SmartBridges sB3412 User Manual

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airClient™ Nexus PRO TOTAL sB3412

User Guide

Version 1.0

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

About This Document ..................................................................................................................				4
	Technical Support Center .....................................................................................................			5
1.	Introduction ...........................................................................................................................			6
	SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.........................................................................................................			6
	1.1..............................................................................................................................................			6
	1.2.	CHECKLISTS ...................................................................................................................		7
2.	aCNPT Configuration ..........................................................................................................			11
	USER LOGIN AND LICENSE AGREEMENT ................................................................................			11
	2.1............................................................................................................................................			11
	2.2.	WEB GUI ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD CHANGE ............................................................		13
	2.3.	USING THE CONFIGURATION PAGES ..............................................................................		14
	2.4.	DEVICE MODE CONFIGURATION.....................................................................................		18
	2.5.	ACNPT ROUTER/NAT TO ACNPT BRIDGE.....................................................................		19
	2.6.	ACNPT BRIDGE TO ACNPT ROUTER/NAT.....................................................................		20
	2.7.	ACNPT BRIDGE CONFIGURATION ..................................................................................		21
	2.7.1.		Ethernet Configuration ........................................................................................	21
	2.7.2.		Wireless Configuration ........................................................................................	22
	2.7.3.		Bridge Configuration............................................................................................	24
	2.7.4.		Configuring Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) .........................................................	24
	2.7.5.		STP Settings Configuration .................................................................................	25
	2.8.	ACNPT ROUTER/NAT CONFIGURATION.........................................................................		28
	2.8.1.		Ethernet Configuration ........................................................................................	28
	2.8.2.		Wireless Configuration ........................................................................................	29
	2.8.3.		DHCP Configurations ..........................................................................................	31
	2.8.4.		DHCP Relay Configurations ................................................................................	33
	2.8.5.		Routing Table ......................................................................................................	34
	2.8.6.		Wireless Settings Management...........................................................................	35
	2.8.7.		Wireless Settings.................................................................................................	36
	2.8.8.		Security ...............................................................................................................	37
3. Performance Parameters and Bandwidth Controller...........................................................				42
	3.1.	LINK PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS AND FEATURES........................................................		42
	3.2.	BANDWIDTH CONTROLLER.............................................................................................		44
4. Quality of Service (QoS) .....................................................................................................				46
5. Site Survey Tool......................................................................................................................				54
6. Antenna Alignment..................................................................................................................				55
7. Traffic Statistics.......................................................................................................................				57
8. Tools .......................................................................................................................................				60
	8.1	SYSTEM CONFIGURATION..............................................................................................		60
	8.1.1		SNMP Security ....................................................................................................	62
	8.1.2		Reset Options......................................................................................................	63
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8.1.3		NTP Time Server Setup ......................................................................................	64
8.2	PROFILE MANAGER .......................................................................................................		64
8.2.1		Save Profile .........................................................................................................	66
8.2.2		Load Operating Profile ........................................................................................	66
8.2.3		Profile Calendar...................................................................................................	66
8.3	LINK TEST.....................................................................................................................		67
8.4	LINK BUDGET PLANNING................................................................................................		69
9. Firmware Upgrade ..................................................................................................................			72
Appendix A – SNMP Trap...........................................................................................................			74
Appendix B – Useful terms and definitions .................................................................................			75
Appendix C – License .................................................................................................................			78

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About This Document

This User Guide is for the networking professional who configures and manages the smartBridges’ Intelligent Nexus Platform of wireless client device, the airClient™ Nexus PRO TOTAL (sB3412).

It provides detailed information on using the web-based configuration GUI to configure the airClient Nexus PRO TOTAL unit, hereafter shortened to aCNPT. This manual will help you gain a better understanding of how the various components work.

To configure smartBridges’ products, you need to have fundamental understanding of the concepts and technology of Local Area Networks (LAN) and wireless networking. The system installer will require expertise in the following areas:

∙Outdoor radio equipment installation

∙Network configuration

∙Use of web browser for system configuration, monitoring and fault finding

In this chapter, you will find an overview of the User Guide and where to obtain additional information regarding installation and set-up.

Overview of User Guide

The checklists for pre-and postinstallation are provided in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 shows the three modes that the airClient Nexus PRO TOTAL can work in: Bridge, Router and NAT and the procedures for configuring the various parameters in each mode.

Chapter 3 gives instructions for editing the wireless radio protocol parameters to optimize radio performance and changing the Bandwidth Controller. The Quality of Service (QoS) features are explained in Chapter 4.

Accessing the Site Survey page is shown in Chapter 5 and the antenna alignment process is outlined in Chapter 6. Wireless and Ethernet Traffic Statistics and the explanations is given in Chapter 7. Finally, the firmware upgrade process for aCNPT Nexus is explained in Chapter 9.

Related Publications

These documents provide complete information about the Nexus series of radio units: airHaul™, airPoint™ and airClient™.

∙Quick Install Guide (QIG)

∙Release Notes

∙Technical Specification

For the latest information on smartBridges products, please visit our website at

http://www.smartbridges.com/

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Technical Support Center

Comprehensive technical support by dedicated smartBridges engineers is available to all customers through the smartBridges support center website. The website provides updated tools and documents to help troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to smartBridges products and technologies. To access the technical support resources, please visit the support center website at http://www.smartbridges.com/support/

You will need to register for certain services and downloads on the smartBridges support center website.

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1. Introduction

This User Guide provides information on how to set-up and deploy the airClient Nexus PRO TOTAL unit. A web-based management tool is provided to assist the user to configure the aCNPT.

The aCNPT web-based management tool provides the user with the following features:

1.System configuration

2.Device operational mode configuration

3.Ethernet and wireless IP configurations

4.Radio (SSID, domain, channel, etc) parameter configuration

5.Network bridge (STP, etc) parameter configuration

6.Bandwidth management

7.Security

8.QoS

9.Antenna alignment

10.Traffic Statistics

11.Site Survey

12.Profile management

13.User management

14.Link Test

15.Link Budget Planning Calculator

16.Firmware Upgrade

1.1. System Requirements

The following are the minimum system requirements for the aCNPT web-based configuration management tool:

1.Operating System: either Windows 98/2000/XP/NT or Linux

2.Connection to the internet for downloading the latest firmware and Sun JRE

3.Web browser: either Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher, Netscape 7.2 and higher, Mozilla 1.7 and higher or Mozilla Firefox 0.8 and higher

4.SUN JRE: v1.5 and above. You may download it from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp

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1.2. Checklists

Pre-Installation Checklist for airClient Nexus PRO TOTAL

Organization Name/Site Name

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Telephone Number

Site Survey and Link Planning

Parameters

Units

Site A

Site B

Regulatory Standard to be followed

For example, FCC, ETSI,

etc

Frequency Band

2.4GHz

5.25-5.35

5.47-5.725

5.725-5.805

Maximum Output Power as per the

100mW/1W/4W

Regulatory Authority

Latitude

Deg Min Sec

Longitude

Deg Min Sec

UPS Installed

Yes/No

UPS specification if any

KVA

Line Voltage

90V-264V AC,50-60 Hz

Near Line of site between sites

Yes/No

Height of tower

Feet/Meters

Repeater required to achieve a link

Yes/No

If Repeater required, then reason why

For example, to achieve

long distance/LOS etc

No. of repeaters required

Required Throughput

Mbps

Gain of antenna

dBi

(Internal antenna dBi is 15

for 802.11b/g and 17 for

802.11a)

Antenna Polarization

Horizontal/Vertical

Distance between sites

Miles/km

Antenna Type (if using external antenna)

Parabolic/sector

Antenna Mfg. (if using external antenna)

smartBridges/Name of

other manufacturer

Beam width of antenna (if using external

Horizontal – deg

antenna)

Vertical – deg

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No	Parameters	Units	Site A	Site B
21	Type of external cable type	LMR 400/LMR600/
22	Length of external cable connecting a	Feet/meters
	Radio and antenna
23	Fade Margin taken into account for a link	Ideally between 10 to 20
	budgeting	dBm
24	Model of smartBridges aCNPT equipment	sB3412
	selected for a link. Please refer to note
	below for selecting the right equipment

25	GroundingEarth to Neutral Voltage	Ideally less than 2 Volts
26	Length of the Ethernet cable required for	Feet/meters
	powering a unit
27	Choose a best channel which can be used	Specify channel number
	on the basis of site survey with a help of
	scanning tools like Netstumbler

Pre Installation Lab Testing of Equipment

Parameters

Units

Site A

Site B

1	Network diagram along with IP address of	Yes/No
	all the interfaces for link to be setup in
	place
2	Availability of Quick Installation Guide	Yes/No
3	Availability of User Guide and CD	Yes/No
4	Ensure that all items listed in the "Package	Yes/No
	Contents" of Quick Installation Guide are
	included in the shipment
5	Availability of Installation Kit	Yes/No
6	Radio MAC address of Access Point	Yes/No
7	Configured for pre installation testing	Yes/No
8	Ping response	Ms
9	Ping Success Rate	Percentage %
10	Throughput test (Upload/Download)	Varies depending on the
		Bandwidth Control, signal
		strength, link quality and
		distance

Signature of Engineer:

Name:

Email:

Date:

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Post-Installation Checklist for aCNPT

Organization Name/Site Name

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Telephone Number

General Configuration Information

No	Parameters	Units	Site A	Site B
1	Radio operations Mode	Bridge/Router/NAT
2	SSID of a Radio	Up to 32 characters
3	IP address of Ethernet Port	32-bit numeric address
4	IP address of Wireless Port	32-bit numeric address
5	Noise Floor	dBm
6	RSSI	dBm
7	Channel selected for Link
8	Radio TX Output Power	(-5 to +23 dBm)
9	Model of smartBridges aCNPT equipment	SB3412
	selected for a link.
10	Antenna Gain	dBi
		(Internal antenna dBi is 15
		for 802.11b/g and 17 for
		802.11a)
11	Antenna Polarization	Horizontal/Vertical
12	Antenna Type (if using external antenna)	Parabolic/sector
13	Antenna Mfg. (if using external antenna)	smartBridges/Name of
		other manufacturer
14	Beam width of antenna (if using external	Horizontal – deg
	antenna)
		Vertical – deg

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Checklist

No	Parameters	Units	Site A	Site B
1	Check the crimping of the Ethernet cable	Yes/No
	at both the ends

2	Check the proper grounding of the	Yes/No
	equipment

3	Ensure that there are no extreme bends or	Yes/No
	kink's in the cable
4	Ensure that the Ethernet cable is not	Yes/No
	running near a sharp edge
5	Ensure that the aCNPT along with antenna	Yes/No
	is fixed properly on a tower with the help of
	nuts and bolt supplied in packaging
6	Ensure that the device/ external antenna is	Yes/No
	pointed to get the best RSSI and link
	quality
7	Ping response	Ms
8	Ping success rate	Percentage
9	Throughput test (Upload/Download)	Mbps
10	Link stability based on observation for 1 Hr	Yes/No

Signature of Engineer:

Name:

Email:

Installation Date:

Commissioned Date:

For the latest information on smartBridges products, please visit our website at: http://www.smartbridges.com/

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2. aCNPT Configuration

The airClient Nexus PRO TOTAL can work in one of three modes: Bridge, Router and NAT. The procedures for configuring the various parameters in each mode are outlined in this chapter.

2.1. User Login and License Agreement

The aCNPT unit comes with a pre-configured default Ethernet (wired-side) IP address: 192.168.0.210 and subnet mask: 255.255.255.0. This default device IP address should be used when accessing the device configuration management interface for the first time using a web-browser (Enter http://192.168.0.210 for the URL address). In addition, the Sun Java Plug-in should be installed. The PC must be on the same subnet as the aCNPT.

Follow the steps below to login as an Administrator to the web-based configuration management interface system:

1.Connect the aCNPT using the Power over Ethernet (PoE) to a PC or network via the ETH A or ETH B port. (Please refer to the Quick Install Guide for more information on connections).

2.Open a web browser on the PC and enter the device IP address 192.168.0.210 in the web browser address field and press the Enter key.

3.A user login box will appear. Enter the ’User name’ and ’Password’ and check the ’Remember my password’ checkbox if you want the system to remember the password. The default user name is Administrator and the password is smartBridges (case sensitive).

Figure 2-1 Administrator Login

4.Click the ’OK’ button. A license agreement page will appear as shown in Fig 2-2 below.

5.Click ‘Accept’. The aCNPT ’Nexus Summary Information’ page (Fig 2-3) will appear.

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Figure 2-2 License Agreement Page

Figure 2-3 aCNPT Summary Information Page

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The page information descriptions are provided in the table below:

Table 2-1 Description of Parameters

Page Item			Descriptions
	IP Address		Editable Ethernet IP Address.
Ethernet	IP Mask		Editable Ethernet IP subnet Mask
Ethernet	Gateway		Editable Gateway IP address.
Configuration	DHCP		Editable DHCP status Disabled / Enabled
			User can enable DHCP by ticking the check box to obtain
			an IP address from the network DHCP server
Wireless	SSID		Device SSID.
Wireless	Channel		Device operation channel.
Configuration	RSSI		RSSI value when associated
	Maximum	Wireless	Maximum Wireless Throughput in kbps
	Throughput
	ETH A MAC Address		Ethernet A (wired side) MAC address.
Port			Display only
Port	ETH B MAC Address		Ethernet B (wired side) MAC address.
Information			Display only
	Radio MAC Address		Radio MAC address.
			Display only
Operational	Device	operational	Current device operational mode, either as Bridge, Router,
Mode	mode		NAT

2.2. Web GUI Administrator Password Change

By default the administrator password is smartBridges (case sensitive).

Follow the steps below to change the Administrator password:

1.Click on the Tools | User Manager drop down menu in the navigation menu bar. An

Administrator Password Change GUI will appear.

2.Enter the fields for Old Password, new Authentication Password and Confirm new Authentication Password.

3.Click on the Apply Changes button to change the password.

Figure 2-4 Administrator Password Change

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2.3. Using the Configuration Pages

The aCNPT Nexus configuration system comprises several pages for configuring each parameter. A common navigation menu bar is provided at the top of each page for easy navigation as shown in the figure below.

Figure 2-5 Navigation Menu Bar showing editable boxes for parameters

System configuration information is displayed as read-only in each page. As shown in the ’Summary Information’ page in the above figure, ’Ethernet Configuration’, ’Wireless Configuration’ and ‘Port Information’ parameters are displayed as read only.

Clicking on the UNDERLINED parameter heading allows you to edit the configuration parameters. To change the ’Ethernet Configuration’ parameters, click on the ’Ethernet Configuration’ link. Similarly, clicking on the ‘Wireless Configuration’ link, the ‘Radio Configuration page’ will be displayed to edit any wireless settings. The figure below shows the ’Ethernet Configuration’ parameters in editable boxes.

To save the changes to the system, click on the ’Apply Changes’ button.

Note: Clicking the web browser's Back button returns to the previous screen without saving any changes. Changes are saved only when the user clicks the ’Apply Changes’ button

The Navigation menu bar contains menu items that allow user to go to different configuration pages. The following table summarizes functionalities available for the menu item links.

		Table 2-2 Description of Menus

	Menu Item	Menu Sub-items	Description
	Home	Summary Information	Displays	summary	page	with
			information such as Ethernet and
			Wireless IP settings.
			Allows user to set the IP settings for
			Ethernet (wired side) and Wireless
			interfaces depending on the device
			operational mode.
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Menu Item	Menu Sub-items	Description
Networking	Bridge Configuration	Displays the bridge address, generic
		bridge port table, spanning tree port
		table for ports ETH A, ETH B, Radio A.,
		etc
		Bridge configuration option is available
		when aCNPT is configured in aCNPT
		Bridge mode.
	DHCP	Configure DHCP server or Relay
		This option is available only if aCNPT is
		configured	in	aCNPT	Router/NAT
		mode.
	Traffic Statistics	Displays the Ethernet and Wireless
		Traffic Statistics
	Bandwidth Controller	Allows bi-directional bandwidth
		management of the wireless link.
	Routing Table	Allows user to view, add and delete
		static routes.
		Routing table is only available for
		aCNPT Router mode.
	QoS	The primary goal of QoS is to provide
		priority such as dedicated bandwidth,
		controlled jitter and latency (required by
		some real-time and interactive traffic),
		and improved loss characteristics.
Radio	Main	Wireless Settings:
		Allows user to set SSID, Channel,
		ACL Controls and Country, as well
		as Dial-a-Power.
		Provides a link to view association
		Link Status.
		Performance:
		Allows user to set Fragment
		Length,	RTS/CTS Length,			RSSI
		Threshold		and	Throughput
		Optimizer.		Radio Operation mode
		is set to mixed 802.11a/b/g by
		default.
		Wireless Traffic Statistics:
		Displays		the Wireless		Traffic
		Statistics.

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Security	Security:
	Allows user to set the WEP Keys
	and	to	choose	between
	Open/Shared		System	modes of
	authentication.

WPA-PSK:

Where encryption keys are automatically changed (called rekeying) and authenticated between devices after a specified period of time, or after a specified number of packets has been transmitted.

WPA-RADIUS:

Provides encryption via the Temporary Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) using the RC4 algorithm. It is based on the 802.1x protocol and addresses the weaknesses of WEP.

WPA2-PSK:

Based on the 802.11i standard, WPA2 was released in 2004 and uses a stronger method of encryption

WPA2-RADIUS:

The enterprise version of WPA2 is WPA2-RADIUS which uses an external RADIUS server for authentication which uses EAP (Extended Authentication Protocol).

Note: The Default Security is None

Reset to Defaults:

Resets the device to factory default values.

Ethernet MTU Size:

Allows user to set the Ethernet

MTU size for different applications.

Syslog server IP Address:

Allows user to set the Syslog server

IP and log level.

SNMP Trap server IP Address:

Allows user to set the SNMP Trap server IP for SNMP trap forwarding.

LED Control:

Allows user to turn on/off LED .

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		Operational mode:
		Allows the User to set the Radio
		Operational mode.
	Profile Manager	Save Profile:
		Allows user to define and save up
		to three device operating profiles for
		easy device management.
		One installation profile is always
		available.
		Operating Profile:
		Allows user to load the profile from
		saved profiles and shows last
		loaded profile
		Profile Calendar:
		Allows user to plan and manage the
		use of different profiles at different
		times efficiently.
	Link Test	Allows user to do a throughput test and
		ping test. These tools could be very
		helpful during the installation phase.
	Link Budget Planning Calculator	Allows user to calculate the Link
		Budget.
	Antenna alignment	Shows the link status, link quality,
		RSSI.
	Site Survey	Shows all the wireless devices
		operating in the area.
	User Manager	Allows the administrator to change the
		Administrator password.
	Firmware Upgrade	Allows user to update to new firmware
		versions.
Help	Technical Support	Information on Technical Support
	User Guide – Online	Links to online User Guide
	Product Registration and Feedback	Allows user to register product and
		provide feedback or suggestions.
	Check for Updates	LInks to smartBridges website for any
		software updates.
	About aCNPT	General system description, software
		version information and warranty
		information.

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2.4. Device Mode Configuration

The device operational mode is displayed at the top right hand corner of each page. The Device Mode Configuration allows the user to configure the aCNPT in Bridge, Router and NAT.

NAT: This is the default operating mode. This mode allows a Local Area Network (LAN) to use one set of IP addresses for internal traffic and a single wireless IP for external traffic. It provides a type of firewall by hiding internal IP addresses and allows sharing by many computers behind the aCNPT. Since these are done in the LAN there is no possibility of conflict with IP addresses in the public or wireless network. This is in the Client Infrastructure mode.

Router: A normal routing functionality is provided in this mode. This is in Client Infrastructure mode.

Bridge: A transparent bridging functionality is provided in this mode which uses WDS implementation.

Figure 2-6 Device mode settings (similar for Router/NAT/Bridge)

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2.5.aCNPT Router/NAT to aCNPT Bridge

Follow the steps below to change aCNPT Router/NAT mode to aCNPT Bridge Mode

1.Go to ‘Tools | System Configuration’ drop down menu. The ‘System Configuration’ will be displayed.

2.Click on the ‘Current Operational Mode’ link to go to the ‘System Configuration’ page. Choose ‘Bridge under the ‘Remote Device’ option.

3.Click on ‘Apply Changes’. A confirmation pop-up window will be displayed.

4.Enter the fields for ‘IP Address’, ‘IP Mask’ and Gateway for ‘Ethernet Configuration’.

5.Enter the MAC address and the SSID of the remote radio.

6.Enter the Channel and Domain.

7.Click on the ’Apply Changes’ button to change the settings.

8.The device will be rebooted and set to the chosen operational mode.

Figure 2-7 Changing aCNPT Router/NAT to aCNPT Bridge

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2.6. aCNPT Bridge to aCNPT Router/NAT

Follow the steps below to change aCNPT Bridge mode to aCNPT Router/NAT mode

1.Go to ‘Tools | System Configuration’ drop down menu. The ‘System Configuration’ will be displayed.

2.Click on the ‘Current Operational Mode’ link to go to the ‘System Configuration’ page. Choose ‘Router’ (or NAT) under the ‘Remote Device’ option.

3.Click on ‘Apply Changes’. A confirmation pop-up window will be displayed.

4.Enter the fields for ‘IP Address’, ‘IP Mask’ and ‘Gateway’ for ‘Ethernet Configuration’ and ‘Wireless Configuration’.

5.Enter the SSID and the Domain of a remote radio.

6.Click on ’Apply Changes’ button to change the settings. The device will be rebooted and set to the chosen operational mode.

Figure 2-8 Changing aCNPT Bridge to aCNPT Router/NAT

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2.7. aCNPT Bridge Configuration

The aCNPT in Bridge mode can associate only with a smartBridges airPoint access point in bridge mode (SB3210) as they both use WDS link implementation. It can associate with any third party bridge but the link is more effective with a smartBridges airPoint.

The following sections outline the procedures for changing the settings for bridge mode.

2.7.1. Ethernet Configuration

The Ethernet IP is configured when the operational mode was changed to the bridge mode.

Follow these steps below if you need to re-configure the aCNPT Bridge Ethernet parameters:

1.From the ’Summary Information’ page, click on the ’Ethernet Configuration’ link.

2.Select DHCP enable/disable radio button. Enter the ‘IP address’, ‘IP mask’, ‘Gateway’ for non DHCP. Assign the unit a unique IP Address in the designated IP subnet.

3.Click on the ‘Apply Changes’ button to effect the changes.

Figure 2-9 aCNPT Bridge Ethernet Configuration

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2.7.2. Wireless Configuration

The wireless parameters need to be configured to allow the aCNPT in Bridge mode to associate with an airPoint™ (sB3210) in Bridge mode.

Follow the steps below to configure the aCNPT Bridge Mode wireless association parameters:

1.Select ‘Main – aCNPT Bridge Mode’ from the ‘Radio’ drop-down menu on the menu bar.

2.Enter the SSID and access point’s radio MAC address.

3.Choose a radio regulatory domain and channel from the drop down lists.

4.Select the transmit power of the radio from the Dial-a-Power drop down menu and select the appropriate gain of the antenna.

5.Enter the RF cable loss based on the cable specifications.

6.Click ‘Apply Changes’. The units will attempt to associate.

7.Click on the ‘View Association Table’ to check for the associated clients.

Figure 2-10 aCNPT Bridge Wireless Settings

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Figure 2-11 Radio Main (Wireless Settings Page) - Associated

Click on ‘Status’ to view the association link-status graph.

Figure 2-12 Link Status

Noise Floor is the measure of the signal created from the sum of all the noise sources and unwanted signals within a measurement system.

Note: If the association status window does not appear, click on the Java link to download the JRE.

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2.7.3. Bridge Configuration

In Bridge mode the aCNPT unit acts as a transparent bridge between the Radio and the Ethernet interfaces. The figure below shows the bridge configuration and the table of bridge forwarding information. The STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) is disabled by default.

Figure 2-13 Bridge Configuration Information

2.7.4. Configuring Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

STP is a Layer 2 link management protocol that provides path redundancy while preventing loops in the network. For a Layer 2 Ethernet network to function properly, only one active path can exist between any two redundant links.

To create a fault-tolerant network, there needs to be a loop-free path between all nodes in the network. The Spanning Tree Algorithm calculates the best loop-free path throughout a Layer 2 network. Infrastructure devices such as wireless bridges and switches send and receive spanning tree frames, called Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs), at regular intervals. The devices do not forward these frames but use them to construct the loop-free path.

Multiple active paths among end stations cause loops in the network. If a loop exists in the network, end stations might receive duplicate messages. Infrastructure devices might also learn end-station MAC addresses on multiple Layer 2 interfaces. Such conditions result in an unstable network.

STP defines a tree with a root bridge and a loop-free path from the root to all infrastructure devices in the Layer 2 network.

STP forces redundant data paths into a standby (blocked) state. If a network segment in the spanning tree fails and a redundant path exists, the Spanning Tree Algorithm recalculates the spanning tree topology and activates the standby path.

When two interfaces on a device are part of a loop, the spanning tree port priority and path cost settings determine which interface is put in the forwarding state and which is put in the blocking state. The port priority value represents the location of an interface in the network topology and how well it is located to pass traffic. The path cost value represents the media speed.

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