Xircom WDAP5000, WSAP2000 User Manual

Overview

Welcome to the Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point User's Guide. This guide covers
software installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

To select a topic, click a link in the contents column to the left.

After installing the access point register your access point online. Go to the Intel Product

Registration Web site.

Copyright © 2002 Intel Corporation. Legal Information

Introduction

The 802.11a and 802.11b Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Dual Access Point operates in the both
5 GHz and 2.4 GHz environment at speeds up to 54 Mbps (802.11a) and 11 Mbps (802.11b). It
features a software configurable antenna and will supports IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet.
Each access point uses eight non-overlapping transmission channels for support of up to 64
active users per access point. Placement can be on a desk or table, mounting on a wall or ceiling.

The PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point is compatible with other products supporting the IEEE

802.11a standard and 802.11b standard.

Security features include support for 128, 64, and 0-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
encryption and Virtual Private Network (VPN) compatibility.

A browser-based user interface is provided for configuration of the access point. See the

installation

For information on how to set up a wireless LAN, see the Administrator's Guide
Administrator's Guide is intended for use by network administrators.

instructions for information on how to set up and configure one or more access points.

. The

802.1x Authentication

The 802.11a Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Dual Access Point supports 802.1x authentication
for Windows operating systems.

802.1x authentication for wireless LANs has three main components: The supplicant (usually the
client software); the authenticator (the access point); and the authentication server (usually a
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service or RADIUS server).

802.1x is a standards-based solution for port-level authentication for a wired or wireless Ethernet
client systems.

Copyright © 2002 Intel Corporation. Legal Information

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Installation

• Introduction

• Installation Options and Requirements

• Connect and Power Up the Access Point

• LED Indicators

• Configuring the Access Point for the First Time

• Using DHCP

• Access Point Default Values

• Restore Factory Defaults

• Select a Location for Installation of the Access Point

• Access Point Configuration

Introduction

Your Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point, when used with Intel PRO/Wireless 5000
LAN Adapters or other 802.11a and 802.11b-compliant wireless LAN adapters, offers an easy
and economical way to add secure wireless connectivity to a wired local area network (LAN)
within a building or office.

For detailed hardware installation requirements and diagrams, see the printed Quick Installation
Guide supplied with the access point.

Installation Options and Requirements

Review the following options and requirements for installation and configuration of the access
point for connection over the wired LAN:

• (Recommended) For configuration of the access point, you will need a wired client

workstation connected to the access point directly (recommended) or over the wired LAN
to which the access point is connected. Note: Initial setup and configuration must be
done over a wired connection, but subsequent changes to the configuration can be done
over a wireless connection.

• (Optional) DHCP server support for automatic assignment of an IP address to the

access point over the wired network. You can configure the access point to use DHCP to
get its IP address. See Using DHCP

.

Connect and Power Up the Access Point

Connect the Access Point to the Wired Network

• Plug an RJ-45 Category 5 Ethernet cable into the RJ-45 connector on the bottom of the
access point and into a 10/100 Ethernet wall connector or hub.

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Connect the Access Point to a Source of AC Power

• Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet.

• Plug the power adapter cable into the power socket on the bottom of the access point.

LED Indicators

Once the access point is connected to a wired network and is powered on, check the LED
indicators to verify that the unit is functioning correctly. If the access point fails to initialize, restart
it by disconnecting and reconnecting the power.

The Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point can be mounted "right side up" on a desk
or table or "upside down" on a wall or ceiling. The LED discussion that follows is based on a wall­or ceiling-mounted configuration in which the access point is "upside down." In this configuration
the "Ready" LED will be the top LED and "Wired link" will be the bottom LED.

• The "Ready" LED should be lit.

• If the access point is connected to a LAN through an Ethernet cable, the "Wired link" LED

should be lit (green for 10 Mbps, orange for 100 Mbps) and the "Wired network activity"
LED should be blinking.

• If the access point is communicating with a wireless adapter, the "Wireless radio activity"
LED should be flashing steadily. The Wireless radio activity LED blinks faster when the
access point is sending or receiving information from a wireless adapter.

• Note that there are two sets of LEDs for "Wireless radio activity" and "Wireless radio
association." The description indicates which models use which set or sets.

Viewed on a wall- or ceiling-mounted access point, the LED indicators have the following
locations and functions.

Green. This indicator will stay illuminated after

Ready

Wireless radio activity (802.11a)

Wireless radio association (802.11a)

Wireless radio activity (802.11b)

Wireless radio association (802.11b)

Wired network activity

Wired link

the access point has completed the initialization
sequence. The Ready light flashes quickly 3
times during a reset to factory default settings

Yellow flashes steadily if no adapter
associated, and more rapidly when transferring
data. Applies to models WSAP5000 and
WDAP5000.

Green will be ON if a client is associated to the
access point and OFF if not. Applies to models
WSAP5000 and WDAP5000.

Yellow flashes steadily if no adapter
associated, and more rapidly when transferring
data. Applies to models WSAP2000 and
WDAP5000.

Green will be ON if a client is associated to the
access point and OFF if not. Applies to models
WSAP2000 and WDAP5000.

Yellow blinking shows activity.

Green for 10 Mbps wired network speed and
orange for 100 Mbps.

.

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Configuring the Access Point for the First Time

1. Set up a portable or desktop computer as a configuration workstation from which to view
the access point browser-based Configuration Management System and configure the
access point:

2. Connect the configuration workstation to the access point over a wired LAN, either
directly (using a crossover RJ-45 cable) or through a hub or switch (using a standard RJ­45 cable). (Modifications to the configuration can be done from a wireless workstation
once the access point has been set up and configured on the network.)

3. The configuration workstation must be running Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, Me, or 98,
and must have one of the following web browsers installed for access to the access point
Configuration Management System: Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5.5 or later or
Netscape Navigator version 4.78 or later

4. In order to view the browser-based Configuration Management System and modify
access point default settings, the configuration workstation must be configured initially
with an IP address compatible with the default IP address and subnet of the access
point. For example, based on the access point default IP address 192.0.2.1 and default
subnet 255.255.0.0, the client workstation could be set to 192.0.2.2, 192.0.2.3, or a
similar address not in use by another device.

5. Once the workstation has been configured as just described, type the default access
point IP address as a URL in the browser address field: http://192.0.2.1.

6. To access the Express Setup pages, type a user name and a password. The default for
both user name and password is Intel (upper case I, lower case ntel)

7. Use Express Setup to configure the access point with a new IP address, subnet, and
other settings suitable for the network to which it will be permanently connected.

8. Click Apply first, then click Restart AP. After the access has restarted, connect it to the
required network.

To ensure that your settings are saved, always click the Apply button after making changes
to settings, then click OK to exit the page. If you click OK without clicking Apply, the new settings
will not be saved.

9. Once the access point has been configured and connected on the network, the
configuration interface can be viewed from any workstation on the same network
segment or subnet. Open a browser and type the actual IP address of the access point
as a URL in the address field.

View the Access Point Browser Interface

1. Make sure that the IP address of the computer you are using to configure the access
point is on the same subnet or has access via a gateway to the subnet the access point
is attached to (see instructions above for setting up a configuration workstation). Also
make sure your proxy settings are correct. If you are not sure, contact your network
administrator.

2. Launch one of the following Internet browsers: Netscape Navigator* 4.78 or later, or
Microsoft Internet Explorer* 5.5 or later.

3. In the browser’s address field, enter http://x.x.x.x, where x.x.x.x is the access point’s IP
address. The access point Configuration Management System main page will display.

4. Access the various screens using the tree located on the left.

To view configuration, function or option changes on the browser pages, turn off the

browser's caching function.

4

• For Netscape, from the menu bar select Edit, Properties, Advanced, Cache, the select
Document in cache is compared to document on network: Every time.

• For Internet Explorer, from the menu bar select View, Internet Options, Temporary
Internet files, Settings, then select Check for newer versions of stored pages: Every visit
to the page.

If this property or option is not turned off, the browser returns the previous view of the page
without the changes.

Settings for First Time Configuration (Express Setup)

For complete coverage of access point settings see the Access Point Help File.

Setting Description

The default IP address is 192.0.2.1. An IP address is not dynamically assigned to

Default IP
Address

System
Name

Default
Subnet
Mask

Default
Gateway

DHCP

Help URL

SSID 11A

the access point under its default configuration. Use the default address initially,
then change it to a valid address for the network to which the access point will be
connected. For dynamic address assignment, see Using DHCP

User-defined name for the access point. Any combination of letters and numbers
from 1 to 32 characters. Default is the model number of the access point.

The default Subnet Mask is 255.255.0.0 if DHCP usage is Disabled or DHCP
service is not available. Change this address to a valid address for the network to
which the access point will be connected.

There is no default gateway initially configured. Use a valid gateway address for the
network to which the access point will be connected. If no valid gateway is defined
on your network, use the default gateway 0.0.0.0. For gateway assignment via
DHCP, see Using DHCP

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) dynamically assigns IP
addresses on a network with a DHCP server. Default setting for the PRO/Wireless
5000 LAN Access Point is Disabled. If you wish to change this setting to Enabled
and install the access point on a network using DHCP support, see Using DHCP

Location of the Help files accessible by clicking the Help button on a screen in the
access point Configuration Management System. See Access Point Help File

Installation.

Service Set Identifier (also called Network Name, Network ID, ESSID) identifies the
network to which the access point is connected. All access points and client
workstations on the same wireless LAN must have the same SSID, which can be
any combination of letters and numbers up to 32 characters. Default for Intel
PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN devices is "101." The default SSID is intended only for
preliminary setups and connections; it should usually be changed to a descriptive
name for the wireless LAN network in question.

.

.

.

Using DHCP

The Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point can be configured to use DHCP to get its IP
address, subnet mask, and default gateway:

1. Access the Express Setup page in the browser-based Configuration Management
System as described in Steps 1-6 under Configuring the Access Point for the First Time

5

.

2. Change the DHCP setting from Disabled to Enabled on the Express Setup page (or the
Configuration page). Save the new settings by clicking Apply, then click Restart AP. After
the restart, connect the access point to the network to which it will be permanently
connected.

3. The next time the access point is restarted after DHCP has been enabled, it will attempt
to get its IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway from the DHCP server. If no
server is available, the access point will use its Default IP Address and Default Subnet
Mask settings.

4. When the access point used DHCP to obtain its IP address, you will have to determine
the IP address before you can access the configuration pages. There are several
strategies you can use for this, based on the MAC address assigned to the access point:

• Before connecting the "DHCP Enabled" access point to a DHCP
network, ask your network administrator to reserve an IP address based
on the MAC address for the access point in the DHCP "lease table." This
will allow the DHCP server to recognize the access point when it is
connected to the network and assign it a known IP address based on the
MAC address.

• You can also connect a "DHCP Enabled" access point to a DHCP
network immediately, without reserving the MAC address before
connection. In this case an address will be assigned automatically, but
you will have to request the address from your network administrator
who will obtain it from the DHCP "lease table."

• You can also use the Intel Access Point Administration Tool AP
Discovery to find the access point and display its IP address. See the

Administrator's Guide

for information.

The MAC Address

The Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address of an Ethernet or wireless LAN device is a
hardware address unique to that device and permanently set when the device was manufactured.
A MAC address is a 48-bit number written as six hexadecimal bytes separated by colons. For
example:

00:A0:F8:24:9A:C8

The MAC address of the access point can be seen on the Configuration page, on the Ethernet
Network Interface page, and on the label on the bottom of the access point.

Access Point Default Settings

System name

IP address

Subnet mask

Default gateway

User

Password

SSID 11A

WEP 11A

WDAP5000

192.0.2.1

255.255.0.0

None

Intel (case sensitive)

Intel (case sensitive)

101

Disabled

6

Restore Factory Defaults

The access point has a Reset button that can be used to perform a hardware reset or to restore
the access point's factory default settings.

The Reset button is located in a pinhole on the bottom of the access point. Insert the end of an
unbent paper clip into the hole and apply pressure as follows:

• Press and release the Reset button quickly to perform a hardware reset of the access
point.

• Press and hold the Reset button until the "Ready" LED flashes quickly 3 times. This will
restore all access point parameters to factory default settings, including the default user
name, password, and IP address.

For detailed information on access point configuration parameters, see the Access Point Help

File.

Select a Location for Installation of the Access Point

PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Points should be positioned for maximum throughput and range
between access points and wireless client stations. Range and performance are dictated by the
distance between the access point and client radios, and by obstacles that may be present in a
specific building or office environment. The following positioning guidelines are suggested:

• If you're installing two or more access points to make up a single wireless Ethernet
network, all access points must be connected to the same wired Ethernet subnet and
must use the same network ID (SSID). If WEP security is used, all access points and
clients must use the same WEP key.

• Make a chart documenting all the access points and client adapters you wish to include in
your wireless network. Record the MAC address of each, and fill out the chart with the IP
addresses of each (when set), as well as the network ID (SSID), subnet mask, gateway,
and WEP key, if used.

• Use the Site Survey utility supplied on the Intel CD-ROM to analyze positioning and test
signal strength at various locations. Modify the positioning of the access points and client
stations as required for optimum performance. See the Administrator's Guide
information on this utility.

• Wired LAN (RJ-45) and power connections must be available for the access point at the
desired location

• If building blueprints or floor plans are available, use them to define potential client
workstation locations and likely roaming areas

• Identify possible obstacles or sources of interference that could affect signal strength (for
example, walls, metal objects)

• Define preliminary access point positioning based on the range of access points and
client adapters, which is approximately 150-300 feet (45-90 meters) between access
points, depending on the environment (see Specifications for details).

• Mount the access point in the desired location using the bracket and mounting screws
supplied. See the Quick Installation Guide for detailed instructions.

• The location of each access point must be dry and dust free (install in wet or dusty areas
only with additional protection) and maintain a temperature range between 0° C and 55°
C.

• Place the access point in a location clear of debris and away from office traffic.

for

7

Copyright © 2002 Intel Corporation. Legal Information

Configuration

You configure an access point through the Access Point Configuration Management System. It
contains several configuration screens, each of which is displayed in a browser.

The Access Point Online Help File

An online help file describes the features in each of the screens in the Access Point Configuration
Management System. There are two ways to view the online help file.

• To view the Access Point online help file now, without using the Access Point
Configuration Management System, click here

• To view the Access Point online help file as you are viewing or changing settings in the
configuration screens, you have to install the online help file on a management client
workstation or server and configure the Access Point Configuration Management System
to display it. After the installation and configuration, click the Help button on a
configuration screen to display help information pertinent to that screen. For instructions
on how to install the help file, click here

.

.

To access the browser-based Configuration Management System built into the access point, see
the access point installation and setup

information .

Help File Installation

Install the Help file on a web server (recommended):

1. Create a directory for the Help file. For example: D:/Intel/Wireless/Ap/Help.

2. Create an alias for the Help path. For example: HelpPath.

3. Copy the file WAP50HLP.HTM from the directory GUIDES/APHelp/5000 on the Intel CD­ROM to the directory created in Step 1.

4. On the Express Setup or Configuration screen in the access point Configuration
Management System, enter the following URL in the field “Help URL”:
HTTP://nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn/HelpPath, where nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn is the IP address of the
web server. Click Apply.

If no web server is available, install the Help file on a client workstation:

This option is only available if your browser is Internet Explorer.

1. Create a directory for the Help file. For example: C:/Intel/Wireless/Ap/Help.

2. Copy the file WAP50HLP.HTM from the directory GUIDES/APHelp/5000 on the Intel CD­ROM to the directory created in Step 1.

3. On the Express Setup or Configuration screen in the access point Configuration
Management System, enter the path to the directory created in Step 1
(C:/Intel/Wireless/Ap/Help in the example above) in the field “Help URL” and click
Apply.

8

Be sure that the Help file installed on the local machine or web server is identical to the file

found on the Intel CD-ROM.

Copyright © 2002 Intel Corporation. Legal Information

Troubleshooting

Installing the Access Point Administration Tools

The AP Administration Tools AP Discovery and Site Survey have to be installed using the
Custom installation option during installation of the Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN CardBus
Adapter. See Installing Access Point Administration Tools

for information.

Installing the Access Point Help File

The Intel® PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN Access Point browser interface that features a Help button
for access to configuration information. However, before you can use the Help button, the Help
file has to be installed and the browser interface has to be configured with the path to its location.

See Access Point Help File Installation
configure the browser for access to it.

for instructions on how to install the Help file and

Troubleshooting Tips

Use the Latest Release of Your Intel Installation CD-ROM

If you have more than one Intel Installation CD-ROM for your Intel PRO/Wireless 5000 LAN
products, always use the CD-ROM with the highest version number.

Access Point LED Functions

The front panel of the Access Point uses seven LEDs to indicate the current state of activity. The
LEDs are grouped into three pairs, with an additional "Ready" LED at the bottom (when the
access point is mounted on a desktop) or top (when mounted on a wall or ceiling). Usage of the
second and third pair of LEDs varies with different access point models. One pair is used for

802.11a functions (models WSAP5000 and WDAP5000) and the other for 802.11b (models
WSAP2000 and WDAP5000). On dual 802.11a and 802.11b access points (such as model
WDAP5000), both the second and third pairs may be active. See LED indicators
access point LEDs and their functions.

for a table of the

Confirming Changes to AP Settings When Using Internet Explorer

9