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Cisco Aironet Wireless LAN Client Adapters Installation and Configuration Guide for Linux
OL-1376-02
Chapter 1 Overview
Introduction to the Software Components
LEDs
The client adapter has two LEDs that glow or blink to indicate the status of the adapter or to convey error
messages. See Chapter 8 for an interpretation of the LED codes.
Introduction to the Software Components
The client adapter’s software components consist of the following:
• Firmware
• Driver
• Client utilities
The installation program installs the client utilities and driver. Firmware is installed on the client adapter
at the factory. You can update all the software components. Procedures for updating the firmware,
drivers, and client utilities can be found in Chapter 7, “Routine Procedures.”
Cisco’s Linux driver and client utilities support version 2.2.xx or 2.4.xx of the Linux kernel.
The following client utilities are available:
• The Aironet Client Utility loads new firmware, configures the client adapter, enables security
features, configures a WEP key, and performs user-level diagnostics.
• Three LEAP Credential Utilities provide a different interface for entering LEAP credentials:
–
Leaplogin: An X window application for configuring LEAP credentials. A graphical dialogue
box prompts you for your LEAP username and password.
–
Leapset: An interactive command line utility for configuring LEAP credentials. This utility
prompts you for your LEAP username and password.
–
Leapscript: A non-interactive utility for configuring LEAP credentials designed for inclusion
in shell scripts. (In the shell script, the LEAP password will be in clear text, so ensure that the
permissions on the script are appropriate.)
Note The LEAP username and password do not need to be the same as those for your Linux user
account.
• The Bcard Utility is an optional Linux-specific utility that reads a previously saved client adapter
configuration, which was set in the Aironet Client Utilities (ACU). For a detailed description of
Bcard, see “Using the Bcard Utility” section on page 3-25.
Network Configurations Using the Client Adapter
The client adapter can be used in a variety of network configurations. In some configurations, access
points provide connections to your network or act as repeaters to increase wireless communication
range. The maximum communication range is based on how you configure your wireless network.
This section describes and illustrates the following common network configurations:
• Ad hoc wireless LAN
• Wireless infrastructure with workstations accessing a wired LAN
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