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 in Infrastructure
Mode (Windows® 2000 Environment)
Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network
profile for that network on your notebook computer using the TrueMobile Wireless
Utility. If you purchased your notebook computer with the Dell TrueMobile
WLANCard already installed and set up at the factory, follow the
network profile configuration instructions provided below. If this is not the
case, first verify that the Dell TrueMobile WLANCard has been
properly installed in your computer according to the installation instructions.
Then proceed with the following instructions for configuring your network profiles.
These instructions explain how to open the TrueMobile Wireless Utility
and how to use it to configure a network profile.
Opening the Utility
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).
NOTE—Both 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.
NOTE—It 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.
NOTE—It 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 in
Infrastructure Mode (Windows® XP Environment)
Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network
profile for that network on your notebook computer. If you purchased your notebook
computer with the Dell TrueMobile WLAN Card already installed and set
up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided
below. If this is not the case, first verify that the Dell TrueMobile WLAN
Card has been properly installed in your computer according to the installation
instructions. Then proceed with the following instructions for configuring your
network profiles.
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.
NOTE—For 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.
NOTE—Both
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 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 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.
NOTE—A 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.
NOTE—A 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. 
