Cisco Aironet® 5 GHz 54 Mbps Wireless LAN Client Adapter

Datasheet

The Cisco Aironet® 5 GHz 54 Mbps Wireless LAN client adapter is an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a-compliant Card Bus adapter that operates in the UNII-1 and UNII-2 bands. The client adapter complements the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series 802.11a Access Point, providing a solution that combines performance and mobility with the security and manageability that enterprises require.

Wireless LAN client adapters can increase productivity by enabling mobile users to have network and Internet access anywhere within a building that is equipped with a wireless network infrastructure. Wireless client adapters connect a variety of devices to a wireless network either in ad hoc peer-to-peer mode or in infrastructure mode with access points. With this client adapter, you can quickly add new employees to a network, support temporary workgroups, or enable Internet access in conference rooms or other meeting spaces (Figure 1). And the Cisco Aironet client solution is easy to use, making the benefits of wireless mobility completely transparent.

Enhanced Client Network Management Features

The Cisco Aironet Client Utility, with an intuitive graphical user interface, provides an easy way to configure, monitor, and manage the Cisco Aironet 5 GHz Wireless LAN Client Adapter. Enhanced client network management features include:

• Site-survey tools—Easy-to-understand detailed graphical information to assist in the placement of access points (Figure 4)
• Troubleshooting facility—Step-by-step details on the process of connecting to an access point that highlights why a connection failed (Figure 5)
• Profile Manager—Create specific profile settings for various environments, such as the office or home, making it simple for telecommuters and business travelers to move from one environment to another
• Customized Profile settings—Individually select channel, service set identifier (SSID), WEP key, and the authentication method for different locations
• Cisco LEAP authentication status screen—Status updates regarding the Cisco LEAP authentication process
• Autoselection of Cisco LEAP profile—Automatic selection of a Cisco LEAP profile without having to store the Cisco LEAP username and password in the profile
• System Tray icon—Easy access to wireless LAN connection information and one-click access to common actions such as selecting the right profile for a wireless LAN (Figure 6)
• Aironet Client Monitor—Optional application that runs "behind" a System Tray icon and provides a subset of Aironet Client Utility features such as status information about the client adapter and access to basic tasks such as selecting a profile
• Support of popular operating systems—Windows 98/98SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Mac OS 9.X, and MAC OS X (10.2 or later).