Site Requirements - Cisco AIRONET CB21AG User Manual

Chapter 1 Product Overview and Installation
•
•

Site Requirements

This section discusses the site requirements for both infrastructure and client devices.
For Infrastructure Devices
Because of differences in component configuration, placement, and physical environment, every
network application is a unique installation. Therefore, before you install any wireless infrastructure
devices (such as access points, bridges, and base stations, which connect your client adapters to a wired
LAN), a site survey must be performed to determine the optimum placement of these devices to
maximize range, coverage, and network performance.
Note Infrastructure devices are installed and initially configured prior to client devices.
For Client Devices
Because the client adapter is a radio device, it is susceptible to RF obstructions and common sources of
interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible
performance:
•
•
Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Client Adapters (CB21AG and PI21AG) Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows Vista
OL-16534-01
Your hardware or software token password
–
All necessary infrastructure devices (such as access points, servers, gateways, user databases, etc.)
must be properly configured for any authentication type you plan to enable on the client.
The following information from your system administrator:
The logical name for your workstation (also referred to as client name)
–
The protocols necessary to bind to the client adapter, such as TCP/IP
–
The case-sensitive service set identifier (SSID) for your RF network
–
If your network setup does not include a DHCP server, the IP address, subnet mask, and default
–
gateway address of your computer
The wired equivalent privacy (WEP) keys of the access points with which your client adapter
–
will communicate, if your wireless network uses static WEP for security
The username and password for your network account
–
Protected access credentials (PAC) file if your wireless network uses EAP-FAST authentication
–
with manual PAC provisioning
Install the client adapter in an area where large steel structures such as shelving units, bookcases,
and filing cabinets will not obstruct radio signals to and from the client adapter.
Install the client adapter away from microwave ovens. Microwave ovens operate on the same
frequency as the client adapter and can cause signal interference.
Site Requirements
1-9