Intel WEAP2011AR, WEAP2011NA, WEAP2011SG, WEAP2011KR, WEAP2011EO Configuration Manual
...
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/2011B LAN
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Re peating (WLAP
Mode)
Product Model
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/2011B LAN Adapter product models:
WEAP2011NA
WEAP2011EU
WEAP2011JP
WEAP2011AR
WEAP2011SG
WEAP2011KR
WEAP2011EO
WEAP2011BAK
WEAP2011BRW
WEAP2011BJP
Copyright
Copyright © 2001, 2002 Intel Corpora t ion . Al l right s rese rved.
Intel Corporation, 5200 N. E. Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6497
Intel Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Nor does Intel make any commitment to update the
information contained herein.
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/2011B LAN is a registered tra dem ark of Intel Corporation.
†Other product and corporate names mentioned herein may be trademarks of other companies and are used only for explanation and to the owners’
benefit, without intent to infringe.
ii Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
A79771-001
About This Docum ent
Conventions
Keystrokes are indicated as follows:
ENTER identifies a key.
FUNC, CTRL, C identifies a key sequence. Press and release each key in turn.
Press A+B press the indicated keys simultaneously.
Hold A+B press and hold the indicated keys while performing or waiting for another
function. Used in combination with another keystroke.
Typeface conventions used include.
<angles> indicates mandatory parameters in sy ntax.
[brackets] for command line, indicates available parameters; in configuration files,
brackets act as separators for options.
GUI Screen text
Italics indicates the first use of a term, book title, variable or menu title.
Bold indicates important user information, license provisions or warranty
Screen dialog
Screen text
Terminal text
Terminal text
Terminal textTerminal text
URL
indicates the name of a control in a GUI-based application.
conditions.
indicates screen dialog and user input options, and the exact syntax of items.
indicates text and data displayed in an application screen on a computer
monitor.
indicates text shown in a radio terminal LCD screen.
indicates a Uniform Resource Locator, such as a Web page address.
About This Document
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode) iii
About This Document
This document uses the following for certain conditions or information:
indicates tips or special requirements.
indicates conditions that can cause equipment damage or data loss.
indicates a potentially dangerous condition or procedure that only Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/
2011B LAN-trained personnel should attempt to correct or perform.
iv Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
Contents
Contents
Product Model.............................................................................................................. ii
Copyright...................................................................................................................... ii
About This Document.................................................................................iii
Conventions ................................................................................................................ iii
Contents......................................................................................................v
Chapter 1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................1
1.1 Basic Settings for Access Points............................... ....... ...... ....... ...... ...................1
1.2 Recommended Settings for Root Access Point .....................................................2
Chapter 2. Extending a Net work’s Radio Coverage ................................................................4
2.1 One-Hop Wireless Network Example.....................................................................4
2.2 Two-Hop Wireless Network Example.....................................................................4
Chapter 3. Verifying Wireless AP Operations............................................................................6
3.1 Viewing the WLAP RF Statistics Screen................................................................6
3.2 Viewing the Known Access Points Screen.............................................................7
3.3 Observing the Access Point’s LED Indicators........................................................8
3.3.1 Functional State............................................................................................9
3.3.2 Send Probe State .........................................................................................9
Chapter 4. Using the Link Required Option..............................................................................11
4.1 Link Required for Maintaining Ethernet Link ........................................................11
4.2 Link Required for Backing Up Root Access Point................................................13
Chapter 5. Bridging Two Ethernet Networks............................................................................16
5.1 Verifying the Bridging Operation ..........................................................................16
5.2 Using the Ethernet Timeout Settings 2 & 3..........................................................17
5.2.1 Ethernet Timeouts and Access Point Settings............................................18
5.2.2 Sequence of Events in Special Network.....................................................20
5.3 Using the Ethernet Timeout Setting 4 ..................................................................21
Chapter 6. RF Link Test.................................................................................................................22
6.1 Basic Setup for the RF Link Test .........................................................................22
6.2 The Connection Quality Test Screen ...................................................................23
6.2.1 Low and Zero RSSI Readings....................................................................24
6.3 Preparing for the RF Link Test.............................................................................25
6.4 Running the RF Link Test ....................................................................................25
6.4.1 Running the RF Link Test with Telnet.........................................................27
6.5 Using RF Link Test with Mobile Units ..................................................................29
6.6 Using RF Link Test to Align Directional Antennas ...............................................30
6.6.1 Setting Up for the Antenna Alignment Procedure.......................................31
6.6.2 Procedure for Aligning Directional Antennas..............................................32
6.6.3 Additional Suggestions on Antenna Alignment...........................................34
Omni-Directional Antenna...........................................................................................34
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode) v
Contents
Other Equipment.........................................................................................................35
Chapter 7. Re gulatory Compliance Information......................................................................36
Index.........................................................................................................................................................37
vi Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
Chapter 1. Introduction
This document describes how to set up an Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/2011B LAN Access Point.
For the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point, the firmware is version 3.x. For the Intel®
PRO/Wireless 2011 LAN Access Point, the firmware is version 2.5x.
The features in the access point firmware allow network communication between access points.
You can use access points to extend radio coverage of a single Ethernet network or to bridge two
Ethernet networks.
A wireless network consists of a root Wireless Access Point (WLAP) and one or more designated
WLAPs. The root access point is typically connected to the Ethernet network; although, this is not
a requirement. The network in Figure 1-1 uses two access points operating in the wireless mode to
extend radio coverage. The solid line in the figure represents an Ethernet network.
A
BC
Figure 1-1: Extending Network Radio Coverage Using Wireless Access Points
Access points maintain their wireless connections through the radio broadcasting of probe, bea con,
and Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) messages. Probe and beacon messages are part of the
802.11 protocol. BPDU messages are part of the Spanning Tree Pro tocol.
At the start of a wireless connection, access points send out probe requests and probe responses to
gather operating status of other access points. Designated WLAPs also send out probes if they lose
the beacon message from the root access point. The beacon messages are broadcast by the access
points to keep the network synchronized. It contains information such as the access point’s
Extended Service Set Identifier (ESS ID) and MAC address. The ESS ID is also called the Network
Name or SSID.
There are two types of BPDU messages. One type is a configuration BPDU. At the start of the
wireless connection, the configuration BPDU messages determine the network configuration for
the root access point and designated WLAPs. The other type of BPDU is the WLAP-Alive. These
messages keep track of access points operating in the wireless network.
The procedures and e xamples in this d ocum ent ar e fo r I ntel® PRO/Wireless 2011 and 2011B LAN
Access Points with firmware version 2.5x or higher. Additional information on access points is
available in the Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/2011B LAN Point Product Reference Guides available
on the Intel support web site at www.support.Intel.com.
1.1 Basic Settings for Access Points
For a wi reless Access Point (AP) operation, make sure that all access points have:
• The same ESS ID (Net ID) on the Access Point Installation screen. An example screen is
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode) 1
Chapter 1. Introduction
shown in Figure 1-2. The ESS ID is sometimes referred to as a SSID or Network Name.
• The WLAP Mode set to
screen is shown in Figure 1-3.
• The same settings for the Rate Control and Short RF Preamble. These settings are on the RF
Configuration screen. An example is shown in Figure 1-3. Rates set to
which all access points in the network must be capable of operating.
which access points may operate if they are capable. This is to accommodate other
manufacturers’ access points that operate only at the 1- and 2-Mbps rates. For example, if all
rates are set to
associate. If only the 1- and 2-Mbps rates (or only the 1-Mbps rate) are set to
older access points would associate. Intel recommends setting rates 1 and 2 Mbps to
and 5.5 and 11 Mbps to
• The same setting for the Wir ed Eq uivalent Privacy (WEP) an d WEP Algorithm. Thes e settings
are on the RF Configuration screen. An example is shown in Figure 1-3.
After making these settings, save them by pressing the
Enabled. This setting is on the RF Configuration screen. An example
Required are those at
Optional rates are those at
Required, older access points that operate at only 1 and 2 Mbps would not
Required, the
Required
Optional as shown in the example screen of Figure 1-3.
F1 key. Reset the access point.
Access Point A
.Country Config-[CR] United States
Unit Name Access Point A
IP Address 157.235.55.199
.Gateway IP Address 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0
.Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 0.0.0.0
.DNS IP Address 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0
.Net_ID (ESS) Warehouse 1
.Antenna Selection Full Diversity
.DHCP/BOOTP Disabled 0.0.0.0
OK-[CR] Save-[F1] Save All APs-[F2] Cancel-[ESC]
(Most parameters take effect only after being saved and AP is reset)
Identifies this Wireless LAN (1-32 characters)
Access Point Installation
.Additional Gateways
0.0.0.0
0.0.0.0
0.0.0.0
0.0.0.0
.Additional DNS
0.0.0.0
Figure 1-2: Setting the ESS ID (Network Name/SSID)
1.2 Recommended Settings for Root Access Point
On the root access point, pay attention to the following settings on the RF Configuration screen, as
shown on Figure 1-3:
• WLAP Priority
• WLAP Manual BSS ID
WLAP Priority
Set the root access point’s WLAP Priority setting to a lower number such as 7000 hex. The default
value for the WLAP Priority setting is 8000 hex, and it has a range from 0000 through FFFF hex.
Changing the WLAP Priority to a lower number ensures that the access point is recognized as the
root access point. A WLAP ID is created for each access point from a concatenation of its WLAP
Priority number and its MAC address. The priority n umber becomes the mo st-signif ican t portion of
the WLAP ID. The access point with the lowest WLAP ID becomes the root access point.
2 Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
After the wireless network is running, observe the WLAP ID from the WLAP RF Statistics screen.
Display this screen by pre ssing
WLAP Manual BSS ID
Intel recommends that you set the WLAP Manual BSS ID to its own MAC address. An example is
shown in Figure 1-3. This caus es the access point to go directly to the Functional state and therefo re
reduces the time required to begin the wireless connection. The Functional state is described in
section 3.3.1: Functional State.
F3 from the RF Statistics screen.
Access Point A
.DTIM Interval 10 WLAP Mode Enabled
.BC/MC Q Max 10
.Max Retries (d) 15 WLAP Priority 7000 hex
.Max Retries (v) 5 WLAP Manual BSS ID 00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5
.Multicast Mask (d) 09000E00 hex
.Multicast Mask (v) 01005E00 hex WLAP Hello Time 20
.Beacon Interval 100 K-us WLAP Max Age 100
.Accept Broadcast ESSID Disabled WLAP Forward Delay 5
.MU Inactivity Timeout 60 min. WLAP MU Table Aging Time 240 min.
.Rate Control
11 Mb/s Optional .WEP (Privacy) Disabled
5.5 Mb/s Optional .WEP Algorithm 40 bit shared key
2 Mb/s Required .Encryption Key ID 1
1 Mb/s Required Encryption Key Maintenance
.RTS Threshold 2347 bytes
Extended Range 0 mi. Tx Power Control Full
OK-[CR] Save-[F1] Save All APs-[F2] Cancel-[ESC]
Use the space bar to enable/disable/set link required WLAP operation.
RF Configuration
.Short RF Preamble Disabled
Figure 1-3: Example Settings for the Root Access Point
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode) 3
Chapter 2. Extending a Network’s Radio Coverage
Chapter 2. Extending a Network’s Radio Coverage
This section covers examples for extending the radio coverage of a single Ethernet network with
one-hop and two-hop wireless AP operations. The term “hop” refers to the direct communications
link between two nodes of a network. With regard to wireless AP operations, the number of hops
refers to the number of direct links through which a message passes between the root access point
and a particular designated WLAP. Examples of one-hop and two-hop operations are shown in
Figure 2-1 and Figure 2-2.
The basic settings for the access points are covered in the previous sections. In the following
network diagram examples, the root access point is labeled A, and the two designated WLAPs are
labeled B and C. For reference, the MAC addresses are included in the diagrams and example
screens.
HOST .CDR, FRA ME
WLAP Manual BSS ID
of B and C set to MAC
address of A
Host
Computer
00:A0:F8:8B:71:45 00:A0:F8:94:C3:64
B
C
One Hop
Root access point A
00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5
WLAP Priority = 7000
Ethernet
Figure 2-1: Wireless AP Network with One Hop
2.1 One-Hop Wireless Network Example
The example in Figure 2-1 extends a network’s radio coverage with one h op between the root
access point A and the two designated WLAPs B and C.
To configure the one-hop network, set the WLAP Manual BSS ID on the root access point to its
own MA C address. In addition, set the WLAP Manual BSS ID on access point B and C to the MAC
address of access point A. The RF Configuration screen for the root access point A is shown in
Figure 2-3.
2.2 Two-Hop Wireless Network Example
The example in Figure 2-2 e xtend s a netw ork’s radio coverage with two hops. In this network, there
is one hop between the root access point A and designated WLAP B, then another hop between
WLAP B and the other design ated WLAP C.
To configure a two-hop network, set the WLAP Manual BSS ID on access point C to the MAC
address of access point B and the WLAP Manual BSS ID on B to the MAC address of the root
access point A. The Manual BSS ID for the root access point A is set to its own MAC address. The
RF Configuration screen in Figure 2-3 shows the WLAP Manual BSS ID setting for access point C.
The RF Configuration screens for the other two access points are the same except the WLAP
Manual BSS IDs would be set to 00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5 and the WLAP Priority for access point A
would be set to 7000.
WLAP Manual
BSS ID of A set
to its own MAC
address.
4 Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
HOST .CDR, FRA ME
Chapter 2. Extending a Network’s Radio Coverage
WLAP Manual BSS ID set to
MAC address of access point B.
00:A0:F8:94:C3:64
WLAP Manual BSS ID
set to MAC address
of access po int A.
Host
Computer
00:A0:F8:8B:71:45
B
Root access point A
00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5
WLAP Priority = 7000
Ethernet
Two
Hops
WLAP Manual BSS
ID of A set to its own
MAC address.
Figure 2-2: Wireless AP Network with Two Hops
C
Access Point C
.DTIM Interval 10 WLAP Mode Enabled
.BC/MC Q Max 10
.Max Retries (d) 15 WLAP Priority 8000 hex
.Max Retries (v) 5 WLAP Manual BSS ID 00:A0:F8:8B:71:45
.Multicast Mask (d) 09000E00 hex
.Multicast Mask (v) 01005E00 hex WLAP Hello Time 20
.Beacon Interval 100 K-us WLAP Max Age 100
.Accept Broadcast ESSID Disabled WLAP Forward Delay 5
.MU Inactivity Timeout 60 min. WLAP MU Table Aging Time 240 min.
.Rate Control
11 Mb/s Optional .WEP (Privacy) Disabled
5.5 Mb/s Optional .WEP Algorithm 40 bit shared key
2 Mb/s Required .Encryption Key ID 1
1 Mb/s Required Encryption Key Maintenance
.RTS Threshold 2347 bytes
Extended Range 0 mi. Tx Power Control Full
RF Configuration
.Short RF Preamble Disabled
OK-[CR] Save-[F1] Save All APs-[F2] Cancel-[ESC]
Enter the desired WLAP MAC addr, with which this AP is going to associate.
Figure 2-3: WLAP Manual BSS ID on Access Point C in 2-Hop Network
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode) 5
Chapter 3. Verifying Wireless AP Operations
Chapter 3. Verifying Wireless AP Operations
You can verify wireless AP operations by looking at the following screens:
• WLAP RF Statistics
• Known Access Points
3.1 Viewing the WLAP RF Statistics Screen
Verify the wireless AP operations by viewing the WLAP RF Statistics screen. To view this screen,
Show RF Statistics from the access point’s Main Menu, then press Enter. This displays the
select
RF Statistics screen.
From the RF Statistics screen, press
is shown in Figure 3-1.
During a wireless AP operation, associated access points are listed on the WLAP RF Statistics
screen. The example screen in Figure 3-1 shows that two designated WLAPs have made wireless
links with the root access point. This screen is for the one-hop network example in Figure 3-1.
Notice that the two MAC addresses are listed under the “WLAP Itf Mac Addr” heading and two
FWD states are listed under the “Itf State” heading. The term FWD indicates the forwarding of data
to the associated access point.
For a two-hop network, the statistics in the WLAP RF Statistics screen is shown in Figure 3-2. The
WLAP RF Statistics screen for the root access point lists only one designated WLAP in the FWD
state. However, the WLAP B lists both of the other two access points in the FWD state.
Other possible “Itf” states on the WLAP RF Statistics screen are:
F3. This displays the WLAP RF Statistics screen. An example
Itf State Definition
DIS Wireless interface is disabled
LIS Access point is listening for configuration information
LRN Access point is learning the configuration information
FWD Access point is forwarding data
BLK Access point is blocking data
Table 3-1: Itf States
As an access point starts to associate in the wireless AP mode, the state changes from DI S to LIS to
LRN and then finally to FWD indicating association is successful.
Also note that in the example WLAP RF Statistics screens in Figure 3-1 and Figure 3-2, the Current
State entry is Functional, which means that the access point is ready for other access points to
associate with it. However, Functional does not necessarily mean that it has made a wireless AP
connection. Additional information is covered in the section titled 3.3.1: Functional State.
6 Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
Access Point A
WLAP RF Statistics
Current # WLAP Itf 2 Root Interface 0
Current State Functional Root MAC Addr 00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5
Priority 7000 hex Root Path Cost 0
------------- Wireless AP Interface Table ---------------
Itf WLAP Itf Itf Path Designated Designated
ID MAC Addr State Cost Root ID Cost WLAP ID Itf ID
8001 00:A0:F8:8B:71:45 FWD 1 700000a0f893C5B5 0 700000a0f893C5B5 8001
8002 00:A0:F8:94:C3:64 FWD 1 700000a0f893C5B5 0 700000a0f893C5B5 8002
8003 00:00:00:00:00:00 DIS 1 700000a0f893C5B5 0 700000a0f893C5B5 8003
8004 00:00:00:00:00:00 DIS 1 700000a0f893C5B5 0 700000a0f893C5B5 8004
Refresh-[F1] Timed-[F2] Previous-[F4] Exit-[ESC]
Root Priority 7000 hex
Figure 3-1: RF Statistics from Root Access Point in One-Hop Network
Access Point B
Current # WLAP Itf 2 Root Interface 1
Current State Functional Root MAC Addr 00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5
Priority 8000 hex Root Path Cost 1
------------- Wireless AP Interface Table ---------------
WLAP RF Statistics
Root Priority 7000 hex
Itf WLAP Itf Itf Path Designated Designated
ID MAC Addr State Cost Root ID Cost WLAP ID Itf ID
8001 00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5 FWD 1 700000a0f893C5B5 0 700000a0f893C5B5 8001
8002 00:A0:F8:94:C3:64 FWD 1 700000a0f893C5B5 1 800000a0f88b7145 8002
8003 00:00:00:00:00:00 DIS 1 800000a0f88b7145 0 800000a0f88b7145 8003
8004 00:00:00:00:00:00 DIS 1 800000a0f88b7145 0 800000a0f88b7145 8004
Refresh-[F1] Timed-[F2] Previous-[F4] Exit-[ESC]
Figure 3-2: RF Statistics from Access Point B in Two-Hop Network
3.2 Viewing the Known Access Points Screen
The Known Access Points screen lists all access points that are linked together either through a
wireless connection or through a wired connection. You can use the Known Access Points screen to
determine the number of access points in a wireless AP network; however, keep in mind that the
screen also lists access points that are connected to the same Ethernet as the root access point but
may not be part of the wireless AP operation.
Figure 3-3 is an example of a Known Access Points screen listing the root access point and the two
designated WLAPs. This example screen includes another access point connected to the same
Ethernet as the root access point but not in the wireless AP network.
Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode) 7
Chapter 3. Verifying Wireless AP Operations
Access Point A Known Access Points
MAC Address IP Address CH HST HSQ MUS KBIOS FW_Ver Away
00:A0:F8:93:C5:B5 157.235.55.199 3 - - 0 0 02.51-11
00:A0:F8:8B:71:45 157.235.55.60 1 - - 0 0 02.51-11
00:A0:F8:94:C3:64 157.235.55.198 11 - - 0 0 02.51-11
00:A0:F8:94:C2:04 157.235.55.53 1 - - 0 0 02.51-11
Echo-[F1] Delete-[F2] Next-[F3] Previous-[F4] Switch Exit-[ESC]
Figure 3-3: Known Access Points Showing WLAPs Plus Other
With this screen displayed, you can run an echo test, which performs a PING operation between the
current access point and any of the listed radio-or wired-linked access points. To do this, you use
Tab key to highlight the access point you wish to PING. Then press F1, followed by the Enter
the
key to start the echo test.
Net_ID: Warehouse 1
3.3 Observing the Access Point’s LED Indicators
The access point’s LED indicators and their basic functions are shown in Figure 3-4.
As an access point proceeds through the various states of a wireless AP operation, the LEDs
provide certain status indications. The Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011/2011B LAN Product Reference
Guides describe how the LED indicators are displayed during the several wireless AP operating
states from Initializing through Functional.
ICON GIF
FILES &
FRAME
Power
Flashes during pow er-up
sequence (reset).
Continuously on during
operation.
Wired LAN Activity
Flashes when data is
transferred on wired
network.
Figure 3-4: Access Point LED Indicators and Functions
Wireless LAN Activity
Flickers when access point
sends out beacon signals ,
and transfers data to and
from a mobile unit.
During normal operation, it may be difficult to observe the LED indicator status because the states
exists for only a very short time. During an abnormal operation, the access point may remain in a
particular state permanently or for a significant length of time. In this situation, you can easily
determine abnormal operation from the status of the LED indicators.
The following subsections cover two of the wireless AP states that you can easily determine by
observing the LED indicators. These two states are: Functional and Send Probe. One of thes e states
is displayed as the Current State entry on the WLAP RF Statistics screen.
8 Configuring Access Point Bridging and Repeating (WLAP Mode)
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