Sony PCWA-A320 Quick Start Guide PDF

Setup Procedures

Unpacking

When you unpack the unit, make sure that all the following are accounted for.

Router Unit Wireless Unit (Broadband Router Unit PCWA-R1) (Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A320)

* The Wireless Unit has Access Point functions.

AC Adapter Power cord

Read This First Quick Start Guide (this manual)

Troubleshooting Guide Limited Warranty

Other documentation

Continued on next page

Confirm the connection method of the wireless connection on the computer. Refer to the instructions for your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter to confirm the connection method of the computer to the Access Point when using a Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter. If using a Wireless LAN PC Card with the Windows XP operating system, connect to the network using the Windows XP Wireless Network function.

Configure the TCP/IP settings for the Wireless Network connection on the computer. Configure the TCP/IP settings on the computer as follows. IP address setting: Select Obtain an IP address automatically. DNS setting: Select Disable DNS in the Windows Me operating system.

Select Obtain a DNS server address automatically in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.

Prepare the Ethernet cable to connect the Router Unit and ADSL or cable modem.

z Hint Use a straight-through or cross-over Ethernet cable.

Configure the computer firewall settings If you are using the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall or another personal firewall, you may need to change the security level setting. Refer to the Note below about Computer Firewall Functions for details.

Note Computer Firewall Functions When using the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall function Enabling the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall function may prevent the computer from being accessed externally (this function is disabled by default). This function can prevent connection to your network when you change your Wireless Broadband Router settings. If this happens, disable the Internet Connection Firewall function, connect to the network, and then re-enable the function. Refer to Windows XP Help for details (you can search from Help and Support on the Start menu).

Note

Make sure that you take appropriate security measures when the Internet Connection Firewall function is disabled.

When using personal firewall software provided standalone or as part of anti-virus or network security software Antivirus scanning and network security software sometimes includes a function called a personal firewall, intended to prevent unauthorized access by other computers. Depending on the software, the security level of this function may initially be set to a high level. If this high security level setting is left enabled, other computers may be unable to access your computer. This can cause problems such as not being able to connect to the network when changing the Wireless Broadband Router settings. In this event, lower the security level to allow the network connection. While the security level is lowered, pay special attention to security. We highly recommend returning to the original setting after setting up the Wireless Broadband Router. Refer to the software instructions or Help for details.

Notes

Pay appropriate attention to security issues. For questions about firewall functions, please contact your firewall software manufacturer.

Procedure

2 Check

Connect each unit and turn the power on

Connect each unit as shown in the next figure, and turn the power on.

1 Use an Ethernet cable to connect the cable or DSL modem to the WAN connector of the Router Unit.

2 Connect the Wireless Unit to a Wireless Unit/LAN connector.

z Hint There are two Wireless Unit/LAN connectors. Use either one.

3 Connect the AC Adapter to the Router Unit, and turn the AC Adapter on.

4 Connect an end of the Ethernet cable to a LAN connector of the Router Unit.

5 Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your computer.

z Hint The Ethernet port of your computer is on its back panel.

Internet

When you turn the power on, confirm that the Status indicators on the Wireless Unit and Router Unit change as follows before proceeding to Procedure 3.

Wireless Unit: Changes from a quickly flashing white light to a slowly flashing one.

Router Unit: Change from flashing white light to a steadily lit one.

Establish wireless connections Procedure

3 Check

Establish communications between the computer and the Access Point

This description assumes that the connection is established with factory default settings.

Access Point factory default settings Network Name (SSID): The 6-character identifier printed on the label inside the rear

cover of the Wireless Unit Encryption (WEP): Disabled

Confirming the Network Name (SSID)

Configure the wireless communication settings on the computer, and then establish communications between the computer and the Access Point. Refer to the instructions for your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter for the setting method.

z Comments The Network Name (SSID) may also be called something like the ESSID or Network ID, depending on

the particular device.

Encryption may also be called something like encoding or security, depending on the particular device.

When using the Windows XP operating system with a Wireless LAN PC Card, on the Start menu, click Connect to Wireless Network Connection, and make the communications settings that affect connection to the Access Point from the dialog box that appears.

If no Wireless Network Connection item can be found on the Start menu, on the Start menu click Control Panel Network and Internet Connections Network Connection, and double-click Wireless Network Connection.

When you are done, verify that an IP address is assigned to the computer.

Although communication is possible from this state, for security reasons, be certain to perform the subsequent procedures to change the factory default settings. Also refer to the instructions for your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter.

Router Unit Setup

Procedure

4 Check

Display the Router Unit Setup Page

Access the Access Point from a Web browser to display the Router Unit Setup Page.

Compatible browsers:

Internet Explorer 5.5 or later Netscape 6.1 or later

Note

Configure the browsers proxy settings so that the IP address of the Router Unit (factory default 192.168.11.1) bypasses the proxy server. Refer to Case 1: Cannot display the Setup Page (error message appears) in the separate Troubleshooting Guide for details about bypassing the proxy server.

z Hint The Setup Page of this device is stored in the internal memory of the Router Unit.

1 Launch the Web browser.

2 Enter http://192.168.11.1 in the Address field, and press the Enter key.

Preparation Procedure

1 Check

Perform the necessary preparations and confirmations for connections

Procedure

2 Check

Connect each unit and turn the power on

Establish wireless connections Procedure

3 Check

Establish communications between a computer and the Access Point

Router Functions Setup Procedure

4 Check

Display the Router Unit Setup Page

Procedure

5 Check

Configure the Router functions

Each procedure is preceded by a check box. Before proceeding to the next step, confirm that you have completed all necessary tasks by ticking the box. Check

Access Point Functions Setup

Procedure

7 Check

Configure the Access Point functions

Preparation

Procedure

1 Check

Perform the necessary preparations and confirmations for connections

Obtain the information required to make the computer connections. The procedure in this guide describes the connection process using the factory default settings.

The factory default settings of the Access Point function are: Network Name (SSID): The 6-character identifier printed on the label inside the rear

cover of the Wireless Unit Encryption (WEP): Disabled

Before setting up the Broadband Router, perform the following.

Set up the Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter Perform the required software installation and settings according to the instructions provided with your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter to make it operational.

Ethernet cable

1 2

Switch`

3

Cable modem or DSL modem

Use either connector.

Configure the Wireless Communication Settings on the computer

Sony Corporation 2003 Printed in Japan

4-674-608-11 (1)

Wireless Broadband Router

Quick Start Guide Before reading this guide, be sure to read the Read This First supplement.

This guide describes the preparations and settings required to connect to the Internet using the Wireless Broadband Router.

The PCWA-AR300 consists of:

Broadband Router Unit PCWA-R1 Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A320

In this document, we refer to the Broadband Router Unit as the Router Unit and to the Wireless LAN Access Point as the Wireless Unit.

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 manual, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition and Microsoft Windows XP Professional are referred to as Windows XP.

Netscape is a registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.

All other names of systems, products and services are trademarks of their respective owners. In the manual, the or marks are not specified.

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

Procedure

6 Check

Display the Access Point Setup Page

Procedure

8 Check

Configure computer settings

PCWA-AR300

4

5

Remove the rear cover by sliding it in the direction of the arrow.

This ID is used as the default Network Name (SSID).

SSID

z Hint The IP address 192.168.11.1 is the Router Unit factory default. If the Routers IP address has been changed, contact your network administrator.

Procedure

7 Check

Configure the Access Point functions

The wireless functions are set in the Wireless Unit. The basic wireless connection settings are described here. For details about the settings, refer to Help the Access Point Setup Page.

Click Easy Setup.1

The Easy Setup page appears.

Configure settings.2

1 Enter the Network Name (SSID). The Network Name (SSID) is an ID that serves to identify the wireless network. You should enter up to 32 characters. Permissible characters are letters, numbers, and symbols.

Note

We recommend that you note the Network Name (SSID).

2 Set Encryption (WEP) to Enable.

z Hint Encryption (WEP) encodes wireless communications and prevents unauthorized access to the network. The Encryption Key is the password required for WEP communications on an encrypted network.

3 Select Key Length.

4 Enter the encryption key, and re-enter it again at WEP Key (confirmation) If you select 40-bit for the Key Length, enter up to five letters, numbers and symbols. If you select 104-bit for the Key Length, enter up to 13 letters, numbers and symbols.

Note

We recommend that you note the Encryption Key.

The Router Unit Setup Page appears. Connection with a cable modem

z Hint Select from the following depending on the connection method specified by your provider.

When connecting by DHCP (having an IP address assigned to the computer automatically), select Obtain an IP address automatically. In this case, please confirm the DHCP client ID (in cases where it is particularly specified).

When connecting by a fixed IP address (manually assigning the computer IP address), select Use the following IP address. In this case, enter the IP address for your computer specified by your provider.

Check that the settings are correct, and click Execute Setup4 1 When finished making settings, click Next.

The Setup Confirmation window appears.

2 Check that the settings are correct, and click Execute Setup.

Access Point Function Setup

Procedure

6 Check

Display the Access Point Setup Page

1 Click Scan.

Access Points are searched for, and any discovered Access Points are displayed in the list.

2 Select the Access Point to configure, and click the Access Point Setup button.

The Access Point Setup page appears.

Move the slider to display the hidden part of the window.

Check that the settings are correct, and click Execute Setup.3 1 When finished making settings, click Next.

The Setup Confirmation window appears.

2 Check that the settings are correct, and click Execute Setup.

The Setup Completed window appears.

3 Close the Web browser.

Note

When you change the wireless settings, the connection to the Access Point is servered. After performing Procedure 7, make sure that you perform Procedure 8 to reestablish the connection.

Refer to Help for details about Wireless Broadband Router settings. To display Help, click or on the Router Unit Setup Page or the Access Point Setup Page.

Configure the Wireless Communication Settings on the computer

Procedure

8 Check

Configure computer settings

Configure the wireless communication settings on the computer used for the setup to match the Access Point settings.

Configure the Network Name (SSID) and Encryption (WEP) wireless communication settings on the computer to match those set in Procedure 7.

z Hint Refer to the instructions of your Wireless LAN PC Card or Wireless LAN Converter for the setting method.

This completes the configuration.

Refer to the Read This First supplement for the following information: Installation

Ethernet cable connection method

Reset to factory defaults

Factory default settings

Status Indicator indications

1

2

3

4

When satisfied with the displayed settings, click here.

If you want to modify the settings, click here to return to the previous window.

z Hints The Router Unit Setup Page provides both an

Easy Setup and an Advanced Setup.

We recommend performing the Easy Setup if you are unfamiliar with networks.

The Router Unit functions as a NAT router.

When making PPPoE connections to a service provider with a DSL modem, or when using a cable modem, all the required settings can usually be performed with Easy Setup.

Clicking or displays Help.

The following procedures describe the setup process using Easy Setup.

Procedure

5 Check

Configure the Router functions

Configure the Router functions of the Router Unit. The basic settings to connect to the Internet are described here. For details about the settings, refer to Help on the Router Unit Setup Page.

Specific information required to establish an Internet connection is normally provided by your Internet service provider when making the service contract. You may have to refer to this information when setting up the connection, so have the information at hand.

Click Easy Setup.1

The Easy Setup page appears.

Make basic settings.2 Enter a DNS server address if necessary. The DNS server address setting is determined by your Internet service provider.

Configure your WAN settings (for connection to the Internet).3 The entry field to use depends on your Internet service provider, so refer to the information supplied from your provider to make this entry.

Note

Your Internet service provider may not permit the connection of the DSL or cable modem to a router. Please refer to the clauses of your service contract.

PPPoE connection with a DSL modem

Refer to the information supplied from your provider to make these entries.

Select Connect using DSL (PPPoE), and enter your account information.

Move this slider to view the hidden part of the window.

Referring to your providers information, select Obtain an IP address automatically, or select Use the following IP address and enter the information specified by your provider.

When satisfied with the displayed settings, click here.

If you want to modify the settings, click here to return to the previous window.

Move this slider to check the settings.

z Hints If multiple Access Points are found, verify the

Access Point to configure by the MAC address printed on the label inside th