Using the Client Adapter
This chapter explains how to perform common client adapter tasks.
The following topics are covered in this section:
•Aironet Client Adapter Software
•Desktop Controls
•Client Utility
•Client Utility Basics for Mac OS X
•Client Utility Basics for Mac OS 9
•Working with Multiple Users
Aironet Client Adapter Software
The Aironet client software is installed as a package that contains the following components:
•Aironet Client Utility (ACU) application
The ACU is an application that you use to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the client adapter. This utility provides access to all client adapter features and settings.
•Desktop controls, either a menu bar icon (Mac OS X) or control strip module (Mac OS 9)
These controls display basic adapter status and provide quick access to common user tasks. For example, users can change locations or log on without opening the ACU.
The Cisco WLAN Install utility installs both components when you select the Mac OS Client Utility.
Desktop Controls
The Aironet desktop controls appear on the on the menu bar or control strip:
•Mac OS X—Aironet menu bar icon
•Mac OS 9—Aironet control strip module
The Aironet icon or module is displayed by default. This section explains how to interpret icon or module states and activate features.
Using the Aironet Menu Bar Icon (Mac OS X)
The menu bar icon is displayed in the Mac OS X menu bar at the top of the screen (see Figure 4-1).
Figure 4-1 Aironet Menu Bar Icon
The icon itself displays adapter status and signal strength. Click the icon to access connection information and perform several common client adapter actions. This icon is displayed by default after you install the ACU. To hide the icon, see the "Performing Common Client Adapter Tasks" section.
Viewing Radio Status and Signal Strength
The Aironet menu bar icon indicates relative signal strength when the radio is connected to an access point. The icon displays three bars when the signal is strong, one or two bars when the signal is moderate, and no bars when it is weak (see Figure 4-2).
Figure 4-2 Radio Signal Strength Indicators When Associated
When the radio is not associated, the icon is dimmed on a dark green background (see Figure 4-3). When using LEAP, this state may mean that you are not logged on.
Figure 4-3 Radio Not Associated
When the radio is off, the icon is green on a white background (see Figure 4-4).
Figure 4-4 Radio Off
When the radio is not installed or the driver is not loaded, the icon is gray on a white background (see Figure 4-5). This can occur when a PCMCIA or PC-Cardbus client adapter is removed.
Figure 4-5 Radio Not Installed
Performing Common Client Adapter Tasks
Clicking the icon displays a menu of tasks and provides information about the radio connection. You can perform the following tasks from the desktop control:
•Change locations
•Log on or off the wireless network
•Turn the radio on or off
•Open the Aironet Client Utility
•Hide the menu bar icon
To perform a task, follow these steps:
Step 1 Click the Aironet icon. The menu opens (see Figure 4-6).
Figure 4-6 Action Menu for Mac OS X
Step 2 Select an action. The following table describes the actions you can perform on Mac OS X:
Table 4-1 Actions for Mac OS X
|
|
Hide menu bar status |
Use this selection to remove the Aironet icon from the Mac OS X menu bar. To redisplay the icon, open the ACU, select Help, and click Show Menu Bar Status. |
Radio connection |
This menu item displays radio connection information. You cannot select this item. |
Location |
The popup menu displays a list of configured locations for your client adapter. To change locations, click a location name. The client adapter switches to the new location and prompts for a user name and password if LEAP security is enabled. Initially, the client adapter has a single location named Default. |
Turn radio on or off |
Use this selection to turn the radio off or on. You may want to turn the radio off when your computer is not near an access point or when you don't need the network. |
Logon or logoff |
Use this selection to manually logon or logoff when LEAP security is enabled. The radio automatically prompts for a LEAP username and password when you log onto your Mac computer. If multiple users are enabled, the client adapter automatically logs off the radio network when you log out of your computer account. For more information, see the "Working with Multiple Users" section. |
Open Aironet Client Utility |
Use this selection to launch the Aironet Client Utility. |
Using the Aironet Control Strip Module (Mac OS 9)
The Aironet control strip module is displayed in the Mac OS 9 control strip, typically at the bottom of the screen (see Figure 4-7).
Figure 4-7 Aironet Control Strip Module
This vertical bars next to the Aironet icon display adapter status and signal strength. Click the module to access connection information and perform several common client adapter actions.
Note You may need to show, expand, or scroll the control strip to view the Aironet module.
Viewing Status
The control strip module indicates signal strength when the client adapter is connected to an access point. Unlike the Mac OS X signal strength display, the control strip module indicates relative signal strength with a series of vertical bars to the right of the Aironet icon (see Figure 4-8).
Figure 4-8 Radio Associated
When the radio is associated, the relative signal strength is indicated by the number of dark gray bars and their height. One gray bar indicates poor signal strength, two indicate fair signal strength, three indicate good signal strength, and four indicate excellent signal strength. Figure 4-8 shows the module appearance when the radio is associated to an access point and is receiving fair signal strength.
When the radio is not associated, all four vertical bars have a shaded gray appearance (see Figure 4-9). When using LEAP, this display may mean that you are not logged on.
Figure 4-9 Radio Not Associated
When the radio is off, all four vertical bars have a solid gray appearance with a block outline (see Figure 4-10).
Figure 4-10 Radio Off
When the radio is not installed or the driver is not loaded, no signal strength bars are displayed (see Figure 4-11). This can occur when a PCMCIA or PC-Cardbus client adapter is removed.
Figure 4-11 Radio Not Installed
Performing Common Client Adapter Tasks
Clicking the control strip module displays a menu of tasks and provides information about the radio connection. You can perform the following tasks from the desktop control:
•Log on or off the wireless network
•Turn the radio on or off
•Open the ACU
Clicking the icon displays a menu of tasks and provides information about the radio connection.
To perform a task, follow these steps:
Step 1 Click the Aironet module on the control strip. The menu opens (see Figure 4-12).
Figure 4-12 Action Items for Mac OS 9
Step 2 Select an action. The following table describes the actions you can take with Mac OS 9:
Table 4-2 Actions for Mac OS 9
|
|
Radio connection |
This menu item displays radio connection information. You cannot select this item. |
Turn radio on or off |
Use this selection to turn the radio off or on. You may want to turn the radio off when your computer is not near an access point or when you don't need the network. |
Logon or logoff |
Use this selection to manually logon or logoff when LEAP security is enabled. The radio automatically prompts for a LEAP username and password when you log onto your Mac computer. If multiple users are enabled, the client adapter automatically logs off the radio network when you log out of your computer account. For more information, see "Working with Multiple Users" section. |
Launch Aironet Client Utility |
Use this selection to launch the Aironet Client Utility. |
Note You change locations on Mac OS 9 using the Macintosh Location Manager feature, which also has a control strip module (see Figure 4-13).
Figure 4-13 Location Manager for Mac OS 9
Refer to Macintosh help for Location Manager details.
Client Utility
Using the client utility, you can load new firmware, enable security features, configure your client adapter, and perform user-level diagnostics. The latest client utility software packages for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X are available from Cisco's web site.
This chapter describes the client utilities by operating system. Because the client utility screens are very similar, many procedures in this guide show the Mac OS X screens only. Mac OS 9 users should read this section to become familiar with the screen appearances.
Client Utility Basics for Mac OS X
The client utility for Mac OS X supports three main screens: basic, advanced, and troubleshooting.
Opening the Client Utility
You can open the client utility from the desktop control or launch it as an application. To open the client utility, perform one of the following actions:
•Click the Aironet icon on the menu bar and select Open Aironet Client Utility from the drop-down menu.
•Click Go on the menu bar and select Applications from the drop-down menu; then expand the Applications folder and double-click the Aironet Client Utility icon.
The computer searches for the client adapter. After the adapter is found, the basic properties screen of the client utility appears.
Switching Screens
You can change the client utility's active screen by clicking the up or down arrows of the screen name. Figure 4-14 shows the screen drop-down selections.
Figure 4-14 Client Utility Screen Drop-Down Selections
Note You can click the highlighted blue text on the client utility screens for more information about the highlighted words. You can also click the Help button for detailed information about the client utility parameters and fields.
Navigating the Advanced Screen
The advanced screen includes tabs that select Connection, RF Settings, Status, and Scanner configuration. You move from one screen to another by selecting a tab.
Figure 4-15 Client Utility Advanced Screen for Mac OS X
Getting Help
To access help for the client utility, perform one of the following actions:
•Click Help on the bottom of the client utility screens (see Figure 4-14).
•Select Aironet Client Utility Help from the help drop-down menu (see Figure 4-16) or use the keyboard equivalent, Apple Command-?.
Figure 4-16 Help Drop-Down Menu
The client utility help screen appears (see Figure 4-17).
Figure 4-17 Client Utility Help Screen
From the client utility help screen, you can access information on the client utility, as follows.
•To search for a specific word or phrase, enter the word or phrase in the Search box at the top of the screen and click Ask.
•To access information about a topic, click the topic in the middle of the screen, such as Navigation or Status.
Exiting the Client Utility
To exit the client utility, click Aironet Client Utilities from the main menu bar and select Quit Aironet Client Utility (see Figure 4-18), or type the keyboard equivalent, Apple Command-Q.
Figure 4-18 Client Utility Drop-Down Menu Screen
Buttons on the Client Utility Screens and Dialog Boxes
Table 4-3 summarizes the client utility buttons.
Table 4-3 Client Utility Buttons
|
|
Turn Radio Off Turn Radio On |
Turns the radio off or on |
Set WEP Key |
Opens a dialog box to set the WEP keys |
Set LEAP Username/Password |
Opens a dialog box to set the LEAP username and password |
Start |
Initiates a RF Link test |
Stop |
Stops an RF Link test that is running |
Detailed Report |
Displays detailed troubleshooting information |
New |
Specifies a name for a new location profile (Mac OS X only) |
Rename |
Renames an existing location profile name (Mac OS X only) |
Delete |
Deletes an existing location profile name (Mac OS X only) |
Select |
Select the location profile name to use (Mac OS X only) |
Client Utility Basics for Mac OS 9
The client utility for Mac OS 9 supports three main screens: basic, advanced, and troubleshooting.
Opening the Client Utility for Mac OS 9
You can open the client utility from the desktop control or launch it as an application. To open the client utility, perform one of the following actions:
•Click the Aironet control strip module and select Open Aironet Client Utility from the menu. If the control strip is not visible, display it using the Control Strip dialog box first.
•Double-click the Cisco pcm340 Folder icon; then double-click the pcm340PPC icon. If you selected a location other than the default (the Cisco pcm340 folder) during the installation process, select the folder in which the utility was installed.
The computer searches for the client adapter. After the adapter is found, the basic properties screen of the client utility appears.
Switching Screens
You can change the client utility's active screen by clicking the up or down arrows of the screen name. Figure 4-19 shows the screen drop-down selections.
The basic property screen for Mac OS 9 is nearly identical to the corresponding Mac OS X screen (see Figure 4-14). Except for the Location field, which is unique to Mac OS X, the screens have the same fields in the same location with the same selections. Only the window characteristics, such as title bar appearance and button shape, are different. Therefore, many of the procedures in this guide show the Mac OS X screens only.
Figure 4-19 Client Utility Basic Screen for Mac OS 9
Note You can click the highlighted blue text on the client utility screens for additional information about the highlighted words. You can also click the Help button for detailed information about the client utility parameters and fields.
Navigating the Advanced Screen
The advanced screen includes tabs that select advanced configuration subcategories. You move from one screen to another by selecting a tab, scrolling to the left or right as necessary.
The advanced property screens for connections and RF settings are nearly identical to the corresponding Mac OS X screens (see Figure 4-15). Except for the Location field and Link Status button, which are unique to Mac OS X, the screens have the same fields in the same location with the same selections. Only the window characteristics, such as title bar appearance and tab shape, are different. Therefore, many of the procedures in this guide show the Mac OS X screens only.
Figure 4-20 Client Utility Advanced Screen for Mac OS 9
Getting Help
To access help for the pcm340PPC client utility perform one of the following actions:
•Click Help on the bottom of the client utility screens (see Figure 4-20).
•Select pcm340PPC Help from the Help drop-down menu (see Figure 4-21) or use the keyboard equivalent, Apple Command-?.
Figure 4-21 Help Drop-Down Menu
The Cisco PCM340 Wireless LAN Adapter screen (see Figure 4-22) appears.
Figure 4-22 Client Utility Help Screen
From the Cisco PCM340 Wireless LAN Adapter screen, you can access additional information:
•To search for a specific word or phrase, enter the word in the Search box at the top of the screen and click Search.
•To access information on a specific topic, click the desired topic in the middle of the screen.
Exiting the Client Utility
To exit the pcm340PPC client utility, select Quit from the File drop-down menu (see Figure 4-23), or type the keyboard equivalent, Apple Command-Q.
Figure 4-23 File Drop-Down Menu
Buttons on the Client Utility Screens
The buttons on the bottom of the Mac OS 9 client utility screens are the same as the Mac OS X screens. Refer to the "Buttons on the Client Utility Screens and Dialog Boxes" section.
Working with Multiple Users
The Aironet client adapter supports environments where multiple users share a common computer and wireless network. When LEAP security and multiple users are enabled, the client adapter logs off the wireless network when a user logs off, and prompts for a new username and password when a new user logs on. Mac OS X users can simplify the logon process by saving their password in the Mac keychain.
If you are not within range of an access point or cancel the login, you can manually log in later using the one of the following methods:
•Click the desktop control (menu bar icon or control strip module) and select login.
•Open the ACU and select LEAP username and password from the File menu.
•Open the ACU and click Set Leap username/password.
This section explains how to enable and disable the multiple user feature.
Enabling Multiple Users
To enable the multiple user feature for the client utility, follow these steps:
Step 1 Launch the Aironet Client Utility if it is not already open on the desktop.
Step 2 Select File from the main menu bar and select Enable Multiple Users. Figure 4-24 shows the File menu for Mac OS X.
Figure 4-24 Enable Multiple Users Menu Item for Mac OS X
Note Figure 4-23 shows the Mac OS 9 file menu.
Note For Mac OS 9, you must first enable the Macintosh multiple users feature in the Multiple Users control panel.
Disabling Multiple Users
To disable multiple users for the client utility, follow these steps:
Step 1 Launch the Aironet Client Utility if it is not already open on the desktop.
Step 2 Select File from the main menu bar and select Disable Multiple Users. Figure 4-24 shows the File menu for the Mac OS X operating system.