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Updated:May 11, 2006
Document ID:1518337259551423
Bias-Free Language
The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
The Cisco® Aironet® 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter provides high-performance 54-Mbps connectivity in the 2.4- and 5-GHz bands.
Whether configured to support single 802.11b coverage, single 802.11g coverage, single 802.11a coverage, dual-mode 802.11a/g coverage, or trimode 802.11a/b/g coverage, the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter is Wi-Fi-compliant and combines the freedom of wireless connectivity with 802.11i/Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption for the performance, security, and manageability that businesses require (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter
Enterprise-Class Security Solution
Designed with enterprise-class security requirements in mind, the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter uses the 802.1X standard for port-based network access. A full array of Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) types for user-based authentication, together with enterprise-caliber Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption, provide full 802.11i support. The adapter supports WPA2, the Wi-Fi Alliance certification for interoperable, standards-based wireless LAN security.
Support for Management Frame Protection (MFP) is now available on the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter. MFP adds security to the MAC management layer of 802.11 connectivity by cryptographically hashing the management frames and generating a Message Integrity Check (MIC) during network connection.
The Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter supports the most common 802.1X authentication types, including EAP-Flexible Authentication via Secure Tunneling (EAP-FAST), Cisco LEAP, EAP-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol-Generic Token Card (PEAP-GTC), and PEAP-Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol version 2 (PEAP-MSCHAPv2). A wide selection of RADIUS servers, such as the Cisco Secure Access Control Server (ACS) and Cisco Access Registrar server, can be used for enterprise-class centralized user management that includes:
• Strong, mutual authentication to help ensure that only legitimate clients associate with legitimate and authorized network RADIUS servers via authorized access points
• Dynamic per-user, per-session encryption keys that automatically change on a configurable basis to protect the privacy of transmitted data
• Stronger encryption keys provided by Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) enhancements such as message integrity check (MIC), per-packet keys via initialization vector hashing, and broadcast key rotation
• RADIUS accounting records for all authentication attempts
A new and improved set of client utilities includes the Cisco Aironet Desktop Utility, System Tray Utility, and Client Administration Utility. Together, these utilities provide an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) for easy configuration, monitoring, and management of the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter. Enhanced client network management features include:
• Profile manager: Allows users to create specific profile settings for various environments, making it simple for telecommuters and business travelers to move from one environment to another (Figure 2).
• Customized profile settings: Lets users individually select the channel, service set identifier (SSID), Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) key, and authentication method for different locations.
• Cisco EAP authentication status screen: Provides status updates regarding the Cisco EAP authentication process.
• Auto-selection of profiles: Provides automatic selection of established profiles, including those configured for EAP authentication, without requiring storage of the EAP username and password in the profile.
• System tray icon: Provides easy access to wireless LAN connection information and one click access to common actions such as manual selection a profile or turning the radio on or off.
• Cisco Aironet Client Monitor: Provides a subset of Cisco Aironet Desktop Utility features, such as status information about the client adapter and access to basic tasks (selecting a profile, for example). This application runs from the system tray icon.
• Troubleshooting utility: Provides step-by-step details on the process of connecting to an access point, as well as highlights on why a connection failed.
• Support for the most popular enterprise operating systems: Windows XP and Windows 2000.
• Cisco Aironet Client Adapter installation wizard for Windows: Provides for easy installation of the client firmware, drivers, and utilities. The wizard offers several installation options, install client utilities and driver; install driver only; or make driver installation diskette(s). For ease of use, the installation wizard image file is a self-extracting (.exe) file.
Features And Benefits
Table 1 lists the features and benefits of the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter.
Table 1. Product Features and Benefits
Feature
Benefit
Cisco Secure Wireless Solution
IEEE 802.1X support, including Cisco LEAP, PEAP-GTC, PEAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-FAST and EAP-TLS for mutual authentication with dynamic per-user, per-session encryption keys via TKIP enhancements. Full support for WPA and WPA2.. Full support for Management Frame Protection (MFP)
Enhanced Client Network Management Features
Bundled with comprehensive, easy-to-use client network management utilities to provide a secure, intuitive, and convenient way to manage and configure the adapter.
EAP Single Sign-on
Convenient option to use login credentials for LEAP sign-on on the user's network, eliminating the need to enter a second set of credentials.
Site Survey Utility
The site survey utility can assist in conducting site surveys, as well as troubleshooting existing RF wireless LANs. The utility operates at the RF level and is used to determine the best placement and coverage (overlap) for the network's infrastructure devices.
Cisco Wireless Domain Services (WDS)
Cisco WDS is a collection of Cisco IOS® Software features that enhance wireless LAN client mobility and simplify wireless LAN deployment and management. Cisco WDS includes radio management aggregation, fast secure roaming, client tracking, and WAN link remote site survivability.
Fast Secure Roaming
Allows authenticated client devices to roam securely from one access point to another, within or across subnets, without any perceptible delay during reassociation. Provides support for latency-sensitive applications such as voice over IP (VoIP), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and Citrix.
Product Specifications
Table 2 lists product specifications for the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter.
Table 2. Product Specifications
Feature
Description
Form Factor
CardBus Type II
Interface
• 32-bit CardBus with standard 68-pin connector
• PC-Card Rev. 7.0-compliant
Data Rates Supported
1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
Network Standard
IEEE 802.11a/b/g
Operating Voltage
3.3V (±0.3V)
LED
Status (green) and Activity (amber)
Media Access Protocol
Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)
Wireless Medium
802.11g:
• Direct Sequence-Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplexing (OFDM)
(Typical with Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter at maximum transmit power communicating with a Cisco Aironet 1231 Access Point configured with a 2.2-dBi dipole antenna for 802.11b/g, and a 6-dBi gain patch for 802.11a.)
Indoor (typical)
• 54 Mbps
• 18 Mbps
• 11 Mbps
• 6 Mbps
• 1 Mbps
Transmit:
• 554 mA maximum
• 539 mA maximum
• 530 mA maximum
Receive:
• 318 mA maximum
• 327 mA maximum
• 282 mA maximum
Standby:
• 203 mA average
• 203 mA average
• 203 mA average
Range
(Typical with Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter at maximum transmit power communicating with a Cisco Aironet 1231 Access Point configured with a 2.2-dBi dipole antenna for 802.11b/g, and a 6-dBi gain patch for 802.11a.)
Integrated dual-band 2.4/5-GHz, 1-dBi, effective-gain antenna on a two-meter cable
Security Architecture
Cisco Secure Wireless Solution supporting WPA and WPA2, including:
Authentication
• 802.1X support, including Cisco LEAP, EAP-FAST, PEAP-GTC, PEAP-MSCHAPv2), and EAP-TLS to yield mutual authentication and dynamic per-user, per-session encryption keys (WPA and WPA2)
• MAC address and standard 802.11 authentication mechanisms
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For More Information
For more information about the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter, visit
http://www.cisco.com/go/wireless or contact your local account representative.
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