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Connecting to a Network: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection User Guide



Connecting to a wireless network

You can connect to a wireless network using any one of the following ways.


Connect to a wireless network without security

To connect to a wireless network without security:

  1. Click Refresh. The available wireless networks display in the Available network list.

 

NOTE: If your wireless adapter receives a blank network name (SSID) from a stealth access point, both the blank SSID and <no profile> display in the Available networks list. After connection both the blank SSID and the associated SSID display in the Available networks list and the Profiles List.

 

  1. Select a wireless network from the list of available networks click Configure.

  2. The Connect one-time to: <name of network> page is displayed.

  3. The Profile Wizard General Settings page displays. The Wireless Network Name (SSID) displays. The profile name uses the same name as the wireless network name (SSID). To use a different profile name, enter the new name in the Profile Name text box.

  4. Click Next. The Security Settings page displays.

  5. Click Yes, I want to connect to this network, I know it is open.

  6. The next Security Settings page displays the current security status for the network access point. Click Skip or OK to save the settings and close the Security Settings page.

  7. The profile displays in the Profiles List and is positioned at the bottom of the list. Use the Profiles List arrows to position the profile in the list. If the profile is positioned at the top of the list, it will automatically be connected to the network the next time the wireless network is detected.

  8. Select the profile and click Activate to connect to the selected network. The connection icon indicates that you are connected to the network. The network name, speed, and signal quality display the current connection status. Click the Details button to display details of the current network connection.


 

Connect to a wireless network with WEP security

To connect to a wireless network with WEP security:

  1. Click Refresh. The available wireless networks display in the Available network list.

NOTE: If your wireless adapter receives a blank network name (SSID) from a stealth access point, both the blank SSID and <no profile> display in the Available networks list. After connection both the blank SSID and the associated SSID display in the Available networks list and the Profiles List.

 

  1. Select a wireless network from the list of available networks and double-click the network name or click Connect. The Profile Wizard General Settings page displays. The Wireless Network Name (SSID) displays. The profile name uses the same name as the wireless network name (SSID). To use a different profile name, enter the new name in the Profile Name text box.

  2. Click Next. Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless determines the required security settings for the selected network.

  3. The Security Settings page displays the network security settings. Enter the required WEP security key information and click OK to save the settings and close the Security Settings page.

  4. The profile displays in the Profiles List and is positioned at the bottom of the list. Use the Profiles List arrows to position the profile in the list. If the profile is positioned at the top of the list, it automatically is connected to the network the next time the wireless network is detected.

  5. Select the profile and click Activate to connect to the selected network. The connection icon indicates that you are connected to the network. The network name, speed, and signal quality display the current connection status. Click the Details button to display details of the current network connection.


 

Connect to a wireless network using a profile

To connect to a wireless network using a profile:

  1. Select the profile from the Profiles List.

  2. Click Connect. The connection icon indicates that you are connected to the network. The network name, speed, and signal quality display the current connection status. Click the Details button to display details of the current network connection.

NOTE: For a list of available access points on a particular wireless network, click the Properties button on the main window. Refer to Network Properties for details.

 


Scan for available networks

Use the Refresh button to detect any available network within the range of your wireless adapter. When an available network is found, select the network name from the Available Networks list. If the adapter is currently connected to a network access point, the current wireless connection is still maintained while scanning for available networks.


Setting up a Linksys Access Point


Configure a Linksys (EOU) Access Point


The Intel(R)Smart Wireless Solutions feature Linksys(R) access point with the Ease of Use (EOU) feature  enables you to configure a secure wireless connection from your Intel(R) Centrino(TM) wireless laptop computer. The feature automatically launches the Intel(R) Wireless Network Configuration Wizard on your Intel Centrino wireless laptop when a Linksys (EOU) access point is within range of your wireless adapter. The Configuration Wizard guides you through setting up a secure wireless network using Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). You can also assign a unique name to your wireless network.

Linksys (EOU) features

The Linksys Access Point is setup with factory defaults, which include no security (open authentication) and linksys-g as the network name (SSID). In this state, your wireless network is not secure and allows others to easily monitor any data transfer over the wireless link.


Configure a Linksys (EOU) Access Point

To configure a Linksys Access Point from your Intel Centrino laptop computer:

Wireless Network Configuration Wizard - Step 1

Welcome to Wireless Network Configuration

This dialog box displays when a  Linksys (EOU) access point is within the range of your wireless adapter and starts the first step to establish a secure wireless connection with your Intel Centrino laptop computer.

 

NOTE: You can re-enable this feature in the Intel PROSet/Wireless Application Settings.
  1. Click Next to continue.
Verify Ownership of your Linksys Access Point - Step 2

The ownership identification step prevents the wizard from trying to configure the wrong wireless device.

The character ownership key must be verified before your notebook can communicate with the access point.

  1. Find the Ownership ID and Device ID key printed on the bottom of your Linksys Access Point or Wireless Router and enter it in the appropriate box.

 

NOTE:  A Linksys access point without an ownership identification key printed on it does not support the Intel(R) Smart Wireless Solutions feature and cannot be configured using the Configuration Wizard.  Click Cancel to close the Configuration Wizard and refer to your Linksys User Guide.

 

  1. Click Next to continue.

Enter New Configuration for Linksys Access Point - Step 3

  1. To complete the configuration information, add the following network and security information.

Enter Network Name (SSID):

Securing your Network

Select one of the following options:

WPA is a security system that encrypts the data sent "over the air" on a wireless network so that only those users that know the Pass Phrase can access the network or interpret the transmitted data.

Enter a Pass Phrase

 

Choose a simple or strong pass phrase (password) that is easy to remember. Enter at least 10 alphanumeric characters or more (a-z, A-Z, 0-9) and one special character from (! $ % ^ * ( ) - _ =  + [  ] : < . > ?)

 

Write the pass phrase down on a piece of paper or save it in a text file on your laptop computer in case you forget it. This password is used by other wireless devices to connect to this wireless network. If you do not specify a Pass Phrase, the default Pass Phrase is used. This Pass Phrase is used to encrypt and transmit data securely over the wireless link between your Intel Centrino laptop computer and the Linksys access point.  

  1. Click Next. A status dialog box displays while the Linksys Access Point is being configured.

Wireless Configuration Complete - Final Step

The Configuration Wizard has successfully completed setting up your Linksys access point. You can now establish a secure wireless connection from your Intel Centrino laptop computer.

  1. Configure my Broadband (DSL/Cable) Settings: Click to launch a configuration web page after you click Finish. This web page provides advanced options such as Internet and Broadband settings.
  2. Click Finish to close the Configuration Wizard.

Intel PROSet/Wireless Configuration Service

This page is displayed if an available wireless network access point or hotspot is detected within range of your computer, and there is no matching profiles found in the profile list. If balloon prompts are enabled, this page is shown when you click the  Task Tray Balloon message prompt.

Name

Description

Available Networks

The available Network Names and Icons display the type of available network.

Note: If the wireless adapter receives a blank network name (SSID) from a stealth access point <SSID not broadcast> is displayed in the list. To associate with a stealth access point, a new profile must first be created. Click the Configure button to launch the Profile Wizard, then create a profile for the selected network. After connection both the blank SSID and the associated SSID can be viewed in the available networks list.

Do not show this again

Normally this checkbox is not shown. It is only displayed when the Display available networks when not associated setting is checked in Application Settings. If it is displayed you can check this box to stop the dialog box from displaying again.

Configure

Configure the selected wireless network.

Close

Close the Configuration Service page.

Help?

Displays the help information for this page.

 


Intel PROSet/Wireless Configuration Service Overview

About the Configuration Service

Other Wireless Managers


The Intel Wireless Network Configuration Service provides automatic wireless connection to available wireless networks using profiles created and prioritized in the Profiles list. This feature is constantly monitoring in the background the connection status of the wireless adapter. If no matching profiles are found in the Profiles list for an available network, a balloon prompt is displayed indicating that wireless networks are available. If you clicks the balloon prompt, the Connect to a wireless network dialog is displayed. From this dialog you can select an available network and click Configure to configure the wireless network for connection.

About the Configuration Service


Other Wireless Managers

If the Wireless Network Configuration Service detects another software application trying to communicate with the wireless device, you are notified of this behavior.

Windows XP Wireless Manager

To switch from Intel PROSet/Wireless to the Windows XP wireless manager use either of the following methods:

Click Use Microsoft client to switch to using Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. Selecting this option disables Intel PROSet/Wireless as your current wireless manager. You can then configure your connection using Windows XP.

NOTE: Any wireless profiles created in Intel PROSet/Wireless are not visible by Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. If you want to use your Intel wireless profiles you need to switch back to using Intel PROSet/Wireless by selecting the Use Intel PROSet/Wireless task tray menu option.

To enable Intel PROSet/Wireless as your wireless manager, click Use Intel PROSet/Wireless from the task tray options.

From, the Tools menu, click Use Microsoft client in the Intel PROSet/Wireless application. When you are finished using the Microsoft client, you can switch back by clicking Enable Intel PROSet/Wireless.


3rd Party Wireless Software

If you are using software provided by a hotspot location (coffee shop, airport terminal), the Configuration Service notifies you and then disables itself. It cannot manage the wireless device when another wireless manager is communicating with the wireless device. To take advantage of the Intel PROSet/Wireless features you want to disable or remove this software when you leave the hotspot.

When you are finished using the 3rd party wireless software, the Configuration Service is re-enabled automatically when you suspend or restart the computer. If you want to manually enable the Configuration Service, you can open Intel PROSet/Wireless and click Enable Intel PROSet/Wireless.

 


 

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