Advanced Configuration
This chapter describes the client utility used with a Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter.
The following topics are covered in this chapter:
•Overview
•Opening the Client Utility
•Basic Properties
•Location Profiles
•Advanced Properties
•Turning Your Client Adapter Radio On or Off
Overview
This section explains how to use the client utility to load new firmware and to configure your client adapter for use in a wireless network. This section also explains how you can use the client utility to set parameters that govern how the adapter transmits or receives data, and controls the adapter's operation within an infrastructure or ad hoc network.
Opening the Client Utility
The easiest way to open the ACU is to click the Aironet icon on the menu bar (Mac OS X), or Aironet control module (Mac OS 9), and select Open Aironet Client Utility. Refer to the "Desktop Controls" section.
As an alternative, you can open the ACU as an application. To open the client utility, follow the steps below.
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Step 1 |
Double-click the MacOS X icon on the desktop. |
Double-click the MacOS 9 icon on the desktop. |
Step 2 |
Expand the Applications folder. |
Expand the Cisco pcm340PPC folder. |
Step 3 |
Double-click the Aironet Client Utility icon. |
Double-click the pcm340PPC icon. |
The client utility screen appears, and the computer searches for the client adapter radio. When the radio is found, the basic properties screen appears.
Basic Properties
The basic properties screen displays when you open the client utility. The screen provides useful information about your client adapter and enables you to quickly set key configuration parameters needed to successfully communicate with an access point or another wireless device.
The basic properties screen for Mac OS X is shown in Figure 6-1. Except for the Location field, it is the same as the Mac OS 9 basic properties screen.
Figure 6-1 Client Utility Basic Properties Screen
Note You can click the blue words on any client utility screen to obtain descriptive information, such as Security Type and Signal Strength.
The basic properties screen provides the following information:
•Location—Selects or defines wireless network profiles for specific operating locations. (Mac OS X only)
•Connection—Specifies the network type, the network name, and the frequency channel for computer to computer (Ad-Hoc) networks. You can also turn the radio on or off.
•Security—Specifies the WEP and LEAP security settings. You can enable WEP and set up to four WEP keys, enable LEAP and set your LEAP username and password, or disable security.
•Status—Shows a bar graph to represent the signal strength of the received RF signal.
•Association Status—Shows the association status of your client adapter.
–Radio associated—Your client adapter is associated to an access point or other wireless device. For an access point, the name and IP address are shown.
–Radio not associated—Your client adapter is ready and enabled but not associated to
an access point or wireless device.
Table 6-1 lists and describes the parameters that can be set from the basic properties screen. Follow the instructions in the table to initially set or change any parameter. Click Apply at the bottom of the basic properties screen to save any changes you make and send the current settings to the radio.
Table 6-1 Basic Properties Parameters
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Location (Mac OS X only) |
Specifies unique radio network profile settings for different locations, such as your office, your home, the factory, or the airport. For each profile, you can specify unique connection and security settings. Click the up and down arrows to select a different profile. For additional information see the "Location Profiles" section. Default: Default |
Network Type |
Specifies the type of network in which your client adapter is installed. Default: Computer to Access Point |
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Computer to Access Point |
Also referred to as infrastructure. Used to set up a connection to a wired Ethernet network (through an access point). |
Computer to Computer |
Also referred to as ad hoc or peer to peer. Used to set up a small network between two or more wireless devices. For example, an ad hoc network could be set up between computers in a conference room so users can share information in a meeting. |
Channel |
Specifies which frequency your client adapter uses as the channel for communications. These channels conform to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for your regulatory domain. •In infrastructure mode, this parameter is set automatically and cannot be changed. The client adapter listens to the entire spectrum, selects the best access point to associate to, and uses the same frequency as that access point. •In ad hoc mode, the channel of the client adapter must be set to match the channel used by the other clients with which you wish to communicate.
Range: Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Example for 2.4-GHz client adapters:
1 to 11 (2412 to 2462 MHz) in North America
Example for 5-GHz client adapters:
36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, and 64 (5180, 5200, 5220, 5240, 5260, 5280, 5300, and 5320 MHz) in North America
Default: Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Example for 2.4-GHz client adapters:
6 (2437 MHz) in North America
Example for 5-GHz client adapters:
36 (5180 MHz) in North America
Note Refer to "Channels, Power Levels, and Antenna Gains," for a list of channel identifiers, channel center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel. |
Network Name |
Network name is the same as service set identifier (SSID) and it identifies the wireless network that you want to access. Range: Up to 32 characters (case sensitive) Note If you leave this parameter blank, your client adapter can associate to any access point or wireless device on the network that is configured to allow broadcast SSIDs. If the access points or wireless devices with which you wish to communicate are not configured to allow broadcast SSIDs, the value of this parameter must exactly match their SSID or network name. Otherwise, you will not be able to associate with the access point or wireless device. |
Security |
Specifies the type of security for your client adapter, which must match the security type of your wireless network. Refer to "Security Features," for more information about configuring WEP and LEAP security. Default: None |
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None |
Disable security. |
WEP |
Enables Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) for your client adapter. You must also set WEP keys. |
LEAP |
Enables LEAP (also referred to as EAP - Cisco Wireless) for your client adapter. You must also set a LEAP username and password. |
Table 6-2 describes the buttons on the basic properties screen.
Table 6-2 Buttons on the Basic Properties Screen
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Turn Radio On Turn Radio Off |
Turns the client adapter radio on or off. The button changes to indicate the operation to be performed; for example: Turn Radio On indicates the radio is turned on when you click the button and Turn Radio Off indicates the radio is turned off when you click the button. |
Set WEP Key |
Opens the WEP keys dialog box, where you can configure up to 4 WEP keys. This button is visible only if you select WEP security. For additional information, see "Security Features." |
Set LEAP Username/Password |
Opens the LEAP username and password prompt. This button is visible only if you select LEAP security. For additional information see "Security Features." |
Cancel |
Exits the application or screen without saving revised settings. |
Apply |
Saves the revised settings and sends the parameters to the radio. |
Help |
Opens the client utility help screen. For additional information, see the "Client Utility" section. |
Location Profiles
Using location profiles, you can specify unique client adapter settings for different physical locations, such as your office, home, or the airport. For example, you can specify unique connection and security settings for each location profile. These unique settings are stored in your Macintosh and recalled when you select a new location.
The following list identifies the key configurations for a location:
•Specify unique connection parameters on the basic properties screen (see Figure 6-1) or the advanced properties screen (see Figure 6-6).
–Set the network type
–Set the network name or SSID
•Specify security parameters on the basic properties screen (see Figure 6-1) or the advanced properties screen (see Figure 6-6). Refer to "Security Features" for information on LEAP and WEP and instructions on setting these security features.
–If WEP is selected, set up to four WEP keys
–If LEAP is selected, set your LEAP username and password
The way you initialize locations depends on the operating system you use:
•Mac OS X—Use the Location Profile feature of the ACU
•Mac OS 9—Use the Macintosh Location Manager in conjunction with the ACU
When using the Mac OS X operating system, you open the ACU and select a location from the location drop-down list. All subsequent configuration changes apply to the selected location. For the Mac OS 9 operating system, you open the Macintosh Location Manager and select a location.
Selecting a Mac OS X Location Profile
Using the client utility, you can specify different wireless network profile settings for different operating locations, such as your office, your home, the factory, or the airport. You can change location profiles two places:
•Aironet icon on the menu bar
•Client utility basic or advanced screens
The Aironet icon provides the easiest way to change locations. Simply click the Aironet icon and select the desired location. For more information, see Using the Aironet Menu Bar Icon (Mac OS X).
To select a location profile from the client utility basic or advanced screens, follow the steps below:
Step 1 Click the up and down arrows at the end of the Location field and select the desired location from the drop-down menu (see Figure 6-2).
Figure 6-2 Location Drop-Down Menu
Step 2 Click Apply on the basic or advanced properties screen to activate the selected location profile.
Editing a Mac OS X Location Profile
To add a new location profile name or to rename, delete, or select an existing location profile, click Edit Configurations from the location drop-down menu (see Figure 6-2). The Edit Configurations screen appears (see Figure 6-3).
Figure 6-3 Edit Configurations Screen
Use the buttons on the Edit Configurations screen to perform the following operations:
•To add a new location profile name, click New and enter a new name in the drop-down screen. Click OK to add the new name or click Cancel to return to the basic or advanced screen without setting a new name. When you create a new location profile name, you should enter the specific connection and security settings for that location on the basic or advanced screens.
•To rename an existing location profile, click Rename and enter the revised name in the drop-down screen. Click OK to revise the name or click Cancel to return to the basic or advanced screen without changing the name.
•To delete an existing location profile, select the profile to delete from the Edit Configuration screen and click Delete. The basic or advanced screen appears.
•To select an existing location profile as the client utility default location, select the profile from the Edit Configuration screen and click Select. The basic or advanced screen appears.
•To exit the Edit Configuration screen without making changes, click Cancel. The basic or advanced screen appears.
Table 6-3 lists and describes the buttons on the Edit Configurations screen.
Table 6-3 Buttons on the Edit Configurations Screen
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New |
Allows you to specify a name for a new location profile. |
Rename |
Allows you to rename an existing location profile name. |
Delete |
Allows you to delete an existing location profile name. |
Select |
Allows you to select the location profile name to be used as the client utility default. |
Cancel |
Exits the application or dialog box without saving revised settings. |
Selecting a Mac OS 9 Location
You change locations on Mac OS 9 using the Macintosh Location Manager feature, which is also available on the control strip.
To change an Mac OS 9 Location, follow the steps below:
Step 1 Click the Location Manager icon on the control strip.
Figure 6-4 Location Manager (Mac OS 9)
Step 2 Select a location.
Editing a Mac OS 9 Location
To select, add, remove, or rename an Mac OS 9 location, refer to Macintosh help. This section summarizes the procedure for initializing a Macintosh location; refer to the Mac help for details.
To initialize a Mac OS 9 Location, follow the steps below:
Step 1 Open the Mac Location Manager application (see Figure 6-5). The control strip includes an icon for launching the Mac Location Manager.
Figure 6-5 Location Manager Screen (Mac OS 9)
Step 2 Select the desired Edit Location.
Step 3 Check the Cisco Wireless LAN checkbox.
Step 4 Click Edit to change the Aironet client adapter properties, as necessary.
Step 5 Click Apply. The system updates the stored configuration information.
Advanced Properties
The advanced properties screen provides the following tabs (see Figure 6-6):
•Connection—specifies the network type and the network name for your wireless network. You can also turn the radio on or off.
•RF Settings—specifies RF (radio) parameters.
•Status—displays client adapter status information.
•Scanner—displays information about detected access points.
To access the desired advanced properties screen, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Click the up and down arrows to the right of the basic properties field (see Figure 6-1).
Step 2 Select Advanced on the drop-down menu. The advanced properties screen appears.
Step 3 Select the Connection, RF Settings, Status, or Scanner tab. The corresponding screen appears.
Setting Connection Parameters
To access the advanced connection properties screen, click the Connection tab (see Figure 6-6).
Figure 6-6 Client Utility Advanced Connection Properties Screen
The advanced connection properties screen is similar to the basic properties screen but allows you to specify a client name for your client adapter and up to three network names or SSIDs, and the network type.
Table 6-4 lists and describes the client adapter's system parameters on the advanced connection parameters screen. Follow the instructions in the table to initially set or change any parameter. Click Apply at the bottom of the advanced connection properties screen to save any changes you have made and send the current settings to the radio, or click Cancel to exit the client utility.
Table 6-4 Advanced Connection Properties Screen Parameters
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Location (Mac OS X only) |
Specifies different wireless network profile settings used in various locations, such as your office, home, factory, or airport. For each profile, you can specify unique connection parameters required for that operating location. For additional information see the "Location Profiles" section. Default: Default |
Client Name |
A logical name for your client adapter. It enables an administrator to quickly determine which devices are connected to the access point. This name is included in the access point's list of connected devices. Range: Up to 16 characters Note Each computer on the network should have a unique client name. |
Network Name |
Network name is the same as service set identifier (SSID) and it identifies the wireless network that you want to access. Up to three names can be specified for different wireless networks. For Mac OS X, press the right arrow to display all three names (see Figure 6-6). Range: Up to 32 characters (case sensitive) for each name Note If you leave this parameter blank, your client adapter can associate to any access point or wireless device on the network that is configured to allow broadcast SSIDs. If the access points or wireless devices with which you wish to communicate are not configured to allow broadcast SSIDs, the value of this parameter must exactly match their SSID or network name. Otherwise, you cannot access the access point or wireless device. |
Network Type |
Specifies the type of network in which your client adapter is installed. Default: Computer to access point |
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Computer to Computer |
Also referred to as ad hoc or peer to peer. Used to set up a small network between two or more wireless devices. For example, an ad hoc network could be set up between computers in a conference room so users can share information in a meeting. |
Computer to Access Point |
Also referred to as infrastructure. Used to set up a connection to a wired Ethernet network (through an access point). |
Channel |
Specifies which frequency your client adapter uses as the channel for communications. These channels conform to the IEEE 802.11 Standard for your regulatory domain. •In infrastructure mode, this parameter is set automatically and cannot be changed. The client adapter listens to the entire spectrum, selects the best access point to associate to, and uses the same frequency as that access point. •In ad hoc mode, the channel of the client adapter must be set to match the channel used by the other clients with which you wish to communicate.
Range: Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Example for 2.4-GHz client adapters:
1 to 11 (2412 to 2462 MHz) in North America
Example for 5-GHz client adapters:
36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, and 64 (5180, 5200, 5220, 5240, 5260, 5280, 5300, and 5320 MHz) in North America
Default: Dependent on client adapter radio and regulatory domain
Example for 2.4-GHz client adapters:
6 (2437 MHz) in North America
Example for 5-GHz client adapters:
36 (5180 MHz) in North America
Note Refer to "Channels, Power Levels, and Antenna Gains," for a list of channel identifiers, channel center frequencies, and regulatory domains for each channel. |
Security |
Specifies the type of security for your client adapter, which must match the security type of your wireless network. Refer to "Security Features," for more information about configuring WEP and LEAP security. Default: None |
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None |
Disable security. |
WEP |
Enables Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) for your client adapter. You must also set WEP keys. |
LEAP |
Enables LEAP (also referred to as EAP - Cisco Wireless) for your client adapter. You must also set a LEAP username and password. |
Table 6-5 describes the buttons on the advanced connection properties screen.
Table 6-5 Buttons on the Advanced Connection Properties Screen
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Turn Radio On Turn Radio Off |
Turns the client adapter radio on or off. The button changes to indicate the operation to be performed; for example: Turn Radio On indicates the radio is turned on when you click the button and Turn Radio Off indicates the radio is turned off when you click the button. |
Set WEP Key |
Opens the WEP keys dialog box, where you can configure up to four WEP keys. This button is visible only if you select WEP security. For additional information, see "Security Features." |
Set LEAP Username/Password |
Opens the LEAP username and password prompt. This button is visible only if you select LEAP security. For additional information see "Security Features." |
Cancel |
Exits the application or screen without saving revised settings. |
Apply |
Saves the revised settings and sends the current settings to the radio. |
Help |
Opens the client utility help screen (for additional information see the "Client Utility" section. |
Setting RF Parameters
The advanced RF settings screen (see Figure 6-7) enables you to set parameters that control how your client adapter transmits and receives data. To access this screen, click the RF Settings tab on the advanced properties screen.
Figure 6-7 Client Utility Advanced RF Settings Screen
Use the advanced RF settings screen to specify advanced radio parameters. This screen incudes the following information:
•Location (Mac OS X only)—defines wireless network profiles for various operating locations. In each profile you can specify a network type, network name, plus WEP and LEAP security settings for that operating location. For additional information, see the "Location Profiles" section.
•Radio Status—Shows the operational mode of your client adapter. If your client adapter is associated to an access point or wireless device, the name and IP address are displayed.
–Radio associated—Your client adapter is associated to an access point or other wireless device. The access point or wireless device name and IP address are shown.
–Radio not associated—Your client adapter is ready and enabled but not associated
to an access point or wireless device.
Table 6-6 lists and describes the parameters on the Client Utility Advanced RF Network Settings screen. Follow the instructions in the table to initially set or change any parameters. Click Apply at the bottom of the screen to save any changes you make and to send the current settings to the radio.
Table 6-6 Client Utility Advanced RF Settings Screen Parameters
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Location (Mac OS X only) |
Supports different wireless network profiles for different operating locations. For each profile you can specify unique RF network parameters required for that operating location. For additional information see the "Location Profiles" section. Default: Default |
Receive Antenna |
Specifies the antenna that your client adapter uses to receive data. •PC and Cardbus card—The integrated, permanently attached antenna operates best when used in both antennas (also referred to as diversity mode). Diversity mode allows the card to use the better signal from its two antenna ports. Range: Left Antenna, Right Antenna, Both Antennas Default: Both Antennas •LM card—The LM card is shipped without an antenna; however, an antenna can be connected through the card's external connector. If a snap-on antenna is used, diversity mode is recommended. Otherwise, select the mode that corresponds to the antenna port to which the antenna is connected. Range: Left Antenna, Right Antenna, Both Antennas Default: Both Antennas •PCI client adapter—The PCI client adapter must use the right antenna. Default: Right Antenna |
Transmit Antenna |
Specifies the antenna that your client adapter uses to transmit data. See the Receive Antenna parameter above for information on the options available for your client adapter. |
Power Save Mode |
Sets your client adapter to its optimum power consumption setting. Range: Constant Awake Mode, Power Save Mode, and Maximum Power Save Mode Default: Constant Awake Mode (CAM) |
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Constant Awake Mode (CAM) |
Keeps the client adapter powered up continuously so there is little lag in message response time. Consumes the most power but offers the highest throughput. Recommended for desktop computers and devices that use AC power. |
Power Save Mode (PSP) |
Switches between a PSP mode and CAM mode, depending on network traffic. This mode switches to CAM when retrieving a large number of packets and switches back to PSP after the packets have been retrieved. Recommended when power consumption is a concern but you need greater throughput than that allowed by Max PSP. |
Maximum Power Save Mode (Max PSP) |
Causes the access point to buffer incoming messages for the client adapter, which wakes up periodically and polls the access point to see if any buffered messages are waiting for it. The adapter can request each message and then go back to sleep. Conserves the most power but offers the lowest throughput. Recommended for devices for which power consumption is the ultimate concern (such as small battery-powered devices). |
Transmit Power |
Defines the level at which your client adapter transmits power. This value must not be higher than that allowed by your country's regulatory agency (FCC in the U.S., DOC in Canada, ETSI in Europe, MKK in Japan, etc.).
Options: Dependent on the power table programmed into the client adapter; see the table below
Default: The minimum level allowed by your country's regulatory agency |
Client Adapter Type |
Possible Power Levels |
340 series PC cards |
30 mW or 1 mW |
340 series LM cards and PCI cards |
30 mW, 15 mW, 5 mW, or 1 mW |
350 series client adapters |
100 mW, 50 mW, 30 mW, 20 mW, 5 mW, or 1 mW |
PC-Cardbus card |
20 mW, 10 mW, or 5 mW |
Note Reducing the transmit power level conserves battery power but decreases radio range. Note When World Mode is enabled, the client adapter is limited to the maximum transmit power level allowed by the country of operation's regulatory agency (refer to "Channels, Power Levels, and Antenna Gains"). Note If you are using an older version of a 340 or 350 series client adapter, your power level options may be different than those listed here. |
Authentication |
Defines how your client adapter attempts to authenticate to an access point. Values: Open Authentication or Shared Authentication Default: Open Authentication |
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Open |
Allows your client adapter, regardless of its WEP settings, to associate and attempt to communicate with an access point. |
Shared |
Allows your client adapter to associate only with access points that have the same WEP keys. The access point sends a known unencrypted "challenge packet" to the client adapter, which encrypts the packet and sends it back to the access point. The access point attempts to decrypt the encrypted packet and sends an authentication response packet indicating the success or failure of the decryption back to the client adapter. Because the challenge packet is unencrypted, Shared Key Authentication is less secure than the WEP Key and Open Authentication. Use this setting only if your access point requires WEP keys to associate. |
Note If LEAP is enabled on your client adapter, Open is the only available option. Note The Shared Authentication option is available only if the client adapter has been assigned a WEP key and WEP is enabled. Refer to the "Configuring WEP Key Security" section for instructions on setting a WEP key and enabling WEP. |
World Mode |
Check this check box to learn the legal transmit power level and channel set from the access point to which the client adapter is associated. This parameter is available only in computer-to-access point (infrastructure) mode and helps users who travel between countries use the client adapter in different regulatory domains. Default: Deselected Note When World Mode is enabled, only the transmit power levels supported by the country of operation's regulatory agency are available. |
Allow Association To Mixed Cells |
If your network's access points are set to communicate with either WEP-enabled or WEP-disabled clients (that is, if the Use of Data Encryption by Stations parameter on the AP Radio Data Encryption screen is set to Optional), you must select this check box, even if your client adapter is not using WEP. If this setting is not enabled, your client adapter cannot establish a connection with the access point. Default: Deselected Note For security reasons, Cisco recommends that both WEP-enabled and WEP-disabled clients not be allowed in the same cell because broadcast packets will be sent unencrypted, even to clients running WEP. |
Allow Scan For Other Aps |
Selecting this check box causes the client to look for a better access point if its signal strength becomes low and to switch associations if it finds one.
Note This parameter is available only if your client adapter is using radio firmware version 4.25.30 or greater. |
Clear Channel Assessment |
Specifies the method that determines whether the channel on which your client adapter will operate is clear prior to the transmission of data.
Options: Firmware Default (XXX), Carrier/Correlation (Car/Cor), Energy Detect (ED), or ED or Car/Cor
Default: Firmware Default (XXX)
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Method |
Description |
Firmware Default (XXX) |
The Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) mechanism will report that the channel is busy based on the default value of the client adapter's firmware. The firmware's CCA default value is shown in parentheses (XXX). Note The CCA default value is Car/Cor. |
Carrier/Correlation (Car/Cor) |
The CCA mechanism will report that the channel is busy upon detection of a direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signal. This signal may be above or below the ED threshold. |
Energy Detect (ED) |
The CCA mechanism will report that the channel is busy upon detection of any energy above the ED threshold. |
ED or Car/Cor |
The CCA mechanism will report that the channel is busy upon detection of a DSSS signal or any energy above the ED threshold. |
Note This parameter is available only for 2.4-GHz client adapters using firmware version 4.25.30 or greater. |
Turning Your Client Adapter Radio On or Off
Your client adapter radio can be turned on or off. Turning the radio off prevents the adapter from transmitting RF energy. You might want to turn off the client adapter radio when you are not transmitting data and want to conserve battery power or when you are using a laptop on an airplane and want to prevent the adapter's transmissions from potentially interfering with electronic devices.
If the radio is not turned off, it periodically sends out inquiry packets even if it is not associated to an access point, as required by the 802.11 specification. Therefore, it is important to turn it off around devices that are susceptible to RF interference.
Note Your client adapter is not associated while the radio is off.
Turning the Radio On
To turn your radio on, perform one of the following actions:
•Select Radio On from the Aironet desktop control (menu bar icon or control strip module).
•Select Radio On from the File drop-down menu of the ACU.
•Click the Turn Radio On button on the basic properties screen.
•Click the Turn Radio On button on the advanced properties screen.
Note The menu option changes to Radio Off after you turn the radio on.
Turning the Radio Off
To turn your radio off, perform one of the following actions:
•Select Radio Off from the Aironet desktop control (menu bar icon or control strip module).
•Select Radio Off from the File drop-down menu of the ACU.
•Click the Turn Radio Off button on the basic properties screen.
•Click the Turn Radio Off button on the advanced properties screen.
Note The menu option changes to Radio On after you turn the radio off.