Wireless

= Wireless (Connect to a Wireless Network) = The Wireless application allows you to setup the internal wireless card to connect to a local WiFi network or hotspot. Any device that provides WiFi in the a/b/g or n range should be able to provide wireless access to the handheld.

You will need a properly setup wireless network to connect to prior to using this application. It is not the intent of this document or this wiki to provide setup help for setting up a wireless network, only connecting the GCW-Zero to an already properly working wireless network.

Access
Wireless is accessed from the "settings" menu in the GCW-Zero main interface, by default it is the rightmost icon on the second row. While the Wireless icon is highlighted, press the "A" button on the GCW-Zero to open the application.

Controls
Menu:
 * - Move the Menu Highlighters ">  <" to the next menu up.
 * - Move the Menu Highlighters ">  <" to the next menu down.
 * or - Select the Highlighted Option.

Virtual Keyboard:
 * - Move the character highlighter "[ ]" between characters.
 * - Type the character under the highlighter "[ ]"
 * - Delete the last character.
 * - Clear all typed characters.
 * - Add a space to the typed characters.
 * - Apply the Setting and Go Back a Screen
 * - Cancel any Changes and Go Back a Screen

Non-Functional Controls:

Interface
The wireless application turns on and helps setup the wireless controller in the GCW-Zero to connect to an already working wireless network or hotspot.

When the application opens a white on black text screen appears. The information at the top provides the currently loaded wireless settings while below those settings is an indented menu display with ">    <" highlights around the currently highlighted option.

Pressing or  will select that menu and either open a sub-menu or modify a setting. Within the settings modification screens, a text based virtual keyboard with letters, numbers and symbols will appear on the screen that can be highlighted with "[ ]" by moving the around. At the top of the screen is the input area, this shows what has already been typed on the virtual keyboard. Information at the bottom of the screen shows what each available button on the GCW-Zero does with either the highlighted characters or the entered text in the input area.

On each menu is a "BACK" Selection, this will take you back to the previous menu, all the way up to the main menu.

Use the "EXIT" menu to exit the application.

Information Section
At the top is the information area, this is the area that prints information on the currently loaded network settings (see Load Network and Save Network in the menu below). The information provided is:


 * CARD: This should always be "wlan0". It's name by which the OS knows how to talk to the Wireless Card.  You will see this name in other applications, such as Network or System Info.
 * ESSID: This is the "SID" or Network Name of the network you are connecting to.
 * ENC: Encryption Type, this will be one of:
 * NONE (Open) - No Encryption to this network.
 * WEP - WEP Based Encryption (Outdated)
 * WEP (Numeric Key) - WEP Based Encryption but using a key of only numbers. (Even more Outdated than "WEP" Above)
 * WPA/WPA2 - The current standard in wireless connection authentication security.
 * PASS: The current password / passkey for connection to the Wireless Network. This will either be a "*" or the password, depending on whether Show or Hide password was toggled in the menus below.
 * STATUS: The status of the Wireless Network Connection. When you come in initially you will see "OFF", this will change based upon using the "CONNECT/DISCONNECT" menu.  The status can be:
 * OFF - The wireless card is turned off and not trying to authenticate to any networks.
 * CONNECTING... - When you hit on the "CONNECT/DISCONNECT" menu option, the status turns to "CONNECTING..." while the GCW Is trying to make a connection to the set wireless network.  Connections will be attempted for about 30 seconds.
 * FAILED TO CONNECT - If the GCW Cannot connect to the set wireless network (out of range, bad settings, etc.) this will show in the STATUS till you switch screens.
 * CONNECTED - If the GCW Successfully connects to a wireless network it will display "Connected" in the Status line till the app has been closed, unless you select the "CONNECT/DISCONNECT" again.
 * ON - If the wireless card has been turned on (whether successfully connected or failed to connect), once you leave the interface and come back the wireless card will show as "ON".
 * IP: If connected to the wireless network, this will show the obtained ip address in IPV4 (XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX) format. If not connected this will show "N/A".

IMPORTANT NOTE: Even if you do not successfully connect to a wireless network, the GCW-Zero's network card has been turned on and is draining battery from your handheld. Make sure, if you get the "FAILED TO CONNECT" message in the STATUS line to select the "CONNECT/DISCONNECT" option again so that it shows "off" to turn the wireless card off. Also make sure to turn off your wireless card when not doing wireless gaming...this is as much for the security of your handheld as to conserve battery. See the article on the Network application for more information on securing your device.

Menu System
Below the information section is the menu system which changes based upon what menu screen you are in. The Menu System is as follows:
 * OPTIONS
 * NETWORK SETTINGS
 * ESSID - Bring up the Virtual Keyboard to type in the ESSID/SID (Wireless Network Name)
 * ENCRYPTION - Toggle the various supported encryption settings. This toggles from NONE (Open), to WEP, to WEP (Numeric Key), to WPA/WPA2 and back to None.
 * PASSWORD - Brings up the Virtual Keyboard to type the connect to Password for the wireless network you are attaching to.
 * SHOW/HIDE PASS - Prints either a * or the current wireless password in the "PASS:" section above.
 * BACK - Return to the Network Settings Menu.
 * LOAD NETWORK - Load a Saved Wireless Network Profile
 * SAVE NETWORK - Save the current network settings as a new Wireless Network Profile.
 * BACK - Return to the Main Menu.
 * CONNECT/DISCONNECT - Connect to the setup wireless network or disconnect your GCW from the wireless network.
 * EXIT - Exit the GCW-Zero's Wireless Application back to the main interface.

Some Notes on the GCW's Wireless Connection
There are some notes and caveauts that you should be aware of for making a wireless network connection on your GCW-Zero:


 * It will NOT connect to any network where you must accept terms of agreement through a web interface (hotel, coffee shop, etc.) before obtaining an IP address or Wireless Signal. If you have to bring up a web browser and click something before you obtain an IP address and / or have your access to the network authenticated, it's likely your GCW-Zero will NOT be able to connect.
 * The device (at this point) does NOT do automatic SID Detection. This means there is no interface for "Discovering" an in range wifi network and connecting to it.
 * The device (at this point) does NOT support WPS or any other "Automatic Connection" technology. You must know the SID/Network Name and Password.
 * The device does not support post-connection authentication such as many hotels use. (Connect to this page, type in our password, click the button and you get access).

All of this means that you are going to find it hard to make a wireless network connection on a public wireless network that isn't owned by you or your friends. At the point of this writing, you must use some other device (cell phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) to discover any in range Wireless Networks, and to find one that you can authenticate to without providing a password (unless you have it). If you are planning an extended stay at a location without an home based WiFi network, it is recommended you provide your own Ad-Hoc wifi equipment (i.e. Set your laptop up to create a wireless network you and your buddies can connect to, use a wireless hotspot, or use tethering on your cell phone to create a local area network). While this has not been tested for the writing of this article, anything that provides "routing" services between computers or connected devices and provides DHCP IP addresses should suffice to provide an Ad-Hoc WiFi network for the GCW-Zero to connect to.


 * Staying connected to a wireless network will drain your GCW-Zero's battery faster than not being connected to the wireless. Only turn this on when you are going to be doing wireless / network gaming.

As we all have found out through the many and various smartphones we've all used in our lives, turning on wireless technology (wifi, bluetooth, etc.) drains our batteries much faster than keeping it turned off. To make the most of your GCW-Zero, keep your handheld device's wireless radio turned OFF unless you have to use it and turn it back off as soon as you are done with network gaming. Remember: Once you hit the "connect" menu option on the GCW-Zero's Wireless application your wireless card is turned on and draining battery REGARDLESS of whether or not you are actually CONNECTED to a wireless network. If you fail to make a connection to a wireless network hit the "CONNECT/DISCONNECT" menu AGAIN to turn off the radio.


 * "N" Based networks are not all made the same. I've had issues connecting this to my Netgear "N" Router.

A/B and G all seem to work just fine to make connections to...I've got that working without a problem. "N", however, seems to be a bit picky...and not just with this device! Several devices listed as "N" compatable in my house have issues connecting to the "N" Network while they have no problems connecting to the "G" Side of my home network. While this COULD be configuration, I have other devices (iPad, Laptop, etc.) all connecting just fine. If you have problems getting your GCW-Zero to connect to your "N" Network SID, try connecting to the A/B/G side of your router and see if that works better.


 * No Static IP settings, MUST be DHCP.

As a final note, this device works off of DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) only. You cannot "force" a static IP address on the GCW-Zero. If you have other devices on your wireless network working, the likelyhood is you already have DHCP enabled. By default, it's turned on in most SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) Firewall/Routers you buy from any of the Big Box Electronic Stores and on most DSL/Cable Modems/Routers/Boxes you will get from your High Speed Internet Provider. If you don't know, it's likely fine. If, however, you are explicitly blocking DHCP traffic over your network or know you do not have DHCP enabled on your home network, know that there is no other way to get this device to obtain an IP address without hacking into the OS itself.

How do I connect to my Wireless Network?
Start by obtaining the following information from your wireless network administrator (Note: This is most likely yourself if you are reading this or Mom/Dad if you're only barely reading this! :) )


 * SID / ESSID / Network Name
 * Connection Password
 * Security Type / Authentication Type / Encryption Type

Generally, ESSID and Security/Encryption type you can get from your Router's web interface. Password, on the other hand, is always CHANGABLE from the web interaface, but rarely obtainable.

Once you have (or have set/reset) the above three pieces of information, go into your GCW-Zero's "Wireless" app.


 * With the "OPTIONS" Menu highlighted with the ">    <" highlights, hit
 * With the "NETWORK SETTINGS" Menu highlighted with the ">    <" highlights, hit
 * Hit on "ESSID"
 * Using the and the instructions on the bottom of the screen, type in your Wireless Network Name (otherwise known as ESSID or SID).  This is case sensitive, be careful to type in exactly what is on the router's setup interface.
 * When done hit to save what you typed and return to the Network Settings menu.
 * Use to navigate to the "ENCRYPTION" menu option.
 * Press continuously till the "ENC:" line in the information area shows the correct type of Encryption set on your router.  (If this isn't "WPA/WPA2", please take my advice and look up information on wireless encryption standards and get educated...your home network is likely ripe for being broken into).
 * Use to navigate to the "PASSWORD" menu option.  Press.
 * Use and the instructions on the bottom of the screen to type in your network password or (better) passphraise.
 * When done Press to save your settings.
 * Verify the information in the above information lines (the ESSID: line to the PASS: line). If the password is showing as only a "*" hit  on the "SHOW/HIDE PASS" menu option.
 * Use to navigate to the "BACK" Menu option and hit.
 * Use to navigate to the "SAVE NETWORK" menu option and hit.
 * Navigate to the "BACK" Menu option and hit
 * Navigate to the "CONNECT/DISCONNECT" menu option and hit

At this point "CONNECTING..." Should show in the "STATUS:" field above and the handheld has turned on it's wireless card and is connecting to the set wireless network. If all goes well you should see "CONNECTED" in the STATUS: Field shortly. If you see "FAILED TO CONNECT", you should:


 * Check your router's settings.
 * Verify your Handheld Settings.
 * Try connecting to an A/B/G network instead of an "N" Network.
 * Try connecting to a friend's network.

If all of this fails, seek help from a knowledgable friend (Good luck finding one of those) or the GCW Community! :)

Exit Wireless
Move the ">    <" highlight via the  to the "EXIT" menu option on the main menu (if you see a "BACK" menu, you need to use that option till you get to the menu with "EXIT" on it). Press either or  with "EXIT" highlighted to close the wireless application.