Cisco Systems PI21AG, CB21AG Software Components, Network Configurations Using Client Adapters

Chapter 1 Product Overview and Installation

Software Components

Table 1-2	LED Operating Messages (continued)
Status LED (green)		Activity LED (amber)	Condition
Blinking slowly		Blinking slowly	Client adapter is associated to an access point (in
			infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc
			mode).
Blinking quickly		Blinking quickly	Client adapter is transmitting or receiving data
			while associated to an access point (in infrastructure
			mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode).

Software Components

You can install both the driver for the CB21AG and PI21AG and the software that runs the adapter by running a single executable file that is available from Cisco.com. You must execute this file on devices that are running Windows Vista. This driver and softward can be used only with CB21AG and PI21AG client adapters.

Network Configurations Using Client Adapters

Client adapters 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 documentation for your access point.

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. The use of an infrastructure device, such as an access point, is not required.

Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Client Adapters (CB21AG and PI21AG) Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows Vista

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