How To Guides - Make a Wi-Fi connection with your iPAQ - HP Small & Medium Business

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Wi-Fi connection with your iPAQ
Overview Understand it Plan it Do it Use it Buy it Download a pdf version of this how-to guide (125KB, PDF) Tell a friend

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Overview
With Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) connectivity, you can use your iPAQ to access your corporate network and email anytime you're near a WLAN (wireless local area network). This guide shows you how to connect your iPAQ to a WLAN and use your connection to get your work done while "on the go". Note: The information in this guide generally applies to any PDA (personal digital assistant) running the Pocket PC operating system; however, the HP 6500 series iPAQ Pocket PC is used for example purposes. You might have to adjust some steps for your particular PDA. The sections of this guide include: Understand it: learn about the different networks that use Wi-Fi technology. Plan it: get an overview of what you'll need to access a WLAN with your iPAQ. Do it: configure your iPAQ to communicate over a WLAN. Use it: increase your on-the-go productivity by putting your Wi-Fi connection to good use. Buy it: shop for products that help you make a Wi-Fi connection. Next: Understand it
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5/3/2006

Overview Understand it Plan it Do it Use it Buy it Download a pdf version of this how-to guide

(125KB, PDF)

Tell a friend

Understand it

With Wi-Fi, you can surf the internet and check your email anytime you're within range about 150 feet of an access point, also called a hotspot. You can use your iPAQ to connect to WLANs, in any of the following locations: At Starbucks, McDonald's, and other shops that offer fee-

based hotspots

In hotels and other public places that offer free wireless access for patrons In offices your own and your clients At home, if you have a wireless router on your home network After you've established a Wi-Fi connection, you'll find it useful for many tasks: Hop on networks wherever you are even out of the country and get online. Access VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol, or Voice over Internet Phone) telephone services to make inexpensive or free calls when you're outside your cellular network range. Quickly transfer files from your desktop PC to your iPAQ and vice versa. Let's take a look at what you need to connect your iPAQ to a WLAN. Next: Plan it

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Overview

Understand it

Plan it Do it Use it Buy it Download a pdf version of this how-to guide

Plan it

Some iPAQ models have built-in Wi-Fi access. To determine whether yours does, tap the wireless icon on the Today screen. If you see the Wi-Fi icon, as shown in Figure 1, you're good to go. Skip ahead to the "Do it" section for step-by-step instructions on connecting via Wi-Fi. If you have a new iPAQ or are considering purchasing one, you can learn whether it's Wi-Fi-enabled by visiting the HP Handheld PCs web page to read specifications for the latest models.

Figure 1: Wi-Fi icon. If you don't have built-in Wi-Fi, you can add a Wi-Fi adapter. This card fits into a slot on the back or side of your iPAQ, and has an antenna which enables you to access Wi-Fi networks. To acquire an adapter, visit the HP Handheld PCs Options & accessories web page to find a compatible card for your unit, or "Google" your iPAQ model number and "wifi adapter" to find a third-party card you can install. Check your product documentation for installation instructions and details. Some Wi-Fi networks are free to use, whereas others charge fees. If you want to use a fee-based Wi-Fi network, you need to create an account the first time you try to log on. Be prepared to enter a credit card number or some other form of payment. Tip: There are many free hotspots you can connect to. Visit the Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory web page to see a list of locations by state (in the U.S.) or in Europe, or by specialty such as airports, hotels, RV parks and campgrounds, and so on. Once your card is up and running, you're ready to configure your Wi-Fi settings. Note: Before you can configure your Wi-Fi access, you need to have your network's SSID (service set identifier) and your security key and authentication type handy. Check the documentation that came with your wireless router, ask your network administrator,

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contact your HP reseller, or HP Support.

Next: Do it

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Plan it

Do it Use it Buy it Download a pdf version of this how-to guide
Are you ready to take your iPAQ online? If you're using a free network with no security key, access should be simple. Once you're within range, tap the wireless icon on your iPAQ's Today screen, and then tap Settings. You should see your network marked as "Available". Open a web browser (tap Start > Internet Explorer) and verify that you have internet access. If you need to configure your iPAQ to connect to your home or office network with a security key, follow these steps: 1. Tap Settings > Add New, and then enter your SSID and tap ok. 2. If your network is now available, open Internet Explorer and verify that you can surf the web. 3. If your network still isn't available, check your router documentation to determine your security key and authentication type, and then tap the Network Key tab on the Wi-Fi Settings screen. 4. Select the proper authentication and data encryption type from the drop-down menus, uncheck This key is provided for me automatically. Check the box, and enter the key. Tap ok. Note: If you can't connect to your home or office network, you might have some security issues you need to resolve. Use your PC to check your security settings. Is your network hidden? Have you allowed external connections? Try disabling your security options, and then add them back once you've established the connection. If you're trying to log on to a Wi-Fi network that charges fees, enter an account or create a user name. If you're trying to log onto a free hotspot and you can't seem to get connected, you may need to open your web browser and accept the hotspot's terms of service before you can do anything else. Now that you're up and running, you can use your connection to get your work done. Next: Use it

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Do it
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Use it

When youre using a Wi-Fi connection, you can take advantage of some important security features: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the bare-bones basic wireless security. Use a 128-bit encryption mode, and most of your data will remain secure and safe from prying eyes. For an extra layer of security, enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), a software upgrade that improves on WEP security features. With WPA, you'll have access to improved data encryption through TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), which uses algorithms to scramble your keys and adds a keycheck feature to prevent tampering. Use EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) for user authentication, which allows only authorized users onto your wireless network.
Virtual private networking
If you need to access your corporate accounts and servers, use a VPN (virtual private network) for your communications. VPNs enable you to create or join a private network across an existing public network by opening a temporary, encrypted connection between two hosts. You can then securely transfer information between the two. To set up a VPN, ask your IT department for: Your host name Your connection protocol type PPTP (Point-to-Point
Tunneling Protocol) or IPSec (IP Security) Protocol
Your authentication method and key A user name and password Connect to your network via Wi-Fi, and then do the following: 1. Tap Start > Settings > Connections tab > Connections. The iPAQ searches for the device for configuration information. 2.
Tap the Advanced tab, and then tap Select Networks.

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Connections screen 3. Under Programs that automatically connect to a private network should connect using, select My Work Network from the drop-down list, and then tap Edit.
Network Management screen 4. Tap the VPN tab, and then tap New. 5. Name your VPN connection and enter the proper host name or IP address. Select your VPN connection type (protocol), and then tap Next.

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Make New Connection screen Note: You might have to close the QWERTY keyboard to select the proper VPN connection type. 6. Select an authentication method, enter your key, and then tap Next.

Authentication selection screen. 7. Enter your user name and password, and enter a domain name if one was provided by your network administrator. 8. Tap Finish. To connect via the VPN, on the My Work Network screen, tap and hold your new connection and then tap Connect in the shortcut menu. Or, on the Today screen, tap Start > Settings > Connections tab > Connections, and then tap Connect VPN. Wait for the connection to be established. Open your web browser to verify your connection.

Tips for Wi-Fi users

With a Wi-Fi connection, you can roam within about 150 feet of your access point, so find a spot where you can work without interruption. Then see how much work you can do, such as: Easily and quickly access and transfer files on your local
network large files are no problem.
Access your email and surf the web with about the same speed you get on your computer. Synchronize data between devices. Take advantage of wireless printing send files directly from your iPAQ to a wireless printer over Wi-Fi. Warning: Wi-Fi offers greater speed and range than Bluetooth, but it drains your portable device batteries a lot faster than Bluetooth, too. In fact, if you use a Wi-Fi connection regularly on your iPAQ, you'll undoubtedly notice that you need to recharge more often. If you need to conserve battery life on a long trip for example turn off your Wi-Fi connection when you don't actually need it. Next: Buy it

Use it

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