Sonicwall 081, 083 User Manual
SonicPoint_NDR_GSG.book Page 1 Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:47 PM
SonicPoint-N Dual Radio Getting Started Guide
SonicPoint_NDR_GSG.book Page 1 Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:47 PM
SonicWALL SonicPoint-N Dual Radio
Getting Started Guide
This SonicWALL Getting Started Guide provides the network administrator with setup instructions for creating an enterprise-class secure
wireless network with the SonicPoint-N Dual Radio appliance, all in about 60 minutes. More than just the basics, this guide provides a
concise overview of both general wireless deployment concepts and specific network configurations.
Setup
Step Procedure Est. Time
1
Before You Begin - page 3
2
Introduction to Secure Wireless - page 7
3
Registering Your Appliance - page 11
4
Configuring the Wireless Zone and Interface - page 13
5
Setting Up Your SonicPoint - page 17
Additional Configuration and Information
• Optimizing Wireless with RF Analysis - page 23
• Support and Training Options - page 27
• Product Safety and Regulatory Information - page 31
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Page 2 Additional Configuration and Information
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Before You Begin
In this Section:
This section provides a basic checklist of materials and information you will need before you begin.
• Check Package Contents - page 4
• What You Need to Begin - page 5
• Ports and Status LEDs - page 6
1
1
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Check Package Contents
Before continuing, ensure that your SonicPoint package contains the following materials:
SonicPoint-N Dual Radio Appliance
Six (6) Antennas (2.4 GHz x 3), (5GHz x 3)
Mounting Plate
Anchor Kit (Screw Kit, Ceiling Braces)
This Getting Started Guide
Power Adaptor and Cord*
*The included power cord is intended for use in North America only.
Missing Items?
SonicPoint N Dual-Radio
2.4Ghz Antennas (3)
5Ghz Antennas (3)
If any of the items corresponding to your product
are missing from the package, please contact
SonicWALL support.
A listing of the most current support documents
are available online at:
<http://www.sonicwall.com/us/support.html>
Page 4 Check Package Contents
5GHz
2.4GHz
act
link
wlan
lan
Mounting Plate
Anchor/Screw Kit
Power Adaptor
and Cord*
Getting Started Guide
COMPREHENSIVE INTERNET SECURITY
Getting Started Guide
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What You Need to Begin
This page provides basic network hardware and software
prerequisites as a baseline for SonicPoint-N Dual Radio
deployments. More specific requirements are detailed in the
remainder of this guide.
Hardware / Firmware Requirements
The SonicWALL SonicPoint-N Dual Radio security appliances
are centrally managed and require a SonicWALL NSA E-Class
appliance running SonicOS 5.6.3.1 or higher firmware to
function properly.
Note: For more information on deploying this SonicPoint with
SonicWALL NSA series and TZ series platforms,
contact your local SonicWALL sales representative for
the supported SonicOS releases.
Network Deployment Requirements
• An active broadband Internet connection
• At least one free network interface on the SonicWALL
security appliance, configured with a zone type of “WLAN”
• A single point placement or distributed wireless placement
plan for your SonicPoint(s)
• Wireless clients capable of 802.11n wireless
communications
1
• A network infrastructure capable of sustaining 802.11n data
rates to the number of clients you intend to support
• An 802.3at compliant PoE injector or PoE-capable switch
(if powering your deployment using PoE)
Note: For more network deployment recommendations and
tips, see the Hardware Decisions section, on page 9.
1. Although clients with 802.11a/b/g hardware are supported, the
presence of these legacy clients within range of your network may
affect the connection speed of your 802.11n clients.
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Ports and Status LEDs
a
C
n
n
o
e
n
t
n
A
5GHz
2.4GHz
wlan
n
e
c
t
i
o
n
s
act
link
lan
Power
Test SafeMode
Status LEDs
5GHz
2.4GHz
wlan
lan
wlan
link
act
2.4GHz
5GHz
link
act
lan
5GHz Link Activity
2.4GHz Link Activity
1000Mbps 100Mbps 10Mbps
Ethernet Link Activity
Provides 12VDC power connection
Provides Ethernet connection and
802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Page 6 Ports and Status LEDs
Power Port
LAN/PoE Port
l
a
n
c
o
n
s
o
l
e
Reset Button
Press and hold to manually reset
Console Port
Provides management connection using
CLI->DB9 cable (for command line management only)
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Introduction to Secure Wireless
In this Section:
This section contains excerpts from the SonicWALL Secure Wireless Network Integrated Solutions Guide.
The content is meant to provide a brief introduction to Radio Frequency (RF) technology as it
pertains to different deployment scenarios.
• Wireless RF Introduction - page 8
• Access Points and Network Design - page 9
2
2
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Wireless RF Introduction
There are currently four widely adopted standards for 802.11
wireless network types: a, b, g, and n. Although 802.11n is the
newest and highest capacity standard, each of the four
standards has its own strengths and weaknesses. This section
provides overviews of these standards.
The following section provides a brief overview of RF
technologies:
• 802.11 Comparison Chart - page 8
• Radio Frequency Barriers - page 8
• RF Interference - page 8
802.11 Comparison Chart
The following table compares signal characteristics as they
apply to the current 802.11 standards:
802.11a 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n
# of Channels in USA 23 11 11 11
# of Channels in EU 23 13 13 13
# of Channels in Japan 15 14 14 14
Frequency Band 5GHz 2.4GHz 2.4GHz 2.4/5GHz
Max. Data Rate 54Mbps 11Mbps 54Mbps 150Mbps
Radius (Range) 90ft/25m 120ft/
35m
120ft/
35m
300Mbps
300ft/90m
Radio Frequency Barriers
The following tables list some common RF barrier types:
Barrier Type RF Signal
Open air Very Low
Glass, drywall, cubicle partitions Low
Stone floors and walls (brick/marble/granite) Medium
Concrete, security glass, stacked books/paper High
Metal, metal mesh, reinforced concrete, water Very High
Blocking
RF Interference
The following table lists several common interference sources:
Interference Source Possible RF Interference Band(s)
2.4GHz phones Entire range (hundreds of
Bluetooth devices Within 30 feet 802.11b/g/n
Microwave oven
Scientific and medical
equipment
Other wireless devices Entire range All
RF reflective objects Long-range wireless bridging All
a. Most newer model microwave ovens have sufficient shielding to
a
negate possible RF interference.
feet)
Within 10-20 feet 802.11b/g/n
Short distance, varies 802.11b/g/n
Affected
802.11b/g/n
Page 8 Wireless RF Introduction
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Access Points and Network Design
Physical placement of an access point has a measurable effect
on who can and cannot access your wireless signal. The
following sections provide an overview of wireless access point
placement, signal strength, and signal direction in common
wireless deployment situations:
• Hardware Decisions - page 9
• Solutions to RF Interference and Barriers - page 10
Tip: For the latest SonicPoint wireless deployment
information from switching recommendations to
site survey, see the SonicWALL SonicPoint
Deployment Best Practices Guide at:
<http://www.sonicwall.com/us/support.html>
Hardware Decisions
The first decision in hardware is the access point. While access
point technology (802.11a/b/g/n) is one factor in determining
your placement, based on distance served and bandwidth
needed, taking note of other hardware-based factors is just as
important.
Some hardware factors to take into consideration:
• Number of access points versus user density – If too
many users are serviced by a single access point,
maximum transfer rates are reached and that point may
become a bottleneck for the whole system.
• Bandwidth – How much data is moving upstream and
downstream for a given type of user?
• Ethernet cabling – Where are you running the powered
Ethernet (PoE) cable to and how are you securing that
cable? Is your PoE switch able to power all access points?
• Hubs / Switches / Security Appliance – Your wireless
deployment has to tie back into your SonicWALL security
appliance and LAN resources at some point. What speed is
needed for your Ethernet connection to accommodate the
number of access points you are installing? Also consider
where your key networking devices are deployed and how
they will connect efficiently with your wireless appliances.
• Ethernet connections for 802.11n – In most cases,
802.11n wireless hardware requires more bandwidth than a
single (or even dual) 10/100 Ethernet connection can
handle. Gigabit Ethernet connectivity between the WLAN
and the LAN is required to take full advantage of 802.11n
speed.
• Power Over Ethernet (PoE) – Part of your wireless
network planning should include verifying that your PoE
equipment is 802.3at compliant, and that full power can be
supplied to each SonicPoint.
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Solutions to RF Interference and Barriers
These days, finding an environment with no RF interference or
noise is nearly impossible. Only if you are setting up an office in
a secluded redwood grove can you count on RF interference to
be a non-issue. Even then, the redwood trees might just be
among those fitted with high-gain cellular antennas, an all-toocommon occurrence today. Regardless, you should expect to
deal with some level of signal interference in your deployment.
A
C
B
Location A – Rogue access points or wireless test lab
• Problem – Wireless product test labs and other (nonmalicious) rogue access points are problems in many Wi-Fi
deployments.
• Solution – Either eliminate all rogue access points, or
force their owners to use a set channel that does not
overlap with your distributed wireless solution.
Location B – Spectrum noise for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
• Problem – Your phone system is partially wireless and
uses the 2.4GHz or 5GHz spectrum.
• Solution – Give VoIP a try. VoIP will work in tandem with
your wireless network, instead of against it. For more on
SonicWALL VoIP implementation and capabilities, refer to
the Configuring VoIP SonicOS feature module available at:
http://www.sonicwall.com/us/support.html
Location C – Off-network access points
• Problem – Your neighbors need wireless, too!
Unfortunately, only a few sheets of drywall separate you.
Solution – Overpowering your neighbors with high-gain
antennas is an option, but not a particularly neighborly one.
Instead, you could simply use a different channel for
wireless access points bordering this wall and ensure that
your neighbors do the same. Performance in some dualchannel wireless devices may take a hit, but it is better
than dropped connections—or unhappy neighbors.
Page 10 Access Points and Network Design
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Registering Your Appliance
3
In this Section:
This section provides instructions for registering your SonicWALL SonicPoint appliance.
• Registering and Licensing Your Appliance on MySonicWALL - page 12
• Using SonicWALL Security Services for Wireless Clients - page 12
Note: Registration is an important part of the setup process and is necessary to receive the full benefits of SonicWALL security
services, automatic SonicPoint firmware updates, and technical support.
3
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