Fujitsu Siemens Computers A3110 Wireless Network Considerations, Deactivating the Wlan Device

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WIRELESS NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS

■The Atheros WLAN device supports IEEE802.11a/b/g and operates in the 2.4GHz ISM band and the 5 GHz UNII bands.

■Microwave ovens will interfere with the operation of WLAN device as microwave ovens operate in the same 2.4GHz frequency range that IEEE802.11b/g devices operate in. Interference by microwaves does not occur with IEEE802.11a 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 IEEE802.11b/g modes. Symptoms of interference include reduced throughput, intermittent 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, or,

■In Windows, using the Atheros Client Utility software.

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

ADSL modem,

Internetcable modem, or similar

Wireless LAN

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

Deactivation using the Wireless On/Off Switch

The WLAN device can be deactivated quickly and effi- ciently by toggling the Wireless On/Off Switch to the Off position. (Figure A-3)

The wireless On/Off switch has no effect on non-Wire- less LAN models.

WLAN

Switch

Wireless LAN Switch

Figure A-3. Wireless LAN On/Off Switch Location

Deactivation using Atheros Client Utility software

1.Click [Start] -> [Program Files] -> [Atheros] -> Atheros Client Utility.

2.Choose Action and click Disable Radio.

ACTIVATING THE WLAN DEVICE

Activation of the WLAN device can be accomplished using the same methods as the deactivation process

■Using the Wireless On/Off Switch

■In Windows using the Atheros software

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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