Fujitsu Lifebook E8020 User Manual Download

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L i f e B o o k E 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 Devices Covered by this Document

This document is applicable to systems containing one
of the following two devices. Most of the procedures are
identical. Sections that differ between the two devices
have been noted in the text:

■

Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG

■

Atheros® SuperAG™ Wireless LAN

If your system is an E8020, your wireless module is the
Intel PROSet wireless LAN; if your system is an E8020D,
your wireless module is the Atheros wireless LAN.

Characteristics of the WLAN Device

■

The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the
mainboard of the mobile computer.

■

It operates in two license-free RF bands, therefore
eliminating the need to procure an FCC license to
operate. It operates in the 2.4GHz Industrial, Scien-
tific, and Medical (ISM) RF band and in the lower and
middle bands of the 5GHz Unlicensed National Infor-
mation Infrastructure (UNII) bands.

■

The WLANs are capable of three operating modes,
IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b and IEEE802.11g, wireless
LAN standards governed by the IEEE (Institute of
Electronics and Electrical Engineers).

■

Encoding of data is modulated using Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Complementary Code
Keying (CCK) when the WLAN device is operating in
IEEE 802.11b mode and Orthogonal Frequency Divi-
sion Multiplexing (OFDM) when operating in
IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11g mode.

■

The WLAN device is Wi-Fi certified and operates at
the maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps in
IEEE802.11a or IEEE802.11g mode and 11 Mbps in
IEEE802.11b mode.

■

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.

WIRELESS LAN MODES USING THIS DEVICE

Ad Hoc Mode

(See Figure A-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.

Figure A-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network

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