Black Box LW005A, LW004A, LW009A, LW011A, LW002A User Manual

CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION

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PWR
WLNK
ETHR

H
M
L

QLT

Wireless
Bridge

PWR
WLNK
ETHR

H
M
L

QLT

PWR
WLNK
ETHR

H
M
L

QLT

Workstation

Adapter

PWR
INFR
ETHR

H
M
L

LOAD

Wireless

Ethernet Hub

3-Mbps Wireless Ethernet

Hubs, Adapters, and Bridges

FEBRUARY 1998

LW001A LW004A LW008A LW011A
LW002A LW005A LW009A LW011AE
LW003A LW007A LW010A LW012A

LW012AE

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

INDUSTRY CANADA

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.

It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules,
which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case
the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be
necessary to correct the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

The LW001A, LW005A, and LW007A are certified.

The LW001A, LW005A, and LW007A are UL 19.50 approved.

The LW002A, LW003A, LW004A, LW008A, LW009A, and LW0010A are UL,
UL/C, and TUV/GS approved.

All models are ETS 300-328 and VDE Class B approved.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT

INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el
aparato.

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las
lineas de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no
sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del

aparato; o

C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o

D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en

su desempeño; o

E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

TRADEMARKS

Apple®is a registered trademark of Apple Computer,
Inc.

Digital™ is a trademark of Digital Equipment
Corporation.

HP®is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard.

IBM®is a registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation.

Windows®is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation.

ProComm®is a registered trademark of
DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.™

All applied-for and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Contents

1. Specifications..............................................97

2. Quick-Start Setup and Operation

for the Hub.................................................14

3. Introduction...............................................16

3.1 The 3-Mbps Wireless Ethernet

Product Line.......................................16

3.2 Features of Wireless LANs .................27

4. Setting Up the LAN ...................................29

4.1 Installing the Hub

(LW001A or LW007A).......................29

4.2 Installing the Workstation Adapter

(LW002A or LW008A).......................38

4.3 Installing the 4-Port Workstation

Adapter (LW003A or LW009A) ........45

4.4 Installing the Wireless Bridge

(LW004A or LW010A).......................55

4.5 Setting Up a Basic Wireless

Ethernet Cell ......................................63

4.6 Setting Up Overlapping Cells............69

4.7 Associating with a Hub .......................71

4.8 Associating with Other Hubs..............73

4.9 Antennas..............................................74

5. Advanced Setup..........................................80

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

5.1 Accessing Advanced Setup

Functions ............................................80

5.1.1 Hub Main Menu.......................87

5.1.2 System Configuration

Menus........................................89

5.1.3 Current Station Parameters.....90

5.1.4 IP Related Items .......................91

5.1.5 WLAN Parameters....................95

5.1.6 Station Control Menu ..............105

5.2 Access Control Menu .........................108

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

1. Specifications

NOTE

All specifications apply to Hub models LW001A,
LW005A, and LW007A, Adapter models LW002A,
LW003A, LW008A, and LW009A, and Bridge models
LW004A and LW010A, unless otherwise noted.

Radio/Modem

Frequency—2.4 to 2.4835 GHz

Radio type—Spread spectrum, Frequency

Hopping

Transmission Power—10 or 100 mW

Modulation—GFSK

Data rate—1, 2, 3 Mbps

Cell size (LW001A, LW002A, LW003A, LW005A,
LW007A, LW008A, LW009A): open air—1000m

(3000 feet)

Cell size (LW001A, LW002A, LW003A, LW005A,
LW007A, LW008A, LW009A): indoor—200 m

(600 feet)

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Range, open air (LW004A, LW010A)—Up to

7 miles (10 km)

Antenna diversity—LW001A, LW002A, LW003A,

LW005A: 2 attached antennas, 2 dBi omni;
LW007A, LW008A, LW009A: 2 detached
antennas, 2 dBi omni;
LW004A: 1 or 2 attached antennas, 2 dBi omni;
LW010A: 1 or 2 detached antennas, 2 dBi omni

Optional antennas, ordered separately (for use with
LW007A, LW008A, LW009A, and LW010A)—6 dBi

Omnidirectional Antenna (part

number LW011A); 8.5 dBi Unidirectional
Antenna (part number LW012A)

Maximum number of stations supported—256

Wireless LAN Interface

Standard—IEEE 802.11 D2

Media Access Protocol—CSMA/CA

Network Interface

LAN interface—10BASE-T

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Standards—IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.1d,

Transparent to network protocols (IP, IPX,
Appletalk, OSI, NetBIOS, DECnet, etc.)

LED Indicators (LW001A, LW005A, LW007A):

Power and Self-Test—PWR

Wired LAN activity—ETHR

Radio Interference—INFR

Wireless LAN load (3 LEDs)—H (High), M

(Medium), L (Low)

LED Indicators (LW002A, LW003A, LW004A, LW008A,
LW009A, LW010A):

Power and Self-Test

Wireless Link

Wired LAN activity

Wireless LAN signal quality (3 LEDs)

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Security (LW004A, LW010A):

Encryption—802.11 compatible

Authentication—Network ID, Password

Management (LW001A, LW005A, LW007A):

SNMP agent—MIB-II, bridge MIB, Radio MIB

Wired Ethernet, serial SLIP, and wireless

management access

Software download by TFTP

Local monitor (RS-232)

Management (LW002A, LW008A):

SNMP agent—MIB-I and II, bridge MIB, Private

MIB

Wired Ethernet and wireless management access

Software downloaded by TFTP

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Management (LW003A, LW009A):

SNMP agent—MIB-1 and II, bridge MIB, Private

MIB

Wired Ethernet, serial SLIP, and wireless
management access

Software downloaded by TFTP

Management (LW004A, LW010A):

SNMP agent—MIB-II, bridge MIB, Radio MIB

Wired Ethernet, serial SLIP, and wireless
management access

Software downloaded by TFTP

Local monitor (RS-232)

Electrical

External power supply—100-250 VAC,

autosensing

Input voltage—5 VDC, 1200mA

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Dimensions

5.1”H x 3.4”W x 1.2”D (13 x 8.6 x 3 cm)

Weight

1 lb. (0.45 kg)

Environmental

Operating temperature—32° to 105° F (0° to

40° C)

Operating humidity—5% to 95% non-condensing

Immunity

Will maintain link under all conditions—Per

EN 50082-1

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Approvals (LW001A, LW005A, LW007A):

UL 19.50

FCC Part 15

ETS 300-328

VDE Class B

CE

Approvals (LW002A, LW003A, LW004A, LW008A,
LW009A, LW010A):

UL, UL/C, TUV/GS

FCC Part 15

ETS 300-328

VDE Class B

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

2. Quick Start Setup and
Operation for the Hub

Use the following steps to get up and running with
your 3-Mbps Wireless Ethernet Hub. (For more
detailed procedures, see Section 4.1.)

1. Position the Hub in a high, central location,
well away from moving objects and metal
furniture.

NOTE

When using more than one Hub, make sure to define
different hopping sequences for each Access Point.
See Chapter 5.

2. Connect the power transformer to a 110/220
VAC power supply and to the DC input socket
on the Hub.

3. Connect the Hub to the Ethernet backbone
by attaching one end of a regular, uncrossed
10BASE-T cable (not supplied) to the RJ-45
port on the back panel of the Hub (marked
UTP). Attach the other end of the connector
cable to any available Ethernet hub port.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

4. Check the function of the Hub using
the front-panel LED indicators as follows:

• PWR—Power supply

• INFR—Radio interference

• ETH—Ethernet activity

• LOAD—Number of associated stations
(Low, Medium, High)

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

3. Introduction

3.1 The 3-Mbps Wireless Ethernet Product Line

The Wireless Ethernet product line contains the
following units:

• Wireless Ethernet Hub (LW001A, LW005A,
or LW007A)

• Wireless Ethernet Workstation Adapter
(LW002A or LW008A)

• Wireless Ethernet Four-Port Workstation
Adapter (LW003A or LW009A)

• Wireless Ethernet Wireless Bridge
(LW004A or LW010A)

W

IRELESS

E

THERNETHUB

(LW001A, LW005A,

OR

LW007A)

The Wireless Ethernet Hub (LW001A) is a wireless
Hub that provides access for the wireless workstation
users into wired Ethernet LANs.

The Wireless Ethernet Hub for PCMCIA
(LW005A) is the same as the LW001A, except that
the LW005A must be used with the PCMCIA Wireless
Adapter (LW006A). Any reference in this manual to
the LW001A also applies to the LW005A.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

The LW001A and LW007A function exactly the
same way, but the LW001A has permanently attached
antennas, and the LW007A has detachable antennas.
A third Hub, LW005A (which is covered in a separate
manual), has the same hardware as the LW007A, but
different software. It works with portable computers
equipped with the PCMCIA Wireless Adapter
(LW006A) to connect to wired Ethernet LANs.

The Hub also contains the coordinating function
that enables workstations to communicate through it
to one another inside the cell coverage area, even
though they may not be in direct line of sight.
Mobile workstations can roam from one Hub to
another that belongs to the same extended wireless
network. When Hubs are set up in such a way that
their coverage areas overlap one another, users may
roam seamlessly from cell to cell. The Workstation
Adapters “decide” when a mobile user becomes
disassociated from one Hub and associated with
another.

This process is fully transparent, requires no user
intervention, and involves no loss of data packets.

You can position multiple Hubs in locations where
you expect heavy network traffic. This will increase
the throughput capacity in the areas where you most
need it.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Figure 3-1. Wireless Ethernet Hub (LW001A or LW007A)

Installed on Wall.

The Wireless Ethernet Hub contains an embedded
SNMP agent that lets you manage it from the LAN
Management Information Base. Software upgrades
are downloaded by TFTP.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Figure 3-2. Wireless Ethernet Hub (LW001A or LW007A)

Installed on Shelf.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

W

IRELESSETHERNETWORKSTATIONADAPTER

(LW002A

OR

LW008A)

The LW002A is a wireless LAN adapter that converts
any 10BASE-T Ethernet equipped computer
(including PCs, X-Terminals, Digital™, Sun, HP®,
IBM®, and Apple®), into a wireless LAN station. The
LW002A is transparent to the computer’s hardware
and software. This enables plug-and-play installation.

The LW002A and LW008A function exactly the
same way, but the LW002A has permanently attached
antennas, and the LW008A has detachable antennas.

The Workstation Adapter can communicate with
any other workstation adapters in its coverage area,
or via the Wireless Ethernet Hub to all of the
network resources such as file servers, printers and
shared databases.

The Workstation Adapter contains an embedded
SNMP agent that lets you effectively manage it from
the LAN Management Information Base. Software
upgrades are downloaded by TFTP.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Figure 3-3. Workstation Adapter (LW002A or LW008A).

The network stays connected while you roam
between overlapping coverage areas; plus, you get
continuous transmission and reception while moving
at high speed without losing or duplicating data
packets.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

W

IRELESSETHERNET

4-P

ORTWORKSTATIONADAPTER

(LW003A ORLW009A)

The Wireless Ethernet 4-Port Workstation Adapter
(LW003A) is a wireless LAN adapter that connects a
workgroup of up to four 10BASE-T Ethernet
equipped workstations to the wireless LAN.
Workstations that can be converted by the 4-Port
Workstation Adapter into wireless LAN stations
include PCs,
X-Terminals, Digital, SUN, HP, IBM and Apple
computers. The Adapter is transparent to the
workgroup computers’ hardware and software.

The LW003A and LW009A function exactly the
same, but the LW003A has permanently attached
antennas, and the LW009A has detachable antennas.

The 4-Port Workstation Adapter lets connected
workstations communicate with other Wireless
Ethernet stations in its coverage area, or via the
Wireless Ethernet Hub (LW001A or LW007A) to all
of the network resources such as file servers, printers
and shared databases. The 4-Port Workstation
Adapter also allows highly efficient and fast wired
communication between the connected
workstations.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

The 4-Port Workstation Adapter contains an
embedded SNMP agent and software downloading
capabilities that let you manage it from the LAN
Management Information Base.

Figure 3-4. 4-Port Workstation Adapter (LW003A or LW009A).

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

W

IRELESSBRIDGE

(LW004A ORLW010A)

The Wireless Bridge (LW004A) is a high-speed, wide­range wireless LAN bridge that provides connectivity
to remote Ethernet networks.

The LW004A and LW010A function exactly the
same way, but the LW004A has permanently attached
antennas, and the LW010A has detachable antennas.

The LW004A communicates with the Wireless
Ethernet Hubs (LW001A) of the remote LANs, and
the LW010A communicates with the Wireless
Ethernet Hub (LW007A) of the remote LANs. This
effectively creates an extended wireless network
spanning sites situated up to 7 miles apart. In this
way a central Ethernet LAN may be connected with
one or more branch office LANs.

The Wireless Bridge also allows connectivity
between a wireless LAN and individual workstations
or workgroups located outside the LAN.

W

IRELESSETHERNETHUB FOR

PCMCIA A

DAPTER

(LW005A)

The LW005A Hub, which is covered in detail in a
separate user manual, is physically identical to the
LW007A, but has different software. It works with
portable computers equipped with the PCMCIA
Wireless Adapter (LW006A) to connect to wired
Ethernet LANs.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

PCMCIA W

IRELESSADAPTER

(LW006A)

The LW006A adapter, which is covered in detail in a
separate user manual, gives the portable computer
user complete mobility, allowing seamless roaming
throughout the wireless LAN campus.

The PCMCIA Wireless Adapter converts any
portable computer (notebook, laptop, pen-based,
etc.) containing a PCMCIA Release 2.1 Type II slot
into a wireless LAN station.

The LW006A adapter can communicate with any
other wireless station in its coverage area, and can
access all of the network resources like file servers,
printers and shared databases via the Wireless
Ethernet Hub (LW005A, covered in a separate
manual).

The network stays connected while you roam
between overlapping coverage areas; plus, you get
continuous transmission and reception while moving
at high speed without losing or duplicating data
packets.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

Figure 3-5. PCMCIA Wireless Adapter (LW006A).

W

IRELESS

B

RIDGE FOR

PCMCIA A

DAPTER

(LW005A)

The Wireless Bridge for PCMCIA Adapter is covered
in a separate user manual.

O

PTIONALANTENNAS

(LW011A

AND

LW012A)

The 6 dBi Omnidirectional Antenna (LW011A) and
the Unidirectional Antenna (LW012A) work only
with the LW005A and LW007A Hubs, LW008A and
LW009A Adapters, and LW010A Bridge.

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

3.2 Features of Wireless Ethernet LANs

• Saves cabling costs—The wireless Ethernet LAN
saves you cabling costs that can amount to up
to 40% of your LAN installation cost.

• Plug-and-play installation—No additional
software or hardware installation is required.
After connecting the units to the power supply
and connecting the Hubs to the wired LAN,
your Wireless Ethernet system is ready to
operate.

• Flexibility—The wireless Ethernet LAN provides
an effective communication solution for:

- Campus environments

- Temporary or leased offices

- Trade shows

- Manufacturing environments

- Hospital applications

- Harbors and airports

- Buildings that are difficult to wire

- Points of sale

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3-MBPS WIRELESS ETHERNET HUBS, ADAPTERS, AND BRIDGES

• Workstation mobility—Notebook and pen-based
computer users can roam throughout the
Wireless Ethernet campus. As long as the
coverage areas are overlapping this mobility is
seamless. Users maintain their network
connection while roaming from cell to cell.

• Quickly extends wired LAN—A Wireless Ethernet
LAN cell gives instant add-on capability to your
wired LAN for temporary or permanent
expansion.

• Technical Advantages

- High data rate of 3 Mbps, with automatic
fallback to 2 and 1 Mbps.

- License-free use (2.4GHz ISM band, FHSS)

- 15 Mbps aggregate throughput in the same
coverage area by multiple Hubs.

- Antenna diversity and DSP modem ensure
robust communication.

- Software, including modem module, upgraded
by downloading.

- Security is provided by Spread Spectrum
Frequency Hopping and Network ID.

- Simple network management support (SNMP).