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 clientIP 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

ACU Status- Not Associated

ACU Status- Authenticating

ACU Status – No Radio

ACU Status - Poor

ACU Status - Fair

ACU Status - Good

ACU Status - Excellent

Desktop Logo

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 andCisco 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

Security

• WEP• IEEE 802.1x• LEAP• Cisco TKIP

• PEAP-GTC• WPA

• WPA2• EAP-FAST

• NAC (wireless)• EAP-TLS• PEAP-MSCHAP

VLANs and QoS• Multiple

SSIDs/VLANs on AP

• eDCF • Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM)

• MBSSID

• Call Admission Control (CAC)

Voice over IP• U-APSD• TSPEC CAC• Voice metrics

Performance and

Management

• AP-assisted roaming

• CCKM with LEAP

• RF scanning and reporting

• Transmit power sync

• CCKM with EAP-FAST

• Proxy ARP information element

• Single sign-on: LEAP, EAP-FAST

• CCKM with other EAP types

• AP-directed roaming• Location• Keep Alive link test

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.