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LifeBook P7000 Series Notebook - Section Five
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 3945ABG (WM3945ABG)
Network Connection (802.11a+b/g)
■
Atheros® AR5006EXS (AR5BXB6) Mini-Card
Wireless network card (802.11a+b/g)
Characteristics of the WLAN Device
■
The WLAN device is a Mini-PCI card attached to the
main board 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 WLAN device supports the following encryption
methods - WEP, TKIP, and AES encryption.
WIRELESS LAN MODES USING THIS DEVICE
Ad Hoc Mode
(See Figure 5-1)
"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.
Access Point (Infrastructure) Mode
(See Figure 5-2)
Infrastructure mode refers to a wireless network archi-
tecture in which devices communicate with wireless or
wired network devices through an Access Point. In infra-
structure mode, wireless devices can communicate with
each other or with a wired network. Corporate wireless
networks operate in infrastructure mode because they
require access to the wired LAN in order to access
computers, devices, and services such as file servers,
printers, and databases.
Figure 5-1. Ad Hoc Mode Network
B5FJ-4181-01EN-01.book Page 52 Wednesday, August 22, 2007 9:04 AM