4-680-294-11(1)

Wireless LAN Converter

(2.4 GHz/5 GHz IEEE 802.11a/b/g)

Quick Start Guide

Before reading this guide, be sure to read the “Read This First” supplement.

This guide provides an overview of the Wireless LAN Converter PCWA-DE80 features and the necessary configuration.

PCWA-DE80

©2004 Sony Corporation Printed in Japan

Unpacking

When you unpack the unit, make sure that all the following items are present.

• Wireless Unit

• Power Unit

Power cord

CD-ROM (Setup disc)

Read This First

Quick Start Guide (this document)

Troubleshooting Guide

Limited Warranty

• Sony, VAIO,

,

, and the Eco Info logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

In this document, Microsoft® Windows® Millennium Edition is referred to as Windows Me, Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional is referred to as Windows 2000, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition and Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional are referred to as Windows XP.

Netscape is registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.

All other names of systems, products and services are trademarks of their respective owners.

In the document, the ™ or ® marks are not specified.

Printed on 100% recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.

Capabilities
Wireless access to the Internet for devices with Ethernetconnectors

The Wireless LAN Converter PCWA-DE80 (hereafter referred to as the Wireless LAN Converter) is designed to allow devices such as desktop computers or printers equipped with Ethernet connectors to become part of a wireless network.

Notes

Only use an Ethernet cable to connect the Wireless LAN Converter to the Ethernet device.

The Wireless LAN Converter does not function as an access point.

When setting up the Wireless LAN Converter without the Quick Setup switch, a computer running the Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating system is required.

Only one device can be connected to the Wireless LAN Converter. You cannot use a hub to connect to several devices.

Connection example

 

Device equipped with

Internet

an Ethernet connector

Router or similar

Wireless LAN

 

 

Converter

Wireless LAN Converter

 

 

 

Access point

 

zHint

The Wireless LAN Converter also allows computers equipped with Wireless LAN Converters to communicate directly when using the Peer to Peer Network connection mode, without using a wireless LAN access point.

The Access Point Network connection mode settings are described in this document. Refer to Help for information about the Peer to Peer Network connection mode settings.

Configuring the Wireless LAN Converter with the Quick Setup switch

You can use the settings of the Sony Wireless Broadband Router PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300 to automatically configure the hardwired (Ethernet) Wireless LAN Converter by using the Quick Setup switch.

The access point sends the following to the Wireless LAN Converter.

Network name (SSID)

Security settings

Wireless LAN security

Making security settings for the wireless LAN is extremely important. Sony assumes no responsibility for any security problems that may arise from the use of the wireless LAN.

Configuring the Wireless LAN Converter

You can configure the Wireless LAN Converter by performing one of the following.

• With the Quick Setup switch

When the Wireless LAN Converter is connected to the Wireless Broadband Router PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300, you can use the Quick Setup switch to configure the Wireless LAN Converter. For details, see “Configuration with the Quick Setup Switch”.

• With the utility software

When the Wireless LAN Converter is connected to an access point other than the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300, you cannot use the Quick Setup switch to configure the Wireless LAN Converter. For details, see “Configuration with the Utility Software” overleaf.

zHint

You can use the utility software to configure the Wireless LAN Converter even if it is connected to the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300.

zHint

In this document, each procedure is preceded by a box. Before proceeding to the next procedure, confirm that you performed all the necessary tasks by ticking the box.

Example:

Procedure 1
Configuration with the Quick Setup Switch

When the Wireless LAN Converter is connected to the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300, you can use the Quick Setup switch to configure it. When the Wireless LAN Converter is connected to another type of access point, see “Configuration with the Utility Software” overleaf.

Procedure 1

Complete the access point setup

Refer to the documentation provided with your access point for details about how to complete the setup. If your access point data encryption (WEP or WPA-PSK) is not configured, we strongly suggest that you configure it before proceeding.

Note

If the security settings of your access point use WPA or IEEE 802.1X, you cannot configure the PCWA-DE80.

Procedure 2

Connect the PCWA-AR800/PCWA-AR300

1Connect the Wireless Unit of the Wireless LAN Converter to a Wireless Unit/LAN connector of the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300 Router Unit.

2Connect the AC adapter to the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300 and the power outlet.

3Press the power switch to turn on the AC adapter.

Router Unit of the Wireless Broadband Router

Wireless Unit of the Wireless

Broadband Router PCWA-AR800/

PCWA-AR800/PCWA-AR300 (PCWA-R1)

PCWA-AR300 (PCWA-A820/A320)

 

Power switch

To power outlet

AC adapter

Wireless Unit of the Wireless

 

 

LAN Converter PCWA-DE80

zHint

The connections above are used in configuring the Wireless LAN Converter with the Quick Setup switch. For details about connections to use the Wireless LAN Converter in wireless communication, see procedure 4.

Procedure 3

Perform quick setup

1Wait until the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300, and the Wireless LAN Converter starts.

2Press the Quick Setup switch of the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300 Wireless Unit for at least one second.

When the Status indicator on the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300 starts flashing red, it has entered Quick Setup standby mode.

Quick Setup switch

zHint

The Wireless LAN Converter only remains in Quick Setup standby mode for 30 seconds.

Press the Quick Setup switch one more time for at least one second to cancel the procedure.

3Press the Wireless LAN Converter Quick Setup switch for at least one second.

When the Status indicator on the PCWA-AR800 or PCWA-AR300 stops flashing red and the Wireless LAN Converter’s begins flashing white, quick setup is complete.

4Disconnect the power cord of the Wireless LAN Converter to turn it off.

Procedure 4

Connect the Wireless LAN Converter to the devicethat you want to use for wireless communication

1Connect the Wireless Unit and Power Unit.

2Connect the Power Unit to the computer or other device capable of wireless communication using an Ethernet cable.

3Connect the Power Unit to an AC outlet using the power cord.

To power outlet

 

Power Unit

Power cord

or

 

Wireless Unit

Ethernet cable

 

(not included)

Wireless Unit cable

zHint

The Wireless LAN Converter does not have a power switch.

When the Status indicator of the Wireless LAN Converter changes to white when you connect the wireless communication device, configuration is complete.

zHint

If you want to reset the Wireless LAN Converter, see “Reset to Factory Defaults”, overleaf.

For details about the Wireless LAN Converter setup, refer to the Help.To display Help

Click the “Start” button, point to “Programs” (when using the Windows XP operating system, point to “All Programs”), point to “Wireless LAN”, and then click “Converter Setup Help”.

To display Help for the Wireless LAN Converter Setup Page

Click or on the Wireless LAN Converter Setup Page.

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