Cisco Systems 102044 AIR-CB20A-A-K9 User Manual winincfgb

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B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters
Installation and Configuration Guide
for Windows
Corporate Headquarters
Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-1706
USA
http://www.cisco.com
Tel: 408 526-4000
800 553-NETS (6387)
Fax: 408 526-4100
Customer Order Number:
Text Part Number: OL-1394-03
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
THE SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE PRODUCTS IN THIS MANUAL ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL
STATEMENTS, INFORMATION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS MANUAL ARE BELIEVED TO BE ACCURATE BUT ARE PRESENTED WITHOUT
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. USERS MUST TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR APPLICATION OF ANY PRODUCTS.
THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE ACCOMPANYING PRODUCT ARE SET FORTH IN THE INFORMATION PACKET THAT
SHIPPED WITH THE PRODUCT AND ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOFTWARE LICENSE
OR LIMITED WARRANTY, CONTACT YOUR CISCO REPRESENTATIVE FOR A COPY.
The following information is for FCC compliance of Class A devices: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case users will be required
to correct the interference at their own expense.
The following information is for FCC compliance of Class B devices: The equipment described in this manual generates and may radiate radio-frequency energy. If it is not
installed in accordance with Cisco’s installation instructions, it may cause interference with radio and television reception. This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device in accordance with the specifications in part 15 of the FCC rules. These specifications are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
Modifying the equipment without Cisco’s written authorization may result in the equipment no longer complying with FCC requirements for Class A or Class B digital
devices. In that event, your right to use the equipment may be limited by FCC regulations, and you may be required to correct any interference to radio or television
communications at your own expense.
You can determine whether your equipment is causing interference by turning it off. If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the Cisco equipment or one of its
peripheral devices. If the equipment causes interference to radio or television reception, try to correct the interference by using one or more of the following measures:
• Turn the television or radio antenna until the interference stops.
• Move the equipment to one side or the other of the television or radio.
• Move the equipment farther away from the television or radio.
• Plug the equipment into an outlet that is on a different circuit from the television or radio. (That is, make certain the equipment and the television or radio are on circuits
controlled by different circuit breakers or fuses.)
Modifications to this product not authorized by Cisco Systems, Inc. could void the FCC approval and negate your authority to operate the product.
The Cisco implementation of TCP header compression is an adaptation of a program developed by the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) as part of UCB’s public
domain version of the UNIX operating system. All rights reserved. Copyright © 1981, Regents of the University of California.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER WARRANTY HEREIN, ALL DOCUMENT FILES AND SOFTWARE OF THESE SUPPLIERS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITH
ALL FAULTS. CISCO AND THE ABOVE-NAMED SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF
DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL CISCO OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO DATA ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS MANUAL, EVEN IF CISCO
OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
CCIP, the Cisco Powered Network mark, the Cisco Systems Verified logo, Cisco Unity, Follow Me Browsing, FormShare, Internet Quotient, iQ Breakthrough, iQ Expertise,
iQ FastTrack, the iQ Logo, iQ Net Readiness Scorecard, Networking Academy, ScriptShare, SMARTnet, TransPath, and Voice LAN are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.;
Changing the Way We Work, Live, Play, and Learn, Discover All That’s Possible, The Fastest Way to Increase Your Internet Quotient, and iQuick Study are service marks
of Cisco Systems, Inc.; and Aironet, ASIST, BPX, Catalyst, CCDA, CCDP, CCIE, CCNA, CCNP, Cisco, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert logo, Cisco IOS, the Cisco
IOS logo, Cisco Press, Cisco Systems, Cisco Systems Capital, the Cisco Systems logo, Empowering the Internet Generation, Enterprise/Solver, EtherChannel, EtherSwitch,
Fast Step, GigaStack, IOS, IP/TV, LightStream, MGX, MICA, the Networkers logo, Network Registrar, Packet, PIX, Post-Routing, Pre-Routing, RateMUX, Registrar,
SlideCast, StrataView Plus, Stratm, SwitchProbe, TeleRouter, and VCO are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other
countries.
All other trademarks mentioned in this document or Web site are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship
between Cisco and any other company. (0203R)
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows
Copyright © 2002, Cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved.
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
C O N T E N T S
Preface
xi
xii
Audience
xii
Purpose
Organization
xii
Conventions
xiii
Related Publications
xv
xv
Obtaining Documentation
xv
World Wide Web
xv
Ordering Documentation xv
Documentation Feedback xvi
Documentation CD-ROM
xvi
Obtaining Technical Assistance
xvi
Cisco.com
Technical Assistance Center
Cisco TAC Web Site
xvii
xvii
Cisco TAC Escalation Center
CHAPTER
Product Overview
1-1
Introduction to the Client Adapters
Terminology
1-2
1-3
1-3
Hardware Components
Radio
xvii
1-3
1-4
Radio Antenna
1-4
LEDs
Software Components
Radio Firmware
Driver
1-5
1-5
1-5
Client Utility
1-5
Overview of ACU
1-6
Buttons on the ACU Screens
1-7
Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
1-7
1-8
Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN
1-9
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CHAPTER
2-1
Preparing for Installation
Safety information
2-2
FCC Safety Compliance Statement
2-2
Safety Guidelines
Warnings
2-3
2-3
Unpacking the Client Adapter
2-3
Package Contents
2-4
System Requirements
Site Requirements
2-5
2-5
For Infrastructure Devices
CHAPTER
2-2
For Client Devices
2-5
Installing the Client Adapter
3-1
Determining the Latest Versions of the Driver and ACU
Installing the Driver
3-2
3-3
Installing the Driver for Windows 95
Windows 95 Version A
Windows 95 Version B
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-7
Installing the Driver for Windows NT 3-9
Installing the Driver for Windows 2000 3-10
Installing the Driver for Windows 98
Installing the Driver for Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
Installing the Driver for Windows XP
Installing ACU
3-13
3-16
Verifying Installation
3-19
Selecting Between Two Installed Client Adapters
CHAPTER
3-12
Using the Profile Manager
4-1
4-2
Overview of Profile Manager
4-2
Opening Profile Manager
Creating a New Profile
3-19
4-3
Selecting the Active Profile
4-4
4-5
Editing a Profile 4-5
Modifying a Profile
Setting a Profile to Default Values
Renaming a Profile
Deleting a Profile
4-6
4-6
4-6
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4-6
Importing and Exporting Profiles
4-7
4-7
Importing a Profile
Exporting a Profile
4-7
Denying Access to Non-Administrative Users
CHAPTER
5-1
Configuring the Client Adapter
Overview
5-2
Setting System Parameters
5-3
5-6
Setting RF Network Parameters
5-13
Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters
Setting Advanced Ad Hoc Parameters
5-17
Setting Network Security Parameters
5-20
Setting the Allow Association To Mixed Cells Parameter
Overview of Security Features
Static WEP Keys
5-21
5-22
EAP (with Static or Dynamic WEP Keys)
Additional WEP Key Security Features
5-26
Using Static WEP
5-26
Entering a New Static WEP Key
Overwriting an Existing Static WEP Key
Disabling Static WEP
5-28
5-31
Disabling LEAP or Host-Based EAP
Disabling LEAP
Using EAP Authentication
Overview
5-34
5-34
Disabling Host-Based EAP
5-28
5-28
Enabling Host-Based EAP
CHAPTER
5-22
5-24
5-25
Synchronizing Security Features
Enabling LEAP
5-21
5-34
6-1
6-2
Using LEAP with the Windows Username and Password
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
After a Reboot/Logoff
6-2
6-3
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
6-4
Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
After a Reboot/Logoff
6-2
6-4
6-4
6-5
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
6-7
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6-8
Using LEAP with a Manually Prompted Login
6-8
After Profile Selection
After a Reboot/Logoff/Card Insertion
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
6-8
6-10
Using LEAP with a Saved Username and Password
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
6-10
6-11
After a Reboot/Logoff
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
Using Host-Based EAP
6-10
6-11
6-11
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
6-11
6-12
EAP-MD5 6-12
EAP-TLS
6-12
After a Reboot/Logoff
6-12
EAP-MD5 6-13
EAP-TLS
CHAPTER
Performing Diagnostics
7-1
7-2
Overview of ACU Diagnostic Tools
Setting Parameters that Affect ACU Diagnostic Tools
Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter
Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter
Viewing the Link Status Meter
Running an RF Link Test
CHAPTER
Routine Procedures
7-2
7-4
7-12
7-16
7-18
8-1
Inserting and Removing a Client Adapter
Inserting a Client Adapter
8-2
8-2
Inserting a PC Card or PC-Cardbus Card
8-2
8-3
Removing a Client Adapter 8-4
Inserting a PCI Card
Removing a PC Card or PC-Cardbus Card
Removing a PCI Card
Upgrading the Firmware
8-4
8-4
8-5
Determining the Firmware Version
Loading New Firmware
8-5
8-6
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Driver Procedures
8-7
Determining the Driver Version
Upgrading the Driver
8-7
8-8
Upgrading the Driver for Windows 95 and 98
8-8
8-9
Upgrading the Driver for Windows 2000 8-10
Upgrading the Driver for Windows Me 8-11
Upgrading the Driver for Windows XP 8-12
Uninstalling the Driver 8-13
Uninstalling the 6.10 Driver 8-13
Upgrading the Driver for Windows NT
Uninstalling a Driver Other Than the 6.10 Driver
8-16
8-18
Opening ACU 8-18
Exiting ACU 8-19
ACU Procedures
8-19
8-21
Modifying ACU Installation Settings
Determining the Version of ACU
8-22
Uninstalling ACU 8-24
Upgrading ACU
8-24
Uninstalling ACU Version 4.13 or Greater 8-24
Deleting the ACU Icon from the Desktop 8-25
Uninstalling ACU Versions Prior to 4.13
Restarting the Client Adapter
8-25
Turning Your Client Adapter’s Radio On or Off
8-26
Uninstalling Microsoft Hot Fixes
CHAPTER
Troubleshooting
8-25
9-1
Accessing the Latest Troubleshooting Information
Interpreting the Indicator LEDs
9-2
Troubleshooting the Client Adapter
Problems Installing the Driver
Problems Installing ACU
9-2
9-3
9-3
9-3
Client Adapter Recognition Problems
Resolving Resource Conflicts
9-4
9-4
Resolving Resource Conflicts in Windows 95, 98, and Me
9-5
9-5
Resolving Resource Conflicts in Windows 2000 9-6
Resolving Resource Conflicts in Windows XP 9-7
Problems Associating to an Access Point 9-7
Problems Authenticating to an Access Point 9-8
Resolving Resource Conflicts in Windows NT
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B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
9-8
Problems Connecting to the Network
Losing Association Upon Resuming from Suspend Mode
(Windows NT and Mini PCI Card Only) 9-8
Parameters Missing from ACU Properties Screens
9-8
LEAP Login Screen Appears Before Windows Login Screen
9-9
Microsoft Hot Fixes
9-9
Error Messages
Getting Help
9-15
APPENDIX
Technical Specifications
APPENDIX
Translated Safety Warnings
A-1
B-1
Explosive Device Proximity Warning
B-2
Dipole Antenna Installation Warning
B-3
Warning for Laptop Users
APPENDIX
9-9
B-4
Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information
C-1
Manufacturer’s Federal Communication Commission Declaration of Conformity Statement
C-3
Department of Communications – Canada
Canadian Compliance Statement
C-3
European Community, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein
C-4
Declaration of Conformity with Regard to the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC
2.4-GHz Client Adapters
5-GHz Client Adapters
C-6
Guidelines for Operating Cisco Aironet Client Adapters in Japan
Japanese Translation
APPENDIX
C-6
C-6
C-7
Channels, Power Levels, and Antenna Gains
Channels
C-4
C-5
C-6
Declaration of Conformity for RF Exposure
English Translation
C-2
D-1
D-2
For IEEE 802.11a
For IEEE 802.11b
D-2
D-3
Maximum Power Levels and Antenna Gains
For IEEE 802.11a
For IEEE 802.11b
D-4
D-4
D-4
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APPENDIX
Configuring the Client Adapter through
Windows XP E-1
Overview
E-2
E-2
Overview of Security Features
Static WEP Keys
E-2
EAP (with Static or Dynamic WEP Keys)
E-2
E-4
Configuring the Client Adapter
E-7
Enabling EAP-MD5 Authentication E-9
Enabling EAP-TLS Authentication
Using Windows XP to Associate to an Access Point
Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter
APPENDIX
E-10
F-1
Performing a Site Survey
Overview
E-10
F-2
Guidelines
F-2
Additional Information
F-2
Specifying Signal Strength Units
Using Passive Mode
Using Active Mode
F-3
F-3
F-7
Forcing the Client Adapter To Reassociate
F-14
GLOSSARY
INDEX
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B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Preface
The preface provides an overview of the Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and
Configuration Guide for Windows, references related publications, and explains how to obtain other
documentation and technical assistance, if necessary.
The following topics are covered in this section:
•
Audience, page xii
•
Purpose, page xii
•
Organization, page xii
•
Conventions, page xiii
•
Related Publications, page xv
•
Obtaining Documentation, page xv
•
Obtaining Technical Assistance, page xvi
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Preface
Audience
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Audience
This publication is for the person responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining a Cisco
Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapter on a computer running Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, or XP.
This person should be familiar with computing devices and with network terms and concepts.
Purpose
This publication describes the Cisco Aironet client adapters and explains how to install, configure, and
troubleshoot them.
Organization
This publication contains the following chapters:
•
Chapter 1, “Product Overview,” describes the types of client adapters and their hardware and
software components and illustrates two common network configurations.
•
Chapter 2, “Preparing for Installation,” provides information that you need to know before installing
a client adapter, such as safety information and system requirements.
•
Chapter 3, “Installing the Client Adapter,” provides instructions for installing the driver and client
utility as well as setting basic configuration parameters.
•
Chapter 4, “Using the Profile Manager,” explains how to use the Aironet Client Utility (ACU)
profile manager feature to create and manage profiles for your client adapter.
•
Chapter 5, “Configuring the Client Adapter,” explains how to change the configuration parameters
for a specific profile.
•
Chapter 6, “Using EAP Authentication,” explains the sequence of events that occurs and the actions
you must take when a profile that is set for EAP authentication is selected for use.
•
Chapter 7, “Performing Diagnostics,” explains how to use ACU to perform user-level diagnostics.
•
Chapter 8, “Routine Procedures,” provides procedures for common tasks related to the client
adapter, such as upgrading client software and restarting the adapter.
•
Chapter 9, “Troubleshooting,” provides information for diagnosing and correcting common
problems encountered when installing or operating a client adapter.
•
Appendix A, “Technical Specifications,” lists the physical, radio, power, and regulatory
specifications for the client adapters.
•
Appendix B, “Translated Safety Warnings,” provides translations of the client adapters’ safety
warnings in nine languages.
•
Appendix C, “Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information,” provides declarations of
conformity and regulatory information for the client adapters.
•
Appendix D, “Channels, Power Levels, and Antenna Gains,” lists the IEEE 802.11a and IEEE
802.11b channels supported by the world's regulatory domains as well as the maximum power levels
and antenna gains allowed per domain.
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Conventions
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
•
Appendix E, “Configuring the Client Adapter through Windows XP,” explains how to configure and
use the client adapter with Windows XP.
•
Appendix F, “Performing a Site Survey,” shows people who are responsible for conducting a site
survey how they can use ACU to determine the best placement for infrastructure devices within a
wireless network.
Conventions
This publication uses the following conventions to convey instructions and information:
Note
Caution
Warning
•
Commands and keywords are in boldface.
•
Variables are in italics.
•
Configuration parameters are capitalized.
•
Notes, cautions, and warnings use the following conventions and symbols:
Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to materials not contained
in this manual.
Means reader be careful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in equipment
damage or loss of data.
This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause
bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards
involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices
for preventing accidents. (To see translations of the warnings that appear
in this publication, refer to the appendix “Translated Safety Warnings.”)
Waarschuwing
Dit waarschuwingssymbool betekent gevaar. U verkeert in een situatie die
lichamelijk letsel kan veroorzaken. Voordat u aan enige apparatuur gaat
werken, dient u zich bewust te zijn van de bij elektrische schakelingen
betrokken risico’s en dient u op de hoogte te zijn van standaard maatregelen
om ongelukken te voorkomen. (Voor vertalingen van de waarschuwingen
die in deze publicatie verschijnen, kunt u het aanhangsel “Translated
Safety Warnings” (Vertalingen van veiligheidsvoorschriften) raadplegen.)
Varoitus
Tämä varoitusmerkki merkitsee vaaraa. Olet tilanteessa, joka voi johtaa
ruumiinvammaan. Ennen kuin työskentelet minkään laitteiston parissa, ota
selvää sähkökytkentöihin liittyvistä vaaroista ja tavanomaisista
onnettomuuksien ehkäisykeinoista. (Tässä julkaisussa esiintyvien
varoitusten käännökset löydät liitteestä "Translated Safety Warnings"
(käännetyt turvallisuutta koskevat varoitukset).)
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Conventions
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Attention
Ce symbole d’avertissement indique un danger. Vous vous trouvez dans une
situation pouvant entraîner des blessures. Avant d’accéder à cet
équipement, soyez conscient des dangers posés par les circuits électriques
et familiarisez-vous avec les procédures courantes de prévention des
accidents. Pour obtenir les traductions des mises en garde figurant dans
cette publication, veuillez consulter l’annexe intitulée « Translated Safety
Warnings » (Traduction des avis de sécurité).
Warnung
Dieses Warnsymbol bedeutet Gefahr. Sie befinden sich in einer Situation,
die zu einer Körperverletzung führen könnte. Bevor Sie mit der Arbeit an
irgendeinem Gerät beginnen, seien Sie sich der mit elektrischen
Stromkreisen verbundenen Gefahren und der Standardpraktiken zur
Vermeidung von Unfällen bewußt. (Übersetzungen der in dieser
Veröffentlichung enthaltenen Warnhinweise finden Sie im Anhang mit dem
Titel “Translated Safety Warnings” (Übersetzung der Warnhinweise).)
Avvertenza
Questo simbolo di avvertenza indica un pericolo. Si è in una situazione che
può causare infortuni. Prima di lavorare su qualsiasi apparecchiatura,
occorre conoscere i pericoli relativi ai circuiti elettrici ed essere al
corrente delle pratiche standard per la prevenzione di incidenti. La
traduzione delle avvertenze riportate in questa pubblicazione si trova
nell’appendice, “Translated Safety Warnings” (Traduzione delle avvertenze
di sicurezza).
Advarsel
Dette varselsymbolet betyr fare. Du befinner deg i en situasjon som kan føre
til personskade. Før du utfører arbeid på utstyr, må du være oppmerksom på
de faremomentene som elektriske kretser innebærer, samt gjøre deg kjent
med vanlig praksis når det gjelder å unngå ulykker. (Hvis du vil se
oversettelser av de advarslene som finnes i denne publikasjonen, kan du se
i vedlegget "Translated Safety Warnings" [Oversatte sikkerhetsadvarsler].)
Aviso
Este símbolo de aviso indica perigo. Encontra-se numa situação que lhe
poderá causar danos fisicos. Antes de começar a trabalhar com qualquer
equipamento, familiarize-se com os perigos relacionados com circuitos
eléctricos, e com quaisquer práticas comuns que possam prevenir
possíveis acidentes. (Para ver as traduções dos avisos que constam desta
publicação, consulte o apêndice “Translated Safety Warnings” “Traduções dos Avisos de Segurança”).
¡Advertencia!
Varning!
Este símbolo de aviso significa peligro. Existe riesgo para su integridad
física. Antes de manipular cualquier equipo, considerar los riesgos que
entraña la corriente eléctrica y familiarizarse con los procedimientos
estándar de prevención de accidentes. (Para ver traducciones de las
advertencias que aparecen en esta publicación, consultar el apéndice
titulado “Translated Safety Warnings.”)
Denna varningssymbol signalerar fara. Du befinner dig i en situation som
kan leda till personskada. Innan du utför arbete på någon utrustning måste
du vara medveten om farorna med elkretsar och känna till vanligt förfarande
för att förebygga skador. (Se förklaringar av de varningar som förekommer i
denna publikation i appendix "Translated Safety Warnings" [Översatta
säkerhetsvarningar].)
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Related Publications
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Related Publications
For more information about Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters, refer to the following
publications:
•
Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Client Utilities for Windows
•
Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Client Adapter Drivers for Windows
•
Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Client Adapter Firmware
•
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows CE
•
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Linux
•
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Mac OS
For more information about related Cisco Aironet products, refer to the following publications:
•
Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet Access Points
•
Cisco Aironet Access Point Hardware Installation Guide
•
Cisco Aironet Access Point Software Configuration Guide
•
Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Access Points
Obtaining Documentation
These sections explain how to obtain documentation from Cisco Systems.
World Wide Web
You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com
Translated documentation is available at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/countries_languages.shtml
Documentation CD-ROM
Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM
package, which is shipped separately from the CD that was included with your product. The
Documentation CD-ROM is updated monthly and may be more current than printed documentation. The
CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or through an annual subscription.
Ordering Documentation
You can order Cisco documentation in these ways:
•
Registered Cisco.com users (Cisco direct customers) can order Cisco product documentation from
the Networking Products MarketPlace:
http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/order/order_root.pl
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•
Registered Cisco.com users can order the Documentation CD-ROM through the online Subscription
Store:
http://www.cisco.com/go/subscription
•
Nonregistered Cisco.com users can order documentation through a local account representative by
calling Cisco Systems Corporate Headquarters (California, U.S.A.) at 408 526-7208 or, elsewhere
in North America, by calling 800 553-NETS (6387).
Documentation Feedback
You can submit comments electronically on Cisco.com. In the Cisco Documentation home page, click
the Fax or Email option in the “Leave Feedback” section at the bottom of the page.
You can e-mail your comments to bug-doc@cisco.com.
You can submit your comments by mail by using the response card behind the front cover of your
document or by writing to the following address:
Cisco Systems
Attn: Document Resource Connection
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-9883
We appreciate your comments.
Obtaining Technical Assistance
Cisco provides Cisco.com as a starting point for all technical assistance. Customers and partners can
obtain online documentation, troubleshooting tips, and sample configurations from online tools by using
the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Web Site. Cisco.com registered users have complete access
to the technical support resources on the Cisco TAC Web Site.
Cisco.com
Cisco.com is the foundation of a suite of interactive, networked services that provides immediate, open
access to Cisco information, networking solutions, services, programs, and resources at any time, from
anywhere in the world.
Cisco.com is a highly integrated Internet application and a powerful, easy-to-use tool that provides a
broad range of features and services to help you with these tasks:
•
Streamline business processes and improve productivity
•
Resolve technical issues with online support
•
Download and test software packages
•
Order Cisco learning materials and merchandise
•
Register for online skill assessment, training, and certification programs
If you want to obtain customized information and service, you can self-register on Cisco.com. To access
Cisco.com, go to this URL:
http://www.cisco.com
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Technical Assistance Center
The Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is available to all customers who need technical assistance
with a Cisco product, technology, or solution. Two levels of support are available: the Cisco TAC
Web Site and the Cisco TAC Escalation Center.
Cisco TAC inquiries are categorized according to the urgency of the issue:
•
Priority level 4 (P4)—You need information or assistance concerning Cisco product capabilities,
product installation, or basic product configuration.
•
Priority level 3 (P3)—Your network performance is degraded. Network functionality is noticeably
impaired, but most business operations continue.
•
Priority level 2 (P2)—Your production network is severely degraded, affecting significant aspects
of business operations. No workaround is available.
•
Priority level 1 (P1)—Your production network is down, and a critical impact to business operations
will occur if service is not restored quickly. No workaround is available.
The Cisco TAC resource that you choose is based on the priority of the problem and the conditions of
service contracts, when applicable.
Cisco TAC Web Site
You can use the Cisco TAC Web Site to resolve P3 and P4 issues yourself, saving both cost and time.
The site provides around-the-clock access to online tools, knowledge bases, and software. To access the
Cisco TAC Web Site, go to this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/tac
All customers, partners, and resellers who have a valid Cisco service contract have complete access to
the technical support resources on the Cisco TAC Web Site. The Cisco TAC Web Site requires a
Cisco.com login ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a login ID or
password, go to this URL to register:
http://www.cisco.com/register/
If you are a Cisco.com registered user, and you cannot resolve your technical issues by using the Cisco
TAC Web Site, you can open a case online by using the TAC Case Open tool at this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen
If you have Internet access, we recommend that you open P3 and P4 cases through the Cisco TAC
Web Site.
Cisco TAC Escalation Center
The Cisco TAC Escalation Center addresses priority level 1 or priority level 2 issues. These
classifications are assigned when severe network degradation significantly impacts business operations.
When you contact the TAC Escalation Center with a P1 or P2 problem, a Cisco TAC engineer
automatically opens a case.
To obtain a directory of toll-free Cisco TAC telephone numbers for your country, go to this URL:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml
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Before calling, please check with your network operations center to determine the level of Cisco support
services to which your company is entitled: for example, SMARTnet, SMARTnet Onsite, or Network
Supported Accounts (NSA). When you call the center, please have available your service agreement
number and your product serial number.
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Product Overview
This chapter describes the Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters and illustrates their role in a
wireless network.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Introduction to the Client Adapters, page 1-2
•
Hardware Components, page 1-3
•
Software Components, page 1-5
•
Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter, page 1-7
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Introduction to the Client Adapters
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Introduction to the Client Adapters
The Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters are 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 the five client adapters described in Table 1-1.
Client Adapter Types
PC card
AIR-PCM3xx
An IEEE 802.11b-compliant 11-Mbps 2.4-GHz 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. The PC card is available in the 340 and 350 series.
LM card
AIR-LMC3xx
PCI card
AIR-PCI3xx
An IEEE 802.11b-compliant 11-Mbps 2.4-GHz PCMCIA card radio
module that is usually preinstalled in a device equipped with an
internal Type II or Type III PC card slot. Host devices usually include
handheld or portable devices. The LM card is available in the 340 and
350 series.
An IEEE 802.11b-compliant 11-Mbps 2.4-GHz client adapter card
radio module that can be inserted into any device equipped with an
empty PCI expansion slot, such as a desktop personal computer. The
PCI card is available in the 340 and 350 series.
Mini PCI card AIR-MPI350
An IEEE 802.11b-compliant 11-Mbps 2.4-GHz client adapter card
radio module that is preinstalled in a device equipped with an internal
Type IIIA mini PCI card slot, such as a laptop computer. The mini PCI
card is available only in the 350 series.
PC-Cardbus
card
An IEEE 802.11a-compliant 54-Mbps 5-GHz client adapter card
radio module with a Cardbus interface that can be inserted into any
device equipped with an external Type II or Type III Cardbus slot.
Host devices can include laptops, notebook computers, personal
digital assistants, and handheld or portable devices.
AIR-CB20A
Illustration
CISCO AIRO
11 Mbps WIRE
NET 340
LESS LAN
SERIES
ADAPTER
CISCO AIRO
11 Mbps WIRE
NET 340
LESS LAN
SERIES
ADAPTER
47519
Description
47893
Model Number
65189
Client Adapter
65190
Table 1-1
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Note
In the first three product model numbers, the first x represents the client adapter series (340 or 350),
and 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. If the last two product model numbers contain K9,
the card is 128-bit WEP capable.
Terminology
The following terms are used throughout this document:
•
client adapter – Refers to all five types of adapters.
•
PC card, LM card, PCI card, mini PCI card, or PC-Cardbus card – Refers to 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.
Hardware Components
The client adapter has three major hardware components: a radio, a radio antenna, and two LEDs.
Radio
Different radios are used for the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz client adapters:
•
The Cisco Aironet 340 and 350 series PC, LM, PCI, and mini PCI cards are IEEE 802.11b-compliant
client adapters. They contain a direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio that operates in the
2.4-GHz Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) license-free band. The 340 series 30-milliwatt (mW)
radio and the 350 series 100-mW radio transmit data over a half-duplex radio channel operating at
up to 11 Mbps. These cards interoperate with other IEEE 802.11b-compliant client devices in ad hoc
(or peer-to-peer) mode or with Cisco Aironet 340, 350, and 1200 Series Access Points (with a
2.4-GHz radio) and other IEEE 802.11b-compliant infrastructure devices in infrastructure mode.
They are approved for indoor and outdoor use.
DSSS technology distributes a radio signal over a wide range of frequencies and then returns the
signal to the original frequency range at the receiver. 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 usually will still be successful in its transmission.
•
The Cisco Aironet AIR-CB20A PC-Cardbus card is an IEEE 802.11a-compliant client adapter. It
contains an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radio that operates in the
Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) 1 and UNII 2 license-free bands located in
the lower 5-GHz portion of the radio frequency spectrum. The 20-mW radio transmits data over a
half-duplex radio channel operating at up to 54 Mbps. This card interoperates with other IEEE
802.11a-compliant client devices in ad hoc mode or with Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Access Points
(with a 5-GHz radio) and other IEEE 802.11a-compliant infrastructure devices in infrastructure
mode. It is approved for indoor use only, except in the United States which allows for outdoor use
on channels 52 through 64.
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Radio Antenna
The type of antenna used depends on your 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.
•
PCI cards are shipped with a 2-dBi dipole antenna that attaches to the card’s antenna connector.
However, other types of antennas may be used. PCI cards can be operated through the primary (or
right) antenna port only.
•
Mini PCI cards are designed to be used with either one or two antennas, which connect to the card’s
two antenna connectors. If two antennas are used, the radio automatically selects the antenna that
presents the best RF signal. If only one antenna is used, the radio finds and uses it regardless of
which connector it is plugged into.
•
PC-Cardbus cards have an integrated, permanently attached non-diversity antenna that contains two
antenna ports, one for transmitting and one for receiving. The card cannot switch and sample
between the ports. The antenna is housed within the section of the card that hangs out of the Cardbus
slot when the card is installed.
Note
Refer to the Antenna Mode (Transmit and Receive) parameters in Table 5-4 and Table 5-5 for
information on setting the client adapter’s antenna mode.
Note
External antennas used in combination with a power setting resulting in a radiated power level above
100 mW equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) are not allowed for use within the European
community and other countries that have adopted the European R&TTE directive or the CEPT
recommendation Rec 70.03 or both. For more details on legal combinations of power levels and
antennas in those countries, refer to the “Declaration of Conformity with Regard to the R&TTE
Directive 1999/5/EC” section on page C-4 and the “Maximum Power Levels and Antenna Gains”
section on page D-4.
LEDs
The client adapters have two LEDs that glow or blink to indicate the status of the adapter or to convey
error messages. Refer to Chapter 9 for an interpretation of the LED codes.
Note
Mini PCI cards do not have LEDs.
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Software Components
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Software Components
The client adapter has three major software components: radio firmware, a driver, and a client utility.
Radio Firmware
The firmware, which is contained in the client adapter’s Flash memory, controls the adapter’s radio. The
client adapter is shipped with the firmware installed; however, a more recent version of the firmware may
be available from Cisco.com.
Note
Cisco recommends using the most current version of radio firmware. Chapter 8 provides instructions
for determining the version of your client adapter’s firmware and upgrading it if necessary.
Driver
The driver provides an interface between a computer running a Windows operating system and the client
adapter, thereby enabling Windows and the applications it runs to communicate with the adapter. The
driver is provided on the CD that shipped with the client adapter and must be installed before the adapter
can be used. Chapter 3 provides instructions for installing the driver.
Note
The CD has the latest version of the driver available at the time of pressing; however, a more recent
version of the driver may be available from Cisco.com. Cisco recommends installing the most current
version of the driver. Chapter 3 provides instructions for installing the driver from either location.
Client Utility
The client utility, which is entitled Aironet Client Utility (ACU), is an optional application that interacts
with the radio firmware to adjust client adapter settings and display information about the adapter. ACU
is provided on the CD that shipped with the client adapter. If you plan to use ACU, it should be installed
before the adapter is used. Chapter 3 provides instructions for installing ACU.
Note
The CD has the latest version of ACU available at the time of pressing; however, a more recent
version of ACU may be available from Cisco.com. Cisco recommends installing the most current
version of ACU. Chapter 3 provides instructions for installing ACU from either location.
Note
If your computer is running Windows XP, you can configure your client adapter through the Windows
operating system instead of through ACU. Refer to Appendix E for information. However, ACU is
recommended for configuring the client adapter.
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Overview of ACU
The Aironet Client Utility screen (see Figure 1-1) is ACU’s primary screen.
Figure 1-1
Aironet Client Utility Screen
The status bar at the bottom of the Aironet Client Utility screen reflects the current state of your client
adapter. Possible states include Associated, Not Associated, Not Inserted, Being Flashed with New
Firmware, and Unable To Read Status from the Card.
If your client adapter is associated to an access point, the status bar shows the name of the access point,
provided it was configured with one. If shown, the access point name is limited to 16 characters by the
client adapter’s radio firmware. The status bar also shows either the IP address or the MAC address of
the access point to which the client adapter is associated. The information shown in the status bar is
updated once per second.
The right side of the status bar shows the current time of day. If you set the clock to display seconds in
the Aironet Client Utility Preferences screen, the time will include seconds in addition to hours and
minutes.
Note
To enable the clock to display seconds, open ACU, click the Preferences icon or select Preferences
from the Options drop-down menu, select the Display Seconds on Clock checkbox, and click OK.
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Buttons on the ACU Screens
The buttons on the ACU screens are used to perform specific functions. Table 1-2 describes the most
common buttons.
Table 1-2
Buttons on the ACU Screens
Button
Description
Apply
Saves any changes without exiting the screen
Cancel
Exits the screen without saving any changes
Defaults
Displays the default value of each parameter
Help
Provides information on the screen and its parameters
OK
Saves any changes and exits the screen
Start
Initiates a test
Stop
Stops a test that is running
Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter
The client adapter can be used in a variety of network configurations. In some configurations, access
points provide connections to your network or act as repeaters to increase wireless communication
range. The maximum communication range is based on how you configure your wireless network.
This section describes and illustrates the two most common network configurations:
•
Ad hoc wireless local area network (LAN)
•
Wireless infrastructure with workstations accessing a wired LAN
For examples of more complex network configurations involving client adapters and access points, refer
to the Cisco Aironet Access Point Hardware Installation Guide.
Note
Refer to Chapter 5 for information on setting the client adapter’s network mode.
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Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
An ad hoc (or peer-to-peer) wireless LAN (see Figure 1-2) is the simplest wireless LAN configuration.
In a wireless LAN using an ad hoc network configuration, all devices equipped with a client adapter can
be linked together and communicate directly with each other.
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
47520
Figure 1-2
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Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN
A microcellular network can be created by placing two or more access points on a LAN. Figure 1-3
shows a microcellular network with workstations accessing a wired LAN through several access points.
This configuration is useful with portable or mobile stations because it allows them to be directly
connected to the wired network even while moving from one microcell domain to another. This process
is transparent, and the connection to the file server or host is maintained without disruption. The mobile
station stays connected to an access point as long as it can. However, once the transfer of data packets
needs to be retried or beacons are missed, the station automatically searches for and associates to another
access point. This process is referred to as seamless roaming.
Figure 1-3
Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN
Access Point
(Root Unit)
Access Point
(Root Unit)
5835
Wired LAN
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Preparing for Installation
This chapter provides information that you need to know before installing a client adapter.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Safety information, page 2-2
•
Unpacking the Client Adapter, page 2-3
•
System Requirements, page 2-4
•
Site Requirements, page 2-5
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Safety information
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Safety information
Follow the guidelines in this section to ensure proper operation and safe use of the client adapter.
FCC Safety Compliance Statement
The FCC, with its action in ET Docket 96-8, has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to RF
electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC-certified equipment. When used with approved Cisco Aironet
antennas, Cisco Aironet products meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI
C95.1, 1991. Proper operation of this radio device according to the instructions in this publication will
result in user exposure substantially below the FCC recommended limits.
Safety Guidelines
•
Do not touch or move the antenna while the unit is transmitting or receiving.
•
Do not hold any component containing a radio such that the antenna is very close to or touching any
exposed parts of the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting.
•
Do not operate the radio or attempt to transmit data unless the antenna is connected; otherwise, the
radio may be damaged.
•
High-gain, wall-mount, or mast-mount antennas are designed to be professionally installed and
should be located at a minimum distance of 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the body of all persons.
Please contact your professional installer, VAR, or antenna manufacturer for proper installation
requirements.
•
Use in specific environments:
– The use of wireless devices in hazardous locations is limited to the constraints posed by the
safety directors of such environments.
– The use of wireless devices on airplanes is governed by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA).
– The use of wireless devices in hospitals is restricted to the limits set forth by each hospital.
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Unpacking the Client Adapter
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Warnings
Observe the following warnings when operating the client adapter:
Warning
Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive
environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use.
Warning
In order to comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, dipole antennas should be
located at a minimum of 7.9 inches (20 cm) or more from the body of all persons.
Warning
In order to comply with RF exposure limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, it is
recommended when using a laptop with a PC card client adapter that the adapter’s integrated
antenna is positioned more than 2 inches (5 cm) from your body or nearby persons during extended
periods of transmitting or operating time. If the antenna is positioned less than 2 inches (5 cm) from
the user, it is recommended that the user limit exposure time.
Translated versions of these safety warnings are provided in Appendix B.
Unpacking the Client Adapter
Follow these steps to unpack the client adapter:
Step 1
Open the shipping container and carefully remove the contents.
Step 2
Return all packing materials to the shipping container and save it.
Step 3
Ensure that all items listed in the “Package Contents” section below are included in the shipment. Check
each item for damage.
Note
If any item is damaged or missing, notify your authorized Cisco sales representative. Any remote
antenna and its associated wiring are shipped separately.
Package Contents
Each client adapter is shipped with the following items:
•
Standard 2-dBi dipole antenna (PCI cards only)
•
Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters
•
Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters CD (for 2.4-GHz client adapters) or
Cisco Aironet 5-GHz 54-Mbps Wireless Adapter CD (for 5-GHz client adapters)
•
Cisco product registration card
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System Requirements
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System Requirements
In addition to the items shipped with the client adapter, you will also need the following in order to install
and use the adapter:
•
One of the following computing devices running Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, or XP:
– Laptop, notebook, or portable or handheld device equipped with a Type II or Type III PC card
slot or Cardbus slot
– Desktop personal computer equipped with an empty PCI expansion slot
– Handheld or portable device with an embedded LM card
– Laptop or other computing device with an embedded mini PCI card
Note
Cisco recommends using a display with a minimum resolution of 800 x 600.
Note
All drivers and supporting software (Card and Socket Services) for the PC card slot or
Cardbus slot must be loaded and configured.
•
Windows NT Service Pack 3 or greater if your computer is running Windows NT
•
A Phillips screwdriver (for PCI cards)
•
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
– The case-sensitive service set identifier (SSID) for your RF network
– If your computer is not connected to 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
– The username and password for your RADIUS server account, if your wireless network uses
LEAP or EAP-MD5 authentication
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Site Requirements
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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. Appendix F, which is provided for people who
are responsible for conducting a site survey, explains how ACU’s site survey tool can be used to
determine the best placement for infrastructure devices within a wireless network.
Note
As a rule, 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:
•
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.
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Preparing for Installation
Site Requirements
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This chapter provides instructions for installing the client adapter driver and the client utility.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Determining the Latest Versions of the Driver and ACU, page 3-2
•
Installing the Driver, page 3-3
•
Installing ACU, page 3-16
•
Verifying Installation, page 3-19
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Determining the Latest Versions of the Driver and ACU
The driver and the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) are provided on the CD that shipped with the client
adapter; however, a more recent version of each may be available from Cisco.com. Cisco recommends
installing the most current versions of the driver and ACU.
Note
Although the client adapter is shipped with the firmware installed, you may want to check Cisco.com to
see if a more recent version is available. Chapter 8 provides instructions for determining the version of
your client adapter’s firmware and upgrading it if necessary.
Note
Mini PCI cards, along with their driver and ACU, are generally preinstalled inside of computers.
Therefore, the mini PCI software is not provided on the CD, and you do not need to follow the
instructions in this chapter to install the card’s driver and ACU. However, if you want to upgrade the
mini PCI card’s driver and ACU, refer to the instructions provided in Chapter 8.
Follow the steps below to determine the most recent versions of the driver and ACU on your CD and
Cisco.com.
Step 1
To determine the version of the driver and ACU on the CD, open the FileList.txt file on the CD’s root
directory. This file lists the version numbers for all of the software files provided on the CD.
Note
Step 2
If the FileList.txt file is not present on the root directory, your CD is obsolete, and more recent
versions of the software are available on Cisco.com. Go to the “Installing the Driver” section on
page 3-3.
To determine the latest driver and ACU versions available on Cisco.com, follow the steps below:
a.
Use your computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Locate the drivers for your specific operating system and client adapter type and find the one with
the greatest release number. This is the latest available version on Cisco.com.
Note
d.
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
Locate the ACU files and find the one with the greatest release number. This is the latest available
version on Cisco.com.
Step 3
Go to the “Installing the Driver” section on page 3-3. If the driver version on Cisco.com is greater than
the version on the CD, follow the instructions for installing the driver from Cisco.com.
Step 4
After you install the driver, go to the “Installing ACU” section on page 3-16. If the ACU version on
Cisco.com is greater than the version on the CD, follow the instructions for installing ACU from
Cisco.com.
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Installing the Driver
Note
This procedure is meant to be used the first time the driver is installed on a computer running Windows
95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, or XP. If a Cisco Aironet client adapter driver is already installed on your
computer, follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to upgrade to a new driver. However, if the 6.10 driver is
installed on your Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000 computer, you must remove this driver before you can
install a more recent driver. Refer to the “Uninstalling the 6.10 Driver” section on page 8-13 for
instructions.
The driver you use for your client adapter depends on which operating system your computer is running
and your client adapter type. This section provides instructions for installing the correct driver for your
operating system. Use Table 3-1 to quickly locate the installation instructions for your specific operating
system.
Table 3-1
Note
Locating Driver Installation Instructions
Operating System
Page Number
Windows 95
3-3
Windows 98
3-7
Windows NT
3-9
Windows 2000
3-10
Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
3-12
Windows XP
3-13
Before you begin the driver installation process, make sure you have the installation disks
for your computer’s operating system nearby. Some operating system files may be needed
to complete the driver installation.
Installing the Driver for Windows 95
Note
Windows 95 limits your computer’s network connections to four. If you try to install a
client adapter when four network devices (such as a PCMCIA Ethernet card, dial-up
adapter, VPN adapter, docking station Ethernet card, etc.) are already connected to your
computer, the new adapter cannot establish a network connection.
The driver installation instructions vary for Windows 95 Version A and Version B. You can determine
which version your computer is running by double-clicking My Computer, Control Panel, System, and
General. The version of your computer’s operating system is located under the System heading. If you
have Windows 95 Version B, the version number ends with the letter B.
•
For Windows 95 Version A driver installation instructions, go to the “Windows 95 Version A”
section on page 3-4.
•
For Windows 95 Version B driver installation instructions, go to the “Windows 95 Version B”
section on page 3-5.
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Windows 95 Version A
If your computer’s operating system is Windows 95 Version A, follow these steps.
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows 95 and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
After you insert the client adapter into your computing device, Windows automatically detects it and
opens the New Hardware Found window.
Step 4
Select Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer and click OK.
Step 5
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
Step 6
In the Install From Disk window, enter the path to where the driver is located (CD, floppy disk, or hard
drive). If you are installing the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path should
be D:\Win95.
Step 7
Click OK.
Step 8
If you are prompted to insert the Windows 95 operating system disk, click OK and do one of the
following:
•
If the Windows 95 operating system files are installed on your computer, they are usually located in
the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs folder. Type C:\Windows\Options\Cabs in the Copy files from
dialog box. Click OK to copy the required files.
•
If Windows 95 prompts for the Windows 95 operating system CD, insert this CD into your
computer’s CD-ROM drive. If your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path in the dialog box should be
D:\Win95. Click OK to copy the required files.
Step 9
After the files are copied, remove any disks from your computer.
Step 10
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network.
Step 11
Select the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter and click Properties.
Step 12
In the client adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
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Step 13
Select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 14
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 15
Click OK.
Step 16
If you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
Step 17
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server and you plan to use TCP/IP, double-click My
Computer, Control Panel, and Network. Select TCP/IP > Cisco Systems Wireless LAN Adapter.
Click the Properties button, select Specify an IP address, and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and
default gateway address of your computer (which can be obtained from your system administrator).
Click OK twice. When prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
On Windows 95, TCP/IP is not installed by default.
Note
The driver installation is complete.
Windows 95 Version B
If your computer’s operating system is Windows 95 Version B, follow these steps.
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows 95 and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
After you insert the client adapter into your computing device, Windows automatically detects it and
briefly opens the New Hardware Found window.
Step 4
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
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Step 5
The Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box opens and indicates that Windows will complete the
installation of the client adapter. Click Next.
Step 6
If the Update Device Driver Wizard indicates that Windows was unable to locate a driver for the client
adapter, click Other Locations.
Step 7
In the Select Other Location window, enter the path to where the driver is located (CD, floppy disk, or
hard drive). If you are installing the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path
should be D:\Win95.
Step 8
Click OK.
Step 9
When the Update Device Driver Wizard indicates that it has found the driver, click Finish.
Step 10
When the Insert Disk window appears prompting you to insert the Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter
Installation Disk, click OK.
Step 11
If a window appears indicating that the pcx50*.sys file could not be found, enter the same path that you
entered in Step 7 and click OK.
Step 12
If you are prompted to insert the Windows 95 operating system disk, click OK and do one of the
following:
•
If the Windows 95 operating system files are installed on your computer, they are usually located in
the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs folder. Type C:\Windows\Options\Cabs in the Copy files from
dialog box. Click OK to copy the required files.
•
If Windows 95 prompts for the Windows 95 operating system CD, insert this CD into your
computer’s CD-ROM drive. If your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path in the dialog box should be
D:\Win95. Click OK to copy the required files.
Step 13
When prompted to restart your computer, remove any disks and click Yes.
Step 14
When the computer restarts, double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network.
Step 15
Select the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter and click Properties.
Step 16
In the client adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Step 17
Select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 18
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 19
Click OK.
Step 20
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server and you plan to use TCP/IP, double-click My
Computer, Control Panel, and Network. Select TCP/IP > Cisco Systems Wireless LAN Adapter.
Click the Properties button, select Specify an IP address, and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and
default gateway address of your computer (which can be obtained from your system administrator).
Click OK.
Note
On Windows 95, TCP/IP is not installed by default.
Step 21
In the Network window, click OK.
Step 22
When prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
The driver installation is complete.
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Installing the Driver for Windows 98
Note
Windows 98 limits your computer’s network connections to eight. If you try to install a
client adapter when eight network devices (such as a PCMCIA Ethernet card, dial-up
adapter, VPN adapter, docking station Ethernet card, etc.) are already connected to your
computer, the new adapter cannot establish a network connection.
If your computer’s operating system is Windows 98, follow these steps.
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows 98 and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
After you insert the client adapter into your computing device, Windows automatically detects it, briefly
opens the New Hardware Found window, and starts collecting information for a driver information
database.
The Add New Hardware Wizard dialog box opens and indicates that Windows is searching for new
drivers.
Step 4
Click Next. Another dialog box opens and asks what you want Windows to do.
Step 5
Select Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want
and click Next.
Step 6
Select Network adapters from the drop-down list of devices and click Next.
Step 7
Click Have Disk.
Step 8
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
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Step 9
Enter or browse to the path where the driver is located (CD, floppy disk, or hard drive). If you are
installing the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path should be D:\Win98.
Step 10
Click OK.
Step 11
Make sure the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter is selected in the Select Device screen and click OK.
The wizard finds the installation files and displays the search results.
Step 12
When the client adapter driver is displayed, click Next to copy the required files.
Step 13
During driver installation, you may be prompted to enter a path to the Windows 98 operating system
files. If so, do one of the following:
•
If the Windows 98 operating system files are installed on your computer, they are usually located in
the C:\Windows\Options\Cabs folder. Type C:\Windows\Options\Cabs in the Copy files from
dialog box. Click OK to copy the required files.
•
If Windows 98 prompts for the Windows 98 operating system CD, insert this CD into your
computer’s CD-ROM drive. If your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path in the dialog box should be
D:\Win98. Click OK to copy the required files.
Step 14
The Add New Hardware Wizard window opens and indicates that the installation is complete. Click
Finish.
Step 15
When prompted to restart your computer, remove the CD or floppy disk (if installed) and click Yes.
Step 16
When the computer restarts, double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network.
Step 17
Select the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter and click Properties.
Step 18
In the client adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Step 19
Select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 20
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 21
Click OK.
Step 22
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server and you plan to use TCP/IP, double-click My
Computer, Control Panel, and Network. Select TCP/IP > Cisco Systems Wireless LAN Adapter.
Click the Properties button, select Specify an IP address, and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and
default gateway address of your computer (which can be obtained from your system administrator).
Click OK.
Step 23
In the Network window, click OK.
Step 24
When prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
The driver installation is complete.
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Installing the Driver for Windows NT
Note
This procedure requires that your computer has Windows NT Service Pack 3 or greater.
If your computer’s operating system is Windows NT, follow these steps.
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows NT and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
After you insert the client adapter into your computer, an error message may appear indicating that at
least one service or driver failed during system setup. If this message appears, click OK.
Step 4
Follow the steps below to obtain an available interrupt request (IRQ):
Step 5
a.
Select Start > Programs > Administrative Tools > Windows NT Diagnostics.
b.
Click the Resources tab.
c.
The used IRQs are listed in numerical order along the left side of the Resources window. Write down
the number of an IRQ that is not being used. You will need this IRQ for Step 15.
On your computer desktop, double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Devices. Scroll down and
select Pcmcia. Click Startup, select Automatic, and click OK.
Note
For PC cards and PC-Cardbus cards, also ensure that the Cardbus service is
deselected.
Step 6
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
Step 7
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network.
Step 8
Click the Adapters tab and select Add.
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Step 9
In the Select Network Adapter window, click Have Disk.
Step 10
In the Insert Disk window, enter the path to where the driver is located (CD, floppy disk, or hard drive).
If you are installing the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path should be
D:\WinNT4.
Step 11
Click OK.
Step 12
In the Select OEM Option box, select the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter and click OK.
Step 13
In the Adapter Setup window, select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can
be obtained from your system administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 14
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 15
Enter an available IRQ number, which you obtained in Step 4.
Step 16
Click OK and Close.
Step 17
The Microsoft TCP/IP Properties window should open. If it does not open, double-click My Computer,
Control Panel, and Network. Click Protocols, TCP/IP, and Properties.
Step 18
Perform one of the following:
Step 19
•
If your computer is connected to a DHCP server, select Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.
When asked if you want to enable DHCP, click Yes and OK.
•
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server, select Specify an IP address and enter the IP
address, subnet mask, and default gateway address of your computer (which can be obtained from
your system administrator). Click OK.
When prompted to restart your computer, remove the CD or floppy disk (if installed) and click Yes.
The driver installation is complete.
Installing the Driver for Windows 2000
If your computer’s operating system is Windows 2000, follow these steps.
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows 2000 (Win2K) and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
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h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
After you insert the client adapter into your computer, Windows 2000 automatically detects it and briefly
opens the Found New Hardware window.
The Found New Hardware Wizard window opens and indicates that the wizard will help you to install
the driver.
Step 4
Click Next. Another window opens and asks what you want the wizard to do.
Step 5
Select Display a list of the known drivers for this device so that I can choose a specific driver and
click Next.
Step 6
Click Have Disk.
Step 7
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
Step 8
Enter or browse to the path where the driver is located (CD, floppy disk, or hard drive). If you are
installing the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path should be D:\Win2000.
Step 9
Click OK. The wizard finds the installation files and displays the search results.
Step 10
When the client adapter driver is displayed, click Next to copy the required files.
Step 11
When you receive a message indicating that Windows has finished the installation, click Finish.
Step 12
Remove the CD or floppy disk (if installed).
Step 13
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and System.
Step 14
In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
Step 15
Click Device Manager.
Step 16
In the Device Manager window, double-click Network Adapters.
Step 17
Right-click the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter.
Step 18
Click Properties.
Step 19
In the client adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Step 20
In the Advanced window, select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can be
obtained from your system administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 21
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 22
Click OK.
Step 23
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server and you plan to use TCP/IP, follow these steps:
a.
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network and Dial-up Connections.
b.
Right-click Local Area Connection.
c.
Click Properties, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Properties.
d.
Click Use the following IP address and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway
address of your computer (which can be obtained from your system administrator). Click OK.
e.
In the Local Area Connection Properties window, click OK.
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Step 24
If you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
The driver installation is complete.
Installing the Driver for Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
The first release of Windows Me comes with driver version 6.15, which is installed automatically the
first time you insert a client adapter. To upgrade to the driver on the CD that shipped with your client
adapter or on Cisco.com, follow these steps.
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped wih your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows Me and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
Step 4
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and System.
Step 5
Click the Device Manager tab.
Step 6
Double-click Network Adapters.
Step 7
Select the Cisco Aironet wireless LAN adapter. Click Properties.
Step 8
In the client adapter Properties window, click the Driver tab.
Step 9
Click Update Driver. The Update Device Driver Wizard window appears.
Step 10
Select Specify the location of the driver (Advanced) and click Next.
Step 11
Select Search for a better driver than the one your device is using now (Recommended).
Step 12
Make sure the Removable Media checkbox is deselected.
Step 13
Select the Specify a location checkbox and click Browse.
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Installing the Driver
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 14
Find the location of the driver (on your CD, floppy disk, or computer’s hard drive). If you are installing
the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path should be D:\WinME.
Step 15
Click Next.
Step 16
When asked what you would like to install, select The updated driver (recommended) and click Next.
Step 17
When a screen appears indicating the driver that will be installed and its location, click Next.
Step 18
If Windows cannot find the pcx50*.sys file, enter the same path that you browsed to in Step 14 and click
OK.
Step 19
When you are notified that the installation is complete, click Finish.
Step 20
When you are prompted to restart your computer, remove the CD or floppy disk (if installed) and click
No.
Step 21
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network.
Step 22
Select the Cisco Systems wireless LAN adapter. Click Properties.
Step 23
In the client adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Step 24
In the Advanced window, select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can be
obtained from your system administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 25
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 26
Click OK.
Step 27
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server and you plan to use TCP/IP, double-click My
Computer, Control Panel, and Network. Select TCP/IP > Cisco Systems Wireless LAN Adapter.
Click the Properties button, select Specify an IP address, and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and
default gateway address of your computer (which can be obtained from your system administrator).
Click OK.
Step 28
In the Network window, click OK.
Step 29
When prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.
The driver installation is complete.
Installing the Driver for Windows XP
The first release of Windows XP comes with driver version 7.29, which is installed automatically the
first time you insert a client adapter. To upgrade to the driver on the CD that shipped with your client
adapter or on Cisco.com, follow these steps.
Note
If you do not upgrade from the 7.29 driver, you cannot specify an SSID through Windows XP’s driver
Advanced tab.
Note
These instructions assume you are using Windows XP’s classic view rather than its category view.
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Installing the Client Adapter
Installing the Driver
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 1
If you are installing the driver from Cisco.com, follow the steps below. If you are installing the driver
from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, go to Step 2.
a.
Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b.
Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c.
Click the link for individual Windows files.
d.
Select the latest driver file for Windows XP and your client adapter type.
Note
The drivers for PC, LM, and PCI cards are labeled PCM-LMC-PCI; the drivers for mini PCI
cards and PC-Cardbus cards are labeled MPI-CB.
e.
Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f.
Select the driver file to download it.
g.
Save the file to a floppy disk or to your computer’s hard drive.
h.
Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i.
Go to Step 2.
Step 2
Follow the instructions in Chapter 8 to insert the client adapter into your computer. The instructions vary
by operating system and are different for PC cards, PC-Cardbus cards, and PCI cards.
Step 3
Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and System.
Step 4
Click the Hardware tab and Device Manager.
Step 5
Double-click Network Adapters and Cisco Systems 3x0 Series Wireless LAN Adapter.
Step 6
Click the Driver tab.
Step 7
Click Update Driver. The Welcome to the Hardware Update Wizard screen appears.
Step 8
Select the Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) option and click Next.
Step 9
When prompted to choose your search and installation options, select Don’t search. I will choose the
driver to install and click Next.
Step 10
When prompted to select a network adapter to install, click Have Disk. The Install From Disk screen
appears.
Step 11
Insert the CD that shipped with your client adapter or a floppy disk containing the latest driver into your
computer, unless you are installing the driver from your computer’s hard drive.
Step 12
Click Browse; then find the location of the driver (on your CD, floppy disk, or computer’s hard drive).
If you are installing the driver from the CD and your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path should be
D:\WinXP.
Step 13
Click Open. The installation wizard finds the driver file (netx500.inf).
Step 14
Click OK on the Install From Disk screen.
Step 15
The Select Network Adapter screen reappears. Select the Cisco Systems Wireless LAN Adapter and
click Next.
Step 16
The installation wizard copies the driver files from the CD, floppy disk, or computer’s hard drive. When
the installation is complete, click Finish.
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Installing the Client Adapter
Installing the Driver
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Step 17
Click Close on the Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Properties screen and exit the Control Panel.
Note
You must exit the Control Panel before opening it again in Step 18. Otherwise, the SSID property
option will not be available when you get to Step 22.
Step 18
Double-click Control Panel and Network Connections.
Step 19
Right-click Wireless Network Connection.
Step 20
Click Properties, Configure, and the Advanced tab.
Step 21
In the Advanced window, select Client Name. Type your computer’s unique client name, which can be
obtained from your system administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 22
Select SSID. Type your RF network’s (case-sensitive) SSID, which can be obtained from your system
administrator, in the Value dialog box.
Step 23
Click OK.
Step 24
If your computer is not connected to a DHCP server and you plan to use TCP/IP, right-click Wireless
Network Connection and click Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
Select Use the following IP address and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway address
of your computer (which can be obtained from your system administrator). Click OK.
Step 25
The driver installation is complete. Now you must decide whether to configure your client adapter
through Windows XP or ACU. To help you with your decision, Table 3-2 compares the Windows XP and
ACU client adapter features.
Table 3-2
Comparison of Windows XP and ACU Client Adapter Features
Feature
Windows XP
ACU
Limited
Extensive
Create profiles
No
Yes
Upgrade radio firmware
No
Yes
Restart client adapter without
rebooting or ejecting card
No
Yes
Turn radio on or off
No
Yes
Static WEP
Yes
Yes
LEAP authentication with dynamic
WEP
No
Yes
Host-based EAP authentication with
static or dynamic WEP
Yes
Yes
Configuration parameters
Capabilities
Security
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Installing ACU
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Table 3-2
Comparison of Windows XP and ACU Client Adapter Features (continued)
Feature
Windows XP
ACU
Limited
Extensive
Statistics screen (transmit & receive)
No
Yes
Site survey tool
No
Yes
RF link test tool
No
Yes
Link status meter (graphical display)
No
Yes
Diagnostics
Status screen
Step 26
Perform one of the following:
•
If you are planning to configure your client adapter through ACU instead of through Windows XP,
follow the steps below:
a. Double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network Connections.
b. Right-click Wireless Network Connection and click Properties.
c. Select the Wireless Networks tab.
d. Deselect the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings checkbox.
e. Follow the instructions in the “Installing ACU” section on page 3-16 to install ACU.
•
If you are planning to configure your client adapter through Windows XP instead of through ACU,
go to Appendix E and follow the instructions there.
•
If you are planning to configure your client adapter through Windows XP but you want to use ACU’s
diagnostic tools, go to Appendix E to configure the adapter through Windows XP; then install ACU
but do not create any profiles.
Installing ACU
After you have installed the appropriate driver for your computer’s operating system and your client
adapter type, follow the steps below to install the Aironet Client Utility (ACU).
Note
Follow the procedure below if ACU has never been installed on your computer or if ACU version 4.13
or greater is currently installed. If a version of ACU prior to 4.13 is installed on your computer, follow
the instructions in Chapter 8 to uninstall it; then follow the steps below to install the latest version. Cisco
does not recommend uninstalling ACU version 4.13 or greater before installing the latest version of
ACU.
Note
ACU version 5.02.005 or greater must be used with PCM/LMC/PCI card driver version 8.2 or greater
and PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 4.25.30 or greater or mini PCI card driver version 3.4 or
greater and mini PCI card firmware version 5.00.03 or greater. ACU version 5.02.006 or greater must be
used with PC-Cardbus card driver version 3.4 or greater and PC-Cardbus card firmware version 4.99 or
greater.
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Installing the Client Adapter
Installing ACU
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 1
Close any Windows programs that are running.
Step 2
Perform one of the following:
•
If you are installing ACU from the CD that shipped with your client adapter, follow the steps below:
a. Insert the CD into your computer’s CD-ROM drive.
b. Select Start > Run, enter the following path (where D is the letter of your CD-ROM drive):
D:\Aironet Client Utility\Setup.exe, and click OK. The Aironet Client Utility Setup screen
and the InstallShield Wizard appear.
c. Go to Step 3.
•
If you are installing ACU from Cisco.com, follow the steps below:
a. Use the computer’s web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b. Locate the section for client adapter drivers and utilities.
c. Click the link for individual Windows files.
d. Select the latest ACU file.
e. Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
f. Select the ACU file to download it.
g. Save the file to your computer’s hard drive.
h. Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract its files to a folder.
i. Select Start > Run, enter or browse to the path where you extracted the files (for example,
C:\temp\setup.exe), and click OK. The Aironet Client Utility Setup screen and the InstallShield
Wizard appear.
j. Go to Step 3.
Step 3
When the Welcome screen appears, click Next.
Step 4
In the Select Options screen, select as many of the following options as desired and click Next:
Option
Description
LEAP
Enables you to create a profile in ACU that uses LEAP authentication.
If this option is not selected now and you later want to use LEAP, you
must run this installation again, select Modify, and select this option.
Default:Selected
Note
Refer to Chapter 5 for information on enabling LEAP.
Note
If you select LEAP on a Windows 95, 98, or 98 SE device,
Microsoft hot fixes are installed during ACU installation to fix
two problems related to the use of LEAP. Refer to Chapter 9 for
more information on the hot fixes.
Note
If you select LEAP on a Windows XP device, you cannot use
Windows XP’s fast user switching feature.
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Installing ACU
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Allow Saved LEAP User
Name and Password
Enables you to create a profile in ACU that uses a saved (rather than
temporary) username and password for LEAP authentication. When
such a profile is used, the saved username and password are used to
start the LEAP authentication process, and you are not prompted to
enter them.
Default:Selected
Note
Create ACU Icon on your
Desktop
This option is available only if the LEAP option is selected.
Causes the installation program to add an ACU icon to your computer’s
desktop to provide quick access to the utility.
Default:Deselected
Allow Non-Administrator
Users to use ACU to modify
profiles
Enables users without administrative rights to modify profiles in ACU
on computers running Windows NT, 2000, or XP.
Default:Selected
Note
Step 5
Step 6
This option is not available for Windows 95, 98, and Me
because these versions of Windows do not support different
classes of users.
In the Choose Destination Location screen, perform one of the following:
•
If you want the ACU program files to be installed in the default location (C:\Program Files, provided
C:\Program Files is the default Windows program file folder), click Next.
•
If you want to specify a different destination location for the ACU program files, click Browse,
select a location, and click Next.
In the Select Program Folder screen, specify a program folder name for ACU by selecting from the list
of existing folders (the default name is Cisco Aironet) or entering a new folder name; then click Next.
A status screen displays the progress of the installation. Then one of two Setup Complete screens
displays, depending on whether Windows needs to be restarted to complete the installation.
Step 7
Perform one of the following:
•
If your computer does not need to be rebooted, select either of the following options and click
Finish:
Option
Description
View the README.TXT file Opens a read-me file containing information about ACU.
Launch the Aironet Client
Utility
•
Opens ACU so you can configure your client adapter.
If your computer needs to be rebooted, select Yes, I want to restart my computer now or No, I will
restart my computer later, remove the CD (if installed), and click Finish.
Note
If you are prompted to reboot your computer, Cisco recommends that you select the Yes, I
want to restart my computer now option.
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Installing the Client Adapter
Verifying Installation
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 8
The driver and client utility installation is complete. The client adapter has been installed and configured
for basic operation. Go to the “Verifying Installation” section below to determine if the installation was
successful. After you verify installation, go to Chapter 4 if you want to create profiles for your client
adapter.
Verifying Installation
To verify that you have properly installed the driver and ACU and minimally configured your client
adapter, check the client adapter’s LEDs. If the installation was successful, the client adapter’s green
LED blinks.
Note
If your installation was unsuccessful or you experienced problems during or after driver
installation, refer to Chapter 9 for troubleshooting information.
Go to Chapter 4 if you want to create profiles for your client adapter.
Note
If two client adapters (e.g., a PCI card and a PC-Cardbus card) are installed in your computer, you must
specify the one for which you currently wish to set up profiles in ACU. Go to the “Selecting Between
Two Installed Client Adapters” section for instructions.
Selecting Between Two Installed Client Adapters
If two client adapters are installed in your computer, follow the instructions below to specify the one for
which you want to set up profiles in ACU.
Step 1
Double-click the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) icon on your desktop to open ACU. The Select A
Wireless LAN Adapter Card screen displays (see Figure 3-1).
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Installing the Client Adapter
Selecting Between Two Installed Client Adapters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Figure 3-1
Select A Wireless LAN Adapter Card Screen
Step 2
Select the card you wish to configure from the list of available cards and click OK.
Step 3
Go to Chapter 4 to create profiles for this card.
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C H A P T E R
Using the Profile Manager
This chapter explains how to use ACU’s profile manager feature to create and manage profiles for your
client adapter.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Overview of Profile Manager, page 4-2
•
Opening Profile Manager, page 4-2
•
Creating a New Profile, page 4-3
•
Selecting the Active Profile, page 4-4
•
Modifying a Profile, page 4-5
•
Importing and Exporting Profiles, page 4-6
•
Denying Access to Non-Administrative Users, page 4-7
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Using the Profile Manager
Overview of Profile Manager
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Overview of Profile Manager
ACU’s profile manager feature allows you to create and manage up to 16 profiles (or saved
configurations) for your client adapter. These profiles enable you to use your client adapter in different
locations, each of which requires different configuration settings. For example, you may want to set up
profiles for using your client adapter at the office, at home, and in public areas such as airports. Once
the profiles are created, you can easily switch between them without having to reconfigure your client
adapter each time you enter a new location.
Profiles are stored in the part of the registry reserved for the client adapter driver and, therefore, are tied
to radio type. Consequently, if you set up profiles for a 340 series PC card and later upgrade to a 350
series PC card, all of the profiles will be lost. Similarly, all profiles are lost if you uninstall the client
adapter’s driver. To prevent your profiles from being lost, Cisco recommends that you back up your
profiles using the profile manager’s import/export capability. See the “Importing and Exporting Profiles”
section on page 4-6 for details.
Opening Profile Manager
To open ACU’s profile manager, double-click the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) icon on your desktop
to open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu. The Profile Manager screen displays (see Figure 4-1).
Figure 4-1
Profile Manager Screen
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Using the Profile Manager
Creating a New Profile
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Profile manager allows you to perform the following tasks related to the management of profiles:
•
Create a new profile, see below
•
Select the active profile, see page 4-4
•
Edit a profile, see page 4-5
•
Set a profile to default values, see page 4-6
•
Rename a profile, see page 4-6
•
Delete a profile, see page 4-6
•
Import a profile, see page 4-7
•
Export a profile, see page 4-7
Follow the instructions on the page indicated for the task you want to perform.
Creating a New Profile
Follow the steps below to create a new profile.
Step 1
Click Add. A cursor appears in the Profile Management edit box.
Step 2
Enter the name for your new profile (for example, Office, Home, etc.).
Step 3
Press Enter. The Properties screens appear with the name of your new profile in parentheses.
Step 4
Perform one of the following:
Step 5
•
If you want this profile to use the default values, click OK. The profile is added to the list of profiles
on the Profile Manager screen.
•
If you want to change any of the configuration parameter settings, follow the instructions in
Chapter 5. The profile is added to the list of profiles on the Profile Manager screen.
If you want this profile to be included in auto profile selection, select the Include Profile in Auto Profile
Selection checkbox on the Profile Manager screen.
Note
Step 6
If your profile is configured to use LEAP, it can be included in auto profile selection only if
it has a saved LEAP username and password. For more information on auto profile selection,
see the “Selecting the Active Profile” section on page 4-4.
Click OK or Apply to save your profile.
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Using the Profile Manager
Selecting the Active Profile
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Selecting the Active Profile
Follow the steps below to specify the profile that the client adapter is to use.
Note
Step 1
If this is the first time that you are using profile manager and no profiles have been set previously,
the Use Selected Profile drop-down box is disabled but displays “Driver Advanced Tab Settings,”
which indicates that the driver is using any settings that were set through the Control Panel.
Open ACU; then click the Select Profile icon or select Select Profile from the Commands drop-down
menu. The Select Profile screen displays (see Figure 4-2).
Figure 4-2
Step 2
Select Profile Screen
Select one of the following options:
•
Use Selected Profile – This option allows you to select one profile for the client adapter to use. If
you choose this option, you also must select the desired profile from the drop-down box.
If the client adapter cannot associate to an access point or loses association while using the selected
profile, the adapter does not attempt to associate using another profile. To associate, you must select
a different profile or select Use Auto Profile Selection.
•
Use Auto Profile Selection – This option causes the client adapter’s driver to automatically select
a profile from the list of profiles that were set up to be included in auto profile selection. The name
of the profile that is being used appears in the box to the right of the Use Auto Profile Selection
option.
If the client adapter loses association for more than 10 seconds (or for more than the time specified
by the LEAP authentication timeout value on the LEAP Settings screen if LEAP is enabled), the
driver switches automatically to another profile that is included in auto profile selection. The adapter
will not switch profiles as long as it remains associated or reassociates within 10 seconds (or within
the time specified by the LEAP authentication timeout value). To force the client adapter to associate
to a different access point, you must disable auto profile selection and select a new profile.
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Using the Profile Manager
Modifying a Profile
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•
Step 3
Note
This option is available only if two or more profiles are included in auto profile selection
and if the client adapter is using PCM/LMC/PCI card driver version 8.01 or greater (or
mini PCI/PC-Cardbus card driver version 2.20 or greater).
Note
Login scripts are not reliable if you use auto profile selection with LEAP. If you LEAP
authenticate and achieve full network connectivity before or at the same time as you log
into the computer, the login scripts will run. However, if you LEAP authenticate and
achieve full network connectivity after you log into the computer, the login scripts will
not run.
Allow Windows To Configure My Wireless Network Settings – This option, which is available
only on Windows XP, allows Windows to configure the client adapter and disregard any ACU profiles.
You must select this option if you are configuring your card through Windows XP but want to use ACU’s
diagnostic tools. Refer to Appendix E for information on configuring your client adapter through
Windows XP.
Click OK or Apply to save your selection. The client adapter starts using a profile based on the option
selected above.
Modifying a Profile
This section provides instructions for modifying an existing profile. Follow the steps in the
corresponding section below to edit, set to default values, rename, or delete a profile.
Editing a Profile
Step 1
Open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu.
Step 2
From the Profile Management drop-down box, select the profile that you want to edit.
Step 3
Click Edit. The Properties screens appear with the name of the profile in parentheses.
Step 4
Follow the instructions in Chapter 5 to change any of the configuration parameters for this profile.
Step 5
If you want this profile to be included in auto profile selection, make sure the Include Profile in Auto
Profile Selection checkbox on the Profile Manager screen is selected.
Note
Step 6
If your profile is configured to use LEAP, it can be included in auto profile selection only if
it has a saved LEAP username and password.
Click OK or Apply to save your configuration changes.
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Using the Profile Manager
Importing and Exporting Profiles
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Setting a Profile to Default Values
Step 1
Open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu.
Step 2
From the Profile Management drop-down box, select the profile that you want to set to default values.
Step 3
Click Use Defaults.
Step 4
When prompted, click Yes to confirm your decision.
Step 5
Click OK or Apply to save your change. The profile is saved with default values.
Renaming a Profile
Step 1
Open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu.
Step 2
From the Profile Management drop-down box, select the profile that you want to rename.
Step 3
Click Rename. The Profile Management edit box becomes enabled.
Step 4
Enter a new name for the profile.
Step 5
Click OK or Apply to save your change. The profile is renamed and added to the list of profiles.
Deleting a Profile
Step 1
Open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu.
Step 2
From the Profile Management drop-down box, select the profile that you want to delete.
Step 3
Click Delete.
Step 4
When prompted, click Yes to confirm your decision.
Step 5
Click OK or Apply to save your change. The profile is deleted.
Importing and Exporting Profiles
This section provides instructions for importing and exporting profiles. You may want to use the
import/export feature for the following reasons:
•
To back up profiles before uninstalling the client adapter driver or changing radio types
•
To set up your computer with a profile from another computer
•
To export one of your profiles and use it to set up additional computers
Follow the steps in the corresponding section below to import or export profiles.
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Using the Profile Manager
Denying Access to Non-Administrative Users
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Importing a Profile
Step 1
If the profile that you want to import is on a floppy disk, insert the disk into your computer’s floppy drive.
Step 2
Open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu.
Step 3
Click Import. The Import Profile screen appears.
Step 4
Find the directory where the profile is located.
Step 5
Click the profile so it appears in the File name box at the bottom of the Import Profile screen.
Step 6
Click Open. The imported profile appears in the list of profiles on the Profile Manager screen.
Exporting a Profile
Step 1
Insert a blank floppy disk into your computer’s floppy drive, if you wish to export a profile to a floppy
disk.
Step 2
Open ACU; then click the Profile Manager icon or select Profile Manager from the Commands
drop-down menu.
Step 3
From the Profile Management drop-down box, select the profile that you want to export.
Step 4
Click Export. The Save Profile As screen appears. The default filename is ProfileName.pro, where
ProfileName is the name of the selected profile, and the default directory is the directory in which ACU
was installed.
Step 5
If you want to change the profile name, enter a new name in the File name edit box.
Step 6
Select a different directory (for example, your computer’s floppy disk drive or a location on the network)
from the Save in drop-down box.
Step 7
Click Save. The profile is exported to the specified location.
Step 8
Follow the instructions in the “Importing a Profile” section to import the profile on another computer.
Denying Access to Non-Administrative Users
By default, ACU allows regular-class users to modify and save profiles to the registry. However, if you
have administrative rights, you can prevent regular-class users from saving profiles on computers
running Windows NT, 2000, or XP. (This option is not available for Windows 95, 98, and Me because
these versions of Windows do not support different classes of users.)
Note
You were able to grant or deny access to non-administrative users during ACU installation. If you
chose to deny access then, you can follow the steps below to change your decision.
Follow the steps below if you wish to prevent users without administrative rights from modifying and
saving profiles (or to allow regular-class users to save profiles if permission was denied previously).
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Using the Profile Manager
Denying Access to Non-Administrative Users
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 1
Open ACU by double-clicking the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) icon on your desktop.
Step 2
Click the Preferences icon or select Preferences from the Options drop-down menu. The Aironet Client
Utility Preferences screen appears (see Figure 4-3).
Figure 4-3
Aironet Client Utility Preferences Screen
Step 3
Deselect the Allow Non-Administrator Users to use ACU to modify profiles checkbox (or select this
checkbox if you wish to allow regular-class users to save profiles).
Step 4
Click OK to save your changes.
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Configuring the Client Adapter
This chapter explains how to change the configuration parameters for a specific profile.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Overview, page 5-2
•
Setting System Parameters, page 5-3
•
Setting RF Network Parameters, page 5-6
•
Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters, page 5-13
•
Setting Advanced Ad Hoc Parameters, page 5-17
•
Setting Network Security Parameters, page 5-20
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Configuring the Client Adapter
Overview
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Overview
When you choose to create a new profile or edit an existing profile on the Profile Manager screen, the
Properties screens appear with the name of your profile in parentheses. These screens enable you to set
the configuration parameters for that profile.
Note
If you do not change any of the configuration parameters, the default values are used.
Note
If you are planning to set parameters on more than one of the Properties screens, wait until you are
finished with all of the screens before clicking OK. When you click OK, you are returned to the Profile
Manager screen.
Each of the Properties screens (listed below) contains parameters that affect a specific aspect of the client
adapter:
•
System Parameters – Prepares the client adapter for use in a wireless network
•
RF Network – Controls how the client adapter transmits and receives data
•
Advanced (Infrastructure) – Controls how the client adapter operates within an infrastructure
network
•
Advanced (Ad Hoc) – Controls how the client adapter operates within an ad hoc (peer-to-peer)
network
•
Network Security – Controls how a client adapter associates to an access point, authenticates to the
wireless network, and encrypts and decrypts data
Table 5-1 enables you to quickly locate the instructions for setting each Properties screen’s parameters.
Table 5-1
Note
Locating Configuration Instructions
Parameter Category
Page Number
System
5-3
RF network
5-6
Advanced infrastructure
5-13
Advanced ad hoc
5-17
Network security
5-20
If your system administrator used an auto-installer to deactivate certain parameters in ACU, these
parameters are grayed out on the ACU Properties screens and cannot be selected.
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Setting System Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Setting System Parameters
The System Parameters screen (see Figure 5-1) enables you to set parameters that prepare the client
adapter for use in a wireless network. This screen appears after you create and save a new profile or click
Edit on the Profile Manager screen.
Figure 5-1
System Parameters Screen
Table 5-2 lists and describes the client adapter’s system parameters. Follow the instructions in the table
to change any parameters.
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Setting System Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-2
System Parameters
Parameter
Description
Client Name
A logical name for your workstation. It allows an administrator to
determine which devices are connected to the access point without
having to memorize every MAC address. This name is included in the
access point’s list of connected devices.
Range:
You can key in up to 16 ASCII characters
Default: A blank field
Note
SSID1
Each computer on the network should have a unique client
name.
The service set identifier (SSID) identifies the specific wireless
network that you want to access.
Range:
You can key in up to 32 ASCII characters (case sensitive)
Default: A blank field
Note
SSID2
If you leave this parameter blank, your client adapter can
associate to any access point on the network that is configured
to allow broadcast SSIDs (see the AP Radio Hardware page in
the access point management system). If the access point with
which the client adapter is to communicate is not configured to
allow broadcast SSIDs, the value of this parameter must match
the SSID of the access point. Otherwise, the client adapter is
unable to access the network.
An optional SSID that identifies a second distinct network and enables
you to roam to that network without having to reconfigure your client
adapter.
Range:
You can key in up to 32 ASCII characters (case sensitive)
Default: A blank field
SSID3
An optional SSID that identifies a third distinct network and enables
you to roam to that network without having to reconfigure your client
adapter.
Range:
You can key in up to 32 ASCII characters (case sensitive)
Default: A blank field
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Setting System Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-2
System Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Power Save Mode
Sets your client adapter to its optimum power consumption setting.
Options: CAM, Max PSP, or Fast PSP
Default: CAM (Constantly Awake Mode)
Power Save Mode
Description
CAM (Constantly Awake
Mode)
Keeps the client adapter powered up
continuously so there is little lag in
message response time.
Consumes the most power but offers the
highest throughput. Is recommended for
desktop computers and devices that use
AC power.
Max PSP (Max Power
Savings)
Causes the access point to buffer incoming
messages for the client adapter, which
wakes up periodically and polls the access
point to see if any buffered messages are
waiting for it. The adapter can request
each message and then go back to sleep.
Conserves the most power but offers the
lowest throughput. Is recommended for
devices for which power consumption is
the ultimate concern (such as small
battery-powered devices).
Note
Fast PSP (Power Save
Mode)
When you set Max PSP mode and
close ACU, the following message
appears the next time you open
ACU: “Maximum Power Save
mode will be temporarily disabled
while you are running this
application.” While ACU is open,
Fast PSP mode is active. When
you close ACU, the card returns to
Max PSP mode.
Switches between PSP mode and CAM
mode, depending on network traffic. This
mode switches to CAM when retrieving a
large number of packets and switches back
to PSP after the packets have been
retrieved.
Is recommended when power consumption
is a concern but you need greater
throughput than that allowed by Max PSP.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-2
System Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Network Type
Specifies the type of network in which your client adapter is installed.
Options: Ad Hoc or Infrastructure
Default: Infrastructure
Network Type
Description
Ad Hoc
Often referred to as peer to peer. Indicates
that your wireless network consists of a
few wireless devices that are not
connected to a wired Ethernet network
through an access point. For example, an
ad hoc network could be set up between
computers in a conference room so users
can share information in a meeting.
Infrastructure
Indicates that your wireless network is
connected to a wired Ethernet network
through an access point.
Go to the next section to set additional parameters or click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen.
On the Profile Manager screen, click OK or Apply to save your changes.
Setting RF Network Parameters
The RF Network screen (see Figure 5-2) enables you to set parameters that control how and when the
client adapter transmits and receives data. To access this screen, select the RF Network tab from the
Properties screens.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Figure 5-2
RF Network Screen
Table 5-3 lists and describes the client adapter’s RF network parameters. Follow the instructions in the
table to change any parameters.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-3
RF Network Parameters
Parameter
Description
Data Rate
Specifies the rate at which your client adapter should transmit or
receive packets to or from access points (in infrastructure mode) or
other clients (in ad hoc mode).
Auto Rate Selection is recommended for infrastructure mode; setting a
specific data rate is recommended for ad hoc mode.
Options: Auto Rate Selection, 1 Mbps Only, 2 Mbps Only, 5.5 Mbps
Only, or 11 Mbps Only (2.4-GHz client adapters);
Auto Rate Selection, 6 Mbps Only, 9 Mbps Only, 12 Mbps
Only, 18 Mbps Only, 24 Mbps Only, 36 Mbps Only, 48 Mbps
Only, or 54 Mbps Only (5-GHz client adapters)
Default: Auto Rate Selection
Data Rate
2.4-GHz Client 5-GHz Client
Adapters
Adapters
Description
Auto Rate
Selection
Auto Rate
Selection
Uses the 11-Mbps (for 2.4-GHz client
adapters) or 54-Mbps (for 5-GHz client
adapters) data rate when possible but
drops to lower rates when necessary.
1 Mbps
Only
6 Mbps
Only
Offers the greatest range but the lowest
throughput.
2 Mbps
Only and
5.5 Mbps
Only
9 Mbps
Only to 48
Mbps Only
Progressively offers less range but greater
throughput than the 1 Mbps Only (for
2.4-GHz client adapters) or 6 Mbps Only
(for 5-GHz client adapters) option.
11 Mbps
Only
54 Mbps
Only
Offers the greatest throughput but the
lowest range.
Note
Your client adapter’s data rate must be set to Auto Rate
Selection or must match the data rate of the access point (in
infrastructure mode) or the other clients (in ad hoc mode) with
which it is to communicate. Otherwise, your client adapter may
not be able to associate to them.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-3
RF Network Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Use Short Radio Headers
Selecting this checkbox sets your client adapter to use short radio
headers. However, the adapter can use short radio headers only if the
access point is also configured to support them and is using them. If any
clients associated to an access point are using long headers, then all
clients in that cell must also use long headers, even if both this client
and the access point have short radio headers enabled.
Short radio headers improve throughput performance; long radio
headers ensure compatibility with clients and access points that do not
support short radio headers.
Default: Selected
World Mode
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
Note
This parameter is referred to as Preambles on the access point
screens.
Selecting this checkbox enables the client adapter to adopt the
maximum transmit power level and the frequency range of the access
point to which it is associated, provided the access point is also
configured for world mode. This parameter is available only in
infrastructure mode and is designed for users who travel between
countries and want their client adapters to associate to access points in
different regulatory domains.
Default: Deselected
Periodically Scan For A
Better Access Point
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
Note
When World Mode is enabled, the client adapter is limited to
the maximum transmit power level allowed by the country of
operation’s regulatory agency.
Selecting this checkbox causes the client to look for a better access
point if its signal strength becomes low and to switch associations if it
finds one.
Default: Selected
Note
This parameter is available only if your client adapter is using
PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 4.25.30 or greater, mini
PCI card firmware version 5.00.03 or greater, or PC-Cardbus
card firmware version 4.99 or greater.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-3
RF Network Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Channel
Specifies which frequency your client adapter will use as the channel
for communications. These channels conform to the IEEE 802.11
Standard for your regulatory domain.
•
In infrastructure mode, this parameter is set automatically and
cannot be changed. The client adapter listens to the entire
spectrum, selects the best access point to associate to, and uses the
same frequency as that access point.
•
In ad hoc mode, the channel of the client adapter must be set to
match the channel used by the other clients in the wireless network.
Range:
Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Example for 2.4-GHz client adapters:
1 to 11 (2412 to 2462 MHz) in North America
Example for 5-GHz client adapters:
36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, and 64 (5180, 5200, 5220, 5240,
5260, 5280, 5300, and 5320 MHz) in North America
Default: Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Example for 2.4-GHz client adapters:
6 (2437 MHz) in North America
Example for 5-GHz client adapters:
36 (5180 MHz) in North America
Note
Refer to Appendix D for a list of channel identifiers, channel
center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-3
RF Network Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Transmit Power
Defines the power level at which your client adapter transmits. This
value must not be higher than that allowed by your country’s regulatory
agency (FCC in the U.S., DOC in Canada, ETSI in Europe, MKK in
Japan, etc.).
Options: Dependent on the power table programmed into the client
adapter; see the table below
Default: The maximum level programmed into the client adapter and
allowed by your country’s regulatory agency
Possible Power Levels
Client Adapter Type
100 mW, 50 mW, 30 mW,
20 mW, 5 mW, or 1 mW
350 series client adapters
30 mW or 1 mW
340 series PC cards
30 mW, 15 mW, 5 mW, or
1 mW
340 series PCI cards and LM cards
20 mW, 10 mW, or 5 mW
PC-Cardbus card
Note
Reducing the transmit power level conserves battery power but
decreases radio range.
Note
When World Mode is enabled, the client adapter is limited to
the maximum transmit power level allowed by the country of
operation’s regulatory agency.
Note
If you are using an older version of a 340 or 350 series client
adapter, your power level options may be different than those
listed here.
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Setting RF Network Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-3
RF Network Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Clear Channel Assessment
Specifies the method that determines whether the channel on which
your client adapter will operate is clear prior to the transmission of
data.
Options: Firmware Default (XXX), Carrier/Correlation (Car/Cor),
Energy Detect (ED), or ED or Car/Cor
Default: Firmware Default (XXX)
Method
Description
Firmware Default (XXX)
The Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)
mechanism will report that the channel is
busy based on the default value of the
client adapter’s firmware. The firmware’s
CCA default value is shown in
parentheses.
Note
The CCA default value for
PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware is
Car/Cor; the default value for mini
PCI card firmware is ED.
Carrier/Correlation
(Car/Cor)
The CCA mechanism will report that the
channel is busy upon detection of a
direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
signal. This signal may be above or below
the ED threshold.
Energy Detect (ED)
The CCA mechanism will report that the
channel is busy upon detection of any
energy above the ED threshold.
ED or Car/Cor
The CCA mechanism will report that the
channel is busy upon detection of a DSSS
signal or any energy above the ED
threshold.
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters
using PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 4.25.30 or greater
(or mini PCI card firmware version 5.00.03 or greater).
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Table 5-3
RF Network Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Data Retries
Defines the number of times a packet will be resent if the initial
transmission is unsuccessful.
Range:
1 to 128
Default: 16
Note
Fragment Threshold
If your network protocol performs its own retries, set this to a
smaller value than the default. This way notification of a “bad”
packet is sent up the protocol stack quickly so the application
can retransmit the packet if necessary.
Defines the threshold above which an RF data packet will be split up or
fragmented. If one of those fragmented packets experiences
interference during transmission, only that specific packet would need
to be resent.
Throughput is generally lower for fragmented packets because the fixed
packet overhead consumes a higher portion of the RF bandwidth.
Range:
256 to 2312
Default: 2312
Go to the next section to set additional parameters or click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen.
On the Profile Manager screen, click OK or Apply to save your changes.
Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters
Note
You can set advanced infrastructure parameters only if your client adapter has been set to
operate in an infrastructure network. See the Network Type parameter in Table 5-2.
The Advanced (Infrastructure) screen (see Figure 5-3) enables you to set parameters that control how the
client adapter operates within an infrastructure network. To access this screen, select the Advanced
(Infrastructure) tab from the Properties screens.
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Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Figure 5-3
Advanced (Infrastructure) Screen
Table 5-4 lists and describes the client adapter’s advanced infrastructure parameters. Follow the
instructions in the table to change any parameters.
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Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-4
Advanced (Infrastructure) Parameters
Parameter
Description
Antenna Mode (Receive)
Specifies the antenna that your client adapter uses to receive data.
•
PC card – The PC card’s integrated, permanently attached antenna
operates best when used in diversity mode. Diversity mode allows
the card to use the better signal from its two antenna ports.
Options: Diversity (Both), Primary Antenna Only, Secondary
Antenna Only
Default: Diversity (Both)
•
LM card – The LM card is shipped without an antenna; however,
an antenna can be connected through the card’s external
connector. If a snap-on antenna is used, diversity mode is
recommended. Otherwise, select the mode that corresponds to the
antenna port to which the antenna is connected.
Options: Diversity (Both), Primary Antenna Only, Secondary
Antenna Only
Default: Diversity (Both)
•
PCI client adapter – The PCI client adapter must use the Primary
Antenna Only option.
Default: Primary Antenna Only
•
Mini PCI card – The mini PCI card, which can be used with one
or two antennas, operates best in diversity mode. Diversity mode
allows the card to use the better signal from its two antenna
connectors.
Options: Diversity (Both), Primary Antenna Only, Secondary
Antenna Only
Default: Diversity (Both)
Antenna Mode (Transmit)
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
Note
The Primary Antenna Only and Secondary Antenna Only
options were formerly named Right Antenna Only and Left
Antenna Only, respectively.
Specifies the antenna that your client adapter uses to transmit data.
See the Antenna Mode (Receive) parameter above for information on
the options available for your client adapter.
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
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Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 5-4
Advanced (Infrastructure) Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Specified Access Point 1- 4
Specifies the MAC addresses of up to four preferred access points
with which the client adapter can associate. If the specified access
points are not found or the client adapter roams out of range, the
adapter may associate to another access point.
You can enter the MAC addresses of the access points in the edit boxes
or choose not to specify access points by leaving the boxes blank.
Default: Blank fields
Note
RTS Threshold
This parameter should be used only for access points that are
in repeater mode. For normal operation, leave these fields
blank because specifying an access point slows down the
roaming process.
Specifies the size of the data packet that the low-level RF protocol
issues to a request-to-send (RTS) packet.
Setting this parameter to a small value causes RTS packets to be sent
more often. When this occurs, more of the available bandwidth is
consumed and the throughput of other network packets is reduced, but
the system is able to recover faster from interference or collisions,
which may be caused from a high multipath environment
characterized by obstructions or metallic surfaces.
Range:
0 to 2312
Default: 2312
Note
RTS Retry Limit
Refer to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for more information on
the RTS/CTS mechanism.
Specifies the number of times the client adapter will resend a
request-to-send (RTS) packet if it does not receive a clear-to-send
(CTS) packet from the previously sent RTS packet.
Setting this parameter to a large value decreases the available
bandwidth whenever interference is encountered but makes the system
more immune to interference and collisions, which may be caused
from a high multipath environment characterized by obstructions or
metallic surfaces.
Range:
1 to 128
Default: 16
Note
Refer to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for more information on
the RTS/CTS mechanism.
Go to the next section to set additional parameters or click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen.
On the Profile Manager screen, click OK or Apply to save your changes.
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Setting Advanced Ad Hoc Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Setting Advanced Ad Hoc Parameters
Note
You can set advanced ad hoc parameters only if your client adapter has been set to operate
in an ad hoc network. See the Network Type parameter in Table 5-2.
The Advanced (Ad Hoc) screen (see Figure 5-4) enables you to set parameters that control how the client
adapter operates within an ad hoc network. To access this screen, select the Advanced (Ad Hoc) tab
from the Properties screens.
Figure 5-4
Advanced (Ad Hoc) Screen
Table 5-5 lists and describes the client adapter’s advanced ad hoc parameters. Follow the instructions in
the table to change any parameters.
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Table 5-5
Advanced (Ad Hoc) Parameters
Parameter
Description
Antenna Mode (Receive)
Specifies the antenna that your client adapter uses to receive data.
•
PC card – The PC card’s integrated, permanently attached antenna
operates best when used in diversity mode. Diversity mode allows
the card to use the better signal from its two antenna ports.
Options: Diversity (Both), Primary Antenna Only, Secondary
Antenna Only
Default: Diversity (Both)
•
LM card – The LM card is shipped without an antenna; however,
an antenna can be connected through the card’s external
connector. If a snap-on antenna is used, diversity mode is
recommended. Otherwise, select the mode that corresponds to the
antenna port to which the antenna is connected.
Options: Diversity (Both), Primary Antenna Only, Secondary
Antenna Only
Default: Diversity (Both)
•
PCI client adapter – The PCI client adapter must use the Primary
Antenna Only option.
Default: Primary Antenna Only
•
Mini PCI card – The mini PCI card, which can be used with one
or two antennas, operates best in diversity mode. Diversity mode
allows the card to use the better signal from its two antenna
connectors.
Options: Diversity (Both), Primary Antenna Only, Secondary
Antenna Only
Default: Diversity (Both)
Antenna Mode (Transmit)
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
Note
The Primary Antenna Only and Secondary Antenna Only
options were formerly named Right Antenna Only and Left
Antenna Only, respectively.
Specifies the antenna that your client adapter uses to transmit data.
See the Antenna Mode (Receive) parameter above for information on
the options available for your client adapter.
Note
This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
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Table 5-5
Advanced (Ad Hoc) Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
RTS Threshold
Specifies the size of the data packet that the low-level RF protocol
issues to a request-to-send (RTS) packet.
Setting this parameter to a small value causes RTS packets to be sent
more often. When this occurs, more of the available bandwidth is
consumed and the throughput of other network packets is reduced, but
the system is able to recover faster from interference or collisions,
which may be caused from a high multipath environment
characterized by obstructions or metallic surfaces.
Range:
0 to 2312
Default: 2312
Note
RTS Retry Limit
Refer to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for more information on
the RTS/CTS mechanism.
Specifies the number of times the client adapter will resend a
request-to-send (RTS) packet if it does not receive a clear-to-send
(CTS) packet from the previously sent RTS packet.
Setting this parameter to a large value decreases the available
bandwidth whenever interference is encountered but makes the system
more immune to interference and collisions, which may be caused
from a high multipath environment characterized by obstructions or
metallic surfaces.
Range:
1 to 128
Default: 16
Note
Wake Duration (Kµs)
Refer to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for more information on
the RTS/CTS mechanism.
Specifies the amount of time following a beacon that the client adapter
stays awake to receive announcement traffic indication message
(ATIM) packets, which are sent to the adapter to keep it awake until
the next beacon.
Refer to the Power Save Mode parameter in Table 5-2.
Range:
0 Kµs (in CAM mode); 5 to 60 Kµs (in Max PSP or Fast PSP
mode)
Default: 5 Kµs
Note
If your client adapter is set to CAM mode, you must set the
wake duration to 0 Kµs. If your client adapter is set to Max PSP
or Fast PSP mode, you must set the wake duration to a minimum
of 5 Kµs.
Note
Kµs is a unit of measurement in software terms. K = 1024,
µ = 10 -6, and s = seconds, so Kµs = .001024 seconds, 1.024
milliseconds, or 1024 microseconds.
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Table 5-5
Advanced (Ad Hoc) Parameters (continued)
Parameter
Description
Beacon Period (Kµs)
Specifies the duration between beacon packets, which are used to help
clients find each other in ad hoc mode.
Range:
20 to 976 Kµs
Default: 100 Kµs
Go to the next section to set additional parameters or click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen.
On the Profile Manager screen, click OK or Apply to save your changes.
Setting Network Security Parameters
The Network Security screen (see Figure 5-5) enables you to set parameters that control how the client
adapter associates to an access point, authenticates to the wireless network, and encrypts and decrypts
data. To access this screen, select the Network Security tab from the Properties screens.
Figure 5-5
Network Security Screen
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This screen is different from the other Properties screens in that it presents several security features, each
of which involves a number of steps. In addition, the security features themselves are complex and need
to be understood before they are implemented. Therefore, this section provides an overview of the
security features as well as procedures for using them.
However, before you determine the appropriate security settings for your client adapter, you must decide
how to set the Allow Association To Mixed Cells parameter, which appears at the bottom of the
Network Security screen and is not associated to any of the security features. See the “Setting the Allow
Association To Mixed Cells Parameter” section below.
Setting the Allow Association To Mixed Cells Parameter
The Allow Association To Mixed Cells parameter indicates whether the client adapter can associate to
an access point that allows both WEP and non-WEP associations. Follow the steps below to set this
parameter.
Step 1
Perform one of the following:
•
Select the Allow Association To Mixed Cells checkbox if the access point with which the client
adapter is to associate has WEP set to Optional (regardless of whether WEP is enabled on the
adapter). Otherwise, the client adapter is unable to establish a connection with the access point.
•
Deselect the Allow Association To Mixed Cells checkbox if the access point with which the client
adapter is to associate does not have WEP set to Optional. This is the default setting.
Note
Step 2
For security reasons, Cisco recommends that WEP-enabled and WEP-disabled clients not be
allowed in the same cell because broadcast packets will be sent unencrypted, even to clients
running WEP.
Perform one of the following:
•
If you do not want to change any other parameters on the Network Security screen, click OK to
return to the Profile Manager screen; then click OK or Apply to save your changes
•
If you want to change some of the other parameters on the Network Security screen, go to the next
section.
Overview of Security Features
You can protect your data as it is transmitted through your wireless network by encrypting it through the
use of Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption keys. With WEP encryption, the transmitting device
encrypts each packet with a WEP key, and the receiving device uses that same key to decrypt each
packet.
The WEP keys used to encrypt and decrypt transmitted data can be statically associated with your
adapter or dynamically created as part of the EAP authentication process. The information in the “Static
WEP Keys” and “EAP (with Static or Dynamic WEP Keys)” sections below can help you to decide
which type of WEP keys you want to use. Dynamic WEP keys with EAP offer a higher degree of security
than static WEP keys.
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WEP keys, whether static or dynamic, are either 40 or 128 bits in length. 128-bit WEP keys offer a
greater level of security than 40-bit WEP keys.
Note
Refer to the “Additional WEP Key Security Features” section on page 5-24 for information on three
security features that can make your WEP keys even more secure.
Static WEP Keys
Each device (or profile) within your wireless network can be assigned up to four static WEP keys. If a
device receives a packet that is not encrypted with the appropriate key (as the WEP keys of all devices
that are to communicate with each other must match), the device discards the packet and never delivers
it to the intended receiver.
Static WEP keys are write-only and temporary; therefore, they cannot be read back from the client
adapter, and they are lost when power to the adapter is removed or the Windows device is rebooted.
Although the keys are temporary, you do not need to re-enter them each time the client adapter is inserted
or the Windows device is rebooted. This is because the keys are stored (in an encrypted format for
security reasons) in the registry of the Windows device. When the driver loads and reads the client
adapter’s registry parameters, it also finds the static WEP keys, unencrypts them, and stores them in
volatile memory on the adapter.
The Network Security screen enables you to view the current WEP key settings for the client adapter and
then to assign new WEP keys or overwrite existing WEP keys as well as to enable or disable static WEP.
Refer to the “Using Static WEP” section on page 5-26 for instructions.
EAP (with Static or Dynamic WEP Keys)
The new standard for wireless LAN security, as defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE), is called 802.1X for 802.11, or simply 802.1X. An access point that supports 802.1X
and its protocol, Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), acts as the interface between a wireless
client and an authentication server, such as a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
server, to which the access point communicates over the wired network.
Two 802.1X authentication types can be selected in ACU for use with Windows operating systems:
•
EAP-Cisco Wireless (or LEAP) – This authentication type is available for Windows 95, 98, NT,
2000, Me, and XP, as well as non-Windows systems. Support for LEAP is provided not in the
Windows operating system but in your client adapter’s firmware and the Cisco software that
supports it. RADIUS servers that support LEAP include Cisco Secure ACS version 2.6 and greater,
Cisco Access Registrar version 1.7 and greater, and Funk Software’s Steel-Belted RADIUS version
3.0 and greater.
LEAP is enabled or disabled for a specific profile through ACU, provided LEAP was selected during
ACU installation. Once enabled, a variety of configuration options are available, including how and
when a username and password are entered to begin the authentication process.
The username and password are used by the client adapter to perform mutual authentication with the
RADIUS server through the access point. The username and password are stored in the client adapter’s
volatile memory; therefore, they are temporary and need to be re-entered whenever power is removed
from the adapter, typically due to the client adapter being ejected or the system powering down.
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Note
•
If LEAP was not selected during installation, the LEAP option is unavailable in ACU. If you
want to be able to enable and disable LEAP, you must run the installation program again and
select Modify and LEAP.
Host Based EAP – Selecting this option enables you to use any 802.1X authentication type for
which your operating system has built-in support. For example, Windows XP has built-in support
for both EAP-TLS and EAP-MD5.
– EAP-TLS – EAP-TLS is enabled or disabled through the operating system and uses a dynamic,
session-based WEP key, which is derived from the client adapter and RADIUS server, to encrypt
data. Once enabled, a few configuration parameters must be set within the operating system.
RADIUS servers that support EAP-TLS include Cisco Secure ACS version 3.0 and greater and
Cisco Access Registrar version 1.8 and greater.
Note
EAP-TLS requires the use of a certificate. Refer to Microsoft’s documentation for
information on downloading and installing the certificate.
– EAP-MD5 – EAP-MD5 is enabled or disabled through the operating system and uses static
WEP to encrypt data. EAP-MD5 requires you to enter a separate EAP username and password
(in addition to your standard Windows network login) in order to start the EAP authentication
process and gain access to the network.
RADIUS servers that support EAP-MD5 include Cisco Secure ACS version 3.0 and greater and
Cisco Access Registrar version 1.8 and greater.
Note
Note
If you want to authenticate without encrypting the data that is transmitted over your
network, you can use EAP-MD5 without static WEP.
Although EAP-TLS and EAP-MD5 are enabled in the operating system, you can set up
profiles in ACU to use these authentication types. To do so, follow the instructions in the
“Enabling Host-Based EAP” section on page 5-31.
When you enable Network-EAP on your access point and configure your client adapter for LEAP,
EAP-TLS, or EAP-MD5 using ACU or enable Require EAP on your access point and configure your
client adapter for EAP-TLS or EAP-MD5 using Windows XP, authentication to the network occurs in
the following sequence:
1.
The client associates to an access point and begins the authentication process.
Note
2.
The client does not gain access to the network until mutual authentication between the client
and the RADIUS server is successful.
Communicating through the access point, the client and RADIUS server complete a mutual
authentication process, with the password (or certificate for EAP-TLS) being the shared secret for
authentication. The password (or certificate) is never transmitted during the process.
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Note
The authentication process is now complete for EAP-MD5. For LEAP or EAP-TLS, the
process continues.
3.
If mutual authentication is successful, the client and RADIUS server derive a dynamic,
session-based WEP key that is unique to the client.
4.
The RADIUS server transmits the key to the access point using a secure channel on the wired LAN.
5.
For the length of a session, or time period, the access point and the client use this key to encrypt or
decrypt all unicast packets that travel between them.
Refer to the “Enabling LEAP” section on page 5-28 for instructions on enabling LEAP or to the
“Enabling Host-Based EAP” section on page 5-31 for instructions on enabling EAP-TLS or EAP-MD5.
Note
Refer to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for more information on 802.1X authentication and to the following
URL for additional information on RADIUS servers:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios120/12cgcr/secur_c/scprt2/scrad.htm
Additional WEP Key Security Features
The three security features discussed in this section (MIC, TKIP, and broadcast key rotation) are
designed to prevent sophisticated attacks on your wireless network’s WEP keys. These features are
supported in the following client adapter software releases:
•
PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 4.25.23 or greater and PCM/LMC/PCI card driver version
8.01 or greater
•
Mini PCI card firmware version 5.0 or greater and mini PCI card driver version 2.20 or greater
•
PC-Cardbus card firmware version 4.99 or greater and PC-Cardbus driver 3.4.9 or greater
These features do not need to be enabled on the client adapter; they are supported automatically in the
firmware and driver versions listed above. However, they must be enabled on the access point.
Note
Access point firmware version 11.10T or greater is required to enable these security features. Refer to
the Cisco Aironet Access Point Software Configuration Guide for instructions on enabling these security
features on the access point.
Message Integrity Check (MIC)
MIC prevents bit-flip attacks on encrypted packets. During a bit-flip attack, an intruder intercepts an
encrypted message, alters it slightly, and retransmits it, and the receiver accepts the retransmitted
message as legitimate. The MIC adds a few bytes to each packet to make the packets tamper-proof.
The Status screen indicates if MIC is being used, and the Statistics screen provides MIC statistics.
Note
If you enable MIC on the access point, your client adapter’s driver must support these features;
otherwise, the client cannot associate.
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Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)
This feature, also referred to as WEP key hashing, defends against an attack on WEP in which the
intruder uses the initialization vector (IV) in encrypted packets to calculate the WEP key. TKIP removes
the predictability that an intruder relies on to determine the WEP key by exploiting IVs. It protects both
unicast and broadcast WEP keys.
Note
If you enable TKIP on the access point, your client adapter’s firmware must support these features;
otherwise, the client cannot associate.
Broadcast Key Rotation
EAP authentication provides dynamic unicast WEP keys for client devices but uses static broadcast, or
multicast, keys. When you enable broadcast WEP key rotation, the access point provides a dynamic
broadcast WEP key and changes it at the interval you select. When you enable this feature, only wireless
client devices using LEAP or EAP-TLS authentication can associate to the access point. Client devices
using static WEP (with open, shared key, or EAP-MD5 authentication) cannot associate.
Synchronizing Security Features
In order to use any of the security features discussed in this section, both your client adapter and the
access point to which it will associate must be set appropriately. Table 5-6 indicates the client and access
point settings required for each security feature. This chapter provides specific instructions for enabling
the security features on your client adapter. Refer to the Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
Configuration Guide for instructions on enabling the features on the access point.
Table 5-6
Client and Access Point Security Settings
Security Feature
Client Setting
Access Point Setting
Static WEP with open
authentication
Create a WEP key and enable Use
Static WEP Keys and Open
Authentication
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Open Authentication
Static WEP with shared key Create a WEP key and enable Use
authentication
Static WEP Keys and Shared Key
Authentication
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Shared Key Authentication
LEAP authentication
Enable LEAP
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Network-EAP
If using ACU to
configure card
Enable Host Based EAP in ACU
and enable Smart Card or Other
Certificate in Windows XP
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Network-EAP
If using Windows XP
to configure card
Enable Smart Card or other
Certificate
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Require EAP and Open
Authentication
EAP-TLS authentication
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Table 5-6
Client and Access Point Security Settings (continued)
Security Feature
Client Setting
Access Point Setting
If using ACU to
configure card
Enable Host Based EAP in ACU
and enable MD5-Challenge in
Windows XP
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Network-EAP
If using Windows XP
to configure card
Enable MD5-Challenge
Set up and enable WEP and enable
Require EAP and Open
Authentication
EAP-MD5 authentication
MIC
Set up and enable WEP with full
Use PCM/LMC/PCI card driver
encryption, set MIC to MMH, and
version 8.01 or greater, mini PCI
card driver version 2.20 or greater, set Use Aironet Extensions to Yes
or PC-Cardbus card driver version
3.4.9 or greater
TKIP
Use PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware Set up and enable WEP, set TKIP to
Cisco, and set Use Aironet
version 4.25.23 or greater, mini
Extensions to Yes
PCI card firmware version 5.0 or
greater, or PC-Cardbus card
firmware version 4.99 or greater
Broadcast key rotation
Use PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware
version 4.25.23 or greater, mini
PCI card firmware version 5.0 or
greater, or PC-Cardbus card
firmware version 4.99 or greater
and enable LEAP
Set up and enable WEP and set
Broadcast WEP Key Rotation
Interval to any value other than
zero (0)
Using Static WEP
This section provides instructions for entering new static WEP keys or overwriting existing static WEP
keys.
Entering a New Static WEP Key
Follow the steps below to enter a new static WEP key for this profile.
Step 1
Select None from the Network Security Type drop-down box on the Network Security screen.
Step 2
Select Use Static WEP Keys under WEP.
Step 3
Select one of the following WEP key entry methods:
•
Hexadecimal (0-9, A-F) – Specifies that the WEP key will be entered in hexadecimal characters,
which include 0-9, A-F, and a-f.
•
ASCII Text – Specifies that the WEP key will be entered in ASCII text, which includes alpha
characters, numbers, and punctuation marks.
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Step 4
Select one of the following access point authentication options, which defines how your client adapter
will attempt to authenticate to an access point:
•
Open Authentication – Allows your client adapter, regardless of its WEP settings, to authenticate
and attempt to communicate with an access point. Open Authentication is the default setting.
•
Shared Key Authentication – Allows your client adapter to communicate only with access points
that have the same WEP key. This option is available only if Use Static WEP Keys is selected.
In shared key authentication, the access point sends a known unencrypted “challenge packet” to the
client adapter, which encrypts the packet and sends it back to the access point. The access point
attempts to decrypt the encrypted packet and sends an authentication response packet indicating the
success or failure of the decryption back to the client adapter. If the packet is successfully
encrypted/decrypted, the user is considered to be authenticated.
Note
Cisco recommends that shared key authentication not be used because it presents a security
risk.
Step 5
For the static WEP key that you are entering (1, 2, 3, or 4), select a WEP key size of 40 or 128 on the
right side of the screen. 128-bit client adapters can use 40- or 128-bit keys, but 40-bit adapters can use
only 40-bit keys. If 128 bit is not supported by the client adapter, this option is grayed out, and you are
unable to select it.
Step 6
Obtain the static WEP key from your system administrator and enter it in the blank field for the key you
are creating. Follow the guidelines below to enter a new static WEP key:
•
WEP keys must contain the following number of characters:
– 10 hexadecimal characters or 5 ASCII text characters for 40-bit keys
Example: 5A5A313859 (hexadecimal) or ZZ18Y (ASCII)
– 26 hexadecimal characters or 13 ASCII text characters for 128-bit keys
Example: 5A583135333554595549333534 (hexadecimal) or ZX1535TYUI354 (ASCII)
•
Your client adapter’s WEP key must match the WEP key used by the access point (in infrastructure
mode) or clients (in ad hoc mode) with which you are planning to communicate.
•
When setting more than one WEP key, the keys must be assigned to the same WEP key numbers for
all devices. For example, WEP key 2 must be WEP key number 2 on all devices. When multiple
WEP keys are set, they must be in the same order on all devices.
Note
After you enter a WEP key, you can write over it, but you cannot edit or delete it.
Step 7
Click the Transmit Key button to the left of the key you want to use to transmit packets. Only one WEP
key can be selected as the transmit key.
Step 8
Click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen; then click OK or Apply to save your changes.
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Overwriting an Existing Static WEP Key
Follow the steps below to overwrite an existing static WEP key.
Note
Step 1
You can overwrite existing WEP keys, but you cannot edit or delete them.
Look at the current WEP key settings in the middle of the Network Security screen. A checkmark
appears in the Already Set? box for all existing static WEP keys.
Note
For security reasons, the codes for existing static WEP keys do not appear on the screen.
Step 2
Decide which existing static WEP key you want to overwrite.
Step 3
Click within the blank field of that key.
Step 4
Enter a new key, following the guidelines outlined in Step 6 of the “Entering a New Static WEP Key”
section on page 5-26.
Step 5
Make sure the Transmit Key button to the left of your key is selected, if you want this key to be used to
transmit packets.
Step 6
Click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen; then click OK or Apply to save your changes
Disabling Static WEP
If you ever need to disable static WEP for a particular profile, select No WEP under WEP on the
Network Security screen, click OK, and click OK or Apply on the Profile Manager screen.
Note
Selecting LEAP from the Network Security Type drop-down box on the Network Security screen
disables static WEP automatically.
Enabling LEAP
Note
LEAP authentication is supported only on client adapters that support WEP and use PCM/LMC/PCI card
firmware version 4.13 or greater, mini PCI card firmware version 5.0 or greater, or PC-Cardbus firmware
version 4.99 or greater.
Note
In order to use LEAP authentication, your client adapter and access point firmware must have matching
802.1X draft standards. That is, if the access point uses draft 8 firmware (prior to 11.06) or has draft 8
selected, the client adapter must use draft 8 firmware (prior to 4.25.x). Similarly, if the access point uses
draft 10 firmware (11.06 or later) and has draft 10 selected, the client adapter must use draft 10 firmware
(4.25.x or later). Mini PCI firmware and PC-Cardbus card firmware were first released at draft 10.
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Follow the steps below to enable LEAP authentication for this profile.
Step 1
Step 2
Select LEAP from the Network Security Type drop-down box on the bottom of the Network Security
screen.
Note
When you select this option, dynamic WEP is set automatically.
Note
The LEAP option is available only if you selected LEAP during the ACU installation process
and the firmware supports it.
Click Configure to the right of the Network Security Type drop-down box. The LEAP Settings screen
appears (see Figure 5-6).
Figure 5-6
LEAP Settings Screen
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Step 3
Step 4
Select one of the following LEAP username and password setting options:
•
Use Temporary User Name and Password – Requires you to enter the LEAP username and
password each time the computer reboots in order to authenticate and gain access to the network.
•
Use Saved User Name and Password – Does not require you to enter a LEAP username and
password each time the computer reboots. Authentication occurs automatically as needed using a
saved username and password (which are registered with the RADIUS server).
Note
The Use Saved User Name and Password option is available only if the Allow Saved LEAP
User Name and Password checkbox was selected during installation.
Note
If a profile is using LEAP, it can be included in auto profile selection only if it has a saved
user name and password. The Include Profile In Auto Profile Selection checkbox on the
Profile Manager screen is grayed out and cannot be selected for profiles that are using LEAP
without a saved user name and password.
Perform one of the following:
•
If you selected Use Temporary User Name and Password in Step 3, select one of the following
options:
– Use Windows User Name and Password – Causes your Windows username and password to
also serve as your LEAP username and password, giving you only one set of credentials to
remember. After you log in, the LEAP authentication process begins automatically. This option
is the default setting.
– Automatically Prompt for LEAP User Name and Password – Requires you to enter a
separate LEAP username and password (which are registered with the RADIUS server) in
addition to your regular Windows login in order to start the LEAP authentication process.
– Manually Prompt for LEAP User Name and Password – Requires you to manually invoke
the LEAP authentication process as needed using the Manual LEAP Login option from the
Commands drop-down menu. You are not prompted to enter a LEAP username and password
during the Windows login. This option might be used to support a SoftToken one-time password
system or other systems that require additional software that is not available at login.
•
If you selected Use Saved User Name and Password in Step 3, follow the steps below:
a.
Enter a username and password in the appropriate fields.
Note
Usernames and passwords are limited to 32 ASCII characters each. However, if a
domain name is entered in the Domain field, the sum of the username and domain name
is limited to 31 ASCII characters.
b.
Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password field.
c.
If you wish to specify a domain name that will be passed to the RADIUS server along with your
username, enter it in the Domain field.
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Step 5
If you work in an environment with multiple domains and, therefore, want your Windows login domain
to be passed to the RADIUS server along with your username, select the Include Windows Login
Domain With User Name checkbox. The default setting is selected.
Note
If you selected to use a saved username and password but do not select the Include Windows
Login Domain With User Name checkbox, the Domain field becomes unavailable, and a domain
name is not passed to the RADIUS server.
Step 6
If you want to force the client adapter to disassociate after you log off so that another user cannot gain
access to the wireless network using your credentials, select the No Network Connection Unless User
is Logged In checkbox. The default setting is selected.
Step 7
In the LEAP Authentication Timeout Value field, enter the amount of time (in seconds) before a LEAP
authentication is considered to be failed and an error message appears.
Range: 10 to 300 seconds
Default: 90 seconds
Step 8
Click OK to exit the LEAP Settings screen.
Step 9
Click OK to exit the Network Security screen and return to the Profile Manager screen. On the Profile
Manager screen, click OK or Apply to save your changes
Note
Chapter 6 describes the sequence of events that occurs when a profile that is set for LEAP authentication
is selected for use.
Enabling Host-Based EAP
Note
Host-based EAP authentication is supported only on client adapters that support WEP and use
PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 4.13 or greater, mini PCI card firmware version 5.0 or greater, or
PC-Cardbus card firmware version 4.99 or greater.
Note
In order to use EAP-TLS or EAP-MD5 authentication, your client adapter and access point must use
802.1X draft standard 10 firmware.
Follow the steps below to enable host-based EAP authentication (such as EAP-TLS or EAP-MD5) for
this profile.
Step 1
Select Host Based EAP from the Network Security Type drop-down box on the Network Security
screen.
Note
The Host Based EAP option is available only if your computer’s operating system has built-in
EAP support, such as Windows XP.
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Setting Network Security Parameters
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 2
Perform one of the following:
•
If you are planning to use EAP-TLS authentication, select Use Dynamic WEP Keys under WEP.
•
If you are planning to use EAP-MD5 authentication with static WEP, select Use Static WEP Keys
under WEP.
•
If you are planning to use EAP-MD5 authentication without WEP, select No WEP under WEP.
Step 3
If you are planning to use EAP-MD5 authentication with static WEP, follow Step 3 through Step 7 in the
“Entering a New Static WEP Key” section to create a new static WEP key or follow the steps in the
“Overwriting an Existing Static WEP Key” section to overwrite an existing static WEP key.
Step 4
Click OK to return to the Profile Manager screen.
Step 5
Click OK or Apply on the Profile Manager screen to save your changes.
Step 6
On your computer desktop, double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network Connections.
Note
These instructions assume you are using Windows XP’s classic view rather than its category
view.
Step 7
Right-click Wireless Network Connection.
Step 8
Click Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties screen appears.
Step 9
Click the Authentication tab. The following screen appears (see Figure 5-7).
Figure 5-7
Wireless Network Connection Properties Screen (Authentication Tab)
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Setting Network Security Parameters
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Step 10
Select the Enable network access control using IEEE 802.1X checkbox.
Step 11
Perform one of the following:
Step 12
•
If you are planning to use EAP-TLS, select Smart Card or other Certificate for EAP type; then
go to Step 12.
•
If you are planning to use EAP-MD5, select MD5-Challenge for EAP type; then go to Step 16.
Click Properties. The Smart Card or other Certificate Properties screen appears (see Figure 5-8).
Figure 5-8
Smart Card or other Certificate Properties Screen
Step 13
Select the Use a certificate on this computer option.
Step 14
Select the Validate server certificate checkbox.
Step 15
Make sure that the name of the certificate authority from which the EAP-TLS certificate was
downloaded appears in the Trusted root certificate authority field.
Step 16
Click OK to save your settings. The configuration is complete.
Note
Chapter 6 describes the sequence of events that occurs when a profile that is set for EAP authentication
is selected for use.
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Configuring the Client Adapter
Setting Network Security Parameters
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Disabling LEAP or Host-Based EAP
If you ever need to disable LEAP or host-based EAP for a particular profile, follow the instructions
below for your EAP authentication type.
Disabling LEAP
To disable LEAP for a particular profile, select None from the Network Security Type drop-down box
on the Network Security screen in ACU, click OK, and click OK or Apply on the Profile Manager
screen.
Disabling Host-Based EAP
To disable host-based EAP (EAP-TLS or EAP-MD5) for a particular profile, follow the steps below:
Step 1
Select None from the Network Security Type drop-down box on the Network Security screen in ACU
and click OK.
Step 2
Click OK or Apply on the Profile Manager screen.
Step 3
On your computer desktop, double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network Connections.
Step 4
Right-click Wireless Network Connection.
Step 5
Click Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties screen appears.
Step 6
Click the Authentication tab.
Step 7
Deselect the Enable network access control using IEEE 802.1X checkbox.
Step 8
Click OK.
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Using EAP Authentication
This chapter explains the sequence of events that occurs and the actions you must take when a profile
that is set for EAP authentication is selected for use.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Overview, page 6-2
•
Using LEAP with the Windows Username and Password, page 6-2
•
Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login, page 6-4
•
Using LEAP with a Manually Prompted Login, page 6-8
•
Using LEAP with a Saved Username and Password, page 6-10
•
Using Host-Based EAP, page 6-11
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Using EAP Authentication
Overview
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Overview
This chapter explains the sequence of events that occurs as soon as you or ACU’s auto profile selection
feature selects a profile that uses EAP authentication as well as after you eject and reinsert the client
adapter, reboot the computer, log off while this profile is selected, or are informed that your username
and password have expired. The chapter contains five sections based on the profile’s authentication type
and its username and password settings: LEAP (with the Windows username and password, with an
automatically prompted login, with a manually prompted login, or with a saved username and password)
or host-based EAP.
When LEAP authentication begins, the “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears. This
message provides information about the status of authentication. Table 6-1 lists and explains the stages
of LEAP authentication.
Table 6-1
Stages of LEAP Authentication
Status Message
Explanation
Starting LEAP Authentication
The client adapter associates to an access point, and the LEAP
authentication process begins.
Checking Link Status
The client adapter is LEAP authenticated, and the network
connection is verified.
Renewing IP Address
If DHCP is enabled, the IP address is released and renewed.
Finding Domain Controller
If you are logging into a domain and the active profile
specifies that the domain name be included, an attempt is
made to find the domain controller to make sure subsequent
access to the domain is successful.
Follow the instructions for your profile’s authentication type and credential settings to successfully
authenticate.
Using LEAP with the Windows Username and Password
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
After you (or auto profile selection) select a profile that uses LEAP authentication and specifies that your
Windows username and password also serve as your LEAP username and password or you eject and
reinsert the client adapter while this profile is selected, the following events occur:
1.
The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
2.
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication
field on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has
expired. Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
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Using EAP Authentication
Using LEAP with the Windows Username and Password
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
After a Reboot/Logoff
After your computer reboots or you log off, follow the steps below to LEAP authenticate.
Step 1
When the Windows login screen appears (see Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2), enter your Windows username
and password and click OK. The domain name is optional.
Note
If your computer is running Windows NT, 2000, or XP and has Novell Client 32 software
installed, a separate LEAP login screen appears before the Novell login screen. If this occurs,
enter your Windows and Novell username and password in the login screens and click OK.
Figure 6-1
Windows Login Screen (Windows 95, 98, and Me)
Figure 6-2
Windows Login Screen (Windows 2000)
Note
The Windows login screens shown above appear on computers running Windows 95, 98, and
Me (Figure 6-1) and Windows 2000 (Figure 6-2), respectively. The login screen looks
slightly different on computers running Windows NT and XP.
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Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login
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The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
Step 2
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication field
on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has expired.
Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
Step 3
Windows continues to log you onto the system.
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
If the LEAP credentials (username and password) for your current profile expire or become invalid,
follow the steps below to reauthenticate.
Note
If your computer is running Windows NT, 2000, or XP and you change your Windows password
using the standard Windows Change Password function, the client will update the LEAP password
automatically and maintain its connection to the access point if the current profile uses the Windows
username and password. If your computer is running Windows 95, 98, or Me and you change your
Windows password, the client will lose association from the access point, and you will be prompted
to enter your new credentials.
Step 1
Click OK when the following message appears: “The user name and password entered for profile 'xxx' are
no longer valid and have failed the LEAP authentication. Please enter a new user name and password.”
Step 2
When the Windows login screen appears, enter your new username and password and click OK. The
client adapter should authenticate using your new credentials.
Note
If you click Cancel rather than OK on the Windows login screen, the following message
appears: “The current profile will be disabled until the system restarts or you eject and
reinsert the card. Are you sure?” If you click No, the Windows login reappears and allows
you to enter your new credentials. If you click Yes, the current profile is disabled until you
reboot your computer or eject and reinsert the card. The Current Profile field on the Status
screen lists the profile as being “Disabled.”
Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
After you (or auto profile selection) select a profile that uses LEAP authentication but specifies that you
be automatically prompted to enter a separate LEAP username and password or you eject and reinsert
the client adapter while this profile is selected, follow the steps below to LEAP authenticate.
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Using EAP Authentication
Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 1
When the LEAP login screen appears (see Figure 6-3), enter your LEAP username and password and
click OK. The domain name is optional.
Figure 6-3
Note
LEAP Login Screen
The LEAP login screen shown above appears on computers running Windows NT, 2000, or
XP. The LEAP login screen looks slightly different on computers running other Windows
operating systems.
The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
Step 2
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication field
on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has expired.
Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
After a Reboot/Logoff
After your computer reboots or you log off, follow the steps below to LEAP authenticate.
Step 1
When the LEAP login screen appears (see Figure 6-4), enter your LEAP username and password and
click OK. The domain name is optional.
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Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login
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Figure 6-4
Note
LEAP Login Screen
The LEAP login screen shown above appears on computers running Windows NT, 2000, or
XP. The LEAP login screen looks slightly different on computers running other Windows
operating systems.
The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
Step 2
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication field
on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has expired.
Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
Step 3
When the network login screen appears (see Figure 6-5 and Figure 6-6), enter your network username
and password and click OK.
Note
Figure 6-5 shows an example network login screen that may appear on computers running
Windows 95, 98, and Me. Your screen may look different. Figure 6-6 shows the network
login screen that appears on Windows 2000 systems. The login screen looks slightly different
on computers running Windows NT and XP.
Figure 6-5
Network Login Screen (Windows 95, 98, and Me)
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Using LEAP with an Automatically Prompted Login
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Figure 6-6
Network Login Screen (Windows 2000)
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
If the LEAP credentials (username and password) for your current profile expire or become invalid,
follow the steps below to reauthenticate.
Step 1
Click OK when the following message appears: “The user name and password entered for profile 'xxx' are
no longer valid and have failed the LEAP authentication. Please enter a new user name and password.”
Step 2
When the LEAP login screen appears, enter your new username and password and click OK. The client
adapter should authenticate using your new credentials.
Note
If you click Cancel rather than OK on the LEAP login screen, the following message appears:
“The current profile will be disabled until the system restarts or you eject and reinsert the
card. Are you sure?” If you click No, the LEAP login reappears and allows you to enter your
new credentials. If you click Yes, the current profile is disabled until you reboot your
computer or eject and reinsert the card. The Current Profile field on the Status screen lists
the profile as being “Disabled.”
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Using EAP Authentication
Using LEAP with a Manually Prompted Login
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Using LEAP with a Manually Prompted Login
After Profile Selection
After you (or auto profile selection) select a profile that uses LEAP authentication but specifies that the
process be manually invoked, follow the steps below to LEAP authenticate.
Step 1
When the LEAP login screen appears (see Figure 6-7), enter your LEAP username and password and
click OK. The domain name is optional.
Figure 6-7
Note
LEAP Login Screen
The LEAP login screen shown above appears on computers running Windows NT, 2000, or
XP. The LEAP login screen looks slightly different on computers running other Windows
operating systems.
The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
Step 2
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication field
on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has expired.
Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
After a Reboot/Logoff/Card Insertion
After your computer reboots, you log off, or you eject and reinsert the client adapter, the adapter does
not automatically attempt to authenticate. You must manually invoke the authentication process. To do
so, follow the steps below.
Step 1
If you rebooted your computer or logged off, complete your standard Windows login.
Step 2
Double-click the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) icon on your desktop to open ACU.
Step 3
Select the Manual LEAP Login option from the Commands drop-down menu (see Figure 6-8).
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Using LEAP with a Manually Prompted Login
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Figure 6-8
Step 4
Commands Drop-Down Menu
When the LEAP login screen appears (see Figure 6-9), enter your LEAP username and password and
click OK. The domain name is optional.
Figure 6-9
Note
LEAP Login Screen
The LEAP login screen shown above appears on computers running Windows NT, 2000, or
XP. The LEAP login screen looks slightly different on computers running other Windows
operating systems.
The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
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Using EAP Authentication
Using LEAP with a Saved Username and Password
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Step 5
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication field
on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has expired.
Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
If the LEAP credentials (username and password) for your current profile expire or become invalid,
follow the steps below to reauthenticate.
Step 1
Click OK when the following message appears: “The user name and password entered for profile 'xxx' are
no longer valid and have failed the LEAP authentication. Please enter a new user name and password.”
Step 2
When the LEAP login screen appears, enter your new username and password and click OK. The client
adapter should authenticate using your new credentials.
Note
If you click Cancel rather than OK on the LEAP login screen, the following message appears:
“The current profile will be disabled until the system restarts or you eject and reinsert the
card. Are you sure?” If you click No, the LEAP login reappears and allows you to enter your
new credentials. If you click Yes, the current profile is disabled until you reboot your
computer or eject and reinsert the card. The Current Profile field on the Status screen lists
the profile as being “Disabled.”
Using LEAP with a Saved Username and Password
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
After you (or auto profile selection) select a profile that uses LEAP authentication with a saved LEAP
username and password or you eject and reinsert the client adapter while this profile is selected, the
following events occur:
1.
The “LEAP Authentication in progress” message appears.
2.
If your client adapter authenticates, the message disappears, and the Server Based Authentication
field on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has
expired. Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
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Using EAP Authentication
Using Host-Based EAP
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After a Reboot/Logoff
After your computer reboots or you log off, the following events occur:
1.
After you enter your Windows username and password, the LEAP authentication process begins
automatically using your saved LEAP username and password.
2.
If your client adapter authenticates, the “LEAP Authentication in progress” message disappears, and
the Server Based Authentication field on the ACU Status screen shows “LEAP Authenticated.”
If the authentication attempt fails, an error message appears after the LEAP timeout period has
expired. Refer to the “Error Messages” section in Chapter 9 for the necessary action to take.
3.
Windows continues to log you onto the system.
After Your LEAP Credentials Expire
If the LEAP credentials (username and password) for your current profile expire or become invalid,
follow the steps below to reauthenticate.
Step 1
Click OK when the following message appears: “The user name and password entered for saved profile
'xxx' are no longer valid and have failed the LEAP authentication. Please enter a new user name and password.
Please also remember to change them permanently in the saved profile using the ACU Profile Manager.”
Step 2
When the LEAP login screen appears, enter your new username and password and click OK. The client
adapter should authenticate using your new credentials.
Note
If you click Cancel rather than OK on the LEAP login screen, the following message appears:
“The current profile will be disabled until the system restarts or you eject and reinsert the
card. Are you sure?” If you click No, the LEAP login reappears and allows you to enter your
new credentials. If you click Yes, the current profile is disabled until you reboot your
computer or eject and reinsert the card. The Current Profile field on the Status screen lists
the profile as being “Disabled.”
Step 3
Edit the profile in ACU by changing the saved username and password on the LEAP Settings screen.
Step 4
Save the changes to your profile.
Using Host-Based EAP
After Profile Selection/Card Insertion
After you (or auto profile selection) select a profile that uses host-based EAP authentication or you eject
and reinsert the client adapter while this profile is selected, follow the steps below for either EAP-TLS
or EAP-MD5 to EAP authenticate.
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Using Host-Based EAP
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EAP-TLS
Step 1
If a pop-up message appears above the Windows system tray informing you that you need to accept a
certificate to begin the EAP authentication process, click the message and follow the instructions
provided to accept the certificate.
Note
You should not have to accept a certificate for future authentication attempts. The same
certificate, which is tied to your standard Windows network login, will be used.
Step 2
The client adapter should now EAP authenticate. To verify authentication, double-click My Computer,
Control Panel, and Network Connections. The status appears to the right of your Wireless Network
Connection. If the client adapter is authenticated, the status reads, “Authentication succeeded.” The
status line also indicates if the authentication attempt fails.
Step 1
When a pop-up message appears above the Windows system tray informing you that you need to enter
your credentials to access the network, click the message. The Wireless Network Connection screen
appears.
Step 2
Enter your EAP-MD5 authentication username, password, and optional domain name (which are
registered with the RADIUS server) and click OK.
Step 3
The client adapter should now EAP authenticate. To verify authentication, double-click My Computer,
Control Panel, and Network Connections. The status appears to the right of your Wireless Network
Connection. If the client adapter is authenticated, the status reads, “Authentication succeeded.” The
status line also indicates if the authentication attempt fails.
EAP-MD5
After a Reboot/Logoff
EAP-TLS
After your computer reboots or you log off and you enter your Windows username and password, the
EAP authentication process begins automatically and the client adapter should EAP authenticate.
To verify authentication, double-click My Computer, Control Panel, and Network Connections. The
status is displayed to the right of your Wireless Network Connection. If the client adapter is
authenticated, the status reads, “Authentication succeeded.” The status line also indicates if the
authentication attempt fails.
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Using Host-Based EAP
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EAP-MD5
After your computer reboots or you log off and you enter your Windows username and password, follow
the steps below to EAP authenticate.
Step 1
When a pop-up message appears above the Windows system tray informing you that you need to enter
your credentials to access the network, click the message. The Wireless Network Connection screen
appears.
Step 2
Enter your EAP-MD5 authentication username, password, and optional domain name (which are
registered with the RADIUS server) and click OK.
Step 3
The client adapter should now EAP authenticate. To verify authentication, double-click My Computer,
Control Panel, and Network Connections. The status appears to the right of your Wireless Network
Connection. If the client adapter is authenticated, the status reads, “Authentication succeeded.” The
status line also indicates if the authentication attempt fails.
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Using EAP Authentication
Using Host-Based EAP
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
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Performing Diagnostics
This chapter explains how to use ACU to perform user-level diagnostics.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•
Overview of ACU Diagnostic Tools, page 7-2
•
Setting Parameters that Affect ACU Diagnostic Tools, page 7-2
•
Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter, page 7-4
•
Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter, page 7-12
•
Viewing the Link Status Meter, page 7-16
•
Running an RF Link Test, page 7-18
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Performing Diagnostics
Overview of ACU Diagnostic Tools
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Overview of ACU Diagnostic Tools
In addition to enabling you to configure your client adapter for use in various types of networks, ACU
provides tools that enable you to assess the performance of the client adapter and other devices on the
wireless network. ACU diagnostic tools perform the following functions:
•
Display your client adapter’s current status and configured settings
•
Display statistics pertaining to your client adapter’s transmission and reception of data
•
Display a graphical image of your client adapter’s RF link
•
Run an RF link test to assess the performance of the RF link between your client adapter and its
associated access point
Table 7-1 enables you to quickly locate the instructions for using each of the diagnostic tools.
Table 7-1
Locating Diagnostic Instructions
Diagnostic Tool
Page Number
Status
7-4
Statistics
7-12
Link status meter
7-16
RF link test
7-18
Setting Parameters that Affect ACU Diagnostic Tools
Several parameters affect the operation of ACU diagnostic tools. Follow the steps below to set these
parameters.
Step 1
Double-click the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) icon on your desktop to open ACU.
Step 2
Click the Preferences icon or select Preferences from the Options drop-down menu. The Aironet Client
Utility Preferences screen appears (see Figure 7-1).
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Setting Parameters that Affect ACU Diagnostic Tools
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Figure 7-1
Step 3
Aironet Client Utility Preferences Screen
Table 7-2 lists and describes the parameters that affect the operation of ACU diagnostic tools. Follow
the instructions in the table to change any parameters.
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Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter
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Table 7-2
Parameters Affecting ACU Diagnostic Tools
Parameter
Description
Screen Update Timer
(seconds between updates)
Specifies how often the Status and Statistics screens are updated. You
can type a number in the edit box or use the slider to change this value.
Range:
1 to 60 seconds between updates (in 1-second increments)
Default: 1 second between updates
Signal Strength Display Units Specifies the units used to display signal strength on the Status,
Linktest, and Site Survey screens.
Default: Percent
Units
Description
Percent
Displays the signal strength as a
percentage.
dBm
Displays the signal strength in decibels
with respect to milliwatts.
Note
Show History
dBm can be selected only if your client adapter is using
PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 3.92 or greater, mini PCI
card firmware version 5.0 or greater, or PC-Cardbus card
firmware version 4.99 or greater.
Selecting this checkbox causes the Link Status Meter graphical display
to show a recent history of the RF performance between your client
adapter and its associated access point. Black dots on the graphical
display show the performance of the last 50 signals.
Default: Selected
Step 4
Click OK to save your changes.
Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter
ACU enables you to view the current status of your client adapter as well as many of the settings that
have been configured for the adapter.
To view your client adapter’s status and settings, open ACU; then click the Status icon or select Status
from the Commands drop-down menu. The Status screen appears. Figure 7-2 shows the Status screen
with the signal strength values displayed as percentages, and Figure 7-3 shows the bottom of the same
screen with the signal strength values displayed in decibels with respect to milliwatts (dBm).
Note
The name of the current profile appears in parentheses at the top of the screen.
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Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter
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Figure 7-2
Status Screen (with Signal Strength as a Percentage)
Figure 7-3
Bottom of Status Screen (with Signal Strength in dBm)
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Table 7-3 interprets each element of the Status screen.
Table 7-3
Client Adapter Status
Status
Description
Device
A description of your client adapter.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer of your client adapter.
Firmware Version
The version of the firmware that is currently running on your client
adapter.
Boot Block Version
The version of the boot block firmware that is currently in your client
adapter. The boot block firmware contains identification information
for the client adapter and functions to start up the radio and pass control
to the main firmware, which (unlike the boot block) can be modified
and upgraded by the user.
NDIS Driver Version
The version of the NDIS device driver that is currently installed on your
computer.
Default Profile
The network configuration (or profile) shown in the Use Selected
Profile drop-down box on the Profile Manager screen, if your driver
supports auto profile selection. This is the profile that you have selected
as the active profile.
Current Profile
Note
The current profile may be different than the default profile if
you are using auto profile selection. The client adapter will not
switch profiles as long as it remains associated to the access
point or reassociates within 10 seconds (or within the time
specified by the LEAP authentication timeout value if LEAP is
enabled). Refer to Chapter 4 for information on creating and
using profiles.
Note
Auto profile selection is supported in PCM/LMC/PCI card
driver version 8.01 and greater (or mini PCI/PC-Cardbus card
driver version 2.20 and greater).
The network configuration (or profile) your client adapter is currently
using, if your driver supports auto profile selection.
Note
The current profile may be different than the default profile if
you are using auto profile selection. The client adapter does not
switch profiles as long as it remains associated to the access
point or reassociates within 10 seconds (or within the time
specified by the LEAP authentication timeout value if LEAP is
enabled). Refer to Chapter 4 for information on creating and
using profiles.
Note
If your current profile becomes disabled due to an invalid LEAP
username and password, this field lists the profile as (Disabled).
Note
Auto profile selection is supported in PCM/LMC/PCI card
driver version 8.01 and greater (or mini PCI/PC-Cardbus card
driver version 2.20 and greater).
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Table 7-3
Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status
Description
Using Short Radio Headers
Indicates whether your client adapter is actually using short radio
headers.
Value:
Using Message Integrity
Check
Yes or No
Note
This setting appears only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
Note
Refer to the Use Short Radio Headers parameter in Table 5-3
for information on using short radio headers.
Indicates whether your client adapter is using message integrity check
(MIC) to protect packets sent to and received from the access point.
MIC prevents bit-flip attacks on encrypted packets. During a bit-flip
attack, an intruder intercepts an encrypted message, alters it slightly,
and retransmits it, and the receiver accepts the retransmitted message
as legitimate. Client adapters using PCM/LMC/PCI card driver version
8.01 or greater and PCM/LMC/PCI card firmware version 4.25.23 or
greater (or mini PCI/PC-Cardbus card driver version 2.20 or greater and
mini PCI/PC-Cardbus card firmware version 5.0 or greater) support
MIC; however, MIC can be used only if it is also enabled on the access
point.
Note
Value:
Server Based Authentication
If the access point is using MIC, your client adapter’s driver
must support MIC; otherwise, the client will not be able to
associate.
Yes or No
Indicates the configuration of the access point to which your client
adapter is associated.
Value:
None, WEP Key In Use, Cell Is Secure, or LEAP
Authenticated
Server Based Authentication
Description
None
The access point is configured for No
Encryption.
WEP Key In Use
The access point is configured for
Optional encryption.
Cell Is Secure
The access point is configured for Full
Encryption.
Note
LEAP Authenticated
If the client’s current profile does
not have Allow Association To
Mixed Cells enabled, the client
can associate only to access points
that use full encryption.
The client is using LEAP and is
authenticated to an access point that has
WEP and Network-EAP enabled.
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Table 7-3
Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status
Description
WEP (Wired Equivalent
Privacy)
Your client adapter’s current WEP status.
Value:
Note
Authentication Type
Note
Refer to the “Setting Network Security Parameters” section on
page 5-20 for information on setting the authentication type.
Diversity, Primary Only, Secondary Only
(Primary Only is the only option available for PCI client
adapters)
Note
This setting appears only for 2.4-GHz client adapters.
Note
The Primary Only and Secondary Only values were formerly
named Right Only and Left Only, respectively. Refer to the
Antenna Mode (Receive) and Antenna Mode (Transmit)
parameters in Table 5-4 and Table 5-5 for information on
setting the antenna mode.
The regulatory domain for which your client adapter is currently
configured, such as Americas. (For the Japan channel set, the Call ID is
also displayed.) This value is not user selectable.
Note
Client Name
Open or Shared Key
The antenna mode that your client adapter is currently using.
Value:
Channel Set
Refer to the “Setting Network Security Parameters” section on
page 5-20 for information on enabling WEP.
Indicates whether the client adapter must share the same WEP keys as
the access point in order to communicate or can communicate with the
access point regardless of its WEP settings.
Value:
Antenna Selection
Enabled, Not Enabled, or Need Firmware Upgrade
Refer to Appendix D for a list of channel identifiers, channel
center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel.
The name your client adapter uses when it associates to an access point.
Note
Refer to the Client Name parameter in Table 5-2 for
information on setting the client name.
MAC Address
The MAC address assigned to your client adapter at the factory.
IP Address
The IP address of your client adapter.
Current Link Speed
The rate at which your client adapter is currently transmitting data
packets.
Value:
1, 2, 5.5, or 11 Mbps (2.4-GHz client adapters);
6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps (5-GHz client adapters)
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Table 7-3
Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status
Description
Data Rate
The rate at which your client adapter has been configured to transmit or
receive data packets.
Value:
Note
Current Power Level
Note
Note
Note
Refer to the Transmit Power parameter in Table 5-3 for
information on the client adapter’s available power levels.
Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Refer to the Channel parameter in Table 5-3 for information on
selecting the frequency for your client adapter.
Error, Configured, Associated, Not Associated, or
Ad Hoc Mode
The SSID that your client adapter is currently using.
Note
Network Type
1, 5, 15, 20, 30, 50, or 100 mW (350 series client adapters);
1, 5, 15, or 30 mW (340 series client adapters);
5, 10, or 20 mW (5-GHz client adapters)
The operational mode of your client adapter.
Value:
SSID
Refer to the Transmit Power parameter in Table 5-3 for
information on setting the client adapter’s power level.
The frequency that your client adapter is currently using as the channel
for communications.
Value:
Status
1, 5, 20, 30, 50, or 100 mW (350 series client adapters);
1, 5, 15, or 30 mW (340 series client adapters);
5, 10, or 20 mW (5-GHz client adapters)
The power levels at which your client adapter is capable of
transmitting. The maximum level is dependent upon the radio installed
in your client adapter and your country’s regulatory agency.
Value:
Channel (Frequency)
Refer to the Data Rate parameter in Table 5-3 for information
on setting the client adapter’s data rate.
The power level at which your client adapter is currently transmitting.
The maximum level is dependent upon the radio installed in your client
adapter and your country’s regulatory agency.
Value:
Available Power Levels
1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 11 Mbps, or Auto Rate Selection
(2.4-GHz client adapters);
6 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 36 Mbps,
48 Mbps, 54 Mbps, or Auto Rate Selection (5-GHz client
adapters)
Refer to the SSID1 parameter in Table 5-2 for information on
the client adapter’s SSID.
The type of network in which your client adapter is being used.
Value:
Note
Infrastructure or Ad Hoc
Refer to the Network Type parameter in Table 5-2 for
information on setting the network type.
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Table 7-3
Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status
Description
Power Save Mode
The client adapter’s current power consumption setting.
Value:
Note
CAM, Max PSP, or Fast PSP
Refer to the Power Save Mode parameter in Table 5-2 for
information on setting the client adapter’s power save mode.
Associated Access Point
Name
The name of the access point to which your client adapter is associated.
It is shown only if the access point was configured with a name and the
client adapter is in infrastructure mode.
Associated Access Point IP
Address
The IP address of the access point to which your client adapter is
associated. It is shown only if the access point was configured with an
IP address and the client adapter is in infrastructure mode.
Associated Access Point
MAC Address
The MAC address of the access point to which your client adapter is
associated. It is shown only if the client adapter is in infrastructure
mode.
Beacon Period
Specifies the duration between beacon packets, which are used to help
clients find each other in ad hoc mode.
Range:
Note
Approximately 20 to 999 milliseconds (ms)
The beacon period is shown only if your client adapter is in ad
hoc mode.
Up Time (hh:mm:ss)
The amount of time (in hours:minutes:seconds) that the client adapter
has been receiving power. If the adapter has been running for more than
24 hours, the time is displayed in days, hours:minutes:seconds.
Current Signal Strength
The signal strength for all received packets. The higher the value and
the more green the bar graph is, the stronger the signal.
Range:
Current Signal Quality
(2.4-GHz client adapters)
0 to 100% or –95 to –45 dBm
The signal quality for all received packets. The higher the value and the
more green the bar graph is, the better the quality of the signal.
Range:
Note
0 to 100%
This setting appears only for 2.4-GHz client adapters and only
if you selected signal strength to be displayed as a percentage.
See the Signal Strength Display Units parameter in Table 7-2
for information.
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Table 7-3
Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status
Description
Current Beacons Received
(5-GHz client adapters)
The percentage of beacon packets received versus those expected to be
received. The higher the value and the more green the bar graph is, the
clearer the signal.
Example: The access point sends out 10 beacons per second, so you
would expect the client adapter to receive 50 beacon packets
in 5 seconds. If it receives only 40 packets, the percentage of
beacons received would be 80%.
Range:
Note
Current Noise Level
Note
–100 to –45 dBm
This setting appears only if you selected signal strength to be
displayed in dBm. See the Signal Strength Display Units
parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
The client adapter’s ability to communicate with the access point,
which is determined by the combined result of the adapter’s signal
strength and signal quality.
Value:
Note
Signal To Noise Ratio
This setting appears only for 5-GHz client adapters (or for
2.4-GHz client adapters using firmware version less than 4.05)
and only if you selected signal strength to be displayed as a
percentage. See the Signal Strength Display Units parameter in
Table 7-2 for information.
The level of background radio frequency energy in the 2.4- or 5-GHz
band. The lower the value and the more green the bar graph is, the less
background noise present.
Range:
Overall Link Quality
0 to 100%
Not Associated, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent
This setting appears only if you selected signal strength to be
displayed as a percentage. See the Signal Strength Display
Units parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
The difference between the signal strength and the current noise level.
The higher the value, the better the client adapter’s ability to
communicate with the access point.
Range:
Note
0 to 90 dB
This setting appears only if you selected signal strength to be
displayed in dBm. See the Signal Strength Display Units
parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
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Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter
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Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter
ACU enables you to view statistics that indicate how data is being received and transmitted by your client
adapter.
To view your client adapter’s statistics, open ACU; then click the Statistics icon or select Statistics from
the Commands drop-down menu. The Statistics screen appears (see Figure 7-4).
Note
The name of the current profile appears in parentheses at the top of the screen.
Note
The receive and transmit statistics are host statistics. That is, they show packets and errors received
or sent by the Windows device. Link status tests from the access point or site survey tool are
performed at the firmware level; therefore, they have no effect on the statistics shown in the Statistics
screen.
Figure 7-4
Statistics Screen
The statistics are calculated as soon as your client adapter is started or the Reset button is selected and
are continually updated at the rate specified by the Screen Update Timer. Instructions for changing the
Screen Update Timer setting are provided in Table 7-2.
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Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter
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Table 7-4 describes each statistic that is displayed for your client adapter.
Table 7-4
Client Adapter Statistics
Statistic
Description
Receive Statistics
Multicast Packets Received
The number of multicast packets that were received successfully.
Broadcast Packets Received
The number of broadcast packets that were received successfully.
Unicast Packets Received
The number of unicast packets that were received successfully.
Bytes Received
The number of bytes of data that were received successfully.
Beacons Received
The number of beacon packets that were received successfully.
Total Packets Received OK
The number of all packets that were received successfully.
Duplicate Packets Received
The number of duplicate packets that were received successfully.
Overrun Errors
The number of packets received when no receive buffers were
available. These errors usually occur when the host does not read
the received packets from the client adapter fast enough.
PLCP CRC Errors
The number of times the client adapter started to receive an
802.11 physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header but
the rest of the packet was ignored due to a cyclic redundancy
check (CRC) error in the header.
Note
CRC errors can be attributed to packet collisions caused
by a dense population of client adapters, overlapping
access point coverage on a channel, high multipath
conditions due to bounced signals, or the presence of
other 2.4-GHz signals from devices such as microwave
ovens, wireless handset phones, etc.
PLCP Format Errors
The number of times an 802.11 PLCP header was received with a
valid CRC but the rest of the packet was ignored due to an
unknown value in the header.
PLCP Length Errors
The number of times an 802.11 PLCP header was received but the
rest of the packet was ignored due to an illegal header length.
MAC CRC Errors
The number of packets that had a valid 802.11 PLCP header but
contained a CRC error in the data portion of the packet.
Note
CRC errors can be attributed to packet collisions caused
by a dense population of client adapters, overlapping
access point coverage on a channel, high multipath
conditions due to bounced signals, or the presence of
other 2.4-GHz signals from devices such as microwave
ovens, wireless handset phones, etc.
Partial Packets Received
The number of fragments that were discarded because the entire
packet was not received successfully.
SSID Mismatches
The number of times the client adapter tried to associate to an
access point but was unable to because the adapter’s SSID was not
the same as the access point’s.
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Table 7-4
Client Adapter Statistics (continued)
Statistic
Description
AP Mismatches
The number of times the client adapter tried to associate to an
access point but was unable to because the access point was not
the adapter’s specified access point.
Note
Data Rate Mismatches
Refer to the Specified Access Point 1- 4 parameter in
Table 5-4 for information on specifying access points.
The number of times the client adapter tried to associate to an
access point but was unable to because the adapter’s data rate was
not supported by the access point.
Note
Refer to the Data Rate parameter in Table 5-3 for
information on supported data rates.
Authentication Rejects
The number of times the client adapter tried to authenticate to an
access point but was rejected.
Authentication T/O
The number of times the client adapter tried to authenticate to an
access point but was unable to because the access point did not
respond fast enough (timed out).
Association Rejects
The number of times the client adapter tried to associate to an
access point but was rejected.
Association T/O
The number of times the client adapter tried to associate to an
access point but was unable to because the access point did not
respond fast enough (timed out).
Packets Aged
The number of packets received successfully but discarded by the
client adapter because either all fragments were not received
within 10 seconds or the host did not read the packet from the
adapter within 10 seconds.
Packets MIC OK
The number of packets that were received successfully with a
valid message integrity check (MIC).
Note
Packets No MIC
The number of packets that were discarded due to no MIC being
found.
Note
Packets Incorrect MIC
This field is not displayed if the client adapter’s driver
does not support MIC functionality or MIC is not enabled
on the access point.
This field is not displayed if the client adapter’s driver
does not support MIC functionality or MIC is not enabled
on the access point.
The number of packets that were discarded due to an incorrect
MIC value.
Note
This field is not displayed if the client adapter’s driver
does not support MIC functionality or MIC is not enabled
on the access point.
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Table 7-4
Client Adapter Statistics (continued)
Statistic
Description
Packets No MIC Seed
The number of packets that were discarded due to no MIC seed
being received.
Note
Packets Wrong MIC Sequence
This field is not displayed if the client adapter’s driver
does not support MIC functionality or MIC is not enabled
on the access point.
The number of packets that were discarded due to the MIC
sequence number being wrong.
Note
This field is not displayed if the client adapter’s driver
does not support MIC functionality or MIC is not enabled
on the access point.
Up Time (hh:mm:ss)
The amount of time (in hours:minutes:seconds) since the Reset
button was selected. If the client adapter has been running for
more than 24 hours, the time is displayed in days,
hours:minutes:seconds.
Total Up Time (hh:mm:ss)
The amount of time (in hours:minutes:seconds) that the client
adapter has been receiving power. The total up time continues to
increment even if the Reset button is selected. If the adapter has
been running for more than 24 hours, the time is displayed in
days, hours:minutes:seconds.
Transmit Statistics
Multicast Packets Transmitted
The number of multicast packets that were transmitted
successfully.
Broadcast Packets Transmitted
The number of broadcast packets that were transmitted
successfully.
Unicast Packets Transmitted
The number of unicast packets that were transmitted successfully.
Bytes Transmitted
The number of bytes of data that were transmitted successfully.
Beacons Transmitted
The number of beacon packets that were transmitted successfully
(in ad hoc mode only).
Ack Packets Transmitted
The number of acknowledgment (Ack) packets that were
transmitted in response to successfully received unicast packets.
RTS Packets Transmitted
The number of request-to-send (RTS) packets that were
transmitted successfully.
CTS Packets Transmitted
The number of clear-to-send (CTS) packets that were transmitted
in response to a successfully received RTS packet.
Single Collisions
The number of packets that had to be retransmitted once due to a
collision.
Multiple Collisions
The number of packets that had to be retransmitted more than
once due to additional collisions.
Packets No Deferral
The number of packets that were able to be transmitted
immediately without being delayed due to energy detect or
protocol deferral.
Packets Deferred Protocol
The number of packets that were delayed due to 802.11 protocol
reasons (such as not enough time left to send the packet).
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Table 7-4
Client Adapter Statistics (continued)
Statistic
Description
Packets Deferred Energy Detect
The number of packets that were delayed because RF energy was
already detected. This condition is usually caused by another
radio transmitting a packet or by some other RF source jamming
the signal (such as a microwave oven).
Packets Retry Long
The number of normal data packets that were retransmitted.
Packets Retry Short
The number of request-to-send (RTS) packets that were
retransmitted.
Packets Max Retries
The number of packets that failed to be transmitted successfully
after exhausting the maximum number of retries.
Packets Ack Received
The number of transmitted packets that had their corresponding
acknowledgment (Ack) packet received successfully.
Packets No Ack Received
The number of transmitted packets that did not have their
corresponding Ack packet received successfully.
Packets CTS Received
The number of clear-to-send (CTS) packets that were received in
response to an RTS packet.
Packets No CTS Received
The number of packets for which no CTS packet was received in
response to an RTS packet.
Packets Aged
The number of packets that were discarded by the client adapter
because they were not transmitted successfully within 5 seconds.
Viewing the Link Status Meter
ACU’s link status meter can be used to assess the performance of your client adapter’s RF link. If this
tool is used to assess the RF link at various locations, you can avoid areas where performance is weak
and eliminate the risk of losing the connection between your client adapter and an access point.
To open the link status meter, open ACU; then click the Link Status Meter icon or select Link Status
Meter from the Commands drop-down menu. The Link Status Meter screen appears (see Figure 7-5).
Note
The name of the current profile appears in parentheses at the top of the screen.
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Figure 7-5
Link Status Meter Screen
The Link Status Meter screen provides a graphical display of the following:
•
Signal strength – The strength of the client adapter’s radio signal at the time packets are being
received. It is displayed as a percentage along the vertical axis.
•
Signal quality – The quality of the client adapter’s radio signal at the time packets are being
received. It is displayed as a percentage along the horizontal axis.
The combined result of the signal strength and signal quality is represented by a diagonal line (see
Figure 7-5). Where the line falls on the graphical display determines whether the RF link between your
client adapter and its associated access point is poor, fair, good, or excellent. The access point that is
associated to your client adapter and its MAC address are indicated at the bottom of the display.
Note
ACU’s Status screen also shows signal strength and signal quality. However on the Status
screen, these data are represented by histograms.
If you want to see a recent history of the RF performance between your client adapter and its associated
access point, select the Show History checkbox on the Aironet Client Utility Preferences screen. Black
dots on the graphical display show the performance of the last 50 signals.
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Running an RF Link Test
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Running an RF Link Test
ACU’s link test tool sends out pings to assess the performance of the RF link. The test is designed to be
performed multiple times at various locations throughout your area and is run at the data rate set on
ACU’s RF Network Properties screen (see the Data Rate parameter in Table 5-3). The results of the link
test can be used to determine RF network coverage and ultimately the required number and placement
of access points in your network. The test also helps you to avoid areas where performance is weak,
thereby eliminating the risk of losing the connection between your client adapter and its associated
access point.
Because the link test operates above the RF level, it does more than test the RF link between two network
devices. It also checks the status of wired sections of the network and verifies that TCP/IP and the proper
drivers have been loaded.
Note
A link test can also be run from an access point through a Telnet session. Refer to the Cisco
Aironet Access Point Software Configuration Guide for information.
The following prerequisites are required before you can run an RF link test:
•
The TCP/IP protocol must be installed on your system.
Note
•
See the Help section of your Windows operating system for information on
installing and setting up TCP/IP.
An IP address must be configured for the access point (or other computer in ad hoc mode).
Follow the steps below to run an RF link test.
Step 1
Open ACU; then click the Link Test icon or select Linktest from the Commands drop-down menu. The
Linktest screen appears (see Figure 7-6).
Note
The name of the current profile appears in parentheses at the top of the screen.
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Figure 7-6
Linktest Screen
Step 2
In the IP Address of Access Point field, enter the IP address of the access point or other wireless device
with which you want to test the RF link.
Step 3
You can set the link test to run until it has attempted to send a specific number of packets or to run until
you stop it. Follow one of the steps below to determine how long the link test will run:
•
Select the number of packets that the link test should attempt to send. You can type a number in the
Number of Packets field or use the slider to select this value. (The Number of Packets parameter is
ignored if the Continuous Linktest checkbox is selected.)
Range: 1 to 1000
Default: 4
•
Select the Continuous Linktest checkbox to allow the link test to run continuously.
Default: Deselected
Step 4
Select the size of the data packet that is to be sent to the access point. You can type a number in the Packet
Size field or use the slider to select this value.
Range:
64 to 2048
Default: 100
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Running an RF Link Test
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Note
Step 5
The Windows TCP/IP stack fragments (splits up) packets that are greater than 512
bytes. Therefore, the number of transmitted packets does not match the number of
received packets (even if none are lost) if the packet size is greater than 512 bytes.
Click the Start button to run the link test. While the test is running, statistics are displayed and updated
periodically.
Figure 7-7 shows the Linktest screen with the signal strength values displayed as percentages, and
Figure 7-8 shows the bottom of the same screen with the signal strength values displayed in dBm.
Figure 7-7
Linktest Screen (with Test Running and Signal Strength as a Percentage)
Figure 7-8
Bottom of Linktest Screen (with Test Running and Signal Strength in dBm)
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Performing Diagnostics
Running an RF Link Test
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 7-5 interprets the statistics that are displayed on the Linktest screen while the link test is running.
Table 7-5
Linktest Statistics
Linktest Statistic
Description
Packets Received OK
The number of packets of the specified size that have been
received successfully.
Packets Transmitted OK
The number of packets of the specified size that have been
transmitted successfully.
Status
The operational mode of your client adapter.
Value:
Current Link Speed
Error, Configured, Associated, Not Associated, or
Ad Hoc Mode
The rate at which your client adapter is currently transmitting
data packets.
Value:
1, 2, 5.5, or 11 Mbps (2.4-GHz client adapters);
6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps (5-GHz client
adapters)
Associated Access Point Name
The name of the access point to which your client adapter is
associated. It is shown only if the access point was configured
with a name and the client adapter is in infrastructure mode.
Associated Access Point MAC
Address
The MAC address of the access point to which your client adapter
is associated. It is shown only if the client adapter is in
infrastructure mode.
Current Signal Strength
The signal strength for all received packets. The higher the value
and the more green the bar graph is, the stronger the signal.
Range:
Current Signal Quality (2.4-GHz
client adapters)
0 to 100% or –95 to –45 dBm
The signal quality for all received packets. The higher the value
and the more green the bar graph is, the clearer the signal.
Range:
Note
0 to 100%
This setting appears only for 2.4-GHz client adapters and
only if you selected signal strength to be displayed as a
percentage. See the Signal Strength Display Units
parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
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Chapter 7
Performing Diagnostics
Running an RF Link Test
B E TA D R A F T - C I S C O C O N F I D E N T I A L
Table 7-5
Linktest Statistics (continued)
Linktest Statistic
Description
Current Beacons Received
(5-GHz client adapters)
The percentage of beacon packets received versus those expected
to be received. The higher the value and the more green the bar
graph is, the clearer the signal.
Example: The access point sends out 10 beacons per second, so
you would expect the client adapter to receive 50
beacon packets in 5 seconds. If it receives only 40
packets, the percentage of beacons received would be
80%.
Range:
Note
Current Noise Level
Note
Note
This setting appears only if you selected signal strength to
be displayed in dBm. See the Signal Strength Display
Units parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
Not Associated, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent
This setting appears only if you selected signal strength to
be displayed as a percentage. See the Signal Strength
Display Units parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
The difference between the signal strength and the current noise
level. The higher the value, the better the client adapter’s ability
to communicate with the access point.
Range:
Note
Step 6
–100 to –45 dBm
The client adapter’s ability to communicate with the access point,
which is determined by the combined result of the adapter’s
signal strength and signal quality.
Value:
Signal To Noise Ratio
This setting appears only for 5-GHz client adapters (or for
2.4-GHz client adapters using firmware version less than
4.05) and only if you selected signal strength to be
displayed as a percentage. See the Signal Strength
Display Units parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
The level of background radio frequency energy in the 2.4- or
5-GHz band. The lower the value and the more green the bar
graph is, the less background noise present.
Range:
Overall Link Quality
0 to 100%
0 to 90 dB
This setting appears only if you selected signal strength to
be displayed in dBm. See the “Signal Strength Display
Units” parameter in Table 7-2 for information.
If you did not set the link test to run continuously, the test ends after the specified number of packets is
sent, and the Stop button changes back to the Start button. To stop the link test at any time, click Stop,
OK, or Cancel.
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