MDS entraNET 900, MDS entraNET 2400, entraNET 2400 Operation Manual

Microwave Data Systems Inc.

MDS entraNET

MDS entraNET

™

900

™

2400

Access Point

Remote

900 MHz and 2400 MHz

Extended Range IP Networking Transceivers

Firmware Code 3.0

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

APRIL 2006

Installation and Operation Guide

Quick Start Instructions

Listed below are the basic steps for installing MDS entraNET transceivers. Refer to the appro­priate sections in the manual for detailed information.

1. Initial Checkout

• Set the equipment up in a tabletop arrangement as described in

EVALUATION, (beginning on Page 15)

.

2 TABLETOP SETUP AND

•Follow all steps to ensure proper cable connections and unit configuration. As a minimum, Access
Points must have the following programmed: IP Address, IP Network identifier, and Radio Network
Address. (RF output power and Password should also be reviewed and set if necessary.) Remote
radios normally require only a Radio Network Address to be set. (Note: The Remote Radio Net­work Address

must

match that of the AP.)

• Connect data equipment to the transceivers. Use LAN/ETH ports for Ethernet systems, or COM2
ports for Serial data systems.

•Verify proper exchange of data communications by viewing the LEDs. The following indications
should be seen on the LED panel within 30 seconds of startup:

PWR

—Lit continuously

LINK

—Lit continuously

ETH

—Lit continuously (unless Sleep is activated)

COM2

—Blinking to indicate exchange of data communications

2. Endpoint Connectivity (PING) Test—for Ethernet Systems Only

•For Ethernet systems, verify the link integrity between the Access Point and endpoint devices con­nected to Remotes by issuing a

PING

command from the AP. Below is a basic setup diagram for

the PING test. (NOTE: Endpoint devices must have a compatible IP address for this test to work.)

PC RUNNING PING UTILITY

ACCESS POINT

ETHERNET REMOTE

CROSS-OVER

CABLE

LAN

PORT

LAN

COM1

COM2

PWR

LINK

ETHERNET ENDPOINT

(Device Being Pinged)

LINK

ETH

ETH

PORT

STRAIGHT THROUGH

COM1

CABLE

PWR

Invisible place holder

3. Set Configuration of AP and Remote Radios

• Refer to
using the built-in menu system. Refer to

Page 99 for details on programming Remotes.

• If you have a large number of radios to configure, a configuration script may be used to speed the
process. See

4. Install the Equipment in the Field

• Refer to
and antenna/feedline recommendations.

• After basic installation, optimize the performance of the radio network following the recommenda­tions beginning on Page 156.

3 AP MANAGEMENT beginning on Page 29

4 REMOTE RADIO MANAGEMENT

USING CONFIGURATION SCRIPTS

6 INSTALLATION beginning on Page 143

beginning on Page 177 for details.

for details on site selection, mounting, cabling,

for details on connecting to the AP and

beginning on

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCING THE

MDS entraNET SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL 3

1.2 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 3

1.3 APPLICATIONS 6

1.4 MDS SECURITY SUITE 10

1.5 ACCESSORIES 12

2TABLETOP SETUP AND

EVALUATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.1 INTRODUCTION 17

2.2 CONNECTOR OVERVIEW 17

2.3 TEST SETUP 18

3 AP MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

3.1 INTRODUCTION 31

3.2 ACCESSING THE MENU SYSTEM 36

3.3 BASIC DEVICE INFORMATION 43

3.4 CONFIGURING NETWORK PARAMETERS 45

3.5 CONFIGURING RADIO PARAMETERS 52

3.6 CONFIGURING THE SERIAL INTERFACES 54

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide i

3.7 SECURITY CONFIGURATION 64

3.8 WIRELESS NETWORK MENU 69

3.9 STATISTICS AND EVENT LOG 76

3.10 DEVICE INFORMATION MENU 83

3.11 MAINTENANCE AND TOOLS 84

3.12 REDUNDANCY MENU 92

3.13 DNP3 ROUTING MENU 96

4 REMOTE RADIO

MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

4.1 INTRODUCTION 101

4.2 Programming Methods 101

4.3 Log-in Procedure 101

4.4 Commands 102

4.5 Minimum Configuration for Remotes 102

4.6 UPGRADING REMOTE FIRMWARE 116

5 SAMPLE

CONFIGURATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

5.1 INTRODUCTION 121

6 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

6.1 INSTALLATION 145

ii MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

6.2 HOW MUCH OUTPUT POWER CAN BE USED?

(U.S.A. and Canada, 900 MHz systems) 152

6.3 HOW MUCH OUTPUT POWER CAN BE USED?

(U.S.A. and Canada, 2400 MHz systems) 153

6.4 HOW MUCH OUTPUT POWER CAN BE USED? (ETSI 2400 MHz systems) 154

6.5 OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE 156

7TROUBLESHOOTING

AND RADIO TESTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

7.1 TROUBLESHOOTING 163

8 TECHNICAL REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

8.1 UPGRADING AP FIRMWARE 175

8.2 USING CONFIGURATION SCRIPTS 177

8.3 DATA INTERFACE CONNECTORS 183

8.4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 185

8.5 dBm-WATTS-VOLTS CONVERSION CHART 189

9 TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide iii

Copyright Notice

This publication is protected by U.S.A. copyright law. Copyright 2006, Microwave Data Systems, Inc. All rights
reserved.

ISO 9001 Registration

Microwave Data Systems adheres to the internationally-accepted ISO 9001 quality system standard.

Related Materials on the Internet

Data sheets, frequently asked questions, application notes, information on firmware upgrades, and other valuable
information can be found on the MDS Web site at www.microwavedata.com .

About Microwave Data Systems Inc.

Over two decades ago, MDS began building radios for business-critical applications. Since then, we’ve installed more
than 500,000 radios in over 110 countries. To succeed, we overcame impassable terrain, brutal operating conditions
and disparate, complex network configurations. We also became experts in wireless communication standards and
system applications worldwide. The result of our efforts is that today, thousands of utilities around the world rely on
MDS-based wireless networks to manage their most critical assets.

The majority of MDS radios deployed since 1985 are still installed and performing within our customers' wireless net­works. That’s because we design and manufacture our products in-house, according to ISO 9001 which allows us to
control and meet stringent global quality standards.

Thanks to our durable products and comprehensive solutions, MDS is the wireless leader in industrial automation—
including oil and gas production and transportation, water/wastewater treatment, supply and transportation, electric
transmission and distribution and many other utility applications. MDS is also at the forefront of wireless communi­cations for private and public infrastructure and online transaction processing. Now is an exciting time for MDS and
our customers as we look forward to further demonstrating our abilities in new and emerging markets.

As your wireless needs change you can continue to expect more from MDS. We'll always put the performance of your
network above all. Visit us at www.microwavedata.com for more information.

OPERATIONAL & SAFETY NOTICES

RF Exposure

described in this guide emits radio frequency energy. Although the power level is
low, the concentrated energy from a directional antenna may pose a health hazard.
For 900 MHz units, do not allow people to come closer than 23 cm (9 inches) to
the antenna. For 2.4 GHz units, do not allow people to come closer than 5 cm (2
inches) to the antenna. These distances apply whether the transmitter is operated
in indoor or outdoor environments. More information on RF exposure is available
on the Internet at www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins .

ETSI Installations: In regions where the European Telecommunications Stan-

dards Institute (ETSI) standards apply, 2.4 GHz units with a maximum output
power of 100 mW EIRP are supplied. Do not allow people to come closer than 2.2
cm (1 inch) to the antenna.

CSA/US Notice

The transceiver has been recognized for use in hazardous locations by the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA), which also issues the U.S. mark of approval. The CSA Certification is in accordance with CSA STD
C22.2 No. 213-M1987.

FCC Part 15 Notice

U.S. Installations: Professional installation required. The radio equipment

The transceiver 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. This device is specifically designed to be used under Section 15.247 of
the FCC Rules and Regulations. Any unauthorized modification or changes to this device without the express approval
of Microwave Data Systems may void the user’s authority to operate this device. Furthermore, this device is intended
to be used only when installed in accordance with the instructions outlined in this manual. Failure to comply with these
instructions may also void the user’s authority to operate this device.

Manual Revision and Accuracy

While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual, product improvements may result
in minor differences between the manual and the product shipped to you. If you have additional questions or need an
exact specification for a product, please contact our Customer Service Team using the information at the back of this
guide. In addition, manual updates can often be found on the MDS Web site at www.microwavedata.com .

iv MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Environmental Information

The manufacture of this equipment has required the extraction and use of natural resources. Improper disposal may
contaminate the environment and present a health risk due to hazardous substances contained within. To avoid dissem­ination of these substances into our environment, and to limit the demand on natural resources, we encourage you to
use the appropriate recycling systems for disposal. These systems will reuse or recycle most of the materials found in
this equipment in a sound way. Please contact MDS or your supplier for more information on the proper disposal of
this equipment.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide v

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

vi MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

1

1 Chapter Counter Reset Paragraph

1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL 3

1.2 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 3

1.3 APPLICATIONS 6

INTRODUCING THE
MDS entraNET SYSTEM

1.1.1 Supplemental Information Online .................................................. 3

1.2.1 Model Offerings ............................................................................. 6

1.3.1 Long-Range Wireless LAN ............................................................6

Antenna Placement ............................................................................6

Communication Rules ........................................................................7

1.3.2 Combining Serial and IP or Ethernet Devices ............................... 7

1.3.3 DNP3 Protocol-Aware Networks ...................................................8

1.3.4 Upgrading an Older Wireless Network with Serial Interfaces ........9

Replacing Legacy Wireless Products ................................................. 9

Supplementing a Legacy Wireless Network with IP services ........... 10

1.3.5 Protected Network (Redundant) Configuration ...........................10

1.4 MDS SECURITY SUITE 10

1.4.1 Intrusion Detection via SNMP Traps ............................................12

1.5 ACCESSORIES 12

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 1

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

2 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL

This guide provides installation and operating instructions for the MDS
entraNET 900

TM

and MDS entraNET 2400
guide is intended for use by those who install, configure, and operate the
entraNET wireless network.

Quick Start instructions are provided on the inside front cover of this

guide. They provide the basic steps for installing and operating the
transceivers, but do not cover all of the configurable parameters. The
main section of this guide contains complete information on menu func­tions, as well as detailed installation, operation, and troubleshooting
information. This guide is arranged into the following eight chapters:

• Chapter 1— Introducing the MDS entraNET System (Page 1)

• Chapter 2— Tabletop Setup and Evaluation (Page 15)

• Chapter 3— Access Point (AP) Management (Page 29)

• Chapter 4— Remote Radio Management (Page 99)

• Chapter 5—Sample Configurations (Page 119)

• Chapter 6—Installation (Page 143)

• Chapter 7—Troubleshooting and Radio Tests (Page 161)

• Chapter 8—Technical Reference (Page 173)

• Chapter 9—Terms and Abbreviations (Page 191). Terms
defined in Chapter 9 are italicized on first appearance.

TM

series radio system. The

1.1.1 Supplemental Information Online

Release notes, manual updates, and other supplemental materials are
available online for many MDS products. For more information, visit us
at online at www.microwavedata.com.

1.2 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The entraNET system is an easy-to-install wireless solution supporting
long-range serial and Ethernet data transmission at speeds up to
106 kbps. The system includes an Access Point (AP) transceiver and a
Remote transceiver capable of serial and Ethernet communication.
These radios serve a variety of network configurations. Figure 1-1
shows the two radios.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 3

Invisible place holder

Access Point

Remote

Figure 1-1. MDS entraNET Transceiver Models

Robust Radio
Operation

MDS entraNET transceivers use an advanced Media Access Controller
(MAC) to ensure network access for stations with data to send. The
MAC permits data to be sent from endpoint devices on an on-demand
basis, preventing over-the-air data collisions and ensuring that data gets
through as intended. MAC functionality eliminates the need for active
polling of Remotes, a key requirement in Report-by-Exception (RBE)
applications.

Rugged Packaging MDS entraNET radios are housed in compact and rugged die-cast cases

that need only be protected from direct exposure to the weather. The
transceivers are supplied with flat surface-mounting brackets or optional
35mm DIN rail brackets, depending on customer requirements.

Simple Installation Basic installation typically employs an omni-directional antenna at the

AP site and a directional antenna at each associated Remote site. The
antenna is a vital link in the system and must be chosen and installed
correctly. INSTALLATION on Page 145 provides guidance on choosing
proper antennas and installation sites.

To establish basic service, connect an antenna, connect an Ethernet
LAN (Local Area Network) to the AP, connect a serial or Ethernet
device to the Remotes, apply power, set a few operating parameters via
a personal computer, and you are done. No license is required for oper­ation in the U.S.A., Canada, and many other countries. Check the regu­lations in your country before placing the radios on the air.

MDS Security Suite Network security is a vital issue in today’s wireless world. The

MDS entraNET system provides multiple tools to help you build a net­work that minimizes the risk of eavesdropping or unauthorized access.
Some security features are inherent to radio operation, such as the use of
spread-spectrum transmission; other techniques are built into the radio

4 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

firmware, including data encryption, enabling or disabling remote
access channels, and password protection.

Remember, security is not a one-step process that can be simply turned
on and forgotten. It must be practiced and enforced at multiple levels,
every day. Section 1.4 contains additional information about entraNET
security features.

License-Free
Operation

The transceivers are designed for frequency-hopping spread-spectrum
operation in the license-free 900 MHz or 2400 MHz band. They can pro­vide reliable long distance communications over line-of-sight signal
paths.

Multiple Services Networks can include a mixture of equipment requiring Ethernet and

serial data interfaces on the same cell or AP. This flexibility allows the
transceiver to provide services in data networks that are on a migration
path from legacy serial or EIA-232-based hardware to faster and more
easily interfaced Ethernet systems.

Flexible
Management

Configuration, troubleshooting and other management activities are per­formed using a connected PC, locally or remotely. Modes of access
include a local RS-232 console, local or remote IP access through
Ethernet, Telnet, or a Web browser, and Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP).

Feature Summary The MDS entraNET design makes installation and configuration an

easy task, while allowing for configuration changes in the future.

• Long-range transmission over favorable, unobstructed terrain, with
sufficient antenna heights

• Low power consumption—Sleep and Shutdown modes to enable
solar-powered operation

• Repeater configurations—A repeater scheme can be established to
extend the transmission range or to work around obstructions in a
network. This is accomplished by connecting two radios back to
back at a single site.

• Industrial-grade product—Extended temperature range for trou­ble-free operation in extreme environments

• Robust radio communications—Designed to perform in high-inter­ference environments

• MDS Security Suite—Blocks common attack schemes and prevents
“rogue” hardware from gaining access to or control of a network.
Common attack events are logged and reported via alarms.

• Fast, 106 kbps data speed—Ten times faster than 9.6 kbps radios

• Simple setup—Ethernet bridge configuration option requires mini­mal setup

• Serial ports—Gateway for serial interface equipment to IP or Ether­net networks with an embedded terminal server

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 5

1.2.1 Model Offerings

The MDS entraNET system includes two primary radio types— APs
and Remotes. Table 1-1 summarizes the interface capabilities for each
entraNET radio type.

NOTE: A Remote serves only one endpoint MAC address, even if a

bridge or hub is used.

Table 1-1. MDS entraNET Models and Data Interface Services

Model LAN/ETH

AP LAN Yes Yes

Remote ETH Yes Yes

NOTES

*This connector provides access to the radio menu system.

COM1

*

COM2

1.3 APPLICATIONS

The following sections describe typical entraNET installations. All
installations should be reviewed by a network manager to ensure proper
integration with existing equipment.

1.3.1 Long-Range Wireless LAN

The wireless LAN is a common application of the entraNET system. It
consists of a central control station (AP) and one or more associated
Remote radios, as shown in Figure 1-2 on Page 7. A LAN provides
communications between a central LAN/WAN and remote Ethernet
endpoints. Remote radios can support one Ethernet endpoint each.

The operation of the radio system is transparent to the computer equip­ment connected to it. As such, the system behaves just as it would in a
hardwired arrangement, with respect to data format and integrity.
Over-the-air messages are exchanged at the Ethernet level, including all
types of IP traffic.

Antenna Placement

The AP antenna is positioned at a location from which it can reliably
communicate with all of the Remote radios in the system. Commonly,
this is a relatively high location on top of a building, communications
tower or other elevated point.

Communication Rules

•A Remote transceiver can only talk over-the-air to an AP.

• Peer-to-peer communications between Remotes can take place indi-

• An AP can only talk over-the-air to Remote radios; however, two

6 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

rectly through the AP.

APs can communicate with each other through their Ethernet con­nectors when a wired LAN/WAN is utilized.

Invisible place holder

Remote

Remote

Remote

Ethernet

Device

R
W
P

1

M
O
C

H
T
E

K
IN
L

Ethernet

Device

R
W
P

1

M
O
C

H
T
E

K
N
I
L

K
N
I
L

R
W
P

2

M
O
C

1

M
O
C

N
A
L

Figure 1-2. Typical Wireless LAN System

Access Point

WAN/LAN

R
W
P

1

M
O
C

H
T
E

K
N
I
L

R
W
P

1

M
O
C

H
T
E

K
N
I
L

Remote

Ethernet

Device

Ethernet

Device

1.3.2 Combining Serial and Ethernet Devices

Prior to the introduction of the entraNET series, multiple networks were
often needed to service different types of communication protocols. An
entraNET system provides this functionality through a single AP radio.
Each of the Remote radios in a system can be connected via IP to dif­ferent SCADA or telemetry hosts, transporting different (or the same)
protocols. Both data streams are completely independent, and the trans­ceiver provides seamless, simultaneous operation, as shown in

Figure 1-3.

Invisible place holder

RTU

EIA-232

EIA-232

TCP/IP

Serial

Device

Ethernet

Device

ROUTER

PC Running

NetView

HUB

HUB

WAN

HUB

HUB

SCADA Host
Modbus/IP

Access Point

K
IN
L

R
W
P

2
M
O

C
1
M

O
C

N
A
L

Serial Polling

Converter

SCADA Host

Total Flow

Figure 1-3. Multiple Protocol Network

Remote

L
I
N
K

C
O
M
1

C
O

M
2

P
W
R

Remote

L
I
N
K

C

O
M
1

C
O
M

2

P
W
R

Remote

L
I
N
K

C

O
M
1

C
O
M
2

P
W
R

By using a single AP, the cost of infrastructure deployment is cut in half,
with only one antenna, one feedline, and one lightning protector
required. Other cost reductions come from the system as a whole,

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 7

including reduced management requirements when using
MDS NETview Management System (MS) software. In addition,
entraNET offers nearly unlimited potential for future applications that
run over IP and Ethernet services.

In an IP-to-serial scenario, every Remote is sent information received by
the AP Ethernet port. Likewise, information received at the Remote
serial port is transmitted to the AP, and the AP delivers this information
through its Ethernet port in the form of an IP packet.

Additionally, the AP serial port can be used as a virtual Remote. This
means that encapsulated serial information received by the AP is sent
out the serial port of all Remotes as well as the AP serial port. The
reverse is also true, meaning that data received by the serial port of any
Remote or the AP serial port is encapsulated and sent out the AP
Ethernet port.

This arrangement can be used to connect an endpoint device at a
Repeater site without the need for an additional Remote radio.

1.3.3 DNP3 Protocol-Aware Networks

The MDS implementation of Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3)
allows the transfer and routing of DNP3 messages between serial
devices, while also supporting the conversion to an IP Ethernet network.
As DNP3 messages are routed through the system, the APs “learn” the
locations of all end devices, regardless of whether they are configured
for serial or Ethernet communication, eliminating the need to configure
their individual locations.

DNP3 devices with an Ethernet or IP interface can be connected to a
transceiver in one of two ways:

• To the Ethernet port of an AP radio

• To the Ethernet port of a Remote radio

DNP3 devices with a serial RS-232 interface can be connected to a
transceiver in one of two ways:

• To the serial port of an AP radio

• To the serial port of a Remote radio

The capability for DNP3 message routing is optional for the transceiver.
An Authorization Key is required to enable this functionality, and is
available for purchase from MDS.

NOTE: Detailed information on the DNP3 protocol is available on the

DNP Users’ Group Web site at www.dnp.org.

8 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

1.3.4 Upgrading an Older Wireless Network with
Serial Interfaces

Millions of wireless data products have been sold in the last two decades
for licensed and license-free operation, many of them manufactured by
Microwave Data Systems. There are several ways that these systems can
benefit from employing MDS entraNET wireless equipment, including
flexible serial and Ethernet interfaces, higher data throughput, and ease
of installation.

MDS entraNET radios are well suited to replace leased lines, dial-up
lines, or existing data radios by taking advantage of the built-in serial
and Ethernet interfaces on the transceiver. The sections below discuss
two common scenarios.

Replacing Legacy Wireless Products

In most cases, legacy radio transceivers supporting serial interface
equipment can be replaced with MDS entraNET radios with little or no
special configuration. This equipment can be connected to MDS
entraNET radios through the
cable wired for EIA-232 signaling. The
EIA-232 signaling and acts as a data communications equipment (DCE)
device.

COM1 or COM2 port with a DB-25 to RJ-45

COM2 port supports standard

NOTE: Several previous MDS-brand products contained signal lines

on their interface connectors that are not used or required on
entraNET radios. Consult the equipment manual(s) for inter­face pinout information, and connect only the required pins.

Supplementing a Legacy Wireless Network with IP Services

MDS entraNET Remotes support most polled protocols. The serial
interfaces encapsulate serial data in two different modes: connectionless
(User Datagram Protocol, or UDP) and connection-oriented (Transmis-
sion Control Protocol, or TCP).

For complete details on serial gateway interface modes, see “CONFIG-

URING THE SERIAL INTERFACES” on Page 54.

1.3.5 P22 Protected Network (Redundant)
Configuration

For mission-critical applications, MDS offers the Protected Network
Station. This radio incorporates two entraNET AP transceivers, two
power supplies, and a switchover logic board that automatically selects
between Transceiver A and Transceiver B as the active radio. Figure 1-4
shows a view of the protected chassis. For system-level information on
this product, see MDS publication 05-4161A01.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 9

Invisible place holder

Figure 1-4. MDS P22 Protected Network Station

(incorporates two MDS entraNET APs)

1.4 MDS SECURITY SUITE

Today, the operation and management of an enterprise is becoming
increasingly dependent on electronic information flow. An accompa­nying concern becomes the security of the communication infrastructure
and the security of the data itself.

The MDS entraNET is capable of dealing with many common security
issues. Table 1-2 profiles security risks and how the MDS entraNET
provides a solution for minimizing vulnerability.

Table 1-2. Security Risk Management

Security Risk The MDS entraNET Solution

Unauthorized access to the backbone
network through a foreign remote radio

“Rogue” AP, where a foreign AP takes
control of some or all Remote radios and
thus remote devices

“Dictionary attacks”, where an intruder
runs a program that sequentially tries to
break a password

Denial of service, where Remote radios
could be reconfigured with bad
parameters, bringing the network down

Approved Remotes List

Only radios on the Approved
Remotes list connect

Approved AP List

A Remote connects only to APs on
its Approved AP List

 Failed log-in lockdown

After three tries, a transceiver
ignores log-in requests for five
minutes. Critical event reports
(traps) are generated as well.

 Remote log-in
 Local console log-in
 HTTP (Hypertext Transfer

Protocol) and Telnet disabled,
enabling only local management
services

10 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Table 1-2. Security Risk Management

Security Risk The MDS entraNET Solution

Airsnort and other war-driving intruders in
parking lots, near buildings, etc.

Frequency-hopping spread

spectrum (FHSS) does not talk

over the air with standard 802.11b
cards

The transceiver cannot be put in a

“promiscuous” mode

Proprietary data framing

Eavesdropping, intercepting messages

Key cracking

Replaying messages

Unprotected access to configuration via
SNMP

128-bit encryption

Automatic Key Rotation algorithm.

In addition, a Force Key Rotation
command is available to
immediately rotate the keys of the
AP and synchronize all Remotes
with it.

128-bit encryption with rotating

keys

Non-secure SNMP versions can be

enabled or disabled at will.

SNMPv3 password protection

Potential, ongoing attacks

Provides early warning via SNMP

through critical event reports of
unauthorized log-in attempts and
suspicious activities

1.4.1 Intrusion Detection via SNMP Traps

In addition to the operative tools and techniques, the entraNET system
provides an SNMP-based network management system with traps
(alarms) that report suspicious activities or events. These include:

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 11

• Log-in attempt limit exceeded (accessed via HTTP)

• Successful log-in or logout (accessed via HTTP)

1.5 ACCESSORIES

MDS entraNET transceivers may be used with one or more of the acces­sories listed in Table 1-3. Contact MDS for ordering details.

Table 1-3. Accessories

Accessory Description MDS Part No.

AC Power
Adapter Kit

Omni­Directional
Antennas

Yagi Antenna
(Directional)

TNC Male-to-N
Female Adapter

TNC Male-to-N
Female Adapter
Cable

2-Pin Power
Plug

Ethernet RJ-45
Straight-thru
Cable (CAT5)

Ethernet RJ-45
Crossover
Cable (CAT5)

RJ-12 to DB-9
Female Adapter

RJ-45 to DB-9
Female Adapter

EIA-232
Shielded Data
Cable

Fuse Small, board-mounted fuse used to protect

A small power supply module designed for
continuous service. UL approved. Input:
120/220; Output: 13.8 Vdc at 2.5 A

Rugged antennas well suited for use at AP
installations. Ask your MDS Sales
Representative for details.

Rugged antennas well suited for use at Remote
installations. Ask your MDS Sales
Representative for details.

One-piece RF adaptor plug. 97-1677A161

Short length of coaxial cable used to connect
the TNC antenna connector to a Type N
connector commonly used on large-diameter
coaxial cables.

Mates with power connector on the transceiver.
Screw terminals are provided for wires; locking
screws are threaded to prevent accidental
disconnection.

Cable assembly normally used to connect an
Ethernet device or LAN to the transceiver. Both
ends of the cable are wired identically.
(Cable length ≈ 3 ft./1m)

Cable assembly used to connect an AP to an
Ethernet endpoint. (Cable length ≈ 3 ft./1m)

Allows access to Data Serial port COM1 on
Remotes or APs.

Allows access to Data Serial port COM2 on
Remotes or APs.

Shielded cable terminated with a DB-9 male
connector on one end, and a DB-9 female on
the other end; 6 ft./1.8m long.

against overcurrent conditions.

01-3682A02

Contact MDS

Contact MDS

97-1677A159
(3 ft./1m)

97-1677A160
(6 ft./1.8m)

73-1194A39

97-1870A20

97-1870A21

73-2434A02

73-2434A12

97-1971A03

29-1784A03

12 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Table 1-3. Accessories

Accessory Description MDS Part No.

Flat-Surface
Mounting
Brackets and
Screws

DIN Rail
Mounting
Bracket

Ethernet Surge
Protector

Brackets: 2˝x 3˝ plates designed to be screwed
onto the bottom of the radio for
surface-mounting the radio.

Screws: 6-32, 1/4˝ with locking adhesive.
(Industry Standard MS 51957-26)

Bracket used to attach the transceiver to
standard 35 mm DIN rails commonly found in
equipment cabinets and panels.

Protects against voltage spikes or surges on
Ethernet lines. These conditions may be
caused by nearby lightning strikes or transient
conditions.

82-1753-A01

70-2620-A01

03-4124A01
(Remote)

03-4125A02
(AP)

29-4018A01

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 13

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

14 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

2

2 Chapter Counter Reset Paragraph

2.1 INTRODUCTION 17

TABLETOP SETUP AND
EVALUATION

2.2 CONNECTOR OVERVIEW 17

2.3 TEST SETUP 19

STEP 1—CONNECT THE ANTENNA PORTS ................................19

STEP 2—MEASURE AND CONNECT DC POWER........................ 19

STEP 3—CONFIGURE THE AP ...................................................... 21

Log-in and Configuration ..................................................................21

Set Key AP Parameters .................................................................... 22

STEP 4—SET REMOTE CONFIGURATION....................................23

Log-in and Configuration ..................................................................23

Set or Verify Network Address..........................................................24

STEP 5—CONNECT TERMINAL EQUIPMENT ..............................25

Ethernet Device Connection to Remote ...........................................25

Serial Device Connection to Remote................................................ 25

STEP 6—CHECK FOR NORMAL OPERATION ..............................25

2.3.1 Verify Connectivity (PING command) 26

Serial Connections ...........................................................................26

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 15

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

16 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Prior to installation in the field, it is recommended that you set up the
radio system in an office or lab and become familiar with its operation
and features. This also allows tests of various network designs and con­figurations prior to arrival at a field site. A tabletop test can be per­formed with any number of radios.

This section describes the hardware setup and software configuration
needed for testing an Ethernet connection. To simulate data traffic flow
over the radio network, a PC or LAN is connected to the
AP and used to PING (P
the Remote transceiver.

NOTE: It is important to use a radio system network address and

device IP address that are different from any radios currently
in use in your region or network. This greatly reduces the
possibility of disruption to traffic on existing systems during
testing.

A recommended technique for minimizing the chance of radio
network address conflicts is to use the last four digits of the AP
serial number.

acket INternet Groper) a device connected to

LAN port of the

2.2 CONNECTOR OVERVIEW

The following illustrations provide a reference to all of the interface
connectors present on entraNET transceivers. Review these items to
help you make the connections described in this section.

Figure 2-1 shows the interface connectors for the AP transceiver.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 17

Invisible place holder

LAN

◆10-Base-T

◆ IP/Ethernet Port

◆IP Address: 192.168.0.1

COM1

◆DCE (Console/Terminal only)

◆ 19,200 bps/8N1

◆No Handshaking

◆ RS/EIA-232

Figure 2-1. AP Interface Connectors

COM2

◆ DCE (Connects to serial data equip.)

◆ 9,600 bps/8N1

◆ Full Handshaking

◆ RS/EIA-232

ANTENNA

◆ 50Ω TNC

◆ +30 dBm/1W Out (Max.)

◆ –30 dBm Input (Max.)

PRIMARY POWER

◆ 6–30 Vdc
(800 ma @ 13.8 Vdc) 

◆ Negative Ground

Figure 2-2 shows the interface connectors for the Remote transceiver.

Invisible place holder

ANTENNA

◆ 50Ω TNC

◆ +30 dBm/1W Out (Max.)

◆ –30 dBm Input (Max.)

LAN

◆10-Base-T

◆ IP/Ethernet Port

◆No IP Address–Endpoint

Bridge Only

Figure 2-2. Remote Interface Connectors

PRIMARY POWER

◆ 6–30 Vdc
(600 ma @ 13.8 Vdc) 

◆ Negative Ground

COM2

◆DCE (Connects to serial data equip.)

◆ 115,200 bps/8N1

◆Full Handshaking

◆ RS/EIA-232

COM1

◆DCE (Console/Terminal only)

◆ 19,200 bps/8N1

◆No Handshaking

◆ RS/EIA-232

Invisible place holder

2.3 TEST SETUP

The following steps explain how to make connections to the transceiver
system, power it up, and set basic configuration. After these steps are
complete, the system is ready for field installation.

18 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

STEP 1—CONNECT THE ANTENNA PORTS

Figure 2-3 is a drawing of a tabletop arrangement. Connect the antenna

ports of each transceiver as shown through attenuators and an RF power
divider. This provides for stable communications between each radio,
while preventing interference to nearby electronic equipment.

Remote

P
W
R

C
O
M

2

C
O

M

POWER ATTENUATORS
 Fixed or adjustable
 1W Minimum Rating

1

L

I
N
K

Remote

K
N
I

L

1

M
O
C

M2
O
C

R

Remote

PW

K
N

I
L

1

M
O
C

2

M
O
C

R

PW

Access Point

K
IN
L

P
R
W

C
O
M
2

C
O
M
1

LA

N

NON-RADIATING ATTENUATORS

COMPUTER

POWER DIVIDER

 Install on unused divider ports (if any)
 1W Minimum Rating

Figure 2-3. Typical Setup for Tabletop Radio Testing

NOTE: It is very important to use attenuation between radios in the test

setup. The amount of attenuation required depends on the
number of radios being tested and the desired signal strength
(Received Signal Strength Indicator, or RSSI) at each trans­ceiver during the test. In no case should a signal greater than
–30 dBm be applied to any transceiver in the test setup. A
transmit RF power output level of +20 dBm (100 mW) is
recommended. This can be set via the radio menu (Main Menu >

Radio Configuration > RF Output Power Setpoint).

Invisible place holder

STEP 2—MEASURE AND CONNECT DC POWER

The power applied to transceivers (AP and Remotes) must be within
6–30 Vdc and be capable of continuously providing a minimum of 11
Watts. (Typical power consumption is 800 mA at 13.8 Vdc for the AP
and 600 mA at 13.8 Vdc for Remotes.)

A power connector with screw terminals is provided with each radio.
Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (0.25"). Be sure to observe proper polarity,
as shown in Figure 2-4, with the positive lead (+) on the left.

NOTE: It takes about 30 seconds for the AP transceiver to power up

and be ready for operation. The Remote requires approxi­mately five seconds to power up.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 19

Lead

Binding

Screws (2)

Invisible place holder

Wire Ports

Figure 2-4. Power Connector

(polarity: left +, right –)

CAUTION

POSSIBLE

POSSIBLE

EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT

DAMAGE

DAMAGE

The transceiver must be used only with nega­tive-ground systems. Make sure the polarity of the
power source is correct. The radio is protected from
reverse polarity by an internal diode and an on-board
fuse.

20 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Power Supply
Connections at 28
Vdc

Common 28 Vdc supplies are often high-current power supplies
designed primarily to charge battery banks. The radio can be operated
from these supplies, providing there are no transients on the leads as
power is applied to the radio. Transients can be created that rise above
30 Vdc to a voltage that exceeds the primary voltage rating of the radio
and can destroy its voltage regulators and other components. It is impor­tant to keep this potential hazard in mind when designing 28 Vdc power
supply connections for the radio.

• Use a two-conductor cable to power to the radio. Then the cur­rents in the positive and negative wires are equal and opposite,
causing their magnetic fields to cancel. The result is no net
inductance in the connection to cause voltage overshoot.

• Do not connect a radio to a power supply that is already pow­ered up, unless necessary (that is, when connecting a radio to a
battery bank and charger). When power is applied by switching
on a power supply, the rise time of the supply is too slow to
cause overshoot.

• Typically, there are multiple return paths for the negative side
of the power supply, through the coaxial cable shield and the
chassis, for example. Any imbalance in the currents in the
power cable results in voltage overshoot, so this should be min­imized during initial power-up if the supply cannot be turned
off.

• Add a 1 to 2

Ω, 2 Watt resistor in series with the positive lead.

This greatly limits voltage overshoot. Since these radios draw
very little current in receive mode, and transmit only briefly,
there is little loss in power efficiency. In transmit, the voltage
drop is minimal and has no effect.

• Minimize the length of the power cabling, within reason.

• When power is applied from a power source having a relatively
high (1 or 2

Ω) source impedance, or from a power source with-

out a large amount of output capacitance, no overshoot occurs.
Therefore, use a power supply that is rated appropriately for the
radio if possible—avoid using power supplies that far exceed
the radio's current requirements.

Please direct any questions you may have about interfacing to MDS
radios to MDS Technical Services at TechSupport@Microwave-

Data.com, or telephone [phone].

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 21

STEP 3—CONFIGURE THE AP

The instructions below summarize essential AP settings for tabletop
testing. For detailed AP log-in and menu navigation instructions, see

ACCESSING THE MENU SYSTEM on Page 36.

Log-in and Configuration

The AP must be configured first, as Remote transceivers depend on the
AP beacon signal to achieve a connected (linked) state. Figure 2-5
shows the basic setup for configuring an AP with a personal computer.

Invisible place holder

Access Point

K

N
I
L

R
W

P

2
M
O
C

1
M
O
C

N
A
L

PC Running Terminal Session

(19,200 bps, 8N1)

Figure 2-5. AP Configuration Setup

COM1 or LAN Port

(see text)

Console Terminal
Connection

(recommended for
first-time log-in)

Telnet Connection
Using the AP LAN
Port (a valid IP

address must be set)

To configure the AP via a console terminal:

1. Connect a PC to the COM1 port on the radio.

2. Establish a terminal session (using HyperTerminal, for example)
using the following data parameters:

• 19200 bps

•8 bits

• no parity

• one stop bit (8N1)

• hardware flow control disabled

• VT100 emulation

NOTE: The exact parameters given above must be used for console

terminal communication. Improper settings are a common
cause of difficulty.

To configure the AP via its LAN port:

1. Connect a PC Ethernet port to the AP with an Ethernet crossover
cable.

NOTE: The radio must first have a valid IP address programmed—the

2. Log in to the AP as follows:

22 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

default IP address is 192.168.1.1.

a. Press the key to receive the login prompt. The COM1/LAN

ENTER

LED flashes to indicate data communications.

a. At the

username). Press .

b. At the

password). Press . Upon successful log-in, the Starting

login prompt, enter the username (admin is the default

ENTER

Password prompt, enter the password (admin is the default

ENTER

Information Screen appears.

3. Review the current menu settings and make any necessary changes.
Refer to Set Key AP Parameters on Page 23 for
configuration guidance.

4. Repeat Steps 1–3 for any other AP radios in your system.

NOTE: You can save time by using configuration scripts to uniformly

configure multiple transceivers. This technique is discussed in
the Configuration Scripts Menu on Page 86.

Set Key AP Parameters

Table 2-1 provides a listing of key AP operating parameters, their

default settings, and their values or range. Typically, these are the only
settings that need to be set or reviewed for a basic check of the radio
system. A complete list of AP commands appears in CHAPTER 3 AP

MANAGEMENT, beginning on Page 29.

Table 2-1. Key AP Parameters and Defaults

Menu Item Management System Loca-

IP Address Main Menu >> Network

IP Address
Mode

IP Netmask Main Menu >>

Net Address Main Menu >>

tion

Configuration > IP
Configuration

Main Menu >> Network
Configuration > IP
Configuration

Network Configuration > IP
Configuration

Network Configuration >
Wireless MAC Configuration

Default Values or Range

192.168.1.1 Contact your Network
Administrator.

If IP Address Mode (below) is set
to Dynamic, IP Address is
configured automatically.

Static Static | Dynamic

255.255.0.0 Settable per customer
requirements

9999 1-15 alphanumeric characters*

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 23

Table 2-1. Key AP Parameters and Defaults (Continued)

Menu Item Management System Loca-

RF Output
Power
(non-ETSI)

RF Output
Power (ETSI)

Password
Changes

* We recommend setting Net Address to the last four digits of the AP serial number to reduce the chance of conflict

with other nearby entraNET systems.

tion

Main Menu >>
Radio Configuration >

Main Menu >>
Radio Configuration > 2.4 GHz: 20 dBm 2.4 GHz: 10-20 dBm

Main Menu >>
Security Configuration >
User Passwords

Default Values or Range

900 MHz: 30 dBm

2.4 GHz: 27 dBm

Administrator Password:
admin (lower case)

Guest Password:
guest (lower case)

900 MHz: 20–30 dBm

2.4 GHz: 17-27 dBm

• 1–8 alphanumeric characters

• Passwords are case sensitive;

can be mixed case

STEP 4—CONFIGURE THE REMOTE RADIO

The instructions below summarize essential Remote settings for
tabletop testing. For detailed log-in and menu navigation instructions,
see CHAPTER 4 REMOTE RADIO MANAGEMENT, beginning on

Page 99.

Log-in and Configuration

Prepare the Remote for configuration as follows:

1. Connect a PC to the

COM1 port on the radio.

2. Establish a terminal session (using HyperTerminal, for example)
using the following data parameters:

• 19200 bps

•8 bits

• no parity

• one stop bit (8N1)

• hardware flow control disabled

• VT100 emulation

NOTE: The exact parameters given above must be used for console

terminal communication. Improper settings are a common
cause of difficulty.

24 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Invisible place holder

Invisible place holder

Invisible place holder

Invisible place holder

Invisible place holder

Remote

COM1 Port

PC Running Terminal Session

(19,200 bps, 8N1)

Figure 2-6. Remote Configuration Setup

P
W
R

C

O
M
2

C
O
M

1

L
I

N

K

3. Press several times to receive the entranet> prompt. (The

ENTER

COM1/ETH LED blinks to indicate data communication.)

4. At the

entranet> prompt, enter login. Press .

ENTER

5. At the next prompt, enter the username (the default username is

admin). Press .

ENTER

6. At next prompt, enter the password (the default password is admin).
Press . The radio is now ready to accept commands.

ENTER

Set or Verify Network Address

The only setting normally required for initial checkout of a Remote
radio is the network address. All radios in a given network must be pro­grammed with the same network address as the AP, or communication
is impossible. Follow the steps below to check the address, and program
a new one if necessary.

1. Enter the

RADIO NETADDR= command. This displays the currently

programmed network address.

2. If changes are required, enter the
mand, where

<netaddr> is 1-15 alphanumeric characters. (The net-

RADIO NETADDR=<netaddr> com-

work address of the Remote radio must match that of the AP.)

3. Verify that the

4. Repeat Steps 1–3 for each Remote radio to be installed in

This concludes the basic setup of a Remote radio. A full listing of
Remote programming commands is given in CHAPTER 4 REMOTE

RADIO MANAGEMENT, beginning on Page 99.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 25

LINK LED lights to indicate successful connection

with the AP. (It may take several seconds for the LED to light.)

the network.

With all radios connected, you are ready to connect data devices to the
transceivers so that their operation can be tested over the wireless net­work. This is discussed in the next step.

STEP 5—CONNECT TERMINAL EQUIPMENT

This step describes connection of external data equipment to the Remote
radio. Verify that your transceiver is capable of supporting your devices.
(See Table 1-1 on Page 6 for a summary of model capabilities.)

Be sure not to overload the radio network with high-bandwidth LAN
traffic during this test. Refer to the Bridge Configuration Menu on
Page 51 for more information.

Ethernet Device Connection to Remote
NOTE: Verify that the Remote ETH port is enabled (on) using the ETH

command. If it is not, use the ETH=ON command to enable the
port.

Connect an Ethernet endpoint to the Remote

ETH port. The ETH port

supports any Ethernet-compatible device. This includes a device that
uses the Internet Protocol (IP).

Serial Device Connection to Remote

Connect a serial device to the Remote

COM2 port and verify that the port

settings are compatible with the connected device (baud rate, data
format, etc.).

STEP 6—CHECK FOR NORMAL OPERATION

With data equipment connected, you are ready to check the transceivers
for normal operation.

Observe the transceiver LEDs on the top cover for the proper indica­tions. In a normally operating system, the following LED indications
should be seen within 30 seconds of start-up:

•

PWR—Lit continuously

•

LINK—Lit continuously (unless Sleep is enabled)

•

ETH—On, or blinks intermittently

•

COM1/COM2—Blinks to indicate data communications

Table 2-2 provides details on the LED functions for Remotes and AP

radios.

26 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Table 2-2. Transceiver LED Functions

LED Label Activity Indication

LAN/ETH ON LAN or endpoint detected

Blinking Data TX or RX

OFF LAN or endpoint not detected

LED Label Activity Indication

U

COM1
(MGT System)

Blinking Data TX or RX

OFF No data activity

COM2 Blinking Data TX or RX

OFF No data activity

PWR ON Primary power (DC) present

Blinking Radio in “Alarmed” state

OFF Primary power (DC) absent

LINK (AP) ON Lights when radio has finished

its startup cycle. Remains lit.

LINK (Remote) ON Connected to an AP

OFF Not connected to an AP

2.3.1 Verify Connectivity (PING command)

If the radio LEDs indicate that the radio network is operating properly,
you can use the
between the AP and an endpoint device connected to the Remote radio.

Figure 2-7 shows the typical arrangement for this test.

NOTE: To conduct a PING test, an Ethernet-enabled device must be

connected to the Remote, and it must have a compatible IP
address. Remote radios do not have an IP address and cannot
be verified directly using this method.

PING command from the AP to verify the link integrity

LAN

REMOTE

LINK

LAN

COM1

COM2

PWR

STRAIGHT-THRO

CABLE

PC RUNNING PING UTILITY

CROSSOVER

CABLE

LAN

PORT

L

A
N

C

O
M

1

ACCESS POINT

C

O
M

2

P
W

R

L
I
N

K

ETHERNET ENDPOINT
(Device Being PINGed)

PORT

Figure 2-7. PING Test Setup

(to test connectivity between an AP and an Ethernet endpoint)

Serial Connections

To check a serial connection, refer to Local Serial Configuration Menu
on Page 57. This section contains details on establishing an IP-to-serial
or serial-to-serial connection.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 27

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

28 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

LINK

PWR

COM2

COM1

LAN

3

3 Chapter Counter Reset Paragraph

3.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................... 31

AP MANAGEMENT

3.1.1 PC-Based Configuration Software ..............................................31

3.1.2 Menu Structure ...........................................................................32

3.1.3 Differences in the User Interfaces ............................................... 35

3.2 ACCESSING THE MENU SYSTEM .......................................... 36

3.2.1 Methods of Control ...................................................................... 36

3.2.2 PC Connection and Log-In Procedures ......................................37

3.2.3 Navigating the Menus .................................................................42

Navigating via Terminal or Telnet Sessions

Recommended for first-time users....................................................42

Navigating via a Web Browser..........................................................42

3.3 BASIC DEVICE INFORMATION................................................ 43

3.3.1 Starting Information Screen ........................................................43

3.3.2 Main Menu ..................................................................................44

3.4 CONFIGURING NETWORK PARAMETERS ............................ 45

3.4.1 Network Configuration Menu .......................................................45

3.4.2 IP Configuration Menu ................................................................46

3.4.3 Wireless MAC Configuration Menu .............................................48

3.4.4 Mobility Configuration Menu ........................................................49

3.4.5 SNMP Agent Configuration Menu ...............................................50

3.4.6 Bridge Configuration Menu .........................................................51

3.5 CONFIGURING RADIO PARAMETERS ................................... 52

3.5.1 Radio Configuration Menu ..........................................................52

Skip Zones Menu.............................................................................. 53

3.6 CONFIGURING THE SERIAL INTERFACES............................ 54

3.6.1 Overview .....................................................................................54

Serial-to-Serial Services ................................................................... 55

IP-to-Serial Services.........................................................................55

Configuration ....................................................................................56

Serial Configuration Wizard .............................................................. 56

3.6.2 Local Serial Configuration Menu .................................................57

View Current Settings Screen—Serial-to-Serial Example ................ 59

View Current Settings Screen—Unicast UDP Mode Example .........61

3.6.3 Remote Serial Gateway Configuration (IP-to-Remote Serial) ..... 62

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 29

3.7 SECURITY CONFIGURATION.................................................. 64

3.7.1 Security Configuration Menu ....................................................... 65

3.8 WIRELESS NETWORK MENU ................................................. 69

3.8.1 Remote Management Submenu .................................................70

Manage Selected Remote Submenu................................................ 71

Broadcast Remote Reprogramming Menu ....................................... 72

Endpoint Database Menu ................................................................. 74

Access Point Database Menu...........................................................75

3.9 STATISTICS AND EVENT LOG................................................. 76

3.9.1 COM1 and COM2 Data Statistics Menus ...................................77

3.9.2 Remote Serial Gateway Statistics ............................................... 78

3.9.3 Ethernet and Wireless Packet Statistics ......................................79

Ethernet Packet Statistics................................................................. 79

Wireless Packet Statistics.................................................................79

3.9.4 Radio Packet Statistics ................................................................80

3.9.5 Event Log Menu ..........................................................................81

Time and Date Stamping..................................................................81

3.10 DEVICE INFORMATION MENU .............................................. 83

Device Names Menu ........................................................................84

3.11 MAINTENANCE AND TOOLS ................................................. 84

3.11.1 Reprogramming Menu .............................................................85

3.11.2 Configuration Scripts Menu ...................................................... 86

A Brief Description of Configuration Files.........................................86

3.11.3 RSG Configuration Script Menu ............................................... 88

3.11.4 Authorization Codes Menu ....................................................... 90

3.11.5 Transmitter Test Menu ..............................................................91

3.12 REDUNDANCY MENU............................................................ 92

Packet Rx Errors Exceeded Threshold Menu...................................95

3.13 DNP3 ROUTING MENU.......................................................... 96

30 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The MDS entraNET AP embedded Management System (MS) is acces­sible through various data interfaces. These include the
port,

LAN (Ethernet) port, and SNMP. Essentially the same capabilities

are available through any of these paths.
For SNMP management, the transceiver is compatible with MDS

NETview MS™ software. Refer to MDS publication 05-2973A01 for
more information on this product. For support of other SNMP software,
a set of MIB files is available for download from the MDS Web site at
www.microwavedata.com.

The entraNET MS has the following functions:

• 3.4 CONFIGURING NETWORK PARAMETERS (beginning

on Page 45)

• 3.5 CONFIGURING RADIO PARAMETERS (beginning on

Page 52)

• 3.6 CONFIGURING THE SERIAL INTERFACES (beginning

on Page 54)

• 3.7 SECURITY CONFIGURATION (beginning on Page 64)

• 3.8 WIRELESS NETWORK MENU (beginning on Page 69)

• 3.9 STATISTICS AND EVENT LOG (beginning on Page 76)

• 3.10 DEVICE INFORMATION MENU (beginning on Page 83)

• 3.11 MAINTENANCE AND TOOLS (beginning on Page 84)

• 3.12 REDUNDANCY MENU (beginning on Page 92)

• 3.13 DNP3 ROUTING MENU (beginning on Page 96)

COM1 (serial)

Each of these sections has a focus that is reflected in its heading. The
section you are now reading provides you with information on con­necting to the AP, how to navigate through its menus, and how to per­form some top-level configuration tasks.

3.1.1 PC-Based Configuration Software

The MDS Remote Access Manager Application (Part Number
06-4490A01) makes it possible to authenticate all Access Points and
associated Remotes from a PC, without having to update individual
radios. The software maintains a Master Approved Remotes List, and all
participating access points are synchronized with this list. Contact MDS
for more information.

NOTE: If a PC is connected to a Remote radio while the Remote is

asleep, the PC does not enable its Ethernet adapter, as it
believes the port is disconnected. Also, if a PC is connected to
a Remote and the radio goes to sleep, the PC goes into a “port
disconnected” state. The PC must be properly configured to
avoid these scenarios.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 31

The commands for Remote radios are presented separately in

CHAPTER 4 REMOTE RADIO MANAGEMENT, beginning on Page

99.

NOTE: Any parameter options, ranges, or default values are displayed

at the end of the field description between square brackets. The
default value is always shown last in a series of items. For
example:
[Range, Options or Description; Default]

3.1.2 Menu Structure

The following illustrations (Figure 3-1 and Figure 3-2) show an overall
view of the entraNET MS. Detailed information for screens and menu
items is provided on the pages that follow.

32 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

MAIN MENUDiagram 1 of 2

Starting Information Screen (read-only items)

Invisible place holder

Network

Configuration

IP Configuration

IP Address Mode

Static IP Address

Static IP Netmask

Static IP Gateway

Current IP Address

Current IP Netmask

Current IP Gateway

Wireless MAC Config.

Net Address

X Address

FEC

Mobility Configuration

BSP Routing Enable

IAPP Enable

Unit Update Enable

IAPP Multicast Address

IAPP Multicast Port

IAPP Multicast TTL

IAPP Unicast Port

SNMP Agent Configuration

Read Community

Write Community

Trap Community

v3 Auth Password

v3 Priv Password

SNMP Mode

Trap Version

Auth Trap Enable

v3 Password Mode

Trap Managers

Radio

Configuration

RF Output
Power

Dwell Time

Contention Window
(Min.)

Contention Window
(Max.)

Repeat Count

Unicast Retry Count

Skip Zones

Zones 1-8

Bridge Configuration

Ethernet Bridging

Bridge Priority

Bridge Hello Time

Bridge Forward Delay

Local Serial

Configuration

COM1/COM2 Port Status

COM1/COM2 Serial

Configuration Wizard

Various submenus and

parameters, depending

on mode selected

Remote Serial

Gateway

RSG Talkback Enable

RSG Talkback Timeout

RSG Entries

Remote Serial Wizard

Various submenus and

parameters, depending

on mode selected

NOTES

 Char t shows top-level view only. The pages that follow

provide detailed screen-by-screen explanations.

 Not all items are-user configurable

 Some menu items depend on Device Mode

 Spacebar used to make some menu selections

Security

Configuration

Approved Remotes

Encryption Enable

HTTP Access

Telnet Access

SNMP Mode

Approved Remotes List

Add Remote

Delete Remote

Add Associated
Remotes

Delete All

Remote Access Manager

Encryption Phrase

HTTP Security Mode

Auto Key Rotation

Force Key Rotation

Max Remotes

User Passwords

Remote Access IP

Figure 3-1. entraNET MS Menu Flowchart

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 33

(diagram 1 of 2)

MAIN MENUDiagram 2 of 2

s

s

Starting Information Screen (read-only items)

Invisible place holder

Wireless Network

Database Timeout

Max Remotes

Remote Management

Remote to Manage

Manage Selected Remote

Broadcast Remote
Reprogramming

Remote Database

Endpoint Database

Access Point Database

Endpoint Logging

Statistics/Event Log

COM 1/2 Data Stats

Bytes in Port

Bytes out Port

Bytes in Socket

Bytes out Socket

Clear Statistics

Remote Serial

Gateway Statistics

UnitID

Com Port

Local IP Port

Client IP Address

State (transport, status,
client address)

Packets In

Bytes In

Packets Out

Bytes Out

Ethernet/Wireless Packet Statistics

Packets Received

Packets Sent

Bytes Received

Bytes Sent

Packets Dropped

Receive Errors

Lost Carrier Detected

(Ethernet Only)

Radio Packet Statistics

Overflow

No Ack

Lost Data

Timeout

Good Data

Failed

Over the Air Data

Device

Information

Model

Serial Number

Uptime

Date

Time

Date Format

Console Baud Rate

Device Names

Device Name

Contact

Location

Description

Frags

Retries

Diags

Packets Received by Zone

Zones #2-#8

Maintenance/Tools

Reprogramming

TFTP Host Address

Firmware Filename

TFTP Timeout

Retrieve File

Image Verify

Image Copy

Reboot Device

Current Firmware

Configuration/RSG Scripts

Host Address

Config Filename

TFTP Timeout

Retrieve File

Send File

PING Utility

Address to PING

Count

Packet Size

Execute PING

Authorization Codes

Authorization Key

Authorized Features

MDS NETview MS

DNP3 Handling

Transmitter Test

Frequency

Duration

Tx Key

Redundancy

Redundancy Configuration

Network Event Triggers

Hardware Event Triggers

Redundancy Config. Options

Force Switchover

DNP3 Routing

DNP Routing Enable

DNP Multicast Addres

DNP Multicast Port

DNP Unicast Port

DNP Routing Databa

Event Log

Current Alarms

View Ev ent Log

Clear Event Log

Send Event Log

Event Log Host Address

Event Log Host Filename

TFTP Timeout

Syslog Server Address

34 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

NOTES

 Char t shows top-level view only. The pages that follow

provide detailed screen-by-screen explanations.

 Not all items are-user configurable

 Some menu items depend on Device Mode

 Spacebar used to make some menu selections

Figure 3-2. entraNET MS Menu Flowchart

(diagram 2 of 2)

3.1.3 Differences in the User Interfaces

There are slight differences in navigation between Telnet, terminal, and
Web interfaces. Generally, the screen content is the same. There are
minor differences in capabilities from limitations of the access channel.
Below are samples of the Starting Information Screen as seen through a
terminal session and a Web browser.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-3. View of entraNET MS Using a Terminal Session

(a Telnet session is similar)

Invisible place holder

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 35

Figure 3-4. View of the entraNET MS from a Web Browser

3.2 ACCESSING THE MENU SYSTEM

The radio has no external controls. All configuration, diagnostics and
control is performed electronically using a connected PC. This section
explains how to connect a PC, log in to the radio, and access the built-in
menu screens.

3.2.1 Methods of Control

The radio configuration menus may be accessed in several ways:

• Local Console—This is the primary method used for the exam-
ples in this manual. Connect a PC directly to the
the radio using a serial communications cable and launch a ter­minal communications program such as HyperTerminal. This
method provides text-based access to the radio menu. Console
control is a hardware-based technique, and is intended for local
use only.

• Telnet*—Connect a PC to the

LAN port on the radio, either

directly or via a network, and launch a Telnet session. This
method provides text-based access to the radio menu, similar to
a Local Console session. Telnet sessions may be run locally or
remotely through an IP connection.

• Web Browser*—Connect a PC to the

LAN port on the radio,

either directly or via a network, and open a Web browser (Inter­net Explorer, Netscape, etc.) This method provides a graphical
representation of each screen, just as you see when viewing an
Internet Web site. The menu screens look a little different from
other methods of control, but the content and organization of
screen items is similar. Web browser sessions may be run
locally or remotely via the Internet.

COM 1 port on

* Telnet and Web browser sessions require the use of a straight-through or crossover Ethernet

36 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

cable, depending on the whether the PC-to-radio connection is made directly or through an
Ethernet switch or hub. For direct connection, a crossover cable is required; for connection
via a switch or hub, a straight-through cable is needed.

To identify the cable type, hold the two cable ends side by side and in the same plug
orientation (that is, both locking tabs are up or down). Now look at the individual wire colors
on each plug. If the wires on both plugs are ordered in the same sequence from left to right,
the cable is a straight-through type. If they are not in the same order, it may be a crossover
cable, or it may be wired for some other application. Refer to DATA INTERFACE

CONNECTORS on Page 183 for detailed pinout information.

3.2.2 PC Connection and Log-In Procedures

The following steps describe how to access the radio menu. These steps
require a PC to be connected to the
shown in Figure 3-5.

To COM1 or LAN Port

(See Text)

Configuration PC

Figure 3-5. PC Configuration Setup

COM 1 or LAN port on the radio, as

USB

LAN

COM1

COM2

COM3

PWR

Serial or Ethernet

Crossover Cable

(See Text)

Starting a Local
Console Session

(recommended for
first-time users)

1. Connect a serial communications cable between the PC and the

COM 1 port on the radio. If necessary, a cable may be constructed for

this purpose, as shown in Figure 3-6.

Invisible place holder

RJ-11 PLUG

(TO MDS PRODUCT)

TXD

4

RXD

1

6

RJ-11 PIN LAYOUT

5

GND

6

Figure 3-6. Serial Communications Cable (RJ-11 to DB-9)

(maximum recommended cable length is 50 ft./15m)

DB-9 FEMALE

(TO COMPUTER)

2

RXD

TXD

3

GND

5

2. Launch a terminal emulation program such as HyperTerminal.
TIP: The HyperTerminal program can be accessed on most PCs by

selecting

> HyperTerminal

Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications

.

3. Configure the connection with the following settings:

• 19200 bps

•8 bits

• no parity

• one stop bit (8N1)

• hardware flow control disabled

• VT100 emulation

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 37

The exact parameters given above must be used for console terminal
communication. Improper settings are a common cause of difficulty.

NOTE: If the radio is powered up or restarted while connected to a

terminal, a series of pages of text relating to the startup of the
internal microcomputer is displayed. Wait for the log-in screen
before proceeding.

4. Press to receive the login prompt.

5. Enter the username (the default username is

ENTER

admin). Press .

ENTER

6. Enter your password (the default password is admin). (For security,
your password keystrokes do not appear on the screen.) Press

ENTER

.

NOTE: Passwords are case sensitive. Do not use punctuation marks.

You may use up to eight alphanumeric characters.

The Starting Information Screen is displayed (Figure 3-7). From
here, you can review basic information about the radio, or press

G to

proceed to the Main Menu.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-7. Starting Information Screen—Local Console Session

Starting a Telnet
Session

NOTE: This method requires that you know the IP address of the radio

1. Connect a PC to the

38 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

beforehand. If you do not know the address, use the Local
Console method (above) and access the Starting Information
Screen. The address is displayed on this screen.

LAN port on the radio, either directly or via a

network. If connecting directly, use an Ethernet crossover cable; if
connecting via a network, use a straight-through cable. The

LAN

LED lights to indicate an active connection.

NOTE: When using a Local Area Network (LAN) to access the radio,

ENTER

it may be necessary to change the computer IP access to the
LAN in order to be compatible with the entraNET radio
(compatible subnets). You can identify or verify the radio IP
address by using a Local Console session to communicate with
the entraNET radio through its COM 1 port and viewing the
Starting Information Screen.

2. Start the Telnet program on your computer, targeting the IP address
of the radio to which you are connected, and press .

ENTER

TIP: A Telnet session can be started on most PCs by selecting

grams > Accessories > Command Prompt

window, enter the word

telnet, followed by the radio IP address (for

example, telnet 10.1.1.168). Press to display the Telnet log-in

. At the command prompt

ENTER

Start > Pro-

screen.

NOTE: Never connect multiple radios to a network with the same IP

address. Address conflicts result in improper operation.

3. Enter the username (the username default is admin). Press .
Next, the

password is

Password prompt appears. Enter your password (the default

admin). (For security, your password keystrokes do not

ENTER

appear on the screen.) Press .
The Starting Information Screen is displayed (Figure 3-8). From

here, you can review basic information about the radio, or press

G to

proceed to the Main Menu.

NOTE: Passwords are case sensitive. Do not use punctuation marks.

You may use up to eight alphanumeric characters.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 39

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-8. Starting Information Screen—Telnet Example

Starting a Web
Browser Session

NOTE: This method requires that you know the IP address of the radio

you are connecting to. If you do not know the address, start a
Local Console session (see Starting a Local Console Session

(recommended for first-time user s) on Page 37) and access the

Starting Information Screen. The IP address is displayed on

this screen.

1. Connect a PC to the

LAN port on the radio, either directly or via a

network. If connecting directly, use an Ethernet crossover cable; if
connecting via a network, use a straight-through cable. The

LAN

LED lights to indicate an active connection.

2. Open a W eb bro wser on your computer (Internet Explorer , Netscape
Navigator, etc.).

3. Enter the radio IP address and press .

ENTER

4. A log-in page is displayed (Figure 3-1) where you enter a user name
and password to access the radio menu. Note that the default entries
are made in lower case (default username:

admin).

admin; default password:

40 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Invisible place holder

admin

Figure 3-9. Log-in Page when using a Web Browser

NOTE: Passwords are case sensitive. Do not use punctuation marks.

You may use up to eight alphanumeric characters.

5. Click

OK. The radio responds with a startup menu as in Figure 3-10.

From here, you can review basic information about the radio, or
click on one of the menu items at the left side of the page.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-10. Starting Information Page—Web Browser Example

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 41

3.2.3 Navigating the Menus

Navigating via Terminal or Telnet Sessions

Recommended for first-time users

Local console and Telnet sessions use multi-layered text menu systems
that are nearly identical.

• To select a menu item, press the letter shown at the beginning of
that item. This takes you to an associated screen where settings
may be viewed or changed.

• To return to the previous menu (in most cases), press .

In general, the top portion of menu screens show read-only information
(with no menu selection letter). The bottom portion of the screen con­tains parameters that can be selected for further information, alteration
of values, or to navigate to other submenus.

When you arrive at a screen with user-definable parameter fields:

• Press the letter shown at the beginning of the user-definable
parameter.

If there is a user-definable value, the field clears to the right of
the menu item, and you can enter the value you wish to use.

ESCAPE

Log Out via Terminal
Emulator or Telnet

In some cases, when you select a parameter, you see a prompt
at the bottom of the screen that says

SPACE

to step through the available selections.

• Press to accept the displayed parameter (the one you

ENTER

entered, or the one you chose by pressing ). In some

Choose an Option. Press

SPACE

cases, several parameters may be changed and then saved by a
single keystroke.

• To cancel the parameter change, simply press to restore

ESCAPE

the previous value.

From the Main Menu Screen, press Q to quit and terminate the session.

Navigating via a Web Browser

Navigating with a Web browser is straightforward, with a scrollable,
clickable “page” instead of a command-line interface. The primary nav­igation menu is permanently located on the left-hand side of this page.
Click on a desired menu item to display it.

NOTE: To maintain security, it is best to log out of the menu system

entirely when you are done working with it. If you do not log
out, the session automatically ends after 10 minutes
of inactivity.

42 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Log Out via Web
Browser

Click on Logout in the left-hand frame of the browser window. The
right-hand frame changes to a log-out page. Follow the remaining
instructions on this screen.

This completes the instructions for connecting to the entraNET radio for
PC configuration and control. The next section contains detailed menu
screens and settings that you can use to specify the behavior of the radio.

3.3 BASIC DEVICE INFORMATION

3.3.1 Starting Information Screen

Upon successful log-in to the menu system, the Starting Information
Screen appears. This screen provides a read-only overview of the cur-

rent operating conditions on the transceiver (see Figure 3-11). (Some
items can be changed using the Device Information Screen described on
Page 83.)

Invisible place holder

NOTE: If an alarm is present when this screen is displayed, an “A”

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 43

Figure 3-11. Starting Information Screen

• Device Name—This is a user-defined name for the radio that
appears on every screen (40 characters maximum).

•

IP Address—Shows the radio Internet Protocol (IP) address.

• Device Status—Shows the transceiver condition:

• Operational—The radio is operating normally

• Alarmed—An alarm event has been logged and not cleared.

appears to the left of the Device Status field. (The PWR LED
also flashes.) Typing “A” on your keyboard takes you directly
to the Current Alarms Screen.

• Associated Remotes— Shows current number of Remote radios
associated with the AP.

•

Location—User-definable string that can be used to identify the

radio location (40 characters maximum).

•

Serial Number—Unique identifier for this device. It must be pro-

vided to MDS when purchasing Authorization Keys to upgrade
radio capabilities. (See “ Authorization Codes Menu” on

Page 90.)

•

Uptime—Elapsed time since the transceiver was powered up.

• Current Firmware—Version of firmware that is currently active in
the radio.

•

Current User—Privilege level at which the user has logged in.

3.3.2 Main Menu

The Main Menu (Figure 3-12) is the entryway to all customer-definable
features. The radio
screens as a reminder of the radio that is being interrogated.

Device Name appears at the top of this and all other

Invisible place holder

44 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Figure 3-12. Main Menu

Invisible place holder

•

Starting Information Screen—Select this item to return to the Start-

ing Information Screen. (See “Starting Information Screen” on

Page 43.)

•

Network Configuration—Tools to configure the transceiver data

network layer. (See “Network Configuration Menu” on

Page 45.)

•

Radio Configuration—Tools to configure the transceiver wireless

(radio) functions. (See “Radio Configuration Menu” on

Page 52.)

•

Local Serial Configuration—Tools to configure the AP COM1 and

COM2 serial ports. (See “Local Serial Configur ation Menu” on

Page 57.)

• Remote Serial Gateway—Tools to configure the data connections
to the Remote transceiver serial ports. (See “Remote Serial

Gateway Configuration (IP-to-Remote Serial)” on Page 62.)

•

Security Configuration—Tools to configure the transceiver secu-

rity services. (See “SECURITY CONFIGURATION” on

Page 64.)

•

Wireless Network—Tools to manage Remote and AP databases,

and manage Remote radios. (See “WIRELESS NETWORK

MENU” on Page 69.)

•

Statistics/Event Log—Tools to measure the radio and data layer

network performance. (See “STATISTICS AND EVENT LOG”

on Page 76.)

•

Device Information—Top-level customer-specific and definable

parameters, such as the date, time, console baud rate, and device
name information. (See “DEVICE INFORMATION MENU” on

Page 83.)

•

Maintenance/Tools—Tools for upgrading and selecting firmware

images and configuration files, and applying Authorization
Keys to change radio capabilities. (See “MAINTENANCE AND

TOOLS” on Page 84.)

•

Redundancy—Places the radio in a “1+1” redundancy-compati-

ble mode. This mode is specifically for use with MDS P22 pack­aged model chassis. Please check with your MDS sales
representative for available configurations.
(See “REDUNDANCY MENU” on Page 92.)

•

DNP3 Routing—This selection provides access to a submenu

where DNP3 routing attributes can be managed. (See “DNP3

ROUTING MENU” on Page 96.)

3.4 CONFIGURING NETWORK
PARAMETERS

3.4.1 Network Configuration Menu

The Network Configuration Menu (Figure 3-13) is the home of all IP­and Ethernet-level parameters.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 45

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-13. Network Configuration Menu

(From Access Point)

This menu is subdivided into the following sections:

•

IP Configuration—The transceiver IP address, netmask, and gate-

way addresses.

•

Wireless MAC Configuration—Parameters for the Media Access

Control (MAC) wireless protocol.

•

Mobility Configuration—Parameters that control handoffs.

• SNMP Configuration—Details that control the operation of the
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). SNMP is used
in conjunction with MDS NETview MS software.
See publication 05-2973A01 for details.

•

Bridge Configuration—Specialized parameters for the operation

of Ethernet bridging, including priority and forward
delay settings.

3.4.2 IP Configuration Menu

The radios use a local IP address to support remote management and
serial device services. The IP address of a radio can be set as a static IP
address or as a dynamic IP address using the IP Configuration Menu

(Figure 3-14).

46 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Figure 3-14. IP Configuration Menu

When static IP addressing is used, the user must manually configure the
IP address and other parameters. When dynamic addressing is used, the

radio uses a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Client pro-

cess to obtain an IP address from a DHCP Server, along with other
parameters such as a net mask and a default gateway.

CAUTION: Changes to any of the following parameters while

communicating over the network (LAN or over-the-air) may
cause a loss of communication with the unit being configured.
Communication will need to be re-established using the new
IP address.

• IP ADDRESS MODE—Defines how the IP address of this device is

obtained: either statically configured, or dynamically assigned
from a DHCP server. [

Static, Dynamic; Static]

• STATIC IP ADDRESS—(We recommend that you review this set-
ting.) Essential for connectivity to the transceiver MS via the

LAN port and to encapsulate serial data over an IP. Enter any
valid IP address that will be unique within the network.
[

192.168.1.1]

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 47

This field is unnecessary if DHCP is enabled.

STATIC IP NETMASK—The IPv4 local subnet mask. This field is

•

unnecessary if DHCP is enabled. [

255.255.0.0]

• STATIC IP GATEWAY—The IPv4 address of the network gateway

device, typically a router. This field is unnecessary if DHCP is

enabled, or if all devices are on the same subnet. [

0.0.0.0]

• Current IP Address—(We recommend that you review this set­ting.) Displays the IP address.

•

Current IP Netmask—Displays the IPv4 local subnet mask.

• Current IP Gateway—Displays the IPv4 address of the default
gateway device; typically a router.

NOTE: The radio is not a router, so all IP parameters access local

management only, and have no effect on the routing of system
data.

3.4.3 Wireless MAC Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-15. Wireless Mac Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

•

Net(work) Address—(You must review this setting.) ID of the net-

work to which this radio belongs (1-15 alphanumeric charac­ters). An address is essential for connection of Remotes to the
AP in the entraNET network. The radio network address is not
programmed at the factory. [

9999]

• X Address—Extended Address, used for installations with mul­tiple APs supporting mobility. This address must be a unique
value for each AP. This parameter has no effect in single AP net­works. [

0]

• FEC—Forward Error Correction status (enabled or disabled).
The FEC setting has a significant effect on the throughput or
speed of the radio network. For a discussion of this and other
issues affecting throughput, see “OPTIMIZING PERFOR-

MANCE” on Page 156. In particular, Table 6-7 of this section

shows the FEC settings and how the y relate to hop times and the
bytes-per-packet rate. [

Enabled, Disabled; Disabled]

48 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.4.4 Mobility Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-16. Mobility Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

•

BSP Routing Enable—This parameter controls intra-cell transmis-

sion and routing of Basic Serial Protocol packets.[

abled

; Disabled]

• IAPP Enable—This parameter enables the Inter-Access Point
Protocol (IAPP), which allows APs to pass payload data over
the Ethernet LAN. [

• Unit Update Enable—This parameter allows the AP to immedi­ately send out an IAPP update when a Remote connects
or disconnects. [

• IAPP Multicast Address—An address that allows multicast mes­saging to travel to all radios in a subnetwork (all radios with a
common network address). [

• IAPP Multicast Port—An assigned software port that allows mul­ticast messaging to travel to all radios in a subnetwork (all
radios with a common network address). [

• IAPP Multicast TTL—Multicast “time to live” number. This is the
number of hops that a message is allowed to make before it is
no longer transportable. This feature prevents “infinite life”
packets that degrade system performance. [

• IAPP Unicast Port—An address that allows messaging to travel to
a specific radio when that message has originated from another
subnetwork. [

39990]

Enabled, Disabled; Disabled]

Enabled, Disabled; Disabled]

224.254.1.1]

39990]

1-15; 1]

Enabled, Dis-

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 49

3.4.5 SNMP Agent Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-17. SNMP Agent Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

This menu provides configuration and control of SNMP functionality.

•

SNMP V3 Agent ID—The alphanumeric string that appears in the

upper right-hand corner of the screen. The entry of this string is
required in non-MDS SNMP manager programs (for example,
SNMPc). Refer to program documentation for details.

•

SNMP Read community—Community name with SNMP

read-level access. Any eight-character alphanumeric string.

•

SNMP Write community—Community name with SNMP

write-level access. Any eight-character alphanumeric string.

•

SNMP T rap community—Community name with SNMP access to

receive traps. Any eight-character alphanumeric string.

•

Snmp v3 Auth Password—The password used in an MD5 (Mes-

sage-Digest algorithm 5) hash along with the message data to
create a message digest. The digest is used by the SNMP entities
to validate the source of the packet. The password can be any
alphanumeric string between eight and 30 characters in length.

•

Snmp v3 Priv Password—The privacy password stored in the

transceiver flash memory. The password is used in DES (Data
Encryption Standard) encryption, and can be any alphanumeric

string between eight and 30 characters in length. It is used when
the SNMP Agent is managing passwords locally (or initially for
all cases on restart).

•

SNMP Mode—Set or display current state of the SNMP agent.

[

Disabled, v1 only, v2 only, v3 only, v1-v2, v1-v2-v3; v1-v2-v3]

• Trap Version—Set the SNMP version for traps. [v1 T raps, v2 T raps,

v3 T raps; v1 T raps

]

50 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

• Auth T rap Enable—Current state of the authentication traps. [Dis-

abled/Enabled; Disabled

]

• SNMP v3 Passwor d Mode—Determines whether v3 passwords are
managed locally or via an SNMP Manager. The different behav­iors of the Agent, depending on the mode selected, are described
in

SNMP Mode above. [Manager, Local; Manager]

• Trap Manager (#1–#4)— Table of up to four locations that traps are
sent to. [

Any valid IP address]

3.4.6 Bridge Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-18. Bridge Configuration Menu

Invisible place holder

•

Ethernet Bridging—Select the type of Ethernet frames sent over

the air to Remote radios. [

IP/ARP Only; All

]

All, Disabled, No Broadcast/Multicast,

• Bridge Priority—This value is used along with the MAC address
to define the bridge ID. The Bridge ID is used by the Spanning
Tree protocol to determine the root bridge in the network. This
value is useful for forcing a certain bridge to always be the root.

•

Bridge Hello Time—Defines how often Spanning Tree protocol

Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDU) are sent out by the AP.
Each bridge in the network should have the same hello time.
[

Number of seconds; 2]

• Bridge Forward Delay—This value decides how long a bridge is in
the “learning” and “listening” states. Traffic begins forwarding
through the bridge after twice the Forward Delay time. [

of seconds; 5

]

Number

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 51

3.5 CONFIGURING RADIO
PARAMETERS

There are two primary data layers in the MDS entraNET network—
radio (RF) and data. The data layer is dependent on the radio layer to
work properly. The Radio Configuration Menu is the primary menu
used to set radio parameters. This screen includes the Skip Zone Options
Submenu.

3.5.1 Radio Configuration Menu

Figure 3-19. Radio Configuration Menu

From Access Point

• RF Output Power—(We recommend that you review this setting.)
This selection is used to set the RF output level of the trans­ceiver. Settings are displayed in dBm, and must comply with
regulatory limitations for your area. (See Table 2-1 for default
settings and range.) [

20-30; 30]

• Dwell Time—Duration of one hop on a particular frequency in the
hopping pattern. This field is only changeable on an AP;
Remotes get their value from the AP upon association. Dwell
time is the same as hop time. [

7, 14, 28 msec; 14 msec]

• Contention Window Min—Sets the number of random contention
slots to use on first attempt. [

0-15; 2]

• Contention Window Max—Sets the maximum number of random
contention slots to use. [

Broadcast Repeat Count—Because broadcast messages are not

•

0-15; 10]

acknowledged, noisy environments may prevent some Remotes
from receiving a broadcast. This parameter sets the number of
times that point-to-multipoint messages are transmitted by the
AP. Higher values increase the reliability of communications,
but also increase over-the-air congestion. [

0-14; 3]

52 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

• Unicast Retry Count—Sets the maximum number of attempts
made to deliver point-to-point messages. Higher values are
more reliable, but increase over-the-air congestion. [

• Skip Zones (editable at AP only)—Displays the current use of fre-

quency zones. Each zone consists of 16 RF channels. See “Skip

Zones Menu” on Page 53 for details.

Skip Zones Menu

Invisible place holder

0-14; 10]

Figure 3-20. Skip Zones Menu

(“Commit changes” displayed only on AP—After a change is made)

Invisible place holder

This screen displays the current use of eight frequency operating
zones in the network. Zones can be toggled between

Skipped at APs by first keying in the letter of the zone to be changed,

and then press to toggle between the two options for each

SPACE

Active and

zone. The screen is read-only at Remote radios, and Remotes must
be synchronized to the AP to display valid status.

Skipping zones is one way of dealing with constant interference on
one or more frequencies. See “A Word About Radio Interference”

on Page 146 for more interference-combatting techniques.

When you have made the desired changes to the Skip Zones Menu,
select

Commit Changes to implement the new settings. These

changes are forwarded to all radios in the network through the AP
beacon signal.

NOTE: In the U.S.A., up to four zones may be skipped for 900 MHz

systems, and a maximum of three skipped for 2.4 GHz
systems, per FCC regulations. The skip function may be
disabled in some radios, due to regulatory requirements in
some countries.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 53

Table 3-1 shows the frequency range covered by each zone for 900

MHz radios. Table 3-2 shows the same information for 2400 MHz
radios.

Table 3-1. Frequency Zones

(900 MHz systems)

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 ZONE 6 ZONE 7 ZONE 8

902.200
to

905.200

905.400
to

908.400

908.600
to

911.600

911.800
to

914.800

915.000
to

918.000

918.200
to

921.200

921.400
to

924.400

924.600
to

927.600

Table 3-2. Frequency Zones

(2400 MHz systems)

ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 ZONE 5 ZONE 6 ZONE 7 ZONE 8

2401.6
to

2404.6

2404.8
to

2407.8

2408.0
to

2411.0

2411.2
to

2414.2

2414.4
to

2417.4

2417.6
to

2420.6

2420.8
to

2423.8

2424.0
to

2427.0

NOTE: Use caution when changing the operating band of 2.4 GHz

radios. If a Remote and AP are set to different bands, and
communication is lost with the AP, you may have to visit the
Remote site to restore operation.

3.6 CONFIGURING THE SERIAL
INTERFACES

3.6.1 Overview

To understand the operation of the radio system, it may be helpful to
visualize the AP and the Remotes as being in a single box, with the AP
ports on one side and all of the Remotes on the other side (see

Figure 3-21). In practice, the radios are typically separated by consider-

able distances, but thinking of them grouped in the same box is helpful
for this discussion.

Most data routing is done at the AP, so the majority of system configu­ration must also be performed at the AP. The AP requires configuration
of its local interfaces (Ethernet or Serial) and knowledge of its remote
interfaces, which are physically located at the Remote radios. There are
also a few parameters that may be configured at the individual Remote
radios.

54 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Ethernet

Serial

Invisible place holder

IP-TO-LOCAL SERIAL EXAMPLE

(showing port steering)

ACCESS POINT

(AP)

SERIAL-TO-SERIAL EXAMPLE

(Showing Remote port routing)

Serial Data

ACCESS POINT

(AP)

REMOTE 1

REMOTE 2

REMOTE 3

REMOTE 4

Serial Data

Serial Data

Serial Data

Serial Data

Figure 3-21. Conceptual Views of Radio System Usage

The AP includes an embedded terminal server that provides access to
Remote serial ports via an IP or serial connection at the AP. In this
capacity, it acts as a gateway between IP and remote serial devices (thus
the name “serial gateway”), or a transparent over-the-air serial-to-serial
connection.

Serial-to-Serial Services

When the AP transceiver has remote serial units and is primarily passing
RS-232 (serial-based) traffic, it may be necessary to implement
serial-to-serial interface transfers, as shown in the lower part of

Figure 3-21. Additional information for serial-to-serial wireless net-

works is provided on Pages 124 and 132 of this manual.

IP-to-Serial Services

When the AP transceiver is used as an IP-to-serial gateway, two types
of IP terminal services are available—TCP and UDP. TCP provides a
connection-oriented link, with end-to-end acknowledgment of data.
This requires some added overhead, but provides confirmation that data
has been successfully conveyed, which may be needed for mission-crit­ical applications.

UDP, on the other hand, provides a best-effort delivery service with less
overhead than TCP. It basically broadcasts data, transmitting informa­tion packets without an expected acknowledgment. This method mini­mizes overhead requirements and is acceptable for repetitive exchanges
of information, where an occasional missed packet would not
affect performance.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 55

Most polled protocols are best served by UDP services, as the protocol
itself has built-in recovery mechanisms (error correction). UDP pro­vides the needed multidrop operation by means of multicast addressing,
where multiple remote devices receive and process the same
poll message.

On the other hand, TCP services are best suited for applications that do
not have a recovery mechanism and must have the guaranteed delivery
that TCP provides despite its extra overhead. The IP-to-Serial example
shows how to do this. See “IP-to-Local Serial Application Example” on

Page 121.

To configure either of these services, use the Serial Configuration Menu
(Figure 3-22 on Page 57).

To configure IP-to-remote serial services, use the Remote Serial
Gateway Menu (Figure 3-28 on Page 64).

Configuration

There are several configuration parameters for the remote serial
gateway found under the Serial Configuration Menu. Note that some of
the parameters are not applicable to IP-to-serial mode. After making
changes to the configuration, you must use the

Commit Changes option to

cause the transceiver to implement the requested changes.
If you are connecting EIA-232 serial devices to the transceiver, review

these parameters carefully.

Serial Configuration Wizard

The Serial Configuration Wizard, available through the Local Serial
Configuration Menu, is recommended for configuration of serial ports.

The Wizard uses a step-by-step process that eliminates conflicting set­tings and streamlines complex configurations.

56 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.6.2 Local Serial Configuration Menu

Figure 3-22. COM1/2—Local Serial Configuration Menu

• Port Status (COM1, COM2)—Defines whether the specified
port is enabled or disabled to pass payload data.
ically disabled to allow it to be used for console
terminal control.

COM1 is typ-

NOTE: If COM1 is inadvertently enabled, it will become impossible to

log in using a console terminal connected to the COM1
connector. This problem can be remedied by typing the Hayes
modem-compatible escape sequence of + + + followed

ENTER

by . This restores

COM1 to console terminal mode. You

SHIFT

must log in again.

Serial Configuration Wizard—This is a tool for configuration of

•
the serial ports using a step-by-step process. When the Wiz­ard is started, you may choose between beginning the
step-by-step process, or simply viewing the current settings
(see Figure 3-23).

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 57

Figure 3-23. Serial Configuration Wizard (Initial Screen)

To start the Serial Configuration Wizard, choose Begin Wizard. The
Wizard presents an opening screen (Figure 3-24) where you select the
method the host computer uses to connect to the radio.

Invisible place holder

Next, a series of screens are presented where you set all of the parame­ters needed for proper operation of the serial port(s). The screens pro­vide text that assist you in making your selections.

At the end of the configuration process, the View Current Settings
Screen is displayed, where all of the settings can be reviewed and
changes made if necessary. Once you are satisfied with the settings, you
can commit the changes and exit the Serial Configuration Wizard by
choosing the last selection on the View Current Settings Menu.

58 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Figure 3-24. Serial Configuration Wizard Menu

(Host Connection screen)

View Current Settings Screen—Serial-to-Serial Example

If you choose View Current Settings from the Serial Configuration Wizard
Menu, you see a summary screen (Figure 3-25) showing the serial con-

figuration settings. (This is the same screen that is also shown at the end
of the configuration process.) Here, you may choose the letter of an item
to change, or exit the Serial Configuration Wizard completely.

NOTE: Selecting any item other than Commit Changes and Exit Wizard

returns you to the configuration process. After making the
necessary change(s), you can use the Continue Wizard selection
repeatedly to reach the end of the configuration process, and
then exit.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-25. Serial Configuration Current Settings Screen

(Serial-to-Serial example)

The following text explains the key settings for the Serial Configuration
Menu (serial-to-serial example).

•

Port Status—This selection is used to enable or disable the

serial data port for payload data operation. Normally,
is set to

Disabled to permit console terminal operation.

COM1

NOTE: When COM1 is enabled for data, management of the radio

through COM1 is disabled. This problem can be remedied by
typing the escape sequence + + + followed by .
This restores

COM1 to console terminal mode. You must log in

SHIFT ENTER

again.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 59

• Mode—Set the method the host uses to connect to the radio.
[

Serial, Network; Network]

• Remote UnitID—Specify the Remote(s) that transmissions are
directed to. Enter “broadcast” to send transmissions to all
Remotes, or enter the Unit ID number of a particular Remote
for unicast (directed) data. The Unit ID defaults to the last
four digits of the radio serial number, but can be set to any
32-bit integer. [

Remote ID, Broadcast; Broadcast]

• Remote COM Port—Choose which serial port on the Remote
radios that all data are sent through (

COM2; COM2

]

COM1 or COM2). [COM1,

• Baud Rate—Set the data rate (payload) for the COM port in
bits per second. [

1200–115200; 19200]

• Byte Format—Set the interface signaling parameters: baud
rate (see
ity, and stop bits. [

Baud Rate above for allowable range), data bits, par-

7N1, 7E1, 7O1, 8N1, 8E1, 8O1; 8N1]

• Buffer Size—Select the appropriate value for the buffer size
for each serial message. The maximum AP buffer size for
incoming serial data is 256 bytes. Incoming serial packets
(from the RTU) larger than 256 bytes are split by the AP into
256 byte packets before being transmitted over the air. The
associated remote(s) on receiving these packets transmit
them out of the serial port as separate packets. This parameter
does not affect serial data/packets received by the AP (from
remotes) over the air and transmitted out of the local AP
serial port. [

32, 64, 128, 256 bytes; 64]

• Inter-Packet Delay—Set the number of characters that signify
the end of a message (inter-character time-out). A transceiver
receiving data through the serial port sends an end-of-mes-

sage signal to the remote end. MODBUS
“3.5-character” parameter. [

0–65535; 4]

¤

defines a

• Commit Changes and Exit Wizard—Implements the settings
shown on the screen and closes the Serial
Configuration Wizard.

60 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

View Current Settings Screen—Unicast UDP Mode Example

Figure 3-26 shows a sample View Current Settings Screen for a system

configured for Unicast UDP mode. The selections shown are similar to
the serial-to-serial example above, but some items are UDP specific.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-26. Serial Configuration Current Settings Screen

The following text explains the key settings for the Serial Configuration
Menu (Unicast UDP example).

•

Port Status—This selection is used to enable or disable the

serial data port for payload data operation. Normally,

COM1

is disabled to permit Console Terminal operation.

NOTE: When COM1 is enabled for data, management of the radio

through COM1 is disabled. This problem can be remedied by
typing the escape sequence + + + followed by .
This restores

COM1 to console terminal mode. You must log in

SHIFT ENTER

again.

•

Mode—Used to set the method the host uses to connect to the

radio. [

Serial, Network; Network]

• RX IP Port—This selection is used to specify which local IP
port address should be used to receive data from the host, as
well as the IP address and port number of the host to send
data to at the remote end.

•

TX IP Address—This selection is used to specify the local IP

address used to receive data from the host, as well as the IP

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 61

address and port number of the host to send data to (at the
remote end).

•

TX IP Port—A dynamically assigned software port used by

external applications such as HMI interfaces, host polling
programs, etc.

•

Talkback Enable—Used to enable or disable Talkback mode.

[

Enabled, Disabled; Disabled]

• Baud Rate—This menu item is used to set the data rate (pay­load) for the

19200

]

COM port in bits per second. [1,200–115,200;

• Byte Format—This item allows you to set the interface signal­ing parameters: baud rate (see
able range), data bits, parity, and stop bits. [

8E1, 8O1; 8N1

]

Baud Rate above for the allow-

7N1, 7E1, 7O1, 8N1,

• Buffer Size—This selection selects the size of the buffer avail­able for passing serial traffic. The maximum AP buffer size
for incoming serial data is 256 bytes. Incoming serial packets
(from the RTU) larger than 256 bytes are split by the AP into
256 byte packets before being transmitted over the air. The
associated remote(s) on receiving these packets transmits
them out of the serial port as separate packets. This parameter
does not affect serial data/packets received by the AP (from
remotes) over the air and transmitted out of the local AP
serial port.

[16, 32, 64, 128, 256; 64 Bytes]

• Inter-Packet Delay— Specifies the number of characters that
signify the end of a message (inter-character time-out). A
transceiver receiving data through the serial port sends an
end-of-message signal to the remote end. MODBUS defines
a “3.5-character” parameter. [

0–65535; 4]

• Commit Changes and Exit Wizard—Implements the settings
shown on the screen and closes the Serial
Configuration Wizard.

3.6.3 Remote Serial Gateway Configuration

The Remote Serial Gateway (RSG) Menu (Figure 3-27) controls the IP
encapsulation behavior of all Remote radios. The gateway function is

essentially a table with one entry for each Remote radio passing serial
data. No further configuration is required at Remote radios.

The AP can be configured to accept IP traffic to be exchanged with
devices connected to the serial ports of one or more Remotes.

Figure 3-27 shows the starting point for configuring the remote serial

gateway settings.

62 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

(IP-to-Remote Serial)

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-27. Remote Serial Gateway Menu—Initial Screen

• RSG T alkback Enable (UDP IP-to-Serial)—When Talkback is
enabled and the RSG is set up for UDP mode, a message
from a Remote radio (usually a reply to a poll) is sent to the
last IP address or port that a message was received from.
[

Enabled, Disabled; Enabled]

• RSG T alkback Timeout—This selection is used to set a time
limit after which, if no data has been received from the IP
host, the RSG talkback feature expires. When this happens,
the RSG reverts to its configured IP address and port for
upstream data destined for an IP host. [

Time in seconds; 30]

• RSG Entries—This selection allows entry of key RSG param­eters including Unit ID, COM port setting, Mode, and Local
IP Port. This screen is shown in Figure 3-28.

•

Remote Serial Wizard—This tool assists you in adding or

changing a configuration to your remote serial gateway
entries. These are the same settings contained in RSG Entries
Screen above, but the Remote Serial Wizard presents a
step-by-step series of screens with explanatory text to assist
you in making your selections.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 63

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-28. Remote Serial Gateway (RSG) Entries Menu

(TCP configuration; UDP is similar)

• Unit ID—Enter “Broadcast”, or enter the Unit ID of the
Remote for unicast (directed) data. The Unit ID defaults to
the last four digits of the radio serial number, but can be set
to any 32-bit integer.

•

COM Port—Remote serial port with which to exchange data.

• Mode—TCP server or UDP.

• Local IP Port—The IP Port Number to which an application
connects to exchange data via the AP.

•

TCP Keepalive—This value sets the number of seconds that a

TCP connection can be inactive before it is disconnected. If
the value is set to zero, the port is effectively shut off.
[

0-600; 5]

3.7 SECURITY CONFIGURATION

The entraNET system contains built-in security features for your trans­ceivers and the network. These options start with controlling remote
access to the network via Telnet, Web browser, and SNMP. Other areas
include multiple levels of encryption and MD5-level security for HTTP
connections. The Security Configuration Menu (Figure 3-29) contains
all of the settings related to these functions.

64 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

NOTE: Security enhancements in entraNET 2.3.0 firmware necessi-

tate that encryption must be turned OFF prior to upgrading
entraNET Remote radios with the new firmware. Failure to
turn encryption off results in loss of communication between
an AP and entraNET Remote radios. Once the firmware
upgrade is complete, encryption may be re-enabled.

Additionally, any changes to encryption settings should be
made first at all Remote radios, then at the AP. This prevents
a loss of communication between the AP and Remote radios
due to security mismatches. Communication loss requires a
personal visit to each affected remote site, where restoration
can be performed at the Remote itself (see CHAPTER 4

REMOTE RADIO MANAGEMENT, beginning on Page 99).

3.7.1 Security Configuration Menu

The Security Configuration Menu (Figure 3-29) allows settings of sev­eral parameters related to network access, user credentials, and encryp­tion. A review of each item on the menu is important to safeguarding
your network from unauthorized access. Review these settings occa­sionally to make sure they are applicable to the current state of
your network.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 65

Figure 3-29. Security Configuration Menu

• Approve Remotes—Enables authentication of Remote radios
before granting access to the network. Enabling forces the entra­NET radio to check the Approved Remotes List (described
below) before continuing the authorization process. Before
enabling this option, at least one entry must already exist in the
Approved Remotes List.

[Enabled, Disabled; Disabled]

• Encryption Enable— Enable encryption of over-the-air data pack­ets. Enabling forces the transceiver to use 128-bit encryption on
all over-the-air messages. This option requires the

Phrase

(see below) to be previously configured. [Enabled, Dis-

abled; Enabled

]

Encryption

• HTTP Access—Prevents remote access through HTTP (a Web
browser) on Port 80. [

Enabled, Disabled; Enabled]

• Telnet Access—Prevents remote access through Telnet sessions
on Port 23. [

Enabled, Disabled; Enabled]

• SNMP Mode— Prevents remote access through SNMP com­mands on Port 161. [

v1-v2-v3; v1-v2-v3

Disabled, v1 only; v2 only, v3 only, v1-v2,

]

• Approved Remotes List (Menu)—Presents a menu where the cre­ation and management of Remote radios allowed to communi­cate with the AP is performed. For more information, refer to

Approved Remotes List Submenu below.

•

Remote Access Manager—Allows management of the Approved

Remotes List using optional MDS Remote Access Manager
software (Part Number 06-4490A01). Set the Remote multicast
address to use with the
[

Enabled, Disabled; Disabled]

Remote Access IP setting (listed below).

• Encryption Phrase—An alphanumeric phrase added to the
encryption algorithm. A minimum of eight characters must be
entered for this string. [

Blank

]

Any 8-41 character alphanumeric string;

NOTE: When changing the Encryption Phrase, it is recommended that

66 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

you change the most distant Remotes first, followed by the
APs, so that proper association occurs.

HTTP Security Mode—Select the security mode or level of log-in

•
using an HTTP browser. Disabling
through HTTP.
enabled. [

Note that

HTTP Security Mode is functional if HTTP Access is

Basic Auth, MD5 Digest; Basic Auth]

Basic mode requires a password, but the actual pass-

HTTP Access prevents access

word text is transmitted unencrypted.

MD5 Digest is more secure because it encrypts the password.

• Auto Key Rotation—Used to select whether or not the encryption
key is automatically rotated (changed) periodically. [

Disabled; Enabled

]

Enabled,

• Force Key Rotation—This selection invokes an immediate change
in the encryption key. For this function to work, encryption
must be enabled, a valid

Encryption Phrase must be set, and key

rotation must be enabled. Note that there is no feedback on the
screen—the change takes place as soon as the menu selection is
made.

•

Max Remotes—Maximum number of Remotes permitted to be

connected to (served by) this AP. [

Default=50]

• User Passwords—Administrative and Guest password for this
radio. Used at log-in via the

COM1 Port, Telnet session, and

Web browser session.
To reset the admin password to the factory default (“admin”)

(Figure 3-30):

1.At the login prompt, type authcode.

2.At the password prompt, type authcode.

3.At the authorization prompt, enter the authorization code.

[Up to eight case-sensitive, non-blank, alphanumeric characters;

admin

]

TIP: For enhanced security, consider using a misspelled word. This

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 67

Figure 3-30. Reset Password to Factory Default

helps protect against sophisticated hackers who may use a database
of common words (as, for example, in a dictionary attack) to deter­mine a password. An even better approach is to use a password that
includes some numbers. Making the password as long as possible
(up to the full eight characters) also improves its security.

•

Remote Access IP—Remote multicast address to use when run-

ning optional MDS Remote Access Manager software (see

Remote Access Manager above). [Default=239.254.1.10]

Approved Remotes List Submenu

Figure 3-31. Approved Remotes List Menu

The AP restricts communication to only those Remotes included in the
Approved Remotes List. Messages received from Remotes that are not
in this list are discarded.

•

Add Approved Remote—Enter the Remote serial number. This

entry must consist of seven or more characters.
[

Serial number of Remote–at least seven characters]

• Delete Approved Remote—Enter the Remote serial number.

NOTE: For security, delete a decommissioned or stolen

radio immediately.

•

Previous Page—Returns you to the last page viewed within the

Approved Remotes Menu.

•

Add Associated Remotes—Adds all currently associated Remotes

(1-1024) to the approved Remote list. Alternatively, you can
enter each Remote serial number manually.

•

Delete All—Completely purges all Remotes from the current list.

• Next Page—Moves you to the next page within the Approved
Remotes List Menu.

•

Number of Remotes—Shows the number of Remotes that are cur-

rently connected to the AP.

•

Approved Remotes List—Simple listing of the serial numbers of

Remotes that are authorized to communicate with this AP. If a
Remote is not on this list, it cannot associate with this AP.

68 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.8 WIRELESS NETWORK MENU

The Wireless Network Menu (Figure 3-32) monitors the operation of
Remote radios in the network, regardless of the type of data they are
passing (Ethernet or serial) from the perspective of the AP. This infor­mation is stored in a local database at the AP, and is not sent to the
Remotes.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-32. Wireless Network Menu

• Database Timeout—Number of minutes until a database entry
expires. Remotes must be refreshed through a handshake pro­cess to stay in the database. This allows decommissioned or
faulty radios to fall out of the database.
[

1-720; 10]

• Max Remotes—Maximum number of Remotes allowed to associ­ate with the AP.
[

1-1024;100]

• Remote Management—Presents a menu for management of a par­ticular Remote. See Remote Management Submenu below for
more information.

•

Remote Database—A listing of all Remotes connected with the

AP. See Remote Database Menu below for more information.

•

Endpoint Database—Lists the IP or MAC addresses of Ethernet

endpoints connected to Remote radios. See Endpoint Database

Menu below for more information.

•

Access Point Database—Lists the APs in the wireless network

(IAPP must be enabled (see Section 3.4.4) for this function to
work.). Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP) traffic can be passed
via these transceivers. See Access Point Database Menu below
for more information.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 69

• EndPoint Logging—This selection is used to specify whether end­point logging is enabled or disabled.
[

Enabled, Disabled; Enabled]

3.8.1 Remote Management Submenu

The Remote Management Menu (Figure 3-33) allows selection of a par­ticular Remote to manage, based on the radio Unit ID number (generally
the last four digits of its serial number).

Figure 3-33. Remote Management Menu

• Remote to Manage—Radio address of the Remote to be managed
(typically a four-digit code).

•

Manage Selected Remote—Displays the screen shown in

Figure 3-34. It contains several parameters that are used to set

the characteristics of Remote radios in the network.

•

Broadcast Remote Programming—Selecting this item brings up a

submenu (Figure 3-36) where you may initiate the broadcast of
new firmware images and Remote restart commands.

NOTE: Before programming a Remote radio over the air, be sure to set

ETHERNET BRIDGING (see “Bridge Configuration Menu” on

Page 51) from ALL (default) to either DISABLED or NO BROAD-

CAST/MULTICAST

.

Otherwise, you may experience sync errors, or programming
may not complete. Excessive broadcast/multicast traffic from
a connected LAN can also cause problems.

70 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Manage Selected Remote Submenu

Figure 3-34. Manage Selected Remote Menu

• Device Information—Selecting this item brings up a submenu
(Figure 3-36) where you may change a Remote radio

Name, and Location. Hardware and software version information,

including the bootloader version, is also displayed.

•

Network—Tool for control of the Ethernet port (enable

or disable).

•

Radio—Tool for setting the transmit power level (in dBm).

• Serial Configuration—Tool for configuring COM1 and COM2
parameters, including port mode, baud rate, byte format,
inter-packet delay, and buffer size.

•

Statistics—Presents packet throughput and retry data for the

selected Remote.

•

Remote Reprogramming—Brings up a submenu (Figure 3-35) for

sending new firmware images to specific Remotes, and for
specifying the image that will be active when the radio is
restarted.

•

Authorization—Brings up a submenu showing the authorized

capabilities of the Remote entered in the Unit ID field (enabled
or disabled): Ethernet capabilities, network management, serial
capabilities, and multiple endpoints.

Owner,

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 71

Figure 3-35. Remote Reprogramming Menu (Single Remote)

Invisible place holder

•

Remote to Manage—This field shows the Unit ID of the Remote

to be managed.

•

Package (Image) to Transmit—There are two available firmware

images in the AP. This allows selection of either image to be
transmitted to the remote.

•

Send Images—Begins transmitting the selected firmware image

to the Remote.

•

Remote Reboot—Restarts the Remote radio with one of the two

firmware images.

Broadcast Remote Reprogramming Menu

72 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Figure 3-36. Broadcast Remote Reprogramming Menu

Broadcast
reprogramming with
different firmware
versions on a
network

Broadcast reprogramming is used to upgrade the firmware of all radios
in a network. If your network contains a mix of radios with 2.x and 3.x
version firmware, it is normal to see the status message “Some Remotes
Failed Programming”.

For example, if you select 2.x firmware to reprogram, only the older
remotes will accept the image; if you select 3.x firmware, only new
remotes will accept the firmware. Release 3.x firmware can only be

installed on radios equipped with 2 MB expanded flash memory.
Release 2.x is compatible only with older radios having 1 MB flash
memory.

Use the Manage Selected Remote Submenu on Page 71 to determine
which radios were not upgraded.

The Broadcasting Remote Reprogramming menu items are:

•

Package to Transmit—Identifies which of the two available firm-

ware images (1 or 2) will be sent to the associated Remotes.

•

Broadcast Images—Starts transmission of the selected firmware

package to all associated Remotes.

•

Status—Shows either Not Started, or the progress (in percent) of

a firmware image transmission. At the end of a transmission, the
word

Complete is displayed.

• Broadcast Remote Reboot—Causes a reboot of all associated
Remotes to the new (offline) firmware image. This image then
becomes the active firmware file.

The bottom of this screen shows the software versions of the OIB and
TOR boards inside the entraNET radio. The OIB is the interface board
section of the transceiver; the TOR is the radio section of the transceiver.
Both sections use different portions of the firmware package; thus the
difference in the version numbers.

Remote Database Menu

The Remote Database Menu (Figure 3-37) shows several parameters
related to the associated Remotes. It is updated about once every eight
seconds.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 73

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-37. Remote Database Menu

• UnitID—The unit ID of the associated remote.

• Conn State—Shows whether or not the Remote is connected to the
AP.

AgeOut—Number of minutes until the entry expires and is removed

•
from the table. Each AP maintains a table with the addresses of the
devices it communicates with. The

AgeOut countdown is restarted to

its default setting every time a message to or from that device is
detected. If no traffic with that device occurs, and it does not
respond to a final handshake request, it then “ages out” of the table.
An expired Remote must reconnect before it is again included in the
table. (See

Database Timeout on the Wireless Network Menu,

Figure 3-32 on Page 69.)

TX Pkts—Number of packets sent to this Remote.

•

• RX Pkts—Number of packets received from this Remote.

• Num EPs—Number of endpoints connected to this Remote.

Endpoint Database Menu

The Endpoint Database Menu shows all non-entraNET Ethernet devices
that are known to the transceiver; this is equivalent to the AP table of IP
devices. The list shows endpoint MAC and IP addresses, as well as
packet exchange data.

NOTE: A Remote does not have an IP address; rather, it acts as a trans-

parent bridge for IP traffic to the connected Ethernet endpoint.

74 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-38. Endpoint Database Menu

(Lists all equipment attached to Remote transceivers in the network)

• MAC Address—Ethernet address of the endpoint device.

• AgeOut—Number of minutes until the device (address) is removed
from the table.

Each transceiver maintains a table with the addresses of the devices
it communicates with. The age time countdown is restarted to its
default setting every time a message to or from that device is
detected. If no traffic with that device happens, it then “ages out” of
the table. When traffic is detected, it is included again in the table.

Via Remote—Unit ID of the transceiver connected to this device.

•

• IP Address—IP Address of endpoint device (not the Remote radio
itself).

TxPkt—Number of packets received from the endpoint device and

•
passed over the air.

RxPkts—Over-the-air data packets received by the transceiver and

•
passed on to the endpoint device.

Access Point Database Menu

The Access Point Database Menu (Figure 3-39) lists all APs contained
in the wireless network, and includes details about each radio.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 75

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-39. Access Point Database

• Serial Number—Factory-assigned serial number for the AP.

• IP Address—IP Address of the AP.

• Number of Remotes—Current number of Remotes connected to
the AP.

•

List of Remotes—Lists all Remotes (by Unit ID number) that are

currently connected to the AP.

3.9 STATISTICS AND EVENT LOG

The Statistics/Event Log Menu (Figure 3-40) contains a variety of items
related to the health and performance of the wireless network. Data
throughput statistics, as well as past and present events and alarms, are
all presented and stored in this menu area.

76 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

Figure 3-40. Statistics/Event Log Menu (Main Screen)

• COM1/COM2 Data Statistics—These screens show in and out bytes
for the

COM1 and COM2 ports.

• Remote Serial Gateway Statistics—Shows Unit ID, status, and
throughput data for associated Remotes.

•

Ethernet Packet Statistics—Shows vital data on packets, in and out

bytes, errors detected, and lost Ethernet carriers.

•

Radio Packet Statistics—Summarizes data packets sent and

received by the radio, including overflows, good or failed data,
retries, and timeouts.

•

Event Log—Database of past and present events and alarms for

the wireless network. A listing of event log codes appears in

Table 7-5 on Page 168.

3.9.1 COM1 and COM2 Data Statistics Menus

Figure 3-41. Com1/2 Data Statistics Menu

Invisible place holder

Invisible place holder

•

Bytes in on port—Number of bytes received by the transceiver

through the serial interface.

•

Bytes out on port—Number of bytes transmitted by the transceiver

through the serial interface.

•

Bytes in on socket—Number of bytes received by the transceiver

through the IP socket.

•

Bytes out on socket—Number of bytes transmitted by the trans-

ceiver through the IP socket.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 77

3.9.2 Remote Serial Gateway Statistics

The Remote Serial Gateway Statistics screen (Figure 3-42) summarizes
port activity for Remote Serial Gateway entries that have been set up for
IP-to-Remote serial data. These values are reset to zero when a radio is
restarted.

Figure 3-42. Serial Data Statistics Screen

(Both COM1 and COM2 will be shown, if applicable)

• Index—Sequential number assigned to the associated Remote.

• UnitID—The unit ID of the associated Remote.

• Com—Communication port being monitored (COM1 or COM2).

• IP Port—IP port associated with the listed device.

• State—State of the AP server for this Remote.
[

Listening; Connected]

• IN:P,B—Displays the incoming port byte count.

• OUT:P,B—Displays the outgoing port byte count.

78 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.9.3 Ethernet and Wireless Packet Statistics

The Ethernet/Wireless Packet Statistics screen (Figure 3-43) shows
vital data on packets and bytes sent or received, and errors detected. The
screen is updated about every three seconds.

Figure 3-43. Sample Packet Statistics Screen

Ethernet Packet Statistics

• Packets received—Packets received through the Ethernet port of
the transceiver.

•

Packets sent—Packets send through the Ethernet port of the

transceiver.

•

Bytes received—Data bytes received by this radio.

• Bytes sent—Data bytes sent by this radio.

• Packets dropped—Received packets dropped from a lack
of buffers.

•

Receive errors—Packets discarded after more than five retries.

• Lost carrier detected—Number of times the carrier signal on the
Ethernet port has been missing. This count increase signifi­cantly when the Ethernet cable is inserted or removed.

•

Clear Statistics—Resets the statistics counter.

Wireless Packet Statistics

•

Packets received—Over-the-air data packets received by this

radio.

•

Packets sent—Over-the-air data packets sent by this radio.

• Bytes received—Over-the-air data bytes received by this radio.

• Bytes sent—Over-the-air data bytes sent by this radio.

• Packets dropped—Received packets dropped from a lack
of buffers.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 79

• Receive errors—Packets that do not pass a Cyclic Redundancy
Check (CRC). This may be due to transmissions corrupted by
RF interference.

•

Clear Statistics—Resets the statistics counter.

3.9.4 Radio Packet Statistics

The previous screen dealt with Ethernet-related information. The Radio
Packet Statistics screen (Figure 3-44) contains statistics that relate

directly to over-the-air transmission of data. It provides valuable insight
into the quality of the RF link between entraNET radios with respect to
the handling of data packets.

Figure 3-44. Radio Packet Statistics Screen

• Overflow—TX packets with “LCP buffer overflow data”
responses.

•

No Ack—Number of packets that were sent but

not acknowledged.

•

Lost Data—TX packets lost; over-the-air retries exceeded.

• Timeout—TX data packets lost; contention timeout.

• Good Data—Data packets with CRC “good” responses.

• Failed—TX packets failed; data integrity failed.

• Over the Air Data—Data packets successfully delivered over the
air.

•

Frags—Total fragments of data received.

• Retries—Total number of times packets were re-transmitted.

• Diags—TX packets with “Remote not synchronized” data
responses.

80 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.9.5 Event Log Menu

The microprocessor within the transceiver monitors many operational
parameters and logs them. Events are classified into four levels of
importance, which are described in Table 3-3. Some of these events
result from a condition that prevents the normal operation of the radio—
these are “critical” events. These cause the radio to enter an “alarmed”
state, and the
events are stored in the Events Log, which holds about 5,000 entries

Time and Date Stamping

The events stored in the Event Log are time stamped using the time and
date. You must manually enter the date and time at the AP.
(See “DEVICE INFORMATION MENU” on Page 83.) The manually
set time and date clock is backed up by an internal battery.

POWER LED to blink, until the condition is corrected. All

.

Table 3-3. Event Classifications

Level Description or Impact

Informational Normal operating activities

Minor Does not affect radio operation

Major Degraded radio performance, but still

capable of operation

Critical The radio cannot operate

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 81

Figure 3-45. Event Log Menu

• Current Alarms (Telnet or Terminal only)—Lists events that have
placed the radio in the alarmed state.

•

View Event Log (see Figure 3-46)—Lists events stored in the cur-

rent log. Some of these events are stored in volatile memory,
and are lost if power is removed.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-46. View Event Log Screen

Invisible place holder

•

Clear Event Log—Purges the log of all stored events.

TIP: Save your Event Log before clearing it to retain poten-

tially valuable troubleshooting information. See USING

CONFIGURATION SCRIPTS on Page 177 for an over-

view on how to transfer files from the transceiver to a
computer on the network using TFTP (Trivial File
Transfer Protocol).

•

Send Event Log (Telnet or Terminal only)—Initiates TFTP trans-

fer of the Event Log in a plain text (ASCII) file to a TFTP server
on the connected LAN.

•

Event Log Host Address (Telnet or Terminal only)—IP address of

the computer on which the TFTP server resides.
[

Any valid IP address; 127.0.0.1]

• Event Log Host Filename (Telnet or Terminal only)—Name to be
given to the Event Log file sent to the TFTP server for
archiving.
[

Any 40-char alphanumeric string; eventlog.txt]

NOTE: You may wish to change the Event Log file name to reflect the

type of log you intend to archive, or its date.

TFTP Time-out (Telnet or Terminal only)—Number of seconds

•
the TFTP server waits for a packet ACK (acknowledgment)
from the transceiver before suspending the file transfer. [

120 seconds; 30

]

10 to

• Syslog Server Address—The radio can also pass log messages on
as they occur to a syslog server. Use this field to enter the IP
address of this server. [

Valid server IP address]

82 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.10 DEVICE INFORMATION MENU

The Device Information menu (Figure 3-47) displays basic administra­tive data on the radio to which you are connected. It also provides a date
and time display, Console Baud Rate setting, and customer-specific
parameters under the Device Names selection.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-47. Device Information Menu

• Model (display only)—Model type of the connected radio.

• Serial Number (display only)—Serial number of the connected
radio.

•

Uptime (display only)—Elapsed time since powering up the radio.

• Date—Current date being used for the transceiver logs
(customer settable).

•

Time—Current time of day (customer settable). Setting:

HH:MM

•

Date Format—Select a presentation format:

• Generic = dd Mmm yyyy

• European = dd-mm-yyyy

• U.S.A. = mm-dd-yyyy

NOTE: The date and time are maintained by an internal battery

module, which is not customer serviceable.

Console Baud Rate—Allows setting the console baud rate to

•
match the connected terminal.

•

Device Names Menu (Figure 3-48)—The Device Name is used by

the transceiver as the network realm name and as the
entraNET MS screen heading. The contact, location, and
description fields for each radio can be used to record whatever
radio-specific information is useful to your organization; the
information appears on this screen only.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 83

Device Names Menu

Figure 3-48. Device Names Menu

• Device Name—Device Name, used by the transceiver as the

realm name for network security and menu headings.

•

Contact—Customer defined; appears on this screen only.

• Location—Customer defined; appears on this screen only.

• Description—Customer defined; appears on this screen only.

3.11 MAINTENANCE AND TOOLS

In the course of operating your network, you may want to take advan­tage of product improvements, and to read and archive the configuration
of your individual transceivers. The Maintenance Menu provides sev­eral tools to make this possible. This section provides detailed informa­tion on how to use these services.

Key maintenance tasks are:

• Reprogramming— Managing and selecting the radio operating
system firmware resources. See “ Reprogramming Menu” on

Page 85

• Configuration Scripts—Saving and importing data files con­taining radio operating parameters or settings.

See “ Configuration Scripts Menu” on Page 86.

• RSG Configuration Scripts—Scripts for configuring the
Remote Serial Gateway. See “Remote Serial Gateway Configu-

ration (IP-to-Remote Serial)” on Page 62.

•

PING Utility—Diagnostic tool to test network connectivity.

See “ PING Utility Menu” on Page 89.

.

84 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

• Authorization Codes (Keys)—Alter the radio capabilities by
enabling the built-in resources via purchased keys.

See “ Authorization Codes Menu” on Page 90

.

• Transmitter Test—Diagnostic commands for RF transmitter.

See “ Tr ansmitter Test Menu” on Page 91.

Figure 3-49. Maintenance/Tools Menu

3.11.1 Reprogramming Menu

The AP transceiver has two copies of the firmware (microprocessor
code) used for the operating system and applications. One copy is active
and the second one is standing by, ready to be used. Using the Repro-
gramming Menu (Figure 3-50), you can upload a new release into the
inactive position and place it in service whenever you desire.

NOTE: See “UPGRADING AP FIRMWARE” on Page 175 for

complete details on downloading new firmware code into the
transceiver via TFTP.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 85

Figure 3-50. Reprogramming Menu

• TFTP Host Address—IP address of the host computer from which
to get the file. [

Any valid IP address]

• Firmware Filename—Name of file to be received from the TFTP
server. Verify that this string corresponds to the TFTP directory
location. May require a sub-directory; for
example:

string

entranet/bkrfto-1_0_0.gpk. [Any 40-character alphanumeric

]

• TFTP Timeout—Time in seconds the TFTP server waits for a
packet ACK (acknowledgment) from the transceiver before sus-
pending the file transfer. [

10 to 120 seconds; 30]

• Retrieve File—Initiate the file transfer from the TFTP server.
Placed into inactive firmware position in the transceiver
non-volatile memory. [

Y, N]

• Image Verify—Initiate the verification of the integrity of firmware
file held in the radio.

•

Image Copy—Initiate the copying of the active firmware into the

inactive image.

•

Reboot Device—Initiate restarting the transceiver. This interrupts

data traffic through this radio and the network, if performed on
an AP. Use this command to toggle between firmware images.

•

Current Firmware—Shows the current firmware revision level.

3.11.2 Configuration Scripts Menu

A Brief Description of Configuration Files

If you plan to have more than a few transceivers in your network, you
may want to use the Configuration Script feature (Figure 3-51) to con­figure similar radios from a common set of parameters. Over 50 cus­tomer settings that optimize the network are saved in a configuration file

86 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

(data file). However, only a few essential parameters need to be
reviewed and altered to use the file with another transceiver.

A configuration file makes it easy to apply your unique settings to any
transceiver(s) you wish. Configuration files also provide you with a tool
to restore parameters to a known working set, in the event that a param­eter is improperly set and performance is affected. See “USING CON-

FIGURATION SCRIPTS” on Page 177 for detailed instructions and a

sample configuration file.

Figure 3-51. Configuration Files Menu

• TFTP Host Address—IP address of the computer on which the
TFTP server resides. [

Any valid IP address]

• Config Filename—Name of the file containing the configuration
profile to be transferred to the TFTP server. The configuration
information is in ASCII format. May require a sub-directory; for
example:

string

config\entranet-config.txt. [Any 40-character alphanumeric

]

NOTE: The filename field is used in identifying the desired incoming

file and as the name of file being exported to the TFTP server.
Before exporting the configuration profile, you may wish to
name it something that reflect radio services or identification.

•

TFTP Timeout—Time in seconds the TFTP server waits for a

packet ACK (acknowledgment) from the transceiver before sus-
pending the file transfer. [

10 to 120 seconds; 30]

• Retrieve File—Initiate the file transfer of the configuration file
from the TFTP server into the transceiver.

•

Send File—Initiate the file transfer from the current configura-

tion file to the TFTP server.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 87

3.11.3 RSG Configuration Script Menu

The RSG Configuration Script Menu (Figure 3-52) is used to manage
the download of configuration script files for the transceiver.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-52. RSG Configuration Script Menu

• RSG Config Host Address—This is the IP address of the host com­puter. This computer also runs a TFTP server to transmit or
receive configuration files.

•

RSG Config Filename—The name of the file that has been created

or uploaded from an existing AP. This file contains all of the
programmable parameters of the transceiver.

•

TFTP Timeout—This field shows the amount of time that the radio

receiving information waits before reporting a fault condition.

•

Send File—Sends the onboard configuration file to a remote host

device.

•

Retrieve File—This command initiates the download of the con-

figuration file from the TFTP server PC.

88 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

PING Utility Menu

The PING Utility Menu (Figure 3-53) is used to verify IP connectivity
with LAN nodes or Ethernet endpoints.

Figure 3-53. PING Utility Menu

• Address to Ping—Address to send a PING. [Any valid IP address]

• Count—Number of PING packets to be sent.

• Packet Size—Size in bytes of each PING data packet.

• Ping—Start sending PING packets to address shown on screen.
The process can be stopped at any time by pressing C on

CTRL

the PC keyboard.
The screen then displays a detailed report of

PING activity. Press

any key after viewing the results to return to this menu.

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 89

3.11.4 Authorization Codes Menu

Figure 3-54. Authorization Codes Menu

• Authorization Key—Accept an Authorization Key into the trans­ceiver non-volatile memory.

•

Authorized Features (display only)—Presents a list of authorized

features. At the time of publication, available features include
MDS NETview MS and DNP3 Handling.

In the examples shown, MDS NETview MS is shown as an
authorized and enabled feature, and DNP3 Handling is disabled.
NETview MS software helps you monitor system performance,
configure network elements, detect faults, and correct problems
from the convenience of an office or at any other point in the
network. For more information, refer to MDS publication
05-2973A01.

90 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C

3.11.5 Transmitter Test Menu

This screen (Figure 3-55) allows testing of the radio transceiver RF
transmitter section (power amplifier). Selections of specific frequencies
and key duration, as well as transmit key behavior, can be modified from
this screen. This function is useful for troubleshooting specific radio
amplifier issues.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-55. Transmitter Test Menu

• Frequency—Used to set the carrier frequency used during trans­mitter testing.
[900 MHz radios:
[2.4 GHz radios:

902.200000-927.600000; 916.000000 MHz]

2400.00000-2483.500000; 2400.000000 MHz]

• Duration—Sets the key duration time for transmitter testing.
[

1-600 seconds; 600]

• TX Key—Used to activate the transmitter on the test frequency.
There are two modes:

Normal and Forced. Normal is the default

selection, and keeps the transmitter in standard frequency hop­ping configuration.

test frequency. [

Forced keys the transmitter on the specified

Normal, Forced; Normal]

MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C MDS entraNET System Guide 91

3.12 REDUNDANCY MENU

Redundancy is available only at the AP. The Redundancy Menu
(Figure 3-56) is used in protected installations where a backup trans­ceiver can be immediately placed online if a primary radio fails. This
protects against “single point of failure” scenarios. The Redundancy
Menu contains selections and settings that are used to manage redun­dancy functions.

NOTE: Redundancy functions require the presence of a

specially-constructed supervisory board (MDS Part No.
03-6061Axx). Ask your MDS representative for details.

Invisible place holder

Figure 3-56. Redundancy Menu

• Redundancy Configuration—This selection is used to enable or
disable redundancy operation. When the supervisory board
detects an alarm condition, the currently selected transceiver is
disabled, and the backup transceiver comes online. [

abled; Enabled

]

Enabled, Dis-

• Network Event Triggers—This selection presents a submenu (see

Figure 3-57) with Ethernet- (network) related alarm conditions.

92 MDS entraNET System Guide MDS 05-4055A01, Rev. C