(revised 11-9-03)
Here is how I added Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) to my existing home network and then configured my iPAQ 2215 to be able to surf the internet, ActiveSync, stream audio/video files, and share/print files. (links to pictures included... for the version with the pictures inline, visit the illustrated version ) Still to be added... Graphics for Router/Access point setup.
Before attempting to use Activesync via Wi-Fi, be sure to sync the iPAQ with the PC via the cradle first.
Equipment: iPAQ 2215, Linksys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router, Linksys WRT54G wireless-G router used as Access Point only, and Ambicom WL1100C-CF wirelss card
Note: When I first started using the Ambicom Wi-Fi card, I was using the updated Windows Mobile 2003 drivers from the Ambicom web site. However, they do not work with Pocket WiNc or Pocket Warrior, and do not allow for powering down the Wi-Fi card while it is still installed in the iPAQ. Because of this, I have switched to using the Senao SL-2511CF Windows CE .NET 4.0 driver per this Brighthand Discussion or this PocketPCThoughts Discussion (See the post by Glen8, about the 8th post down), as they DO NOT have these limits. The following screen shots are based upon using the Senao drivers.
NOTE: I originally set this up using a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless-B router, however because of also wanting to use my Laptop (IBM Thinkpad T23) wirelessly, I replaced the BEFW11S4 with a Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G router. The configuration steps were the same.
My home network was already in place using a Linksys BEFSR41 as router/Nat/dhcp server/firewall and I wanted to add 802.11b/g support for wireless connectivity to my IBM Thinkpad T23 and my newly purchased iPAQ 2215.
Since the Linksys BEFSR41 router was already in place and working, but the
WRT54G is also a router,
I had to reconfigure the WRT54G as an access point only following the instructions at...
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/3603 if you are adding just an access point, I think only steps 4, 7, 8, and 9
would apply.
FOR NOW LEAVE BROADCAST SSID ENABLED ON THE ACCESS POINT. DISABLE IT AS THE LAST
STEP AFTER THE CONNECTION IS MADE. This will make it easier to setup the
connection on the iPAQ,
Configuring the iPAQ...
1. With the iPAQ in the USB cradle and the Wi-Fi card NOT inserted, load the drivers for
the CF wireless card on the iPAQ.
2. Plug the CF card into the IPAQ. If using the Senao drivers,
see one of the two discussions telling how to install here are links again Brighthand
Discussion or this PocketPCThoughts
Discussion (See the post by Glen8, about the 8th post down)
3. Once the drivers are completely installed. On the iPAQ... On the iPAQ... go to Start -> Settings. Click on the Connections tab figure1.
4. Click on the Connections icon figure 2..
5. Click on Advanced tab figure3. .
6. Click on Network Card
button figure 4.
7. From Configure Wireless Networks screen, click on the Network Adatpers tab (at the bottom)
figure 5
8. and select your network card figure 6.. .
9. When you click on it, it should pop up a screen asking you about IP addres. If you want your IPAQ to use DHCP, select Use Server-assigned IP Address figure 7 and leave the stuff on the Name Servers tab alone.
10. Click on OK. Click on OK again and that takes you back to the Connections screen.
11. Again, click the NETWORK CARD button.
Under Wireless neworks, you should see your access point listed there figure 8.
12. Click on it to open its settings. The network name box should be filled in with the name of your Access Point and grayed out. The connects to box... select The
Internet figure 9.
13. Click the Authentication tab at the bottom.
figure 11
14. If you configured your Access Point with the values on that FAQ link above, you need to select the
following on the iPAQ... Data Encryption (WEP Enabled) and Network Authentication (Shared Mode). UNCHECK
The Key is provided automatically.see figure
12...
15. In the Network Key box, type in the WEP KEY from your AP.. (its really long!! and you need to get it right!!)
figure 13.
16. Keep Clicking ok to close all those screens.
17. On the iPAQ, under Connections, click the Advanced tab figure
3.
18. Then click the Select Network button figure 14.
19. Change both drop down boxes to "My Work Network." figure 15.
20. Next, for each click the edit button figure 16
21. and go to the proxy tab figure 17
22. and check "This network connects to the Internet." figure 18.
23. Soft reset the iPAQ. It should connect to the Wireless AccessPoint. Try Visiting a few web sites from the iPAQ via Wi-Fi.
24. Go into Active Sync on the desktop PC.. Got to File -> Connection Settings... make sure the box for "Allow network (ethernet) and Remote Access Service (RAS)..." is checked.
25. With the Wi-Fi card inserted into the iPAQ, open ActiveSync on the iPAQ. Click the Sync button. . It should connect and sync the same as if you had just put the iPAQ in the cradle.
Note: If the iPAQ can not seem to find/connect to the desktop PC, but you can access WEB sites via Wi-Fi, try... pickup POCKETHOST application from http://www.zimac.de/cestuff.htm and load it on the iPaq. Next you need the computer name and ip address from the PC ActiveSync is running on.. Then enter that computer IN ALL CAPS and its ipaddress into PocketHost. Do a soft boot of the iPAQ and you should be set on the iPAQ.
Note: some say that the Pocket PC's default device name contains _ (underscore) which is "not valid" under Windows networking and may cause connection problems. However, my iPAQ was called POCKET_PC_MM and it worked.... But if you have problems connecting, shorten the iPAQ's name (make it 8 characters or less) and remove and underscores. I have since changed the device name of my iPAQ to IPAQ-MM and the step with PocketHosts is no longer needed.
26. Now, for added security, go back into the AccesPoint/Router and disable
BroadCast SSID.
After doing all of that, I can access the internet, use ActiveSync, access shares on my home network, stream audio/video files, etc all
over Wi-Fi from my iPAQ.
