3COM AP3750 User Manual

Quick Start Guide

AP3750 Managed Access Point

3CRWX375075A

The 3Com AP3750 Managed Access Point provides IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b/g wireless access to the network. The access point is designed for use with a 3Com Wireless LAN Switch, and requires hardware installation only. All configuration for the access point takes place on the 3Com Wireless LAN Switch.

You must have a wireless switch device to operate the access point. Three WLAN switch devices can be connected to the access point:

• 3Com WX4400

• 3Com WX1200

• 3Com WXR100

Power is supplied via Power Over Ethernet (PoE). The following 3Com PoE devices supply power to the access point:

• 3Com PoE Injector

• 3Com 4400PWR PoE Switch

• 3Com Multi-port PoE power supply

• 3Com 5500 Series PoE capable switches

• 3Com WX1200

• 3Com WXR100

About This Guide

This Quick Start Guide describes the basic installation of the access point. It covers the following topics:

• 3Com AP3750 Managed Access Point Features

• Observing Safety Precautions

•Step 1: Unpacking the Access Point

•Step 2: Preparing for Installation

•Step 3: Connecting External Antennas

•Step 4: Mounting the Access Point

•Step 5: Connecting the Access Point to a Switch

•Step 6: Configuring the Access Point

•Step 7: Checking the LED Indicators

3Com AP3750 Managed Access Point Features

Diameter

16.76 cm

(6.6 inches)

Height

4.69 cm (1.85 inches)

840-9502-0040

Kensington security slot

RJ-45 ports

Port 2 Port 1

External antenna connectors

802.11b/g

802.11a

Unlock

840-9502-0007

Kensington Security Slot

The access point has a slot for attachment of a Kensington security cable. The cable is not included with the access point but can be ordered separately.

Lock and Unlock Holes

On one side of the access point there is a lock hole. On the other side there is an unlock hole. Insert a 3-mm or 1/8-inch screwdriver into the appropriate hole to attach and remove the access point from the mounting bracket.

CAUTION: To prevent possible damage to the access point, do not use excessive force when inserting a tool into the lock or unlock hole.

RJ-45 Cable Ports

The access point has two RJ-45 ports. Each port provides a 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet connection to a WX switch. The connection can be direct to an WX switch or indirect through an intermediate Layer 2 or Layer 3 network.

The access point receives power and data through the RJ-45 ports. Use a Category 5 (Cat 5) cable with straight-through signaling and standard RJ-45 connectors to connect an access point to a WX switch or other device in the network. The access point supports 802.3af, and also can receive PoE from 3Com switches and 3Com-approved power injectors.

The two RJ-45 ports support dual-homed configurations for redundancy. The access point uses only one link for booting, configuration, and data transfer. If the link becomes unavailable, the access point can reboot using the other link.

The ports are identical except for logical numbering (1 or 2). You can use either port to connect the access point to a WX switch. However, the access point always attempts to boot on port 1 first. Only if the boot attempt on port 1 fails does the access point attempt to boot on port 2. If one port becomes unavailable, the other port can provide full power to the access point.

Note: The access point does not support daisy-chain configurations. Do not connect the access point to another AP3750 access point.

External Antenna Connectors

The access point has connectors for attaching optional external antennas. See “Connecting External Antennas” on page 5 for more information.

Observing Safety Precautions

This equipment must be installed in compliance with local and national building codes, regulatory restrictions, and FCC rules. For the safety of people and equipment, only professional network personnel should install the access point

WARNING: To comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, a minimum body-to-

antenna distance of 20 cm (8 inches) must be maintained when the access point is operational.

WARNING: To avoid possible injury or damage to equipment, you must use power supply equipment that is safety certified according to UL, CSA, IEC, or other applicable national or international safety requirements for the country of use. All references to power supply in this document refer to equipment meeting these requirements.

WARNING: Do not operate the access point near unshielded blasting caps or in an otherwise

explosive environment unless the device has been modified for such use by qualified personnel.

WARNING: Do not touch or move the access point when the antennas are transmitting or receiving.

WARNING: Do not hold any radio device so that the antenna is very close to or touching the face,

eyes, or other exposed body part while the device’s radio antenna is transmitting.

WARNING: Before using a wireless device in a hazardous location, consult the local codes, national

codes, and safety directors of the location for usage constraints.

WARNING: Do not connect or disconnect cables or otherwise work with the access point hardware during periods of lightning activity.

NOTE: The access point is intended for indoor use only. Do not install the device outdoors, unless you install it in a properly installed enclosure.

NOTE: To reduce the possibility of connection interference caused by dust, clean the

5 connector pins before inserting a cable into the access point.

1 Unpacking the Access Point

Make sure that you have the following items, which are included with the access point:

• Mounting Kit:

• One universal mounting bracket (attached to the access point)

• One paper mounting template (used for marking cutting areas and screw holes)

• One two-piece 14.2-mm (9/16-inch) T-bar clamp

• One two-piece 15.9-mm (5/8-inch) T-bar clamp

• One two-piece 23.9-mm (15/16-inch) T-bar clamp

• Two #6 sheet metal screws and two drywall anchors

• Three adhesive rubber feet (used for a tabletop installation).

2 Preparing for Installation

It is advisable to connect the power (if using an external power supply) and check the Ethernet cables and LEDs before installing the access following before mounting or connecting the access point:

• Cabling Make sure that standard Category 5 cable with straight-through signaling is

installed at the site before you install the access point. Make sure that the cable is highly flexible and that there is no extra covering on the RJ-45 connector that could prevent the cable from being routed through the mounting bracket

• Power Power must be supplied via an 802.3af Power Over Ethernet (PoE)-compliant

device. Removal of the Ethernet cable is the only method of disconnecting power from the access point.

• MAC Address Record the access point MAC address in a safe place before the access point

is installed in a hard-to-reach location. The MAC address is printed on the back of the access point. Additional MAC address labels are shipped with the access point.

point in a hard-to-reach location. Additionally, observe the

3 Connecting External Antennas

The access point has connectors for attaching optional external antennas and antenna cables. The tables below list the external antenna and cable models that are certified for use with the access point.

Antenna Model Ty pe Restrictions

3CWE591 3Com 6/8 dBi Dual-Band Omnidirectional Antenna Not supported for IEEE 802.11

3CWE597 3Com 6/8 dBi Dual-Band Hallway Antenna

3CWE598 3Com 8/10 dBi Dual-Band Panel Antenna

a-band channels 36-48 for the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peurto Rico, Panama, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and Colombia

Cable Model Ty pe Length Gain Connectors

3CWE580 3Com Ultra-Low-Loss

3CWE581 3Com Ultra-Low-Loss

3CWE582 3Com Ultra-Low-Loss

a.Each 3Com cable includes a separate 50 Ohm SMA terminator.

6-foot Antenna Cable

20-foot Antenna Cable

50-foot Antenna Cable

1.8 m (6 ft)

6.1 m (20

ft)

15.2 m (50 ft)

2.4 GHz: -0.6 dBl

5.0 GHz: -1.2 dBl

2.4 GHz: -2.0 dBl

5.0 GHz: -4.0 dBl

2.4 GHz: -5.0 dBl

5.0 GHz: -10.0 dBl

SMA (male) to N-type (male)

The 3Com antennas are dual-band, which means that they operate in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectra. You can use these antennas with either the 802.11b/g radio or the 802.11a radio.

Each antenna requires the purchase of a separate antenna cable.

NOTE: Antenna cables introduce loss of the RF signal. Always use the shortest cable that your application allows.

For installation instructions, see the documentation that is supplied with the antenna.

NOTE: During the installation, connect the antenna to the access point before connecting the Category 5 Ethernet cable. This ensures that the access point is not powered on when the access point is connected to the network.

4 Mounting the Access Point

The access point can be mounted on the following types of surfaces:

• Suspended ceiling — flush ceiling tiles

• Suspended ceiling — drop ceiling tiles

• Junction box

• Solid wall or ceiling

•Tabletop

Cable Requirement

840

9502

0008

The Ethernet ports on the access point cannot accept a Category 5 cable that has an uneven sheath such as the one shown in the figure below. The RJ-45 connector on the cable will not seat properly in the receptacle on the access point. Use a Category 5 cable with an even sheath instead.

neven sheath

Suspended Ceiling — Flush Ceiling Tiles

This procedure applies to T-bars that are 23.9 mm (15/16 inches) wide. For a 14.2-mm (9/16-inch) or

15.9-mm (5/8-inch) T-bar, go to

M T

“Suspended Ceiling Installation — Drop Ceiling Tiles” on page 8.

Mounting template Mounting bracket

Mobility

AP3750 access point

point

Mounting template

1 Use the mounting template to cut a hole for the Category 5 cable. 2 Remove the mounting bracket from the access point.

840-9502-0011

Mounting bracket

3 Attach the mounting bracket to the T-bar clamp.

Universal mounting bracket

T- b a r

Port connector opening

(Viewed from above ceiling tiles, looking down.)

opening

840-9502-0005

Universal mounting bracketPort connector

T- b a r

4 If you are using an external antenna, insert the antenna cable into the antenna

connector on the access point.

5 Insert the Category 5 cable through the port connector opening in the mounting

bracket, then plug the cable into the access point.

840-9502-0002

6 Attach the access point to the mounting bracket

Lock

T-bar

40-9502-0006

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