Cabletron Systems FLIU-1, FLIU-8 Installation Manual

FreeLINK WIRELESS LAN

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Desktop Network Interface Products

C A B L E T R O N

S Y S T E M S,

I N C.

NOTICE

NOTICE

Cabletron Systems reserves the right to make changes in
speciÞcations and other information contained in this document
without prior notice. The reader should in all cases consult
Cabletron Systems to determine whether any such changes have
been made. The hardware, Þrmware, 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.

© Copyright May 1993
Cabletron Systems, Inc.
35 Industrial Way, P.O. Box 5005
Rochester, NH 03867-0505

All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America

Order Number: 9030833 May 93

SPECTRUM, LANVIEW

registered trademarks and

, and

Remote LANVIEW

FreeLINK

are

is a trademark of

Cabletron Systems, Inc.

Ethernet

is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation. The term

Ethernet is used to indicate any IEEE 802.3-compliant network.

Printed on Recycled Paper.

i

NOTICE

ii

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Using This Manual ................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Getting Help .............................................................................. 1-2

1.3 FreeLINK Wireless LAN System Features ............................ 1-3

1.3.1 Connectivity ................................................................. 1-4

1.3.2 Spread Spectrum Technology .................................... 1-4

1.3.3 Data Security ................................................................ 1-4

1.3.4 Safety Information ....................................................... 1-5

1.3.5 FreeLINK Architecture................................................ 1-5

1.3.6 The Wireless Hub......................................................... 1-6

1.3.7 The Wireless Transceiver/Interface Units................ 1-6

1.4 Software...................................................................................... 1-7

1.5 System LED Indicators............................................................. 1-8

1.6 SpeciÞcations ............................................................................. 1-9

1.6.1 Wireless Hub/62, Wireless Transceiver

FLIU-1, FLIU-8 ............................................................. 1-9

CHAPTER 2 SITE PLANNING AND INSTALLATION

2.1 System Components................................................................. 2-1

2.2 Transceiver Installation ............................................................ 2-2

2.3 Connecting Transceiver/Interface Units ............................... 2-2

2.4 Transceiver Serial Numbers .................................................... 2-3

2.5 FreeLINK Wireless Ethernet Hub........................................... 2-4

2.5.1 Wireless Hub Antenna ................................................ 2-5

2.6 Wireless Hub Chassis ............................................................... 2-6

2.7 Hub Ethernet Connections ...................................................... 2-7

2.8 Hub SETUP................................................................................ 2-7

2.9 Orienting the Hub Antenna .................................................... 2-8

2.10 ConÞguring the Wireless Hub Software................................ 2-8

2.11 Aligning FreeLINK Components ........................................... 2-8

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

3.1 ConÞguring the Software ........................................................ 3-1

iii

CONTENTS

APPENDIX A TROUBLESHOOTING

APPENDIX B TRANSCEIVER SERIAL NUMBERS

iv

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Cabletron Systems FreeLINK¨ Wireless LAN
Installation Guide. This manual provides installation and reference
information for the Cabletron Systems FreeLINK Wireless LAN
System.

The FreeLINK Wireless LAN System uses spread spectrum radio
transmission technology to wirelessly connect Ethernet devices to
an Ethernet Network link.

You should read through this manual to gain a full understanding
of the capabilities of CabletronÕs FreeLINK Wireless LAN System.

1.1 USING THIS MANUAL

This manual is structured so that you follow sequential chapters as
you install the Cabletron FreeLINK Wireless LAN System.

Those who are familiar with Ethernet 802.3 technology can use

NOTE:

the Quick Start Installation Procedure to expedite installation.
The Quick Start procedure contains Section Number references
to this manual.

Chapter 1,

Introduction

, discusses the capabilities of the Wireless
LAN system and lists its operating and environmental
speciÞcations.

Chapter 2,

Site Planning and Installation

, contains instructions
for planning the wireless LAN site and installing the hardware
components of the FreeLINK Wireless LAN System.

Chapter 3,

Installing FreeLINK Software

for installing the wireless LAN software and conÞguring the LAN
SystemÕs operating parameters.

, provides instructions

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INTRODUCTION

1.2 GETTING HELP

If you need additional support related to the FreeLINK Wireless
LAN System, or if you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions concerning this manual, contact Cabletron Systems
Technical Support. Before calling Cabletron Technical Support,
please have the following information available for use by the
Cabletron Technical Support personnel who will assist you.

¥ The FreeLINK transmitter and receiver type and Serial

Number.

¥ The Wireless LAN software version that appears on the front of

the software diskette.

¥ Any other relevant information pertaining to the site

conÞguration, etc.

You can contact Cabletron Systems Technical Support by:

Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

BBS: [phone] (4 lines available)

AppleLink D3355, The Cabletron folder, in Third Party

Vendors folder, contains latest Cabletron
network drivers.

Cabletron Technical Support can also be reached over the Internet
by sending email to:

[e-mail] (IP Address 134.141.197.25)

CompuServe subscribers can also contact Cabletron Technical
Support through the Cabletron Forum by entering:

GO CTRON at any ! prompt.

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INTRODUCTION

1.3 FreeLINK WIRELESS LAN SYSTEM FEATURES

This section outlines the features of the FreeLINK Wireless LAN
System. Figure 1-1, below, shows the components of the FreeLINK
Wireless LAN System.

Connection to
Network/Backbone

FreeLINK
Wireless Hub Antenna

AC Power Cord

FreeLINK /62
Wireless Ethernet Hub

Signal
Quality

Transmit

Link

LED
Indicators

FLIU-8 Multi-User
Interface Unit

10BASE-T
Ports

Figure 1-1. FreeLINK Wireless LAN System Components

Antenna
Cable

Antenna

Page 1 - 3

INTRODUCTION

1.3.1 Connectivity

With the Cabletron Systems FreeLINK Wireless LAN System you
can connectEthernet nodes within an wireless 80 meter radius of
the transmitter hub antenna. The FreeLINK system accommodates
up to 62 wireless transceivers, distributed anywhere within the 80
meter operating radius.

1.3.2 Spread Spectrum Technology

Spread spectrum radio communications is a technique used to
transmit radio signals that was originally developed for the
military. It was initially implemented in the 1950s for use in
battleÞeld voice communications because it is extremely difÞcult
to detect that the signal is even present, and if detected, it is even
more difÞcult to decode. It is extremely difÞcult to interfere with,
or jam, the signal.

There are two techniques used in spread spectrum: frequency
hopping and direct sequence. Most wireless network systems
today, including FreeLINK, use direct sequence. Spread spectrum
radio, and FreeLINK in particular, resists detection and
interference, and allows multiple systems to operate in the same
area (hence permitting overlapping FreeLINK hubs). This level of
security far exceeds that of narrow-band transmission and
unshielded twisted pair wire, and uses very little power.

1.3.3 Data Security

Spread spectrum radio transmission techniques were used
exclusively by the U.S. Army since the 1950s for battleÞeld
communications. Spread spectrum has been used since 1967 by the
Israeli military for voice and telemetry communications. The
overriding reason for the militaryÕs extensive use of spread
spectrum is its inherent data security characteristic.

Page 1 - 4

INTRODUCTION

1.3.4 Safety Information

Spread spectrum radio technology is as safe as, or more secure
than, wired network alternatives. If you live in a metropolitan area
and maintain a medium-tech lifestyle, your current exposure to
UHF/VHF radiation from commercial radio stations, microwave
from satellite transmission, and infrared from remote control
devices is greater than the level of radiation you would experience
in an ofÞce environment using spread spectrum radio technology.

At maximum transmitting power, the FreeLINK wireless LAN
system is eight times lower than the ANSI C95.1-1991 standard for
exposure to RF electromagnetic Þelds. At the average transmission
power level, the FreeLINK system is 50 times lower than the ANSI
standard for exposure to RF electromagnetic Þelds.

The ANSI numbers are for continuous exposure, and due to the
small duty cycle of the FreeLINK LAN system (radiating only
during packet transmission), the actual radiated power is
signiÞcantly less than the levels stated above. From all current
scientiÞc information, these RF energy levels are well below any
potentially hazardous radiation limits.

1.3.5 FreeLINK Architecture

The two primary components of the FreeLINK system are the
FreeLINK/62 Wireless Hub and antenna, and the FreeLINK
Wireless Transceiver/Interface Units for workstations. The
wireless hub provides the radio connection for the various user
devices that communicate within the wireless network. The
wireless hub also provides connectivity from the wireless network
back to your wired backbone LAN.

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INTRODUCTION

1.3.6 The Wireless Hub

The wireless hub provides connectivity within an 80 meter or 263
foot radius in a typical in-building ofÞce environment with
wallboard and steel stud construction. The wireless hub
communicates with the FreeLINK Wireless Transceiver using
spread spectrum radio technology. The wireless hub maintains a
list of serial numbers of the wireless transceivers located within its
LAN, and will deny access to any transceiver whose serial number
it does not recognize.

The wireless hub will accept up to 62 wireless transceivers. The
wireless hub provides transparent compatibility with existing

802.3 Ethernet networks. The hub also synchronizes all of the
wireless transceivers within the wireless LAN to maximize data
throughput.

The hub remotely controls power levels for the transceivers to
compensate for near/far transmission signal levels. The wireless
hub consists of the main chassis and an antenna assembly
connected by a cable. Within the main chassis are a ßoppy disk
drive, a switch-selectable RJ-45 port and AUI port, and an RS232
port for connection to a modem.

1.3.7 The Wireless Transceiver/Interface Units

You can connect any Ethernet device to the wireless system via the
IEEE 802.3-compatible FreeLINK Wireless Transceiver/Interface
Units. Wireless Transceiver/Interface Units are available in two
conÞgurations; single port, and multi-port. The FreeLINK Single
Port Interface Unit (FLIU-1) contains a single RJ-45 connector, and
an AUI connector for access to an Ethernet device, or to the
Ethernet network. The Wireless Multi-Port Interface Unit (FLIU-8),
contains eight RJ-45 ports only.

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