Routine Procedures
This chapter provides procedures for common tasks related to the client adapter.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•Inserting and Removing a PC Card
•Upgrading the Client Adapter Software
•Client Utility Procedures
•CA and User Certificate Procedures (Host-Based EAP on PPC 2002 Devices Only)
•Restarting the Client Adapter
Inserting and Removing a PC Card
This section provides instructions for inserting a PC card into or removing a PC card from a
Windows CE device.
Inserting a PC Card into a Windows CE Device
Follow these steps to insert a PC card into a Windows CE device.
Caution
This procedure and the physical connections it describes apply generally to conventional PC card slots. In cases of custom or nonconventional equipment, be alert to possible differences in PC card slot configurations.
Step 1 Before you begin, examine the PC card. One end has a dual-row, 68-pin PC card connector. The card is keyed so it can be inserted only one way into the PC card slot.
Caution
Do not force the PC card into your computer's PC card slot. Forcing it will damage both the card and the slot. If the PC card does not insert easily, remove the card and reinsert it.
Step 2 Insert the PC card into the PC card slot, applying just enough pressure to make sure it is fully seated (see Figure 8-1).
Figure 8-1
Inserting a PC Card into a Computing Device
Removing a PC Card from a Windows CE Device
Follow the instructions below whenever you need to remove the PC card from your Windows CE device.
To remove a PC card after it is successfully installed and configured, press the Eject button and pull the card out of the PC card slot. When the PC card is reinserted, your connection to the network should be re-established.
Upgrading the Client Adapter Software
This section provides instructions for the following procedures:
•Upgrading the firmware, see below
•Upgrading the driver and client utilities, page 6
Upgrading the Firmware
The client adapter is shipped with the firmware installed in its Flash memory; however, a more recent version of the firmware may be available from Cisco.com. Cisco recommends using the most current version of radio firmware. Follow the instructions in this section to find the version of your client adapter's firmware and to upgrade it if a more recent version is available from Cisco.com.
Note Firmware version 5.40.10 is recommended for use with client adapter driver and utility version 2.60.
Finding the Firmware Version
Follow these steps to determine if you need to upgrade the client adapter's firmware.
Step 1 To find the version of firmware that your client adapter is currently using, follow these steps:
a. Double-tap the ACU icon or select Start > Programs > Cisco > ACU.
b. Tap the Firmware tab. The Firmware window appears (see Figure 8-2).
Figure 8-2 Firmware Window
The current version of your client adapter's firmware is shown at the top of the window, provided a client adapter is inserted in your Windows CE device.
Step 2 To find the latest firmware version available on Cisco.com, follow these steps:
a. Use your computer's web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b. Select Option #2: Aironet Wireless Software Display Tables.
c. Select Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters.
d. Find the section for client adapter firmware.
e. Select the link for your client adapter's series (for example, 350 Series).
f. Look at the available filenames for radio firmware. The numbers that follow the "v" indicate the version number. For example, v50219 indicates a firmware version of 5.02.19.
Step 3 If the firmware available from Cisco.com has a higher number than the firmware currently installed in your client adapter, follow the instructions in the "Loading New Firmware" section below to upgrade the firmware.
Loading New Firmware
Caution
To minimize the risk of a power failure during the firmware flashing process, which could render your client adapter inoperable, Cisco recommends that your Windows CE device be plugged into AC power or have a fully charged battery at the start of flashing. If a power failure does occur, follow the instructions in the
"Technical Assistance Center" section of the Preface to contact TAC for assistance.
Follow the instructions below to load new firmware into your client adapter.
Step 1 Connect your Windows CE device to a laptop or PC running Microsoft ActiveSync. This is typically done using a serial or USB cable.
A message appears on the Windows CE device indicating that it is connecting to the host. After the Windows CE device is connected, the New Partnership window appears on the laptop or PC. This window asks if you want to set up a partnership.
Step 2 Perform one of the following:
•If you want to establish a partnership that allows you to synchronize files between the laptop or PC and the Windows CE device, select Yes, click Next, and follow the instructions on the window to specify the files to be synchronized and to finish setting up the partnership.
•If you do not want to synchronize files and want to connect as a "guest," select No and click Next. The window indicates that you are connected as a guest.
Step 3 Use the laptop or PC's web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
Step 4 Select Option #2: Aironet Wireless Software Display Tables.
Note You can download software from the Software Selector tool instead of the display tables. To do so, select Option #1: Aironet Wireless Software Selector, follow the instructions on the window, and go to Step 9.
Step 5 Select Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters.
Step 6 Find the section for client adapter firmware.
Step 7 Select the link for your client adapter's series (for example, 350 Series).
Step 8 Select the latest firmware file for your client adapter.
Step 9 Complete the encryption authorization form; then read and accept the terms and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
Step 10 Select the firmware file again to download it.
Step 11 Save the file to a floppy disk or to the hard drive of your laptop or PC.
Step 12 Locate the file using Windows Explorer, double-click it, and extract the image file (*.img) to a folder.
Step 13 In the ActiveSync window on the laptop or PC, click the Explore button to view the files on the Windows CE device.
Step 14 Drag and drop the firmware image from Windows Explorer to a location in the ActiveSync window.
Note If your Windows CE device is a PPC running Windows CE 3.0, you must copy the firmware image to the My Documents folder or a folder under My Documents.
Step 15 After the file is copied, disconnect the Windows CE device.
Step 16 Make sure the client adapter is installed in your Windows CE device and is operational.
Step 17 On your Windows CE device, open ACU and tap the Firmware tab. The Firmware window appears (see Figure 8-2).
Step 18 Tap the Browse button. The Open window appears (see Figure 8-3).
Figure 8-3 Open Window
Step 19 Perform one of the following:
•If you are using a PPC device, select the folder from the Folder drop-down menu where the new firmware image is located. Then tap the new firmware image file (*.img) in the Name field in the center of the window.
•If you are using an HPC or Windows CE .NET device, locate the new firmware image file (*.img) and select it so that it appears in the Name field at the bottom of the window.
Step 20 Tap OK.
Note If the OK button is unavailable, tap the Enter key on the Windows CE device's keyboard.
A progress bar displays as the new firmware is loaded. If the selected image is loaded successfully into the client adapter's Flash memory, a "Firmware Upgrade Complete!" message appears.
Step 21 Tap OK to exit the Firmware window.
Upgrading the Driver and Client Utilities
Follow the instructions in this section to find the versions of your client adapter's driver and client utilities and to upgrade them if more recent versions are available from Cisco.com.
Note The driver, client utilities, and online help files are installed together.
Finding the Driver and Client Utility Versions
Follow the instructions in this section to determine if you need to upgrade the client adapter's driver or client utilities.
Step 1 To find the version of the driver that your client adapter is currently using, follow these steps:
a. Double-tap the ACU icon or select Start > Programs > Cisco > ACU to open ACU.
b. Tap the Status tab. The current version of your client adapter's driver is shown on the Status window, provided the adapter is installed in the Windows CE device and is operational.
Step 2 To find the version of ACU or WLM that your client adapter is using, follow these steps:
a. To find the version of ACU, tap the About button on the Profiles window. The About window displays the current version of ACU.
b. To find the version of WLM, double-tap the Wireless Login Module icon or select Start > Programs > Cisco > Wireless Login Module. The current version of the utility is shown below the Password field on the Wireless Login Module window.
Step 3 To find the latest driver and client utility versions available on Cisco.com, follow these steps:
a. Use your computer's web browser to access the following URL:
http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-wireless.shtml
b. Select Option #2: Aironet Wireless Software Display Tables.
c. Select Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters.
d. Find the section for Windows CE client adapter drivers and utilities.
e. Select the link for Windows CE 3.0 or Windows CE .NET, depending on your device's operating system.
Note If you are not sure which version of Windows CE your device is running, refer to the "Finding the Windows CE Version" section for instructions.
f. Look at the release numbers of the driver and client utilities in the description below the filename. These are the latest available versions on Cisco.com.
Step 4 If the driver or client utility version available from Cisco.com is greater than the version currently being used by your client adapter, follow the instructions in the "Uninstalling the Current Driver and Client Utilities" section below to remove the current driver and client utilities and then follow the instructions in the "Installing the Driver and Client Utilities" section to install the new driver and client utilities.
Uninstalling the Current Driver and Client Utilities
Cisco recommends that you uninstall the existing driver and client utilities for your client adapter before upgrading to more recent versions. Follow these steps to uninstall your client adapter's current driver and client utilities.
Step 1 Eject the client adapter and remove it from the Windows CE device.
Step 2 Tap Start > Settings > System tab > Remove Programs (on a PPC device) or Start > Settings > Control Panel > Remove Programs (on an HPC or Windows CE .NET device).
Step 3 Tap Cisco Wireless LAN Adapter.
Step 4 Tap the Remove button.
Step 5 When asked to verify your decision to remove the adapter, tap Yes.
Step 6 Tap OK. The driver, client utilities, registry entries, and Cisco directory are removed.
Step 7 Go to the "Installing the Driver and Client Utilities" section for instructions on loading a new driver and client utilities.
Client Utility Procedures
This section provides instructions for the following procedures:
•Opening a client utility, page 8
•Exiting a client utility, page 8
•Finding the version of a client utility, page 9
•Deleting client utility icons on HPC and Windows CE .NET devices, page 9
Opening a Client Utility
To open ACU on your Windows CE device, double-tap the ACU icon or select Start > Programs > Cisco > ACU. The Profiles window appears.
To open WLM on your Windows CE device, double-tap the Wireless Login Module icon or select Start > Programs > Cisco > Wireless Login Module. The Wireless Login Module window appears.
Exiting a Client Utility
To exit ACU or WLM, tap OK.
Finding the Version of a Client Utility
To find the version of ACU and WLM that your client adapter is using, tap the About button on the Profiles window. The About window appears (see Figure 8-4).
Figure 8-4 About Window
The About window displays the current version of ACU. The WLM version is the same as the ACU version.
Deleting Client Utility Icons on HPC and Windows CE .NET Devices
Icons for ACU and WLM are automatically added to the desktop of HPC and Windows CE .NET devices when you install the client utilities. If you wish to remove these icons from your desktop, hold down the Alt key and tap the icon. Then tap Delete and Yes to confirm your decision.
Note You can also use File Explorer or Windows Explorer to browse to the desktop, select the icon, and delete it.
CA and User Certificate Procedures (Host-Based EAP on PPC 2002 Devices Only)
Follow the instructions in this section to view or remove CA and user certificates for use with EAP-TLS or PEAP authentication on PPC 2002 devices.
Note Refer to Chapter 5, for instructions on obtaining and importing CA and user certificates.
Viewing CA and User Certificates
Follow these steps to view details about the CA and user certificates for your PPC 2002 device.
Step 1 Select Start > Programs > Cisco > CertMgr. The Certificate Manager window appears (see Figure 8-5).
Figure 8-5 Certificate Manager Window
Step 2 Select Trusted Authorities (if you want to view a CA certificate) or My Certificates (if you want to view a user certificate) in the Certificate drop-down menu.
Step 3 Select the certificate that you want to view.
Step 4 Tap the View button. A window appears that enables you to access information about the certificate, including its issuer, expiration date, and serial number.
Removing CA and User Certificates
Step 1 Select Start > Programs > Cisco > CertMgr. The Certificate Manager window appears (see Figure 8-5).
Step 2 Select Trusted Authorities (if you want to remove a CA certificate) or My Certificates (if you want to remove a user certificate) in the Certificate drop-down menu.
Step 3 Select the certificate that you want to remove.
Step 4 Tap the Remove button. The certificate is removed.
Restarting the Client Adapter
ACU enables you to restart the client adapter when necessary. For example, you might want to restart the adapter for the following reasons:
•If your client adapter is experiencing poor throughput, you might want to restart the client adapter to try to force it to disassociate from the access point to which it is currently associated in the hope that it will reassociate to an access point with a stronger signal.
•If you use LEAP and then disable it in ACU, you might want to restart the client adapter to ensure that the adapter stops using the dynamic WEP key assigned during LEAP authentication.
Follow these steps to restart the client adapter.
Step 1 Go to the ACU Profiles window.
Step 2 Perform one of the following:
•Change the active profile and then select it again.
•Select the active profile in the Manage Profiles box, tap the Edit button, and tap OK.
The driver stops the client adapter's radio, writes the configuration (although no parameter settings have been changed), and restarts the radio.