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Chapter 1
Overview
The client adapter firmware provides the interface between the radio and the driver. The driver provides
the interface between the client adapter firmware and the workstation's operating system. The client
adapter is installed as a network communications adapter on the workstation's operating system.
The client utility interfaces to the operating system to allow you to configure, test, and monitor the
operations of the client adapter on the wireless LAN. The client utility also allows you to load new
firmware into the client adapter.
Terminology
Throughout this document, the following terms are used:
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Parts of the Client Adapter
The client adapter is composed of three major parts: a radio, a radio antenna, and two LEDs.
Radio
The client adapter contains a direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio that operates in the 2.4-GHz
license-free Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) band. The radio transmits data over a half-duplex radio
channel operating at up to 11 Mbps.
DSSS technology causes radio signals to be transmitted over a wide frequency range, using multiple
frequencies simultaneously. The benefit of this technology is its ability to protect the data transmission
from interference. For example, if a particular frequency encounters noise or interference or both,
enough redundancy is built into the signal on other frequencies that the client adapter is usually still
successful in its transmission.
Radio Antenna
The type of antenna used depends on your client adapter:
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OL-1377-01
client adapter – Refers to all three types of adapters
PC card, LM card, or PCI client adapter – Refers to only a specific adapter
workstation (or station) – Refers to a computing device with an installed client adapter
PC cards have an integrated, permanently attached diversity antenna. The benefit of the diversity
antenna system is improved coverage. The system works by allowing the card to switch and sample
between its two antenna ports in order to select the optimum port for receiving data packets. As a
result, the card has a better chance of maintaining the radio frequency (RF) connection in areas of
interference. The antenna is housed within the section of the card that hangs out of the PC card slot
when the card is installed.
LM cards are shipped without an antenna; however, an antenna can be connected through the card's
external connector. If a snap-on antenna is used, it should be operated in diversity mode. Otherwise,
the antenna mode used should correspond to the antenna port to which the antenna is connected.
PCI client adapters are shipped with a 2-dBi dipole antenna that attaches to the adapter's antenna
connector. However, other types of antennas may be used. PCI client adapters can be operated
through the right antenna port only.
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Mac OS
Parts of the Client Adapter
1-3
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Table of Contents
Troubleshooting
