Fujitsu Siemens Computers A3120 Before Using the Wireless LAN, Characteristics of the Wlan Device

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L i f e B o o k A 3 0 0 0 S e r i e s N o t e b o o k - A p p e n d i x

Before Using the Wireless LAN

This manual describes the procedures for properly setting up and configuring the optional integrated Wire- less LAN Mini-PCI device (referred to as "WLAN device"). Before using the WLAN device, read this manual carefully to ensure it's correct operation. Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.

Wireless LAN Devices Covered by this Document

This document is applicable to systems containing an Atheros AR5006EXS (AR5BXB6) Mini-PCI wireless network card (802.11a+b/g).

Characteristics of the WLAN Device

■The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the mainboard of the mobile computer.

■It is a dual-band radio that operates in two license-free RF bands, therefore eliminating the need to procure an FCC license to operate. It operates in the 2.4GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) RF band and in the lower, middle, and upper bands of the 5GHz Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) bands.

■The Atheros SuperAG WLAN is capable of three oper- ating modes, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g, wireless LAN standards governed by the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers.

■Encoding of data is modulated using Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Complementary Code Keying (CCK) when the WLAN device is operating in IEEE 802.11b mode and Orthogonal Frequency Divi- sion Multiplexing (OFDM) when operating in IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11g mode.

■The WLAN device is Wi-Fi certified and operates at the maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps in IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11g mode (108 Mbps maxi- mum data rate with compatible access points) and 11 Mbps in IEEE802.11b mode.

■The WLAN device supports the following encryption methods - WEP, TKIP, and AES encryption.

WIRELESS LAN MODES USING THIS DEVICE

Ad Hoc Mode (See Figure A-1)

"Ad Hoc Mode" refers to a wireless network architecture where wireless network connectivity between multiple computers is established without a central wireless network device, typically known as Access Point(s). Connectivity is accomplished using only client devices in a peer-to-peer fashion. That is why Ad Hoc networks are also known as peer-to-peer networks. Ad Hoc networks are an easy and inexpensive method for establishing network connectivity between multiple computers.

Ad Hoc mode requires that the SSID (service set identi- fier), network authentication, and encryption key settings are identically configured on all computers in the Ad Hoc network.

Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode (See Figure A-2)Infrastructure mode refers to a wireless network archi- tecture in which devices communicate with wireless or wired network devices by communicating through an Access Point. In infrastructure mode, wireless devices can communicate with each other or with a wired network. Corporate wireless networks operate in infra- structure mode because they require access to the wired LAN in order to access computers, devices, and services such as file servers, printers, and databases.

How to Handle This Device

The WLAN device comes pre-installed in your mobile computer. Under normal circumstances, it should not be necessary for you to remove or reinstall it. The operating system that your mobile computer comes with has been pre-configured to support the WLAN device.

Figure A-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network

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