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Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Client Adapters (CB21AG and PI21AG) Installation and Configuration Guide for Windows Vista
OL-16534-01
Chapter 1 Product Overview and Installation
Software Components
Software Components
You can install both the driver for the CB21AG and PI21AG and the software that runs the adapter by
running a single executable file that is available from Cisco.com. You must execute this file on devices
that are running Windows Vista. This driver and softward can be used only with CB21AG and PI21AG
client adapters.
Network Configurations Using Client Adapters
Client adapters can be used in a variety of network configurations. In some configurations, access points
provide connections to your network or act as repeaters to increase wireless communication range. The
maximum communication range is based on how you configure your wireless network.
This section describes and illustrates the two most common network configurations:
•
Ad hoc wireless local area network (LAN)
•
Wireless infrastructure with workstations accessing a wired LAN
For examples of more complex network configurations involving client adapters and access points, refer
to the documentation for your access point.
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
An ad hoc (or
peer-to-peer
) wireless LAN (see
Figure 1-1
) is the simplest wireless LAN configuration.
In a wireless LAN using an ad hoc network configuration, all devices equipped with a client adapter can
be linked together and communicate directly with each other. The use of an infrastructure device, such
as an access point, is not required.
Blinking slowly
Blinking slowly
Client adapter is associated to an access point (in
infrastructure mode) or another client (in ad hoc
mode).
Blinking quickly
Blinking quickly
Client adapter is transmitting or receiving data
while associated to an access point (in infrastructure
mode) or another client (in ad hoc mode).
Table 1-2
LED Operating Messages (continued)
Status LED (green)
Activity LED (amber)
Condition
