Cabletron Systems 9032848-02 User Manual

RoamAbout Access Point

User’s Guide

9032848-02

Notice

Cabletron Systems r eserves the right to make chang es in speci fications and other information contained in this document without prior notice. The re ader should in all cases consult Cabletron Systems to determine whether any such changes have been made.

The hardware, firmware, or software described in this manual is subject to change without notice. IN NO EVENT SHALL CABLETRON SYSTEMS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT,

SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS MANUAL OR THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT, EVEN IF CABLETRON SYSTEMS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF, KNOWN, OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Cabletr on Systems, Inc . 35 Indu s trial Way Rochester, NH 03867

Order Number: 9032848-02

Cabletron, Cabletron Systems, clearVISN logo, and ThinWir e are trademar ks or registe red trademar ks of Cabletron Sy stems, Inc.

PC Card is a trademark of PCMCIA. Microsoft, Windows, Windo w s 95, Windows 98, and Wind ow s N T are either trademarks or registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corporatio n. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respectiv e holders.

Web Site: http://www.cabletron.com/wireless

, DEChub, MultiSwitch, NetRider, RoamAbout, the RoamAbout

Notice

FCC Notice

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Op eration is subject to the following two conditions : (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursua nt to P art 15 of the FCC rules. These limits a re designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interferenc e when the equipment is operated in a comme rcial environment. This equipment uses, generates, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not

installed in accordance with this user’ s gui de, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at hi s own expense.

WARNING: Changes or modifications made to this device which are not express ly approved by the party respons ible for compliance could void th e us er’s authority to opera te the equipment.

VCCI Notice

This is a Class A product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment (VCCI). If this equipment is used in a domestic environment, radio disturbance may arise. When such trouble occurs, the user may be required to take corrective actions.

Industry Canada Notice

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A l imits for radio noise em issions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regul ations of the Canadian Depart ment of Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la class A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le ministère des Communications du Canada .

Notice

Taiwanese Notice — Class A Computing Device:

CE Notice — Class A Computing Device:

Warning! This is a Cla ss A product. In a domestic environment, this product may ca use radio interf erence, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

Achtung!

Dieses ist ein Gerät der Funkstörgrenzwertklasse A. In Wohnbereichen können bei Betrieb dieses Gerätes Rundfunks törungen auftreten, in welchen Fällen der Benutzer für entsprechende Gegenmaßnahmen verantwortlich ist.

Avert issement! Cet appareil est un appareil de Classe A. Dans un environnement résidentiel cet appareil peut provoquer des broui llages radioélectriques. Dans ce cas, il peut être demand é à l' utilisateur de prendre les mesures appropriées.

iii

Notice

Declaration of Conformity

Addendum

Application of Council Directive(s): 89/336/EEC

73/23/EEC

Manufacturer’s Name: Cabletron Systems, Inc.

Manufactu rer’s Address: 35 Industrial Way

PO Box 5005 Rochester, NH 03867

European Representative Name: Mr. J. Solari

European Representative Address: Ca bletron Systems Limited

Nexus House, Newbury Business Park London Road, Newbury Berkshire RG13 2PZ, England

Conformance to Direct ive(s)/Product Standards: EC Directive 89/336/EEC

EC Directive 73/23/EEC EN 55022 EN 50082-1 EN 60950

Equipment Type/Environment: Networking Equipment, for use in a

Commercial or Light Industrial Environment.

We the undersigned, hereby de clare, under our sole responsibility, that the equipment packaged with this notice confor ms to the above directives.

Manufacturer Legal Representati ve in Europe Mr . Ro nald Fotino Mr . J. Solari

____________________________________________________ ____________________________________

Full Name Full Name

Principal Compliance Engineer Managing Director - E.M.E.A.

____________________________________________________ ____________________________________

Title Title

Rochester, NH, USA Newbury, Berkshire, England

____________________________________________________ ____________________________________

Location Location

Notice

Getting Help

For additional s upport related to this devi ce or document, contact Cabletron Systems using one of the following methods:

World Wide Web Phone (603) 332-9400

Internet mail support@cabletron.com To send comments or suggestions concerning this document, cont act the

Cabletron Syste ms Technical Writ ing Department via the fol lowing email address: TechWriting@cabletron.com

Make sure to include t he docum ent Part Number in the email message.

http://www.cabletron.com http://www.cabletron.com/wireless

Before calling Cabletron Systems, have the following information ready:

• Your Cabletron Systems service contract number

• A description of the problem

• A description of any action(s) already taken to resolve the problem

• The serial and revision numbers of all involved Cabletron Systems products in the network

• A descriptio n of your network environment (layout , ca ble type, etc.)

• Network load and frame size at the time of trouble (if known)

• The device history (i.e., have you returned the de vice before, is this a recurring problem, etc.)

• Any previous Return Material Authorization (RMA) numbers

Preface

Intended Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi

Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xii

Associated Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

1 Introducing RoamAbout Access Point

Summary of Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

AP to Wireless Clients Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6

AP to AP Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Bridging Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Configuration Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Console Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

RoamAbout Access Point Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9

Other Management Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

Optional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11

Range Extender Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Outdoor Antenna Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

2 Preparing for Installation

Unpacking and Checking the Contents of the Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Selecting the Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Reviewing the Site Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4

Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Electrical and Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Cabling Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

vii

Table of Contents

3 Installing the RoamAbout Access Point

Installing the PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Installi ng the AP into a MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Removing the Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Seating the AP in the MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Installing the AP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Verifying the Opera tion of the RoamAbout Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Connecting a Device to the Console Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Console Port Signaling Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Connecting to the Console Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Installi ng the RoamAbout Access Point Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15

Setting the AP Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 -1 6

Verifying Wireless Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

4 Configuring the RoamAbout Access Point

Starting a Configuration Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 2

RoamAbout Access Point Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Console Port Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Showing Current Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Wireless Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Wireless Network Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Station Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

AP Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Transmit (Tx) Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4- 7

RTS Threshold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

IEEE Power Management (DTIM Period). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Secure Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Setting Bridge Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Setting Default Rate Limiting (Multicast Traffic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Setting Encryption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

Setting RMON Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4- 1 2

Checking the Configuration on Multiple APs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Resetti ng the RoamAbout Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Configuring the AP for LAN-to-LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

Configuring the AP for SNMP Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Set In-Band Interface Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Set SNMP Read/Write Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

Set SNMP Trap Addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

Upgrading the RoamAbout Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20

viii

Table of Contents

5 Problem Solving

Using the LEDs to Determine the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Reset Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Setting Upline Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Showing Counter s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Displaying Error Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10

Removing the AP from the MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

A Connector, Cable, and Adapter Pin Assignments

Figures

Front, Side, and Rear View of the AP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

Roaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

Building-to-Building Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7

Range Extender Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Mounting the AP in a Central Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Normal LED Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Console Port Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14

10BaseT (8-pin MJ) Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1

Console Port (DB-9) Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-2

BN24H Cable Pin Assignments (Used with Console Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-2

BC16E Cable Pin Assignments (Used with Console Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-2

H8571-J Adapter Pin Assignments (Used with Console Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-3

H8575-A Adapter Pin Assignments (Used with Console Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-3

Tables

AP Physical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

AP Power Supply Specific ations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6

AP Acoustical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Console Port Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

LED Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

LED Problem Solving Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Normal Operating Mode LED Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Diagnostics LED Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Network Loading/Upline Dumping LED Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

The RoamAbout™ Access Point is a 2-port bridge that connects a wired Ethernet (ThinWire™ or 10BaseT) local area network (LAN) and a wireless LAN.

This manual describes how to install and configure the RoamAbout Access Point. It also describes how to troubleshoot problems that may arise during installation or operation.

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for the device installer and network manager. This manual assumes that you have a working knowledge of local area networking and bridging functions.

Preface

Terminology

The following terms are used throughout this manual. You s hould be familiar with these terms before you continue.

T erm Definition

RoamAbout Access Point A 2-port bridg e that connects a wireless LAN to a

RoamAbout PC Card™ A PC Card that installs in a RoamAbout Access

PCMCIA The Personal Computer Memory Card

wired Ethernet LAN. Referred to as AP.

Point or wireless client to provide wireless connectivity in a LAN en vironmen t.

International Association (PCMCIA) is the standards body for the type of PC card used with the AP.

RoamAbout Access Point Manager

Range Extender Antenna An indoor antenna that extends the coverage area

LAN-to-LAN Wireless Bridge

wireless LAN A collection of end-user systems connected

wireless client A computer such as a PC, laptop , or notebook, that

Software used to manage and configure one or more APs. The software is in stalled on a W indows computer that conne cts to the AP via a wired LAN or wireless LAN.

of the AP. An AP mode that a llows two APs to communi cate,

effective ly connecting two wired LANs through a wireless link.

together using a medium such as radio frequency or infrared technology. The RoamAbout products use radio frequencies

uses the PC card for wireless LAN connect ivity . A wireless client is also referred to as a station.

xii

Asso ciated D o cument s

The following table lists each component, with its associated document, that can be used with your RoamAbout Access Point.

Component Document

PC Card RoamAbout IEEE DS/PC Card and ISA

Associated Documents

Adapter Card User’s Guide

RoamAbout Access Point Manager

RoamAbout Building-toBuilding

Online Help

RoamAbout 802.11 Outdoor Antenna Installation Guide

xiii

Chapter 1

Introducing RoamAbout Access Point

This chapter provi des an overview of the RoamAbout Access Point (AP) and its operation.

The AP is a 2-port bridge. One por t connects the AP to an Ethernet LAN through a 10BaseT or ThinWire cable (or t hrough a MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90 Ethernet backplane) . The other port connects the AP to the wirele ss network through a RoamAbout PC Card.

The wireless network can consist of multiple wireless clients and m ultiple APs. A client can be a laptop or notebook computer or desktop PC. Typically, a single AP is used to enable several wireless clients to connect to a wired Ethernet LAN.

The AP fully supports wireless clients equippe d with any 802.11 Sequence (DS) PC Card.

You can also configure the AP to communicate with another AP in a LAN-to-LAN configuration. This allows you to connect two Ethernet LANs (usually in separate buildings) through a wireless link.

The AP is shown in Figure 1-1.

Introducing RoamAbout Access Point 1-1

-Compliant Direct

Summary of Features

Summary of Featu res

The AP includes the following features:

• Supports any 802.11 Direct Sequence (DS) compliant r adio in a wireless client

• Supports ThinWire ( 10base2) and 10BaseT Ethernet LANs.

• Ideally, an AP can support up to 250 users. However, this number can be

significantl y re duced by v arious fact ors, such as obst ructio ns in the cove rage a rea and the amount of network utilization by each cl ient.

• Can be configured to communicate with another RoamAbout Access Point in a

LAN-to-LAN configuration

• Supports 802.11 Wire d Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

and Secure Access Mode.

• Allows wirel ess clients to roam from one Access Point to another in th e same

wireless LAN without losing connectivity.

• Can be standalone or mountable in a MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90.

• Can be managed via its loc al cons ole port or re motely by the RoamAbout Access

Point Manager software, clearVISN system, or Network Management Station (NMS).

• Supports RMON Groups 1, 2, 3, and 9 (Statistics, History, Alarms, and Events).

• Can be upgraded via a downline-load using BOOTP and TFTP.

• Supports IEEE power manag em ent.

• Contains an 8000 node forwarding address database .

• Redundancy through 802.1D Spanning Tree.

• Supports protocol filtering.

• Supports sourc e and destination address filtering.

• Contains various user-selectable parameters.

1. As of V3.0, the AP no longer supports the legacy, non-802.11 PC Cards. If you require the AP to support the earlier ver-

sions of the RoamAbout DS or Frequency Hopping (FH) cards, use AP firmware V2.4, which is included in the AP Manager diskett es.

2. Requires the AP firmware to be V3.4 or later.

3. Requires the AP firmware to be V4.0 or later.

1-2 Introducing RoamAbout Access Point

10 11

Summary of Features

Figure 1-1: Front, Side, and Rear View of the AP

Access Point

m A

6 7

1 2

8 9

Height: 27.31 cm (10.75 in) Width: 3.18 cm (1.25 in) Depth: 13.3 cm (5. 25 in)

LKG-8679-931-02

The AP contains the followi ng LEDs, connectors, ports, and control s:

Item Name Description

1Network

Connector (BNC)

Connects the AP to a ThinWire network. This connector is not used if the AP is connected to a 10BaseT netwo rk or i nstall ed i n a Mul tiSwi tch 900 or DEChub 90.

2 Power OK

Lights (green) when the AP has power.

LED

3 Module OK

Lights (green) when the AP passes its power-up self-test. If the AP fails the te st , the Module OK LED

LED

is off. If this LED is flashing, the Ethernet or wireless port (or bot h) has a fau lt, pr eve nting c onnect ion to the network.

Introducing RoamAbout Access Point 1-3

Summary of Features

Item Name Description

4 Wired LAN

Activity LED

510BaseT

Ethernet Connector

6 Bridg e State

LED

7 Access Point

Saturated LED

Indicates the status of the wired Ethern et segment. The LED lights (green) when packets are:

• Received on the Ether net port and f orward ed to the

wireless port.

• Addressed to or generated by the AP using the

Ethernet port.

Packet s received and filtered are not show n . Data traffic forwarded to the Ethernet port is not shown. The average br ightnes s of the LED indicat es the level of activity on the Ethernet port . If the LED is flash ing togeth er with the Bridge Stat e LED (6), the Ethernet port has a fault t hat prevent s the AP from establ ishi ng a connection to the network.

Connects the AP to a 10 Bas eT network. This connector is not used if the AP is connected to a ThinWire network or ins talled in a Mult iSwitch 900 or DEChub 90.

Lights (green) when the AP is forwarding packets.

Lights (yellow) when the AP is saturated. Saturation occurs when the AP cannot forward packets from the Ethernet to the wireless side due to the lower throughput of th e wireless network. The degree of LED brightness indicates the level of satura tion. The LED dims (and eventually extinguishes) as the network congestion is processed.

8 Wireless LAN

Activity LED

1-4 Introducing RoamAbout Access Point

Indicates the status of the wireless Ethernet segment. The LED lights (green ) when packets are:

• Received on the wirel ess port and forwa rded to the

Ethernet port.

• Addressed to or generated by the AP using the

wireless port.

Packet s received and filtered are not show n . Data traffic forwarde d to the wireless port is not shown. The average brightness of the LED indicates the leve l of activity on the wireless port. If the LED is flashing togethe r with the Bridge St ate LED (6), the wire less port has a fault t hat prevent s the AP from establ ishi ng a connection to the network.

Item Name Description

Summary of Features

9 PC Card

Present

Lights (green) when the PC Card is co rrectly in stalled at power-up.

LED

10 Local Console

Used to configure the AP.

Port 11 PC Card Slot Used for the PC Card. 12 Ethernet

Unique physical ad dres s of the AP. Hardware Address

13 Reset Button Forces a downline load of the AP’s firmware from a

load host and resets the AP to its factory default

settings .

14 Back Cover Present on stan dalone APs only. Covers the backplane

connector and mounting assembly.

15 Locking Ta b Locks the AP into a MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90. 16 48 -P in

Backplane

Provides network and power connections to the AP

when install ed in a MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90. Connector

17 Power Supply

Connector

Receiv es +5 Vdc from the AP’s standalone power

supply. Not used when the AP is installed in a

MultiSwitch 900 or DEChub 90.

18 Mou nting Tab Secures the AP to the MultiSwitc h 900 or DEChub 90

backplane.

Introducing RoamAbout Access Point 1-5

AP to Wireless Clients Configuration

AP to Wireless Clients Configurat ion

The AP enables wireless clients to move from the coverage area of one AP into the coverage area of ano ther AP while maintaining LAN connectivity. This capabilit y is called roaming. Figure 1-2 illustrates a wireles s clie nt roamin g from one AP coverag e area to another. Each covera g e area is called a cell, where a cell is a si n g le AP and its wireless clie n ts within a network of m u lt ip le APs.

Figure 1-2: Roaming

Coverage

Cell 1 Cell 2

Areas

(Ap1)

m A

1 2

(Ap1)

AP1

(Ap2)

Wireless

Client

m A

1 2

(Ap2)

AP2

(Ap2)

(Ap1)

LKG-8892-931-01

In Figure 1-2, Cell 1 and Cell 2 share overlapping areas of coverage. As a wireless client moves f rom Ce ll 2 to Cell 1, the necessary network information is pas sed from AP2 to AP1.

When a wireless clien t (s uch as the laptop computer in Figure 1-2) approaches the boundary of a coverage area , the wirele ss clie nt sear ches for a new AP that provi de s a better quality signal, resulting in more reliable data throughput.

1-6 Introducing RoamAbout Access Point

AP to AP Configuration

You can connect two separa te LANs over a wireless link by configuri ng two RoamAbout Access Points to communicate with each other. This is called a LAN-to-LAN connection.

Figure 1-3 shows t wo APs in different building s using an outdoor antenna to connect the LANs in those buil d ings.

Figure 1-3: Bui ld i ng- to-Building C onfiguration

AP to AP Configuration

m A

1 2

m A

1 2

2844-01-03

You can also configure APs to con nect two LANs in the same building. Contact your Ca bletr on sal es rep resenta ti ve or vis it the RoamAbou t web si te for mo re

information about the optional outdoor ante nna kits.

Introducing RoamAbout Access Point 1-7

Bridging Services

The AP provides the following bridging services:

• Store-and-forward capability

The AP receives, checks, and transmits frames to other LA N s, enabling the configuration of extended LANs.

• Frame filtering based on address

Using the address database and the source and destination addre sses from incoming frames, the AP isola tes the traff ic that should not be allowed on other LANs. This action reduce s the total data traffic on an extended LAN by not forwarding the packets that have local destinati on addres ses or pa ckets tha t are not allowed to be forwarded. This increases bandwidth efficiency.

• Data Link layer relay

The AP operates at th e Data Link layer of the Open Syste m Interconnec tion (OSI) model. Operation at this layer mak es the AP transparent to the protocols that use the LAN connectivity service. This protocol transparency is a key factor in the extended LAN service.

• Dynamic address learning

The forwarding and tr ans lating process module automatically adds new source addresses t o t he a ddress da tabase whi le t he AP is op erati ng. T his reve rse lear ning of the address and port as sociation allows automatic network configurati on without prior downline loading of configuration data to the AP. Note that the address learn ing is protocol and management entity independent.

How long an address remains in the database is determined by an Aging Timer that meas ures ho w m uch t ime has ela psed sin ce d ata was la st address ed to o r f rom

a particular node. If the timer lapses without an y traffic, the node’s address is removed from the database.

• LAN-to-LAN Bridge mode

LAN-to-LAN mode is used to co nfigure th e AP to co mmunicate with another AP . In LAN-to-LAN mode, the AP learns addresses from both the wireless network and the wired Ethernet LAN. The AP filters packets based on their destination address and forward s all packets with unknown address es. The default Aging Timer interval is 2 minutes.

• Workgroup Bridge mode

Workgroup Bridge mode (the de fault mode) is used to configure the AP to communicate with wireless clients. In Workgroup Bridge mode, the AP learns addresses only from the wir eless side of the network. The AP only forwards packets to multicast addresses, broadca st addresses, and known addresses on the wireless LAN. The default Aging Timer interval is 32 minutes.

1-8 Introducing RoamAbout Access Point

Configuration Tools

You can configure the AP using these tools:

• RoamAbout Access Point Console Port

• RoamAbout Access Point Manager

• clearVISN and Network Management Stations (NMS)

Console Port

The AP has a l ocal consol e port that enable s you to c onfigure a nd manage the AP using a console port device (a terminal or personal computer running te rmi nal emulation software). The device needs to be directly connected to the AP console port.

RoamAbout Access Point Manager

The RoamAbout Acc ess Point Manager is included in the RoamAbo ut Access Point kit. You install the AP Manager on a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT system.

The AP Manager can be used as a setup/ configuration tool for ne w APs and as a management to ol to as sist the ongoing management and support of RoamAbout wireless LANs. The AP Manager can manage multiple APs simultaneously.

Configuration Tools

The AP Manager has the following fea tures:

• Ability to manage multiple APs remotely, including changing parameters on

multiple APs in a wireless network with a single command.

• Ability to view AP parameters, such as AP statist ics, AP firmware version

number, MAC addresses, amount of memory, and card type.

• Integrity che cking for many wireless pa ram eter changes. This warns the user if a

common wireless network management mistake is about to be made, or if the operation requested is unusual and usually not recommended.

• Integrity checking of an existing wireless network configuration for co nsistent

settings and common management errors.

• Improved wireless network performance through easy packet fil tering and

recommended filter settings.

• Integrated with a B ootP/ TFTP applic ation for s imple AP fi rmware upgrade s, also

called flash upgrades.

• Support for 802.11 radio technology as well as the earlier versions of the

RoamAbout Direct Sequence (DS) and Frequency Hopping (FH) products.

Introducing RoamAbout Access Point 1-9

Configuration Tools

Other Management Tools

The AP supports the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) through any standard Network Mana gement Station (NMS) that supports SNMP. The SNMP management capability enables you to manage standard SNMP MIB characteristics, such as protocol filtering and address filtering.

To manage the AP with an NMS system, you must configure the AP with a valid IP

address, as de scribed in “Configuring the AP for SNMP Management” on page 4-16. The management systems use MIB objects to manage the AP. The AP supports the

following MIB objects:

• MIB II (RFC–1213)

• IETF Bridge MIB (RFC–1493)

• Ethernet MIB (RFC–13 98)

• DEC ELAN Vendor MIB

• HUB PCOM MIB

• RoamAbout Access Point MIB

• RMON MIB (RFC-1757)

• 802.11 MIB

For details on the management features of each MIB, consult your NMS documentation.

The Cabletron clearVISN system also supports the AP.

The AP Manager and console port do not support RMON. To set RMON parameters and the multicast limiting rat e value, you need an NMS system or clearVISN.

1-10 Introducing Roam About Access Point

NOTE

Optional Antennas

When the AP is configured to support wireless clients, you may need the Range Extender antenna to improve signa l quality when the PC Card in the AP is shielded.

In a LAN-to-LAN confi gura tion, y ou may need to ins tall outdoor ant ennas, espe ciall y when the APs are located in separate buildings.

Range Extender Antenna

The RoamAbout PC Card in the AP has two integrated antennas tha t perform best in an open environment with as few obstacles as possibl e. Use the Range Extender Antenna (Figure 1-4) to ensure optimal transmission and reception quality for situations where the integr ated antennas are shielded, such as:

• The PC Card is clo se to m e tal surfaces.

• The AP is installed in a hidden location, e.g. unde r a desk or ins ide a cabinet.

• Objects shield the PC Card.

You can co nnect the Range Exte nder anten na t o the PC Car d b y ins ertin g t he con nector into the socket on the extende d side of the PC card. To protect th e socket from dust, it is shielded with a cap. Remove this cap before you connect the antenna.

Optional Antennas

The Range E xtender a ntenna h as a moun ting b racket and a base f or vert ical posi tioning that allo ws you to pl ac e the ante nna on top o f a ta ble or fil ing cabine t, or han g it on the wall or ceiling.

NOTE

Many computer monit ors support a degauss option. The ele ctromagnetic discharge that may occur when dega us sing the monitor may cause damage to the antenna. To a void d amage , do no t place t he Range Ext ender Ante nna on t op of, or too close to, a moni tor.

Introducing RoamAbo ut Access Point 1-11

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