Cisco AIR-PCM340, 340 Series, 350 Series Installation And Configuration Manual

Corporate Headquarters

Cisco Systems, Inc.
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134-1706
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Tel: [phone]

800 553-NETS (6387)

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Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters
Installation and Configuration Guide
for Mac OS

340 and 350 Series

Customer Order Number:
Text Part Number: OL-1377-01

THE SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE PRODUCTS IN THIS MANUAL ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOU T
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 RESPONS IBILITY FOR THEIR
APPLICATION OF ANY PRODUCTS.

THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE ACCOMPANYING PRODUCT ARE SET FORT H 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 F CC rules . These limit s are designe d to provi de reason able prot ection again st harmfu l 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, m ay cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipmen t 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 rad io- 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 Cisc o’s writ ten author ization m ay resul t in the equi pment no lo nger comp lyi ng with FCC requi rements for Class A or
Class B digital devices. In that event, your r ight to use th e equip ment may be li mited by FCC regu lations , and you may be r equi red to correct any
interference to radio or televisio n communi cations at you r 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 unt il the int erference st ops.

• Move the equipment to one side or the other of the televisio n or radi o.

• Move the equipment farther away from the te levision 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 no t author ized by Cis co Syst ems, Inc. coul d voi d the FCC appro val and ne gate your authorit y to op erate the pr odu ct.
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 op erating system. All righ ts reser ved. Copy right © 1981, Regent s of th e Univers ity of Californ ia.
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 DISCL AIM ALL WARRANTI ES, EXPRESSE D OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR P URPOSE 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 PROF ITS OR LOSS OR DAMAG E 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.

Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters Instal lation and Con figuration Guide for Mac OS

Copyright © 2002, Cisco Systems, I nc.
All rights reserved.

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
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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,
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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

b

etween Cisco and any other company. (0203R)

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CONTENTS

Preface ix

Audience x
Purpose x
Organization x
Conventions xi
Related Publications xiii
Obtaining Documentation xiii

World Wide Web xiii
Documentation CD-ROM xiii
Ordering Documentation xiv

Obtaining Technical Assistance xiv

Cisco Connection Online xiv
Technical Assistance Center xv
Documentation Feedback xv

Overview 1-1

Introduction to the Client Adapters 1-2

Introduction to the Client Adapter Software Components 1-2
Terminology 1-3

Parts of the Client Adapter 1-3

Radio 1-3
Radio Antenna 1-3
LEDs 1-4

Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter 1-4

Ad Hoc Wireless LAN 1-5

Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN 1-6
Introduction to the Client Utility 1-7
Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS 9.x 1-7
Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS X 1-8

Contents

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Client Utility Basics 1-8

Mac OS 9.x 1-8

Switching between Screens 1-8
Buttons on the Client Utility Screens 1-9

Mac OS X 1-10

Switching between Screens 1-10
Buttons on the Client Utility Screens and Dialog Boxes 1-11

Preparing for Installation 2-1

Safety Information 2-2

FCC Safety Compliance Statement 2-2
Safety Guidelines 2-2

Warnings 2-3
System Requirements 2-3
Site Requirements 2-4

Installing the Driver, Client Utility, and Client Adapter 3-1

System Requirements 3-2
Installing the Driver and Client Utility 3-2

Initial Configuration Settings for Mac OS X 3-5
Inserting the Client Adapter into a Computing Device 3-9

Inserting a PC Card 3-9

Inserting a PCI Client Adapter 3-10
Configuring the Client Adapter 3-11

Basic Configuration on Mac OS 9.x 3-11

Basic Configuration on Mac OS X 3-13

Setting TCP/IP Options 3-13

Setting Basic Wireless LAN options 3-14
Verifying a Successful Installation and Configuration on Mac OS 9.x 3-14
Verifying a Successful Installation and Configuration on Mac OS X 3-15

Security Features 4-1

Overview of Security Features 4-2

Static WEP Keys 4-2
Dynamic WEP Keys with EAP 4-2

EAP-Cisco Wireless or LEAP 4-3

Security Options for Mac OS 9.x 4-4

Configuring WEP Keys 4-4

Entering a New WEP Key 4-4

Selecting an Existing WEP Key 4-7

Contents

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Enabling WEP 4-8

For an Office Network 4-8

For a Home Network 4-10
LEAP 4-11
Verifying Installation 4-12

Security Options for Mac OS X 4-12

Configuring WEP Keys 4-12

Entering a New WEP Key 4-12

Selecting an Existing WEP Key 4-14
Enabling WEP 4-15
LEAP 4-16
Verifying Installation 4-17

Advanced Configuration on Mac OS 9.x 5-1

Using the Client Utility on Mac OS 9.x 5-2
Getting Started 5-2
Loading New Firmware 5-4
Configuring Your Client Adapter 5-6

Setting Enterprise Parameters 5-6

Setting System Parameters 5-7

Setting RF Network Parameters 5-11

Setting Advanced Infrastructure Parameters 5-15

Setting Advanced Ad Hoc Parameters 5-18
Setting Home Networking Parameters 5-21

Specifying a Home Network Configuration 5-26

Turning Your Client Adapter Radio On or Off 5-26
Obtaining System Address and Software Version Information 5-27
Getting Help 5-28
Exiting the Client Utility 5-29

Advanced Configuration on Mac OS X 6-1

Using the Client Utility on Mac OS X 6-2

Opening the Client Utility 6-2
Basic Properties 6-3
Location Profiles 6-6

Selecting a Location Profile 6-6

Editing a Location Profile 6-7
Loading New Firmware 6-8
Advanced Properties 6-10

Contents

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Advanced Connection Properties 6-10
Setting RF Parameters 6-14

Turning Your Client Adapter Radio On or Off 6-18
Obtaining Software Version Information 6-21
Getting Help 6-22
Exiting the Client Utility 6-23

Performing Diagnostics 7-1

Diagnostic Tools for Mac OS 9.x 7-2

Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter 7-2

Viewing Statistics for Your Client Adapter 7-7

Viewing Receive Statistics 7-7
Viewing Transmit Statistics 7-9

Assessing the RF Link 7-11

Viewing the Link Status Meter 7-11
Running an RF Link Test 7-12

Diagnostic Tools for Mac OS X 7-16

Viewing the Current Status of Your Client Adapter 7-16

Assessing the Wireless and Wired Links 7-18

Viewing the Link Status Meter 7-18
Running a Link Test 7-20

Determining Local Access Points 7-21

Scanner Tab 7-21
LSM Scanner 7-24

Routine Procedures 8-1

Determining the Driver and Client Utility Versions 8-2
Updating the Driver and Client Utility 8-2
Removing the Driver and Client Utility 8-4
Removing the Client Adapter 8-6

Removing a PC Card 8-6

Removing a PCI Client Adapter 8-7

Troubleshooting 9-1

Accessing the Latest Troubleshooting Tips 9-2
Interpreting the Indicator LEDs 9-2
Problems after Installing the Driver 9-3
Radio Not Found 9-3

Contents

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Client Adapter Recognition Problems 9-3
Problems Associating to the Access Point 9-3
Problems Authenticating 9-4
Problems Connecting to the Network 9-4
Running the Troubleshooting Tool on Mac OS X 9-5

Technical Specifications A-1

Translated Safety Warnings B-1

Explosive Device Proximity Warning B-2
Warning for Laptop Users B-3

Declarations of Conformity and Regulatory Information C-1

Manufacturers Federal Communication Commission Declaration of Conformity Statement C-2
Department of Communications – Canada C-3

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 C-4
Declaration of Conformity for RF Exposure C-5
Guidelines for Operating Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters in Japan C-6

Japanese Translation C-6

English Translation C-6

Channels and Antenna Settings D-1

Channels D-2
Maximum Power Levels and Antenna Gains D-3

Positioning Wireless Devices E-1

Overview E-2
Site Survey E-2

Performing a Site Survey E-3

Guidelines E-3
Site Survey on Mac OS 9.x E-3
Site Survey on Mac OS X E-6

GLOSSARY

I

NDEX

Contents

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Preface

The preface pr ovide s an overv iew of t h e Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters Installation and
Configuration Guide for Mac OS, references related publications, and explains how to obtain oth er

documentation and technical assistance.
The following topics are covered in this section:

• Audience, pagex

• Purpose, page x

• Organization, page x

• Conventions, page xi

• Related Publications, page xiii

• Obtaining Documentation, page xiii

• Obtaining Technical Assistance, page xiv

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Audience

Audience

This publication is fo r the pe rso n res pons ibl e for inst al ling a nd m ainta ining a Cisc o A irone t Wireless
LAN Adapter, al so refe rr ed to as a clie nt adapter. T he i ns taller sh ould be fam il iar wi th com put ing
devices and with network terms and co ncepts .

Purpose

This publication describes the cli ent adap ters, e xpl ains ho w to install t he adapter s and th e clien t utilities
(which enable you to configure and view the status of the adapter), and offers troubleshooting
information.

Organization

This publication is organized into the following chapters:

• Chapter 1, “Overview,” provides an introduction to the client adapters and describes 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 Driver, Client Utility, and Client Adapter,” provides instructions for

inserting a client adapter, installing the driver and the client utility, configuring your client adapter
with basic settings, and how to verify y our configura tion sett ings.

• Chapter 4, “Securit y Feat ures ,” pr ovide s an overview of t h e WEP a nd LE A P s ecu ri ty fe atur es a s

well as explains how use the client utility to enable WEP and LEAP for your client adapter.

• Chapter 5, “Adv ance d Co nf i gur ation on Mac OS 9.x, ” pro vid es an o v ervie w of th e client utility and

describes how to open and use the utility on the Mac OS 9.x operating system.

• Chapter 6, “Advanced Configuration on Mac OS X,” provides an overview of the client utility and

describes how to open and use the utility on the Mac OS X operating system.

• Chapter 7, “Performing Diagnostics,” explains how to use the client utility to perform user-level

diagnostics.

• Chapter 8, “Routine Procedures,” explains how to det erm in e t he versi on o f firmware , driver, and

client utility; explains how to update the firmware, driver, and client utility; explains how to
uninstall the driver and client utility; and explains how to remove the client adapter

• Chapter 9, “ Troubleshooting,” pr ovides i nf orma tio n o n diag nosing a nd co rrec ti ng comm on

problems, defines error me ssage s, an d explai ns how to a cce ss onl ine help.

• Appendix A , “Technical Specifications,” lists the physical , radio, power, and regulatory

specifications for the client adapters.

• Appendix B, “ Translated Saf ety Warnings,” provides translations of the client adapters’ safety

warnings in nine l angu ag es.

• Appendix C , “ Dec la ratio ns o f Confor mi ty a nd Regul at ory Info rm ati on,” provide s confor mity an d

regulatory information for the client adapters

• Appendix D , “ Cha nnels and Ant enna Set tings, ” lists the channels, maximum power levels, and

antenna gains su ppo rted by t he wo rld’s regulatory dom ain s.

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Conventions

• Appendix E , “Position ing Wireless Devices,” provides guidelines for positioning equipment in a

wireless network and describes how to run the site survery tool.

Conventions

This publication uses the following conventions to convey instructions and informa tion:

• Commands and keywords are in boldface.

• Variables are in italics.

• Notes, cautions, and warnings use the following conventions and symbols:

Note Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to materials not contained

in this manual.

Caution Means reader be ca reful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in equipment

damage or loss of data.

Warning

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

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”).

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Related Publications

Related Publications

For more informati on abou t Cisc o Ai rone t Wireless LAN A da pter s an d re la ted pr oduct s, refe r to th e
following publications:

• Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters

• Release Notes for Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters

• Release Notes for Cisco Air onet Client Utilit y and Driver Version 1.0.0 for Mac OS 10.1 and Version

1.0.2 for Mac OS 9. x

• Cisco Aironet Access Point Software Configuration Guide

Obtaining Documentation

World Wide Web

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at http://www.cisc o.com,
http://www-china.cisco.com, or http://www-europe.cisco.com.

Documentation CD-ROM

Other Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a CD-ROM package shipped
separately from the Cisco Aironet Series Wireless LAN Adapters CD that shipped with your product.
The Documentatio n CD-ROM is updated mont hly. Therefore, it is proba bly more curren t than print ed
documentation. The CD-ROM package i s available as a single unit or as an annual subscrip tion.

¡Advertencia!

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.”)

Varning!

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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Obtaining Technical Assistance

Ordering Documentation

Registered CCO users can order the Docu mentation CD-ROM and other Cisco Produc t docume ntatio n
through our online Subscription Services at http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/subcat/kaojump.cgi.

Nonregistered CCO u ser s ca n o rder do cum ent ation t hroug h a loca l a cco unt r epre se ntative by calli ng
Cisco’s corporate headquarter s ( Calif orn ia, US A) a t 4 08 526-4000 or, in North A meri ca, ca ll
800 553- NETS (6387).

Obtaining Technical Assistance

Cisco provides Cisco Connection Online (CCO) as a starting point for all technical assistance. Warranty
or maintenance contract customers can use the Technical Assistance Center. All customers can submit
technical feedback on Cisco documentation using the web, e-mail, a self-addressed stamped response
card included in many printed doc s, or by sending mail to Cisco.

Cisco Connection Online

Cisco continues to revolutionize how business is done on the Internet. Cisco Connection Online is the
foundation of a suite of interac tive, networked services that provi des immed iate, open ac cess to Cisco
information and resour ces at any time, from anywher e in the world. This highly integrat ed Inter net
application is a p owerful, e asy-t o- use too l for doing business with Ci sco.

CCO’s broad range of features and services helps cust omers and part ners to strea mline busines s
processes and improve prod uct ivity. Through CCO, you will find inf orm atio n a bout Cisc o an d our
networking solutions, se rvic es, a nd pr og rams. In addi tion, you can re solve t echn ical issues w ith online
support services, d ownload an d t est soft ware pa cka ge s, an d o rde r Ci sco l ea rning m ateri als and
merchandise. Valuable online skill assessment, training, and certification programs are also available.

Customers and partners can self-register on CCO to obtain additional personalized information and
services. Registered users may order products, check on the status of an order and view benefits specific
to their relationships with Cisco.

You can ac cess CCO in the fol lowing ways:

• WWW: www.cisco.com

• Telnet: cco.cisco.com

• Modem using standard conn ection ra tes and th e following termin al sett ings: VT10 0 emulation;

8 data bits; no parity; and 1 stop bit.

–

From North Amer ica, c all 4 08 526-8070

–

From Europe, call 3 3 1 6 4 46 40 82

You ca n e-mai l question s about using CCO to cc o-team@ cisc o.com.

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Obtaining Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance Center

The Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is available to warranty or maintenance contract
customers who ne ed t ech ni cal assi sta nce with a Cisc o pro duc t t hat is und er warr an ty o r covered by a
maintenance contract.

To display the TAC web site that includes links to technical support informat ion and software upgrade s
and for reques ting TAC support, use www.cisco.com/techsupport.

To contact by e-mail, use one of the following:

In North America, TAC can be reached at 800 553-2447 or 408 526-7209. For other telephone numbers
and TAC e-mail addresses worldwide, consult the following web site:
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml.

Documentation Feedback

If you are reading Cisco product doc umen tation on the World Wide Web, you ca n submit tech nica l
comments electronically. Click Feedback in the toolbar and select Documentation. After you complete
the form, click Submit to send it to Cisco.

You ca n e-mai l your comm ents t o bug-doc@c isco.com.
To submit your co mme nts by mai l, f or your co nvenience many d ocume nts co ntai n a r esponse c ard

behind the front cover. Otherwise, you c an ma il your c omme nts to the fo llowing add re ss:
Cisco Systems, Inc.

Document Resource Connect ion
170 West Tasman Dr ive
San Jose, CA 95134- 988 3

We appreciat e and value you r comm ents .

Language E-mail Address

English [e-mail]
Hanzi (Chinese) [e-mail]
Kanji (Japanese) [e-mail]
Hangul (Korean) [e-mail]
Spanish [e-mail]
Thai [e-mail]

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Obtaining Technical Assistance

CHAPTER

1-1

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1

Overview

This chapter describes the Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapters, also referred to as client adapters, and
illustrates their role in a wireless network.

The following topics are covered in this section:

• Introduction to the Client Adapters, page 1-2

• Parts of the Client Adap ter, page 1-3

• Network Configurations Using the Client Adapt er, page 1-4

• Introduction to the Client Utility, page 1-7

• Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS 9.x, page 1-7

• Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS X, page 1-8

• Client Utility Basics, page 1-8

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Chapter 1 Overview

Introduction to the Client Adapters

Introduction to the Client Adapters

The Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Ad apters , also refe rred to as client adapters, ar e radio mod ules 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- an d-Play ( PnP) techn ol ogy.

The primary function of the client adapters is to transfer data pack ets transparen tly through the wirele ss
infrastructu re. Th e adap ter s operat e sim ilarly to a stan dard ne twork pr oduct exce pt that the ca ble is
replaced with a radio connection. No special wireless networking functions are required, and all existing
applications that operate over a network will operate using the adapters.

This document c overs thre e t ypes of clie nt a dap ters:

• PC card client adapter (also referred to as a PC card) – A PCMCIA card radio module that can be

inserted into a ny de vice eq uipped with an external Type II or Type III PC card slot. Host devices can
include laptops, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, and hand-held or portable devices.

• LM card client adapter (also referred to as an LM card) – A PCMCIA card radio module that can

be inserted into any device equipped with an internal Type II or Type III PC card sl ot . H o s t devices
usually include hand -held or port able devices.

• PCI client adapter – A client adapter card radio module that can be inserted into any device

equipped with an empty PCI expan sion slot, suc h as a desktop compute r.

Refer to the “Radio Ante nna” secti on on page 1-3 for an tenn a differen ces be tween these adapt ers.

Introduction to the Client Adapter Software Components

The software components of the client adapter consists of a driver, firmware, and a client utility. These
components work together to allow the client adapter to work properly in your workstation. Typically,
the driver and client utility are designed for use with a specific operating system or a group of similar
operating systems, while the firmware is designed specifically for the client adapter’s hardware and
radio. The firmware controls the radio operations.

CISCO AIRONET 340

SERIES

11 Mbps WIRELESS LAN ADAPTER

47519

CISCO AIRONET 340

SERIES

11 Mbps WIRELESS LAN ADAPTER

47893

adapter

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Chapter 1 Overview

Parts of the Client Adapter

The client adapte r firmware provides the inte rface between the radio and the driv er. The driver provides
the interface between the client adapter firmware and the workstation’s operating system. The client
adapter is installed as a network communications adapter on the workstation’s operating system.

The client utility interfaces to the operating system to allow you to configure, test, and monitor the
operations of the client adapter on the wireless LAN. The client utility also allows you to load new
firmware into the client adapter.

Terminology

Throughout this doc um en t, the fo llowing te rms a re u sed :

• client adapter – Refers to all three types of adapters

• PC card, LM card, or PCI client adapter – Refers to only a specific adapter

• workstati on (or station ) – Refers to a computing device with an installed client adapter

Parts of the Client Adapter

The client adapter is compose d of three major par ts: a radio, a radio ante nna, and t wo LEDs.

Radio

The client adapter contains a direct-se quence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio that operates i n the 2.4-GHz
license-free Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) band. The radio transmits data over a half-duplex radio
channel oper ati ng at up t o 11 Mbps.

DSSS technology causes radio signals to be transmitted over a wide frequency range, using multiple
frequencies simultaneously. The benefit of this technology is its ability to protect the data transmission
from interfere nce . For examp le, i f a pa rti cul ar fre que ncy enc ou nt ers no ise or int erf er en ce o r bot h,
enough redundancy is built into the signal on other frequencies that the client adapter is usually still
successful in its transmission.

Radio Antenna

The type of antenna use d depends on you r clie nt adapte r:

• PC cards have an integrated, permanently attached diversity antenna. The benefit of the diversity

antenna system is improved coverage. The system works b y 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 anten n a is ho u sed with in the sec tion of the card th at h angs o ut of the PC car d slot
when the card is installed.

• LM cards are shipped without an antenna; however, an antenna can be connected through the card’s

external connector. If a snap-on antenna is used, it should be operated in diversity mode. Otherwise,
the antenna mode used should correspond to the antenna port to which the antenna is connected.

• PCI client adapters are shipped with a 2-dBi dipole antenna that attaches to the adapter’s antenna

connector. However, other types of antennas ma y be used . PCI cli ent adap ters can be operate d
through the right ant enn a por t on ly.

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Chapter 1 Overview

Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter

Note For information on setting the client adapter’s antenna mode, refer to Chapter 5, “Advanced

Configuration on Mac OS 9.x” or to Chapt er 6, “Advanced Configuration on Mac OS X.”

Note External antennas used in co mbination w ith a po wer setting resulting in a radia ted power leve l abo v e

100 mW equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) are not allowed for use within the European
community and othe r countrie s that have adopted the European R&TTE dire ctive or the CEPT
recommendatio n Rec 70. 03 or both. For more de tails on legal combina tions of power levels and
antennas in those countries, contact Cisco Corporate Compliance. See also the “Declarations of

Conformity and Regulator y Informat ion” sect ion on page C-1.

LEDs

The client adapter has 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.

Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter

The client adapter ca n be used in a variety of networ k configurati ons. In some co nfigurati ons, access
points provide connections to you r network or act as re peate rs to increa se wirel ess communic ation
range. The maxim um comm un icat ion r ang e is ba sed on h ow you con figure y our w ire less net work.

This section describes and illustrates the following common network configurations:

• Ad hoc wireless local area network (LAN)

• Wireless infrastructure with workstations accessing a wired LAN

Note For examples of more complex network configurations involving client adapters and access points,

refer to the Cisco Aironet Access Point Hardware Installation Guide.

Note For information on setting the client adapter’s network mode, refer to Chapter 5 for the Mac OS 9.x

operating system or to Chapter 6 for the Mac OS X operating system.

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Chapter 1 Overview

Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter

Ad Hoc Wireless LAN

An ad hoc (or peer-to-peer) wireless LAN (see Figure 1-1) 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.

Figure 1-1 Ad Hoc Wireless LAN

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Chapter 1 Overview

Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter

Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN

A microcellular network ca n be create d by placing two or mo re access po ints on a LAN . Figure 1-2
shows a microcellular networ k 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 f ile serv er or host is maintained witho ut 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 beacon s are missed, the stati on automatically sear ches for and associates to another
access point. This process is referred to as seamless roaming.

Figure 1-2 Wireless Infrastructure with Workstations Accessing a Wired LAN

Access Point

(Root Unit)

Access Point
(Root Unit)

5835

Wired LAN

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Chapter 1 Overview

Introduction to the Client Utility

Introduction to the Client Utility

The client utility allows you to load new firmware, enable security features, configure your client
adapter, and perform user-level diagnostics. The latest client utility software package for both the Mac
OS 9.x and the Mac OS X operati ng systems is available from Cisco’s web site.

Note The latest Macintosh software package on CCO contains the driver and client utility for both the Mac

OS 9.x and the Ma c O S X ope ra ting syst ems.

To obtain the latest driver and client utility from the Cisco Web site, follow these steps:

Step 1 Use your web browser to access the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/tablebuild.pl/aironet-utils-mac.

Step 2 Click on the latest software file (MA COSInstallv2x.sit) for both the Mac OS 9x and Mac OS X operating

systems. The 2x identifies the software package version number.

Step 3 Read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
Step 4 Select the Cisco server from whic h you wish to download th e file.
Step 5 Save the file to your hard drive then exit the web browser.

For installation instructions, refer to Chapter 3, “Installing the Driver, Client Utility, and Client

Adapter.”

Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS 9.x

To open the client utility on a Mac OS 9.x operating system, follow the steps below:

Step 1 Double-click the Ma cin to sh hard disk i con o n th e de sktop.
Step 2 Double-click the Cisco pcm3x0 Folder icon. If you selected a location other than the default (the Cisco

pcm3x0 Folder) during the installation process, select the folder in which the utility was installed.

Step 3 Double-click the pcm3x0PPC icon. The compu te r se ar ch es fo r th e cl ie nt ad apt e r. Aft e r th e ad ap t er is

found, the Basic Propertie s scree n appear s.

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Chapter 1 Overview

Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS X

Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS X

To open the client utility on a Mac OS X operating system, follow the steps below:

Step 1 On the Finder menu bar, click Go and sel ect Applications from the pull-down menu.
Step 2 Double-click the Aironet Client Utility icon in the Applications folder. The computer searches for the

radio on the client adap ter. After the adap ter and radio ar e found, the client utility basic prop erties screen
appears.

Client Utility Basics

This section explains the basic features of the client utility for Mac OS 9.x and Mac OS X.

Mac OS 9.x

The client utility on Mac OS 9.x supports several screens used for specific functions.

Switching between Screens

The client utility allo ws more than one scree n (or windo w) to be open at a time. The W ind ows menu (see

Figure 1-3) di splays a list of the open scree ns.

Figure 1-3 Windows Menu

The screen marked with a diamond in dicat es the acti v e screen . You can change which screen is acti ve b y
clicking on anothe r scre en i n the Windows menu.

Note The Basic Proper ties scree n and th e Edi t Proper ties s creen c annot be open a t the same tim e.

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Client Utility Basics

Buttons on the Client Utility Screens

The buttons on the bottom of the client utility screens are used to perform specific functions. Table 1-1
describes the most common buttons.

Table 1-1 Client Utility Buttons on Mac OS 9.x

Button Description

Cancel Exits the applica tion with out saving any change s
OK Saves any changes and exits t he ap plic at ion
Apply Saves any changes but does not exit the application
Pause Freezes the infor mation on the Statis tics scre ens and prevents it from be ing update d
Continue Allows the information on the Statistics screens to be upda ted after the Pause button

is selected
Clear Stats Temporarily clears any values on the Statistics screens and resets them to 0
Start Initiates a RF Link test
Stop Stops an RF Link test that is running
Defaults Sets the parameters for a screen to their default values
Help Provides information on the screen and its parameters

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Client Utility Basics

Mac OS X

The client utility on Mac OS X supports three main screens, the basic and advanced parameter screens
and the troubleshoot ing scre en.

Switching between Screens

You can change the client utility’s active screen by clicking the parameter option field’s up or down
arrows. Figure 1 -4 shows the screen pull-down parameter options.

Figure 1-4 Client Utility Screen Pull-Down Parameter Options

Note You can click the highlighted blue text on the client utility screens to obtain additional descriptive

information on the highlighted words. You can also click the Help button to obtain detailed
information on the client utility parameters and fields.

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Client Utility Basics

Buttons on the Client Utility Screens and Dialog Boxes

The buttons supported by the client utility are use d to perform specif ic functions. Table 1-2 describes the
most common buttons.

Table 1-2 Client Utility Buttons for Mac OS X

Button Description

Apply Saves any changes but does not exit the application.
Cancel Exits the applicati on or screen withou t saving any changes. If

changes have been made, a message appears asking i f you want to

save the changes.
Turn Radio Off
Turn Radio On

Turns the radio off or on.

Set WEP Key Sets the WEP keys.
Set LEAP Username/Password Sets the LEAP username and password.
Help Provides information on the screen and its parameters.

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Client Utility Basics

CHAPTER

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2

Preparing for Installation

This chapter provides information that you need to know before installing a client adapter.
The following topics are covered in this section:

• Safety Informat ion, p ag e 2-2

• System Requirements, page 2-3

• Site Requirements, page 2-4

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Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation

Safety Information

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 Doc ket 96-8, has adop ted a safe ty standard for human exposur e 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.

• Use in specific environme nts :

–

The use of wireless devices in hazardous locations is limited to the constraints posed by the
safety directors of su ch e nvironments.

–

The use of wir eless d evices on airpl ane s is governed by the Fede ra l Aviation Administrat ion
(FAA).

–

The use of wireless devices in hospitals is restricted to the limits set forth by each hospital.

• Antenna use:

–

In order to com ply with FCC RF expo sure limi ts, d ipol e a nte nnas sh ould be lo cat ed a t a
minimum distance of 7.9 inch es (20 cm) or mor e from the body of all perso ns.

–

High-gain, wall-mount, or mast-mount antennas are designed to be professionally installed and
should be located at a mini mum dist ance of 12 i nches (30 cm ) or more from the body of all
persons. Please contact your pro fessiona l instal ler, VAR, or antenna manufact urer for pro per
installation requirements.