Enterasys Networks 9033348-02 User Manual
ENJOY THE FREEDOM OF WIRELESS NETWORKING
Outdoor Antenna
Site Preparation and Installation Guide
™
ENTERASYS.COM
P/N 9033348-02
Notice
Notice
Enterasys Networks reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information contained in
this document without prior notice. The reader should in all cases consult Enterasys Networks 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 ENTERASYS NETWORKS 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 ENTERASYS NETWORKS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF, KNOWN, OR
SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
© January 2001 by Enterasys Networks
All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of Amer ica.
Enterasys Networks, Inc.
35 Industrial Way
Rochester, NH 03867
Order Number: 9033348-02
Enterasys, Enterasys Networks, RoamAbout, and the RoamAbout logo are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Cabletron Systems, Inc.
TM
Microsoft and Windows are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporati on.
PC Card is a trademark of PCMCIA.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Web Site: http://www.enterasys.com/wireless
i
Notice
Regulatory Information
Canada
The products included with the RoamAbou t Outdoo r Kit for outdoo r antenna insta llation s comply with GL-3 6
of Industry and Science C anada.
USA - Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The devices included with this outdoor kit comply with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation of the devices in a
RoamAbout Outdoor System is subject to the following conditions:
• This device may not cause undesired interference .
• This device must accept any interference that may cause undesired operation.
Europe - EU Declaration of Conformity
Enterasys Networks declares that the RoamAbout products included in the RoamAbout Outdoor Kit conform
to the specifications listed below, following the provisions of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC:
• ETS 300-826 General EMC requirements for Radio equipment.
• ETS 300-328 Technical requirements for Radio equipment.
User Information
To comply with the regulations list ed above, you must install and us e each of the RoamAbout Outdoor Kit
components (Lightning Protector, Cables and Antennas) in strict accordance with the instructions in this guide.
This equipment may cause exposure to Radio Frequency radia tion. Antennas
WARNING
shall be mou nt ed in such a manner to minimize the potential for hu m a n c o ntact
during normal operation. To avoid the possibility of exceeding FCC radio
frequency exposur e limits, do not touch the antenna during operation.
The RoamAbout outdo or antennas need to b e inst alled by an antenna insta llation
professional who can det ermine, provide, and install the necessary support
structure and ground ing system. The antenna installation professi onal should be
licensed or certified in accordanc e with local regulations.
When connecting RoamAbout devices to equipment other than th e En terasys Networks RoamAbout products
described in this guide, the antenna installation may no longer comply with the regulations as defined above.
In this case, it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that the entire antenna installation complies with local
radio regulations.
• Consult the user documentation that came with the other equipment to determine whether additional
instructions, cautions, or regulations apply.
• Verify that the antenna installer is aware of these is sues and regulations.
There is no guarantee that interference to radio communications will not occur in a particular commercial
installation.
• If this device does cause interference, which can be determined by turning the host equipment off and on,
the user should refer to the host eq uipment documentatio n, or contact the local equipment supplier.
• In case the device does cause interference with an authorized radio service, the user/operator shall promptly
stop operating the device until interference is eliminated.
ii
Notice
• Enterasys Networks is not responsible f or any radio or televisi on interference caused by unauthorized
modification of the device s inc lu ded with the Roa m Abo ut Outdo or Kit, or the sub st itu tion or atta chm en t of
connecting cables and equipment other than that specified by Ent erasys Networks.
• The correction of interference caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or attachment is the
responsibility of the user.
Electrical Hazard Warnings
1. Antennas and cables are electrical conductors. Do not touch antennas, RoamAbout Lightning Protectors,
or antenna cables during a thunderstorm.
2. The location where you install each antenna must be at a safe distance from power lines or telephone
lines. The safe distance should be at least twice the height of the antenna mast plus the height of the
antenna.
3. The Contact between antenna components and power lines can result in se rious personal injury, or
possibly death.
4. Do not install antennas or cables where there is any p ossibility of contact with high -voltage arc-ov er from
power cables or service drops to buildings.
5. During installation or removal, the antenna, supporting mast and/or tower must not be close to any power
lines.
6. The low-loss antenna cable that connects the antenna to the lightning protector must be at least 1 meter (3
feet) away from any high voltage or high current cable.
7. Check whether the antenna mast and its guy wires or wall bracket are positioned correctly and secured
properly to the roof or wall(s).
8. Check whether the grounding system for the antenna mast, the RoamAbout Access Point, and
RoamAbout Lightning Protector have been installed. The grounding system must comply with the
requirements as described in the “Verify Component Connector Polarity” section on page 3-2.
9. Always consult a qualified electric ia n if you are in doubt as to whether the ante nn a mast, Light nin g
Protector, and/or RoamAbout Access Point is properly grounded.
10. The low-loss antenna cable between the antenna and the lightning pr otector must be ground ed at all
times. If the cable is disconnect ed at one end for some reason (for example, to replace the lightning
protector), you must locally ground the exposed metal connector of the cable during the work.
11. Install the Danger label shipped with the antenna on a plainly visible area of the antenna support
structure.
iii
Contents
Preface
Associated Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
1 Site Preparation
Choosing a Wireless Network Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Determining the Antenna Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Maximum Distances Between Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
RoamAbout PC Card Variations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Line of Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Other Factors That Can Reduce Antenna Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Antenna Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
RoamAbout 5 dBi Vehicle-Mount Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
RoamAbout 14 dBi Directional Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
RoamAbout 7 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Contacting an Antenna Installation Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
2 Access Point Placement and Configuration
Determining the Location of the Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Overview of Connecting Cables to the Access Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Overview of the Access Point Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
v
Table of Contents
3 Antenna Installation
Installation Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Verify Component Connector Polarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Grounding System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Lightning Protector Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Mounting the Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Requirements for the Directional and 7 dBi Omni-Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Antenna Polarization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Mounting the Directional Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Mounting the Omni-Directional Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Mounting the Vehicle-Mount Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Connecting the Antenna Cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Antenna Cable Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Connecting the Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Optimizing RoamAbout Outdoor Antenna Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Routine Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
A Specifications
RoamAbout 14 dBi Directional Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1
RoamAbout 7 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
Vehicle-Mount Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-4
RoamAbout Pigtail Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Low-Loss Antenna Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6
RoamAbout Lightning Protector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-8
vi
This guide describes the requirements that are needed for the successful in stallation of the
RoamAbout outdoor antennas used in a RoamAbout wireless network. A RoamAbout
wireless network consists of RoamAbout wireless products, such as the RoamAbout PC
Card and RoamAbout Access Point, and other wireless pro ducts that use an 802 .11 Direct
Sequence (DS) compliant radio.
ELECTRICAL HAZARD: Only qualified personnel should
perform installation procedures for outdoor antennas.
The RoamAbout outdoor antennas need to be installed by an antenna installation
professional who can determine, provide, and install the necessary support structure and
grounding system. The antenna installation professional should be licensed or certified in
accordance with local regulations.
Intended Audience
Chapter 1 contains the information needed by a sales e ngineer or site evaluator to determine
the type of outdoor equipment needed to satisfy the custom er outdoor wireless
requirements.
Preface
Chapter 2 is for an antenna installation professional and network manager to determine
where to place the RoamAbout Access Point and Lightning Protector. This chapter also
provides an overview of cabling and configuring the Access Point.
Chapter 3 contains the information needed for an antenna in stallation professional to setup,
install, and test the RoamAbout outdoor antennas and cables.
vii
Preface
Associated Documents
The documentation, drivers, and utilities can also be downloaded from the RoamAbout
Wireless web site.
Check the RoamAbout Wireless web site regularly for product upgrades.
http://www.enterasys.com/wireless
Component Information Location
RoamAbout Access Point RoamAbout Access Point 2000 Hardware
Installation G uide
RoamAbout Access Point 2000 Hardware
Installation Q uick Start
RoamAbout Access Point
Manager
RoamAbout 802.11 DS PC Card RoamAbout 802.11 PC Card Drivers and
RoamAbout 802.11 Drivers RoamAbout 802.11 PC Card Drivers and
RoamAbout Client Utility RoamAbout 802.11 PC Card Drivers and
RoamAbout Work Station Update RoamAbout 802.11 PC Card Drivers and
RoamAbout ISA Adapter Card RoamAbout ISA Adapter Installation
RoamAbout PCI Adapter Card RoamAbout PCI Adapter Installation
RoamAbout Outdoor Solution RoamAbout Outdoor Antenna Site
RoamAbout 802.11 Wireless Networking
Guide
Utilities CD-ROM Kit
Utilities CD-ROM Kit
RoamAbout 802.11 PC Card Drivers and
Utilities Setup and Installation Guide
Utilities CD-ROM Kit
Utilities CD-ROM Kit
Preparation and Installation Guide
viii
Getting Help
For additional support related to this device or document, contact Enterasys Networks
using one of the following methods:
W or l d Wide Web: http://www.enterasys.com/wireless
Phone: North America: (603) 332-9400
Europe: 353 61 701 910
Asia: +800 8827-2878
Internet mail: support@enterasys.com
To send comments or suggestions concerning this document, contact the Enterasys
Networks Technical Writing Department via the following e-mail
address: TechWriting@enterasys.com
Make sure you include the document Part Number in the e-mail message.
Before calling Enterasys Networks, please have the following information ready:
• Your Enterasys Networks service contract number
• A description of the problem
Preface
• A description of any action(s) already taken to resolve the problem
• The serial and revision numbers of all involved Enterasys Networks products in the
network
• A description of your network environment (for example, layout, cable type)
• Network load and frame size at the time of trouble (if known)
• The device history (for example, have you returned the device before, is this a
recurring problem)
• Any previous Return Material Authorization (RMA) numbers
ix
Preface
Document Conventions
The following icons are used in this document:
Icon Meaning
ELECTRICAL HAZARD: Warns against an action that
could result in personal injury or death.
WARNI NG
NOTE
WARNING: Warns against an action that could result in
personal injury or death.
CAUTION: Contains information essential to avoid
damage to the equipment.
NOTE: Calls the reader’s attention to any item of
information that may be of special importance.
x
Chapter 1
Site Preparation
This chapter describes the site requirements that are needed for the successful installation
of the RoamAbout outdoor antennas. It is intended for sales engineers or site evaluators.
If after reviewing this document you require additional technical information or support
prior to ordering product, contact your authorized Enterasys Networks Sales
Representative or see the RoamAbout web site:
http://www.enterasys.com/wireless
Choosing a Wireless Network Config uration
The antennas you need depend on the wireless network configuration:
• LAN-to-LAN, Point-to-Point
This is a wireless link between two Access Points that connects two separate wired
LANs. Typically, two directional antennas are used.
• LAN-to-LAN, Point-to-Multipoint
In a point-to-multipoint network, up to seven Access Points provide wireless links to
connect up to seven LANs. One Access Point is designated as the central (multipoint)
Access Point. The other Access Points are called endpoints and only communicate
with the Central Access Point. Typically, the Central Access Point connects to an
omni-directional antenna. The endpoint Access Points connect to a directional
antenna.
• Wireless Infrastructure
This is an inside/outside wireless network where one or more Access Points are used
to connect clients to a wired LAN. Typically, the Access Points use an
omni-directional antenna or a sectored antenna, and the clients use a vehicle-mount
antenna. An example of this type of network is a warehouse where drivers in forklifts
need to access the LAN.
Site Preparation 1-1
Determining the Antenna Locations
Determining the Antenna Locati ons
The locations where the antennas can be placed relative to one another and the distance
between them are based on the following factors:
• Type of antennas. The RoamAbout antennas are described in the “Antenna Options”
section on page 1-9.
• Length of cable from the antenna to the Access Point.
• Data rate required.
• Obstructions in the signal path.
• Type of RoamAbout PC Card.
• In a LAN-to-LAN network, the distance between the buildings.
• In a wireless infrastructure network, the area around the antenna wh ere clients need to
communicate with the Access Point.
Typically, the RoamAbout directional and omni-directional antennas are installed on
rooftops. The directional antenna can also be installed to the side of a building. The
vehicle-mount antenna is mounted to a vehicle an d connected to the client with a 2.5 meter
(8 foot) cable. The following sections describe the factors that affect the range of the
antennas.
Maximum Distances Between Antennas
The following tables list the maximum distance between antennas at a given data rate. The
distance in tables are based on the following:
• 15 meter (50 foot) low-loss antenna cable from the antenna to the Access Point.
• Type of PC Card (standard or Hi-Gain matched). See the “RoamAbout PC Card
Variations” section on page 1-4.
• No obstructions in the line of sight. See Table 1-1 and Table 1-2. The Line of Sight
Clearance column indicates the radius of the radio beam. Obstructions in the line of
sight reduces the total distance, as described in the “Line of Sight” section on page
1-4.
1-2 Site Preparation
Determining the Antenna Locations
Table 1-1: Distances and Line of Sight Clearance (FCC)
Data
14 dBi Yagi to 14 dBi Yagi 14 dBi Yagi to 7 dBi Omni 7 dBi Omni to
Rate
Mbit/s
11 5.6 km
5.5 7.9 km
2 11.2 km
1 15.8 km
Distance Line of
Sight
Clearance
9.8 m
(3.5 mi)
(33 ft)
12.1 m
(4.9 mi)
(40 ft)
15.4 m
(6.9 mi)
(51 ft)
20.3 m
(9.8 mi)
(67 ft)
Distance Line of
Sight
Clearance
2.5 km
(1.5 mi)
3.5 km
(2.1 mi)
5 km
(3.1 mi)
7.1 km
(4.4 mi)
6.3 m
(21 ft)
7.5 m
(25 ft)
9.1 m
(30 ft)
11.3 m
(37 ft)
Table 1-2: Distances and Line of Sight Clearance ETSI
Data
Rate
Mbit/s
14 dBi Yagi to 14 dBi Yagi114 dBi Yagi1 to 7 dBi Omni
Distance Line of
Sight
Clearance
Distance Line of
Sight
Clearance
Vehicle-Mount
Distance Line of
Sight
Clearance
0.8 km
(0.5 mi)
1.1 km
(0.7 mi)
2 km
(1.2 mi)
2.5 km
(1.5 mi)
3.4 m
(11.2 ft)
4.1 m
(13.5 ft)
5.6 m
(18.4 ft)
6.3 m
(21 ft)
7 dBi Omni to
Veh i cle-M ount
Distance Line of
Sight
Clearance
11 2.5 km
(1.5 mi)
5.5 3.5 km
(2.1 mi)
2 5 km
(3.1 mi)
1 7.1 km
(4.4 mi)
1
The Yagi antenna must be co nnected to an Access Point configured with the Hi-Gain matc hed RoamAbout PC Card.
6.3 m
(21 ft)
7.5 m
(25 ft)
9.1 m
(30 ft)
11.3 m
(37 ft)
1.1 km
(0.7 mi)
1.6 km
(1 mi)
2.2 km
(1.4 mi)
3.2 km
(2 mi)
4.1 m
(14 ft)
4.9 m
(16 ft)
5.9 m
(20 ft)
7.1 m
(24 ft)
0.8 km
(0.5 mi)
1.1 km
(0.7 mi)
2 km
(1.2 mi)
2.5 km
(1.5 mi)
3.4 m
(11.2 ft)
4.1 m
(13.5 ft)
5.6 m
(18.4 ft)
6.3 m
(21 ft)
Site Preparation 1-3
Determining the Antenna Locations
RoamAbout PC Card Variations
There are two variations of the RoamAbout PC Card: standard and Hi-Gain matched.
The Hi-Gain matched variati on of the RoamAbout PC Card is only used when co nnecti ng
to a directional antenna in countries that adhere to the European Telecommunications
Standards Institute (ETSI) standards.
All other countries and other configurations use the same standard RoamAbout PC Card.
For example, all countries use the standard RoamAbout PC Card in these configurations:
• PC Card is not connected to an antenna.
• PC Card is connected to a 7 dBi omni-directional antenna.
• PC Card is connected to a vehicle-mount antenna.
Countries that adhere to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards use the
standard RoamAbout PC Card in all configuratio ns.
Line of Sight
The shape of the radio beam, defined as the Fresnel Zone, is widest in the middle. The
Fresnel Zone is shown as the gray area between the antennas in Figure 1-1. Th e exact shape
and width of the Fresnel Zone is determined by the distance between the antenna and
frequency of the radio signal.
The radius of the radio beam, shown as the lower half of the Fresnel Zone, is the distance
from the center of th e beam outward in any direction. The l en gt h of t he radi us i s s hown in
Table 1-1 and Table 1-2 as the line of sight clearance. The length of the radius is not based
on the data rate and the type of antenna.
1-4 Site Preparation
Determining the Antenna Locations
Figure 1-1: Fresnel Zone and Line of Sight Clearance
Total Distance
Radius
If a significant part of the Fresnel Zone is obstructed, a portion of radio energy is lost,
resulting in reduced performance. For optimal performance, ensure that the antenna
products you choose, in combination with the height of the antenna installation above
ground, provide sufficient clearance to allow y our antenna installation to cover the distance
between the two sites.
Obstacles within the line of sight can significantly reduce the distance and performance.
Obstructions includ e neighbo ring bu ildings, trees, and power li nes as shown in Figure1-2.
Site Preparation 1-5
Determining the Antenna Locations
Figure 1-2: Potential Obstacles to Line of Sight (not to scale)
Building blocking line of sight
1-6 Site Preparation
Power lines blocking line of sight
100_02
Trees blocking line of sight
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