User's Manual

3 Configuration Overview
20 Installation and User Guide: Wireless LAN Client Adapter
Configuration Overview
Figure 10 shows the Client Utility in Expanded View.
Figure 10: Client Utility, Expanded View
The Client Utility uses profiles to store information describing how your Wireless LAN Client
Adapter connects to the wireless network. Each profile contains information about the type of
network connection, security settings, and power settings.
To make it easy for you to connect to wireless networks at home, office, or wireless hotspot
locations, Client Utility provides the ability to create multiple profiles, each containing information
about a different network or a different set of configuration values. When you move from one
location to another, your Wireless LAN Client Adapter automatically detects which network is
currently available and applies the correct profile. The Network List includes all the saved profiles
and newly identified networks.
If you travel to an area with a network not previously encountered or configured, your Wireless
LAN Client Adapter attempts to connect to it. If successful, you can save the detected settings in
your list of available profiles.
The remainder of this chapter describes how to scan and connect to wireless networks, and how
create and work with profiles.
Scanning for Available Networks
Upon boot-up, the Wireless LAN Client Adapter scans for all access points within radio range and
attempts to connect to one of them based on previously scanned profiles. It associates with the first