ProSoft RadioLinx RLXIB-IESC User Manual

RLXIB-IESC

802.11a, b, g

®

RadioLinx
and Ethernet Client

Industrial 802.11abg Serial

September 16, 2009

USER MANUAL

Your Feedback Please

We always want you to feel that you made the right decision to use our products. If you have suggestions, comments,
compliments or complaints about the product, documentation, or support, please write or call us.

ProSoft Technology
5201 Truxtun Ave., 3rd Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93309
[phone]
[phone] (Fax)
www.prosoft-technology.com
[e-mail]

Copyright © ProSoft Technology, Inc. 2009. All Rights Reserved.
RLXIB-IESC User Manual

September 16, 2009

®

ProSoft Technology
Technology, Inc. All other brand or product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products
and services of, their respective owners.

, ProLinx ®, inRAx ®, ProTalk®, and RadioLinx ® are Registered Trademarks of ProSoft

ProSoft Technology® Product Documentation

In an effort to conserve paper, ProSoft Technology no longer includes printed manuals with our product shipments.
User Manuals, Datasheets, Sample Ladder Files, and Configuration Files are provided on the enclosed CD-ROM,
and are available at no charge from our web site: www.prosoft-technology.com

Printed documentation is available for purchase. Contact ProSoft Technology for pricing and availability.
North America: +1.661.716.5100
Asia Pacific: +603.7724.2080
Europe, Middle East, Africa: +33 (0) 5.3436.87.20
Latin America: +1.281.298.9109

Antenna spacing requirements for user safety

It is important to keep the radio's antenna a safe distance from the user. To meet the requirements of FCC part

2.1091 for radio frequency radiation exposure, this radio must be used in such a way as to guarantee at least 20 cm
between the antenna and users. Greater distances are required for high-gain antennas. The FCC requires a
minimum distance of 1 mW *cm2 power density from the user (or 20 cm, whichever is greater).
If a specific application requires proximity of less than 20 cm, the application must be approved through the FCC for
compliance to part 2.1093.
The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located or pointed in such a way that it does not
emit RF fields in excess of Health Canada limits for the general population; refer to Safety Code 6, obtainable from
Health Canada.
To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the
equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is not more than that required for successful communication.

Regulatory Approvals

Wireless Approvals

Visit our web site at www.prosoft-technology.com for curren t wireless approval information.

Hazardous Locations

UL ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D
cULus C22.2 No. 213-M1987
CSA/UL ANSI/EN60950-1
ATEX EN60079-0/-15 Zone 2 Category 3

RLXIB: ATEX Approval

II 3 G
II 3 G
Ex nA nL IIC T6 X

-30C° <= Ta <=60°C
ProSoft Technology, Inc., Bakersfield, CA USA
Model: RLXIB
S/N: XXXXXXXXXX

Caution:

Read instructions before operating in Hazardous Areas
N. America
The Radio must be installed inside an IP54 enclosure which requires a special tool for access.

Product name: RLXIB
Safety Warning Statements
Explosive Atmosphere

Power, Input, and Output (I/O) wiring must be in accordance with the authority having jurisdiction

A Warning – Explosion Hazard – Do not make or break connections in an explosive atmosphere.
B Caution – Use only approved recommended power supply.
C Warning - Power supply should be installed in a non-haz ard ous area.
D Warning – DO NOT OPEN WHEN ENERGIZED.
E These products are intended to be mounted in an IP54 enclosure. The devices shall provide external means to

prevent the rated voltage being exceeded by transient disturbances of more than 40%. This device must be used
only with ATEX certified backplanes.

RLXIB: CSA C22.2 213-M1987 and N. American Standard ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 listing

In accordance with Canadian Standard CSA C22.2 213-M1987 and ANSI Standard ISA 12.12.01, the RLXIB series
radios have been UL listed for operation in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, and D Locations.

THIS EQUIPMENT IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN CLASS I, DIVISION 2, GROUPS A, B, C, AND D, HAZARDOUS
LOCATIONS ONLY IF INSTALLED IN AN APPROVED ENCLOSURE AND POWERED BY A CLASS 2 POWER
SUPPLY.”Limited Power Source”.

WARNING: EXPLOSION HAZARD! SUBSTITUTION OF ANY COMPONENTS MAY IMPAIR SUITABILITY FOR
CLASS I, DIVISION 2.

WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – Do not disconnect equipment unless power has been removed or the area is
known to be non-hazardous.

AVERRTISSEMENT - RISQUE D'EXPLOSION - LA SUBSTITUTION DE COMPOSANTS PEUT RENDRE CE
MATERIEL INACCEPTABLE POUR LES EMPLACEMENTS DE CLASSE I, DIVISION 2.

WARNING: EXPLOSION HAZARD! DO NOT DISCONNECT EQUIPMENT UNLESS POWER HAS BEEN
SWITCHED OFF OR THE AREA IS KNOWN TO BE NON HAZARDOUS.

AVERRTISSEMENT - RISQUE D'EXPLOSION - AVANT DE DECONNECTER L'EQUIPEMENT, COUPER LE
COURANT OU S'ASSURER QUE L'EMPLACEMENT EST DESI GNE NON DANGERUEX.

The following label is applied to the radio to indicate that it is listed under ANSI/ISA standard 12.12.01 and CSA
standard C22.2 213-M1987.

This Device contains a Radio Transmitter Module

FCC ID: OQ7IHW Canada IC: 5265-IHW

Conforms to ANSI/ISA Std. 12.12.01 – Certified to CSA Std. C22.2 No. 213-M1987

Class I Division 2 10-24 Volts DC 6 Watts

48 Volts DC using the PoE Injector

Groups A, B, C & D

Max. Ambient: 60ºC Temp Code T6

Note: The Temp. Code (Temperature Code) refers to the temperature of the rating of the RLXIB radio. The T6 code
means that the maximum temperature of the unit did not exceed 135°C.

United States FCC & Industry Canada rules

OQ7IHW

F Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant

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

H This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
I Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
J CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority

3656A-IHW

to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

device may not cause harmful interference, and it must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

to operate the equipment.

AUS

B

DK

FIN

F D GR

IRE

I

LUX

NL P E S UK

European CE certification

The radio modem has been approved for operation under the RTT&E directive, passing the following tests: ETS300­826 (EMC), ETS300-328 (Functionality), and EN60950 (Safety).
The following is the appropriate label that is applied to the radio modem product line to indicate the unit is approved
to operate with CE certification:

The following is the appropriate label that is applied to the radio modem product line shipping package to indicate the
unit is approved to operate with CE certification:

Note: Member states in the EU with restrictive use for this device are crossed out. This device is also authorized for
use in all EFTA member states (CH, ICE, LI, and NOR).

IMPORTANT: This device is a 2.4-GHz, low-power RF device intended for office and home use in all EU and EFTA
member states, except in France where restrictive use applie s.

EU Requirements

1. For outdoor use, France has a frequency restriction of 2.4GHz - 2.454GHz for an output power greater than 10mW
and below 100mW.

2. For outdoor use in France, the output power is restricted to 10mW in the frequency range of 2.454GHz –

2.4835GHz.

3. 5.15GHz – 5.35GHz is restricted to 200mW EIRP throughout the European Union.

RLXIB: Power over Ethernet Injector and Accessories Warning

The PoE Injector was not a part of the hazardous location or ATEX certification. Therefore, if an injector is used to
power any of the radios, the PoE injector must be installed/located outside of any area that could be known to be
hazardous. The AC power adaptor was not a part of the haz loc certification.

The RLXIB series were tested and certified to hazardous location and ATEX without any accessories included in this
certification. Therefore, any accessory added to the RLXIB series radios must be used in an area known to be non­hazardous as they have not been subjected to hazardous location and ATEX certifications.

The preferred method of powering the radios is using the supplied power adaptor but If the PoE injector is used in an
ordinary location "only", the PoE injector must be Listed. If the PoE injector is used instead of the supplied power
adaptor, all of the wiring to and from the injector must be routed/installed inside building/plant and never
routed/installed outside of the building /plant.

Locations & Use

The Industrial HotSpot radios, such as the RLXIB-IHW are used by professionals in Industrial
Applications/installations only and not used by the general consumer. These industrial radios are used for industrial
applications such as, water treatment facilities, power plants, factories, railroads , re mote oil /gas pip eli nes, refiner i es,
cargo ships, refueling ships etc….and used for wireless high speed data transmission. All radios are installed and
used by professionals in restricted areas.

Contents RLXIB-IESC ♦ 802.11a, b, g
User Manual RadioLinx® Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Cli ent

Contents

Your Feedback Please ........................................................................................................................ 2

ProSoft Technology® Product Documentation .................................................................................... 2

Antenna spacing requirements for user safety ................................................................................... 3

Regulatory Approvals .......................................................................................................................... 3

RLXIB: ATEX Approval ....................................................................................................................... 3

RLXIB: CSA C22.2 213-M1987 and N. American Standard ANSI/ IS A 12.1 2.0 1 list ing ..................... 4

United States FCC & Industry Canada rules ...................................................................................... 4

European CE certification ................................................................................................................... 5

EU Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 5

RLXIB: Power over Ethernet Injector and Accessories Warning ........................................................ 5

Locations & Use .................................................................................................................................. 5

1 Start Here 9

1.1 About the RadioLinx Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Client ...................... 9

1.2 Package Contents ................................................................................................... 11

1.3 System Requirements ............................................................................................. 11

1.4 Install the IH Browser Configuration Tool ................................................................ 12

1.5 Install ProSoft Wireless Designer ............................................................................ 12

1.6 Planning the Network .............................................................................................. 12

1.7 Configuring the Radios ............................................................................................ 15

1.8 Verify Communication ............................................................................................. 22

2 Installing the Radios 23

2.1 Connecting antennas .............................................................................................. 24

2.2 Test the Network Installation Plan ........................................................................... 24

3 Diagnostics and Troubleshooting 25

3.1 Diagnostics .............................................................................................................. 25

3.2 Check the Ethernet cable ........................................................................................ 26

3.3 LED display ............................................................................................................. 26

3.4 Retrieve the default password ................................................................................. 27

3.5 Troubleshoot RLX-IH Browser error messages ...................................................... 28

3.6 Troubleshoot missing radios ................................................................................... 28

3.7 Improve signal quality .............................................................................................. 29

4 Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility 31

4.1 Radio Status ............................................................................................................ 35

4.2 Radio Network settings ........................................................................................... 42

4.3 Security settings ...................................................................................................... 50

4.4 Radio access settings ............................................................................................. 53

4.5 Apply Changes ........................................................................................................ 56

4.6 Cancel Changes ...................................................................................................... 56

4.7 Factory Defaults ...................................................................................................... 56

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RadioLinx® Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Cli ent User Manual

5 RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot Browser 57

5.1 Primary radio functions ........................................................................................... 58

5.2 File Menu ................................................................................................................ 59

5.3 Operations Menu .................................................................................................... 61

5.4 Dialogs Menu .......................................................................................................... 65

5.5 View Menu .............................................................................................................. 71

5.6 Help Menu ............................................................................................................... 78

6 Reference 81

6.1 Product Overview ................................................................................................... 81

6.2 Radio hardware....................................................................................................... 82

6.3 Antennas ................................................................................................................. 84

7 Support, Service & Warranty 91

7.1 How to Contact Us: Technical Support ................................................................... 91

7.2 Return Material Authorization (RMA) Policies and Conditions ............................... 92

7.3 LIMITED WARRANTY ............................................................................................ 93

Index 97

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User Manual RadioLinx® Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Client

1 Start Here

In This Chapter

 About the RadioLinx Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Client

 Package Contents ................................................................................. 10

 System Requirements ........................................................................... 11

 Install the IH Browser Configuration Tool .............................................. 12

 Install ProSoft Wireless Designer .......................................................... 12

 Planning the Network ............................................................................ 12

 Configuring the Radios .......................................................................... 15

 Verify Communication ........................................................................... 22

..... 9

For most applications, the installation and configuration steps described in the
following topics will work without additional programming. ProSoft Technology
strongly recommends that you complete the steps in this chapter before
developing a custom application.

1.1 About the RadioLinx Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Client

The RadioLinx® Industrial 802.11abg Ethernet and Serial Client (RLXIB-IESC) is
a high-speed wireless Ethernet client, with PoE and Serial Encapsulation. The
RLXIB-IESC operates at speeds up to 54 Mbps, using the IEEE 802.11b/g (2.4
GHz band) and 802.11a (5 GHz band) standards. Designed for global
installations, the RLXIB-IESC offers many Industrial features including hazardous
location certifications, OFDM for noise immunity, OPC server diagnostics,
extended temperature, high vibration/shock and DIN-rail mounting.

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1.1.1 Specifications

Radio

Frequency Band
(Varies by country)

Wireless Standards 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11i
Transmit Power (Programmable)

(varies by country)

Channel data rates (Modulation) 802.11b: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps

Receiver Sensitivity (Typical) -90 dBm @ 1 Mbps

Channels Selection 1 to 13 (802.11b/g)

Security WPA2 - 802.11i with 128 bit AES-CCM

802.11b/g:

2.412 to 2.462 GHz (FCC)

2.412 to 2.472 GHz (ETSI)

802.11a:

5.150 to 5.250 GHz (FCC/ETSI)

5.725 to 5.850 GHz (FCC)

Up to 50 mW without amplifier
Up to 500 mW with optional amplifier. (not applicable for
hazardous locations)

(DSSS - BPSK, QPSK, CCK)

802.11g: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps (OFDM)

802.11a: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps (OFDM)

-85 dBm @ 11 Mbps

-82 dBm @ 24 Mbps

-75 dBm @ 54 Mbps

36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 (802.11a)

Legacy WPA TKIP, WEP support
MAC ID filter
Admin password

Physical

Enclosure Extruded aluminum with DIN and panel mount
Size 114.3 x 116.8 x 44.45 mm (W x H x D)

4.5 x 4.6 x 1.75 inches

Ethernet Ports One 10/100 Base-T connector, shielded RJ45

IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3x
Antenna Ports (2) RP-SMA connectors
Weight 1.06 lbs (479g)

Environmental

Operating Temperature -30° C to +60° C
Humidity To 90% RH, non-condensing
External Power
PoE Injector
Average Power <6W

10 to 24 VDC

48 VDC

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Start Here RLXIB-IESC ♦ 802.11a, b, g

Solutions CD

documentation for the RLXIB-IESC module.

User Manual RadioLinx® Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet Client

1.2 Package Contents

The following components are included with your RLXIB-IESC radio, and are all
required for installation and configuration.

Important: Before beginning the installation, please verify that all of the following items are
present.

Qty. Part Name Part Number Part Description

1 RLXIB-IESC

Radio
1 Cable Cable #15, RS232 6 foot RS232 null serial cable
1 Cable RL-CBL025 5 foot Ethernet Straight-Thru Cable
1 Antenna A2502S-OA 2 dBi Omni RP-SMA articulating, 2.4/5GHz
1 Power Supply RL-PS007-2 AC Power Adapter, 12V1.6A w/2 pin & 4 plug Set
1 ProSoft

RLXIB-IESC RadioLinx® Industrial 802.11abg Serial and Ethernet

Contains sample programs, utilitie s and

If any of these components are missing, please contact ProSoft Technology
Support for replacement parts.

1.3 System Requirements

The RadioLinx IH Browser configuration tool is designed for Microsoft Windows
XP, 2000 and 2003. Minimum hardware requirements are:

Client

 Pentium® II 450 MHz minimum. Pentium III 733 MHz (or better)

recommended

 Supported operating systems:

o Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1 or 2
o Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with Service Pack 1, 2, or 3
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003
o Microsoft Windows Vista

 128 Mbytes of RAM minimum, 256 Mbytes of RAM recommended
 CD-ROM drive
 100 MB available hard drive space
 Available RS-232 serial port and null modem cable
 256-color VGA graphics adapter, 800 x 600 minimum resolution (True Color

1024 x 768 recommended)

 Ethernet hub with standard RJ45 Ethernet cable

or

Ethernet port with RJ45 crossover cable for direct connection to module
 A web browser, for example Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox.
In addition, you will need
 A connection to an existing wired or wireless Ethernet network, with a Static

or Dynamic IP address for your computer
 Static IP address, Subnet Mask and Gateway address for each RadioLinx

device you plan to install. Obtain this information from your system

administrator

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1.4 Install the IH Browser Configuration Tool

1 Insert the ProSoft Solutions CD in your CD-ROM drive. On most computers,

a menu screen will open automatically. If you do not see a menu within a few
seconds, follow these steps:

a Click the Start button, and then choose Run.
b In the Run dialog box, click the Browse button.
c In the Browse dialog box, click "My Computer". In the list of drives,

choose the CD-ROM drive where you inserted the ProSoft Solutions CD.

d Select the file prosoft.exe, and then click Open.
e O n the Run dialog box, click OK.

2 On the CD-ROM menu, select IH Browser for the RLX-IHx and RLXIB-x

Products. This action opens the Setup Wizard for IH Browser.

3 Follow the instruct ions on the installation wizard to install the program with its

default location and settings.

4 Follow the instruct ions on the installation wizard to install the program with its

default location and settings.

5 When the installation finishes, you may be prompted to restart your computer

if certain files were in use during installation. The updated files will be
installed during the restart process.

1.5 Install ProSoft Wireless Designer

1 On the CD-ROM, navigate to the folder containing ProSoft Wireless

Designer, and then double-click the file S
installation wizard.

2 Follow the instruct ions on the installation wizard to install the program.
3 Click F

INISH to complete the installation. If you are prompted to restart your

computer, save your work in any applications that are running, close the
applications, and allow the computer to restart.

1.6 Planning the Network

Before you configure and install the network, you should create a plan for it. The
following points assume that you are creating a bridge network of masters and
repeaters, but you can also set up clients to work with devices on existing
wireless LANs. For information, see Set Up a Client.

To begin, determine where you need radios and then choose locations for them
accordingly. For example, you might decide to install your master radio near a
PC in a central plant location (You can use the PC to configure the radios
through the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility). If the plant is an oil refinery,
for example, you might decide to install radios near the oil tanks.

The next important issue is how to link the radios. Unless the radios are very
close together, you must make sure that each pair of radio antennas in the
network has a line of sight between them. In other words, you must be able to
see from one antenna to another, either with the naked eye or binoculars.

ETUP.EXE. This action starts the

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If a line of sight does not exist between antennas, you must choose a site for
installing a repeater radio, which will create a bridge between the radio antennas.

Choose the appropriate antennas for the network. If an antenna will be
connected to the radio by a long cable, you might need to purchase a power
amplifier, which is available from ProSoft Technology. The more distance
between an antenna and its radio, the more signal loss the radio will have. For
more information, see Antennas (page 84).

Consider drawing up your network plans on paper. As part of the drawing, you
should assign a logical name to each radio. You can use these names later when
configuring the radios in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility.

As part of your planning, you might want to conduct a site survey. ProSoft
Technology can perform this survey, you can do it yourself, or you can hire a
surveyor.

Protect radios from direct exposure to weather, and provide an adequate, stable
power source. Make sure that your plan complies with the radio’s power
requirements (page 82) and c able specif ications (page 84).

Important: Radios and antennas must be located at least 8 inches (20 cm) away from personnel.

1.6.1 Installation Questions

Answer the following questions to make your installation easier, and to familiarize
yourself with your system and what you want to do.

How many radios in your network?
Master ID
Repeater ID
Client ID
Locations
Is there a Line of Sight between them?
Selected the appropriate antennas for

your network?

1.6.2 ProSoft Wireless Designer

ProSoft Wireless Designer simplifies the task of specifying a ProSoft Wireless
installation, and provides a variety of views containing an accurate description of
each site in a wireless network, including

 Visual diagram of site layout
 Location (latitude/longitude, based on GPS coordinates)
 Radio type, frequency range, and country-specific channel and power

requirements
 Length, type and estimated signal loss for cables

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 Required accessories, including lightning protection, cable adaptors and

antennas

 Complete parts list
Use ProSoft Wireless Designer when conducting a site audit for a customer, and

then provide the customer with a complete list of components and a detailed
description for each site and link. Customers can use this information to
understand and visualize their network, and provide necessary information for
technical support and maintenance.

Functional Specifications

 Contains a database of all currently available RadioLinx radios, antennas,

cables, connectors and accessories

 Exports Parts List, Site and Link Details, and W izard settings into a variety of

common file formats, for import into applications such as spreadsheets,
databases and word processors

 Checks wireless link feasibility based on path length and recommended

accessories

 Predicts signal strength based on distance, local regulations and hardware

choices

 Fully documents your ProSoft Wireless network plan

1.6.3 Planning the Physical Installation

A network’s performance is impacted by attributes specific to the installation site.
Take the following into consideration, where possible, to maximize network
installation:

 Protect radios from direct exposure to weather
 Provide an adequate and stable power source to the radios
 Design the network to use less than 2048 radios (per network)
 Place radios within the specified 15 miles of each other
 Add repeater to extend distance or where line of sight is limited
 Radios or antennas CANNOT be places within 20 cm of where people will be

Though radio frequency communication is reliable, sometimes its performance
can be impacted by intangibles. A good network installation plan includes time
and resources for performance testing and installation changes.

Test the installation plan (page 24) before the network installation is complete.

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1.7 Configuring the Radios

To configure the network radios, follow these steps.
Use the RLX-IH Browser to display all radios on the network, and then use a

Web browser or SNMP manager to view and change radio settings. The radio
package includes the program CD, power supply, Ethernet cable, and a small
antenna. You must install the antenna later, but it is not needed to get started.

IMPORTANT: If possible, you should configure all the radios side by side in an office setting and
make sure they link before you try to install them in the field.

To configure the radios in a network:

1 Star t t he IH Browser (page

The PC must have a wired or wireless Ethernet connection configured with a

static or dynamic IP address.
2 Plug in the power cable and Ethernet cable (page 17) to the RLXIB-IESC

radio, wait a moment for the radio to power up, and then examine the radio's

LED display to make sure the radio is working properly.
3 Assig n a temporary IP address: (page 18) Double-click the radio listing in the

RLX-IH Browser. In the next window, click OK to accept the temporary IP

address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
4 Double-click the radio listing again in the RLX-IH Browser to open the Radio

Configuration / Diagnos tic Utility in your web browser. Enter "password"

(lower case, no quotes) in the next window and then click Login.

16) configuration application.

If necessary, you can enter your own password later. For information, see

Change Password (page 55).
5 Set up the master radio first, using the Radio Settings window in the Radio

Configuration / Diagnos tic Utility.
6 Click Apply Changes to save the master radio settings.

To cancel the settings and start over, click the Cancel Changes button before

you click Apply Changes. After they are configured, master radios are

preceded by an "M" in the utility window list.

Note: The text shown in yellow at the bottom of the window indicates the status of changes you
have made to the configuration.

 If the text shows "Changes not saved", click Apply Changes to save your settings.
 If the text shows "Changes not saved; Will disrupt X s", you can click Apply Changes, however

the network will be disrupted temporarily while the changes are applied. The value of "X"

indicates the number of seconds the network will be offline.

7 Unplug the Ethernet cable from the radio and plug it into the next radio to be

configured.

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8 Set Up a Repeater. Return to the RLX-IH Browser. To be sure that you are

seeing the latest status of the radio(s), go to the toolbar (page 71) and click
the "Clear" icon (eraser) followed by the "Scan" icon (binoculars). Double­click the listing of the next radio to be configured, and configure it as a
repeater radio.

9 Save the Radio Configuration. (page 22) Save the repeater radio settings by

clicking Apply Changes at the bottom of the Radio Settings screen. Repeat
steps 7 through 9 to configure each repeater in the network.

10 After configuring the network and its radios, physically label each radio.

Labeling eliminates confusion about which radios correspond with which
radio configurations in the software. You should identify the radio's name,
network SSID, and IP address, if set.

11 Install the radios and antennas (page 23).
The remainder of the topics in this section describe each of these steps in more

detail.

1.7.1 Start IH Browser

1 Click the START button, and then navigate to PROGRAMS / PROSOFT

TECHNOLOGY

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2 Click to start RADIOLINX IH BROWSER.

The window lists all the radios your computer can access. The MAC ID number is
essentially the serial number of the radio; this number is also printed on the side
of the radio. If a radio listing does not appear in the window, select Scan from the
File menu. If you still do not see a radio listing, see Troubleshooting.

1.7.2 Plug In the Cables

You can configure the RLXIB-IESC using the Ethernet port on the radio. On the
underside are three ports; Ethernet, Serial and Power (10 to 24 VDC 6 W).

From left to right: Power connector, Serial port and Ethernet port.
Use the Ethernet cable to configure the radio for the first time.

Note: After you plug in the power cable and Ethernet cable, the radio performs a startup procedure
that includes a self-test, loading the main program, and initializing the radio. The front panel LEDs
will illuminate after approximately two seconds. The entire startup procedure can take up to 30
seconds.

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After the startup procedure has completed successfully, the Power LED should
be green, meaning that the radio has power. The Ethernet LED should also be
green, meaning that the Ethernet connection is working. The RF Transmit and
RF Receive LEDs should blink.

For information on making connections, see Radio Power Requirements (page

82) and Cable Specifications (page 84).

1.7.3 Detecting the Radio

After the radio has completed its startup procedure, the radio will appear in the IH
Browser window.

The window lists all the radios your computer can access. The MAC ID number is
essentially the serial number of the radio; this number is also printed on the side
of the radio. If a radio listing does not appear in the window, select Scan from the
File menu. If you still do not see a radio listing, see Troubleshooting (page 28).

Tip: If a radio listing does not appear in the window, open the File menu and choose Scan. If you
still do not see a radio listing, refer to Diagnostics and troubleshooting (page 28) in the RLXIB User
Guide.

1.7.4 Assign a Temporary IP Address

You need the IP address to log into the Radio Configuration/Diagnostic Utility
and configure the radio settings. If the radio is connected to a network with a
DHCP server, the radio may already have an IP address assigned to it.

If a DHCP server is not available, or if you prefer to assign a static IP address,
you can enter a temporary IP here. You will use the Radio Configuration /
Diagnostic Utility (page 31) to assign a permanent IP address.

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To assign a temporary IP Address

1 I n IH Browser, click to select the radio.

Tip: If a radio listing does not appear in the window, open the File menu and choose Scan. If you
still do not see a radio listing, refer to Diagnostics and troubleshooting (page 28) in the RLXIB­IESC User Manual.

2 O pen the Operations menu, and choose Assign IP. This action opens the

Assign Temporary IP Address dialog box.

3 Select one of the unused IP addresses, and then click OK.
For information, see Radio Access settings (page 52).

1.7.5 Set Up the Client Radio

To configure the radio, double click on the radio (Radio1) in the IH Browser
window. This action opens a web browser (for example Microsoft Internet
Explorer or Firefox) and loads the IH Radio’s web configuration interface.

Important: The radio configuration is protected by a login password. The default password for the
radio is "password" (lower case, no quotes). To prevent unauthorized access to the radio
configuration, you should change the password when you have finished the initial configuration.

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Note: The master is the "root" or top-level radio in a network. You must have at least one master
radio per network. For redundancy, you can assign more than one master to a network.

Client mode is a special mode in the radio that allows a user to connect an
Ethernet device to a wireless network through any 802.11a, b or g access point.
Any Ethernet device that has an RJ45 Ethernet port can, in effect, be
transformed into an 802.11a, b or g wireless client by attaching the radio. Only a
single device can be connected to the radio in client mode. Do not connect to
more than one Ethernet device (using a switch or hub).

Client radios are preceded by a 'C' in the list of radios in the RLX-IH Browser.
To configure a Client radio, make the following changes to the web configuration

form:

Radio Network Settings

 Radio Name: Enter a unique name for the radio.
 Network SSID: Assign a network name (SSID) of up to 32 characters. The

radio uses this name in all network references. All radios in a network must
have the same SSID.

 To connect a device to a radio in client mode, try programming the radio’s

client mode using the Auto setting. To test whether the Auto setting will work:

a Connect the cable between the device and the radio.
b Turn ON the radio power, or cycle the power if the radio is already on.
c T urn ON the device. Watch the radio to see if it initializes. The Auto

setting will work if the device advertises its MAC ID to the radio.

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If the radio’s RF LEDs do not show consistent activity after a few minutes,

then you may need to modify the radio’s client settings. Click the Specify

radio button, determine the MAC ID of the Ethernet device, and type the ID

into the Client MAC field.

Security Settings

 Encryption Type: Encryption scrambles data so that only intended viewers

can decipher and understand it. Although "none" is an available encryption

type, ProSoft Technology strongly recommends encrypting all data sent and

received from every radio on your network, to help prevent your data from

being intercepted and decoded.
 WPA phrase: To use WPA encryption on packets sent between the radios,

select WPA in the Encryption Type field. Next, in the WPA phrase field, enter

a pass phrase of between eight and 63 normal keyboard characters. This

phrase automatically generates an encryption key of 128 hexadecimal

characters. The default pass phrase is "passphrase" (lower case, no quotes).

For more information on encryption, see Security settings.
Because you must assign the same Network SSID and WPA phrase to the

repeater radios later in this procedure, you should write down the settings.

Note: Network SSID and WPA phrase are both case-sensitive.

Network SSID:_________________
WPA phrase:__________________

Radio Access Settings

If a DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) server is configured on your local
area network, the DHCP server can assign IP addresses automatically.

If you prefer to assign a Static (Fixed) IP address, select "Use the following IP
address", and then enter the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway in
the Radio Access Settings area of the IH Radio web configuration form.

Important: If you intend to assign IP addresses manually, you must not duplicate an IP address
that is already in use on your network. If you are not sure what IP addresses are available, ask
your network administrator for assistance.

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1.7.6 Save the Radio Configuration

Before closing the Radio Configuration window, you must apply your changes.
Click Apply Changes to save your configuration and restart the radio.

Note: To discard your changes and start over, click Cancel Changes.

1.8 Verify Communication

When configured, the name of each radio is preceded by an M (for Master), an R
(for Repeater), or a C (for Client) in the IH Browser window.

Look at the LEDs to ensure good link quality, as explained in LED display (page

26). After a repeater is configured, you can unplug the Ethernet cable from it.

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2 Installing the Radios

In This Chapter

 Connecting antennas

 Test the Network Installation Plan ......................................................... 24

............................................................................ 24

If possible, you should configure all the radios side by side in an office setting
and make sure they link before you install them in the field. If feasible, it would be
even better if you could set up the entire system in the office and make sure your
equipment communicates properly through the radio network.

Important: If the radios are close enough to each other that their received signal strength is
greater than -40dBm, performance may be degraded. Disconnect antennas from radios during
bench testing, or move the radios further apart from each other.
Tip: To make it easier to physically identify the radios you are configuring, apply a label to each
radio indicating the radio name and IP address.

After you have configured each radio using IH Browser and the web configuration
form, you can install the radios and test their performance. Install the radios in
their proposed permanent locations, then temporarily place each radio’s antenna
near its proposed mounting location. The temporary placement of the antenna
can be by hand; however, with this testing method, one person must hold the
antenna while another monitors the radio’s signal strength.

To see how a radio is linked in the network, make sure that the radio is
connected to a PC, and then select Topology View from the View menu in the
RLX-IH Browser.

The Topology view shows a diagram of the network’s wireless connections. Use
this view to see whether all the radios are linked, and that you approve of the

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way the radios are linked. A radio that is not linked to a parent will show as a
circle outlined by a flashing dashed red line. It may be near the bottom of the
window, so scroll down to view all available radios. To change how radios link to
the network, see Parent Link settings (page 43).

Refer to Improve Signal Quality (page 29) for more information on overcoming
poor connectivity.

2.1 Connecting antennas

Each radio must have an antenna connected to the Main antenna port on the
RLXIB radio; without an antenna for each radio, the network will not function.

All antennas for radios that communicate directly with each other should be
mounted so they have the same antenna polarity. Small antennas with a reverse­polarity SMA connector can be mounted directly on the radio. Screw the antenna
onto the antenna port connector until it is snug.

Larger antennas and antennas that do not have a reverse-gender SMA
connector must be mounted separately and connected to the radio using a
coaxial antenna cable. Because the antenna cable attenuates the RF signal, use
an antenna cable length that is no longer than necessary to ensure optimum
performance.

Important: If the radio is to be used in a hazardous location, the radio must be mounted in an
enclosure approved for hazardous locations. The radio requires a separate cable connection to the
SMA connector that leads to an internal antenna.

2.2 Test the Network Installation Plan

Test proposed installations before the installation is finalized.
After the network has been configured (page 15) and the radios have been

configured (page 31):

 install the Master radio in its proposed permanent location (page 14)
 cable the Configuration PC to the Master radio
 place the Remote radios in their proposed locations
 temporarily place each radio’s antenna near its proposed mounting location.

The temporary placement of the antenna can be by hand, however, with this
testing method, one person must hold the antenna while another monitors the
Remote radio’s signal strength as displayed on the Configuration PC.

To improve the signal quality of each Remote’s communication:

 increase the height of the antenna’s placement
 use higher-gain antennas
 increase the radio’s transmission power, cable the radio to the Configuration

PC, and reconfigure it

 select a new location for the Remote radio and/or its antenna
 decrease the length of antenna cable
 determine and resolve sources of "electrical" noise which may be interfering

with the radio transmission

 add a repeater between the radios that are not communicating or reconfigure

an existing radio as a repeater if line of sight is available

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3 Diagnostics an d Troubleshootin g

In This Chapter

 Diagnostics

 Check the Ethernet cable ...................................................................... 26

 LED display ........................................................................................... 26

 Retrieve the default password ............................................................... 27

 Troubleshoot RLX-IH Browser error messages ..................................... 28

 Troubleshoot missing radios .................................................................. 28

 Improve signal quality ............................................................................ 29

............................................................................................ 25

Use the program’s diagnostic and signal strength settings at the top of the Radio
Settings window to make sure the network is working properly.

 Signal Strength graph: This setting graphically shows the radio’s signal

strength. The graph will show the word Master if a master radio is selected.

The graph will show the word Scanning if the radio is scanning to find another

radio to which to connect. If the radio is not connected to a network and not

currently scanning, the graph will show the words Not connected.
 Update readings every: If you want to update the diagnostic readings

according to a particular interval, specify the interval (in seconds) in this field.
 Read-only fields that appear with the diagnostic settings.

You can perform the following troubleshooting routines:

 Check the Ethernet cable (page 26)
 Retrieve the default password (page 27)

For more troubleshooting information, go to the ProSoft Technology web site at
www.prosoft-technology.com

3.1 Diagnostics

The Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility (the web configuration form for the
radio) provides information that can help you troubleshoot problems with the
radio.

Use the program’s diagnostic and signal strength settings at the top of the Radio
Settings window to make sure the network is working properly.

Signal Strength graph: This setting graphically shows the radio’s signal
strength.

 The graph will show the word Master if a master radio is selected.
 The graph will show the word Scanning if the radio is scanning to find

another radio to which to connect.
 If the radio is not connected to a network and not currently scanning, the

graph will show the words Not connected.

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Update every: If you want to update the diagnostic readings according to a
particular time interval, specify the interval (in seconds) in this field. After entering
the new value, press Enter only if you want to save the new value; press Tab or
click elsewhere to use the new value temporarily.

The following configuration forms in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility
provide information about current radio operation:

 Address table (page 37)
 Port status (page 39)
 Available Parents
 Read-only fields

The following topics describe troubleshooting routines:

 Check the Ethernet cable (page 26)
 Retrieve the default password (page 27)
 Troubleshoot RLX-IH Browser error messages (page 28)
 Troubleshoot missing radios in the RLX-IH Browser (page 28)

For more troubleshooting information, visit the ProSoft web site at
www.prosoft-technology.com

3.2 Check the Ethernet cable

If you connect a radio and the Ethernet LED does not light on the radio, there
may be a problem with the Ethernet cable. Verify that the cable is plugged into
the radio at one end, and to an Ethernet hub or a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet switch
at the other end.

Note: The RLXIB-IESC radio auto-detects the Ethernet connection type, and does not require a
crossover cable for direct connection to a PC.

3.3 LED display

The RLXIB-IESC fr ont panel includes a set of LEDs that indicate the radio’s
status:

LED Description

Power This green LED indicates that the radio has power.
RF Transmit This yellow LED indicates RF transmission.
RF Receive This green LED indicates RF reception.
Serial If this green LED is lit, the serial cable is connected. If this LED is flashing, a

serial packet is being transmitted or received (The serial port is not available in
the first release of the radio).

Ethernet If this green LED is lit, the Ethernet cable is connected. If this LED is flashing, an

Ethernet packet is being transmitted or received.

Signal Strength If only one of these three LEDs is lit, then the radio is linked. If two LEDs are lit,

the radio’s signal strength is fair. If all three LEDs are lit, the sign al strength is
good.

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If a radio is configured as a master, the middle light of the three Signal Strength
LEDs will always be on, and the bottom Signal Strength LED will always be off.
The top LED on the master will flash if any radios are linked to this master.

After you first plug in the power cable and Ethernet cable to the radio, the
Power/Status LED should be green, meaning that the radio has power. If the
Ethernet LED is green, then the Ethernet connection is working. The RF Transmit
and RF Receive LEDs should blink.

All three LEDs will blink just after the radio links to the Master’s signal but before
it has been fully authenticated. Normally you will see this last only a few seconds.
If it lasts longer or never turns solid it usually means the encryption keys are not
correct.

3.4 Retrieve the default password

If you forget your password, you will be unable to change the radio settings. You
can retrieve the default password to use the software again, but you will lose all
the settings you programmed before. To retrieve the default password and return
the radio to its default settings, follow these steps:

1 T urn off power to the radio.
2 Locat e the reset button hole, located to the left of the power connector.

3 I nsert the end of a paperclip or similar device into the hole to press the reset

button.

4 T urn on power to the radio, and hold down the reset button for 30 seconds.
5 T he radio will be reset to its default settings, including the password. You

should now be able to log in using the default password, which is "password".

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3.5 Troubleshoot RLX-IH Browser error messages

One error message commonly occurs when you use the RLX-IH Browser. You
can easily remedy this error, which is shown in the following illustration:

This error occurs when the RLX-IH Browser attempts to scan for radios and no
valid network connection exists on the PC, wired or wireless.

To correct this error, Confirm that your PC has at least one active network (LAN)
connection; it could be a wired Ethernet connection or a wireless 802.11
connection. One way to determine if your network connections are active is to
look in the system tray in the lower-right corner of your desktop. The two-PC icon
indicates a connection and the icon with a red X indicates an inactive connection.
If no connections are visible in the system tray, check Network Connections in
the Control Panel.

Confirm that the network connection has a valid IP address. Your network
connection might need to have a static IP address assigned to it. Check the IP
address of your network connection to determine that one has been assigned.

3.6 Troubleshoot missing radios

If radios are not visible in the RLX-IH Browser, try the following:
 First, click the Scan button again. Scans are sent as broadcast messages,

which can be dropped in RF connections, requiring the user to scan again.

 Second, make sure that the firewall is not activated on your PC (This is most

common in Windows XP). Open the Network connections folder in your
Windows Control Panel, then open the Local Area Connection Properties
window and verify that the check box under Internet Connection Firewall is
not checked.

 If the preceding approaches do not help, the PC running the RLX-IH Browser

and the radios are probably not connected to the same local network. Verify
your connections.

 If you are in topological view, any unlinked radios may be at the bottom of the

window. Scroll down to see all radios. If you still cannot see radios with the
RLX-IH Browser, call technical support.

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3.7 Improve signal quality

If you need to improve a radio’s signal quality, try the following steps:

 Adjust the direction of the high-gain antennas.
 Increase the height of the antenna’s placement.
 Use higher-gain antennas or external preamplifiers.
 Select a new location for the radio and/or its antenna.
 Decrease the length of the antenna cable.
 Determine and resolve sources of interfering electrical noise.
 Add a repeater between radios that are not communicating.

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