Madge Networks 802.11b User Manual

W ireless LAN Security

Smart Wireless

Access Point 802.11b (95-10)

User Guide

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement

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 radiated radio frequency

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 correct the

interference by one of the following 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/TV technician for help.

FCC Caution: To assure continued compliance, (example – use only shielded interface cables when

connecting to computer or peripheral devices). Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by

the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20 cm between the radiator & your body.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

R&TTE Compliance Statement

This equipment complies with all the requirements of DIRECTIVE 1999/5/CE OF THE EUROPEAN

PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunication

terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (R&TTE).

The R&TTE Directive repeals and replaces in the directive 98/13/EEC (Telecommunications Terminal

Equipment and Satellite Earth Station Equipment) as of April 8,2000.

Safety

This equipment is designed with the utmost care for the safety of those who install and use it. However,

special attention must be paid to the dangers of electric shock and static electricity when working with

electrical equipment. All guidelines of this and of the computer manufacture must therefore be allowed at

all times to ensure the safe use of the equipment.

EU Countries Intended for Use

The ETSI version of this device is intended for home and office use in Austria, Belgium, Denmark,

Finland, France (with Frequency channel restrictions), Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,

Spain (with Frequency channel restrictions), Sweden, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom.

The ETSI version of this device is also authorized for use in EFTA member states Norway and

Switzerland.

EU Countries Not Intended for Use

Portugal.

Potential Restrictive Use

France: only channels 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Spain: only channels 10 and 11.

Contents

1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Features .......................................................................................................................................... 1

2 First-Time Installation and Configuration ............................................................................................. 2

2.1 Powering up the AP........................................................................................................................ 2

2.2 Mounting the AP on a Wall............................................................................................................ 2

2.3 Preparing for Configuration ........................................................................................................... 3

2.3.1 Connecting the Managing Computer and the Advanced AP .................................................. 3

2.3.2 Changing the TCP/IP Settings of the Managing Computer .................................................... 3

2.4 Configuring the Advanced AP ....................................................................................................... 4

2.4.1 Entering the User Name and Password ................................................................................... 4

2.4.2 Step 1: Configure TCP/IP Settings .........................................................................................5

2.4.3 Step 2: Configure IEEE 802.11 Settings................................................................................. 6

2.4.4 Step 3: Review and Apply Settings.........................................................................................6

2.5 Deploying the Advanced AP .......................................................................................................... 7

2.6 Setting up Client Computers .......................................................................................................... 7

2.6.1 Configuring IEEE 802.11b-Related Settings .......................................................................... 7

2.6.2 Configuring TCP/IP-Related Settings..................................................................................... 7

2.7 Confirming the Settings of the AP and Client Computers ............................................................. 7

2.7.1 Checking if the IEEE 802.11b-Related Settings Work ........................................................... 7

2.7.2 Checking if the TCP/IP-Related Settings Work ..................................................................... 8

3 Using the Web-Based Network Manager .............................................................................................. 9

3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 9

3.2 General Operations ....................................................................................................................... 11

3.2.1 Changing Password ............................................................................................................... 11

3.2.2 Upgrading Firmware ............................................................................................................. 11

3.3 Configuring TCP/IP Related Settings .......................................................................................... 12

3.3.1 Addressing ............................................................................................................................ 12

3.4 Configuring IEEE 802.11b-Related Settings ............................................................................... 13

3.4.1 Communication ..................................................................................................................... 13

3.4.2 Security ................................................................................................................................. 13

3.4.3 IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS .......................................................................................................... 14

3.5 Configuring Advanced Settings ................................................................................................... 16

3.5.1 Management .......................................................................................................................... 16

4 The Wireless Network Manager .......................................................................................................... 16

4.1 Installing the Wireless Network Manager .................................................................................... 16

4.2 Using the Wireless Network Manager ......................................................................................... 18

Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................. 20

A-1: Default Settings ............................................................................................................................... 20

A-2: LED Definitions .............................................................................................................................. 20

Appendix B: Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................... 21

B-1: Wireless Settings Problems ............................................................................................................. 21

B-2: TCP/IP Settings Problems ............................................................................................................... 21

B-3: Other Problems................................................................................................................................ 23

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

The Madge advanced Smart Wireless Access Point (advanced AP) enables IEEE 802.11b client

computers to access the resources on an Ethernet network. Because it supports IEEE 802.1x and RADIUS

(Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) for user-based authentication and dynamic encryption key

distribution, it is suitable for enterprises that need strong data security and WISPs (Wireless Internet

Service Providers) that need accounting and billing support.

In Section 2, we describe the steps to install and configure a newly acquired advanced AP. Following the

steps, the advanced AP can be quickly set up to work. In Section 3, detailed explanations of each Web

management page are given for the user to understand how to fine-tune the settings of an advanced AP to

meet his or her specific needs. In addition to using Web-based Network Manager to configure an

advanced AP, the Windows-based Wireless Network Manager can also be used to configure and monitor

advanced APs. See the on-line help of Wireless Network Manager for more information.

1.2 Features



Configuration Reset. Resetting the configuration settings to factory-default values.



IEEE 802.11b:





Management:



Access point. Bridging packets between the wireless IEEE 802.11b network interface and the wired Ethernet LAN interface.

64-bit and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). For authentication and data encryption.

Enabling/disabling SSID broadcasts. The user can enable or disable the SSID (Service

Set ID) broadcast functionality for security reasons. When the SSID broadcast functionality is

disabled, a wireless client computer cannot connect to the advanced AP with a network name

(SSID) of “any”; the correct SSID has to be specified on client computers.

MAC-address-based access control. Blocking unauthorized wireless client computers

based on MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.

IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS. User authentication and dynamic encryption key distribution is

achieved by IEEE 802.1x Port-Based Network Access Control and RADIUS (Remote

Authentication Dial-In User Service).

Replaceable antennas. The factory-supplied antennas can be replaced with high-gain antennas for different purposes. NOTE: High gain antennas must be used in accordance with

local regulatory rules.

Windows-based Wireless Network Manager for configuring, monitoring, and

diagnosing the local computer and neighboring advanced APs. The management protocol is

MAC-based.



Web-based Network Manager for configuring and monitoring advanced APs. The

management protocol is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)-based.



SNMP. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) MIB I, MIB II, IEEE 802.1d, IEEE

802.1x and Enterprise MIB are supported.



UPnP. The advanced AP responds to UPnP discovery messages so that a Windows XP user can locate the AP in My Network Places (the network neighborhood) and use a Web browser

to configure it.

Hardware Watchdog Timer. If the AP firmware enters an invalid state, the hardware watchdog



timer will detect this situation and restart the advanced AP. Accordingly, the advanced AP can

recover from certain error situations.

2 First-Time Installation and Configuration

2.1 Powering up the AP

To power the AP with the supplied power adapter:

1. Plug the power adapter to an AC socket.

2. Plug the connector of the power adapter to the power jack of the AP.

NOTE: This product is intended to be powered by a Listed Power Unit, marked “Class 2” or “LPS” and

output rated “5V DC, 1 A minimum” or equivalent statement.

Some advanced APs support Power Over Ethernet (POE). Visit the Madge web-site at www.madge.com

for more details.

2.2 Mounting the AP on a Wall

If required the AP can be mounted on a wall.

CAUTION: Before drilling into any surface check for hidden services such as electricity cables or water

pipes. If in doubt please consult a qualified engineer.

NOTE: The fastenings supplied with this product are intended for use in solid walls only.

To fix the AP to a solid wall proceed as follows:

1. Use the supplied template to determine the correct distance between the fastening screws.

2. Use a 6.5mm diameter drill to make a 25mm deep hole at each of the cross marks.

3. Insert the supplied “wall-plugs” into each hole.

4. Insert the supplied screws into the wall-plugs leaving approximately 3mm of thread proud of the

wall surface to allow the AP to be hung on the screws.

5. Hang the wireless AP on the screws.

Fig. 1. Mounting the AP on a wall.

2.3 Preparing for Configuration

For the user (or administrator) to configure an advanced AP, a managing computer with a Web browser is

needed. For first-time configuration of an advanced AP, an Ethernet network interface card (NIC) should

have been installed in the managing computer. For maintenance-configuration of a deployed advanced

AP, either a wireless computer or a wired computer can be employed as the managing computer.

NOTE: If you are using the browser, Opera, to configure an advanced AP, click the menu item File, click

Preferences..., click File types, and edit the MIME type, text/html, to add a file extension ".sht" so that

Opera can work properly with the Web management pages of the advanced AP.

Since the configuration/management protocol is HTTP-based, we have to make sure that the IP address

of the managing computer and the IP address of the managed advanced AP are in the same IP subnet (the default IP address of an AP is 192.168.0.1 and the default subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.)

NOTE: The AP’s factory default setting is to obtain its IP address automatically from a DHCP Server.

When the AP restarts it attempts to obtain an IP address repeatedly for approximately 75 seconds. If this

fails then it adopts the default IP address of 192.168.0.1.

2.3.1 Connecting the Managing Computer and the Advanced AP

To connect the Ethernet managing computer and the managed AP for first-time configuration, the user

has two choices as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Cross-over

Ethernet

cable

Managing Computer

Normal

Ethernet

cable

Ethernet

Hub/Switch

Normal

Ethernet

cable

Managed

Fig. 2. Connecting a managing computer and an advanced AP via Ethernet.

The user can use either a cross-over Ethernet cable (we have included one in the package) or a switch/hub

with 2 normal Ethernet cables.

NOTE: One connector of the Ethernet cable must be plugged into the LAN/Config Ethernet socket of the

advanced AP for configuration.

2.3.2 Changing the TCP/IP Settings of the Managing Computer

Use the Windows Network Control Panel Applet to change the TCP/IP settings of the managing

computer, so that the IP address of the computer and the IP address of the advanced AP are in the same IP

subnet. Set the IP address of the computer to 192.168.0.xxx (the default IP address of an AP is

192.168.0.1) and the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.

NOTE: For some versions of Windows, the computer needs to be restarted for the changes of TCP/IP

settings to take effect.

2.4 Configuring the Advanced AP

After the IP addressing issue is resolved, launch a Web browser on the managing computer. Then, go to

“http://192.168.0.1” to access the Web-based Network Manager start page.

TIP: For maintenance configuration of an advanced AP, the advanced AP can be reached by its host

name using a Web browser. For example, if the advanced AP is named “advanced AP”, you can use the

URL “http://advanced AP” to access the Web-based Network Manager of the advanced AP.

2.4.1 Entering the User Name and Password

Before the start page is shown, you will be prompted to enter the user name and password to gain the

right to access the Web-based Network Manager. For first-time configuration, use the default user name

“root” and default password “root”, respectively.

Fig. 3. Entering the user name and password.

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that the password be changed to other value for security reasons. On

the start page, click the General\Password link to change the value of the password (see Section 3.2.1 for

more information).

TIP: Since the start page shows the current settings and status of the advanced AP, it can be saved or

printed within the Web browser for future reference.

Fig. 4. The Start page.

2.4.2 Step 1: Configure TCP/IP Settings

Fig. 5. TCP/IP settings.

Go to the TCP/IP, Addressing section to configure IP address settings. The IP address can be manually set or automatically assigned by a DHCP server on the LAN. If you are manually setting the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway settings, set them appropriately, so that they comply with your LAN environment. In addition, you can specify the Host Name and Domain (DNS suffix) of the advanced AP. When you are finished, click Save at the bottom of this page, and then you are brought back to the start

page.

+ 18 hidden pages

Madge Networks 802.11b User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

2 First-Time Installation and Configuration

2.1 Powering up the AP

2.2 Mounting the AP on a Wall

2.3.1 Connecting the Managing Computer and the Advanced AP

2.3.2 Changing the TCP/IP Settings of the Managing Computer

2.4 Configuring the Advanced AP

2.4.1 Entering the User Name and Password

2.4.2 Step 1: Configure TCP/IP Settings