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Sony PCWA-C800S - Wireless Lan Router Software Manual
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Sony PCWA-C800S - Wireless Lan Router Software Manual

Wireless panel software
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Download this manual See also: Troubleshooting Manual, Read This First
Introduction
Notes
This Help system requires Internet Explorer 5 or later. It may not be displayed properly by earlier versions of Internet Explorer.
The appearance of the Wireless Panel software screenshots used in this Help system may differ slightly depending on your operating
system.
Refer to the sections below to find out about the Wireless Panel software and the connection modes.
What is the Wireless Panel software?
About the connection modes
Page 1

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Summary of Contents for Sony PCWA-C800S - Wireless Lan Router

  • Page 1 Introduction Notes This Help system requires Internet Explorer 5 or later. It may not be displayed properly by earlier versions of Internet Explorer.  The appearance of the Wireless Panel software screenshots used in this Help system may differ slightly depending on your operating ...
  • Page 2 What is the Wireless Panel software? The Wireless Panel softw are displays the communication status of the Wireless LAN PC Cards PCWA-C800S, PCWA-C700, PCWA-C500, and PCWA-C300S (hereafter "Wireless LAN PC Card"). Normally, it runs in the background. Here are some of its features. Display of the signal status of the wireless connection as an icon on the Windows taskbar The Wireless Panel softw are displays the signal status of your w ireless connection as an icon on the Window s taskbar.
  • Page 3 About the connection modes There are tw o connection modes. The Access Point Netw ork connection mode Peer to Peer Netw ork connection mode. Access Point Network connection mode (Accessing the Internet from various points within your home) The Access Point Netw ork connection mode allow s you to build a w ireless netw ork based on an optional access point. When you connect the access point to an ADSL modem, cable modem, or ISDN router, using this connection mode allow s you to access the Internet through a w ireless netw ork from a computer connected to the access point.

  • Page 4: Precautions And Limitations

    Precautions and limitations The follow ing are precautions and limitations regarding the use of the Wireless LAN PC Card and the Wireless Panel softw are.  Window s 2000 and Window s XP operating system user limitations Can I use my Wireless LAN PC Card and an Ethernet connection at the same time? ...
  • Page 5 Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating system user limitations When using the Window s 2000 or Window s XP operating system, the operations that can be executed differ depending on the user access privileges. Note To install or configure the Wireless LAN PC Card softw are on computers running the Window s 2000 or Window s XP operating system, log on to Window s 2000 as one of the Administrators or to Window s XP as a user w ith computer administrator privileges.

  • Page 6: Basic Use

    Basic use This sections describes the Wireless Panel w indow , and explains how to check the communication status and register netw orks. Note To configure w ireless netw orking on computers running the Window s 2000 operating system, log on as one of the Administrators. You cannot make settings w hen logged on as any other user.
  • Page 7 Displaying the Wireless Panel window Display the Wireless Panel w indow as follow s. Display the Wireless Panel window Double-click the Wire le s s Pane l icon ( , or ) on the tas k bar. The Wireless Panel w indow appears. (The screenshot above show s an example w hen using a Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C800S w ith a computer running the Window s XP operating system.) Quit the Wireless Panel software Right-click the Wire le s s Pane l icon (...

  • Page 8: Checking The Communication Status

    Checking the communication status You can check the w ireless netw ork communication status w ith the Wireless Panel icon on the Window s taskbar or on the "Status" tab of the Wireless Panel w indow . A variety of other details are also available on the "Status" tab. Check the communication status in the Wireless Panel icon on the taskbar ...
  • Page 9 Detailed netw ork informations are displayed. (The screenshot above show s an example w hen using a Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C800S w ith a computer running the Window s XP operating system.) Note For details on each item on the tab, refer to Wireless Panel w indow and functions.
  • Page 10 Registering a network Before connection, you must register the connected netw ork. You can register several netw orks to the Wireless Panel softw are, such as your office or personal netw ork, or other public w ireless netw ork, making it easy to connect anyw here, anytime. The registration procedure differs according to your operating system.
  • Page 11 Registering a network (Windows 2000 operating system) When using the Window s 2000 operating system, you must register your netw ork to the Wireless Panel softw are. Once your netw ork is registered, you can connect to it. The registration procedure depends on the connection mode you are using. ...
  • Page 12 The access point is registered to the Wireless Panel softw are and connected to the computer. Hints An encryption key is a passw ord used for netw orks using data encryption. The encryption key is also called WEP key or netw ork key. The number of characters entered for the encryption key differs according to the access point encryption key length and ASCII/Hexadecimal settings (see table below ).
  • Page 13 Note For details about the Wireless Panel icon, refer to Checking the communication status. Click the "Ne tw ork Lis t" tab. The netw ork list appears. Click "Ne w ". The "Registering Netw ork" dialog box appears. Hint You can also display the "Registering Netw ork" dialog box by right-clicking the Wireless Panel icon on the taskbar, pointing to "Netw ork List", and then clicking "New Registration".
  • Page 14 "Ne tw ork Nam e (SSID)" This is an ID used to identify a w ireless netw ork. You can set a netw ork name for each access point or peer-to-peer netw ork, so w hen connecting to an existing netw ork, contact your netw ork administrator for information about settings. When creating a new netw ork, you can enter up to 32 ASCII characters (alphanumeric characters or symbols).
  • Page 15 The encryption key (WEP key) is displayed as asterisks. Click "Connect". The configured netw ork is registered in the netw ork list. If settings w ere configured to connect to an existing netw ork, the netw ork is connected to w hen it is w ithin the communication range of your computer. Note s If you create a new peer-to-peer netw ork, configure the same settings on other computers that w ill connect to the same peer-to-peer netw ork, and then click "Connect"...
  • Page 16 Window s XP Service Pack 1 is a Window s XP upgrade distributed by Microsoft Corporation. If Window s XP Service Pack 1 is not already installed on your computer, Sony recommends dow nloading and installing it. To verify w hether the service pack is installed, click "Start", and then click "My Computer". In the "My Computer"...
  • Page 17 Se le ct the Acce s s Point to w hich you w ant to conne ct from the "Available w ire le s s ne tw ork s " lis t. If data e ncryption (WEP) is e nable d for the acce s s point, e nte r an e ncryption k e y (WEP k e y) in the "Ne tw ork k e y" and "Confirm ne tw ork k e y"...
  • Page 18 Se le ct the ne tw ork to w hich you w ant to conne ct from the "Available ne tw ork s " lis t. If data e ncryption (WEP) is e nable d for the acce s s point, e nte r an e ncryption k e y (WEP k e y) in the "Ne tw ork k e y" te xt box. Hint The encryption key (WEP key) is a passw ord used for netw orks w ith data encryption enabled.
  • Page 19 Netw ork w ith data encryption (WEP) enabled: Click "Advance d". The "Wireless Netw ork Connection Properties" dialog box appears. Page 19...
  • Page 20 Click "Advance d". The "Advanced" dialog box appears. Se le ct "Com pute r-to-com pute r (ad-hoc) netw ork s only", and then click "Clos e ". The "Advanced" dialog box closes. Click "Add". The "Wireless Netw ork Properties" dialog box appears. Page 20...
  • Page 21 Ente r a ne tw ork nam e (SSID) of up to 32 ASCII characte rs (alphanum e ric characters or s ym bols ) for this ne tw ork . Note s A netw ork name is an ID used to identify a w ireless netw ork. When connecting to a peer-to-peer netw ork, enter the same settings for all computers connected to that netw ork.
  • Page 22 it is not, s e le ct it. 10. Click "OK". The "Wireless Netw ork Connection Properties" dialog box reappears. 11. Click "OK". The settings are saved, and your computer automatically connects to the new ly registered netw ork. Hints For details about how to share a folder, refer to Window s Help or documentation.
  • Page 23 Click "Advance d". The "Advanced" dialog box appears. Se le ct "Com pute r-to-com pute r (ad-hoc) netw ork s only", and then click "Clos e ". The "Advanced" dialog box closes. Click "Add". The "Wireless Netw ork Properties" dialog box appears. Page 23...
  • Page 24 Ente r a ne tw ork nam e (SSID) of up to 32 ASCII characte rs (alphanum e ric characters or s ym bols ) for this ne tw ork . Note s A netw ork name is an ID used to identify a w ireless netw ork. When connecting to a peer-to-peer netw ork, enter the same settings for all computers connected to that netw ork.
  • Page 25 10. Click "OK". The screen returns to the "Wireless Netw ork Connection Properties" dialog box. 11. Click "OK". The settings are saved, and your computer automatically connects to the new ly registered netw ork. Hints  For details about how to share a folder, refer to Window s Help or documentation. ...
  • Page 26 Registering a network (When connecting to an IEEE 802.1X/WPA/WPA-PSK-compliant access point) If you are using a Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C800S and/or PCWA-C300S and you attempt to connect to an IEEE 802.1X/WPA/WPA-PSK-compliant access point, use the Window s XP Wireless Netw ork function as follow s to establish the connection. The registration procedure varies depending on the security method used on the w ireless netw ork.
  • Page 27 In "Available ne tw ork s ", s e le ct an 802.1X-com pliant acce s s point, and the n click "Configure ". The "Wireless netw ork properties" dialog box appears. Click "OK". M ak e s ure that the Window s XP ope rating s ys te m dis plays the follow ing m e s s age . Page 27...
  • Page 28 Click (w ire le s s ne tw ork conne ction icon). The follow ing dialog box appears. Click "OK". The connection to the access point is established. Hint The messages and dialog boxes presented in steps 5 to 7 may not appear, depending on your RADIUS server settings. For details, consult your system administrator.
  • Page 29 In "Available ne tw ork s ", s e le ct a WPA-com pliant acce s s point, and the n click "Configure ". The "Wireless netw ork properties" dialog box appears. Whe n the acce s s point data encryption is TKIP Whe n the acce s s point data encryption is AES Page 29...
  • Page 30 Click "OK". M ak e s ure that the Window s XP ope rating s ys te m dis plays the follow ing m e s s age . Click (w ire le s s ne tw ork conne ction icon). The follow ing dialog box appears.
  • Page 31 Right-click the "Wire le s s Ne tw ork Conne ction" icon on the tas k bar, and the n click "Vie w Available Wire le s s Ne tw ork s " on the s hortcut m e nu. The "Wireless Netw ork Connection"...
  • Page 32 Whe n the acce s s point data encryption is AES If data e ncryption is e nable d, e nte r the e ncryption k e y (pre -s hare d k e y; PSK) in the "Ne tw ork k e y" and "Confirm ne tw ork k e y" te xt boxe s , and then click "OK".
  • Page 33 Configuring wireless networking This section explains how to configure registered netw orks, modify their settings, how to sw itch betw een netw ork connections and remove registered netw orks, as w ell as describe each w ireless netw ork setting. Note To configure w ireless netw orking on computers running the Window s 2000 operating system, log on as one of the Administrators.

  • Page 34: Changing The Network Settings

    Changing the network settings The procedure differs according to your operating system. Follow the link corresponding to your operating system.  Window s 2000 operating system Window s XP operating system  Windows 2000 operating system With the Window s 2000 operating system, use the Wireless Panel softw are to change the w ireless netw ork settings. Note s ...

  • Page 35: Windows Xp Operating System

    Change e ach s e tting as ne ce s s ary. Note Data encryption (WEP) prevents unauthorized access to data from outside. We strongly recommended that you enable this function. For details on how to change the access point settings, refer to the documentation provided w ith your access point. Hint Clicking "Advanced"...
  • Page 36 (The screenshot above show s an example w hen Window s XP Service Pack 1 is installed.) Se le ct the ne tw ork w hos e s e ttings you w ant to change from "Pre fe rre d ne tw ork s " and click "Propertie s ". The "Wireless Netw ork Properties"...
  • Page 37 details on how to set up access point, refer to the documentation provided w ith your access point. Click "OK". Page 37...
  • Page 38 Switching between networks The procedure differs according to your operating system. Follow the link corresponding to your operating system.  Window s 2000 operating system Window s XP operating system  Windows 2000 operating system With the Window s 2000 operating system, use the Wireless Panel softw are to sw itch betw een netw orks. Note Log on as one of the Administrators.
  • Page 39 Window s XP Service Pack 1 is a Window s XP upgrade distributed by Microsoft Corporation. If Window s XP Service Pack 1 is not already installed on your computer, Sony recommends dow nloading and installing it. To verify w hether the service pack is installed, click "Start", and then click "My Computer". In the "My Computer"...
  • Page 40 Access point w ith data encryption (WEP) disabled: Se le ct the ne tw ork to w hich you w ant to conne ct from the "Available w ire le s s ne tw ork s " lis t. If data e ncryption (WEP) is e nable d for the acce s s point, e nte r an e ncryption k e y (WEP k e y) in the "Ne tw ork k e y" and "Confirm ne tw ork k e y"...
  • Page 41 Se le ct the ne tw ork to w hich you w ant to conne ct from the "Available ne tw ork s " lis t. If the ne tw ork has data e ncryption (WEP) e nable d, e nte r an e ncryption k e y (WEP) in the "Ne tw ork k e y" te xt box. Click "Connect".
  • Page 42 Removing a registered network The procedure differs according to your operating system. Follow the link corresponding to your operating system.  Window s 2000 operating system Window s XP operating system  Windows 2000 operating system With the Window s 2000 operating system, use the Wireless Panel softw are to remove registered netw orks. Note s ...
  • Page 43 The "Wireless Netw ork Connection" dialog box (or "Connect to Wireless Netw ork" dialog box w hen Window s XP Service Pack 1 is not installed) appears. (The screenshot above show s an example w hen Window s XP Service Pack 1 is installed and the access point has data encryption (WEP) enabled.) Click "Advance d".
  • Page 44 Displaying the Access Point Setup Page You can use the follow ing procedure to display the Access Point Setup Page if you are using a w ireless LAN access point that supports this function. Note s  This function is only available if you are using a w ireless LAN access point that supports the "AP Setting"...
  • Page 45 Wireless Panel window and functions This sections describes the Wireless Panel w indow and functions by tab and dialog box.  "Status" tab "Netw ork List" tab  "Setting" tab  "Registering Netw ork" dialog box  Easy Setting display Advanced display "Wireless LAN"...
  • Page 46 "Status" tab Information about the w ireless netw ork to w hich you are currently connected appears on the "Status" tab. The information displayed on the tab depends on your operating system. Follow the link corresponding to your operating system. Window s 2000 operating system ...
  • Page 47 "IP Addre s s " Indicates the computer's IP address. "Fram e s Se nt" Indicates the total number of frames sent. "Fram e s Re ce ive d" Indicates the total number of frames received. "Com m unication Type" Indicates the current type of communication used by the Wireless LAN PC Card.
  • Page 48 The "AP Setting" button can only be used w hen using the follow ing w ireless LAN access points. The follow ing access points support the "AP Setting" button of the Wireless Panel softw are (as of January, 2004). PCWA-A500 (connection possible w ith the PCWA-C800S, PCWA-C700, and PCWA-C500) PCWA-A320 (connection possible w ith the PCWA-C800S, PCWA-C700, and PCWA-C300S) PCWA-A820(*) (connection possible w ith the PCWA-C800S, PCWA-C700, and PCWA-C300S) (*) The PCWA-A820 is the w ireless unit of the PCWA-AR800.
  • Page 49 Hint If you point to a button or item in the Wireless Panel w indow , a short explanation appears. Status This area indicates the connection status. "Ne tw ork Nam e " Indicates the unique ID of the currently connected w ireless netw ork. The netw ork name is also called SSID. "Fre que ncy"...
  • Page 50 "Link Rate (RX)" Indicates the rate of frames received. "Throughput (TX)" Indicates the throughput of the current data transmission rate and fastest data transmission rate. "Throughput (RX)" Indicates the throughput of the current data reception rate and fastest data reception rate. Wire le s s ON/OFF Note The follow ing buttons are not displayed if you are using Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C500 or PCWA-C300S.
  • Page 51 "Network List" tab Detected 2.4 GHz/5 GHz w ireless netw orks appear on the "Netw ork List" tab. You can connect to a netw ork in the list or change the netw ork settings of your computer and register them. The information displayed on the tab depends on your operating system.
  • Page 52 Peer-to-peer netw ork w ith data encryption (WEP) enabled. Peer-to-peer netw ork w ith data encryption (WEP) disabled. Currently connected peer-to-peer netw ork. (This icon indicates that the netw ork has data encryption [WEP] enabled.) Currently connected peer-to-peer netw ork. (This icon indicates that the netw ork has data encryption [WEP] disabled.) Registered peer-to-peer netw ork out of the communication range of your computer.
  • Page 53 (The button changes depending on the status.) Hint This function is only available if you are using the Window s 2000 operating system. "Re gis te r" button This button is displayed w hen an unregistered netw ork is selected on the "Netw ork List" tab. Clicking this button allow s you to register the selected w ireless netw ork.
  • Page 54 Currently connected access point. (This icon indicates that the access point has data encryption disabled.) Peer-to-peer netw ork w ith data encryption (WEP) enabled. Peer-to-peer netw ork w ith data encryption (WEP) disabled. Currently connected peer-to-peer netw ork. (This icon indicates that the netw ork has data encryption [WEP] enabled.) Currently connected peer-to-peer netw ork.
  • Page 55 "Setting" tab Modify the Wireless Panel settings on the "Setting" tab. The information displayed on this tab depends on your operating system. Follow the link corresponding to your operating system. Window s 2000 operating system  Window s XP operating system ...
  • Page 56 Whe n us ing the PCWA-C800S Whe n us ing a Wirele s s LAN PC Card othe r than the PCWA-C800S Note The grayed out items in the screenshots above are only available if you are using the Window s 2000 operating system. The grayed out items cannot be used if you are using the Window s XP operating system.
  • Page 57 Select the type of w ireless communication mode that you w ant to use. You can select "11a", "11b", or "11b, 11g". "Channe l" Select the w ireless frequency (channel) that you w ant to use. By default, this setting is "Auto". All the devices connected to the w ireless netw ork must be set to the same channel.

  • Page 58: Advanced Display

    "Registering Network" dialog box You can open the "Registering Netw ork" dialog box by clicking the "New ", "Register", or "Edit" button on the "Netw ork List" tab of the Wireless Panel w indow . The dialog box has tw o display modes the Easy Setting display and the Advanced display. Hint The default display is the Easy Setting display.
  • Page 59 "Registering Network" dialog box Easy Setting display The "Registering Netw ork" dialog box is displayed w hen you click the "New ", "Register", or "Edit" button on the "Netw ork List" tab of the Wireless Panel w indow . Note The "Registering Netw ork"...
  • Page 60 "Registering Network" dialog box "Wireless LAN" tab of the Advanced display The "Registering Netw ork" dialog box is displayed w hen you click the "New ", "Register", or "Edit" button on the "Netw ork List" tab of the Wireless Panel w indow . The default display of the "Registering Netw ork"...
  • Page 61 If you selected the "WEP" check box, enter an encryption key in this text box. "Confirm k e y" Re-enter the encryption key. Hint If you select ".11b Channels" or ".11a Channels", you can select the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels (respectively) on the "Channel" list. Note You can only select ".11b Channels"...
  • Page 62 "Registering Network" dialog box "TCP/IP" tab of the Advanced display The "Registering Netw ork" dialog box is displayed w hen you click the "New ", "Register", or "Edit" button on the "Netw ork List" tab of the Wireless Panel w indow . The default display of the "Registering Netw ork"...
  • Page 63 "Pre fe rre d DNS s e rve r" Enter the IP address of the preferred DNS server. "Alte rnate DNS s e rve r" Enter the IP address of an alternate DNS server. "Eas y Se tting" button Changes the display to the Easy Setting display. Othe r buttons "Conne ct"...
  • Page 64 "Registering Network" dialog box "Proxy" tab of the Advanced display The "Registering Netw ork" dialog box is displayed w hen you click the "New ", "Register", or "Edit" button on the "Netw ork List" tab of the Wireless Panel w indow . The default display of the "Registering Netw ork"...
  • Page 65 Enter the port used by the proxy server. "Bypas s proxy s e rve r for local addre s s e s " Select this check box to not use a proxy for the local IP address. "Do not us e proxy s e rve r for addre s s e s be ginning w ith" You can specify not to use a proxy w ith an IP address beginning w ith the values entered below .

  • Page 66: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting This section contains answ ers to common problems encountered w ith the Wireless LAN PC Card. Read this section carefully before contacting the VAIO customer service. I cannot input the encryption key  I forgot the encryption key  ...
  • Page 67 I cannot input the encryption key You must enter the correct encryption key (WEP key). Permissible encryption key characters and their maximum number are detailed below . Ke y form at Ke y le ngth Num be r of characte rs ASCII (alphanumeric characters and symbols) 40 bits 5 characters...
  • Page 68 I forgot the encryption key If you forget the encryption key and are unable to establish a connection to the access point, reinitialize it, and then reconfigure it. For details about how to reinitialize the access point and its default settings, refer to the documentation provided w ith the access point. Consult your netw ork administrator about public w ireless places and personal access point encryption keys.
  • Page 69 I cannot establish a connection If you cannot connect to the Internet for example, verify the follow ing, in order. M ak e s ure that the Wire le s s Pane l icon ( , or ) appe ars on the Window s tas k bar. If there is no such icon, refer to "Installing the Utility Softw are"...
  • Page 70 Confirm that the w ireless netw ork connection in question is not acting as a netw ork bridge. If the w ireless netw ork connection is configured as a netw ork bridge, right-click the corresponding icon, and click "Delete". Ve rify the acce s s point s e ttings Refer to the documentation provided w ith the access point and configure the access point correctly for Internet connection.
  • Page 71 I do not know how to configure the access point If the Access Point Setup Page does not open w hen you click the Wireless Panel w indow "AP Setting" button w hile using an access point supporting the function, perform the follow ing.
  • Page 72 Why does the dial-up dialog box appear when I click the "AP Setting" button? When clicking the "AP Setting" button opens the dial-up connection dialog box, perform the follow ing procedure. Click "Prope rtie s ". The "Internet Properties" dialog box appears. Se le ct the "Ne ve r dial a conne ction"...
  • Page 73 Why can't I establish a connection after changing the access point settings? If you change the access point netw ork name (SSID) or the data encryption (WEP) settings, you must also change the w ireless connection settings of the computer accordingly. For details, see I cannot establish a connection.
  • Page 74 I cannot switch networks When using the Windows 2000 operating system If you logged on to your Window s operating system as a user w ith limited access privileges, the netw ork cannot be sw itched. Log on as a user w ith administrator access privileges.
  • Page 75 Why can't I use some functions and settings? Under the Window s 2000 and Window s XP operating system, some functions are restricted depending on the access privileges of the user. Note To install the supplied softw are on a computer running the Window s 2000 operating system, log on as a user listed in "Administrators". To install the supplied softw are on a computer running the Window s XP operating system, log on as a user w ith administrator access privileges.
  • Page 76 Why is communication speed low? The actual maximum throughput of each Wireless LAN PC Card is as follow s. PCWA-C800S (2.4 GHz (802.11b)): approx. 5 Mbps  PCWA-C800S (2.4 GHz (802.11g) or 5 GHz (802.11a)): approx. 23 Mbps  PCWA-C500, PCWA-C700 (5 GHz (802.11a)): approx. 23 Mbps ...
  • Page 77 When I play back MPEG2 files, the contents are fragmented. What can I do to correct this problem? Verify the follow ing. With the Window s XP ope rating s ys te m , activate the s tre am ing m ode . On the "Status"...
  • Page 78 Can I use my Wireless LAN PC Card and an Ethernet connection at the same time? When a problem occurs w ith a Wireless LAN PC Card, you may be able to solve the problem by disabling the Ethernet interfaces other than the Wireless LAN PC Cards.
  • Page 79 Additional Information  Glossary  Trademarks Page 79...
  • Page 80 How ever, since IP addresses are difficult to remember, the DNS distinguishes betw een computers using a simple combination of w ords, such as "w w w .sony.com". This system of matching IP addresses and host names is performed by a DNS server.
  • Page 81 Copying all or part of the contents of this softw are and help, or renting the softw are w ithout authorization are prohibited by copyright law s.  The Sony Corporation cannot accept liability for damage or loss resulting from the use of this softw are, or for any claim from a third party. ...

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