Preparing for Installation
This chapter provides information that you need to know before installing a client adapter.
The following topics are covered in this section:
•Safety Information
•System Requirements
•Site Requirements
Safety Information
Follow the guidelines in this section to ensure proper operation and safe use of the client adapter.
FCC Safety Compliance Statement
The FCC, with its action in ET Docket 96-8, has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to RF electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC-certified equipment. When used with approved Cisco Aironet antennas, Cisco Aironet products meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1, 1991. Proper operation of this radio device according to the instructions in this publication will result in user exposure substantially below the FCC recommended limits.
Safety Guidelines
•Do not touch or move the antenna while the unit is transmitting or receiving.
•Do not hold any component containing a radio such that the antenna is very close to or touching any exposed parts of the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting.
•Do not operate the radio or attempt to transmit data unless the antenna is connected; otherwise, the radio may be damaged.
•Use in specific environments:
–The use of wireless devices in hazardous locations is limited to the constraints posed by the safety directors of such environments.
–The use of wireless devices on airplanes is governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
–The use of wireless devices in hospitals is restricted to the limits set forth by each hospital.
•Antenna use:
–In order to comply with FCC RF exposure limits, dipole antennas should be located at a minimum distance of 7.9 inches (20 cm) or more from the body of all persons.
–High-gain, wall-mount, or mast-mount antennas are designed to be professionally installed and should be located at a minimum distance of 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the body of all persons. Please contact your professional installer, VAR, or antenna manufacturer for proper installation requirements.
Warnings
Observe the following warnings when operating the client adapter:
Warning Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use.
Warning In order to comply with RF exposure limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, it is recommended when using a laptop with a PC card client adapter that the adapter's integrated antenna is positioned more than 2 inches (5 cm) from your body or nearby persons during extended periods of transmitting or operating time. If the antenna is positioned less than 2 inches (5 cm) from the user, it is recommended that the user limit exposure time.
Translated versions of these safety warnings are provided in Appendix B, .
System Requirements
As a minimum, your computer system must support the following:
•Macintosh computer with Mac OS 9.x or Mac OS X operating system
–Apple PowerMac G3 (Blue and White) or G4 computer
–Apple PowerBook G3 Series 1998, G3 Series 1999, G3 (with firewire), or G4 computer
You also need the following to install and configure the client adapter:
•A Type II or Type III PC card slot or an empty PCI expansion slot
Note If you are using a PC card client adapter, all supporting software for the PC card slot must be loaded and configured.
•The following information from your system administrator:
–The client name to use for your client adapter
–The case-sensitive network name or service set identifier (SSID) for your wireless network
–If you are not connected to a DHCP server, the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway address for your Macintosh
–The username and password for your network account
–If you are using WEP security, the WEP keys for your wireless network
–If you are using LEAP security, your LEAP username and password
Note To install the client utility on the Mac OS X operating system, you must have administrator privileges.
Site Requirements
Because the client adapter is a radio device, it is susceptible to RF obstructions and common sources of interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
•Install the client adapter in an area where large steel structures such as shelving units, bookcases, and filing cabinets will not obstruct radio signals to and from the client adapter.
•Install the client adapter away from microwave ovens and 2.4 GHz cordless phones. These devices operate on the same frequency as the client adapter and can cause signal interference.
Note Refer to the "Positioning Wireless Devices," for additional guidelines on achieving optimum placement of your Macintosh workstation.