GDI Halo Product Manual

Halo

802.11 a Outdoor AP

Product Manual

January 2007, Version 1.11

Notice

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

IMPORTANT NOTE

To comply with the FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, no change to the antenna or the device is permitted. Any change to the antenna or the device could result in the device exceeding the RF exposure requirements and void user’s authority to operate the device.

FCC Notice

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequen cy energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to corr ect the interference by one or more of the followin g measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio tech nician for help.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved in writing by Wireless Interactive Comm. Inc. may void the user’s authority to oper ate this equipment. Wireless Interactive Comm. Inc. can not accept any financial or other responsibilities that may be the result of your use of this information, including dir ect, indirect, special, or consequential d amages. Refer to warranty documents for product warranty coverage and specifics.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 5

1-1 O 1-2 K 1-3 W 1-4 S 1-5 H

1-6 H

CHAPTER 2. ANTENNA AND RF TUTORIAL ..................................................................................... 17

CHAPTER 3. BASIC INSTALLATION AND SECURITY..................................................................... 24

3-1 D 3-2 W

3-3 I

CHAPTER 4. GENERAL INFORMATIO N ............................................................................................. 2 8

4-1 I 4-2 C

CHAPTER 5. ADDED FUNCTIONALITIE S .......................................................................................... 32

5-1 T 5-2 B

5-3 A 5-4 U 5-5 HTTP R 5-6 F 5-7 V

CHAPTER 6. WIRELESS SETUP .......................................................................................................... 41

6-1 B 6-2 VAP / VLAN S 6-3 U

6-4 A 6-5 WDS M 6-6 S 6-7 A

CHAPTER 7. MANAGING AND T ESTING Y OUR A P ........................................................................ 52

7-1 S 7-2 L

CHAPTER 8. MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 54

VERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

EY FEATURES .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

ARNINGS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

YSTEM REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 10

ARDWARE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................................ 11

ARDWARE INSTALLATION ....................................................................................................................................... 14

EFAULT FACTORY SETTINGS ................................................................................................................................ 24

IRELESS SECURITY OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 25

NSTALLING THE RADIO AS AN AP (ACCESS POINT) ........................................................................................... 26

NFORMATION .............................................................................................................................................................. 28

ONNECTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 30

IME SERVER .............................................................................................................................................................. 32

RIDGE/ROUTER MODE ........................................................................................................................................... 33

NY IP .............................................. ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... ......... ....... ...... ....... ...... ....... .... ................... 34

NDERSTANDING RADIUS SETTINGS ................................................................................................................. 35

EDIRECT ....................................................................................................................................................... 36

IREWALL MANAGEMENT................................................................................................................................................... 37

IRTUAL SERVER ....................................................................................................................................................... 39

ASIC SETTINGS ........................................................................................................................................................ 41

ETTINGS ................................................................................................................................................... 42

NDERSTANDING WEP/WPA SECURITY OPTIONS .......................................................................................... 45

CCESS CONTROL .............................................................................................................................................................. 48

ODE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 48

MART WDS ........................................... ............................. ............................ ....................... ........... 49

DVANCED SETTINGS ........................................................................................................................................................ 49

ITE SURVEY .............................................................................................................................................................. 52

INK TEST .................................................................................................................................................................... 53

8-1 C 8-2 R 8-3 U 8-4 B 8-5 E 8-6 R

HANGE PASSWORD ................................................................................................................................................. 54

EMOTE MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................................... 55

PGRADE FIRMWARE ................................................................................................................................................ 58

ACKUP / RESTORE SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................... 59

VENT LOG ................................................................................................................................................................. 60

EBOOT AP ........................................................................................................................................ 61

CHAPTER 9. TR OUBLE SHOOTING ..................................................................................................... 62

9-1 G 9-2 C 9-3 C 9-4 C

ENERAL DESCRIPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 62

ONNECTION ISSUES ................................................................................................................................................ 63

ONFIGURATION ISSUES .......................................................................................................................................... 64

OMMUNICATION ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................... 64

This user’s manual and the software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of the Wireless Interactive.

Preface

About This Manual This manual explains proper installation of the Halo series radios.

Document Conventions

This publication uses the following conventions to convey instructions and information:

STA refers to a station ETH refers to a PC

This symbol means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to materials not contained in this manual.

This symbol means reader be careful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in equipment damage or loss of data.

This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents.

Bold: Emphasizes critical functions and explanations.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing this Enterprise-class outdoor radio (hereafter called radio). This radio provides a secure, affordable, and easy-to-use wireless LAN solution that combines mobility and flexibility with the enterprise-class features required by networking professionals.

This chapter gives an overview of the enterprises-class radio, as well as its key features. In addition, we detail about the hardware descriptions, system requirements and basic installation.

1-1 Overview

802.11a-compliant, VLAN functionality allows a single network AP to behave as “8” number of virtual network APs. This does away with the limitation by the sheer number of Ethernet connections that need APs acting as a proxy. WMM prioritizes traf fic demands from different applications and extends Wi-Fi’s high quality end-user experience from data connectivity to voice, music, and video applications under a wide variety of en vironment. This Access points serves as the connection point between wirele ss and wired networks or as the center point of a stand-alone wireless network. In large installations, wireless users within radio range of an access point can roam throughout a facility while maintaining seamless, uninterrupted access to the network.

You can configure and monitor the radio using the command-line interface (CLI), the browser-based management system, or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). This radio currently can support data rate up to 108Mbps.

Use the instructions in this Guide to help you connect the outdoor radio, set it up, and configure it to bridge your different networks. These instructions should be all you need to get the most out of the radio

1-2 Key Features

The radio is user-friendly and provides solid wireless and networking support. The following standards and conventions are supported:

• Standards Compliant

The Wireless Access Point complies with the IEEE 802.11a for Wireless LANs.

• WEP support

Support for WEP is included. 64-bit, 128-bit, and 152-bit keys.

• DHCP Client Support

DHCP Server provides a dynamic IP address to PCs and other devices upon request. The radio can act as a client and obtain information from your DHPC server.

• RADIUS Accounting

Enable accounting on the access point to send accounting data about wireless client devices to a RADIUS server on your network.

• SNMP Support

Support for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management Information Base (MIB) management.

• Multiple operating modes

1. Access point

2. Station Adapter

3. Point-to-Point Bridge.

4. Wireless Repeater

5. Inter-building

• Repeater mode

Configure the radio as a wireless repeater to extend the coverage area of your wireless network.

• VAPs (VLAN)

Assign Multi-SSIDs on your radio (one SSID per VAP) to differentiate policies and services among users forming a wide variety of VLANs.

• QoS

Use this feature to support quality of service for pri oritizi ng traffic from the Ethernet to the access point.

• Wi-Fi Multi-media (WMM)

Radio also supports the voice-prioritization schemes by using the 802.11a wireless phones via enable the WMM application.

•

Transmit Power Control

Supports settable transmit power levels to adjust coverage cell size, ranging from full, half(50%), quarter(25%) eighth(12.5%) and min

•

Atheros Super G Mode

Super G mode enables the transmission up to 108Mbps

• Multiple security settings per VLAN with up to 8 VLANs

Security settings for multiple groups; so employees, guests and contractors now easily and securely share the same infrastructure

•

Access Control

The Access Control MAC address filtering feature can ensure that only trusted wireless stations can use the radio to gain access to your LAN.

•

Hidden Mode

The SSID is not broadcasted; ass uring only cli ents c onfig ur ed wi th t he co rrec t SSID c an connect.

1-3 Warnings

In order to comply with international radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, dish antennas should be laced at a minimum of 8.7 inches (22 cm) from the bodies of (20 cm) from the bodies of

Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.

This equipment must be grounded. Never defeat the ground conductor or operate the equipment in the absence of a suitabl conductor. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authorit electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available.

Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to laws and regulations.

persons. Other antennas should be laced a minimum of 7.9 inches

all

persons.

all

installed ground

or an

national

all

Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installin circuits, as the and

the antenna, take extreme care not to come into contact with such

may cause serious injury or death. For proper installation

rounding of the antenna, please refer to national and local codes (e.g. U.S.:NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 810, in Canada: Canadian Electrical Code, Section 54).

Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment.

To meet regulatory restrictions, the radio and the external antenna must be professionally installed. The network administrator or other IT professional responsible for installin installer. Followin protected by the network administrator to maintain regulatory compliance.

and configuring the unit is a suitable professional

installation, access to the unit should be password

The Halo Series Radio and POE injector can be damaged by incorrect power application. Read and carefull

follow the installation instructions before

connecing the system to its power source.

1-4 System Requirements

Before installing the radio, make sure your system meets these requirements

• The Category 5 UTP straight through Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connector.

(Between switch and POE). Category 5 UTP cross-over is required between PC and POE.

• The Category 5 SFTP straight through Ethernet cable with weather-proof

RJ-45 connector. (Between POE and radio)

• A 100~240 V, 50~60 Hz AC power source

• A Web browser for configuration such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or

above, or Netscape Navigator 4.78 or above

• At least one computer with the TCP/IP protocol installed

What’s In the Box?

• Halo Series Radio

• Power adapter and cord

• Power over Ethernet (POE) injector

• Quick Installation Guide

• Installation CD for the radio

• Mounting kit

• RJ-45 weather-proof connector for the SFTP cable

If anything is missing or damaged, please contact

GDI Communications LLC.

1-5 Hardware Description

Please refer to the following table for the meaning of each feature.

ODU

1 RJ-45 Port

Use the SFTP CAT5 cable with weatherproof connector to connect to the “To ODU” side of POE injector.

Figure 1-1 Halo Series Radio

2 N- Type Antenna

Connector

3 Grounding stud

4 Reset button

Here you can attach the proper an tenna with the Halo Series Radio to wirelessly connect to other 802.11 a networks. In order to improve the RF signal radiation of y our ant enna, proper antenna installation is ne cessa ry.

Connect to the ground conductor with the ground wire.

Remove the screw and use a th in obje ct (i.e. a paper clip, o r need le) to hold dow n the sw itch inside for 5-10 seconds in order to reset the unit.

POE (Power over Ethernet) Injector

Figure 1-2 Power over Ethernet injector

1 To Ethernet RJ-45 port used to connect to the 10/100 Base T complied

device such as switch, router or PC.

installed ground

or an

The Halo Series Radio and POE injector can be damaged by incorrect power application. Read and carefull connecing the system to its power source.

follow the installation instructions before

The Power Over Ethernet Injector is not a waterproof unit, should not be exposed to outdoor without any protection.

1-6 Hardware Installation

The Halo Series Radio is a radio device, so it is susceptible to common causes of interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:

IF IFthere is any other 5.2-5.8 GHz RF device deployed around the outdoor radio, try to

set the channel to a non-overlapping one.

InstallInst the bridge at a height sufficient place where structures, trees, or hills do not obstruct radio signals to and from the unit. A cle ar line-of-sight path can guarantee the performance of the RF link.

 Site Surveys

Clear and flat areas provide better RF range and data rate, on the contrary, physical obstructions such as trees, electric tower, hills or buildings can reduce the performance of RF devices. Do not deploy your radios in a location where there are any obstacles between antennas.

Configure and verify the 802.11a Halo Series Radio operations first before you mount the radio in a remote location.

Figure 1-3 Hardware Installation Figure

Power Over Ethernet Injector is not a waterproof unit and it should not be



Connect the Ethernet Cable

exposed to the outdoors.

The Halo Series Radio support s 10/100M Ethernet connections. Attach your SFTP/ SSTP cat.5 Ethernet cable with waterproof connector to the RJ-45 connector on the ODU enclosure. Then connect the other end of the cable to the “To ODU” side on POE injector.

Solder the shielding parts of the SFTP cable and the RJ-45 connector well to ensure optimal performance of the system.

Figure 1-4 Weld the RJ-45 connector with the SFTP cable

Solder the SFTP cable as shown in Figure 2-4. The solder contact requires that it is small in size so that it may fit into the connector properly.



Attached the antenna

You can attach the proper antenna to the N-type connector on the Halo Series Radio. Ensure that all connections are sealed with an appropriate “tar type” sealant. Every Halo includes two packages of Coax-Seal.

To meet regulatory restrictions, the outdoor radio and the external antenna must be professionally installed.



Connect the Power Cable

Connect the 15V power adapter to the POE injector, and plug the other end to an

electrical outlet (AC 110V~240V).

Wireless Interactive cannot assume responsibility for damage when using the Halo Series Radio with other types of power adapters.

You should read and carefully follow the installation instructions before connecting the system to its power source. The outdoor radio and power injector can be damaged by incorrect power application.

connections must

All

be properly connected before providing power to the radio.

 Connect the grounding stud

Connect the grounding stud on the ODU enclosure with the ground wire.

This equipment must be grounded. Never defeat the ground conductor or operate the equipment in the absence of a suitabl

installed ground

conductor. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authorit



Mounting the 802.11a Halo Series Radio

electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available.

The outdoor radio is usually installed on a rooftop, tower, wall, or a suitable flat surface. For detailed mounting instructions, please refer to the Quick Installation Guide.

Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment.

Properly applying the Coax-Seal adhesive tape around the RJ-45 and N-type connector on the outdoor radio enclosure is the last step of the mounting process.

or an

Chapter 2. Antenna and RF Tutorial

Selecting Antenna Type

There are a vast number of antenna types designed for various general and special purposes, but despite the huge variety, all designs essentially address two concerns, directionality and gain. These selection criteria are discussed in the following paragraphs, along with a third criterion, polarization.

Directionality

An antenna may be designed to receive and transmit in all directions. Such antennas are omni-directional. An example of an omni-directional receiving antenna would be a television antenna in a metropolitan area where each television station transmits its signal from a different location relative to the receiver. Similarly, a centrally located television transmitter would use an omni-directional transmitting antenna.

The sensitivity and power of an omni-directional antenna are unfocused; that is, they are spread through a wide volume of space, so the advantage of being able to communicate in all directions is traded off for limited sensitivity and power.

If it is determined that all signals of interest are coming from a definable direction, the omni-directional antenna can be replaced by a directional or sectoral antenna, which increases sensitivity and power by focusing the beam in the desired direction.

In practice, even omni-directional antennas take advantage of directionality by

focusing their sensitivity and power in the horizontal plane. Rather than waste performance by sending signals into space or into the ground, the horizontal omni-directional antenna redirects its power and sensitivity from these directions, increasing performance in the horizontal plane.

In point-to-point applications, where the direction of communication is known and fixed, a highly focused directional antenna can be used to provide maximum sensitivity and power. In addition, because of its decreased sensitivity in all directions but the desired one, the directional antenna improves performance by rejecting signals not coming from the desired direction. This provides an effective increase in signal-to-noise performance.

A sector antenna has a wider “spread” than a directional (generally between 60 to 120 degrees) which makes it a cross between an onmidirectional and a directional. This is useful in a point to multipoint configuration where multiple sites are grouped in the same general area. The installer can then make use of the higher sensitivity and power but also take advantage of the wider beam pattern and improved front to back ratio.

Gain

“Gain” specifies the receive and transmit performance of any antenna compared to a standard omni-directional antenna (“spherical radiator”). The objective of a directional antenna design is to achieve gain, improving sensitivity and effective radiating power to increase range or data rate.

Gain is measured and stated in decibels, abbreviated dB. The decibel is a unit used to indicate the relative difference in power between two signals. For example, a signal 3 dB greater than another signal has twice as much power. The decibel is a logarithmic unit so each doubling of decibels represents a fourfold increase in power. Since 3 dB represents a doubling of power, 6 dB represents a fourfold power increase, 12 dB represents a 16-fold increase, etc. For antenna performance, the unit used is dBi, “i” standing for “isotropic,” which describes the standard spherical radiation pattern.

One type of directional antenna available from Wireless Interactive is called a “semi parabolic”. This antenna has a gain of 24 dBi, representing power and sensitivity levels 256 times greater than those of a standard omni-directional antenna.

Polarization

Another important concept for antenna performance is polarization. An antenna radiates radio waves that vibrate in a specific plane, normally horizontal or vertical. Polarization refers to the restriction of wave vibration to a single plane.

Do not confuse polarization with directionality. The plane of wave vibration has nothing to do with the direction of wave propagation. For example, an antenna that focuses its energy in the horizontal plane may be vertically o horizontally polarized.

Designs such as the semi parabolic offer a choice of polarization. Mounting a semi parabolic antenna with the elements horizontal provides horizontal polarization, while mounting the antenna with the elements vertical provides vertical polarization. Similarly, the orientation of the radiating element of the parabolic antenna determines polarization.

In setting up the Wireless Interactive system, either vertical or horizontal polarization can be used, as long as polarization is the same at both ends of each link. For any given pair of line-of-sight antennas, it is essent ial that they both have the same polarization. Differences in polarization among antennas – called “cross-polarization” – can reduce signal considerably.

Site Selection

At the high operating frequencies of a Wireless Interactive system, radio waves travel in a nearly straight line-of-sight path. This is in contrast to the lower-frequency radio waves used for AM broadcasting. These waves bounce between the ionosphere and the earth’s surface to travel long distances and operate over and around obstructions. Higher-frequency radio waves do not behave in this manner and are greatly weakened by substantial obstructions or the absence of a direct path. Simply put, all antennas communicating with each other in the radio network must be able to physically “see” each other.

For this reason, a proper antenna site must meet the following criteria:

1. For optimum performance at maximum range, there must be a clear line-of-sight path among all antennas that communicate directly with each other. At shorter ranges, some degree of obstruction may be tolerated, but performance in the presence of obstruction is difficult to predict.

2. Elevating one or more of the antennas in the system increases maximum line-ofsight range, called the radio horizon. If antennas are located at a greater range than the ground-level radio horizon, a means must be available for elevating the antennas.

3. All antennas must be properly oriented, and a directional antenna must be carefully aimed at its target antenna to ensure communication at maximum range.

4. All antenna RF cables attenuate (reduce) signal strength in proportion to their length. Therefore, the distance between the antenna and the radio is limited to a cable length that does not exceed the maximum attenuation tolerated by the system. Since various cable types offer different attenuation levels, maximum length depends on cable type. Generally speaking, because most Wireless Interactive systems are outdoor units with the output port connected directly to the antenna, cable losses are negligible and the radio will compensate, but there are limits to this compensation. See table 4-2 for sample cables and their respective attenuation values.

Line-of-Sight Path

Because high-frequency radio waves are attenuated by obstructions, a clear line-of-sight path between antennas is required for optimum performance at maximum range. For shorter ranges, a degree of obstruction may be acceptable. For example, at less than maximum ranges the radio has some ability to “penetrate” trees and other foliage. On the other hand, geographical features (hills) and large buildings are likely to interfere with communications, and antennas must be elevated to “see” each other above such objects.

Because of the uncertainties of radio communication, it is difficult to predict the results in conditions where obstructions exist. The only valid advice is to try the proposed

configuration and be prepared to move or elevate the antennas.

Radio Horizon (Maximum Line-of-Sight Range)

In visual terms, the horizon is the point in the distance where an object drops out of sight because it is blocked by the earth’s curvature. If the observer or object is elevated, the visual horizon is extended, that is, the object can be seen at a greater distance before it drops out of view.

The same concept applies to radio signals: The radio horizon is the p oint in the distance where the path between two antennas is blocked by the curvature of the earth. Like the visual horizon, the radio horizon can be extended by elevating the transmitting antenna, receiving antenna, or both to extend communication range.

The radio horizon can also be extended or shortened by certain phenomena such as refraction due to atmospheric density and temperature inversions. Fog and rain, which reduce signal strength, can also shorten the radio horizon although in the ISM band, this loss is negligible.

A reasonable approximation of the radio horizon based on antenna height can be obtained from the graph below. (Note that this graph does not take atmospheric effects into account.) To use the graph, set a straight edge so that it crosses the height of one of the antennas in the column on the left and the height of the other antenna in the column on the right. The radio horizon in miles/km is shown where the straight edge crosses the center column.

+ 45 hidden pages

GDI Halo Product Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual