Aironet Client Utility (ACU)
Configure the client IP address

Once the wireless drivers and ACU are installed, the wireless client will need to be configured with an IP address to communicate over TCP/IP. From the Network Connections control panel, right click on the Wireless Network Connection and choose the Properties . From the properties, choose the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on the properties button. From there, the IP settings can be configured. There are two options for assigning IP addresses for hosts:

  • Static – Assigned manually by the user or network administrator
  • Dynamic – Assigned by a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server

Every wireless device on the network will require an IP address just like wired LAN devices. If there are more than a few computers, manually configuring TCP/IP addresses for every host on the network can be a time consuming process. This also requires that the network administrator assigning the addresses understands IP addressing and knows how to choose a valid address for the particular network. DHCP is the easiest method of assigning IP addresses. If a DHCP server is present on the network, make sure the device is set to receive an IP address automatically .

In the Windows operating system, the IP address is manually entered into the TCP/IP properties dialog box. Figure shows the TCP/IP configuration box, which is used to set the address settings, or configurations that are entered, which include the following:

  • An IP address
  • A subnet mask
  • Default gateway address