Cisco Systems 102050 User Manual

C H A P T E R 7

Viewing Status and Statistics

This chapter explains how to use ADU to view the client adapter’s status and its transmit and receive statistics.

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

•Overview of ADU Status and Statistics Tools, page 7-2

•Setting Parameters that Affect ADU Status and Statistics Tools, page 7-2

•Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter, page 7-4

•Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter, page 7-12

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Chapter 7 Viewing Status and Statistics

Overview of ADU Status and Statistics Tools

Overview of ADU Status and Statistics Tools

In addition to enabling you to configure your client adapter for use in various types of networks, ADU provides tools that enable you to assess the performance of the client adapter and other devices on the wireless network. These 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 Table 7-1 enables you to quickly find instructions for using ADU status and statistics tools.

Table 7-1	Status and Statistics Tool Instructions
Tool		Page Number
Status		7-4
Statistics		7-12

Setting Parameters that Affect ADU Status and Statistics Tools

Several parameters affect the operation of ADU status and statistics tools. Follow these steps to set these parameters.

Step 1 Open ADU.

Step 2 Choose Display Settings from the Options drop-down menu. The Display Settings window appears (see Figure 7-1).

Figure 7-1 Display Settings Window

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Chapter 7 Viewing Status and Statistics

Setting Parameters that Affect ADU Status and Statistics Tools

Step 3 Table 7-2 lists and describes the parameters that affect the operation of ADU status and statistics tools. Follow the instructions in the table to change any parameters.

Table 7-2 Parameters Affecting ADU Status and Statistics Tools

Parameter	Description
Signal Strength Display Units	Specifies the units used to display signal strength on the Advanced
	Status window and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the Available
	Infrastructure and Ad Hoc Networks window.
	Options: % or dBm
	Default: dBm
	Units	Description
	%	Displays the signal strength and
		signal-to-noise ratio as a percentage.
	dBm	Displays the signal strength in decibels
		with respect to milliwatts (dBm) and the
		signal-to-noise ratio in decibels (dB).
Refresh Interval	Specifies how often the ADU status and statistics windows and the
	ASTU icon are updated.
	Range: 1 to 5 seconds between updates (in 1-second increments)
	Default: 3 seconds between updates
Data Display	Specifies whether the data that is displayed on the Diagnostics and
	Advanced Statistics windows continue to increment until the driver is
	reloaded or only until an update occurs (every 1 to 5 seconds).
	Options: Relative or Cumulative
	Default: Cumulative
	Data Display	Description
	Relative	Displays statistical data collected since the
		last update, as specified by the Refresh
		Interval (1 to 5 seconds).
	Cumulative	Displays statistical data collected since the
		driver was loaded, upon card insertion or
		reboot.

Step 4 Click OK to save your changes.

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Chapter 7 Viewing Status and Statistics

Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter

Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter

ADU 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 ADU. The Current Status window appears (see Figure 7-2).

Figure 7-2 Current Status Window

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Table 7-3 interprets each element of the Current Status window.

Table 7-3 Basic Client Adapter Status

Status	Description
Profile Name	The network configuration (or profile) your client adapter is currently
	using.
	Note Refer to Chapter 4 for information on creating, modifying, and
	selecting profiles.
Link Status	The operational mode of your client adapter.
	Value: Not Associated, Associated, Authenticating, Authenticated,
	Authentication Failed, or Authentication Failed Retrying
	Link Status	Description
	Not Associated	The client adapter has not established a
		connection to an access point (in
		infrastructure mode) or another client (in
		ad hoc mode).
	Associated	The client adapter has established a
		connection to an access point (in
		infrastructure mode) or another client (in
		ad hoc mode).
	Authenticating	The client adapter is associated to an
		access point, and the EAP authentication
		process has begun but not yet succeeded.
	Authenticated	The client adapter is associated to an
		access point, and the user is EAP
		authenticated.
	Authentication Failed	The client adapter is associated to an
		access point, but the user has failed to EAP
		authenticate.
	Authentication Failed	The client adapter is associated to an
	Retrying	access point, the user has failed to EAP
		authenticate, but another authentication
		attempt is being made.
Wireless Mode	The frequency and rate at which your current wireless connection is
	capable of transmitting or receiving packets.
	Value: 5 GHz 54 Mbps, 2.4 GHz 11 Mbps, or 2.4 GHz 54 Mbps
	Note Refer to the Wireless Mode parameter in Table 5-3 for
	information on setting the wireless mode for your client
	adapter.
Network Type	The type of network in which your client adapter is being used.
	Value: Infrastructure or Ad Hoc
	Note Refer to the Network Type parameter in Table 5-3 for
	information on setting the network type.

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Table 7-3	Basic Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status		Description
Server Based Authentication		The method by which authentication to a back-end server is being
		performed to establish secure connectivity.
		Value: None, LEAP, EAP-FAST, EAP-TLS, PEAP (EAP-GTC),
		PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2), or Host Based EAP
		Note Refer to the “Overview of Security Features” on page 5-14 for
		details on these server-based authentication types.
IP Address		The IP address of your client adapter.
Current Channel		The channel that your client adapter is currently using for
		communications. This field displays Scanning while the client adapter
		searches for a channel.
		Value: Dependent on radio band and regulatory domain
		Note Refer to the Channel parameter in Table 5-3 for information on
		setting the channel for your client adapter.
		Note Refer to Appendix D for a list of channel identifiers, channel
		center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel.
Data Encryption		The data encryption type that was negotiated with the access point (in
		infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode) upon
		association.
		Value: None, WEP, CKIP, TKIP, or AES
		Note Refer to the “Overview of Security Features” on page 5-14 for
		details on these data encryption types.
Signal Strength		The signal strength for all received packets. The color of this
		parameter’s progress bar provides a visual interpretation of signal
		strength.
		Value: Excellent (green), Good (green), Fair (yellow), Poor (red), or
		No Link

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Chapter 7 Viewing Status and Statistics

Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter

Click Advanced if you want to view more detailed status information for your client adapter. The Advanced Status window appears (see Figure 7-3).

Figure 7-3 Advanced Status Window

Table 7-4 interprets each element of the Advanced Status window.

Table 7-4 Advanced Client Adapter Status

Status	Description
Network Name (SSID)	The name of the network to which your client adapter is currently
	associated.
	Note Refer to the SSID1 parameter in Table 5-2 for information on
	setting the client adapter’s SSID.
Server Based Authentication	The method by which authentication to a back-end server is being
	performed to establish secure connectivity.
	Value: None, LEAP, EAP-FAST, EAP-TLS, PEAP (EAP-GTC),
	PEAP (EAP-MSCHAP V2), or Host Based EAP
	Refer to the “Overview of Security Features” on page 5-14 for details
	on these server-based authentication types.
Data Encryption	The data encryption type that was negotiated with the access point (in
	infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode) upon
	association.
	Value: None, WEP, CKIP, TKIP, or AES
	Note Refer to the “Overview of Security Features” on page 5-14 for
	details on these data encryption types.

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				Table 7-4	Advanced Client Adapter Status (continued)
				Status		Description
				Authentication Type		Specifies whether the client adapter must share the same WEP keys as
						the access point in order to authenticate or can authenticate to the
						access point regardless of its WEP settings.
						Value:	Open or Shared
						Note An incorrect WEP key setting prevents connectivity to the
						network regardless of the 802.11 authentication type selected.
						Note Refer to the “Setting Advanced Parameters” on page 5-6 for
						information on setting the 802.11 authentication mode.
				Message Integrity Check		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.
						Note MIC is supported automatically by the client adapter’s driver,
						but it must be enabled on the access point.
						Value: None, MMH, or Michael
						Message Integrity Check		Description
						None		MIC is disabled.
						MMH		MIC is enabled and is being used with
								CKIP.
						Michael		MIC is enabled and is being used with
								WPA and TKIP.
				QoS		The type of quality of service that is currently being used by your client
						adapter. QoS on wireless LANs (WLAN) provides prioritization of
						traffic from the access point over the WLAN based on traffic
						classification.
						Value:	None or WMM
						QoS		Description
						None		WMM standard QoS is not enabled.
						WMM		Wi-Fi Multimedia, a component of the
								IEEE 802.11e WLAN standard for QoS, is
								enabled. For this value to appear, QoS and
								WMM must be enabled on the access point
								to which the client adapter is associated.
						Note WMM is supported automatically in the client adapter
						software. However, you must enable the Windows QoS Packet
						Scheduler to ensure WMM support. Follow the instructions in
						the “Enabling Wi-Fi Multimedia” on page 5-59 to enable the
						QoS Packet Scheduler.
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Table 7-4	Advanced Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status		Description
Associated AP Name		The name of the access point to which your client adapter is associated.
		It is shown only if the client adapter is in infrastructure mode, the
		access point was configured with a name, and Aironet Extensions are
		enabled (on access points running Cisco IOS Release 12.2(4)JA or
		later).
		Note This field shows up to 15 characters although the name of the
		access point may be longer.
Associated AP IP Address		The IP address of the access point to which your client adapter is
		associated. It is shown only if the client adapter is in infrastructure
		mode, the access point was configured with an IP address, and Aironet
		Extensions are enabled (on access points running Cisco IOS Release
		12.2(4)JA or later).
		Note If Aironet Extensions are disabled, the IP address of the
		associated access point is shown as 0.0.0.0.
Associated AP 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.
		Note This field displays the MAC address of the access point’s
		Ethernet port (for access points that do not run Cisco IOS
		software) or the MAC address of the access point’s radio (for
		access points that run Cisco IOS software). The MAC address
		of the Ethernet port on access points that run Cisco IOS
		software is printed on a label on the back of the device.
Power Save Mode		The client adapter’s current power consumption setting.
		Value: CAM (Constantly Awake Mode), Max PSP (Max Power
		Saving), or Fast PSP (Power Save Mode)
		Note Refer to the Power Save Mode parameter in Table 5-3 for
		information on setting the client adapter’s power save mode.
Current Power Level		The power level at which your client adapter is currently transmitting.
		The maximum level is dependent upon the radio band used and your
		country’s regulatory agency.
		Value: 10, 13, 20, 25, or 40 mW (802.11a band);
		10, 20, 32, 50, 63, or 100 mW (802.11b/g band)
		Note Refer to the Transmit Power Level parameter in Table 5-3 for
		information on setting the client adapter’s power level.
Available Power Levels		The power levels at which your client adapter is capable of
		transmitting. The maximum level is dependent upon the radio band
		used and your country’s regulatory agency.
		Value: 10, 13, 20, 25, or 40 mW (802.11a band);
		10, 20, 32, 50, 63, or 100 mW (802.11b/g band)
		Note Refer to the Transmit Power Level parameter in Table 5-3 for
		information on the client adapter’s available power levels.

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Table 7-4	Advanced Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status		Description
Current Signal Strength		The signal strength for all received packets. The higher the value, the
		stronger the signal.
		Range: 0 to 100% or 0 to –100 dBm
Current Signal Quality		The signal quality for all received packets. The higher the value, the
		clearer the signal.
		Range: 0 to 100%
		Note This field 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.
Current Noise Level		The level of background radio frequency energy in the current radio
		band. The lower the value, the less background noise present.
		Range: 0 to –100 dBm
		Note This field 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.
Up Time		The amount of time (in hours:minutes:seconds) since 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.
802.11b Preamble		Indicates whether your client adapter is using only long radio headers
		or short and long radio headers.
		Value: Short & Long or Long Only
		Note This field contains a value only when the client adapter is
		operated in 2.4-GHz 11-Mbps or 2.4-GHz 54-Mbps mode.
		Note Refer to the 802.11b Preamble parameter in Table 5-3 for
		information on using radio headers.
Current Receive Rate		The rate at which your client adapter is currently receiving data
		packets.
		Value: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps
Current Transmit Rate		The rate at which your client adapter is currently transmitting data
		packets.
		Value: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps
Channel		The channel that your client adapter is currently using for
		communications. This field displays Scanning while the client adapter
		searches for a channel.
		Value: Dependent on radio band and regulatory domain
		Note Refer to the Channel parameter in Table 5-3 for information on
		setting the channel for your client adapter.
		Note Refer to Appendix D for a list of channel identifiers, channel
		center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel.

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Table 7-4	Advanced Client Adapter Status (continued)
Status		Description
Frequency		The radio frequency that your client adapter is currently using for
		communications. This field displays Scanning while the client adapter
		searches for a frequency.
		Value: Dependent on radio band and regulatory domain
		Note Refer to the Wireless Mode parameter in Table 5-3 for
		information on setting the frequency for your client adapter.
Channel Set		The regulatory domain for which your client adapter is currently
		configured. This value is not user selectable.
		Value: America, EMEA, Japan, or Rest of World
		Note Refer to Appendix D for a list of channel identifiers, channel
		center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel.

Click OK to close the Advanced Status window.

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Chapter 7 Viewing Status and Statistics

Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter

Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter

Note

Note

Note

ADU 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 ADU and click the Diagnostics tab. The Cisco Aironet Desktop Utility (Diagnostics) window appears (see Figure 7-4).

Figure 7-4 Cisco Aironet Desktop Utility (Diagnostics) Window

This window displays basic transmit and receive statistics for your client adapter. The statistics are calculated on a relative or cumulative basis as specified by the Data Display parameter and are continually updated at the rate specified by the Refresh Interval parameter. Instructions for changing the Data Display and Refresh Interval settings are provided in Table 7-2.

The receive and transmit statistics are host statistics. That is, they show packets and errors received or sent by the Windows device.

To run the Cisco Aironet Troubleshooting Utility, click Troubleshooting. Refer to “Using the Cisco Aironet Troubleshooting Utility” on page 10-3 for more information.

To view client adapter information, click Adapter Information. Refer to “Viewing Client Adapter Information” on page 9-10 for more information.

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Table 7-5 describes each statistic that is displayed for your client adapter.

Table 7-5 Basic Client Adapter Statistics

Statistic	Description
Transmit Statistics
Multicast Packets	The number of multicast packets that were transmitted.
Broadcast Packets	The number of broadcast packets that were transmitted.
Unicast Packets	The number of unicast packets that were transmitted successfully.
Total Bytes	The number of bytes of data that were transmitted successfully.
Receive Statistics
Multicast Packets	The number of multicast packets that were received.
Broadcast Packets	The number of broadcast packets that were received.
Unicast Packets	The number of unicast packets that were received successfully.
Total Bytes	The number of bytes of data that were received successfully.

Click Advanced Statistics if you want to view additional statistics for your client adapter. The Advanced Statistics window appears (see Figure 7-5).

Figure 7-5 Advanced Statistics Window

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Chapter 7 Viewing Status and Statistics

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Table 7-6 interprets each element of the Advanced Statistics window.

Table 7-6 Advanced Client Adapter Statistics

Status	Description
Transmit Statistics
Frames Transmitted OK	The number of frames that were transmitted successfully.
Frames Retried	The number of frames that were retried.
Frames Dropped	The number of frames that were dropped because of errors or
	collisions.
No ACK Frames	The number of transmitted frames that did not have their corresponding
	Ack frame received successfully.
ACK Frames	The number of transmitted frames that had their corresponding Ack
	frame received successfully.
RTS Frames	The number of request-to-send (RTS) transmissions that were
	attempted.
CTS Frames	The number of clear-to-send (CTS) frames that were received in
	response to a successfully transmitted RTS frame.
No CTS Frames	The number of request-to-send (RTS) transmissions that were
	unsuccessful. The access point sends CTS frames in response to the
	client’s RTS frames. This field keeps track of each time the client does
	not receive a CTS back from the access point.
Retried RTS Frames	The number of request-to-send (RTS) frames that were retransmitted.
Retried Data Frames	The number of normal data frames that were retransmitted.
Receive Statistics
Beacons Received	The number of beacon frames that were received successfully.
Frames Received OK	The number of all frames that were received successfully.
Frames Received with Errors	The number of frames that were received with an invalid checksum.
CRC Errors	The number of cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errors detected in the
	data portion of the frame.
Encryption Errors	The number of frames that were received with encryption errors.
Duplicate Frames	The number of duplicate frames that were received.
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 Refer to the Access Point 1 through Access Point 4 parameters
	on page 5-13 for information on specifying access points.
Data Rate Mismatches	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 Wireless Mode parameter in Table 5-3 for
	information on supported data rates.

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Table 7-6	Advanced Client Adapter Statistics (continued)
Status		Description
Authentication Time-Out		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).
Authentication Rejects		The number of times the client adapter tried to authenticate to an access
		point but was rejected.
Association Time-Out		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).
Association Rejects		The number of times the client adapter tried to associate to an access
		point but was rejected.
Standard MIC OK		The number of frames that were received with the correct message
		integrity check (MIC) value.
Standard MIC Errors		The number of frames that were discarded due to an incorrect message
		integrity check (MIC) value.
CKIP MIC OK		The number of frames that were received with the correct message
		integrity check (MIC) value when CKIP was being used.
		Note This field is displayed only if MIC is enabled on the access
		point.
CKIP MIC Errors		The number of frames that were discarded due to an incorrect message
		integrity check (MIC) value when CKIP was being used.
		Note This field is displayed only if MIC is enabled on the access
		point.

Click OK to close the Advanced Statistics window.

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C H A P T E R 8

Using the Aironet System Tray Utility (ASTU)

This chapter explains how to use the Aironet System Tray Utility (ASTU) to access status information about your client adapter and perform basic tasks.

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

•Overview of ASTU, page 8-2

•The ASTU Icon, page 8-2

•Tool Tip Window, page 8-3

•Pop-Up Menu, page 8-5

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Chapter 8 Using the Aironet System Tray Utility (ASTU)

Overview of ASTU

Overview of ASTU

ASTU is an optional application that provides a small subset of the features available through ADU. Specifically, it enables you to access status information about your client adapter and perform basic tasks. ASTU is accessible from an icon in the Windows system tray, making it easily accessible and convenient to use. The ASTU icon appears only if a client adapter is installed into your computer and you did not disable ASTU during installation.

ASTU provides information and options in the following ways:

•In the appearance of the icon itself

•Through a tool tip window that appears when you hover the cursor over the icon

•Through a pop-up menu that appears when you right-click the icon

•Through a Connection Status window that appears when you double-click the icon

The ASTU Icon

The appearance of the ASTU icon indicates the connection status of your client adapter. ASTU reads the client adapter status and updates the icon every 1 to 5 seconds, depending on the value entered for the Refresh Interval on the Display Settings window. Table 8-1 interprets the different appearances of the ASTU icon.

Note Windows 2000 and XP may display their own wireless network connection status icon in the system tray. Cisco recommends that you turn off the Windows icon and use the ASTU icon to monitor your wireless connection.

Table 8-1 Interpreting the ASTU Icon

Icon Description

A white icon indicates that the client adapter’s radio is disabled.

A dark gray icon indicates that the client adapter is not associated to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode).

A light gray icon indicates that the client adapter is associated to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode) but the user is not EAP authenticated.

A green icon indicates that the client adapter is associated to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode), the user is authenticated if the client adapter is configured for EAP authentication, and the signal strength is excellent or good.

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Chapter 8 Using the Aironet System Tray Utility (ASTU)

Tool Tip Window

Table 8-1 Interpreting the ASTU Icon (continued)

Icon Description

A yellow icon indicates that the client adapter is associated to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode), the user is authenticated if the client adapter is configured for EAP authentication, and the signal strength is fair.

A red icon indicates that the client adapter is associated to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode), the user is authenticated if the client adapter is configured for EAP authentication, and the signal strength is poor.

Tool Tip Window

When you hover the cursor over the ASTU icon, the Tool Tip window appears (see Figure 8-1).

Note If the client adapter’s radio is disabled, a message appears instead of the Tool Tip window to inform you that the wireless network interface is disabled.

Figure 8-1

Tool Tip Window

This window provides information on the current status of your client adapter. Table 8-2 lists and describes each element of the Tool Tip window.

Table 8-2 Tool Tip Window Elements

		Status Element	Description
		Active profile	The network configuration (or profile) that your client adapter is
			currently using.
			Note	If auto profile selection is enabled, the active profile does not
				appear until the client is associated to an access point.
		SSID	The name of the network to which your client adapter is currently
			associated.
			Note	When the client adapter is not associated and auto profile
				selection is disabled, this field shows the profile’s SSID. When
				the client adapter is not associated and auto profile selection is
				enabled, this field is left blank.
			Note	Refer to the SSID1 parameter in Table 5-2 for information on
				setting the client adapter's SSID.
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Chapter 8 Using the Aironet System Tray Utility (ASTU)

Tool Tip Window

Table 8-2 Tool Tip Window Elements (continued)

Status Element	Description
Connection status	The operational mode of your client adapter.
	Value: Not Associated, Associated, Authenticating, Authenticated,
	Authentication Failed, or Authentication Failed Retrying
	Connection Status	Description
	Not Associated	The client adapter has not established a
		connection to an access point (in
		infrastructure mode) or another client (in
		ad hoc mode).
	Associated	The client adapter has established a
		connection to an access point (in
		infrastructure mode) or another client (in
		ad hoc mode).
	Authenticating	The client adapter is associated to an
		access point, and the EAP authentication
		process has begun but not yet succeeded.
	Authenticated	The client adapter is associated to an
		access point, and the user is EAP
		authenticated.
	Authentication Failed	The client adapter is associated to an
		access point, but the user has failed to EAP
		authenticate.
		Note This status may appear very
		briefly or not at all as the
		authentication failure may result
		in the client adapter becoming
		disassociated, in which case the
		status reads Not Associated.
	Authentication Failed	The client adapter is associated to an
	Retrying	access point, the user has failed to EAP
		authenticate, but another authentication
		attempt is being made.
		Note This status may appear very
		briefly or not at all as the
		authentication failure may result
		in the client adapter becoming
		disassociated, in which case the
		status reads Not Associated.

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Table 8-2	Tool Tip Window Elements (continued)
Status Element		Description
Link quality		The client adapter's signal strength for all received packets.
		Value: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or No Link
Link speed and 802.11 mode		The rate at which your client adapter is currently transmitting data
		packets and the 802.11 mode that your client adapter is currently using
		for communications.
		Link speed value:1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps
		802.11 mode value: 11a, 11b, or 11g
Client adapter type		A description of your client adapter.
Client adapter IP address		The IP address of your client adapter.

Pop-Up Menu

When you right-click the ASTU icon, the ASTU pop-up menu appears (see Figure 8-2).

Figure 8-2 ASTU Pop-Up Menu

The following sections describe each ASTU pop-up menu option.

Note If you used the Aironet System Tray Utility Preferences window or your system administrator used an administrative tool to deactivate certain ASTU menu options, these options do not appear in the menu and therefore cannot be selected.

Help

This option enables you to access the online help.

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Exit

This option closes ADU and ASTU.

Note To reactivate ADU, double-click the Aironet Desktop Utility icon on your computer desktop. To reactivate ASTU, choose the Enable Tray Icon option from the ADU Action drop-down menu.

Open Aironet Desktop Utility

This option activates ADU.

Troubleshooting

This option activates the troubleshooting utility, which enables you to identify and resolve configuration and association problems with your client adapter. Refer to the “Using the Cisco Aironet Troubleshooting Utility” section on page 10-3 for detailed instructions on using this utility.

Preferences

When you choose this option, the Aironet System Tray Utility Preferences window appears (see Figure 8-3).

Figure 8-3 Aironet System Tray Utility Preferences Window

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This window enables you to determine when ADU and ASTU run and to choose the options that appear on the ASTU pop-up menu. Follow these steps to make your selections.

Step 1 If you want ASTU to run automatically when Windows starts, make sure the Run the program automatically when Windows starts check box is checked. Otherwise, uncheck this check box.

Note If you do not choose this option and later want to run ASTU, you must choose the Enable Tray Icon option from the Action drop-down menu in ADU.

Step 2 In the Menu Options portion of the window, make sure the check boxes of all the options that you want to appear in the ASTU pop-up menu are checked. Any options that are not checked will not be included in the menu.

Note The Preferences option cannot be deselected. It always appears in the ASTU pop-up menu.

Step 3 Click OK to save your changes.

Enable/Disable Radio

This option enables you to disable or enable the client adapter’s radio. Disabling the radio prevents the adapter from transmitting RF energy. You might want to disable the client adapter’s radio in the following situations:

•You are not transmitting data and want to conserve battery power.

•You are using a laptop on an airplane, hospital, or any other location where radio transmission is not allowed and want to prevent the adapter’s transmissions from potentially interfering with the operation of certain devices.

When the radio is enabled, it periodically sends out probes even if it is not associated to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode), as required by the 802.11 specification. Therefore, it is important to disable it around devices that are susceptible to RF interference.

Note If the client adapter’s radio is disabled, your client adapter is not associated, and a message appears when you hover the cursor over the ASTU icon to inform you that the wireless network interface is disabled.

Note If your client adapter’s radio is disabled before your computer enters standby or hibernate mode or before you reboot the computer, the radio remains disabled when the computer resumes. You must enable the radio to resume operation.

If the radio is enabled, choose Disable Radio to disable the radio.

If the radio is disabled, choose Enable Radio to enable the radio.

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Manual Login

This option enables you to manually invoke the authentication process for a profile that is configured to use a manually prompted LEAP or EAP-FAST username and password. When you choose this option, the Enter Wireless Network Password window appears. Enter your LEAP or EAP-FAST credentials and click OK. The LEAP or EAP-FAST Authentication Status window appears, and the authentication process begins.

Note Refer to Chapter 5 for information on setting a manual LEAP or EAP-FAST profile and Chapter 6 for details on the authentication process.

Reauthenticate

This option forces your client adapter to try to reauthenticate using the username and password of the current profile. It is available for all EAP-enabled profiles. When you choose this option, the authentication process begins.

If your client adapter is unable to authenticate using the specified username and password, you may be prompted to re-enter them. If you click Cancel, a message appears indicating that the current profile will be disabled until you choose the Reauthenticate option, reboot your computer, or eject and reinsert the client adapter.

Select Profile

This option enables you to select the active profile for your client adapter. When you choose this option, a profiles submenu appears (see Figure 8-4).

Figure 8-4 Profiles Submenu

From this menu, you can choose between the following options:

•Use Auto Profile Selection—Causes the client adapter’s driver to automatically select a profile from the list of profiles that were set up in ADU to be included in auto profile selection.

If the client adapter loses association for more than 10 seconds (or for more than the time specified by the LEAP/EAP-FAST authentication timeout value on the LEAP/EAP-FAST Settings window if LEAP/EAP-FAST 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/EAP-FAST authentication timeout value). To force the client adapter to associate to a different access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode), you must select a new profile.

Note This option is available only if two or more profiles are included in auto profile selection.

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Note Login scripts are not reliable if you use auto profile selection with LEAP or EAP-FAST. If you 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 authenticate and achieve full network connectivity after you log into the computer, the login scripts will not run.

•A specific profile—When you select a profile from the list of available profiles, the client adapter attempts to establish a connection to an access point (in infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode) using the parameters that were configured for that profile.

If the client adapter cannot associate to the access point (or other client) or loses association while using the selected profile, the adapter does not attempt to associate using another profile. To get it to associate, you must select a different profile or select Use Auto Profile Selection.

Simply click the desired profile to select it. A check mark appears beside the profile, and the client adapter attempts to establish a connection using the selected profile.

Show Connection Status

When you choose this option, the Connection Status window appears (see Figure 8-5).

Figure 8-5 Connection Status Window

This window provides information on the current status of your client adapter. Table 8-3 interprets each element of the Connection Status window.

Note You can also access the Connection Status window by double-clicking the ASTU icon.

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				Table 8-3	Connection Status Window Elements
				Status Element		Description
				Active Profile		The network configuration (or profile) that your client adapter is
						currently using.
				Auto Profile Selection		Indicates whether your client adapter is using auto profile selection.
						Value:	Enabled or Disabled
				Connection Status		The operational mode of your client adapter.
						Value:	Not Associated, Associated, Authenticating, Authenticated,
							Authentication Failed, or Authentication Failed Retrying
						Connection Status		Description
						Not Associated		The client adapter has not established a
								connection to an access point (in
								infrastructure mode) or another client (in
								ad hoc mode).
						Associated		The client adapter has established a
								connection to an access point (in
								infrastructure mode) or another client (in
								ad hoc mode).
						Authenticating		The client adapter is associated to an
								access point, and the EAP authentication
								process has begun but not yet succeeded.
						Authenticated		The client adapter is associated to an
								access point, and the user is EAP
								authenticated.
						Authentication Failed		The client adapter is associated to an
								access point, but the user has failed to EAP
								authenticate.
								Note	This status may appear very
									briefly or not at all as the
									authentication failure may result
									in the client adapter becoming
									disassociated, in which case the
									status reads Not Associated.
						Authentication Failed		The client adapter is associated to an
						Retrying		access point, the user has failed to EAP
								authenticate, but another authentication
								attempt is being made.
								Note	This status may appear very
									briefly or not at all as the
									authentication failure may result
									in the client adapter becoming
									disassociated, in which case the
									status reads Not Associated.
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Table 8-3	Connection Status Window Elements (continued)
Status Element		Description
Link Quality		The client adapter’s signal strength for all received packets.
		Value: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or No Link
SSID		The name of the network to which your client adapter is currently
		associated.
		Note Refer to the SSID1 parameter in Table 5-2 for information on
		setting the client adapter’s SSID.
Access Point Name		The name of the access point to which your client adapter is associated.
		It is shown only if the client adapter is in infrastructure mode, the
		access point was configured with a name, and Aironet Extensions are
		enabled (on access points running Cisco IOS Release 12.2(4)JA or
		later).
		Note This field shows up to 15 characters although the name of the
		access point may be longer.
Access Point IP Address		The IP address of the access point to which your client adapter is
		associated. It is shown only if the client adapter is in infrastructure
		mode, the access point was configured with an IP address, and Aironet
		Extensions are enabled (on access points running Cisco IOS Release
		12.2(4)JA or later).
		Note If Aironet Extensions are disabled, the IP address of the
		associated access point is shown as 0.0.0.0.
Current Receive Rate		The rate at which your client adapter is currently receiving data
		packets.
		Value: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps
Current Transmit Rate		The rate at which your client adapter is currently transmitting data
		packets.
		Value: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Mbps
Client Adapter IP Address		The IP address of your client adapter.

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C H A P T E R 9

Routine Procedures

This chapter provides procedures for common tasks related to the client adapter.

The following topics are covered in this chapter:

•Removing a Client Adapter, page 9-2

•Client Adapter Software Procedures, page 9-3

•Enabling or Disabling Your Client Adapter’s Radio, page 9-11

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Chapter 9 Routine Procedures

Removing a Client Adapter

Removing a Client Adapter

Follow the instructions in this section to remove a PC-Cardbus card or PCI card from a computing device, when necessary.

Caution These procedures and the physical connections they describe apply generally to conventional Cardbus slots and PCI expansion slots. In cases of custom or nonconventional equipment, be alert to possible differences in Cardbus slot and PCI expansion slot configurations.

Removing a PC-Cardbus Card

To remove a PC-Cardbus card after it is successfully installed and configured (such as when your laptop is to be transported), completely shut down your computer and pull the card directly out of the Cardbus slot. When the card is reinserted and the computer is rebooted, your connection to the network should be re-established.

Note If you need to remove your PC-Cardbus card but do not want to shut down your computer, double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Windows system tray, choose the Cisco Aironet client adapter you want to remove under Hardware devices, click Stop, and click OK to close each open window. Then pull the card directly out of the card slot.

Removing a PCI Card

Because PCI client adapters are installed inside desktop computers, which are not designed for portable use, you should have little reason to remove the adapter. However, instructions are provided below in case you need to remove your PCI card.

Step 1 Completely shut down your computer.

Step 2 Remove the computer cover.

Step 3 Remove the screw from the top of the CPU back panel above the PCI expansion slot that holds your client adapter.

Step 4 Disassemble the antenna from the base.

Step 5 Pull up firmly on the client adapter to release it from the slot and carefully tilt the adapter to slip its antenna through the opening near the slot.

Step 6 Reinstall the screw on the CPU back panel and replace the computer cover.

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