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Connecting to a Network using Intel(R) PROSet

Connecting to a Network Automatically

The Configuration Service feature operates in background to automatically display available networks not listed in the Profile List. This method provides automatic connection in a 2.4 or 5GHz environment to available networks in the range of your wireless adapter. The Configuration Service constantly monitors your wireless adapter's connection status. If no matching profiles are found in the Profile List for a network, a dialog automatically displays the available network access points and computers (ad hoc mode) within range of the wireless adapter. The Configuration Service can also be used if there is more than one wireless adapter installed using 802.11a and 802.11b bands.

The Configuration Service features:

The Configuration Service can be used in two ways:

  1. Connect to available network using profiles only: In this mode the Configuration Service attempts to connect to a network access point using profiles from the Profile List only. If no matching profile is found, a dialog appears that lists the available networks. You can also close this dialog without connecting by clicking the Cancel button. The adapter will remain unassociated, and the list of available networks will NOT be displayed again unless another available network is detected. This mode is set in the Advanced Setting options.
  2. Connect to any available network if no matching profile found: In this mode the Configuration Service attempts to connect to a network access point first using profiles from the Profile List. If no matching profile is found, the Configuration Service automatically connects to any available network. This mode is set in the Advanced Setting options.

Enabling Automatic Connection

The Configuration Service also monitors for the "resume status" after a laptop computer suspend event. When this occurs, the Configuration Service will re-enable the automatic connection service.

These features can be enabled again after rebooting your computer or after a suspend and resume cycle.

Enable profile management features: Check this setting in the Advanced Settings options to manually re-enable the Configuration Service profile management features after being disabled from the notification dialog when another profile management application is detected. This option can only be used to re-enable the Configuration Service features, it cannot be used to manually disable the Configuration Service features. Refer to Profile Switching for more information.

Profile Management Options

The following Profile Management options can be found in Advanced Settings.

Display available networks when not associated: If no networks are available that match any profiles in the Profile List, the Configuration Service dialog is displayed, listing the available networks. By checking "Don’t show this again" option, the dialog listing the available networks will not be displayed again, if the adapter becomes unassociated. The Configuration Service will continue to function and attempt to connect, using a profile from the Profile List, or to an available network depending on the selection mode. This mean that if Connect Using Preferred Profiles Only is selected and no matching profile is found, then the adapter will remain unassociated. You can still use the Connect button from the Networks tab to connect to an available network. The Configuration Service dialog can be re-enabled from the Advanced Settings options.

Notify when disabling profile management features: Check this box to display the service disabling notification dialog when another Profile Management service is detected such as Windows XP Zero Configuration or AAA clients. The notification dialog is displayed, indicating that another service has been detected and that some of the Intel(R) PROSet management features will be disabled. From this dialog, you can also choose "Don’t show this again," in which case the Intel(R) PROSet features will automatically be disabled without notification. This dialog can be re-enabled from the Advanced Settings options.

Features affected when another profile management application is detected 

For AAA Client:

Select OK, and the AAA Client application will manage the adapter. The current connection will continue with the affected Intel(R) PROSet features show below. To avoid conflicts, the Intel(R) PROSet profile management features have been temporarily disabled. To re-enable these features, first disable the other LAN utility and then either:

  1. Re-enable from Intel(R) PROSet's Advanced Settings.
  2. Resume after a computer suspend.
  3. Reboot the computer.

For Windows XP Zero Configuration:

Affected Intel(R) PROSet features:

NOTE: If the buttons described above are used, the following message displays: "Another wireless LAN utility is communicating with the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN adapter. To avoid conflicts, Intel(R) PROSet has temporarily disabled its Profile Management features."

Scanning for Available Networks

A fast way to connect to a network is to use the Scan button to search for a network access point in range of your wireless adapter. When a network is found, you can instantly connect without a profile or create a new profile.

NOTE: Profiles with the Enable Auto-Import feature enabled will also be displayed in the profile list of available networks. Refer to Automatic Profile Distribution for more information.

To scan for available networks:

  1. From the General page, select the wireless adapter on the left side pane.
  2. Select the Networks tab.
  3. Click the Scan button.
  4. The Available Networks dialog displays the names of the available networks.
  5. Select the network from the list, and click the Connect button. Click the Refresh button to refresh the list of available networks.
  6. To connect without creating a profile, click No, connect me directly without creating a profile
  7. To create a new profile using the Profile Wizard, click Yes, create a profile for this network now.
  8. Click OK to connect to a network.

Connecting to a Network Using an Access Point

An infrastructure network consists of one or more access points and one or more computers with wireless adapters installed. Each access point must have a wired connection to the Local Area Network (LAN).

The following describes how to create a new profile using the Profile Wizard and connect to an access point using the Connect button. You can also connect to a network, by using the Scan button.

  1. From the General page, select the wireless adapter on the left side pane.
  2. Click the Networks tab.
  3. Click the Add button.
  4. Enter the profile name in the text box.
  5. Enter a network name (SSID) in the text box.
  6. Select Infrastructure for the operating mode.
  7. Use this option to connect to a specific access point. Click the Mandatory AP button, enter the Ethernet address for the access point. Click OK to save the setting and return to the General Settings page.
  8. Click the Configure TCP/IP and VPN settings check box and click the Next button to access the TCP/IP and VPN settings. If these settings are not required, leave the box unchecked and proceed to step 11.
  9. Click the Next button to select the WEP security settings.
  10. Click the Password protect this profile checkbox and click Next button to access the Password Protection settings. Click Finish after the password information has been entered. If this option is not required, leave the box unchecked and proceed to step 11.
  11. Click OK to save the profile settings and return to the Networks page.
  12. After creating the new profile, click the profile in the Profile List. Profiles using infrastructure mode are indicated by a computer icon next to the profile name.
  13. Click the Connect button to connect to the ad hoc network.

Connecting to a Peer-to-Peer (Ad Hoc) Network

In peer-to-peer (ad hoc) mode, you can send and receive information to other computers without using an access point. Each computer in a peer-to-peer network is called a peer.

To create or join an ad hoc network, enter a personal password. Network related settings (SSID), operating mode, WEP 128-bit encryption, and IP addresses are automatically created. Once a network connection is established, after permission rights are given by other computers in the ad hoc network, you can freely share files. All wireless clients in the ad hoc network must use the same network name (SSID) and channel number. For a list of allowed 802.11b ad hoc channels, refer to the Adapter Settings for more information.

 
NOTE: While scanning with an ad hoc profile set to a specific transmit channel, if an ad hoc network is found on another channel, you will be connected using the new channel. The new channel number is displayed in the Adapter Settings.

Connect or Start an Ad Hoc Network

 
NOTE: For information about connecting to an ad hoc using a profile, refer to Create an Ad Hoc Profile using the Profile Wizard.

  1. Connect using an ad hoc profile. Refer to Creating a New Profile for details. Select an ad hoc profile from the Profile List and click the Connect button. This method uses a pre-defined ad hoc profile created by the Profile Wizard. The ad hoc profile is displayed in the Profile List. When joining an ad hoc network, the transmit channel established by the first computer is used. This channel may be different than the one selected when the ad hoc profile was created by the Profile Wizard. 
  2. Join a one-time ad hoc session without a profile. Refer to Starting an Ad Hoc (peer-to-peer) Connection below for details. This method does not use a pre-defined profile. To connect to any ad hoc network, use the Scan button to scan for any ad hoc networks, enter the password (SSID), then click the Connect button to connect. To end the session, click the Close button to end the session.

Start an Ad Hoc Network

Refer to Starting an Ad Hoc (peer-to-peer) Connection below for details.

  • This method uses your computer's SSID to establish the ad hoc network for other users to connect to. 
  • When you are the originator of an ad hoc network, all other users must use the channel and SSID.

Ending an Ad Hoc Session

To end an ad hoc session, click the Close button. After the session is ended, an attempt is made to re-connect to the last profile used from the Profile List.

Creating an Ad Hoc Profile Using the Profile Wizard

The following describes how to create a new ad hoc profile using the Profile Wizard and connect to an ad hoc network. You can also connect to a network, by using the Scan button.

  1. From the General page, select the wireless adapter on the left side pane.
  2. Click the Networks tab.
  3. Click the Add button.
  4. Enter the profile name in the text box.
  5. Enter a network name (SSID) in the text box.
  6. Select Ad Hoc for the operating mode.
  7. Click the Configure TCP/IP and VPN settings check box and click the Next button to access the TCP/IP and VPN settings. If these settings are not required, leave the box unchecked and proceed to step 11.
  8. Click the Next button to select the WEP security settings.
  9. Click the Password protect this profile checkbox and click Next button to access the Password Protection settings. Click Finish after the password information has been entered. If this option is not required, leave the box unchecked and proceed to step 11.
  10. Click OK to save the profile settings and return to the Networks page.
  11. Set the Transmit channel from the Adapter tab: Channel 7 is the default transmit channel. Unless the other computers in the ad hoc network use a different channel, there is no need to change the default channel. Click the Adapter tab, and click the Configure button under Ad Hoc Channel Selection. Choose the operating band select a channel. Click OK to save the setting.
  12. Select the Networks tab
  13. After creating the new profile, click the profile in the Profile List. Profiles using infrastructure mode are indicated by a computer icon next to the profile name.
  14. Click the Connect button to connect to the ad hoc network.

Starting an Ad Hoc (peer-to-peer) Connection

To communicate properly, all computers/peers on an ad hoc network must have Intel wireless adapters installed. To connect to an ad hoc network for a one-time session:

  1. From the General page, select the wireless adapter on the left side pane.
  2. Click the Networks tab.
  3. Click the Start button.
  4. Enter the password (SSID) for your computer in the text box. If you establish the ad hoc network, then this SSID and assigned transmit channel must be used by other users to connect to the ad hoc network. The entered SSID can also be the same as the other users in the established ad hoc network, in this case your computer will join the ad hoc network.
  5. To join the ad hoc network, select the peer name from the displayed list of computers in the ad hoc network and click the Connect button
  6. To establish an ad hoc network, after your computer's SSID is entered, click the Connect button to scan for other users in the ad hoc network
  7. Under Send Files, files can be sent to another computer in the ad hoc network. To send a file, click the Send File button. Locate the file you want to sent, and click Send.
  8. Click the Close button to end the ad hoc session.

Disconnecting from a Network

To disconnect from a network, turn the radio to OFF from the General page in Intel(R) PROSet.

Switching the Adapter Off and On

The wireless adapter can be switched off and on from the optional hardware radio switch on your laptop computer, Intel(R) PROSet application, and the Windows operating system. 

Note: When your laptop is switched on, the radio is constantly transmitting signals. In certain situations, such as in a plane, signals from the radio may cause interference. Use the following methods if you need to disable the radio and use your laptop without emitting radio signals.


Using the optional hardware radio on/off switch

If your laptop computer has an optional external hardware switch installed, it can be used to switch the radio on or off. Refer to the laptop manufacturer for more information about this switch. If you have Intel(R) PROSet installed, the current state of the radio is displayed on the General page. 

Using Intel(R) PROSet to switch the radio on/off

From Intel(R) PROSet, the radio can be switched on or off from the General page. The current state of the radio is displayed, which also includes the state of the optional hardware radio switch. 

Hardware radio switch On/Off

Depending on the current state of the external optional hardware switch, displays on or off on the General page. 


Switching the radio On/Off

Note: When your laptop is switched on, the radio is constantly transmitting signals. In certain situations, such as in a plane, signals from the radio may cause interference.

To switch the radio OFF: From the General page, click the Off button. next to Switch Radio On/Off. 

To switch the radio ON: From the General page, click the On button, next to Switch Radio On/Off.

When the radio is on, an attempt will be made to associate with the network access point using the last profile. If the adapter cannot connect to the access point, the Configuration Service will attempt to find an available network. Refer to Configuration Service for more information.

Switching the radio on or off from the Task Tray Icon

Right-click on the Intel(R) PROSet task tray icon and click Switch radio Off.

Using the Windows operating system to switch the radio on/off

The radio can be switched on or off via the Windows operating system from the Device Properties dialog.

Switching Between Wired and Wireless Adapters

Adapter switching enables your computer to automatically switch between wired and the wireless adapter, so your laptop computer can maintain the best possible connection to the network while moving from one location to another. When Adapter Switching is enabled, DHCP is disabled on all other wired adapters except for the adapter currently being used. However, connection is possible using another wired adapter using an auto IP address setting.

Adapter switching switches between wired and wireless adapters for the following Intel PRO adapters:

By default, adapter switching uses the wired Ethernet adapter when both wired and wireless adapters are present and working. If you detach the wired adapter, adapter switching automatically switches to the wireless adapter. When you attach an Ethernet cable again, adapter switching automatically switches back to the wired Ethernet connection.

You can change your wireless preferences from the Advanced Settings dialog and prioritize your wireless and wired adapters from the Adapter Switching dialog.

You can also install multiple wired adapters, or install two wireless adapters if the network supports both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless standards. Then when you detach the wired adapter, your computer uses the wireless adapter that gives the best data rate.

Wireless Preferences

One or more wired adapter and one or two wireless adapter can be installed in the same computer. Using the adapter switching feature, you can select your priority for a specific type of adapter, wired or wireless.

If adapter switching is enabled, the installed adapters are selected from a preference list. To access the network preferences:

  1. From the General page, select the wireless adapter on the left side pane.
  2. Click the Networks tab.
  3. Click the Advanced button.
  4. Select your preferences from the options shown.
  5. Click OK to save the settings and return to the Profiles dialog.

Adapter Switching Considerations

Consider the following issues when switching adapters:

Switching Between 2.4 and 5 GHz Bands

Intel(R) PROSet supports switching between 802.11a (5 GHz) and 802.11b (2.4 GHz) bands. Using the Advanced Settings options, you can define band priorities.

Changing the Settings for Adapter Switching

If you have two adapters installed, you can define the adapter to be used first. Adapter priorities can be set in the Adapter Switching dialog.

To change the adapter switching settings:

  1. From the General page, select the wireless adapter on the left side pane.
  2. Click the Adapter Switching icon on the left side pane.
  3. Click the Adapter Switching checkbox under the Settings heading.
  4. Prioritize adapters in the lower adapter display list.
    Select an adapter in the Adapter Type list and use the up/down arrows on the left side of the dialog to arrange the adapters in priority. The adapter in the highest position is used first.
  5. Click the adapter name that you want to use in the upper display list. The current adapter link status displays next to the adapter name.
  6.  
    NOTE: One wireless adapter can be used for each band operating at a time.

  7. After you have switched to the desired adapter, click OK to close the Adapter Switching dialog and return to the General tab.


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Copyright (c) 2003 Intel Corporation.