Wireless LAN Client Devices

1. Wireless LAN Client Devices • 2.2 Identify the purpose, features, and functions of the following client devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration steps in a given scenario. • PC Cards (ExpressCard, CardBus, and PCMCIA) • USB2, CF, and SD Devices • PCI, Mini-PCI, and Mini-PCIe Cards • Workgroup Bridges • Client utility software and drivers

2. Wireless LAN Client Devices • Clients are not just computers • Different types of devices use different adapters • Internal • PCI • Mini-PCI • Mini-PCIe • External • PCMCIA • ExpressCard • USB 2.0 • CompactFlash • Wireless Adapters must have RF capabilities Pg 62

3. PCMCIA • Developed in early 1990s • 3 types • I • II • III • PC Card is the physical standard • 68 pin connector • Lots of early wireless cards were PCMCIA Pg 62

4. Installation and Configuration of PCMCIA Cards • Verify that the card style will fit the port in your PC • Make sure you have device drivers • CD or Website Pg 64

5. Configuration with Installer • Usually loads software for easy use Pg 64

6. Configuration Wizard • Windows Hardware Wizard will ask for drivers • This will not always be the correct way to install Pg 64

7. ExpressCard • Next generation of expansion card • Hasn’t really caught on yet Pg 68

8. Features of the ExpressCard • Built on 32 and 64 bit pc card standards • 34, 54, and extended types • Can be installed without having to power down • Hot plug Pg 68

9. Installation and Configuration of an ExpressCard • Similar to PCMCIA card install Pg 69

10. USB 1.0, USB 1.1, and USB 2.0 • Introduced in 1995 • Designed as a replacement for legacy serial and parallel • Serial-one bit at a time-in a row • Parallel-several bits in parallel • Designed for many peripherals • Keyboard • Mouse • Camera • Printer • PDA Pg 69

11. USB 1.0, USB 1.1, and USB 2.0 • USB 1.0 • 1.5 Mbps to 12 Mbps • USB 2.0- in 2000 • 480 Mbps Pg 69

12. Features of USB • Standard connector • Allows for connection and power from single cable • Can plug and unplug different devices • Hot Swapping Pg 70

13. Installation and Configuration of USB Devices • Usually a wizard or install program • When used with wireless cards, need to know which network you are connecting to Pg 70

14. CompactFlash (CF) Devices • Mass Storage for portable electronics • Also use for ethernet, bluetooth, wireless, RFID, etc. Pg 73

15. Features of CF Cards • Type I and II • Thickness is only difference • 36 x 43 mm Pg 73

16. Installation and Configuration of a CF Card • Differences from USB and PCMCIA relate to PDA and operating system specifics • Follow manufacturers instructions Pg 74

17. Secure Digital (SD) • Designed as storage fro 8MB to 4 GB • Originally for memory • Allows for connection of other devices • Camera, GPS, FM, TV, Ethernet, WLANs • If used for other-known as SD Input Output-SDIO Pg 74

18. Features of SDIO Cards • Full size 24x32x2.1 • Mini SDIO 27x20x1.4 for WLAN and Bluetooth Pg 75

19. Installation and Configuration of SDIO Cards • Similar to a compact Flash • OS and Hardware (PDA) dependant • Usually requires a sync for driver updates • Typical Install • Connect PocketPC or PDA to host running active sync • Install the software using the host PC • Insert the SDIO Wireless LAN card • Start the program on the Pocket PC/PDA • Find a wireless LAN to connect to and create a profile • Connect to the Wireless LAN Pg 75

20. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) • Internal expansion bus standard created by Intel • Often requires opening the case on a PC • Wireless PCI cards can often have built in antenna or a slot for a PCMCIA antenna Pg 75

21. Features of PCI • PCI connects to data bus that connects to CPU in the case • Many of the PC components that used to plug into the data bus are now integrated to the motherboard Pg 76

22. Installation and Configuration of PCI Cards • PCI and Plug and Play • Allow for easier config • Plug in card • Wizard sees device • Load drivers Pg 77

23. Mini-PCI and Mini-PCIe (Mini-PCI Express) • Variation of the PCI for laptops and other small form factor devices • Common for FastEthernet, Bluetooth, modem, HD controllers and WLANs • For wireless used for Ap and client devices • Mini-PCIe is a replacement for Mini-PCI • Based on PCI Express Pg 79

24. Features of Mini-PCI and Mini-PCIe Cards • Type II, II, III • Type I and II use 100 pin stacking connection • Type III use 124 pin edge connection Pg 79

25. Installation and Configuration of Mini-PCI and Mini‑PCIe Cards • Shut down the computer. Verify the computer is not in Hibernation mode. If so, turn on the computer and perform a complete shutdown. • Disconnect the AC power cord from the wall jack. • Disconnect all connected peripherals and remove the battery pack. • Remove the panel covering the Mini-PCI-Mini-PCIe compartment (details of this step will depend on the computer model). • Insert the Mini PCI or Mini-PCIe card into the correct slot. Note the correct pinorientation. • Connect the wireless antenna cables to the Mini PCI or Mini-PCIe card. • Replace the panel for the Mini-PCI-Mini-PCIe compartment. • Replace all peripheral devices and battery pack. Plug in the AC power cord to thewall jack. • Power on the computer and insert the Setup CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. The Program should start automatically, and a welcome or autorun screen may appear. When this screen appears, click Install Drivers and follow the on-screen instructions to install and configure the wireless Mini PCI or Mini-PCIe card.

26. Workgroup Bridges • Wireless bridge or client bridge allows an Ethernet segment to connect to wireless network Pg 81

27. Features of Workgroup/Client Bridges • Wireless Workgroup Bridge (WWB) • Wireless client bridge • Have a limited number of clients that can connect • Access point sees a bridge as a single station even If several stations are connected Pg 82

28. Features of Workgroup/Client Bridges • Fixed or detachable antennas • Security such as WEP, WPA, WPA 2.0 • Web browser and/or CLI config and management • MAC filtering options • Multiple connectivity Modes • POE • Support for limited number of clients Pg 82

29. Installation and Configuration of Workgroup/Client Bridges Pg 82

30. Installation and Configuration of Workgroup/Client Bridges • Connect the workgroup or client bridge to the Ethernet segment that needs to have a wireless connection. • If Power over Ethernet (PoE) is not a feature of the device, connect the bridge power adapter to the wall jack. • Using a web browser, connect to the assigned IP address. In some cases it may be necessary to assign an IP address to the workgroup or client bridge from a CLI prior to configuring the bridge. • From the web management interface, assign the correct Service Set Identifier (SSID) and radio frequency channel in order to associate to the correct access point. • Verify association of the workgroup/client bridge to the desired access point. Pg 82

31. Client Device Drivers • Device driver allows installed device to communicate with OS • Make sure you have latest version of drivers • Support newest features Pg 84

32. Client Utility Software • WLAN cards require configuration in order to operate on the network • Device drivers have limited configuration capabilities • Manufacturer or third party utilities Pg 84

33. Client Utility Software • When 802.1X port based authentication is used, the client is a “supplicant” • Supplicant provides credentials for authentication • User can create a Profile to store the connection settings • Contains settings specific to that connection Pg 84

34. Manufacturer-Specific Client Utilities • Manufacturers usually provide software for their adapters • Features depend on whether devices is SOHO or enterprise Pg 85

35. Manufacturer-Specific Client Utilities • Enterprise client utilities may have more advanced feature set • Profile set up may be manual • Need basic understanding of capabilities Pg 85

36. Third-Party Client Utilities • Windows XP and Vista include a client utility • Wireless Zero Configuration Utility (WZC) • After selecting a network, user can supply security parameters Pg 86

37. Exam Essentials • Know the various types and features of external client adapters used in wireless LAN clients. Understand the features and function of external client adapters, including PCMCIA, ExpressCard, USB 2.0 and CompactFlash (CF). • Know the various types and features of internal client adapters used in wireless LAN clients. Be familiar with internal adapter cards used with 802.11 wireless LAN technology, including PCI, Mini-PCI, and Mini-PCIe cards. Understand the installation factors involved with internal network adapters. • Understand the installation process of client adapters and client software. PCMCIA, ExpressCard, USB2, CompactFlash (CF), SDIO, PCI, Mini-PCI, and Mini-PCIe cards require software components such as a device deriver and client utility software to be installed in order to function correctly. • Explain the function and features of specialty client devices. Specialty client devices such as a wireless workgroup or client bridge can be used to connect devices on a common phys­ical layer cable to a wireless network. • Know the differences among software components of wireless client adapters. Device drivers, client utility software, third-party client software all play important roles in the successful installation of a wireless client adapter. Understand the details of software com­ponents used in wireless networking. Pg 87