Open Intel PROSet/Wireless

Click to start Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless when Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless is your wireless manager. If you select Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi* from the Taskbar menu, the menu option changes to Open Wireless Zero Configuration and Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Service is used as your wireless manager. When you use Microsoft Windows, you cannot use your Intel profiles.

Open Wireless Zero Configuration

Wireless On

If you have Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless installed, the current state of the radio displays in the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window and on the Taskbar. Select Wireless On to turn the radio on. Select Wireless Off to turn the radio off.

If your computer has an external switch installed, use it to switch the radio on or off. See your computer manufacturer's documentation for more information about this switch.

Wireless Off

802.11a Radio Off

This option is available only for wireless adapters that support 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Select to turn off the 802.11a radio.

NOTE: This setting is unavailable unless it is enabled in the Administrator Tool or if your adapter is an Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection.

Open Intel Wireless Troubleshooter

Opens an application that can assist you to resolve wireless network connection issues. When a connection issue is detected, a desktop alert appears at the bottom right corner of your desktop. See Intel Wireless Troubleshooter for more information.

Connect to Profile

Displays the current profiles in the Profile list. This option can also be used to connect to a profile.

Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi

Toggles between Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless and Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Service. When you use Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration Service, you cannot use your Intel profiles.

Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi

Wireless Off: The wireless adapter is off. The wireless device does not transmit or receive while it is off. Click Wireless On to enable the adapter. The icon is white and static.

Searching for wireless networks: The wireless adapter searches for any available wireless networks. The icon is white with animation.

No wireless networks found: There are no available wireless networks. Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless periodically scans for available networks. If you want to force a scan, double-click the icon to launch Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless and click Refresh. The icon is red.

Wireless network found: An available wireless network is found. Double-click the icon to display the Wireless Networks list. Select the network. Click Connect. The icon is yellow.

Authentication failed: Unable to authenticate with wireless network. The icon is green with a yellow warning triangle.

Connecting to a wireless network: Flashes while an IP address is being obtained or an error occurs.

Connected to a wireless network: Connected to a wireless network. A Tool Tip displays network name, speed, signal quality and IP address. The icon is green with waves that reflect signal quality. The more waves, the better the signal quality.

Wireless turned off : The wireless adapter radio is turned off. Click the Wireless Off button to turn on the radio.

Connection Problem: Indicates connection problems including authentication failures.

Searching for wireless networks: The wireless adapter is scanning for any available wireless networks.

Animated Icons:

No wireless networks found: The adapter does not find any available wireless networks.

Wireless network found: An available wireless network is found. You can choose to connect to available networks displayed in the Wireless Networks list.

Connecting to a wireless network: You are connecting to a wireless network. The crescent shaped curves switch between green and white until an IP Address is obtained or a connection error occurs.

Connected to a wireless network: You are connected to a wireless network. The network name, speed, signal quality, and IP address display the current connection status. Click the Details button to display details of the current network connection.

Network Name

Name (Profile Name or SSID): The name of the network that the adapter is connected to. The Name column displays the SSID or the Profile name if a profile for the network is available.

Signal Strength

The signal strength icon bars indicate the quality of the transmit and receive signals between your wireless adapter and the nearest access point, or computer in a Device to Device (ad hoc) network. The number of vertical green bars indicates the strength of the transmit and receive signals.

NOTE: The signal strength is displayed for the closest AP for networks that contains multiple APs.

The signal strength ranges from excellent to out of range. The following factors affect signal strength:

• Signal quality decreases with distance and is affected by metal and concrete barriers.
• Metal objects can reflect signals and cause interference.
• Other electrical devices can cause interference.

Properties

Provides adapter connection status information. See Network Properties for information.

Wireless On (Off)

Switch the radio off and on. See Turn Wireless On or Off for more information.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Close

Closes the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window.

Name

Description

Wireless Networks ( )

The number within the parentheses designates the number of wireless network found within range of your wireless network adapter.

The signal strength of the wireless network access point, or computer (Device to Device [ad hoc] network). The signal strength icon bars indicate that the wireless network or computer is available for connection but is still not associated with an access point, or computer (Device to Device [ad hoc] network).

Network Name

Name (Profile Name or SSID): The name of the network that the adapter is connected to. The Name column displays the SSID or the Profile name if a profile for the network is available.

If an access point does not broadcast its network name (SSID) or the wireless adapter receives a hidden network name from a stealth access point, <SSID not broadcast> is displayed in the Wireless Networks list. To associate with an <SSID not broadcast> network entry, a new profile must be created before connection. After connection, the <SSID not broadcast> is still displayed in the Wireless Networks list, along with the Profile Name/SSID. The associated SSID profile is viewed in the Profiles list.

Status

Notification that the adapter is connecting to the wireless network. Once connected, the status is changed to Connected.

Profiles: Identifies a network in the Wireless Networks list that is connected and has a profile in the profiles list.

The wireless network uses Network (Infrastructure) mode.

The wireless network uses Device to Device (ad hoc) mode.

The wireless network uses Security encryption.

The band frequency being used by the wireless network (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n).

The wireless network is on the exclusion list or the profile is configured for manual connection.

Connect (Disconnect)

Click to connect to a wireless network. Once connected, the button changes to Disconnect.

Properties

Provides detailed information about the connected network and its access points. See Network Properties for information.

Refresh

Refreshes the list of available networks. If any new networks are available within the adapter range, the list is updated to show the new network name.

Wireless On (Off)

Switch the radio off and on. See Turn Wireless On or Off for more information.

Close

Closes the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Network Name

Displays the wireless network name.

Band

Current band and frequency being used. Displays Out of Range if no band and frequency are displayed.

The following bands are listed:

• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Operation Mode

Displays the current mode:

• Network (Infrastructure)

A wireless network centered around an access point. In this environment, the access point not only provides communication with the wired network, but also mediates wireless network traffic in the immediate neighborhood.

• Device to Device (ad hoc)

A communication configuration in which every computer has the same capabilities, and any computer can initiate a communication session. Also known as a peer-to-peer network or a computer-to-computer network.

Authentication Level

Displays the current authentication security mode for the network being used.

The following network authentication levels are listed:

• Open
• Shared
• WPA*-Enterprise
• WPA2*-Enterprise
• WPA-Personal
• WPA2-Personal

Displays the authentication used by the current network. See Security Settings for more information.

Data Encryption

The following Data Encryption settings are listed:

• None
• WEP
• TKIP
• CKIP
• AES-CCMP

See Security Settings for more information.

Access Points in this Network <0-50>

• Signal Strength: The signal strength icon bars indicate the strength of the transmit and receive signals between your wireless adapter and the nearest access point.
• Displays one of the following icons: . Indicates the band being used (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n).
• Channel: Displays the current transmit and receive channel being used for a particular wireless network.
• BSSID (Infrastructure operating mode): Displays the twelve-digit MAC address of the access point of the selected network.

Manage Exclusions

See Manage Exclusions for more information. If network exclusion is enabled (see Application Settings) then the Network Properties also indicates if the network is excluded from automatic connection.

Close

Closes the Network Properties.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Profile Name

Name of the profile.

Network Name

Network Name (SSID) of the current connection.

Signal Quality

A radio frequency (RF) signal can be assessed by two components:

• signal strength (quantity)
• signal quality

The quality of the signal is determined by a combination of factors. Primarily it is composed of signal strength and the ratio of the RF noise present. RF noise occurs both naturally and artificially by electrical equipment. If the amount of the RF noise is high, or the signal strength is low, it results in a lower signal to noise ratio and causes poorer signal quality. With a low signal to noise ratio, it is difficult for the radio receiver to discern the data information contained in the signal from the noise itself.

Signal Strength

The signal strength icon bars indicate the quality of the transmit and receive signals between your wireless adapter and the access point or computer in Device to Device (ad hoc) mode. The number of vertical green bars indicates the strength of the transmit and receive signals.

NOTE: The signal strength is displayed for the closest AP for networks that contains multiple APs.

The signal strength ranges from excellent to out of range. The following factors affect signal strength:

• Signal quality decreases with distance and is affected by metal and concrete barriers.
• Metal objects can reflect signals and cause interference.
• Other electrical devices can cause interference.

IP Address

IPv4 Address: Internet Protocol (IP) address for the current connection.

Adapter MAC Address

Media Access Control (MAC) address for the wireless adapter.

Band

Indicates the wireless band of the current connection.

• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Supported Data Rates

Rates at which the wireless adapter can send and receive data. Displays the rate in Mbps for the frequency being used.

• 802.11a: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54
• 802.11b: 1, 2, 5.5, and 11
• 802.11g: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54
• 802.11n: 300, 270, 243, 240, 180, 150, 144, 135, 130, 120, 117, 115.5, 90, 86.667, 72.2, 65, 60, 57.8, 45, 43.3, 30, 28.9, 21.7, 15, 14.4, 7.2

Radio Frequency

Displays the frequency of the current wireless connection.

• 802.11a: 5.15 GHz to 5.85 GHz
• 802.11b/g: 2.400 GHz to 2.4835 GHz (dependent on country)
• 802.11n: 2.400 GHz to 5.00 GHz

Channel Number

Displays the transmit and receive channel.

Network Authentication

Displays Open, Shared, WPA-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Enterprise and WPA2-Enterprise. Displays the authentication used by the currently used profile. See Security Overview for more information.

Data Encryption

Displays None, WEP, TKIP or AES-CCMP. See Security Overview for more information.

802.1X Authentication Type

Displays None, EAP-SIM, TLS, TTLS, PEAP, LEAP, or EAP-FAST. See Security Overview for more information.

802.1X Authentication Protocol

Displays None, PAP, GTC, CHAP, MS-CHAP, MS-CHAP-V2 or TLS. See Security Overview for more information.

CCX Version

Version of the Cisco Compatible Extensions on this wireless connection.

Current Tx Power

This is the current power at which the wireless adapter is currently transmitting, in milliwatts.

Supported Power Levels

These are the power levels that the wireless adapter is capable of transmitting. This information is presented in a range and is dependent on the adapter.

Access Point MAC Address

The Media Access Control (MAC) address for the associated access point.

Mandatory Access Point

Displays None, if not enabled. If enabled, from the Mandatory Access Point setting, the access point MAC address is displayed. This option directs the wireless adapter to connect to an access point that uses a specific MAC address (48-bit, 12 hexadecimal digits, for example, 00:06:25:0E:9D:84).

Repair

Renews the IP Address. If you have trouble accessing the network, verify if the IP address is valid. If it is 0.0.0.0 or 169.x.x.x, then it is probably not valid. If your network is set up for automatic network address assignment, then click Repair and request a new IP address.

Close

Closes the page.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Name

Description

Profile Name

Profiles are network settings that allow your wireless adapter to connect to a network access point (Network (Infrastructure) mode) or computer (Device to Device (ad hoc) mode, which does not use an access point). See Profile Management for more information.

Network Name

Name (Profile Name or SSID): The name of the network that the adapter is connected to. The Name column displays the SSID or the Profile name if a profile for the network is available.

Connection Icons: The following network profile status icons indicate the different connection states of the adapter with a wireless network, the type of operating mode being used, and whether network security is being used.

Blue circle: The wireless adapter is associated with an access point or computer (ad hoc mode). If a profile has 802.1X security enabled, this indicates that the wireless adapter is associated and authenticated.

Indicates infrastructure mode.

Indicates Device to Device (ad hoc) mode.

The wireless network uses Security encryption.

Arrows

Position profiles in a preferred order for auto-connection.

• Up-arrow: Move the position of a selected profile up in the Profiles list.
• Down-arrow: Move the position of a selected profile down in the Profiles list.

Connect

If the network is in range, and the profile matches the configuration of the network, then a connection is made.

Add

Opens the wireless profile General Settings screen, which is used to create a new profile. See Create a New Profile for more information.

Remove

Removes a selected profile from the Profile list. See Remove a Profile for more information.

Properties

Enables you to edit the contents of an existing profile. See Edit an Existing Profile for more information.

Export or Import: Lets you import and export user-based profiles to and from the Profile list. Wireless profiles can be automatically imported into the Profile list. See Export or Import Profiles for more information.

Close

Close the profile management window.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Name

Description

File

Exit: Closes the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window.

Tools

Application Settings: Use to set system wide connection preferences. See Application Settings for information.

Intel Wireless Troubleshooter: Use to resolve wireless network connection problems. See Intel Wireless Troubleshooter for more information.

Manual Diagnostics Tool: The Manual Diagnostics Tool lets you run a set of diagnostics tests that verify the functionality of your wireless adapter. See Manual Diagnostics Tool for more information.

Administrator Tool: Used by administrators or the person who has administrator privileges on this computer to configure shared profiles (Pre-logon/Common, Persistent, and Voice over IP [VoIP]). The Administrator Tool can also be used by an Information Technology department to configure user settings within the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless software and to create custom install packages to export to other systems. See Administrator Tool for more information.

NOTE: The Administrator Tool is available only if it installed during a custom installation of the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless software. See Install or Uninstall the Software for more information on custom installation.

Advanced

Adapter Settings: Displays Adapter Settings that are equivalent to the settings in the Microsoft Windows Advanced settings. See Adapter Settings for information.

To access Adapter Settings from Microsoft Windows:

• Select Network Connections from the Windows Control Panel.
• Right-click the Wireless Network Connection.
• Select Properties from the menu.
• Click Configure to display the Advanced settings for the adapter.

Advanced Statistics: Select to view detailed information about the wireless adapter and connection. See Advanced Statistics for more information.

Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi: Select to enable Microsoft Windows XP as the wireless manager. See Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration for more information.

Profiles

Manage Profiles: Select to create or edit profiles.

Manage Exclusions: Select to exclude networks from automatic connection. See Manage Exclusions for more information.

Help

Intel PROSet/Wireless Help: Starts the online help.

About: Displays version information for the currently installed application components.

Adapter

Lists the network adapter. It may be an Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN, Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG_, Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection, Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection, or Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection.

Advanced Settings: The following settings control how Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless behaves and displays information.

Taskbar

Show application icon on the taskbar: Select to display the Taskbar status icon. This icon resides on the Windows Taskbar (Notification Area). This icon provides the status of your wireless connection. Clear to not display the Taskbar status icon.

The Taskbar Status Icon provides several functions:

• Visual feedback for the connection state and wireless activity of your wireless network. The icon changes color and animation for different wireless activity. See Taskbar Icons for more information.
• Menu: A menu is displayed when you right click the icon. From this menu you perform tasks such as turn the radio on or off or launch the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless application. See Taskbar Menu Options for more information.
• Tool tips and desktop alerts. See Tool Tips and Desktop Alerts for more information.

Notifications

Show Alert Notifications: Select to display desktop alerts next to the taskbar icon. When your action is required, a message displays. Only events of high importance trigger a desktop alert. If the desktop alert is selected, then the appropriate action is taken. Clear to not display desktop alerts. See Tool Tips and Desktop Alerts for more information.

Select one of the following options:

Information Notifications: These desktop alerts are of lower importance. They do not require your interaction but can greatly improve the wireless experience.

• Show Information Notifications: Selected by default. All informational desktop alerts are displayed next to the taskbar status icon. These desktop alerts improve your wireless experience with notifications when available wireless networks are within range. They also inform you when a wireless connection has been made or has been lost. See Tool Tips and Desktop Alerts for more information.
• Show a list of available networks when not connected: When Show Information Notifications is cleared, you can select this item. When the desktop alerts are disabled, this option lets you continue to be notified of available networks when the wireless adapter is not connected.

Notify when another application uses the wireless adapter: When selected, a message is displayed when other applications are trying to manage your wireless adapter. This is helpful if you use software provided by a hotspot location (coffee shop, airport terminal). To take advantage of the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless features, disable this software when you leave the hotspot.

Enable TLS rejected certificates notification: Select if you want a warning issued when a PEAP-TLS certificate is rejected by the authentication server. See Enterprise Security and Set up a Client with TLS Network Authentication for more information.

Auto Connect

Connect to available network using profiles only: (Default) Connect the wireless adapter to an available network with a matching profile from the Profiles List. If no matching profile is found, you are notified (see Notifications). The wireless device remains disconnected until a matching profile is found or you configure a new matching profile.

Connect to any available network if no matching profile found: Select to connect to a network automatically if you have not configured a profile and are at a location that has an open, unsecured wireless network. NOTE: Open networks have no security. You would need to provide your own security for this wireless connection. One way to secure an open wireless connection is with Virtual Private Networking (VPN) software.

Connect to any network based on profiles only (Cisco mode): Select to try every profile in preferred order. This signifies that you are in the vicinity of an access point that has more than one SSID but only advertises one.

Manage Exclusions

Enable automatic exclude list feature: Select to enable the automatic exclude list feature. This feature provides a way to exclude access points from automatic connection. See Manage Exclusions for more information.

Enable manual exclude list feature: Select to enable the manual exclude list feature. This feature provides a way to exclude networks from automatic connection. See Manage Exclusions for more information.

Wireless Networks List

Show column sort headers: Select to display the column names in the Wireless Networks list. Click a column header to sort the column in either ascending or descending order.

Shared Folder Notification

File and printer sharing enables other computers on a network to access resources on your computer. You should be cautious when you use your wireless notebook computer with file and printer sharing enabled.

Use this feature to receive notifications when you connect to a wireless network with shared folders that meet one of the following conditions:

• The Microsoft Windows firewall is disabled.
• File and Printer Sharing are enabled as an exception to the Microsoft Windows firewall settings.

Unshare shared folders automatically when connected to an unsecured network.
Select to unshare shared folders automatically, each time you connect to an unsecured network. This feature provides some additionally security.

Disable this notification
Select to maintain your current shared folder settings each time you connect to an open, unsecured network.

Notify when connected to an unsecured network
Select to receive notification each time you are connected to an open, unsecured network.

Device to Device (ad hoc) Network Notification

Receive alerts dependent on the following settings when connected to an ad hoc network. You are alerted every two minutes, with a maximum of five alerts.

Notify when no peers have joined the ad hoc network
Select to receive notification if no peers join the ad hoc network.

Notify when all peers leave the ad hoc network
Select to receive an alert when all the peers leave the ad hoc network.

Network Name (SSID) Notification

Network Name (SSID) alert notice
Notifies you when the default network name (SSID) is used to connect to a network. Common examples of pre-defined, default network names are: wireless, WLAN, linksys, default.

Connecting to an access point that has the default network name (SSID) can be a security problem. This access point usually uses all the default security and, management settings (for example, Open authentication; default IP address, user name, or password). If this is a personal network, change the network name and security settings to improve the security of the network.

Notify when connected to a network with the default SSID name
Select to receive an alert when connected to a network with the default network name

Enable device registration
Turn this on to let the computer act as an external registrar. In this capacity, the computer can set up as an access point or join a configured access point. After the access point has been configured, the computer, as an external registrar, can add new computers (enrollees) to the network. Default state is OFF.

Turn Enable device registration off to let the computer detect and connect to a network as an enrollee.

Notify when Wi-Fi Protected Setup access points are within range of your computer
Turn to on to let you know when an access point equipped with Wi-Fi Protected Setup is within range of your computer. This is necessary if you want to enroll (connect) this computer to the access point. Default state is ON.

OK

Save settings and return to the previous page.

Cancel

Closes and cancels changes.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Name

Description

Menu Options

File

Wireless Event Viewer: Launches Wireless Event Viewer.

Disable Notification/Enable Notification: Select to disable or enable alert notifications.

Exit: Click to exit the Intel Wireless Troubleshooter application.

View

Displays or removes the History data on the right panel of the Intel Wireless Troubleshooter.

Tools

Manual Diagnostics Tool: Run diagnostic test to verify the functionality of your wireless adapter. See Manual Diagnostics Tool for more information.

Help

Intel(R) Wireless Troubleshooter Help: Displays online help for the Intel Wireless Troubleshooter.

About: Displays version information for the Intel Wireless Troubleshooter.

Available Help

Date Time error message:

• Description of error.
• Link to resolve error (if available). See Resolve Errors below.
• Link to recommended steps to resolve error.

History

Maintains a list of the last five alerts. The alerts are listed chronologically, with the most recent alert at the top of the list.

Administrator Packages

The Administrator Packages are used to save administrative profiles and other settings. For Windows XP and Windows 2000, you can copy or send this self-extracting executable to clients on your network. When it is run, the contents are installed and configured on the destination computer. See Administrator Tool Packages.

Application Settings

An administrator can configure the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Application Settings to control how the application behaves on the user's computer, and to select what level of control users have over various aspects of their wireless connections. See Administrator Tool Application Settings.

Administrator Profiles

Enable or disable Persistent or Pre-logon/Common profiles and configure Voice over IP (VoIP) settings on the computer. See Administrator Tool Profiles.

Adapter Settings

An administrator can select which level of control that users have over their wireless network connections. See Administrator Tool Adapter Settings.

Software

Select which of the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless applications are installed on a user's computers. See Administrator Tool Software.

EAP-FAST A-ID Groups

An administrator can select which Authority Identifier (A-ID) RADIUS server to provision Protected Access Credentials (PACs) for profiles that use EAP-FAST authentication. A-ID groups are shared by all users of the computer and allow EAP-FAST profiles to support multiple PACs from multiple A-IDs. See Administrator Tool EAP-FAST A-ID Groups.

Change Password

Change the password for the Administrator Tool. See Change Password for more information.

Close

Closes the page.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

802.11n Channel Width

Set high throughput channel width to maximize performance. Set the channel width to Auto or 20Mhz. Auto is the default setting. Use 20Mhz if 802.11n channels are restricted.

NOTE: This setting is available only if the adapter is an Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN.

802.11n Mode

The 802.11n standard builds upon previous 802.11 standards by adding multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). MIMO increases data throughput to improve transfer rate. Select Enabled or Disabled to set the 802.11n mode of the adapter. Enabled is the default setting.

An administrator can enable or disable support for high throughput mode to reduce power-consumption or conflicts with other bands or compatibility issues.

NOTE: This setting is available only if the adapter is an Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN.

Ad Hoc Channel

Unless the other computers in the ad hoc network use a different channel from the default channel, there is no need to change the channel.

Value: Select the allowed operating channel from the list.

• 802.11b/g: Select this option when 802.11b and 802.11g (2.4 GHz) ad hoc band frequency is used.
• 802.11a: Select this option when 802.11a (5 GHz) ad hoc band frequency is used.

NOTE: When an 802.11a channel is not displayed, initiating ad hoc networks are not supported for 802.11a channels.

Ad Hoc Power Management

Set power saving features for Device to Device (ad hoc) networks.

• Disable: Select when connecting to ad hoc networks that contain stations that do not support ad hoc power management.
• Maximum Power Savings: Select to optimize battery life.
• Noisy Environment: Select to optimize performance or connecting with multiple clients.

NOTE: This setting is unavailable if the adapter is an Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection, or an Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection.

Ad Hoc QoS Mode

Quality of Service (QoS) control in ad hoc networks. QoS provides prioritization of traffic from the access point over a wireless LAN based on traffic classification. WMM* (Wi-Fi Multimedia*) is the QoS certification of the Wi-Fi Alliance. When WMM is enabled, the adapter uses WMM to support priority tagging and queuing capabilities for Wi-Fi networks.

• WMM Enabled (Default)
• WMM Disabled

NOTE: This setting is unavailable if the adapter is an Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection or an Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection.

This setting communicates to surrounding networks that this wireless adapter is not tolerant of 40MHz channels in the 2.4GHz band. The default setting is for this to be turned off (disabled), so that the adapter does not send this notification.

NOTE: This setting is available only if the adapter is an Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN.

In a wireless network environment where several access points are nearby, this feature will reduce interference and improve your wireless connection. The default setting is for this to be turned off (disabled).

NOTE: This setting is available only if the adapter is an Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN.

Mixed Mode Protection

Use to avoid data collisions in a mixed 802.11b/11g/11a/11n environment. Request to Send/Clear to Send (RTS/CTS) should be used in an environment where clients may not hear each other. CTS-to-self can be used to gain more throughput in an environment where clients are in close proximity and can hear each other. (CTS-to-self is not supported for 802.11n).

Power Management

• Use default value: (Default) Power settings are based on the computer's power source.
• Manual: Adjust the slider for the desired setting. Use the lowest setting for maximum battery life. Use the highest setting for maximum performance.

NOTE: Power consumption savings vary based on infrastructure settings.

Preamble Mode

Changes the preamble length setting received by the access point during an initial connection. Always use Auto Tx Preamble to provide optimal network throughput. Auto Tx Preamble allows automatic preamble detection. If supported, short preamble should be used. If not, use Long Tx Preamble.

NOTE: This setting is unavailable if the adapter is an Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection.

Roaming Aggressiveness

This setting lets you define how aggressively your wireless client roams to improve connection to an access point.

• Default: Balanced setting between not roaming and performance.
• Lowest: Your wireless client will not roam. Only significant link quality degradation causes it to roam to another access point.
• Highest: Your wireless client continuously tracks the link quality. If any degradation occurs, it tries to find and roam to a better access point.

Throughput Enhancement

Changes the value of the Packet Burst Control.

• Enable: Select to enable throughput enhancement.
• Disable: (Default) Select to disable throughput enhancement.

Transmit Power

Default Setting: Highest power setting

Lowest Minimum Coverage: Set the adapter to a lowest transmit power. Enable you to expand the number of coverage areas or confine a coverage area. Reduce the coverage area in high traffic areas to improve overall transmission quality and avoid congestion and interference with other devices.

Highest Maximum Coverage: Set the adapter to a maximum transmit power level. Select for maximum performance and range in environments with limited additional radio devices.

NOTE: The optimal setting is for a user to always set the transmit power at the lowest possible level still compatible with the quality of their communication. This allows the maximum number of wireless devices to operate in dense areas and reduce interference with other devices that this radio shares radio spectrum with.

NOTE: This setting takes effect when either infrastructure or ad hoc mode is used.

Wireless Mode

Select which band to use for connection to a wireless network:

• 802.11a only: Connect the wireless adapter to 802.11a networks only.
• 802.11b only: Connect the wireless adapter to 802.11b networks only.
• 802.11g only: Connect the wireless adapter to 802.11g networks only.
• 802.11a and 802.11g: Connect the wireless adapter to 802.11a and 802.11g networks only.
• 802.11b and 802.11g: Connect the wireless adapter to 802.11b and 802.11g networks only.
• 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g: (Default) - Connect to either 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networks.

NOTE: These wireless modes (Modulation types) determine the discovered access points displayed in the Wireless Networks list.

OK

Saves settings and returns to the previous page.

Cancel

Closes and cancels any changes.

Statistics

Advanced Statistics: This information pertains to how the adapter communicates with an access point.

Association: If the adapter finds an access point to communicate with, the value is within range. Otherwise, the value is out of range.

• AP MAC Address: The twelve digit MAC address (00:40:96:31:1C:05) of the access point.
• Number of associations: The number of times the access point has found the adapter.
• AP count: The number of available access points within range of the wireless adapter.
• Number of full scans: The number of times the adapter has scanned all channels for receiving information.
• Number of partial scans: The number of scans that have been terminated.

Roaming: This information contains counters that are related to reasons for the adapter roaming. Roaming occurs when an adapter communicates with one access point and then communicates with another for better signal strength.

• Roaming count: The number of times that roaming occurred.
• AP did not transmit: The adapter did not receive radio transmission from the access point. You may need to reset the access point.
• Poor beacon quality: The signal quality is too low to sustain communication with the access point. Either you have moved the adapter outside the coverage area of the access point or the access point's device address information has been changed.
• AP load balancing: The access point ended its association with the adapter based on the access point's inability to maintain communication with all its associated adapters. Too many adapters are trying to communicate with one access point.
• AP RSSI too low: The Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is too low to maintain an association with the adapter. You may have moved outside the coverage area of the access point or the access point could have increased its data rate.
• Poor channel quality: The quality of the channel is low and caused the adapter to look for another access point.
• AP dropped mobile unit: The access point dropped a computer from the list of recognizable mobile devices. The computer must re-associate with an access point.

Miscellaneous: Use this information to determine if an association with a different access point increases performance and helps maintain the highest possible data rate.

• Received beacons: Number of beacons received by the adapter.
• Percent missed beacons: Percent value for missed beacons.
• Percent transmit errors: The percentage of data transmissions that had errors.
• Signal Strength: Signal strength of the access point that the adapter communicates with displayed in decibels (dBm).

Transmit/Receive (Tx/Rx) Statistics

Displays percent values for non-directed and directed packets.

Total host packets: The sum total number of directed and non-directed packets counts.

• Transmit - (Mbps)
• Receive - (Mbps)

Non-directed packets: The number of received packets broadcast to the wireless network.

Directed packets: The number of received packets sent specifically to the wireless adapter.

Total Bytes: The total number of bytes for packets received and sent by the wireless adapter.

Logging

Set the duration that you want to record statistical data for your wireless adapter.

Configure logging settings: Click Settings to set how frequently you want to log the statistics. You can set the number of seconds and how many hours you want the statistics to be logged.

To change the storage location of the log file.

1. Click Browse to specify a new log file location. The current path is displayed. The default location is in the C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless directory.
2. Click Open to close and apply the new file path.
3. Click Close to exit Advanced Statistics.

Start/Stop Logging: Click this button to start and stop logging. When you click Start logging, statistical information (described above) is accumulated. When you click Stop Logging, the accumulation ends and this information is saved to a file that you can open and view.

View Log File...: Click this button to open the Wireless folder under Program Files/Intel (this is the default location). Log files are named using the month, day, and year, plus the number of the log created on that day. For example: 03122007_001.htm. The log file provides:

• Date and Time
• Adapter Information
• Connection Information
• Transmit/Receive Statistics

NOTE: An administrator can disable this feature.

Resets the adapter statistical counters back to zero and begins taking new data measurements.

Closes and returns to the main window.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.

Name

Description

Click Details... to learn specific information on how the access point was excluded and how to remove it from exclusion. Following is an example:

This network has been excluded from automatic connection for the following reasons.

• User has excluded this network manually.

To make this network (or access points) eligible for automatic connection again, select it and click the Remove button.

NOTES:

• The Reset list button removes all entries except rogue and administrator excluded access points from the list.
• Rogue access points are removed from the list when a connection is made to this access point using valid credentials.
• All excluded access points in a network (other than rogue and administrator excluded) are removed from the list when a profile for that network is applied manually.

Entries that are dimmed are excluded rogue or administrator excluded access points. Rogue or administrator excluded access points cannot be removed from the list manually.

Add

Adds an Network name (SSID) to the list.

Remove

Removes an entry from the list.

Reset list

Removes all entries from the list.

Close

Closes and saves settings.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.