Fujitsu B6220 Before Using the Wireless LAN, Wireless Lan Modes Using This Device, Ad Hoc Mode

L i f e B o o k B 6 2 0 0 S e r i e s - A p p e n d i x A

Before Using the Wireless LAN

This manual describes the procedures required to prop- erly setup and configure the optional integrated Wireless LAN Mini-PCI device (referred to as "WLAN device" in the rest of the manual). Before using the WLAN device, read this manual carefully to ensure it's correct opera- tion. Keep this manual in a safe place for future refer- ence.

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. Additionally, the Atheros device operates 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 IEEE (Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engi- neers).

■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 and 11 Mbps in IEEE802.11b mode.

■The WLAN device supports the following encryption methods - WEP, TKIP, CKIP, 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 estab- lishing 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.

Figure A-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network

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