Firetide 3500-1, 3500-4, 3500-2, 3500-3 Users Manual
Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
HotPort 3100 Series & 3500 Series Indoor Mesh Nodes
HotPort 3101
HotPort 3103
HotPort 3100/PS
HotPort 3500-2401
HotPort 3500-5001
HotPort 3500-2403
HotPort 3500-5003 (shown)
ii Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
HotPort 3100 Series & 3500 Series Indoor Mesh Nodes
January 2006
2005, 2006 Firetide, Inc. All rights reserved. 011006a
©
Firetide, the Firetide logo, Instant Mesh Networks, HotPort, and HotView are trademarks of Firetide, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
HotPort 3100 Series / 3500 Series Indoor Mesh Nodes iii
Caution
Do not open the HotPort mesh node enclosure. This may damage the
components inside and affect proper operation. Opening your HotPort
mesh node or peeling the tamper evident labeling will invalidate your
warranty.
• No serviceable parts inside.
• Refer to qualified service personnel.
• Unit must be disconnected from power prior to servicing.
• Unit has tamper-evident labeling that indicates when cover has been
removed.
iv Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
Indoor Manual Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Firetide HotPort Wireless Mesh Nodes ............................................................................................................. 1
The Firetide HotPort Mesh Network ................................................................................................................. 3
HotPort Mesh Network Features and Benefits .................................................................................................... 3
HotPort Mesh Network Applications ................................................................................................................ 6
HotPort Product Description ................................................................................................................................. 7
Front Panel LED Indicators ............................................................................................................................ 7
Rear Panel Connectors ................................................................................................................................. 8
Transmit Power Control ................................................................................................................................ 9
Creating a Firetide Mesh Network ..........................................................................................................................10
Planning Your Network ................................................................................................................................10
Understanding HotPort Antenna Patterns .......................................................................................................10
Easy Installation ...............................................................................................................................................12
Unpacking ................................................................................................................................................12
Connections .............................................................................................................................................12
Using the Optional Mounting Hardware ..........................................................................................................13
Getting Started .................................................................................................................................................15
Connecting the HotView Workstation to the Mesh Network .................................................................................15
Getting Started with HotView Mesh Management Software .................................................................................16
Restoring Default Settings ..................................................................................................................................17
HotPort Factory Default Settings ..................................................................................................................17
Appendix A—Contacting Firetide ..........................................................................................................................18
Appendix B—Specifications .................................................................................................................................19
Appendix C—Countries of Operation ......................................................................................................................21
Appendix D—Regulatory Notices...........................................................................................................................22
USA ........................................................................................................................................................22
Canadian Compliance Statement ...................................................................................................................23
European Community ..................................................................................................................................24
HotPort 3100 Series / 3500 Series Indoor Mesh Nodes v
vi Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
Introduction
Firetide HotPort Wireless Mesh Nodes
The Firetide™ HotPort™ High-Performance Mesh Network provides a highcapacity, self-healing wireless mesh backbone for indoor and outdoor networks. The HotPort system enables multiple network services and standard
Ethernet devices to operate on the wireless backbone, creating secure and
reliable wireless networks for video surveillance, voice, and data.
HotPort 3100 series mesh nodes provide fast and easy indoor network
deployment. They connect wirelessly to other indoor and outdoor HotPort
nodes to form a high-performance wireless mesh network. Ethernet packets
are automatically switched across the mesh, in a manner analogous to
an Ethernet switch, using AutoMesh™, a proprietary protocol developed
by Firetide. AutoMesh has been optimized for efficiency in wireless mesh
environments.
HotPort nodes are plenum-rated and feature a built-in four-port 10/100
Ethernet switch for connecting networking devices at any indoor location
to a fully wireless mesh backbone. Models are available for operation at
2.4 GHz for high capacity and maximum range or at 5 GHz for high capacity
and minimal interference from 2.4 GHz devices. For use on US Public Safety
bands, a 4.9 GHz unit is available. This frequency may only be used by FCClicensed Public Safety agencies.
Nodes can be mounted securely to a wall, ceiling, or countertop using an
optional mounting bracket. Each HotPort indoor node includes antennas.
The high throughput of the HotPort mesh ensures higher link performance
over longer distances and enables networking services to operate on a wireless backbone rather than a costly wired network. A Firetide mesh is also
completely portable, so relocating your entire network is as easy as taking
your HotPort nodes with you to your new site, leaving no wires behind.
The HotPort Family
HotPort nodes are available in both indoor and outdoor models, and with a
range of single-band and multiple-band radios.
HotPort 3101 and 3103 Models
The HotPort 3101 indoor mesh node provides 10 Mbps throughput for high
performance, low cost Wi-Fi HotZone applications. The HotPort 3103 provides 25 Mbps throughput plus traffic prioritization for optimal video, voice,
and data networking. Both are dual-band units.
The HotPort 3100/PS provides similar functionality for Public Safety band
use in the US.
HotPort 3500 Series Models
The HotPort 3500 Series feature band-specific high-power radios, but are
otherwise identical to the 3100 Series Models.
Outdoor Nodes
In addition to the indoor models, Firetide offers a range of HotPorts for outdoor use. These are described in the HotPort 3200/3600 Series User Guide.
HotPort 3100 Series / 3500 Series Indoor Mesh Nodes 1
The full model range is shown in this table:
Model &
SKU
3101 Indoor 2.4, 5 GHz standard 10 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3103 Indoor 2.4, 5 GHz standard 25 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3100/PS Indoor, Public Safety 2.4, 4.9, 5 GHz standard 25 Mbps 4.962 GHz DSSS, Ch 5
3500-2401 Indoor 2.4 GHz high 10 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3500-5001 Indoor 5 GHz high 10 Mbps 5.805 GHz OFDM, Ch 161
3500-2403 Indoor 2.4 GHz high 25 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3500-5003 Indoor 5 GHz high 25 Mbps 5.805 GHz OFDM, Ch 161
3203 Outdoor 2.4, 5 GHz standard 25 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3200PS Outdoor, Public Safety 2.4, 4.9, 5 GHz standard 25 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3600-2400 Outdoor 2.4 GHz high 25 Mbps 2.462 GHz DSSS, Ch 11
3600-5000 Outdoor 5 GHz high 25 Mbps 5.805 GHz OFDM, Ch 161
Use Band RF Output
Power
Data Rate Default Channel
Data rates are typicla for a single hop operation.
2 Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
The Firetide HotPort Mesh Network
The HotPort™ High Performance Mesh Network is the third generation of
mesh networking products from Firetide, a leading developer of wireless
mesh networks. The HotPort system is a multi-function mesh network that
enables standard Ethernet devices such as access points, surveillance
cameras, IP telephones, network servers, and printers to deliver networking
services over the wireless mesh backbone.
actually be improved by adding more nodes and enriching the density of the
mesh. More redundant paths mean the network in aggregate can handle far
more data traffic, and is therefore quite scalable. Mesh networks are ideal
whenever the network must be reliable, scalable, and flexible. They are very
portable and can adapt to many different physical environments.
HotPort Mesh Network Features and Benefits
Mesh networking can be compared to the Internet, where data can be rerouted onto other paths if one path becomes disabled or congested. Losing
one or two nodes or links won’t bring down the entire mesh network. Unlike
other WLAN technologies, a mesh network’s reliability and scalability can
Firetide Mesh Network with Indoor and Outdoor Wireless Mesh Nodes
HotPort 3100 Series / 3500 Series Indoor Mesh Nodes 3
Provide Ethernet Anywhere
The HotPort mesh network delivers live Ethernet service virtually anywhere,
indoors or outdoors, without a wired backbone. This makes the mesh ideal
for any location where network cabling is too difficult, invasive, or expensive to install, such as in historic buildings, outdoor locations, temporary
venues such as conferences and festivals, or office space that changes
frequently. The HotPort mesh provides conventional Ethernet functionality,
so Ethernet devices do not require any additional software, drivers, or setup
to operate on the mesh.
Easy to Deploy and Manage
After basic configuration and startup, HotPort nodes automatically find
each other to form the wireless mesh. The network automatically heals itself
if a node goes down or if a path between nodes is blocked. Minimal network
management is required to deploy the network. Network management is
provided with an intuitive graphical interface on a workstation that can be
connected either directly to the mesh or remotely via the Internet.
High Capacity and Scalability
The HotPort mesh network provides exceptional performance and scalability
and is designed especially for high-bandwidth/low-latency applications,
such as real-time video, voice, and large Wi-Fi HotZones. A highly scalable
architecture allows expansion of the network from just a few nodes to many.
To add more nodes, you can simply copy the configuration from an existing
node to the new nodes and then power up the new nodes. Multiple mesh
networks operating on different radio spectrums or IP addresses can be
physically connected to each other to expand the overall network, while still
retaining their separate mesh identities.
Reliable
The self-healing architecture of the HotPort mesh network and its redundant paths between nodes makes it very reliable and fault tolerant. Mesh
traffic will reroute over a different path automatically if a path becomes
obstructed or if a node is taken out of service or moved to another location.
Excellent Price/Performance
Wireless mesh networks can significantly reduce the labor costs and
lead times of network installation by eliminating a significant amount of
backhaul cabling. HotPort mesh nodes provide excellent wireless connectivity for maximum coverage at each location, and no auxiliary servers or
additional devices are required to support larger node populations.
2.4 GHz, 4.9 GHz, and 5 GHz Spectrums
HotPort mesh networks have the flexibility to operate in 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
spectrums. Each spectrum supports high capacity 25 Mbps operation, with
2.4 GHz operation providing the longest range and 5 GHz operation offering
a shorter range but minimal interference in environments that are saturated
with 2.4 GHz wireless traffic.
For US Public Safety use only, the HotPort 3100/PS operates on the 4.9 GHz
US Public Safety band.
Indoor and Outdoor High-Performance Nodes
Each node on the HotPort mesh features hardware optimized for maximum
speed on the mesh and at each location. In addition to providing fast
transport between hops, each node also features an integrated high speed
Ethernet switch for local line-rate switching up to 100 Mbps per port. These
service ports support virtually any Ethernet device, including access points,
HotPort indoor and outdoor mesh network nodes are fully compatible
with each other for seamless network connectivity between indoor and
outdoor locations. All HotPort indoor mesh nodes provide four 10/100
Ethernet ports. HotPort outdoor mesh nodes feature weatherproof NEMA 4X
enclosures, high-gain antennas for extended range, and two 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet ports. HotPort outdoor mesh nodes also support 802.3af-compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE). Only one connection is needed to provide
power for an outdoor mesh node and up to two connected devices.
4 Wireless Mesh Node User Guide
Security
The HotPort mesh network includes several layers of security, including 40
and 104 bit WEP key and 128 and 256 AES key encryption. The mesh also
provides packet filtering, based on MAC addresses, to limit access to the
mesh. For additional security, a proprietary mesh protocol prevents nonHotPort devices from participating on the mesh. Client computers can connect directly to the mesh nodes via a short cable to take advantage of the
wireless backbone in locations that otherwise prohibit the use of wireless
access points and Wi-Fi clients for security reasons.
VLANs
The HotPort mesh network includes support for virtual local area networks
(VLANs) to enable traffic to be separated into smaller groups and application-specific LANs. VLANs allow small groups of users to operate within their
own private space on the mesh, and they can also improve mesh perfor-
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