Before Using The Wireless Lan; Wireless Lan Modes Using This Device - Fujitsu Lifebook N3530 User Manual

L i f e B o o k N S e r i e s N o t e b o o k - S e c t i o n F i v e

Before Using the Wireless LAN

This manual describes the procedures required to prop-
erly set up and configure the 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 it's correct operation.
Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.
Wireless LAN Device Covered by this Document
This document is applicable to systems containing the
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connections
(802.11a+b/g)
Characteristics of the WLAN Device
The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the
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main board of the mobile computer.
The WLAN device operates in license-free RF bands,
■
eliminating the need to procure an FCC operating
license. The WLAN operates in the 2.4GHz Industrial,
Scientific, and Medical (ISM) RF band and the lower,
middle, and upper bands of the 5GHz Unlicensed
National Information Infrastructure (UNII) bands.
The Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG WLAN device is
■
capable of three operating modes, IEEE802.11a,
IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g.
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.
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.
Figure 5-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network
50
The WLAN device supports the following encryption
■
methods - WEP, TKIP, CKIP, and AES encryption.
The Wireless LAN device is compliant with the follow-
■
ing standards: WPA, WPA2, CCX1.0, CCX2.0, and
CCX3.0.

WIRELESS LAN MODES USING THIS DEVICE

Ad Hoc Mode
(See Figure 5-1) "Ad Hoc Mode" refers to a wireless
network architecture where wireless network connec-
tivity 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, network authenti-
cation, and encryption key settings are identically
configured on all computers in the Ad Hoc network.
Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode
(See Figure 5-2) Infrastructure mode refers to a wireless
network architecture in which devices communicate
with wireless or wired network devices by communi-
cating through an Access Point. In infrastructure mode,
wireless devices can communicate with each other or
with a wired network. Corporate wireless networks
operate in infrastructure mode because they require
access to the WLAN in order to access services, devices,
and computers (e.g., file servers, printers, databases).