The Cisco Aironet Wireless WLAN Adapters are also referred to as client
adapters. They are radio modules that provide wireless data communications
between fixed, portable, or mobile devices and other wireless devices or a
wired network infrastructure. The client adapters are fully compatible when
used in devices supporting Plug-and-Play (PnP) technology.
The primary
function of the client adapters is to transfer data packets through the
wireless infrastructure. The adapters operate similarly to a standard network
product except that the cable is replaced with a radio connection. No special
wireless networking functions are required, and all existing applications that
operate over a network will operate using the adapters.
The five Cisco
client adapters are illustrated in Figures
to
and are
described below:
- The 350 Series PC card client adapter shown in Figure
is also referred
to as a PC card. PC cards have an integrated antenna. A PCMCIA card radio
module can be inserted into any device equipped with an external Type II or
Type III PC card slot. Host devices can include laptops, notebook computers,
personal digital assistants, and hand-held or portable devices.
- The 350 Series LM card client adapter, also referred to as an LM card, is
also a PCMCIA card radio module, which can be inserted into any device equipped
with an internal Type II or Type III PC card slot. The primary difference
between this and the PC card adapter is that the LM card does not include a
built-in antenna. Host devices include hand-held or portable devices. The LM
card is shown in Figure
.
- The 350 Series PCI client adapter is a client adapter card radio module,
which can be inserted into any device equipped with an empty PCI expansion
slot, such as a desktop computer. These cards are typically shipped with an
antenna that attaches to an external connector. Figure
illustrates a
PCI client adapter.
- The 350 Series Mini-PCI (MPI350) client adapter is an embedded solution
that complements the industry-leading 11-Mbps Cisco Aironet 350 Series
. The Mini-PCI is
available to laptop manufacturers to provide integrated 802.11b support. The
Mini-PCI is also used in the Cisco 1100 AP and 1200 AP to provide 802.11b.
- The Cisco Aironet® 5 GHz 54 Mbps WLAN client adapter is an IEEE
802.11a-compliant CardBus Type II adapter
. The client
adapter complements the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series 802.11a Access Point,
providing a solution that combines performance and mobility with the security
and manageability that enterprises require.