Aironet Client Utility (ACU)
Overview

The three major software components of the client adapter are radio firmware, a driver, and client utilities. These components are installed together by running a single Install Wizard file that is available from Cisco.com. This file can be run on Windows 98, 98 SE, NT, 2000, Me, or XP and can be used with any of the following client adapter types:

  • 340 and 350 series PC, LM, and PCI cards
  • 350 series mini PCI cards
  • PC-Cardbus (CB20A) cards

The firmware contained in the Flash memory of the client adapter controls the radio. The client adapter is shipped with firmware installed but to ensure that the client adapter has the most recent version, it may be wise to install the latest Install Wizard file. The driver provides an interface between a computer running a Windows operating system and the client adapter, thereby enabling Windows and the applications it runs to communicate with the adapter. The driver must be installed before the adapter can be used.

Two client utilities are available for use with Cisco Aironet client adapters. They are the Aironet Client Utility (ACU) and the Aironet Client Monitor (ACM). These utilities are optional applications that interact with the radio firmware to adjust client adapter settings and display information about the adapter. ACM will be covered later.

ACU enables the creation of configuration profiles for the client adapter and performs user-level diagnostics. ACU performs a variety of functions. The Aironet Client Utility main screen is shown in Figure .

The title bar at the top of the Aironet Client Utility screen shows the profile that is being used by the client adapter. The status bar at the bottom of the Aironet Client Utility screen reflects the current state of the client adapter. Figure shows that the following states are possible, where radio_name is the client adapter type and ap_name is the configured name of an access point. Aironet Extensions must be enabled on access points running Cisco IOS release 12.2(4)JA or greater in order for the ap_name to appear in the status bar. The information shown in the status bar is updated once per second. The right side of the status bar shows the current time of day. If the clock is set to display seconds in the Aironet Client Utility Preferences screen, the time includes seconds in addition to hours and minutes. To enable the clock to display seconds, open ACU, click the Preferences icon or select Preferences from the Options drop-down menu, check the Display Seconds on Clock check box, and click OK.

The buttons on the ACU screens are used to perform specific functions. Figure describes the most common buttons.

ACU is also available in Windows CE .NET (CE 4.0, 4.1), Windows CE 3.0 (Includes Pocket PC 2002 and Handheld PC 2000), Windows CE 2.11, Windows CE 2.0, Mac OS, Linux, and MS-DOS versions , , . Refer to the link below for specific installation and configuration for these operating systems.


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