Before Using The Wireless Lan; Wireless Lan Modes Using This Device - Fujitsu LifeBook A3130 User Manual

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Before Using the Wireless LAN

This manual describes the procedures for properly
setting up and configuring the optional integrated Wire-
less LAN Mini-PCI device (referred to as "WLAN
device"). Before using the WLAN device, read this
manual carefully to ensure it's correct operation. Keep
this manual in a safe place for future reference.
Wireless LAN Devices Covered by this Document
This document is applicable to systems containing an
Atheros AR5006EXS (AR5BXB6) Mini-PCI wireless
network card (802.11a+b/g).
Characteristics of the WLAN Device
The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the
■
mainboard of the mobile computer.
It is a dual-band radio that operates in two license-free
■
RF bands, therefore eliminating the need to procure an
FCC license to operate. It operates in the 2.4GHz
Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) RF band and
in the lower, middle, and upper bands of the 5GHz
Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure
(UNII) bands.
■ The Atheros SuperAG WLAN is capable of three oper-
ating modes, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b and
IEEE802.11g, wireless LAN standards governed by the
Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers.
■ Encoding of data is modulated using Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Complementary Code
Keying (CCK) when the WLAN device is operating in
IEEE 802.11b mode and Orthogonal Frequency Divi-
sion Multiplexing (OFDM) when operating in
IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11g mode.
The WLAN device is Wi-Fi certified and operates at
■
the maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps in
IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11g mode (108 Mbps maxi-
mum data rate with compatible access points) and 11
Mbps in IEEE802.11b mode.
Figure A-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network
88
The WLAN device supports the following encryption
■
methods - WEP, TKIP, and AES encryption.

WIRELESS LAN MODES USING THIS DEVICE

Ad Hoc Mode (See Figure A-1)
"Ad Hoc Mode" refers to a wireless network architecture
where wireless network connectivity between multiple
computers is established without a central wireless
network device, typically known as Access Point(s).
Connectivity is accomplished using only client devices in
a peer-to-peer fashion. That is why Ad Hoc networks are
also known as peer-to-peer networks. Ad Hoc networks
are an easy and inexpensive method for establishing
network connectivity between multiple computers.
Ad Hoc mode requires that the SSID (service set identi-
fier), network authentication, and encryption key
settings are identically configured on all computers in
the Ad Hoc network.
Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode (See Figure A-2)
Infrastructure mode refers to a wireless network archi-
tecture in which devices communicate with wireless or
wired network devices by communicating through an
Access Point. In infrastructure mode, wireless devices
can communicate with each other or with a wired
network. Corporate wireless networks operate in infra-
structure mode because they require access to the wired
LAN in order to access computers, devices, and services
such as file servers, printers, and databases.
How to Handle This Device
The WLAN device comes pre-installed in your mobile
computer. Under normal circumstances, it should not be
necessary for you to remove or reinstall it. The operating
system that your mobile computer comes with has been
pre-configured to support the WLAN device.