A wireless LAN can be configured for two different modes of operation: infrastructure
mode and ad hoc mode (an ad hoc network is also known as a peer-to-peer
network or a computer-to-computer network). Whereas each mode has its advantages,
one mode may be more appropriate than the other, depending on the location and
type of network connection.
Infrastructure Mode
The key difference between the infrastructure type of network and an ad hoc
network is that the infrastructure network includes a host computer that has
a built-in wireless network adapter and is connected to a wireless access point
(AP). This functionality allows computers on the infrastructure wireless LAN
to access the resources and tools of the wired LAN, including Internet access,
e-mail, file sharing, and printer sharing.
Characteristics
Networked computers communicate with each other through a dedicated AP. All
data transmitted between the computers on this wireless LAN passes through the
AP.
Advantages
Extended range. The access point extends the range of the wireless LAN.
Each computer can communicate with other computers equipped by wireless networks
that are within the range of the access point.
Roaming. As the user moves around the home or office, the TrueMobile
enabled notebook determines the best access point to use to ensure continuous
communication with the network.
Network connectivity. An access point can provide wireless LAN access to
an existing wired network by bridging the two networks together. This gives
users of the wireless LAN access to all the functions of a wired network—from
file server access to access to e-mail and the Internet.
Disadvantages
Because the infrastructure mode offers more features, it requires additional
components and setup time to deploy.
Requirements
A wireless network adapter
A connection to an AP (access point) or another wireless system (ad hoc)
Ad Hoc Mode
An ad hoc network is the easiest to deploy and is ideal for home use or in
small offices. This mode allows the sharing of files with other employees, printing
to a shared office printer, and access to the Internet through a shared modem.
With ad hoc networking, however, the computer is able to communicate only with
other wireless networks that are within a certain range and are in the same
wireless workgroup. See Adding an
Ad Hoc Network.
Characteristics
Networked computers send data directly to each other without the need of an
access point.
Advantages
Simple setup
Cost efficiency
Disadvantages
Communication is limited to those who are located within a certain range.
IEEE 802.1x security is not available.
Requirements
There are no other equipment requirements for operating in the ad hoc mode
besides 2 WLAN enabled notebooks or desktop PCs.
Configuring a Network Profile (Windows®
2000 Environment)
Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network
profile for that network on your notebook using the TrueMobile Wireless Utility.
Before proceeding, review Table 1: Instructions
Guide (Windows 2000 Environment) and follow the instructions that apply.
My Dell notebook was shipped with a Dell TrueMobile
WLAN PC Card installed at the factory. The Dell notebook is not
shipped with the Dell TrueMobile WLAN PC Card inserted
into the PC card slot, however; the user must insert the card.
Insert the Dell TrueMobile WLAN PC Card as shown.
To configure a network profile in Infrastructure mode,
go to Opening the Utility below.
My Dell notebook was not shipped with a Dell TrueMobile
WLAN PC Card installed at the factory. I purchased a Dell
TrueMobile WLAN PC Card at a later date.
These instructions explain how to open the TrueMobile
Wireless Utility and how to use it to
configure a network profile.
Click Start, point to Settings,
to Control Panel, and then click TrueMobile
Wireless Utility.
If the Wireless Networks tab in the Dell
TrueMobile WLAN Card Utility box is not on
top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
You can configure a network profile for
networks that are listed under Available
networks as well as networks that are not
listed. When you have completed configuring a
network profile, the network name and icon appear
at the top of the list under Preferred networks.
Your computer automatically connects to the
network at the top of the list. Follow the
applicable instruction set below, based on whether
or not the network is listed and whether or not
the network requires network key information
(check with your network administrator or access
point (AP) installer to see if network key
information is required).
NOTEBoth the network name and the
network key information are case-sensitive.
Configuring
a Profile for a Listed Network That Does Not Require Network Key Information
(Windows 2000 Environment)
After opening the utility, click the network
name under Available networks, and then
click Configure.
Click OK in the Wireless Network
Properties box. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click Refresh to activate the network
connection (wait up to one minute for the
network connection to be made). The computer
is connected to the selected network when a
blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring
a Profile for a Listed Network That Requires Network Key Information (Windows
2000 Environment)
After opening the utility, click the
network name under Available networks,
and then click Configure.
Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled)
check box.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
Type the network key in the Network key
box.
NOTEIt is not necessary to select
the Key format or the Key length
before typing the network key. These settings
automatically change to the appropriate
setting as you type.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click Refresh to activate the network
connection (wait up to one minute for the
network connection to be made). The computer
is connected to the selected network when a
blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring
a Profile for a Network That Is Not Listed and Does Not Require Network Key
Information (Windows 2000 Environment)
After opening the utility, click Add
under Preferred networks.
Type the network name in the Network name
(SSID) box.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click Refresh to activate the network
connection (wait up to one minute for the
network connection to be made). The computer
is connected to the added network when a blue
bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring
a Profile for a Network That Is Not Listed and Requires Network Key Information
(Windows 2000 Environment)
After opening the utility, click Add
under Preferred networks.
Type the network name in the Network name
(SSID) box.
Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled)
check box.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
Type the network key in the Network key
box.
NOTEIt is not necessary to select
the Key format or the Key length
before typing the network key. These settings
automatically change to the appropriate
setting as you type.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click Refresh to activate the network
connection (wait up to one minute for the
network connection to be made). The computer
is connected to the added network when a blue
bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring a Network Profile (Windows®
XP Environment)
Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network
profile for that network on your notebook. Before proceeding, review Table
2: Instructions Guide (Windows XP Environment) and follow the instructions
that apply.
Table
2: Instructions Guide (Windows XP Environment)
Type of TrueMobile WLAN Card
Shipment Details
Instructions to Follow
Mini PCI (internal)
My Dell notebook was shipped with a Dell TrueMobile
WLAN Mini PCI Card installed at the factory.
To configure a network profile in Infrastructure
mode, go to the instructions immediately following this table.
My Dell notebook was shipped with a Dell TrueMobile
WLAN PC Card installed at the factory. The Dell notebook is not
shipped with the Dell TrueMobile WLAN PC Card inserted
into the PC card slot, however; the user must insert the card.
Insert the WLAN PC card as shown.
To configure a network profile in Infrastructure mode,
go to the instructions immediately following this table.
My Dell notebook was not shipped with a Dell TrueMobile
WLAN PC Card installed at the factory. I purchased a Dell
TrueMobile PC Card at a later date.
To configure a network profile in Infrastructure
mode, first follow the instructions provided in Installing
the WLAN PC Card, and then go the instructions immediately following
this table.
To begin configuring a network profile, open Wireless
Network Connection Properties.
Click Start, click Control Panel,
and then click Network Connections.
Click Wireless Network Connection.
Under Network Tasks, click Change
settings of this connection.
NOTEFor more information on how to
configure a network profile and IEEE 802.1x
authentication, click Learn about setting up
wireless network configuration.
You can configure a network profile for
networks that are listed under Available
networks as well as those that are not listed.
When you have completed configuring a network
profile, the network name and icon appear at the
top of the list under Preferred networks.
Your computer automatically connects to the
network at the top of the list. Follow the
applicable instruction set below, based on whether
or not the network is listed and whether or not
the network requires network key information
(check with your network administrator or access
point (AP) installer to see if network key
information is required), whether or not you want
to enable LEAP support.
NOTEBoth the network name and the
network key information are case-sensitive.
Configuring
a Profile for a Listed Network That Does Not Require Network Key Information
(Windows XP Environment)
Click the network name under Available
networks and click Configure.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network ConnectionProperties. The
computer is connected to the selected network
when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring
a Profile for a Listed Network That Requires Network Key Information (Windows
XP Environment)
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Security
Click the network name under Available
networks and then click Configure.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
From the Network Authentication list,
select Open.
From the Data encryption list, select
WEP.
Type the network key in the Network key
box and again in the Confirm network key
box.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network Connection Properties. The
computer is connected to the selected network
when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security
Click the network name under Available
networks and then click Configure.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
From the Network Authentication list,
select the network authentication type
specified by the network administrator/AP
installer.
From the Data encryption list, select
the data encryption type specified by the
network administrator/AP installer.
If required by the network administrator/AP
installer, type the network key in the Network
key box and again in the Confirm
network key box.
NOTEA network key is not required
for WPA type network authentication.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network Connection Properties. The
computer is connected to the selected network
when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring
a Profile for a Network That Is Not Listed and Does Not Require Network Key
Information (Windows XP Environment)
Under Preferred networks, click Add.
Type the network name in the Network name
(SSID) box and Click OK. The
network name and icon appear at the top of the
list under Preferred networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network Connection Properties. The
computer is connected to the added network
when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring
a Profile for a Network That Is Not Listed and Requires Network Key Information
(Windows XP Environment)
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Security
Under Preferred networks, click Add.
Type the network name in the Network name
(SSID) box.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
From the Network Authentication list,
select Open.
From the Data encryption list, select
WEP.
If required by the network administrator/AP
installer, type the network key in the Network
key box.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network Connection Properties. The
computer is connected to the added network
when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security
Under Preferred networks, click Add.
On the Association tab of Wireless
network properties, select the Data
encryption (WEP enabled) check box.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
From the Network Authentication list,
select the network authentication type
specified by the network administrator/AP
installer.
From the Data encryption list, select
the data encryption type specified by the
network administrator/AP installer.
If needed, type the network key in the Network
key box and again in the Confirm
network key box.
NOTEA network key is not required
for WPA type network authentication.
Click OK. The network name and icon
appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network Connection Properties. The
computer is connected to the added network
when a blue bubble appears on top of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still does
not appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
Configuring a Network
for LEAP Support
First enable LEAP support.
Click Start, click Control
Panel, and then click TrueMobile
Wireless Utility.
Click the LEAP tab.
Select the Enable LEAP check box.
Click Add to create a new LEAP
enabled network (if you have already
created a LEAP enabled network and want to
change the network name, LEAP username,
LEAP password, or LEAP domain, click the
network name under LEAP Enabled
networks, and then click Properties).
Type the network name, LEAP user name,
and LEAP password in the respective boxes
and click OK.
Close the utility by clicking OK.
Configure the profile for the LEAP enabled
network.
Click the network name under Available
networks and then click Configure.
Clear the The key is provided for me
automatically check box.
From the Network Authentication
list, select Open.
From the Data encryption list,
select WEP.
Type the network key in the Network
key box and again in the Confirm
network key box.
Click the Authentication tab.
Clear the Enable IEEE 802.1x
authentication for this network check
box.
Click OK. The network name and
icon appear at the top of the list under Preferred
networks.
Click OK to activate the network
connection. To verify that the network
connection has been made, reopen Wireless
Network Connection Properties. The
computer is connected to the selected
network when a blue bubble appears on top
of the icon
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, click Refresh. If it still
does not appear, try to access a Web page
to verify that you are connected to the
Internet.
.
for that network. If the bubble does not
appear, try to access a Web page to verify
that you are connected to the Internet.
