Figure 1. Client devices equipped with Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g
Wireless Cardbus Adapters can roam freely throughout a facility via
communications with multiple IEEE 801.11a/b/g access points
Features include:
Superior range and throughput
Secure network communications, with the Cisco Wireless Security
Suite and support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
Comprehensive utilities for flexible, easy configuration and
management
World mode for international roaming
ENTERPRISE-CLASS SECURITY SOLUTION
Designed with enterprise-class security requirements in mind,
the Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless Cardbus Adapter is a key
client-side component of the award-winning Cisco Wireless
Security Suite. Based on the 802.1X standard for port-based
network access, the Cisco Wireless Security Suite takes
advantage of the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)
framework for user-based authentication (Figure 2). This
solution also supports WPA, the Wi-Fi Alliance certification for
interoperable, standards-based wireless LAN security.
The Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless Cardbus Adapter supports
the most common 802.1X authentication types, including Cisco
LEAP, Extensible Authentication Protocol Transport Layer
Security (EAP-TLS), Protected Extensible Authentication
Protocol-Generic Token Card (PEAP-GTC), and Protected Extensible
Authentication Protocol-Microsoft Challenge Handshake
Authentication Protocol Version 2 (PEAP-MSCHAP V2). A wide
selection of RADIUS servers, such as the Cisco Secure Access
Control Server (ACS) and Cisco Access Registrar (AR) server, can
be used for enterprise-class centralized user management that
includes:
Strong, mutual authentication to ensure that only legitimate
clients associate with legitimate and authorized network RADIUS
servers via authorized access points
Dynamic per-user, per-session encryption keys that automatically
change on a configurable basis to protect the privacy of transmitted
data
Stronger encryption keys provided by Temporal Key Integrity
Protocol (TKIP) enhancements such as message integrity check (MIC),
per-packet keys via initialization vector hashing, and broadcast key
rotation
RADIUS accounting records for all authentication attempts
Ready for IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
support
Figure 2. The Cisco Wireless Security Suite is an Enterprise-Class
Security System Based on the 802.1X Architecture
CISCO STRUCTURED WIRELESS-AWARE NETWORK
The Cisco Aironet 802.11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter is a key
component of the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network (SWAN).
Cisco SWAN is a framework to integrate and extend wired and
wireless networks to deliver the lowest possible total cost of
ownership for companies deploying WLANs. Cisco SWAN extends
"wireless awareness" into important elements of the network
infrastructure, providing the same level of security,
scalability, reliability, ease of deployment, and management for
wireless LANs that organizations have come to expect from their
wired LANs.
Wireless domain services (WDS) is introduced with the Cisco
Structured Wireless-Aware Network. WDS is a collection of Cisco
IOS Software features that expand WLAN client mobility, simplify
WLAN deployment and management and enhance WLAN security. These
services-supported on access points, client devices, and the
Cisco Catalystฎ 6500 Series Wireless LAN Services Module (WLSM)
today and other Cisco LAN switches and routers in 2005-include
radio management aggregation, fast secure roaming, client
tracking, and WAN link remote site survivability. WDS radio
management aggregation supports radio frequency (RF) managed
services such as rogue access point detection for WLAN Intrusion
Detection System (IDS), interference detection, assisted site
surveys and self-healing wireless LANs.
Fast secure roaming is supported by Cisco and Cisco Compatible
client devices in conjunction with Cisco Aironet, Cisco IOS
Software-based access points. With fast secure roaming,
authenticated client devices can roam securely from one access
point to another, within or across subnets, without any
perceptible delay during reassociation. Fast secure roaming
supports latency-sensitive applications such as wireless voice
over IP (VoIP), enterprise resource planning (ERP), or Citrix-
based solutions (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Fast Secure Roaming
ENHANCED CLIENT NETWORK MANAGEMENT FEATURES
A new and improved set of client utilities includes the Aironet
Desktop Utility (ADU), Aironet System Tray Utility (ASTU), and
Aironet Client Administration Utility (ACAU). Together, these
utilities provide an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI)
for easy configuration, monitoring, and management of the Cisco
Aironet 802.11a/b/g Cardbus Adapter. Enhanced client network
management features include:
Profile Manager-Allows users to create specific profile settings
for various environments, such as the office and home, making it
simple for telecommuters and business travelers to move from one
environment to another (Figure 4)
Customized Profile settings-Lets users individually select
channel, service set identifier (SSID), Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
key, and the authentication method for different locations
Cisco LEAP authentication status screen-Provides status updates
regarding the Cisco LEAP authentication process
Auto-selection of profiles, including Cisco LEAP profile-Provides
automatic selection of established profiles, including Cisco LEAP
profile, without requiring storage of the Cisco LEAP username and
password in the profile
System tray icon-Provides easy access to wireless LAN connection
information and one-click access to common actions such the manual
selection a profile or turning the radio on or off
Aironet Client Monitor-Provides a subset of ADU features, such as
status information about the client adapter and access to basic
tasks such as selecting a profile. This application runs from the
system tray icon.
Troubleshooting Utility-Provides step-by-step details on the
process of connecting to an access point with highlights on why a
connection failed. (Figure 5)
Support for the most popular enterprise operating systems-Windows
XP and Windows 2000
Figure 4. Cisco Aironet Desktop Utility (Profile Management) Screen
An Aironet Client Adapter installation wizard for Windows
(CB21AG and PI21AG) is provided for easy installation of the
client firmware, drivers, and utilities. The wizard offers
several installation offers: install client Utilities and
driver; install driver only; or make driver installation
diskette(s). For ease of use, the installation wizard image file
is a self-extracting (.exe) file.
Figure 5. Troubleshooting Utility Screen
Table 1. Product Features and Benefits
|
Feature |
Benefit |
|
Cisco Wireless Security Suite
|
IEEE 802.1X support, including Cisco LEAP, PEAP-GTC,
PEAP-MSCHAP V2, and EAP- TLS for mutual
authentication with dynamic per-user, per-session
encryption keys via TKIP enhancements. Full support
for WPA. Ready for IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES) Support.
|
|
Enhanced Client Network Management Features
|
Bundled with comprehensive, easy-to-use client
network management utilities to provide a secure,
intuitive, and convenient way to manage and
configure the adapter.
|
|
Cisco LEAP Single Sign-On
|
Convenient option to utilize log-in credentials for
LEAP sign-on on the user's network, thus eliminating
the need to enter a second set of credentials.
|
|
Cisco SWAN
|
A comprehensive Cisco framework to integrate and
extend wired and wireless networks to deliver
the lowest possible total cost of ownership for
companies deploying WLANs. Cisco SWAN extends
"wireless awareness" into important elements of the
network infrastructure, providing the same level
of security, scalability, reliability, ease of
deployment, and management for wireless LANs that
organizations have come to expect from their wired
LANs.
|
|
Wireless Domain Services (WDS)
|
A component of Cisco SWAN, WDS is a collection of
Cisco IOS Software features that enhance WLAN client
mobility and simplify WLAN deployment and
management. WDS includes radio management
aggregation, fast secure roaming, client tracking,
and WAN link remote site survivability.
|
|
Fast Secure Roaming
|
Allows authenticated client devices to roam securely
from one access point to another, within or across
subnets, without any perceptible delay during
reassociation. Provides support
for latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP, ERP
and Citrix.
|
Table 2. Product Specifications
|
Part Number |
|
AIR-CB21AG-A-K9
AIR-CB21AG-E-K9
AIR-CB21AG-J-K9
AIR-CB21AG-W-K9
AIR-CB21AG-A-K9-40 (40-unit bulk pack)
Regulatory Domains:
A=Americas
E=ETSI
J=TELEC (Japan)
W=Rest-of-world
Customers are responsible for verifying approval for
use in their country. Please see
http://www.cisco.com/go/aironet/compliance to
verify approval and to identify the regulatory
domain that corresponds to a particular country. |
|
Form Factor |
|
CardBus Type II
|
|
Interface |
|
32-bit Cardbus with standard 68-pin connector
PC-Card Rev. 7.0 compliant |
|
Data Rates Supported |
|
1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps
|
|
Network Standard |
|
IEEE 802.11a/b/g
|
|
Operating Voltage |
|
3.3 V (ฑ0.3 V)
|
|
LED |
|
Status (green) and Activity (amber)
|
|
Media Access Protocol |
|
Carrier-Sense Multiple Access w/ Collision Avoidance
(CSMA/CA)
|
|
Wireless Medium |
|
802.11g:
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Orthogonal
Frequency Divisional Multiplexing (OFDM)
802.11a:
OFDM |
|
Modulation |
|
DSSS
Differential Binary Phase Shift Keying (DBPSK) @ 1
Mbps
Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK) @ 2
Mbps
Complementary Code Keying (CCK) @ 5.5 and 11 Mbps
OFDM
BPSK @ 6 and 9 Mbps
QPSK @ 12 and 18 Mbps
16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) @ 24 and 36
Mbps
64-QAM @ 48 and 54 Mbps |
|
Frequency Bands |
|
2.40 to 2.4897 GHz
5.15 to 5.35 GHz (FCC UNII 1 and UNII 2)
5.725 to 5.85 GHz (FCC UNII 3)
5.15 to 5.35 GHz (ETSI)
5.470 to 5.725 (ETSI)
5.15 to 5.25 GHz (Japan) |
|
Delay Spread |
|
350 ns @ 1 Mbps
300 ns @ 2 Mbps
200 ns @ 5.5 Mbps
400 ns @ 6 Mbps
250 ns @ 9 Mbps
130 ns @ 11 Mbps |
250 ns @ 12 Mbps
220 ns @ 18 Mbps
160 ns @ 24 Mbps
100 ns @ 36 Mbps
90 ns @ 48 Mbps
70 ns @ 54 Mbps |
|
Receive Sensitivity 802.11g (typical) |
|
-94 dBm @ 1 Mbps
-93 dBm @ 2 Mbps
-92 dBm @ 5.5 Mbps
-86 dBm @ 6 Mbps
-86 dBm @ 9 Mbps
-90 dBm @ 11 Mbps |
-86 dBm @ 12 Mbps
-86 dBm @ 18 Mbps
-84 dBm @ 24 Mbps
-80 dBm @ 36 Mbps
-75 dBm @ 48 Mbps
-71 dBm @ 54 Mbps |
|
Receive Sensitivity 802.11a (typical) |
|
5150 to 5250 MHz
-87 dBm @ 6 Mbps
-87 dBm @ 9 Mbps
-87 dBm @ 12 Mbps
-87 dBm @ 18 Mbps
-82 dBm @ 24 Mbps
-79 dBm @ 36 Mbps
-74 dBm @ 48 Mbps
-72 dBm @ 54 Mbps |
5250 to 5350 MHz
-89 dBm @ 6 Mbps
-89 dBm @ 9 Mbps
-89 dBm @ 12 Mbps
-85 dBm @ 18 Mbps
-82 dBm @ 24 Mbps
-79 dBm @ 36 Mbps
-74 dBm @ 48 Mbps
-72 dBm @ 54 Mbps |
5725 to 5805 MHz
-84 dBm @ 6 Mbps
-84 dBm @ 9 Mbps
-84 dBm @ 12 Mbps
-83 dBm @ 18 Mbps
-82 dBm @ 24 Mbps
-79 dBm @ 36 Mbps
-72 dBm @ 48 Mbps
-65 dBm @ 54 Mbps |
5.470 -5.725 GHz
-87 dBm @ 6 Mbps
-87 dBm @ 9 Mbps
-87 dBm @ 12 Mbps
-87 dBm @ 18 Mbps
-82 dBm @ 24 Mbps
-79 dBm @ 36 Mbps
-74 dBm @ 48 Mbps
-72 dBm @ 54 Mbps |
|
Available Transmit Power Settings |
|
802.11b/g:
20 dBm (100 mW) @ 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps
18 dBm (63 mW) @ 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18 and 24
Mbps
17 dBm (50 mW) @ 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24 and
36 Mbps
15 dBm (30 mW) @ 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36
and 48 Mbps
13 dBm (20 mW) @ 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36,
48 and 54 Mbps
10 dBm (10 mW) @ 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36,
48 and 54 Mbps
802.11a:
16 dBm (40 mW) @ 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 Mbps
14 dBm (25 mW) @ 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 Mbps
13 dBm (20 mW) @ 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps
11 dBm (13 mW) @ 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps
10 dBm (10 mW) @ 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps
Maximum power setting will vary according to
individual country regulations.
|
|
Power Consumption Steady State |
|
802.11a
802.11b
802.11g
|
Transmit
554 mA maximum
539 mA maximum
530 mA maximum
|
Receive
318 mA maximum
327 mA maximum
282 mA maximum
|
Standby
203 mA average
203 mA average
203 mA average
|
|
|
Range |
|
(Typical with CB21AG at maximum transmit power
communicating with a AP1231AG configured with 2.2
dBi dipole antenna for 802.11g and 802.11b and 6dBi
gain patch for 802.11a)
|
| |
802.11a
|
802.11b/g
|
|
|
|
Indoor (typical)
|
|
54 Mbps
18 Mbps
11 Mbps
6 Mbps
1 Mbps
|
45 ft (13 m)
110 ft (33 m)
165 ft (50 m)
|
90 ft (27 m)
180 ft (54m)
160 ft (48 m)
300 ft (91 m)
410 ft (124 m)
|
|
|
|
Outdoor (typical)
|
|
54 Mbps
18 Mbps
11 Mbps
6 Mbps
1 Mbps
|
100 ft (30 m)
600 ft (183 m)
1000 ft (304 m)
|
250 ft (76 m)
600 ft (183 m)
1000 ft (304 m)
1300 ft (396 m)
2000 ft (610 m)
|
|
|
|
Compliance |
|
Safety:
UL 60950
CSA 22.2 No. 60950
IEC 60950
EN 60950 |
Radio Approvals:
FCC Part 15.401-15.407
RSS-210 (Canada)
EN 301.893 (Europe)
ARIB STD-T71 (Japan)
AS 4268.2 (Australia)
FCC Part 15.247
RSS-210 (Canada)
EN 300.328 (Europe)
Telec 33 and 66 (Japan)
AS/NZS 3548 (Australia and New Zealand) |
EMI and Susceptibility (Class B):
FCC Part 15.107 and 15.109
ICES-003 (Canada)
VCCI (Japan)
EN 301.489-1 and - 17 (Europe) |
Other:
IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g
Cisco Compatible Wireless (based on CCX v1.0 and CCX
v2.0)
Wi-Fi
WHQL
FCC Bulletin OET-65C
RSS-102 |
|
Power Management |
|
Power management levels available:
CAM (Constantly Awake Mode)
Fast PSP (Power Save Mode)
Max PSP (Maximum Power Savings) |
|
Antenna |
|
Integrated diversity dual-band 2.4/5 GHz antenna
|
|
Security Architecture Client Authentication |
|
Cisco Wireless Security Suite supporting Wi-Fi
Protected Access (WPA) including:
Authentication:
802.1X support for Cisco LEAP, PEAP-GTC,
PEAP-MSCHAPv2, and EAP-TLS
MAC address and by standard 802.11 authentication
mechanisms
Encryption:
Support for static and dynamic IEEE 802.11 WEP keys of
40 bits and 128 bits
TKIP encryption enhancements: key hashing (per-packet
keying), message integrity check (MIC) and broadcast
key rotation via Cisco TKIP and WPA TKIP |
|
Drivers |
|
Windows XP and Windows 2000
|
|
Dimensions |
|
2.05 in. (52.08mm) wide x 4.46 in. (113.35mm) deep x
0.19 in. (4.80mm) high
|
|
Weight |
|
1.6 oz (44.0g)
|
|
Environmental |
|
Non-operating (Storage) Temperature:
0ฐC to +85ฐC
Operating Temperature:
0ฐC to +70ฐC
Humidity (non-condensing):
1090% |
|
Warranty |
|
One Year
|
|
Wi-Fi Certification |
|
|
Cisco-Aironet
802.11a/b/g CardBus Wireless LAN Client Adapters
