Rajant LX3-2209, LX3 2250 User Manual

BreadCrumb

Version: 2.91 Date: April 16, 2010

LX / LX3

USER GUIDE

Corporate Headquarters

Rajant Corporation 400 East King Street Malvern, PA 19355 Tel: (484) 595-0233 Fax: (484) 595-0244

http://www.rajant.com

Document Part Number: 03-100101-001

FCC and IC Statements

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

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 and RSS-210 rules.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 et CNR-210 du Canada.

WARNING: To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements a minimum safe distance of 20 cm must be maintained between this device and all persons while the device is operating.

CAUTION: To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be chosen so that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is not more than that permitted for successful communication.

CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Rajant Corp. could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Copyright Statement

You may use the software provided with the products only on personal computers owned by the purchasing individual or entity, and may not use, load, or run any such software on any network or in any type of service bureau, time-sharing operation, or non-purchasing individual or entity's equipment.

BCAdmin and BCAPI are trademarks; Rajant, the Rajant logo, BreadCrumb, Instamesh, BC| Commander, and Bring Your Network with You! are registered trademarks of Rajant Corp. in the United States and certain other countries.

BreadCrumb® LX / LX3 User Guide

Rajant Corporation BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide 03-100101-001 Version: 2.91

Table of Contents

FCC and IC Statements....................................................................................................

Copyright Statement.........................................................................................................

Preface....................................................................................................................................v

Purpose and Scope.............................................................................................................v

User Information..................................................................................................................v

Related Documentation.......................................................................................................v

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

1.1 What is a BreadCrumb?...............................................................................................1

1.2 Mobility through Meshing.............................................................................................2

1.2.1 Mesh – A Definition...............................................................................................2

1.2.2 BreadCrumbs Mesh by Channel and ESSID.......................................................2

1.3 Description of BreadCrumb LX/LX3.............................................................................4

1.3.1 Radios...................................................................................................................4

1.3.2 Enclosure..............................................................................................................6

1.3.3 Antenna Connectors.............................................................................................8

1.3.4 Power and Ethernet Connectors........................................................................10

1.3.5 Status LED..........................................................................................................11

1.3.6 Zeroize Keys and Restore Factory Defaults / LED Configuration Switch .........12

1.3.6.1 Zeroize Keys and Restore Factory Defaults...............................................12

1.3.6.2 LED Configuration.......................................................................................13

2 Using BC|Commander or BCAdmin..............................................................................15

3 Deploying the BreadCrumb Wireless Network............................................................17

3.1 Addressing.................................................................................................................17

3.1.1 BreadCrumb Device Addresses.........................................................................17

3.1.2 DHCP..................................................................................................................17

3.2 Channel Assignments................................................................................................17

3.2.1 Channel Assignment for Single-Radio BreadCrumb Devices............................18

3.3 Physical Placement and other Considerations..........................................................18

3.3.1 Line-of-Sight.......................................................................................................18

3.3.2 Distance..............................................................................................................18

3.3.3 Weather..............................................................................................................19

3.3.4 Interference.........................................................................................................19

3.3.5 Placement of BCWN Components.....................................................................19

3.4 Deployment Guidelines and Methodology.................................................................20

3.4.1 Deployment Guidelines......................................................................................20

3.4.2 Deployment Methodology...................................................................................21

4 BreadCrumb LX/LX3 USB Firmware Upgrade..............................................................23

iii

BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide Rajant Corporation Version: 2.91 03-100101-001

5 Troubleshooting..............................................................................................................25

5.1 Sporadic Network Connectivity..................................................................................25

5.2 BreadCrumb Device Cannot Connect to BCWN.......................................................26

Appendix A: Error and Warning Codes..........................................................................A-1

Appendix B: Using Pole Mount Bracket........................................................................B-1

List of Figures

Figure 1: All BreadCrumbs use the same ESSID..................................................................3

Figure 2: ESSID of BreadCrumb C changes to "lonely."........................................................3

Figure 3: BreadCrumb LX/LX3 Enclosure Features (Top-Front Side)...................................7

Figure 4: BreadCrumb LX/LX3 Enclosure Features (Bottom-Rear Side)..............................8

Figure 5: BreadCrumb LX/LX3 Ethernet and Passive PoE Connections............................11

Figure 6: LX Pole-Top Bracket with U-Bolts.......................................................................B-1

Figure 7: U-Bolts Holding the LX Pole-Top Bracket to a Pole............................................B-1

List of Tables

Table 1: 2.4 GHz Radio Channel and Frequencies...............................................................4

Table 2: 900 MHz Radio Channel and Frequencies..............................................................5

Table 3: 5 GHz Radio Channel and Frequencies...................................................................5

Table 4: 4.9 GHz Radio Channel and Frequencies...............................................................6

Table 5: BreadCrumb LX Radio/Antenna Configurations......................................................9

Table 6: BreadCrumb LX3 Radio/Antenna Configurations....................................................9

Table 7: Status LED Color Codes........................................................................................12

Table 8: Default and alternate display states of the Status LED..........................................13

Table 9: Sporadic Network Connectivity Issues...................................................................25

Table 10: BreadCrumb to BCWN Connectivity Issues.........................................................26

Rajant Corporation BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide 03-100101-001 Version: 2.91

Preface

Purpose and Scope

This manual provides information and guidance to all personnel who are involved with and use Rajant Corporation’s BreadCrumb LX/LX3 product.

This manual begins with an introduction to the BreadCrumb Wireless Network (BCWN). It then characterizes the features of the BreadCrumb LX/LX3. Finally, it describes common deployment scenarios and provides concise step-by-step instructions for each scenario.

User Information

The user of this manual is encouraged to submit comments and recommended changes to improve this manual. Please send any comments or changes to support@rajant.com. Be sure to include the version number of the manual you are using and please provide the page numbers related to your comments wherever possible

1 Introduction

Rajant Corporation's (http://www.rajant.com) BreadCrumb LX/LX3 utilizes the IEEE 802.11a and

802.11g wireless networking standards to form a wireless mesh network. The network is mobile, self-integrating, self-meshing, self-healing, full-duplex and secure. The focus is on flexibility, adaptability, and simplicity.

The BreadCrumb Wireless Network (BCWN) is intended for rapid deployment of a broadband wireless network into a situation or “hot zone.” The network can be deployed as a stand-alone wireless network, or bridged to another network (such as the Internet) utilizing available reach-back communication links (such as a DSL, cable, or satellite modem).

BreadCrumb LX/LX3 provides high bandwidth applications to stream video, audio as well as data over large distances. The network traffic can be secured by using different security features offered by the BCWN. This makes the network optimal for tactical deployments as well as emergency response situations since it offers robustness, stability and ease of setup in mission critical activities.

Throughout this document, unless otherwise stated, the term LX is used to refer to

Note

Rajant BreadCrumb LX, the term LX3 is used to refer to Rajant BreadCrumb LX3, and the term BreadCrumb is used to refer to both Rajant BreadCrumb LX and Rajant Breadcrumb LX3.

1.1 What is a BreadCrumb?

A BreadCrumb is an IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and Ethernet compatible networking device which has the capacity to connect to other BreadCrumbs or networking devices to form a BreadCrumb network. A BreadCrumb is specifically designed for the following scenarios:

Temporary Wireless Networks

Networks that must be established quickly and with minimal effort for short-term use (e.g., a network established to provide First Responder support at the site of a disaster).

Mobile Wireless Networks

Networks in which the network infrastructure itself is mobile, in addition to client devices (e.g., a convoy viewing a video stream from a UAV).

Wireless Network Extension

Networks in which a wireless network must be quickly extended around or through obstacles that block wireless communications (e.g., urban canyon networks, tunnels/caves, etc.)

Wired Network Extension

Networks in which two or more wired LANs at different locations must be connected wirelessly (e.g., to securely connect combat service support computers with logistics bases)

Any Combination of the Above

BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide Rajant Corporation Version: 2.91 03-100101-001

Most BreadCrumb deployments include elements from more than one of the above scenarios.

In many cases, BreadCrumbs will perform all of these tasks as shipped with no configuration necessary at all, providing an instant TAN (Tactical Area Network). Moreover, because BreadCrumbs use industry-standard 802.11 communications, client devices such as laptops or handheld computers require no special hardware, software, or configuration to access a BCWN.

1.2 Mobility through Meshing

The key component to a BCWN is a technique known as Meshing. While this is generally handled automatically by BreadCrumbs, complex deployment scenarios require a basic understanding of how BreadCrumbs establish and maintain a mesh.

1.2.1 Mesh – A Definition

A mesh is a collection of network devices (in our case, BreadCrumbs), each of which is linked to one or more other BreadCrumbs. Data can move between BreadCrumbs via these links, possibly passing through several intermediate BreadCrumbs before arriving at its final destination.

The intelligence of a BCWN is in how it adapts rapidly to the creation or destruction of the links in the mesh as devices are moved, switched OFF or ON, blocked by obstructions, interfered with by other devices, or otherwise affected. This adaptation takes place automatically and immediately as needed.

Although all BreadCrumbs can be access points, most access points do not provide

Note

mesh capability. Traditional access points simply allow wireless devices within range to connect to a wired network; they do not extend range through other access points.

1.2.2 BreadCrumbs Mesh by Channel and ESSID

Two BreadCrumbs establish a mesh link to each other when they share both a radio channel and an ESSID. An ESSID is essentially a name for a wireless network. By default, BreadCrumbs use the ESSID "breadcrumb54" if programmed with v9 firmware, and “breadcrumb54-v10” if programmed with v10 firmware. The following examples illustrate the use of channels and ESSIDs:

Rajant Corporation BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide

CHANN EL 1

CHANNEL 8

RADIO 2

BREAD CRUMB B

RADIO 1

BREAD CRUMB C

RADIO 2RADIO 1

BREAD CRUMB A

RADIO 2

CHANNEL 8

RADIO 2

BREADC RUMB B

RADIO 1

BREADC RUMB C

RADIO 2RADIO 2

BREADC RUMB A

RADIO 1

03-100101-001 Version: 2.91

Example 1:

Suppose you have three BreadCrumbs, called A, B, and C. Each has two radios. BreadCrumb A’s radios are on channels 1 and 8, B’s are on 8 and 11, and C’s are on 1 and 11. All three BreadCrumbs are using the default ESSID of "breadcrumb54-v10." Assuming that all three BreadCrumbs are within radio range of one another, the network will be connected, as shown below:

Figure 1: All BreadCrumbs use the same ESSID.

Example 2:

Now suppose that you change the ESSID of BreadCrumb C to "lonely". The network will adjust to this change, resulting in the following configuration:

Note that BreadCrumb C can no longer communicate with A or B, and vice versa.

Figure 2: ESSID of BreadCrumb C changes to "lonely."

BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide Rajant Corporation Version: 2.91 03-100101-001

1.3 Description of BreadCrumb LX/LX3

1.3.1 Radios

BreadCrumb LX offers two radios, while BreadCrumb LX3 offers three radios. 802.11g radios are used in the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands, and 802.11a radios are used in the 4.9 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The radios support the following channels and frequencies in the United States and Canada:

Not all channels are allowed for use everywhere around the world. Check with the

Note

Table 1: 2.4 GHz Radio Channel and Frequencies.

Channel Number Center Frequency (MHz)

corresponding wireless spectrum regulatory body to determine the subset of channels authorized for use in your country.

1 2412

2 2417

3 2422

4 2427

5 2432

6 2437

7 2442

8 2447

9 2452

10 2457

11 2462

The default channel for a 2.4 GHz BreadCrumb radio is 11 (2462 MHz).

Rajant Corporation BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide 03-100101-001 Version: 2.91

Table 2: 900 MHz Radio Channel and Frequencies.

Channel Number Center Frequency (MHz)

5 912

6 917

The default channel for a 900 MHz BreadCrumb radio is 6 (917 MHz).

Table 3: 5 GHz Radio Channel and Frequencies.

Band Channel Center Frequency (MHz) Turbo Capability

149 5745 No

U-NII Upper Band

152 5760 Static Turbo

(5725 - 5825 MHz

153 5765 No

157 5785 No

ISM Band

(5725 - 5875 MHz

160 5800 Static Turbo

161 5805 No

165 5825 No

The default channel for a 5 GHz BreadCrumb radio is 152 (5760 MHz). Note that this and some other 5 GHz channels support a feature called Static Turbo mode. In this mode, the radio binds two standard 20 MHz channels to obtain a wider bandwidth 40 MHz channel. The end result is improved throughput and/or communication range for the radio.

Most 5 GHz antennas only support a subset of the 802.11a 5 GHz frequency

Caution

channels the Rajant radio is capable of operating at. Before changing the channel of a 5 GHz radio, verify that the channel is supported by the connected antenna.

Caution

Since the radios operate at different frequencies, you must be careful to use the correct type of antenna with each radio. As an example, a 2.4 GHz antenna will not work with a 5 GHz radio and vice versa.

BreadCrumb® LX/LX3 User Guide Rajant Corporation Version: 2.91 03-100101-001

Table 4: 4.9 GHz Radio Channel and Frequencies.

Channel Number Center Frequency (MHz)

20 4950.0

25 4952.5

30 4955.0

35 4957.5

40 4960.0

45 4962.5

50 4965.0

55 4967.5

60 4970.0

65 4972.5

70 4975.0

75 4977.5

80 4980.0

The default channel for a 4.9 GHz BreadCrumb radio is 40 (4960.0 MHz).

One antenna port per radio is utilized. The antenna ports are accessed through Type N RF connectors mounted on the LX/LX3 enclosure.

1.3.2 Enclosure

The LX/LX3 enclosure has been designed to operate in extreme conditions. The Ingress Protection (IP) rating of the enclosure has been tested per IEC 60529. The enclosure has demonstrated performance compliant to IP67 requirements, providing complete protection against ingress of dust (6) as well as protection against immersion in water (7).

The external features of the enclosure are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

+ 25 hidden pages

Rajant LX3-2209, LX3 2250 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

FCC and IC Statements

Copyright Statement

Preface

Purpose and Scope

User Information

Related Documentation

1 Introduction

1.1 What is a BreadCrumb?

1.2 Mobility through Meshing

1.2.1 Mesh – A Definition

1.2.2 BreadCrumbs Mesh by Channel and ESSID

1.3 Description of BreadCrumb LX/LX3

1.3.1 Radios

1.3.2 Enclosure