Due to a number of users requesting instructions on how to configure the XDA IIi WiFi adapter, Gonz and I take time out to configure the adapter to connect to two common networks.
The common networks looked at are described here:
ADHOC: A desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection (either dial-up or ISDN Modem) and a WiFi card or USB adapter.
INFRASTRUCTURE: A desktop computer with an internet connection (either dial-up or ISDN Modem) hooked up to a wireless router via ethernet cable.
Let's examine the ADHOC configuration...
The first steps require the desktop computer's hardware to be installed and set up correctly. The wireless network adapter also needs to be configured for your chosen network. Configuration will depend on your hardware and associated software drivers. You will see the options to set up an ADHOC network, create the SSID and network security. It is best to have all security options disabled to start with, and have an open network.
This next step is the easiest way to correctly configure your adapters. Start the Windows XP Network Set-up Wizard and follow the on-screen instructions. Set the desktop computer configuration to connect directly to the internet, and have all other computers in your network to connect to the internet through this computer. Then you will be asked to select the appropriate internet connection (dial-up or ISDN Modem). Select the connection that you have set up. After this, you will be asked what network adapter is used to connect the other computers to this one. Make sure you select the Wireless Network Adapter (either internal card or USB adapter). Follow the rest of the instructions and finally you will be asked to restart the computer. Once your desktop has been restarted, perform the next steps on your XDA IIi.
Click on
Start
->
Settings
->
Network Cards
. In the
Configure Wireless Networks
screen, select the
Network Adapters
tab and click on
tracxwln Compatible Wireless Ethernet
. Select
Use Specific IP Address
and enter an
IP address
of 192.168.0.xxx where xxx is your first free IP address on your network. The
Subnet Mask
will be 255.255.255.0 and the
Default Gateway
is the IP address of your wireless network adapter on your desktop. If it is set up by the Network Wizard, it will have an address of 192.168.0.1 (necessary to be xxx.xxx.0.1 for Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to work). Click on the
Name Servers
tab and enter 192.168.0.1 for the
DNS
and
WNS
addresses. Click OK and return to your Today Screen. It is important to soft reset the XDA IIi for the settings to fully take effect.
When the XDA IIi restarts, turn on WiFi and let it automatically detect the wireless settings. A pop-up screen will appear asking what this network connects to. If it disappears before you get a chance to select Internet, go back into the Configure Wireless Networks screen, tap on the network name, and then select Internet from the next screen. Click OK and you should see the network name again. Tap and hold the network name and select connect. This may take a minute, and when connection is achieved, open up Pocket Internet Explorer and see if the Internet is enabled.
Now let's examine the INFRASTRUCTURE configuration...
This is actually easier than the ADHOC configuration. All that is needed here is to turn on the WiFi radio, let the XDA IIi discover the network, then connect to the network from the Configure Wireless Networks screen. This assumes the existing network is set up properly:- Internet Gateway computer configured for ICS, Ethernet adapter connected to Wireless Router having an IP of 192.168.0.1, Wireless Router having an IP address of 192.168.0.2 and DHCP disabled (Internet Gateway is responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses, not the router). If you see an IP address that is vastly different to the LAN, i.e. 169.xxx.x.x when the LAN is 192.xxx.x.x, then manually configure the XDA IIi IP address as above.
What we haven't tested...
Gonz and I have not tested the configuration where an ADSL modem connects directly to the wireless router, and no Internet Gateway computer is used. We will rely upon others to fill us in with how to configure the XDA IIi in this case.
Following the methods outlined here should see the XDA IIi connect reliably every time to your home network. Happy WiFi'ing!