Before Using The Wireless Lan; Wireless Lan Modes Using This Device - Fujitsu Lifebook C1320D User Manual

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Before Using the Wireless LAN

This manual describes the procedures required to set up
and configure the optional integrated Wireless LAN
Mini-PCI device (referred to as "WLAN device" in the
rest of the manual). Before using the WLAN device, read
this manual carefully to ensure its 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 AR5006XS (WLL4070) Mini-PCI wireless
network card
Characteristics of the WLAN Device
The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the
■
main board 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.
Additionally, the Atheros device operates in the lower,
middle, and upper bands of the 5GHz Unlicensed
National Information Infrastructure (UNII) bands.
Atheros Super AG WLAN is capable of three operating
■
modes: IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g,
wireless LAN standards governed by the IEEE (Insti-
tute 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 and 11 Mbps in
IEEE802.11b mode.
Figure A-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network
88
The maximum communication range indoors is
■
approximately 80 feet (25 meters). However, that
range will increase or decrease depending on factors
such as number of walls, reflective material, or inter-
ference from external RF sources.
■ The WLAN device supports the following encryption
methods - WEP, TKIP, CKIP, 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.