Fujitsu P1610 manual Wireless Network Considerations, Deactivating The Wlan Device, See Figure A-2

P Series.book Page 87 Monday, October 9, 2006 10:58 AM

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 can communicate with a wired network. Corporate wireless networks operate in infrastructure 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 re-install it. The Oper- ating System that your mobile computer comes with has been pre-configured to support the WLAN device.

WIRELESS NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS

■The WLAN devices support IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g.

■The WLAN devices operate in the 2.4GHz ISM band and the 5 GHz lower, middle, and upper UNII bands.

Figure A-2. Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode Network

W i r e l e s s L A N U s e r ’ s G u i d e

■Microwave ovens will interfere with the operation of WLAN device as microwave ovens operate in the same 2.4GHz frequency range that IEEE 802.11b/g devices operate in. Interference by microwaves does not occur with IEEE 802.11a radio which operates in the 5 GHz RF band.

■Wireless devices that transmit in the 2.4GHz fre- quency range may interfere with the operation of WLAN devices in IEEE 802.11b/g modes. Symptoms of interference include reduced throughput, intermit- tent disconnects, and large amounts of frame errors. It is HIGHLY recommended that these interfering devices be powered off to ensure the proper operation of the WLAN device.

DEACTIVATING THE WLAN DEVICE

Deactivation of the WLAN device may be desired in certain circumstances (to extend battery life) or where certain environments require it (i.e. hospitals, clinics, airplanes, etc.). Fujitsu mobile computers employ two methods with which to deactivate the WLAN device:

■Using the Wireless On/Off Switch

■In Windows, using the Intel PROSet Software or Atheros Client Utility software.

Internet

ADSL modem, cable modem, or similar

Wireless LAN

Wired LAN

Access Point*

*An optional hub for a wired LAN may be required depending upon the type of access point used.

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