Before Using The Wireless Lan; Wireless Lan Modes Using This Device - Fujitsu Lifebook N3510 User Manual

L i f e B o o k N S e r i e s N o t e b o o k - S e c t i o n F i v e

Before Using the Wireless LAN

This manual describes the procedures required to prop-
erly setup and configure the 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 operation.
Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.
Wireless LAN Device Covered by this Document
This document is applicable to systems containing an
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connections
(802.11b/g) wireless LAN device.
Characteristics of the WLAN Device
The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the
■
main board of the mobile computer.
The WLAN devices operate in license-free RF bands,
■
therefore eliminating the need to procure an FCC
license to operate. The WLAN device operates in the
2.4GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) RF
band.
The WLAN device is capable of two operating modes,
■
IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g.
The WLAN device is Wi-Fi certified and operates at
■
the maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps.
The maximum communication range indoors is
■
approximately 80 feet (25 meters). However, that
range will increase or decrease depending on factors
such as number of walls, reflective material, or inter-
ference from external RF sources.
The WLAN device supports the following encryption
■
methods - WEP, TKIP, and AES encryption.
Figure 5-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network
50

WIRELESS LAN MODES USING THIS DEVICE

Ad Hoc Mode
(See Figure 5-1)
"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 establishing
network connectivity between multiple computers.
Ad Hoc mode requires that the SSID, network authenti-
cation, and encryption key settings are identically
configured on all computers in the Ad Hoc network.
Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode
(See Figure 5-2)
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.