Developers guide

Chapter 21: Wireless Local-Area Networking
Wireless Local-Area Networking (WLAN)
Psion Teklogix Mobile Devices SDK Developers Guide 187
21.1 Wireless Local-Area Networking (WLAN)
A wireless LAN enables a device to connect to a local-area network (LAN) through a wireless
radio connection. The IEEE 802.11 standards define WLANs. The coverage area of a WLAN is
dependant on the radio wave frequency, power output and environmental factors that may reflect
or absorb radio signals.
The Mobile Devices SDK provides the following features:
• A straightforward way for a software application to connect a Psion Teklogix computer with
an access point.
• A generic interface that enables a radio connection to be made without a detailed knowledge
of the specifics of the radio.
21.1.1 Radios Supported
The Mobile Devices SDK WLAN is supported by all the Psion Teklogix 802.11 radios:
21.1.2 Configuring WLAN Through The Control Panel
The following utilities can be used to configure WLAN connections on Psion Teklogix computers:
• Wireless Zero Config (WZC)
• Summit Client Utility (SCU)
• Odyssey Access Client by Juniper Networks (OAC)
21.1.3 Wireless Zero Config
Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) is the Windows service that automatically configures 802.11
wireless network devices.
WZC is a standardized set of Microsoft interfaces for wireless network cards. If the driver inter-
faces with WZC, it can be controlled and queried through this standardized interface, making
configuration and status querying consistent—regardless of the manufacturer of the adaptor. Not
all wireless cards are WZC–compatible. The WZC interface is not well documented.
Microsoft provides an API library for Wireless Zero Config.
21.1.4 Summit Client Utility
The Summit Client Utility (SCU) is an application for end users and administrators of mobile
devices that use a radio manufactured by Summit Data Communications.
The SCU provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for access to all its functions. Access to these
functions is also available through an API library. Using the APIs, an application such as
Wavelink Avalanche can manage Summit radios.
The Summit 802.11 radio User’s Guide s for Windows CE.NET and Windows Mobile is available
at http://www.summitdatacom.com/documentation.htm
21.1.5 Odyssey Access Client by Juniper Networks
The Odyssey Access Client by Juniper Networks (formerly Funk Software) is an application that
can be used in conjunction with a RADIUS server to establish secure authentication for network
connections.
There are currently no APIs for managing the Odyssey Access Client through an application.