Introduction To The Client Adapters; Terminology - Cisco Aironet 340 Series Installation And Configuration Manual

Introduction to the Client Adapters

Introduction to the Client Adapters
The Cisco Aironet 340 and 350 Series Wireless LAN Client Adapters are 30- and 100-milliwatt (mW)
radio modules that provide transparent wireless data communications between fixed, portable, or mobile
devices and other wireless devices or a wired network infrastructure. The client adapters are fully
compatible when used in devices supporting Plug-and-Play (PnP) technology.
The primary function of the client adapters is to transfer data packets transparently through the wireless
infrastructure through an access point connected to a wired LAN. The adapters operate similarly to a
standard network product except that the cable is replaced with a radio connection and an access point
is required to make the connection to the wire. No special wireless networking functions are required,
and all existing applications that operate over a network can operate using the adapters.
This document covers two types of client adapters:
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Note

Terminology

The following terms are used throughout this document:
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Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows CE
1-2
PC card (model number: AIR-PCM3xx) – A PCMCIA card
radio module that can be inserted into any device equipped with
an external Type II or Type III PC card slot. Host devices can
include laptops, notebook computers, personal digital
assistants, and handheld or portable devices.
LM card (model number: AIR-LMC3xx) – A PCMCIA card
radio module that can be inserted into any device equipped with
an internal Type II or Type III PC card slot. Host devices
usually include handheld or portable devices.
The first x in the product model number represents the client adapter series (340 or 350). The
second x indicates the wired equivalent privacy (WEP) level of the card, where 0 = no WEP
capability, 1 = 40-bit WEP, and 2 = 128-bit WEP. However, if the second x is a 0 but the
model number contains K9, the card is 128-bit WEP capable.
client adapter – Refers to both PC cards and LM cards.
PC card or LM card – Refers to only a specific adapter.
workstation (or station) – Refers to a computing device with an installed client adapter.
infrastructure device – Refers to a device that connects client adapters to a wired LAN, such as an
access point, bridge, or base station. Throughout this document, access point is used to represent
infrastructure devices in general.
Chapter 1 Product Overview
CI SC O AI
RO NE T 340
11 Mb ps WI
RE LES S SER IES
LA N AD APT
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CI SC O AI
RO NE T 340
11 Mb ps WI
RE LES S SER IES
LA N AD APT
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