Allied Telesis AT-WA7500, AT-WA7501 User Manual
◆
Installation
Access Points
®
AT-WA7500
AT-WA7501
and User’s
Guide
VERSION 2.3
PN 613-000066 Rev C
Copyright © 2005 Allied Telesyn, Inc.
3200 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134 USA
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from Allied Telesyn, Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Netscape Navigator is a registered trademark of Netscape
Communications Corporation. All other product names, company names, logos or other designations mentioned herein are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Intermec is a registered trademark and MobileLAN is a trademark of Intermec Technologies Corporation.
Allied Telesyn, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information contained in this document without
prior written notice. The information provided herein is subject to change without notice. In no event shall Allied Telesyn, Inc. be liable
for any incidental, special, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, arising out of or
related to this manual or the information contained herein, even if Allied Telesyn, Inc. has been advised of, known, or should have
known, the possibility of such damages.
Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Document Conventions ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Where to Find Web-based Guides ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Contacting Allied Telesyn .................................................................................................................................................. 10
Online Support ...........................................................................................................................................................10
Email and Telephone Support ....................................................................................................................................10
Returning Products.....................................................................................................................................................10
For Sales or Corporate Information............................................................................................................................10
Management Software Updates .................................................................................................................................10
Chapter 1
Getting Started ................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Which Allied Telesyn Access Products Does This Manual Support? ................................................................................ 12
Overview of the AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Access Point Products............................................................................. 13
Features .....................................................................................................................................................................15
What’s New for Software Releases 2.3?....................................................................................................................16
Understanding the LEDs ............................................................................................................................................17
Understanding the Ports.............................................................................................................................................19
How the Access Point Fits in Your Network ...................................................................................................................... 21
Using One Access Point in a Simple Wireless Network .............................................................................................21
Using Multiple Access Points and Roaming Wireless End Devices ...........................................................................23
Using an Access Point as a WAP ..............................................................................................................................25
Using Access Points to Create a Point-to-Point Bridge ..............................................................................................30
Using Dual Radio Access Points for Redundancy......................................................................................................37
Configuring the Access Point (Setting the IP Address) ..................................................................................................... 38
Using the ATI AT-WA7500 Configuration Wizard...................................................................................
Using a Communications Program.............................................................................................................................40
Using a Web Browser Interface..................................................................................................................................42
Using a Telnet Session ..............................................................................................................................................44
Saving Configuration Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 46
Using a Web Browser Interface..................................................................................................................................47
Using a Telnet Session ..............................................................................................................................................48
....................38
Chapter 2
Installing the Access Points ..........................................................................................................................................49
Installation Guidelines ....................................................................................................................................................... 50
Microwave Ovens.......................................................................................................................................................50
Cordless Telephones .................................................................................................................................................50
Other Access Points...................................................................................................................................................51
Installing the AT-WA7501 .................................................................................................................................................. 52
Connecting the AT-WA7501 to Your Wired LAN........................................................................................................52
Connecting the AT-WA7501 to Power .......................................................................................................................53
Installing the AT-WA7500 .................................................................................................................................................. 54
Connecting the AT-WA7500 to Your Wired LAN and Power......................................................................................54
Connecting to Your Fiber Optic Network ........................................................................................................................... 55
Using and Purchasing the Required Patch Cord and Adapter ...................................................................................55
Connecting to an MT-RJ Network ..............................................................................................................................56
Connecting to an SC Network ....................................................................................................................................56
Connecting to an ST Network ....................................................................................................................................57
3
Contents
Connecting Power Over Ethernet ......................................................................................................................................59
External Antenna Placement Guidelines ...........................................................................................................................60
Connecting Antennas to the Radios ...........................................................................................................................60
Positioning Antennas for 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a Radios .............................................................................60
Positioning Antennas for Dual Radio Access Points ..................................................................................................61
Positioning Antennas for Antenna Diversity................................................................................................................61
Chapter 3
Configuring the Ethernet Network ................................................................................................................................64
Configuring the TCP/IP Settings ........................................................................................................................................65
Configuring the Access Point as a DHCP Client ........................................................................................................67
Configuring the Access Point as a DHCP Server.......................................................................................................70
Configuring the Access Point to Send ARP Requests................................................................................................76
Configuring Other Ethernet or Fiber Optic Settings ...........................................................................................................77
Configuring the Ethernet Address Table.....................................................................................................................79
Configuring Ethernet Filters ...............................................................................................................................................80
Using Ethernet Frame Type Filters.............................................................................................................................80
Using Predefined Subtype Filters ...............................................................................................................................83
Customizing Subtype Filters.......................................................................................................................................83
Chapter 4
Configuring the Radios ..................................................................................................................................................96
About the Radios ...............................................................................................................................................................97
Configuring the 802.11g Radio ..........................................................................................................................................98
Configuring 802.11g Radio Advanced Parameters ..................................................................................................102
Configuring 802.11g Radio Inbound Filters ..............................................................................................................107
Applying Hot Settings ...............................................................................................................................................108
Configuring the 802.11g Radio to Communicate With a SpectraLink Network ........................................................109
Configuring the 802.11b Radio ........................................................................................................................................110
Configuring 802.11b Radio Advanced Parameters ..................................................................................................112
Configuring 802.11b Radio Inbound Filters ..............................................................................................................115
Configuring a SpectraLink Network .................................................................................................................................117
Configuring the 802.11a Radio ........................................................................................................................................119
Configuring 802.11a Radio Advanced Parameters ..................................................................................................124
Configuring 802.11a Radio Inbound Filters ..............................................................................................................126
Chapter 5
Configuring the Spanning Tree ...................................................................................................................................129
About the Access Point Spanning Tree ...........................................................................................................................130
About the Primary LAN and the Root Access Point..................................................................................................131
About Secondary LANs and Designated Bridges ....................................................................................
About Ethernet Bridging/Data Link Tunneling...........................................................................................................134
About Routable and Non-Routable Network Protocols.............................................................................................135
Configuring the Spanning Tree Parameters ....................................................................................................................136
About IP Tunnels ............................................................................................................................................................. 140
Creating IP Tunnels ..................................................................................................................................................142
Using One IP Multicast Address for Multiple IP Tunnels ..........................................................................................144
How Frames Are Forwarded Through IP Tunnels ....................................................................................................145
Configuring IP Tunnels ....................................................................................................................................................148
Configuring the IP Address List ................................................................................................................................149
Configuring IP Tunnel Filters ....................................................................................................................................150
Filter Examples ................................................................................................................................................................156
Example 1.................................................................................................................................................................157
Example 2.................................................................................................................................................................157
Example 3.................................................................................................................................................................159
Example 4.................................................................................................................................................................159
Comparing IP Tunnels to Mobile IP .................................................................................................................................160
Configuring Global Parameters........................................................................................................................................162
Configuring Global Flooding .....................................................................................................................................162
Configuring Global RF Parameters...........................................................................................................................165
.................132
4
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Chapter 6
Configuring Security .................................................................................................................................................... 169
Understanding Security ................................................................................................................................................... 170
When You Configure Different SSIDs with Different Security Settings ....................................................................172
When You Include Multiple RADIUS Servers on the RADIUS Server List ...............................................................173
Controlling Access to Access Point Menus ..................................................................................................................... 174
Enabling Access Methods ........................................................................................................................................174
Setting Up Logins .....................................................................................................................................................176
Creating a Secure Spanning Tree ................................................................................................................................... 181
Enabling Secure Communications Between Access Points and End Devices................................................................ 184
Using an Access Control List (ACL) .........................................................................................................................184
Configuring VLANs...................................................................................................................................................187
Configuring WEP 64/128/152 Security.....................................................................................................................189
Implementing an 802.1x Security Solution ...............................................................................................................192
Configuring Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Security ...............................................................................................199
Chapter 7
Configuring the Embedded Authentication Server (EAS) ........................................................................................ 204
About the Embedded Authentication Server (EAS) ......................................................................................................... 205
About Certificates ............................................................................................................................................................206
Understanding Which Access Points Need Certificates...........................................................................................206
Understanding Which Certificates Are Installed by Default......................................................................................206
Viewing the Certificates Installed on an Access Point..............................................................................................207
Installing and Uninstalling Certificates......................................................................................................................208
Configuring the EAS ........................................................................................................................................................ 210
Enabling the EAS .....................................................................................................................................................210
Configuring the Database.........................................................................................................................................212
Using the Rejected List ............................................................................................................................................215
Exporting and Importing Databases .........................................................................................................................217
Chapter 8
Managing, Troubleshooting, and Upgrading Access Points .................................................................................... 220
Managing the Access Points ........................................................................................................................................... 221
Using the Wavelink Avalanche Client Management System ....................................................................................221
Using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) ............................................................................................226
Maintaining the Access Points.........................................................................................................................................228
Viewing AP Connections ..........................................................................................................................................228
Viewing AP Neighbors..............................................................................................................................................231
Viewing Port Statistics..............................................................................................................................................234
Viewing DHCP Status ..............................................................................................................................................235
Viewing the Events Log............................................................................................................................................236
Viewing the About This Access Point Screen...........................................................................................................237
Using the LEDs to Locate Access Points .................................................................................................................238
Restoring the Access Point to the Default Configuration..........................................................................................239
Troubleshooting the Access Points .................................................................................................................................240
Using the Configuration Error Messages..................................................................................................................240
Troubleshooting With the LEDs................................................................................................................................245
General Troubleshooting..........................................................................................................................................246
Troubleshooting the Radios .....................................................................................................................................251
Troubleshooting Security..........................................................................................................................................255
Recovering a Failed Access Point............................................................................................................................258
Upgrading the Access Points ....................................................................................................
Using a Web Browser Interface................................................................................................................................261
Troubleshooting the Upgrade ...................................................................................................................................262
Chapter 9
Additional Access Point Features ...............................................................................................................................263
Understanding the Access Point Segments .................................................................................................................... 264
Understanding Transparent Files .................................................................................................................................... 265
...................................... 261
5
Contents
Using the AP Monitor.......................................................................................................................................................266
Entering the AP Monitor ...........................................................................................................................................266
Using AP Monitor Commands ..................................................................................................................................266
Using Content Addressable Memory (CAM) Mode Commands ...............................................................................268
Using Test Mode Commands ...................................................................................................................................269
Using Service Mode Commands ..............................................................................................................................270
Using Command Console Mode......................................................................................................................................276
Entering Command Console Mode...........................................................................................................................276
Using the Commands ...............................................................................................................................................277
Using TFTP Commands ...........................................................................................................................................279
Using sdvars Commands..........................................................................................................................................284
Creating Script Files.........................................................................................................................................................288
New Sample Script for Upgrading an Access Point..................................................................................................288
Legacy Sample Script for Upgrading Any Access Point ...........................................................................................290
Copying Files To and From the Access Point..................................................................................................................291
Importing or Exporting an EAS RADIUS Database File ...........................................................................................292
Transferring Files Using Your Web Browser ............................................................................................................293
Viewing and Copying Files Using Your Web Browser ..............................................................................................294
Transferring Files to and from a TFTP Server..........................................................................................................295
Starting or Stopping the TFTP Server ......................................................................................................................296
Automatically Upgrading Software............................................................................................................................296
Appendix A
Specifications ............................................................................................................................................................... 298
AT-7500 Access Point .....................................................................................................................................................299
AT-7501 Access Point .....................................................................................................................................................300
Radio Specifications ........................................................................................................................................................302
IEEE 802.11g ...........................................................................................................................................................302
IEEE 802.11b ...........................................................................................................................................................302
IEEE 802.11a ...................................................................................................................
........................................303
Appendix B
Default Settings .............................................................................................................................................................305
TCP/IP Settings Menu Defaults .......................................................................................................................................306
DHCP Server Setup Menu Defaults.................................................................................................................................308
IEEE 802.11g Radio Menu Defaults ................................................................................................................................309
IEEE 802.11b Radio Menu Defaults ................................................................................................................................311
IEEE 802.11a Radio Menu Defaults ................................................................................................................................313
Spanning Tree Settings Menu Defaults ...........................................................................................................................315
Global Flooding Menu Defaults........................................................................................................................................316
Global RF Parameters Menu Defaults .............................................................................................................................317
Telnet Gateway Configuration Menu Defaults .................................................................................................................319
Ethernet Configuration Menu Defaults.............................................................................................................................320
Ethernet Advanced Filters Menu Defaults ................................................................................................................321
IP Tunnels Menu Defaults................................................................................................................................................322
Tunnels Filter Menu Defaults...................................................................................................
Network Management Menu Defaults..............................................................................................................................324
Instant On Menu Defaults.........................................................................................................................................324
Security Menu Defaults.................................................................................................................................................... 325
Passwords Menu Defaults........................................................................................................................................325
IEEE 802.11 (g, b or a) Radio Security Menu Defaults ............................................................................................326
RADIUS Server List Menu Defaults..........................................................................................................................328
Spanning Tree Security Menu Defaults ....................................................................................................................328
Embedded Authentication Server Menu Defaults.....................................................................................................329
Appendix C
Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................................330
.................................322
6
Preface
This manual provides you with information about the features of the Allied
Telesyn AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points with software release
2.0 (or later). This manual also describes how to install, configure, operate,
maintain, and troubleshoot the access points.
7
Preface
Document Conventions
This document uses the following conventions:
Note
Notes provide additional information.
Caution
Cautions inform you that performing or omitting a specific action
may result in equipment damage or loss of data.
Warning
Warnings inform you that performing or omitting a specific action
may result in bodily injury.
8
Where to Find Web-based Guides
The installation and user guides for all Allied Telesyn products are
available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from on our web site at
www.alliedtelesyn.com. You can view the documents on-line or
download them onto a local workstation or server.
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
9
Preface
Contacting Allied Telesyn
This section provides Allied Telesyn contact information for technical
support as well as sales or corporate information.
Online Support You can request technical support online by accessing the Allied Telesyn
Knowledge Base from the following web site: www.alliedtelesyn.com/kb.
You can use the Knowledge Base to submit questions to our technical
support staff and review answers to previously asked questions.
Email and
Telephone
Support
Returning
Products
For Sales or
Corporate
Information
Management
Software Updates
For Technical Support via email or telephone, refer to the Support &
Services section of the Allied Telesyn web site: www.alliedtelesyn.com.
Products for return or repair must first be assigned a Return Materials
Authorization (RMA) number. A product sent to Allied Telesyn without a
RMA number will be returned to the sender at the sender’s expense.
To obtain a RMA number, contact Allied Telesyn’s Technical Support at
our web site: www.alliedtelesyn.com.
You can contact Allied Telesyn for sales or corporate information at our
web site: www.alliedtelesyn.com. To find the contact information for your
country, select Contact Us -> Worldwide Contacts.
You can download new releases of management software for our
managed products from either of the following Internet sites:
❑ Allied Telesyn web site: www.alliedtelesyn.com
❑ Allied Telesyn FTP server: ftp://ftp.alliedtelesyn.com
10
To download new software from the Allied Telesyn FTP server using your
workstation’s command prompt, you need FTP client software and you
must log in to the server. Enter “anonymous” as the user name and your
email address for the password.
Chapter 1
Getting Started
This chapter introduces the Allied Telesyn AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501
access points, explains their features, and describes how you can use
them to expand your data collection network. This chapter covers these
topics:
“Which Allied Telesyn Access Products Does This Manual Support?”
on page 12
“Overview of the AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Access Point Products”
on page 13
“How the Access Point Fits in Your Network” on page 21
“Configuring the Access Point (Setting the IP Address)” on page 38
“Saving Configuration Changes” on page 46
11
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Which Allied Telesyn Access Products Does This Manual Support?
This system manual supports the AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access
points with software release 2.2.
12
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Overview of the AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Access Point Products
The Allied Telesyn AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points deliver
reliable and seamless wireless performance to almost any operational
environment. They are designed for standards-based connectivity and
they support industry standard IEEE 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a
wireless technologies.
The AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points with an IEEE 802.11g
radio installed are Wi-Fi certified for interoperability with other 802.11g and
802.11b wireless LAN devices.
The AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points with an IEEE 802.11g
radio installed are Wi-Fi® certified for interoperability with other 802.11b
and 802.11g wireless LAN devices.
The AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points with an IEEE 802.11b
radio installed are Wi-Fi certified for interoperability with other 802.11b
wireless LAN devices.
The AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points with an IEEE 802.11a
radio installed are Wi-Fi certified for interoperability with other 802.11a
wireless LAN devices.
The Allied Telesyn access family consists of these access points:
AT-WA7500
AT-WA7501
The access point can be configured as an access point or as a point-topoint or point-to-multipoint bridge. Normally, an access point is connected
to a wired local area network (LAN) and provides network access for
wireless end devices. A point-to-point bridge connects two wired LANs
and is often used to provide wireless communications in locations where
running cable is difficult, such as across roads or between buildings. A
point-to-multipoint bridge not only connects two wired LANs, but also
communicates with wireless end devices.
An access point can also be configured as a wireless access point (WAP)
or repeater. A WAP is not connected to a wired LAN; it receives data from
wireless end devices and forwards the data to an access point (that is
connected to the wired LAN). A WAP is useful in areas that do not support
a wired network connection.
On the left, this illustration shows the ways you can manage and configure
the access point, and on the right, it shows the access point’s general
multiport bridge architecture.
13
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Management and Configuration
MIB
DHCP
TCP/IP
TFTP
File
System
RS-232 Connector
HTTP
Configuration Port
DHCP
Agent
Telnet
Configuration
Settings
Multiport Bridge
Forwarding
Database
Ethernet
Port
Ethernet
Connection
Spanning
Tree
Radio
Port 1
Antenna
Connection
Wireless ARP
Server
Bridging
Radio
Port 2
Antenna
Connection
Figure 1. Access Point Architecture
IP
Port
Access points are multiport (Ethernet-to-wireless) bridges, and because
wireless end devices operate similarly to other Ethernet devices, all your
existing Ethernet applications will work with the wireless network without
any special networking software. Any access point, except the root access
point, can concurrently receive hello messages on its Ethernet port, its
radio port, and its IP tunnel port. However, an access point can use only
one port to attach to the network. Port priorities are structured as follows:
1. Ethernet
2. IP tunnel
3. Radio
Unlike the physical Ethernet and radio ports, the IP tunnel port does not
have its own output connector. It is a logical port that provides IP
encapsulation services for frames that must be routed to reach their
destinations. Once frames are encapsulated, they are transmitted or
received through the Ethernet or radio port.
Wireless end devices may use power management to maintain battery life.
These end devices periodically wake up to receive frames that arrived
while their radio was powered down. The access point automatically
provides a pending message delivery service that holds frames until the
end device is ready to receive them.
14
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Features This table lists the features of the access points.
Table 1. Access Point Feature Comparison
Feature AT-WA7500 AT-WA7501
Access Point Yes Yes
Point-to-Point Bridge (Wireless
Yes Yes
Bridge)
Wireless Access Point (WAP) or
Yes Yes
Repeater
Secure Wireless Hops (SWAP) Yes Yes
Secure Wireless Hops (TLS or
Yes Yes
TTLS)
Radios 802.11g*
802.11b
802.11a
802.11g*
802.11b
802.11a
Dual Radio Support Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Compliant Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) for
Yes Yes
802.1x mode or PSK mode.
802.1x Authenticator Yes Yes
802.1x Authentication Server Yes Yes
Access Control List (ACL) Server Yes Yes
Password Server Yes Yes
Secure Web Browser Interface
Yes Yes
(HTTPS)
10BaseT/100BaseTx Yes Yes
Fiber Optics Option No Yes
Serial Port Yes Yes
Data Link Tunneling Yes Yes
IP Tunneling Yes Yes
Antenna Diversity Yes Yes
Non-incentive Antenna System Yes Yes
NEMA 4/IP 54 Protection No Yes
Power Supply No AC
15
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Table 1. Access Point Feature Comparison (Continued)
Feature AT-WA7500 AT-WA7501
Power Over Ethernet Yes Yes
Heater Option No Yes
* The 802.11g radio is sometimes referred to as the 802.11b/g radio
because it can be configured to communicate with any 802.11b and
802.11g radios that have the same SSID and security settings. For details,
see “About the Radios” on page 97.
Other features of all access points include:
the ability to be managed by the Wavelink Avalanche client
management system, Allied Telesyn manager, a web browser, telnet,
and SNMP.
the ability to be a DHCP server or client and a NAT server.
the ability to be an ARP server.
What’s New for
Software Releases
2.3?
easy software distribution using the distributed upgrade server.
advanced filtering of wired data traffic.
enhanced power management for wireless end devices.
fast roaming reliability for wireless end devices.
load balancing.
basic WEP 64, WEP 128, or WEP 152 security for 802.11g, 802.11b,
or 802.11a radios.
Software release 2.3 can only be installed on the Allied Telesyn
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points.
Note
To determine the model of your access point, from the menu choose
Maintenance > About this Access Point. In the Config String
field, the first five characters tell you the model.
New features include these items:
Dual 802.11g radios: The access points support dual 802.11g radios.
16
Wireless hops and wireless bridging: The 802.11g radio supports
wireless hops and wireless bridging. It also supports WPA security and
802.1x security across the wireless hops.
Other new 802.11g radio features: The 802.11g radio now supports
antenna diversity, mixed 802.11g and 802.11b modes, and medium
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
reservation (including a fragmentation threshold and a reservation
threshold).
AT-WA7500 Configuration Wizard: You can use the configuration
wizard to help you configure and maintain your access point network.
Ability to configure different SSIDs to use different authentication
servers.
Understanding
the LEDs
The AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 access points have five LEDs. To
understand the LEDs during normal use, see the next table. To use the
LEDs to help troubleshoot the radios, see “Troubleshooting the Radios” on
page 251.
Table 2. LED Descriptions
Icon LED Description
Power Remains on when power is applied.
Wireless #1 Blinks when a frame is transmitted or
received on the radio port for the radio
installed in radio slot 1.
Wireless #2 Blinks when a frame is transmitted or
received on the radio port for the radio
installed in radio slot 2 (if a second radio
is installed).
Wired LAN Blinks when a frame is transmitted or
received on the Ethernet port.
Root/error Blinks if this device is configured as the
root. It remains on if an error is detected.
17
Chapter 1: Getting Started
This illustration shows the LEDs that are on the AT-WA7501 access point.
For help understanding these LEDs, see the LED Descriptions table on
page 17.
Allied Telesyn
Readiness
Indicator
Power
Wireless#1Wireless
#2
Wired LAN
Figure 2. AT-WA7501 LEDs
This illustration shows the LEDs that are on the AT-WA7500 access point.
For help understanding these LEDs, see the LED Descriptions table on
page 17.
Universal Access Point
Power
Wireless #1
Wireless #2
™
Wired LAN
Allied Telesyn
Readiness
Indicator
18
21XXT018.eps
Figure 3. AT-WA7500 LEDs
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Understanding
the Ports
The access point may have up to four ports.
Table 3. Port Descriptions
Port Description
Power (Not AT-WA7500,
optional AT-WA7501)
Serial Used with an RS-232 null-modem cable,
Ethernet 10BaseT/100BaseTx port. Used with an
Fiber optic
(Not AT-WA7500,
optional AT-WA7501)
Used with an appropriate power cable,
this port connects the access point to an
AC power source.
this port connects the access point to a
terminal or PC to perform configuration.
appropriate cable, this port connects the
access point to your Ethernet network.
The access point auto-negotiates with the
device it is communicating with so that the
data rate is set at the highest rate at which
both devices can communicate.
Optional 100BaseFX port. You must use a
patch cable with a female MT-RJ
connector to connect the access point to
your MT-RJ, SC, or ST fiber optic
network.
To access the ports on the AT-WA7501, you must remove the cable
access door.
To remove the AT-WA7501 cable access door
1. Unscrew the two thumbscrews on the cable access door.
2. Remove the door.
This illustration shows the ports that are on the AT-WA7501. For help
understanding these ports, see the Port Descriptions table on page 19.
19
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Cable
access
door
Power port
(optional)
10BaseT/
100BaseTx
Ethernet port
Serial
port
Fiber optic
port (optional)
Figure 4. AT-WA7501 Ports
The AT-WA7500 ports are located on the bottom of the access point. This
illustration shows the ports that are on the AT-WA7500. For help
understanding these ports, see the Port Descriptions table on page 19.
10BaseT/100BaseTx
Ethernet port
Serial port
Figure 5. AT-WA7500 Ports
20
For more information on connecting the ports, see Chapter 2, “Getting
Started” on page 11.
How the Access Point Fits in Your Network
In general, the access point forwards data from wireless end devices to
the wired Ethernet network. You can also use the access point as a pointto-point bridge, or if your access point has two radios, you can use it as a
point-to-multipoint bridge or a WAP. Use the access point in the following
locations and environments.
Table 4. Access Point Environments
Access Point Environment
AT-WA7500 Use in most indoor environments.
AT-WA7501 Use in locations where an access point is
exposed to extreme environments.
The access point supports a variety of network configurations. These
configurations are explained in the following sections:
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Using One Access
Point in a Simple
Wireless Network
“Using One Access Point in a Simple Wireless Network” on page 21
“Using Multiple Access Points and Roaming Wireless End Devices” on
page 23
“Using an Access Point as a WAP” on page 25
“Using Access Points to Create a Point-to-Point Bridge” on page 30
“Using Dual Radio Access Points for Redundancy” on page 37
You can use an access point to extend your existing Ethernet network to
include wireless end devices. The access point connects directly to your
wired network and the end devices provide a wireless extension of the
wired LAN.
This illustration shows a simple wireless network with one access point
and some wireless end devices.
Host
Access
point
Ethernet
Figure 6. Simple Wireless Network
21
Chapter 1: Getting Started
In a simple wireless network, the access point that is connected to the
wired network serves as a transparent bridge between the wired network
and wireless end devices.
To install a simple wireless network
1. Configure the initial IP address. For help, see “Configuring the Access
Point (Setting the IP Address)” on page 38.
2. Install the access point. For help, see Chapter 2, “Getting Started” on
page 11.
3. Configure the Ethernet network. For help, see Chapter 3, “Configuring
the Ethernet Network” on page 64.
4. Configure the radios. For help, see Chapter 4, “Configuring the
Radios” on page 96.
5. Decide what level of security you want to implement in your network.
For help, see Chapter 6, “Configuring Security” on page 169.
Example - Configuring an 802.11g Access Point
Host
Access
point
Ethernet
Figure 7. 802.11g Access Point
Table 5. 802.11g Access Point Parameter Settings
Screen Parameter Access Point
802.11g Radio Node Type Master
SSID (Network
Name)
Manufacturing
22
Spanning Tree
Settings
Root Priority 5
Ethernet Bridging
Enabled
Checked
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Allied Telesyn recommends that you always implement some type of
security.
Using Multiple
Access Points and
Roaming
Wireless End
Devices
For larger or more complex environments, you can install multiple access
points so wireless end devices can roam from one access point to another.
Multiple access points establish coverage areas or cells similar to those of
a cellular telephone network. End devices can connect with any access
point that is within range and belongs to the same wireless network.
This illustration shows a wireless network with multiple access points.
Wireless end devices can roam between the access points to
communicate with the host and other end devices.
Host
Ethernet
Figure 8. Multiple Access Points with Roaming End Devices
An end device initiates a roam when it attaches to a new access point. The
access point sends an attach message to the root access point, which in
turn forwards a detach message to the previous access point, allowing
each access point to update its forwarding database. Intermediate access
points monitor these exchanges and update their forwarding databases.
With the access point’s multichannel architecture, you can have more than
one access point within the same cell area to increase throughput and
provide redundancy. For more information, see “Using Dual Radio Access
Points for Redundancy” on page 37.
To install multiple access points with roaming end devices
1. Follow the instructions for installing a simple wireless network in “Using
One Access Point in a Simple Wireless Network” on page 21.
23
Chapter 1: Getting Started
2. Configure the LAN ID. For help, see “Configuring the Spanning Tree
Parameters” on page 136.
3. Configure one of the access points to be a root access point. For help,
see “About the Primary LAN and the Root Access Point” on page 131.
4. If your network has a switch that is not IEEE 802.1d-compliant and is
located between access points, configure data link tunneling. For help,
see “About Ethernet Bridging/Data Link Tunneling” on page 134.
Example - Configuring an 802.11g Access Point with Roaming End
Devices
In this example, there is one 802.11g radio in each access point. Wireless
end devices can roam between the access points to communicate with the
host and other end devices.
Host
AP2
Ethernet
AP1
AP3
Figure 9. 802.11g Access Point with Roaming End Devices
24
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Table 6. 802.11g Access Points Parameter Settings
AP1
Screen Parameter
802.11g
Radio
Spanning
Tree
Settings
The access points communicate with each other through the spanning
tree. The wireless end devices are configured as stations with LAN ID set
to 0 and SSID set to Op3rat!ons.
Node Type Master Master Master
SSID Op3rat!ons Op3rat!ons Op3rat!ons
LAN ID000
Root
Priority
Ethernet
Bridging
Enabled
Secondary
LAN Bridge
Priority
802.11g
Radio
(Root)
543
Checked Checked Checked
000
AP2
802.11g
Radio
AP3
802.11g
Radio
Using an Access
Point as a WAP
You can extend the range of your wireless network by configuring a dual
radio access point as a wireless access point (WAP). The WAP and the
wireless end devices it communicates with comprise a secondary LAN.
You can position WAPs in strategic locations so they receive data from
end devices and then forward the data to the wired network. This
configuration can be useful when distance or physical layout impedes
radio reception and transmission.
This illustration shows a simple wireless network with one access point
and one WAP. Wireless end devices use the WAP to forward data to the
access point, which forwards data to the host. If you do not want end
devices to also be able to communicate directly with the access point, use
a different SSID for the access point master radio and the WAP station
radio.
25
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Host
Access
point
WAP
Ethernet
Figure 10. Access Point as a WAP
WAPs send data from end devices to the access points via wireless hops.
Wireless hops are formed when data from end devices move from one
access point to another access point through the radio ports. The master
radio in the access point transmits hello messages, which allow the WAPs
to attach to the spanning tree in the same way as access points.
The number of radios required in the WAP depends on the type of radio
installed:
If you have an 802.11a radio, the WAP only needs one radio because
this radio can simultaneously be a master and a station. This radio will
create wireless hops automatically when it cannot communicate to the
wired network.
If you have an 802.11g or 802.11b radio, the WAP must contain two
radios: one configured as master and one as station. The WAP master
radio must match the end devices radios, and the WAP station radio
must match the master radio in the access point.
WAPs must be on the same IP subnet as the access point. Also, data from
wireless end devices should not go through more than three wireless hops
before it gets to an access point on the primary LAN.
The following procedure explains how to install a simple wireless network
with a WAP and no roaming end devices. For help installing a simple
wireless network with a WAP and roaming end devices, see the two
examples in the next sections.
To install a simple wireless network with a WAP and no roaming end
devices
1. Follow the instructions for installing a simple wireless network in the
section “Using One Access Point in a Simple Wireless Network” on
page 21.
26
2. Configure the LAN ID. For help, see “Configuring the Spanning Tree
Parameters” on page 136.
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
3. (802.11g and 802.11b) Configure the station radio in the WAP to
communicate with one of the master radio service sets in the access
point:
a. From the main menu, click the link corresponding to the station
radio. The radio screen appears.
b. In the Primary service set Node Type field, choose Station.
c. In the Primary service set SSID (Network Name) field, type the
SSID. In this example, the SSID is Manufacturing.
d. Click Submit Changes to save your changes. The screen updates.
4. To activate your changes, from the menu bar click Save/Discard
Changes, and then click Save Changes and Reboot. For help, see
“Saving Configuration Changes” on page 46.
5. Configure the master radio in the WAP to communicate with the end
devices. For help, see Chapter 4, “Configuring the Radios” on page 96.
6. Configure the master radio in the access point:
a. From the main menu, click the link corresponding to the master
radio. The radio screen appears.
b. In the Frequency field, choose the radio frequency of your wireless
network.
c. (802.11a only) Make sure the Allow Wireless Access Points field is
On Primary.
d. In the Primary service set Node Type field, choose Master.
27
Chapter 1: Getting Started
e. In the Primary service set SSID (Network Name) field, type the
SSID that matches the SSID of the end device radio. In this
example, the SSID is Manufacturing.
7. Click Submit Changes to save your changes. To activate your
changes, from the menu bar click Save/Discard Changes, and then
click Save Changes and Reboot. For help, see “Saving Configuration
Changes” on page 46.
8. Configure the access point to be a root access point. For help, see
“About the Primary LAN and the Root Access Point” on page 131.
9. Click Submit Changes to save your changes. To activate your
changes, from the menu bar click Save/Discard Changes, and then
click Save Changes and Reboot. For help, see “Saving Configuration
Changes” on page 46.
Example - Configuring an 802.11g WAP With No Roaming End
Devices
In this example, there is one 802.11g radio in the access point and there
are two 802.11g radios (802.11g Radio-1 and 802.11g Radio-2) in the
WAP. Wireless end devices only communicate with the WAP; they are not
allowed to communicate directly with the access point.
Host
Access
point
WAP
Ethernet
Figure 11. 802.11g WAP with No Roaming End Devices
28
AT-WA7500 and AT-WA7501 Installation and User’s Guide
Table 7. 802.11g Access Point and WAP Parameter Settings
Screen Parameter
802.11g
Radio
Spanning
Tree
Settings
Node Type Master Master Station
SSID Manufacturing Warehouse Manufacturing
LAN ID 11 11 11
Root
Priority
Ethernet
Bridging
Access Point
802.11g
WAP
802.11g
Radio-1
50(not
Checked Checked (not
WAP 802.11b
Radio-2
applicable)
applicable)
Enabled
You need to configure the wireless end devices to have the same SSID,
LAN ID, and frequency as the WAP radio. You do not need to configure
any secondary LAN settings because the WAP is not connected to a
secondary LAN.
Allied Telesyn recommends that you always implement some type of
security.
Example - Configuring an 802.11a WAP With Roaming End Devices
In this example, there is one 802.11a radio in the access point and there is
one 802.11a radio in the WAP. Wireless end devices can roam between
the WAP and the access point.
Host
Access
point
WAP
Ethernet
Figure 12. 802.11a WAP with Roaming End Devices
29
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Table 8. 802.11a Access Point and WAP Parameter Settings
Screen Parameter
802.11a
Radio
Spanning
Tree
Settings
You need to configure the wireless end devices to have the same SSID,
LAN ID, and frequency as the WAP radio. You do not need to configure
any secondary LAN settings because the WAP is not connected to a
secondary LAN.
Allow Wireless Access
Points
Primary Node Type Master Master
SSID Manufacturing Manufacturing
LAN ID 11 11
Root Priority 5 0
Ethernet Bridging
Enabled
Secondary LAN Bridge
Priority
Access Point
802.11a
On Primary On Primary
Checked Checked
00
WAP 802.11a
Using Access
Points to Create a
Point-to-Point
Bridge
Allied Telesyn recommends that you always implement some type of
security.
You can use access points to create a point-to-point bridge between two
wired LANs. That is, you can have one access point wired to a primary
LAN in one building and have a second access point wired to a secondary
LAN in another building. This configuration lets wired and wireless end
devices in both buildings communicate with each other, which can be
useful in a campus environment or any other environment where
pavement or other objects prevent installation of a wired link.
This illustration shows two simple wireless networks that are connected
30
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