Meru Networks AP433I, OAP433E, AP433IS User Manual

Meru Networks AP433

Installation Guide

MERU NETWORKS, INC.

Limited Product Warranty

This Limited Product Warranty applies to the original end-user customer of the
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Tel: [phone]

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Contents

1 About this Guide ..................................................................................................... 8

1.1 Audience........................................................................................................... 8

1.2 Other Sources of Information ........................................................................... 8

1.2.1 Meru Publications ..................................................................................... 8

1.2.2 Website Resources .................................................................................... 8

1.3 Typographic Conventions ................................................................................ 8

2 Contacting Meru ................................................................................................... 10

2.1 Customer Services and Support ..................................................................... 10

2.2 RMA Procedures ............................................................................................ 10

3 AP433 Series ......................................................................................................... 11

3.1 What is AP433? .............................................................................................. 11

3.2 AP433 Series Configurations ......................................................................... 11

3.3 Features for AP433 Series .............................................................................. 11

4 Installing AP433e.................................................................................................. 14

4.1 Safety Precautions .......................................................................................... 14

4.2 Package Content, AP433e .............................................................................. 14

4.3 Determine Power Requirements..................................................................... 14

4.3.1 IEEE Std 802.3af PoE Usage .................................................................. 14

4.3.2 IEEE Std 802.3at PoE Usage .................................................................. 14

4.4 Installation Requirements ............................................................................... 15

4.5 Additional Equipments ................................................................................... 15

4.6 Install the AP433e .......................................................................................... 15

4.6.1 Select a Location ..................................................................................... 15

4.6.2 Attach the Provided Antennas ................................................................ 16

4.6.3 AP433e Antenna Port-Radio Mapping ................................................... 17

4.7 Install the Access Point AP433e .................................................................... 18

4.7.1 Mount AP433e Horizontally on a Shelf .................................................. 18

4.7.2 Mount AP433e Vertically on a Wall ...................................................... 18

4.7.3 Mount AP433e below a Suspended Ceiling ........................................... 20

4.7.4 Mount AP433e above a Suspended Ceiling (Plenum) ............................ 21

4.7.5 Mount AP433e on a Dropped Ceiling Bevel Tile ................................... 23

4.7.6 Mount AP433e on an Interlude T-Bar .................................................... 24

4.8 Check AP433e LED Activity ......................................................................... 25

4.8.1 AP433e LED Description ....................................................................... 25

4.8.2 Change LED Appearance ....................................................................... 25

4.9 Approved Antennas for AP433e .................................................................... 26

4.10 Where to Go From Here ................................................................................. 26

5 Installing AP433i & 433is .................................................................................... 27

5.1 Note ................................................................................................................ 27

5.2 Safety Precautions .......................................................................................... 27

5.3 Package Content, AP433i & 433is ................................................................. 27

5.4 Determine Power Requirements..................................................................... 27

5.4.1 IEEE Std 802.3af PoE Usage .................................................................. 27

5.4.2 IEEE Std 802.3at PoE Usage .................................................................. 28

5.5 Installation Requirements ............................................................................... 28

5.6 Additional Equipments ................................................................................... 28

5.7 Install the AP433i & 433is ............................................................................. 28

5.7.1 Select a Location ..................................................................................... 28

5.8 Install the Access Point AP433i & 433is ....................................................... 29

5.8.1 Mount AP433i & 433is Horizontally on a Shelf .................................... 29

5.8.2 Mount AP433i & 433is Vertically on a Wall ......................................... 29

5.8.3 Mount AP433i & 433is below a Suspended Ceiling .............................. 33

5.9 Check AP433i & 433is LED Activity ............................................................ 34

5.9.1 AP433i & 433is LED Description .......................................................... 34

5.9.2 Change LED Appearance ....................................................................... 34

5.10 Where to Go From Here ................................................................................. 35

6 Installing OAP433e ............................................................................................... 36

6.1 Unpacking the OAP433e ................................................................................ 36

6.2 Installation Requirements ............................................................................... 36

6.3 Power Requirements ...................................................................................... 37

6.4 Assembling the Waterproof Ethernet Connector ........................................... 37

6.5 Installing the Access Point ............................................................................. 37

6.6 Radio Position Planning ................................................................................. 38

6.7 Radio Interference .......................................................................................... 38

6.8 Weather Conditions ........................................................................................ 38

6.9 Ethernet Cabling ............................................................................................. 39

6.10 Grounding....................................................................................................... 39

6.11 Test Basic Link Operation.............................................................................. 39

6.12 Mounting the Access Point ............................................................................ 40

6.12.1 Mounting OAP433e with the Pole-Mounting Bracket ........................... 40

6.12.2 Mounting OAP433e with the Wall-Mounting Bracket ........................... 41

6.12.3 Connecting Antennas and Ground Wire to OAP433e ............................ 43

6.13 Approved Antennas for OAP433e ................................................................. 45

6.14 Installation with ANT-O4ABGN-0606-O-N ................................................. 45

6.15 Installation with ANT-O4ABGN-0607-PT-N ............................................... 47

6.16 Installation with ANT-A08O-NM-1/2 & BG08O-NM .................................. 48

6.17 Where to Go From Here ................................................................................. 50

7 Regulatory Information ......................................................................................... 51

7.1 Regulatory Specifications ............................................................................... 51

7.2 Declaration of Conformity, Federal Communication Commission ............... 51

7.2.1 Manufacturer Information ....................................................................... 51

7.2.2 Declaration of Conformity ...................................................................... 51

7.3 Declaration of Conformity, Industry Canada ................................................. 52

7.3.1 Manufacturer Information ....................................................................... 52

7.3.2 Declaration of Conformity ...................................................................... 52

7.4 Declaration of Conformity, R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC ............................ 53

7.4.1 Manufacturer Information ....................................................................... 53

7.4.2 Declaration of Conformity ...................................................................... 54

7.5 General Information of RF Exposure ............................................................. 55

7.5.1 International Guidelines .......................................................................... 55

7.5.2 FCC Guidelines ....................................................................................... 55

7.5.3 Industry Canada Guidelines .................................................................... 56

8 Remarks ................................................................................................................ 57

8.1 Maximum EIRP.............................................................................................. 57

8.2 Dual Concurrent Same Band Operation ......................................................... 57

8.3 Manufacturing Information ............................................................................. 57

8.4 Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) .............................................................. 57

8.5 Air Handling Space Requirements .................................................................. 57

8.6 Frequencies Blocked for Regulatory Compliance ......................................... 58

8.7 Restriction of Hazardous Substances ............................................................. 58

8.7.1 European Community ............................................................................. 58

8.7.2 China ....................................................................................................... 58

8.8 Underwriters Laboratories .............................................................................. 58

9 Cautions and Warnings .......................................................................................... 59

9.1 Cautions .......................................................................................................... 59

9.2 Warnings ........................................................................................................ 60

1 About this Guide

This guide provides installation instructions for the Meru AP433 Series Access
Points. The term “access point” is used interchangeably throughout this document
to apply to any model when there are no differences among the models.

1.1 Audience

This guide is intended for anyone installing Meru Wireless LAN System Access
Points (APs).

1.2 Other Sources of Information

Additional information is available in the following Meru publications, Web site, and
external references.

1.2.1 Meru Publications

• Meru System Director Release Notes

• Meru System Director Getting Started Guide

• Meru Controller Installation Guide

• Meru System Director Command Reference

• Meru System Director Configuration Guide

1.2.2 Website Resources

For the first 90 days after you buy a Meru controller, you have access to online
support. If you have a support contract, you have access for the length of the
contract. See this web site for information such as:

• Meru System Director Release Notes

• Knowledge Base (Q&A)

• Customer Discussion Forum (URL: http://support.merunetworks.com)

• Meru System Director Getting Started Guide

• Meru Controller Installation Guide

• Meru System Director Configuration Guide

• Meru System Director Command Reference

External References

• Stevens, W. R. 1994. TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1, The Protocols.
Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.

• Gast, M.S. 2002. 802.11 Wireless Networks, the Definitive Guide.
O’Reilly and Associates, Sebastopol, Calif.

1.3 Typographic Conventions

This document uses the following typographic conventions to help you locate and
identify information:

Note

Caution!

Warning! I

Provides extra information, tips, and hints regarding the topic.

Identifies important information about actions that could result in damage to or loss
of data, or could cause the application to behave in unexpected ways.

Dentifies critical information about actions that could result in equipment failure or
bodily harm.

2 Contacting Meru

You can visit Meru Networks, Inc. on the Internet at this URL:
http://www.merunetworks.com

2.1 Customer Services and Support

For assistance, contact Meru Customer Services and Support 24 hours a day at
[phone] (+1-888-Meru-WLA(N)) or [phone]. Email can be sent
to [e-mail].

Meru Networks, Inc. Customer Services and Support provide end users and
channel partners with the following:

• Telephone technical support

• Software update support

• Spare parts and repair service

2.2 RMA Procedures

Contact Meru Customer Services and Support for a Return Material Authorization
(RMA) for any Meru equipment.

• Please have the following available when making a call:

• Company and contact information

• Equipment model and serial numbers

• Meru software release and revision numbers (for example, SD 6.1)

• A description of the symptoms the problem is manifesting

• Network configuration

3 AP433 Series

3.1 What is AP433?

Access Points contain radio devices that communicate with the Meru Controller
and form the wireless LAN (WLAN). The Meru Controller and Access Points
connect to the site’s wired LAN through wired switches. Wireless clients associate
with the Access Points as they roam throughout the WLAN. As such, they are an
extension of the wired LAN, providing the wireless benefits of client mobility,
enhanced access, and dynamic network configuration.

Figure 1 Wireless LAN Connected to a Network

The AP433 Series Access Point series delivers high performance, full-speed, Wi­Fi certified 802.11n connectivity while simultaneously supporting legacy

802.11a/b/g devices. It is particularly suited to deployments that make use of voice
or video wireless applications.

The AP433 Series AP are available in the configurations shown below.

3.2 AP433 Series Configurations

Table 1, AP433 Series Configuration Table

Model Configuration
AP433e

AP433i

AP433is

OAP433e

Three dual-band IEEE Std 802.11n radios with 3x3:3SS MIMO
and external antennas

Three dual-band IEEE Std 802.11n radios with 3x3:3SS MIMO
and internal antennas

Two dual-band IEEE Std 802.11n radios with 3x3:3SS MIMO and
a spectrum radio with internal antennas

Three dual-band IEEE Std 802.11n radios (two with 3x3:3SS
MIMO, one with 2x2:2SS MIMO) and external antennas
(purchased separately)

3.3 Features for AP433 Series

Features for the AP433 Series include

• Up to three IEEE Std 802.11n-capable wireless radios with no licensing
requirement

• IEEE Std 802.11n support with channel bonding in both 2.4GHz and 5
GHz frequency bands’ channel bonding combines two 20MHz channels
into a single-wide 40MHz channel for increased throughput

• Plug and Play deployment using centralized controller platforms.

• Multi-layered security including standard WPA2, IEEE Std 802.11i

security (such as automatic traffic inspection)

• Each of these Access points may be powered by a standard IEEE Std

802.3af or IEEE Std 802.3at PoE device. However, in order to utilize all
three radios in 3x3:3SS operation, IEEE Std 802.3at-complied PoE
sources are required

• Air Traffic Control technology for IEEE Std 802.11n devices and legacy
a/b/g devices

• 3x3 MIMO with 3 transmits and 3 receive. Delivering three spatial
streams

• Channel span architecture which requires no channel planning or
configuration

Figure 2 AP433e

Figure 3 AP433i & AP433is

Figure 4, OAP433e Outdoor AP

4 Installing AP433e

This chapter describes how to install and configure an AP433e, which is supported
on System Director Version 6.0-SR1 and later. It contains the following sections,

• Safety Precautions

• Unpack the AP433e

• Determine Power Requirements

• Installation Requirements

• Install the AP433e

• Check AP433e LED Activity

• Where to Go From Here

4.1 Safety Precautions

IMPORTANT—Read and follow the regulatory instructions in Appendix B before
installing and operating this Product.

The AP433e is intended only for installation in Environment A as defined in IEEE
Std 802.3af and 802.3at. All interconnected equipments must be contained within
the same building, including the interconnected equipment's associated LAN
connection.

4.2 Package Content, AP433e

Confirm that the AP433e shipping package contains these items:

• AP433e

• Nine (9) external antennas

• Wall mounting bracket

• Rubber feet

• Locking pin

• Two mounting screws

4.3 Determine Power Requirements

Power requirements vary, depending on which AP433e radios are deployed and
what MIMO mode is used. See the chart below for supported power sources for
different radio configurations.

Table 2, Power Source & Radio Supported in AP433

Power Source Radio Supported
IEEE Std 802.3af
IEEE Std 802.3at

4.3.1 IEEE Std 802.3af PoE Usage

When using System Director V6.0 SR2 (or earlier Version) and an IEEE Std

802.3af PoE power source, Meru only supports two radios (radio 0 and 1).

This is because three radios using an IEEE Std 802.3af switch/PoE injector may
not have enough power to operate properly. When using an 802.af PoE, Meru
supports single or dual radios utilizing up to 3 antennas each.

Radio 1 and Radio 2
Radio 1, 2, and 3

4.3.2 IEEE Std 802.3at PoE Usage

When using System Director V6.0 SR2 (or earlier version) and an IEEE Std

802.3at, all possible configurations are supported (all three radios utilizing up to 3
antennas each). or a list of supported PoEs, see the appendix Supported Power
Over Ethernet Devices for Meru APs.

4.4 Installation Requirements

An array of holes on the mounting bracket allows the AP433e to be mounted on
the wall and over junction boxes or molly bolts. There are holes for passing the
PoE Ethernet or external power supply cable through the bracket if the bracket is
mounted on a junction box.

The AP433e has a security cable slot so you can lock the AP433e with a standard
security cable, such as those used to secure laptop computers.

Purchase optional mounting kits to mount the AP433e either from the ceiling or
inside an enclosure:

Above Suspended Ceiling Mounting Kit (T-Bar Hanger): MNT-SCRMKIT-01

Above hanging ceiling tiles. Suitable for use in environmental air space in
accordance with the Section 300-22(c) of the National Electric Code and Sections
2- 128.12 - 010 (3) and 12 - 100 of the Canadian Electrical Code. Part 1. C22. 1.

To complete AP433e installation, you need the items listed below.

Table 3, AP433e Installation Requirements

Installation Type Item Required
Horizontal mounting
Vertical mounting over a wall stud

Vertical mounting on sheetrock

Horizontal mounting below a hanging
ceiling

Mounting above a ceiling tile

None
Four #6 x 2" wood screws for a wood

stud; or
Four #6 x 1½” metal screws for a metal

stud
Mounting bracket

Four #6 x 1" screws
Four #4-6 x 7/8” ribbed plastic wall

anchors
Mounting bracket

None

Mounting bracket MNT-SCRMKIT

4.5 Additional Equipments

A power source is needed to power the AP433e. See Determine Power
Requirements.

4.6 Install the AP433e

This section describes how to install an AP433e, which is supported on System
Director Version 6.0-SR1 and later. It contains the following subjects,

• Select a Location

• Attach the Provided Antennas

• Install the Access Point

4.6.1 Select a Location

All AP433e interconnected equipment, including the associated LAN connection,
must be contained within the same building. In addition, the AP433e location
should meet the following conditions:

Relatively unobstructed access to the stations the AP serves. Select a location
with minimal physical obstructions between the AP and the wireless stations. In an
office with cubicles, mounting the APs below a hanging ceiling (plenum is
supported) or the wall near the ceiling provides the least obstructed

communications path. On a wall, orient the AP433e horizontally so that you can
read the Meru logo without tilting your head at 90 degrees - this orientation
provides optimum MIMO performance.

Meru recommends planning for about 50 clients per radio (or per interference
region) if you plan to use Virtual Port and plan to have phones as clients. For a
data-only installation, plan up to 128 clients per radio. Refer to the Meru
Deployment Guides on the support site for more information.

AP433e is designed to provide 360 degree omni-directional coverage as illustrated
below. Plan placement with this pattern in mind.

Figure 5, Coverage Pattern for AP433e when Ceiling Mounted

Most installations receive the best coverage using the following guidelines:

Install APs toward the center of the building.

Place APs about 80 feet apart.

Do not install APs near metal objects, such as heating ducts, metal doors, or
electric service panels.

For best coverage, orient antennas as shown in Figure 2 AP433e.

4.6.2 Attach the Provided Antennas

All AP433es have nine external antenna ports, labeled A1 – A9. These units
operate with nine antennas attached, even though some configurations don’t use
all nine. Instead of attaching an antenna, you can cap unused antenna connectors
with 50 ohm Reverse Polarity SMA terminators. (For a list of approved terminators,
see http://support.merunetworks.com/.) Meru-supplied antennas are suitable only
for indoor use. To achieve the best performance from your AP433e, user shall
position antennas at a 90 degree angles relative to each other as shown in Figure
6, AP433e Antennas in Ceiling and Wall-mount Configuration. (The antennas do
not have to be oriented exactly as shown in the figure, but it is important to
maintain the relative angles.) If for some reason you are unable to maintain those
angles, the network will still operate, but you may experience up to a 20% drop in
throughput depending on the antenna orientation.

Figure 6, AP433e Antennas in Ceiling and Wall-mount Configuration

Do not leave any antenna connectors opened. All connectors on the AP must be

terminated with antennas or with 50 ohm Reverse Polarity SMA terminators.

The attached antennas must be the same model; if you replace one antenna with
a different type, replace them all.

4.6.3 AP433e Antenna Port-Radio Mapping

Table 4AP433e Antenna Port-Radio Mapping

Antenna Port Radio (Stream ID)
A1

A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9

Radio 1 (first stream)
Radio 1 (second stream)
Radio 1 (third stream)
Radio 2 (first stream)
Radio 2 (second stream)
Radio 2 (third stream)
Radio 3 (first stream)
Radio 3 (second stream)
Radio 331 (third stream)

4.7 Install the Access Point AP433e

AP433e ships with a mounting bracket included in the box. This bracket is
intended for installation as a wall-mount; for mounting on a ceiling, no mount is
typically required. See the following subjects for more specific details.

• Mount AP433e Horizontally on a Shelf

• Mount AP433e Vertically on a Wall

• Mount AP433e Below a Suspended Ceiling

• Mount AP433e Above a Suspended Ceiling (Plenum)

4.7.1 Mount AP433e Horizontally on a Shelf

When mounting an AP433e horizontally, no mounting bracket is required. Be sure
to position the antennas vertically when an AP433e sits on a surface. In order to
ensure that the AP433e does not shift much, attach the rubber feet provided in the
box to the bottom of the AP.

Caution!

Be sure to connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port; the cable can
mistakenly be plugged into the Console port. If you do this, the AP won’t power up.

4.7.2 Mount AP433e Vertically on a Wall

To mount an AP433e on a wall, use the provided mounting bracket, as shown in
Figure 7, AP433e Wall Mounting Bracket

Figure 7, AP433e Wall Mounting Bracket

• Place the mounting bracket against the wall with the sliding lock
mechanism facing upwards. The Quick Reference Installation instructions
on the bracket should be visible.

• Using the holes on the mounting bracket itself as a guide, mark the
location on the wall for the AP bracket mounting screws. If possible,
center the mounting screws on a wall stud. (If mounting on a wall stud is
impossible, use plastic wall anchors on the remaining screws.)

• Drill holes at the locations you marked:

• 3/16-inch holes if you are using plastic anchors

• 1/8-inch holes if you are using only the screws

• If you are using plastic anchors, install them in the holes.

• Line the bracket up with the holes and screw in the screws.

• Attach the mounting screws to the underside of the AP433e in the holes

provided (indicated in Figure 8, AP433e Mounting Screw Holes

Figure 8, AP433e Mounting Screw Holes

• Orient the AP433e horizontally so that you can read the Meru logo and
the Console and network ports are pointed downwards - this orientation
provides optimum MIMO performance.

• Align the mounting screws on the back of the AP433e with the
corresponding holes on the mounting bracket.

• Slide the AP433e downwards until the screws click into the holes. They
should seat fairly firmly.

• Slide the mounting bracket’s locking bar to the right, locking the AP in
place.

• If desired, use the provided clip to lock the bracket shut by sliding it
through the aligned holes on the right-hand side of the bracket.

• Attach the antennas to the AP.

• Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the switch and the other end to

the AP433e Ethernet port. See Figure 9, IO Port of AP433e

Figure 9, IO Port of AP433e

Caution!

Be sure to connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port; the cable can
mistakenly be plugged into the Console port. If you do this, the AP won’t power up.