Meru Networks OAP180 User Manual

Meru OAP180 Rugged Access Point

Special Release Notes

Beta Release 3.4-SR2

Document Number: 3.4-SR2 Rev. 1

Contents

z Introduction z OAP180 Access Point Features z OAP180 Hardware Installation Instructions z Limitations and Advisories z Documentation for this Release z Contacting Meru

Introduction

This special release note introduces the Meru OAP180 Access Point, a new outdoor addition to the Meru Wireless LAN (WLAN) System. Read this note before installing or using the OAP180 Access Point and the corresponding System Director version 3.4-SR2 . The release notes for System Director release 3.4-83 (March 2007) also apply to this release for known issues. Please read both release notes prior to installing or using this release.

OAP180 Access Point Features

The OAP180 Rugged Access Point is an outdoor AP with these features:

z Designed for Harsh Conditions z Best-in-class Meru AirShield Security z Operation with all Meru Controllers and Access Points z Multiple Antennas Supported for Specific Needs

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Designed for Harsh Conditions

The OAP180 Access Point with dual-radio is designed to provide secure Wi-Fi connectivity to outdoor locations such as campuses, parking lots, and pole tops, or to harsh indoor locations such as breweries, food processing plants or w arehouses. The OAP180 includes basic Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) support. Other features include:

z Automatic AP discovery and configuration z No channel planning required with single channel installations z Controller in the distribution or core layer extends VL AN trunk s to the e dge of t he

network

z Intelligent load balancing of clients z PoE (P ower over Ethernet) support z RoHS compliant

Best-in-class Meru AirShield Security

All Meru APs provide these multi-layered security policies that protect the data, the network and the users simultaneously:

z Local and RADIUS MAC Filtering z WPA2, WPA, 802.1x, and WEP z No security information contained within access point z Operates only with Meru controllers z Multiple static or automatic security zones with individual security policies help

ensure separation of different user groups or dynamic VLAN assignments per user based on Radius credentials - includes guest access security zone.

z The OAP 180 also has a locking mechanism to secure it when mounted in public

areas.

Operation with all Meru Controllers and Access Points

The OAP180 operates with all currently supported Meru controllers and APs. z Centralized dashboard monitors and troubleshoots the entire WLAN, including

OAP180 access points

z Comple te support of release 3.4 standard and optional features such as N+1

Redundant Controller, Dual-Ethernet, and Per-User Firewall

OAP180 Access Point Features 3 of 24

Multiple Antennas Supported for Specific Needs

WLAN Client Support

The following WLAN clients are supported:

z Dual 802.11a and 802.11b/g radios z Simultaneous support for 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g clients z Co-channel interference management for reliable WLAN access z Basic VoWLAN QoS support for small density deployments of voice client s

Special Release Software for Meru Controllers

Target Build Details

The following list describes the size and checksums for the system images, based on the model of controller in use. Do not load onto your controller an image that is

intended for another controller model, or problems will occur.

z meru-3.4.SR2-10-MC500-rpm.tar Checksum: 3958546189 Size: 43581440 z meru-3.4.SR2-10-MC1000-rpm.tar Checksum:1023491239 Size:43663360 z meru-3.4.SR2-10-MC1100-rpm.tar Checksum:1359995275 Size:43663360 z meru-3.4.SR2-10-MC3000-rpm.tar Checksum:1023491239 Size:43663360

Install the Special Release Image on Your Controller

The installation of the special release image is performed with the normal Meru upgrade procedure, summarized in the following steps.

1. Obtain the system image.

In this example, the special release image for the MC500, meru-3.4.SR2-10-MC500rpm.tar 3958546189 43581440, is retrieved using FTP from the images directory on

the server named myserver using the username user1 and password userpa ss. Use the upgrade system comm and to upgrade the sys tem. To configure the system so that you do not need to type the FTP username and password when transferring files, use the

4 of 24 Special Release Software for Meru Controllers

mc500# configure terminal mc500(config)# ip ftp username user1 mc500(config)# ip ftp password userpass mc500(config)# ^Z mc500# dir ftp://myserver/images/ total 134576

-rw-rw-r-- 1 root root 21790720 Jul 14 17:03 meru-3.2SR2-9-

MC500.tar

mc500# cd images mc150# copy ftp://myserver/images/meru-3.4.SR2-10-MC500-

rpm.tar

2. If you see an error message stating that there is not enough free disk space, use

the show flash command to see if there are previous images on the flash. Delete the previous image using the delete flash version command. Then try the copy command again.

3. After the image transfer is complete, use show flash to verify the system is on the

flash.

4. Enter the upgrade system version command to update the controller and OAP

software:

mc500# upgrade system 3.4.SR2-10

The system is now upgraded. Log in as

admin to access the system.

OAP180 Hardware Installation Instructions

Perform the procedures in the following s ections to install the OAP180 and configure the controller to use this special release.

Unpack the OAP180 Plan the Location Test Basic Link Operation Mount the Unit Connect External Antennas and Ground Wire to OAP180 Connect Cables to the Unit Connect the Power Injector Align Antenna Check the OAP180 for Activity Configure the OAP180 Access Point

OAP180 Hardware Installation Instructions 5 of 24

Unpack the OAP180

Confirm that the OAP180 shipping box contains the following items: z Meru Networks Meru OAP180 Outdoor Access Point (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: OAP180

z Wall/Pole Mount Hardware Kit for mounting OAP180 to a 1.5” to 2” diameter steel

pole or tube or as part of a radio or tower structure

z Bar code labels listing the MAC address and serial numb er (for Beta test, these are

already attached to the unit)

z Outdoor CAT5 Ethernet cable—100 feet z PoE injector with power cord

Additional Equipment Needed

In addition to the hardware supplied by Meru Networks, you need the follow ing:

Required

z Standard Ethernet cable to connect the POE injector to a switch or controller z Two external antennas (provided by Meru Networks only for Beta test)

Optional

z Ground wire for the OAP180 z RF coaxial cable to connect the antenna to the OAP180

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Plan the Location

When you plan the OAP180 physical configuration, include the elements shown in this drawing:

Figure 2: Sample Physical Layout

Radio Position Planning

Never construct a radio mast, pole, or tower near overhead power lines. In addition, local regulations may limit or prevent construction of a high radio mast or tower. If

your OAP180 link requires a high radio mast or tower, consult a professional contractor for advice. Once the required antenna height has been determined, other factors affecting the precise position of the OAP180 must be considered.

z Be sure there are no other radio antennas within 2 m (6 ft) of the OAP180. z Place the OAP180 away from power and telephone lines. z A void placing the OAP180 too close to any metallic, reflective surfaces, such as roof-

installed air-conditioning equipment, tinted windows, wire fences , or water pipes.

Radio Interference

Avoiding radio interference is an important part of wireless planning. Interference is caused by other radio transmissions using the same or an adjacent cha nnel frequency. You should first scan your proposed site using a spectrum analyzer to determine if there are any strong radio signals using the 802.11a or 802.11bg channel freque ncies. Always use a channel frequency that is furthest away from another signal.

Weather Conditions

Take into account any extreme weather conditions that are known to affect your location. Consider these factors:

z Temperature — The

40°C to 140°C. Operating in temperatures outside of this range may cause the unit to fail.

OAP180 Hardware Installation Instructions 7 of 24

OAP180 is tested for normal operation in temperatures from -

z Wind V elocity — The OAP180 can operate in winds up to 44 m/s and survive higher

wind speeds up to 66 m/s. You must consider the known maximum wind velocity and direction at the site and be sure that any supporting structure, such as a pole, mast, or tower, is built to withstand this force.

z Lightning — The OAP180 includes its own built-in lightning surge protection.

However, you should make sure that the unit, any supporting structure, and cables are all properly grounded. Additional protection using lightning rods, lightning arrestors, or surge suppressors may also be employed. An tenna sockets should point upwards in a vertical manner

z Rain — The OAP180 is weatherproofed against ra in. Also, prolonged heavy rain has

no significant effect on the radio signal. However, it is recommended to apply weatherproof sealing tape around the Ethernet port and antenna connectors for extra protection. If moisture enters a connector, it may cause a degradation in performance or even a complete failure of the link.

z Snow and Ice — Falling snow, like rain, has no significant effect on the radio signal.

However, a build up of snow or ice on antennas may cause the link to fail. In this case, the snow or ice has to be cleared from the antennas to restore operation of the link.

Ethernet Cabling

When a suitable antenna location has been determined, plan a cable route from the

OAP180 outdoors to the power injector module indoors. Consider these points:

z The Ethernet cable length should never be longer than 100 m (328 ft). z Determine a building entry point for the cable. z Determine if conduits, bracing, or other structures are required for safety or

protection of the cable.

z For lightning protec tion at the power injector end of the cable, consider using a

lightning arrestor immediately before the cable enters the building.

Grounding

It is important that the OAP180, cables, and any supporting structures are properly grounded. The OAP180 unit includes a grounding screw for attaching a ground wire. Be sure that grounding is available and that it meets local and national electrical codes.

Test Basic Link Operation

Set up the OAP180 on the ground, either outdoors or indoors. Connect the unit as indicated in this document and perform the basic configuration tasks outlined below. When you are satisfied that the OAP180 is operating correctly, proceed to mounting the unit in the intended location.

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