Back to Contents

Profile Management: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection User Guide

What is a Profile?

A profile is a saved group of network settings. Profiles are displayed in the Profile List. Profiles are useful when moving from one wireless network to another. Different profiles can be configured for each wireless network. Profile settings include the network name (SSID), operating mode, and security settings.

A profile is created when you connect to a wireless network.

  1. Select a network from the Wireless Networks list.
  2. Click Connect.
  3. If the wireless network requires a WEP password or encryption key, enter the password. To change the security options, click Advanced to open the Profile Wizard Security Settings.
  4. Click OK to connect. A profile is created and added to the Profiles list.

The Profile Management Wizard guides you through the settings required to connect with the wireless network. At completion, the profile is saved and added to the Profiles list. Since these wireless settings are saved, the next time you are in range of this wireless network you are automatically connected.

Profiles List

The profile list displays a list of existing profiles. When you come in range of a wireless network, Intel PROSet/Wireless scans the Profile List to see if there is a match. If a match is found, you are automatically connected to the network.  

Profile List Priority Arrows

Profiles List Icons

The network profile status icons indicate if the adapter is associated with a network, the type of operating mode being used, and if security encryption is enabled. These icons display next to the profile name in the profile list.

Name

Description

Profile Name

Profiles are network settings that allow your wireless adapter to connect to a network access point (Infrastructure mode) or computer (device-to-device [Ad hoc] mode) which does not use an access point.

Network Name

Name of the wireless network (SSID) or computer.

Connection Icons - The network profile status icons indicate the different connection states of the adapter with a wireless network, the type of operating mode being used, and if 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 Network (Infrastructure) mode.

Indicates Device to Device (ad hoc) mode.

Indicates an Administrator profile.

The wireless network uses Security encryption.

Arrows

Use the arrows to position profiles in a preferred order for auto-connection.

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

Connect

Connect the selected profile for the wireless network.

Add

Create a new profile using the Profile Wizard. Refer to Create a New Profile for more information.

Remove

Remove a selected profile from the Profile List. Refer to Remove a Profile for more information.

Properties

Edit the contents of an existing profile. You can also double-click a profile in the Profile List to edit the profile. Refer to Edit an Existing Profile for more information.

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

Close

Closes the profile management window.

Connect to a Profile

When you are in range of a wireless network that has a matching profile you are automatically connected to that network. If a network with a lower priority profile is also in range you can force the connection to that lower profile. This is achieved from Intel PROSet/Wireless or from the Taskbar icon.

Manually connect to a profile from Intel PROSet/Wireless

  1. Double-click the Taskbar icon to open the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
  2. Click Profiles to open the Profiles list.
  3. Select the profile from the Profile list.
  4. Click Connect. Remember that the connection is only made if the wireless network is in range.

Manually connect to a profile from the Taskbar

  1. Right-click the Intel PROSet/Wireless connection Taskbar icon.
  2. Click Connect to Profile.
  3. Select a profile.
  4. Click to start the connection.

Create a New Profile

Select a network from the Wireless Networks list. Click Connect. The Create Wireless Profile Wizard guides you through the necessary steps to create a profile and connect to the network. During this process, the Wizard attempts to detect the appropriate security settings for you.

To create a new profile and connect to a wireless network:

  1. From the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window, click Profiles.
  2. On the Profiles page, click Add to open the Profile Wizard General Settings.
  3. Use the General Settings to add the Profile Name, Wireless Network Name, select the Operating Mode, and access Advanced Settings.

General Settings Description

Name

Description

Profile Name

Name of the wireless network profile.

When you configure a wireless network that was selected from the Wireless Networks list, the profile name is the same as the Wireless Network Name (SSID). This name can be changed to be more descriptive or customized for your personal use.

Examples: My Office Network, Bob’s Home Network, ABC Company Network

Wireless Network Name (SSID)

Name of the wireless network access point used by the wireless adapter for connection. The SSID must match exactly the name of the wireless access point. It is case sensitive.

When you configure a wireless network that was selected from the Wireless Networks list, the SSID is taken from the wireless network list. You cannot and should not change it.

Blank SSID: If the wireless adapter receives a blank network name (SSID) from a stealth access point, <SSID not broadcast> is displayed in the Wireless Networks list. Provide the actual SSID for the access point. After connection both the blank SSID and the associated SSID can be viewed in the available networks list.

Operating Mode 

Network (Infrastructure): Connect to an access point. An infrastructure network consists of one or more access points and one or more computers with wireless adapters. This connection is the type used in home networks, corporate networks, hotels, and other areas that provide access to the network and/or the internet.

Device to Device (ad hoc): Connect directly to other computers in an ad hoc wireless network. This type of connection is useful for connections between two or more computers only. It does not provide access to network resources or the internet.

Advanced

Click Advanced to access the Advanced Settings. The Advanced Settings allows you to set auto-connect or auto-import options, launch an application, set a profile password or specify a certain access point address for adapter connection (Mandatory access point). Refer to Advanced Settings for more information.

Next

Proceeds to the Security Settings page.

OK

Finishes creation of the new profile with the current settings.

Cancel

Closes the Profile Wizard and cancel any changes.

Help?

Provides help information for this page.
  1. Click Advanced for the following options:

Advanced Settings Description

Name

Description

Auto Connect

Automatic (Default): Select to have Intel PROSet/Wireless automatically connect to this profile when it is in range.

On Demand: Select to prevent automatic connection of a profile when the network is in range. For example, if there is a cost for a wireless connection and you did not want to connect automatically when in range.

To connect to the network:

  1. Select the network from the Wireless Networks list
  2. Click Connect.

Auto Import

Allows a network administrator to easily move the selected profile to other computers. When the exported file is placed in the Wireless\AutoImport directory on another computer, Intel PROSet/Wireless automatically imports the profile.

Mandatory Access Point

Mandatory Access Point: Forces the wireless adapter to connect to an access point that uses a specific MAC address. Type the MAC address of the access point (BSSID); 48-bit 12 hexadecimal digits. For example, 00:06:25:0E:9D:84. This feature is not available when ad hoc operating mode is used.

Clear: Clear current address.

Password Protection
  1. Password protect this profile (max. 10 characters): Select to enable a password for the profile. The default setting is cleared for no profile password.
  2. Password: Enter a password. The entered password characters display as asterisks.
  3. Confirm New Password: Reenter the password.

Start Application

Automatically starts a batch file, executable file, or script whenever you connect to the profile. For example, start a Virtual Private Network (VPN) session automatically whenever you connect to a wireless network.

  1. Click Enable Start Application.
  2. Enter the name of the program that you want to start or click Browse to locate the file on your hard disk.
  3. Click OK to close the Advanced Settings.

OK

Close and save the settings.

Cancel

Close and cancel any changes.

Help?

Help information for this page.
  1. From the General Settings, click Next to open the Security Settings.

  1. Select the Network Authentication and Data Encryption options. Enter the encryption key settings and configure the 802.1x settings as required. Refer to Security Settings for more information.

  1. Click OK when you have completed the profile settings. The Profile Wizard ends and you are returned to the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window. To change or verify the profile settings, click Back.
  2. If you are not currently connected to a network, Intel PROSet/Wireless detects that a new profile has been added and automatically attempts to connect to this new profile.
  3. If you want to manually connect to this profile, click Connect. The connection icon displays the current connection status. The network name, transmit and receive speeds, and signal quality are also displayed.

Edit an Existing Profile

To edit an existing profile:

  1. Click Profiles on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
  2. Select the profile to edit in the Profiles list.
  3. Click Properties to open the General Settings.
  4. Click Next and Back to navigate through the General and Security Settings:
  5. Click OK to save the current settings and exit. Click Cancel to exit without saving changes.

Remove a Profile

To remove a profile:

  1. Click Profiles on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
  2. Select the profile from the list.
  3. Click Remove. You are notified that Selected profiles will be permanently removed. Do you want to continue?
  4. Click Yes. The profile is removed from the Profiles list.

If you are still connected to the network:

  1. Click Profiles on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
  2. Select the profile from the list.
  3. Click Remove. You are notified that Selected profiles will be permanently removed. Do you want to continue?
  4. Click Yes. You are notified that <profile name> is active and will be permanently removed. Do you want to continue?
  5. Click Yes. The profile is removed from the Profiles list.

Set a Profile Password

To password protect an existing profile:

  1. Click Profiles on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
  2. Select the profile from the list.
  3. Click Properties to open the General Settings.
  4. Click Advanced to open the the Advanced Settings.
  5. Click Password Protection to open the Password Protection settings.
  6. Click Password protect this profile (maximum 10 characters)
  7. Password: Type the password
  8. Confirm Password: Reenter the password.
  9. Click OK to save the setting and return to the General Settings page.
  10. Click OK to return to the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.

Export or Import Profiles

Allows you to export and import user-based profiles to and from the Profiles list. Wireless profiles can be automatically imported into the Profiles list.

NOTE: To export Administrator profiles, refer to Administrator Packages for more information.

Export Profiles from the Profiles List

  1. Select individual or multiple profiles from the list.
  2. Select Export to export one or more profiles from the Profiles list.
  3. Select the destination folder. Click Browse to search your hard disk for the destination directory. The C:\ drive is the default directory.

  1. Click OK to export the selected profile. You are notified: Successfully exported selected profiles to the destination folder: C:\.

To select multiple profiles:

  1. Use your mouse to highlight a profile.
  2. Press Ctrl.
  3. Click each profile that you want selected. Follow the instructions from Step 2 above to export multiple profiles.

Import Profiles into the Profiles List

To import profiles manually:

  1. Click Import on the Profiles page.
  2. Select the profile files to import.
  3. Click Import.
  4. You are notified that the profile has been successfully imported.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Close to return to the Intel PROSet/Wireless Main Window.

An administrator can set profiles to be imported automatically into the Profiles list. Intel PROSet/Wireless monitors the import folder on your hard disk for new profile files. Only profiles that have been enabled through Enable Auto-Import in the Advanced Settings are automatically imported. If a profile of the same name already exists in the Profiles list, you are notified to either reject the imported profile or accept it. If accepted, the existing profile is replaced.

All imported user-based profiles are placed at the bottom of the Profiles List.

Password Protected Profiles

Import and export password-protected user-based profiles automatically to remote systems. If a profile is password protected, the assigned password must be entered before it can be edited. Refer to Set a Profile Password for more information.

Back to Top

Back to Contents

Trademarks and Disclaimers