Before Using The Wireless Lan - Fujitsu Lifebook S6120 User Manual

S Series.book Page 96 Monday, September 15, 2003 4:48 PM
L i f e B o o k S 6 0 0 0 N o t e b o o k

Before Using the Wireless LAN

The Integrated Wireless LAN is an optional device avail-
able for Fujitsu mobile computers. This manual
describes the basic operating procedures for the Wireless
LAN (referred to as the "device" in this manual) and
how to set up a wireless LAN network. Before using this
device, read this manual carefully to ensure correct oper-
ation of the device. Keep this manual in a safe place for
reference while using the device.
Types of Wireless LANs Covered by this Document
This document is applicable to systems containing one
of the following two devices. Most of the procedures are
identical. Sections that differ between the two devices
have been noted in the text:
Intel PROSet Wireless LAN
■
Atheros Wireless LAN
■
To determine which device is present in your system,
click [Start] -> [Settings (Windows 2000 only)] ->
Control Panel. If there is an icon named "Intel PROSet",
you have the Intel device; if there is an icon named
"Atheros Wireless Utility", you have the Atheros device.
Characteristics of the Device
This device consists of a wireless LAN card that is
attached inside the computer via a mini-PCI slot.
The main characteristics are as follows:
It operates in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and
■
Medical (ISM) RF band.
It does not require the procurement of an FCC license
■
to operate.
It uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DS-SS), an
■
RF modulation scheme that is resistant to noise.
Figure 1. Ad Hoc Mode Network
96
This device complies with Wi-Fi, and is able to com-
■
municate at the maximum transfer rate of 11 Mbps
(802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11g).
The maximum communication range is approxi-
■
mately 80 feet (25 meters) inside a building. The
range may be shorter depending upon the installation
factors, such as walls and columns.
Unauthorized access can be prevented with the use of
■
an SSID and an encryption key (also known as a WEP
key).
Wireless LAN Modes Using this Device
Ad Hoc Mode (See Figure 1)
"Ad Hoc Mode" refers to a type of wireless network that
involves connecting multiple computers without the use
of an Access Point. Network connectivity between
computers can be established using only wireless LAN
cards in a peer-to-peer fashion.
Ad Hoc networks are an easy and inexpensive method
for establishing network connectivity between multiple
computers.
In the Ad Hoc mode, you can use the function
supported by Microsoft Network, such as File and Print
Sharing to exchange files and share a printer or other
peripheral devices.
To use the Ad Hoc Mode, you must set the same SSID
and the same encryption key for all the computers that
are connected. All connected computers can communi-
cate with each other within the communication range.
Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode (See Figure 2)
If a number of computers are connected simultaneously
in the Ad Hoc mode, the transfer rate may be reduced,
communications may become unstable, or the network