Cisco Systems PI21AG, CB21AG manual Introduction to the Client Adapters, Terminology

Chapter 1 Product Overview and Installation

Introduction to the Client Adapters

Introduction to the Client Adapters

The Cisco Aironet IEEE 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Client Adapters (CB21AG and PI21AG) are radio modules that provide wireless data communications among fixed, portable, and mobile devices within both wireless and wired network infrastructures. The client adapters are fully compatible when used in devices supporting “plug-and-play” (PnP) technology.

The primary function of the client adapters is to transfer data packets through the wireless infrastructure by communicating with other clients or with access points that are connected to a wired LAN. The adapters operate similarly to a standard network product except that radios rather than Ethernet cables make the connection to the wire. No special wireless networking functions are required, and all existing applications that operate over a network can operate using the adapters.

This document covers the two client adapters described in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 Client Adapter Types

Client Adapter	Model Number	Description	Illustration
PC-Cardbus	AIR-CB21AG	An IEEE 802.11a/b/g-compliant 2.4- and 5-GHz 54-Mbps client
card		adapter card radio module with a Cardbus interface that can be
		inserted into any device equipped with a 32-bit Cardbus slot. Host
		devices can include laptops and notebook computers.

95579

PCI card	AIR-PI21AG	An IEEE 802.11a/b/g-compliant 2.4- and 5-GHz 54-Mbps client
		adapter card radio module that can be inserted into any device
		equipped with an empty PCI expansion slot, such as a desktop
		personal computer.

ACTIVITY STATUS

95580

Terminology

The following terms are used throughout this document:

•client adapter—Refers to both types of adapters.

•PC-Cardbus card or PCI card—Refers to a specific adapter.

•workstation (or station)—Refers to a computing device with an installed client adapter.

•infrastructure device—Refers to a device that connects client adapters to a wired LAN, such as an access point, bridge, or base station. Throughout this document, access point is used to represent infrastructure devices in general.

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

1-2 OL-16534-01