Wireless LANs

Configuring Cisco WLAN Clients

Cisco 802.11a/b/g WLAN Client Adapters

802.11a/b/g dual-band client adapters

• Supports all three current standards
– 54 Mbps in 2.4 and 5 GHz bands
– 802.11b support provides investment
protection
• CardBus or PCI card
• Supported operating systems
– Windows 2000 and Windows XP
• Utilities
– ADU: Aironet Desktop Utility
– ACM: Aironet Client Monitor
– ACAU: Aironet Client Administration Utility
Client Adapter Installation Wizard

• Requires a forced reboot at the completion of the install

(prompts in the beginning as a warning).
– Protection to ensure that machine is left in a stable state.
• Shows multiple status screens.
– Drivers, ADU, firmware, LEAP, and so on.
• Card must be inserted at the beginning of the setup and
must be identified by the computer as new hardware.
(If it is not identified as new hardware, reboot the laptop.)
Cisco ADU Installation

Multiple options for installation

Install Cisco Aironet Site Survey Utility
Choose Configuration Tool
ADU Main Screen

Shows client
IP address
Advanced Status Information
ADU: Main Profile Screen

• Multiple profiles
• Auto profile
selection
• Can scan for
access point
SSIDs
ADU: General Settings

Create/modify profile
ADU: Security Settings

• Wi-Fi Protected Access

(WPA)/WPA2 support
• Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES) and
Extensible
Authentication
Protocol-Flexible
Authentication via
Secure Tunneling
(EAP-FAST) supported
ADU: Advanced Settings

Selectively choose wireless modes to decrease

association time.
ADU Diagnostics: Advanced Statistics

Used predominately during troubleshooting

ADU Diagnostics: Adapter Information

Driver version

Adapter MAC address

ADU Troubleshooting
Cisco Aironet System Tray Icon

Desktop Logo

ACU Status -
Excellent
ACU Status -
Good
ACU Status -
Fair
ACU Status -
Poor
ACU Status – No
Radio
ACU Status-
Authenticating
ACU Status- Not
Associated
Cisco Aironet Site Survey Utility
Cisco Aironet Site Survey Utility (Cont.)
Windows XP WLAN Configuration
Comparison of Windows XP and Cisco ADU

Feature Windows XP Cisco ADU

Configuration parameters Limited Extensive
Create profiles Yes Yes
Enable/disable radio No Yes
Static WEP Yes Yes
LEAP No Yes
EAP-TLS or PEAP Yes Yes
Status window Limited Extensive
Troubleshooting No Yes
Statistics No Yes
Aironet Client Administration Utility (ACAU)

• Creates file with profiles and settings

• Profiles imported during the installation of ADU and firmware
– For AIR-CB21AG and AIR-PI21AG
– Installs across network
– Encrypted setup files
– Windows 2000 and Windows XP only
Aironet Configuration Administration Utility

Easy binary
configurations
for security and
utility
 Cisco Wireless IP Phone

• For workers who need to communicate while

moving about their workplace or campus
• Same features as Cisco wired IP Phones
• Graphical, menu-driven user interface
• Multiline appearance (up to six extensions)
• Phone book with speed dials
• LEAP security
 
• Auto VLAN configuration and
Cisco CallManager registration
Cisco Compatible Extensions

• No-cost licensing of technology for use in WLAN adapters

and devices
• Independent testing to ensure interoperability with Cisco
infrastructure
• Marketing of compliant products by Cisco and product
suppliers under “Cisco Compatible” brand
 Cisco Compatible Extensions (Cont.)
Cisco Compatible client
devices
• Features
– Assured compatibility with
300+ devices
– Standards-based
– Enhanced security,
mobility, and performance
• Benefits
– Accelerates innovation
– Supports diverse
enterprise applications
– Ensures multivendor
interoperability
http://www.cisco.com/go/ciscocompatible/wireless
 Cisco Compatible Extensions Features

V1 V2 V3 V4
• WEP • PEAP-GTC • WPA2 • NAC (wireless)
• IEEE 802.1x • WPA • EAP-FAST • EAP-TLS
Security • • PEAP-MSCHAP
LEAP
• Cisco TKIP
• Multiple • eDCF • Wi-Fi Multimedia • MBSSID
VLANs and QoS SSIDs/VLANs (WMM) • Call Admission
on AP Control (CAC)
• U-APSD
Voice over IP • TSPEC CAC
• Voice metrics
• AP-assisted • CCKM with • CCKM with other
roaming EAP-FAST EAP types
• CCKM with • Proxy ARP • AP-directed roaming
Performance
LEAP information • Location
and • RF scanning element • Keep Alive link test
Management and reporting • Single sign-on:
• Transmit LEAP, EAP-FAST
power sync
Cisco Compatible Extensions Program
• Develops interoperability with semiconductor and client vendors
• Provides additional functionality and performance improvement
while working with Cisco access points and Cisco wireless
infrastructure
– Objective: The Cisco Compatible Extensions program provides
customers with a broad range of WLAN client devices that have
tested interoperability with Cisco Aironet innovations.
– Phase 1:
• Specification: Cisco provides specification to WLAN silicon
providers.
– Phase 2:
• Interoperability test: Devices are tested by approved third-
party vendor for the specification.
– Phase 3:
• Compatibility: Approved products are marketed.
Summary

• The installation wizard for the Cisco 802.11a/b/g WLAN client adapter installs
driver and utilities.
• The Cisco 802.11a/b/g client adapter is configured via Cisco ADU.
• Cisco ADU can be used for troubleshooting the client adapter.
• The Cisco Aironet Site Survey Utility provides information about available
WLANs.
• Cisco ADU provides more features than Windows XP for the Cisco client adapter
configuration.
• Cisco ACAU provides preconfiguration of WLAN profiles for software
distribution.
• The Cisco Wireless IP Phone provides integration of IP telephony into WLANs.
• The Cisco Compatible Extensions program enhances WLAN features for WLAN
adapters from multiple vendors.