedure 3
Establish communication between the computer
and the Access Point
Configure wireless communication settings for your computer, and establish communication with
Access Point. For details on the wireless communication settings for your computer, refer to the
instruction manual provided with your wireless LAN PC card.
The default settings for Access Point are as follows: Configure the wireless communication settings for
your computer in accordance with these default settings.
• Network Name (SSID): default
• Encryption (WEP): Disabled
z Tips
• The manufacturer of your equipment may refer to the network name (SSID) setting as “ESSID,” “Network ID” or some
similar term.
• The manufacturer of your equipment may refer to the encryption setting as “security” or some similar term.
Although communication is possible under the default settings, from a security standpoint it is best to
also perform the following procedures and change the default settings.
Configuring the Access Point
Procedure 4
Install the utility software
Install the utility software that searches for the Access Point.
1 Insert the supplied CD-ROM into the computer where the wireless LAN
PC card is inserted.
2 Double-click “Setup.exe” in the CD-ROM.
This launches the Installer program. Follow the onscreen instructions and install the utility
software.
z Hint
Depending on your computer’s settings, the file name “Setup.exe” may be displayed as “Setup.” If there
are multiple files named “Setup” in the same folder, double-click the one with the following icon:
Procedure 5
Change the Access Point settings
Display the Access Point Setup Page in order to configure the Access Point settings.
Compatible browsers:
Internet Explorer 5.0 or later
Netscape Communicator 4.78 or later
Netscape 6.1 or later
Notes
• To display the Access Point Setup Page from the Scan Utility software, set one of the Web browsers above as your
computer's default Web browser.
• If your Web browser is configured to use a proxy server, set the browser proxy settings so the browser does not use a
proxy sever for the Access Point IP address.
• If your computer has multiple network adapters, it is recommended to disable them.
z Hint
The Access Point Setup Page is saved in the Access Point internal memory.
1 Click the “Start” button, point to “Programs” (when using Windows XP,
select “All Programs”), “Wireless LAN,” “PCWA-A220,” and click “Scan
Utility”.
The Scan Utility starts up, and automatically searches for Access Points on the same network.
Once the Scan Utility finishes searching for Access Points, it displays a list of Access Points.
z Hint
If the Scan Utility does not find any Access Points, move the computer to a location that provides good
conditions for wireless communication with the Access Point, and click “Scan” to search again.
2 Select the Access Point to which you want to connect from the list of
Access Points that were found by the Scan Utility.
z Hint
If multiple Access Points are shown in the list, check the MAC addresses. Each Access Point’s MAC
address is printed on a bar code label located near the NETWORK connector on the back of the Access
Point. After checking the MAC address, be sure to reconnect the Ethernet cable.
3 If the Access Point is connected to an Ethernet LAN that does not
operate on a DHCP server, click “IP Address Setup.”
If the Access Point is not connected to an Ethernet LAN, or if a DHCP server is running, this
operation and step 4 are unnecessary. Proceed to step 5.
4 If you click “IP Address Setup” in step 3, select “Use the following IP
address.” Enter the IP address, netmask, and default gateway, and click
“Execute Setup.”
z Hint
Enter settings that are appropriate for the Ethernet LAN settings. If the network has an administrator,
ask the network administrator what settings to use.
5 Click “Access Point Setup Page.”
Your Web browser starts and the Access Point Setup Page appears.
6 Click “Easy Setup.”
The “Status” screen appears.
7 Click to display the “Administrator Password Settings” screen.
The “Administrator Password Settings” screen appears.
8 In the “Administrator Password” field, enter a character string consisting
of up to 16 letters, numbers or symbols, and then enter the same string
again in the “Administrator Password (Confirmation)” field.
Note
Make a note of the administrator password to make sure that you do not forget it.
9 Click “Execute Setup.”
The new settings are applied to the Access Point, and the “Setup completed” screen appears.
10 Click to display the “Wireless Settings” screen.
The “Network Password Input” screen appears.
11 In the “Password” field, type the administrator password that you set in
step 8, and click “OK.”
Note
Do not enter anything in the “User Name” field.
The “Wireless Settings” screen appears.
12 Enter the Network Name (SSID).
The Network Name (SSID) is an ID that distinguishes the wireless network. Enter a character
string of up to 32 letters, numbers, and symbols.
Note
Make a note of the network name to make sure that you do not forget it.
13 Select “Enabled” for “Encryption (WEP)” and set “Key Length” to “64.”
z Hints
• “Encryption (WEP)” is an encryption function that prevents unauthorized access to wireless networks, and the
WEP key is a password required to decode encrypted transmissions.
• For the sake of this example, it is assumed that “64” (64 bits) is set for the “Key Length,” but “128” (128 bits) may
also be selected as well. If you are using the PCWA-C100 Wireless LAN PC Card, select “64.” (The PCWA-C100
does not support 128-bit encryption keys.)
14 Enter the WEP key.
Enter a character string of 5 letters, numbers, and symbols. If “128” was selected for “Key
Length,” enter a character string of 13 letters, numbers or symbols.
Note
Make a note of the encryption key to make sure that you do not forget it.
15 Click “Execute Setup.”
The new settings are applied to the Access Point.
16 Close the Web browser.
z Hint
If you change the wireless settings, the connection with the Access Point will be lost. After finishing
procedure 5, read procedure 6 carefully and then establish the connection again.
Procedure 6
Change the computer settings
Change the computer’s wireless communication settings in accordance with the new Access Point
settings that were changed in procedure 5. For details on how to configure these settings, refer to the
instruction manual provided with your wireless LAN PC card.
Once you have changed the computer’s settings, you will be able to connect with the Access Point
again.
For details on the Access Point settings, refer to the Online Help.
To display Online Help
Click the “Start” button, point to “Programs” (when using Windows XP, select “All Programs”),
“Wireless LAN,” “PCWA-A220,” and click “Online Help.”
To configure advanced encryption settings
Select “Advanced Setup” in the Access Point Setup Page and configure the necessary settings. For
details, refer to the Online Help.
Note
Computer Firewall Functions
When using Windows XP’s “Internet Connection Firewall”
Enabling the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall may prevent your computer from being
recognized by your network. (This feature is disabled under Windows XP’s default settings.) If
you have enabled this feature and are unable to configure your Access Point or cannot recognize
the Access Point that you would like to configure, try disabling the Internet Connection Firewall
feature, and try again to communicate with your Access Point.
Note
Network security is an important issue. You are urged to consider carefully how best to protect your computer.
When using a personal firewall function provided by virus
scanning software or network security software
Virus scanning software and network security software sometimes includes a function called a
“personal firewall” that is designed to prevent illegal access by outside entities. Depending on the
software, the security level of this function may be initially set to a high level. If this high
security level setting is left in effect, it may be impossible for an outside entity to access your
computer. This can cause problems such as not being able to connect to the network when
changing the Access Point’s settings. In this event, lower the security level in order to permit the
network connection. For details, refer to the instruction manual and online help for your software.
Notes
• Pay special attention to security issues.
• For questions regarding Firewall functions, please contact the manufacturer of the firewall software you are
using.