3COM 8750, 8250, 8500 User Manual

DATA SHEET

Key Benefits

Full Standards Support

With 3Com®, the freedom of wireless net­working includes the freedom of choice.
The 3Com Wireless LAN Access Points
8250, 8500, and 8750 offer a dual-mode
architecture that supports 802.11-stan­dard 11a, 11b, and 11g wireless users on a
single device. The 3Com Wireless LAN
Access Point 7250 features a single 11g
radio design that provides real value with
advanced enterprise features at an eco­nomical price.

Modular and Upgradeable

3Com Wireless LAN Access Points
8250/8500/8750 were designed from the
ground up as a modular, upgradeable plat­form for configuration flexibility and
investment protection. They offer the
flexibility to mix and match radio bands
to meet different coverage and bandwidth
needs within the same area. With easy-to­install Mini PCI upgrade kits, you can
choose to support two different radio
modes now, or choose one radio mode and
upgrade or add another mode as your
needs grow.

Tough Security

3Com delivers one of the most robust
suites of standards-based security on the
market today on all of its enterprise-class
access points. To protect the wireless
LAN, 3Com supports Wireless Equivalent
Privacy (WEP) RC4 40/ 64-bit, 128-bit and
154-bit shared-key encryption. 3Com
strengthens this basic security mechanism
with additional security features, includ­ing local MAC authentication, Dynamic
Security Link (DSL) session encryption,

802.1x RADIUS server authentication, and
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)
and Wireless Protected Access (WPA)
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)
user authentication. Your wireless link
receives the highest available protection
with WPA Advanced Encryption Service
(AES) 256-bit encryption.

Performance and Reliability

3Com wireless access point performance
features ensure reliable and seamless con­nections for users wherever they roam.
Clear Channel Select automatically finds
the least loaded channel for interference­free communication. Auto network
connect and dynamic rate shifting keep
users connected through a wide variety of
conditions by changing to the optimum
connection speed as they move through
the network.

Manageability

3Com offers a wide range of standards­based management support, from SNMP
to 3Com Network Supervisor (3NS) and
HP OpenView for seamless integration
with your wired network. Wireless
Infrastructure Device Manager and
Wireless LAN Device Discovery tools let
you configure parameters, run diagnos­tics, and monitor performance from
anywhere on the network using an
embedded web server browser. You can
also replicate wireless device configura­tions from one access point to another
using the save and load feature to simplify
and reduce network administration.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Flexibility

PoE support makes it easier than ever to
overcome installation problems with diffi­cult-to-wire or hard-to-reach locations. The
same Category 5 cable that connects the
access point to the wired network also pro­vides its power, so AC power outlet
locations are no longer an issue. You can
source power from a 802.3af-compliant PoE
switch or with an included power injector
or adapter.*

* 802.3af-compliant power injector
included with the AP 8250/8500/8750; the
AP 7250 ships with an AC power adapter.

Enterprise-Class 3Com®Wireless LAN
Access Points 7250/8250/8500/8750

ENTERPRISE-CLASS 3COM®WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINTS 7250/8250/8500/8750

2

Feature Benefit

Powerful

High-speed and wide coverage 11g radio supports speeds up to 54 Mbps at distances up to 100 meters (328 feet); 11a radio

supports speeds up to 54 Mbps at distances up to 50 meters (164 feet). (11a not supported
by the Access Point 7250.)

11a Turbo mode Provides even higher throughput capability, up to 108 Mbps.

User support Each access point supports up to 253 simultaneous users, allowing plenty of room for growth.

Secure

40/64- and 128-/154-bit WEP and Basic and advanced encryption protect the privacy of data transmitted over the wireless LAN.
WPA 256-bit AES encryption

Dynamic security link (DSL) Automatically assigns user-specific 128-bit encryption keys for wireless sessions.

Dynamic session key management and TKIP Dynamic key assignment improves security and simplifies deployment.

802.1x RADIUS server authentication Helps ensure that only authorized users can access your network and centralizes authorization
of wireless users across your network.

Access control lists Control access to network resources.

Client-to-client and uplink filtering Block direct communications between other wireless users associated to the access points.

MAC address filtering Allows only specific WLAN cards to connect to the access point.

Dynamic VLAN assignment Used with RADIUS authentication, assigns users to an appropriate VLAN, further protecting

access to network resources.

Compatible and Flexible

Modular, dual-mode radio architecture Interchangeable radio slots support more wireless clients within the same coverage area with
(8250/8500/8750) optional Mini PCI upgrade kits.

Simultaneous standard support 802.11a and 802.11g in same access point provide concurrent wireless connectivity for all
(8250/8500/8750) 802.11 a/b/g clients.

802.11g-802.11b backward-compatibility 11g radio supports both11g and 11b wireless users, preserving existing wireless investments.

Wi-Fi certification Ensures interoperability with Wi-Fi certified products from other vendors.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Solves hard-to-wire location problems; Ethernet cable supplies connectivity and electrical

power. 802.3af-compliant power injector included with the Access Point 8250, 8500, and
8750; the AP 7250 ships with an AC power adapter.

Easy to Use Management

Simple installation No need to drill holes or run Ethernet cabling to set up your network.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Provides DHCP passthrough to simplify management.
(DHCP) support

Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Automatically identify and configure network devices, run diagnostics, and monitor
and Wireless LAN Device Discovery tools performance.

Web-based administration Works with any web browser that supports HTML and Java Script; lets you configure and

manage network devices from anywhere.

Save and load feature Copies settings to wireless devices on the network, simplifying and speeding LAN setup.

3NS support Powerful yet simple-to-use network management designed for small businesses.

SNMP, HP OpenView support Enables remote, central management using popular third-party network management programs.

RADIUS accounting support Enables billing by usage for hotspot and other commercial deployments.

Site survey tool Works with 3Com enterprise wireless PC Cards to help you optimize the location and number

of access points for your site.

Reliable

Dynamic rate shifting and auto Automatically moves between connection speeds in response to physical conditions and RF
network connect interference.

Clear Channel Select Selects the channel with the least traffic for problem-free connections.

*Range depends on physical conditions, building construction, electrical devices in the area, and other environmental factors.

The simple, secure way to network without wires