1 Mbps Wireless LAN Workgroup Bridge User Guide Quickly and cost-effectively create Wi-Fi certified workgroups Version 1 http://www.3com.com/ http://support.3com.com/registration/frontpg.pl/ Published December, 2001 Version 1.0.
3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, California 95052-8145 Copyright © 2001 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corporation.
CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION Infrastructure and Ad Hoc Operating Modes 5 Example Configurations 5 Wireless Network for the Office or Classroom Converged Connections in the Office 6 Workgroup Ad Hoc Networks 6 Product Registration and Support 6 2 5 INSTALLING THE WORKGROUP BRIDGE Before You Begin 7 Where should I Place the Bridge? 7 Do I Need to Configure the Bridge? 7 Connecting the Bridge 8 About the Client List 8 Hub Connection 9 3Com NBX Telephone Set Connection 9 Printer Connection 10 Computer Connectio
Restoring a Bridge to Factory Defaults 19 Upgrading the System 19 Locating Upgrade Files 20 Installing an Upgrade 20 Changing the Administration Password 20 Backing up a Configuration 20 Restoring a Configuration 21 Viewing System Status 21 Interoperating with Third-Party Equipment 21 4 TROUBLESHOOTING Disconnecting the Bridge 24 Uninstalling the Infrastructure Device Manager Uninstalling Configuration Help Files 24 Upgrading Bridge Firmware 24 24 INDEX REGULATORY COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
1 INTRODUCTION 3Com wireless technology has all the benefits of a local area network (LAN) without the restraints and expense of network wiring. 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN products provide easy, affordable, flexible ways to extend wireless networks to more users. This guide shows how you can use the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Workgroup Bridge in your office or classroom to connect groups of wired Ethernet client devices to your wireless LAN.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Converged Connections in the Office You can provide converged voice and data services by connecting the bridge and a computer to a 3Com NBX® telephone set as shown below. Workgroup Ad Hoc Networks You can provide flexible wireless network association for small groups in areas that cannot be wired as shown below. Product Registration and Support To register your product with 3Com, go to the following Web page: http://support.3com.com/registration/frontpg.
2 Before You Begin INSTALLING THE WORKGROUP BRIDGE Make sure that you have the following items, which are included with the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Workgroup Bridge: ■ Power supply and power cord. ■ Standard Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable. To connect the bridge to a hub that does not have an uplink (MDIX) port, you need an Ethernet crossover cable (not supplied). Before you connect the bridge, decide where to place it and whether you need to configure it.
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE WORKGROUP BRIDGE Property Default Setting Help File Location Local Drive Help File Path c:\Program Files\3Com\Management Help IP Network Setting Obtain IP address automatically IP Address Obtained automatically Subnet Mask Obtained automatically Gateway IP Address Obtained automatically Clear Channel Select Off Channel Uses access point channel.
Connecting the Bridge 9 the list, you must access the bridge’s configuration management system. Details on this procedure are in “Refreshing the Client List” on page 15. Hub Connection You can supply network connections for up to four devices, such as computers and printers, by connecting the bridge to an Ethernet hub, as shown below. Uplink port Make sure that the workgroup bridge Ethernet cable is plugged into the hub uplink (MDIX) port.
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE WORKGROUP BRIDGE Printer Connection Computer Connection Checking the LED Indicators You can connect the bridge directly to a printer as shown below. Used this way, the workgroup bridge allows you to place a printer in an area that is not wired for Ethernet. You can connect the bridge directly to a computer as shown below. Used this way, the workgroup bridge can convert a desktop computer to a wireless computer.
Summary of Configuration Steps Summary of Configuration Steps 11 The default configuration settings are shown in “Do I Need to Configure the Bridge?” on page 7. To change these settings, follow these steps: 1 Install the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager on a computer as described in “Installing the Infrastructure Device Manager” on page 11. 2 The first time you configure the workgroup bridge, it is recommended that you connect it directly to the computer where the device manager is installed.
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE WORKGROUP BRIDGE
3 CONFIGURING WORKGROUP BRIDGES If the workgroup bridge configuration that was set at the factory does not meet your network requirements, or if you want to customize the settings, you can use these tools to change the configuration: 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager—Helps you locate 3Com wireless LAN devices on the network, select a device and view its properties, and launch the device’s configuration management system.
CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURING WORKGROUP BRIDGES an administrative password to allow the new IP address to be set. If this is the first time the device is being configured, leave the password field blank and click Next. The Configuration Management System main page appears in your Web browser. The following table describes the functions of the buttons in the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager window.
Setting IP Network Properties Property Description Default Value Device Location Optionally, you can enter the location of the device. None Help File Location ■ ■ Help File Path Web Server: Help files are located on the network at the specified Help File Path. 15 Local Drive Local Drive: Help files are located on the client at the specified Help File Path. The location of the Configuration Management System help files on the web server or on the local drive. c:\Program Files\3Com\ Management
CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURING WORKGROUP BRIDGES 3 Under System Configuration, click IP Network. The IP Network Properties page appears. Click Refresh Client List. 4 Connect the new client by plugging its Ethernet cable into the hub or the bridge. Setting Wireless Network Properties Under System Configuration, click Wireless Network Properties. The Wireless Network Properties page appears, where you can select radio channel settings and advanced performance settings.
Setting up an Ad Hoc Network 17 change the settings shown below. When you are finished, click Enter or Apply all Changes. Setting up an Ad Hoc Network ■ Network Traffic Accelerator—To increase performance, click On (Enhanced performance). If you experience problems when equipment other than 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN equipment is being used, click Off (Wi-Fi Interoperable). ■ Data Preamble—To increase performance, click Short (Enhanced performance).
CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURING WORKGROUP BRIDGES 9 Connect the Ethernet devices to the bridges. If you use hubs, make sure that the workgroup bridges are connected through the hub uplink ports. Changing Security Settings Under System Configuration, click Security Settings. The Security Settings page appears, where you can select the type of security to be used on the bridge. The bridge can be configured to support one type of security at a time.
Resetting the Bridge 128-bit Dynamic Security Link 19 This option can only be used with other 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN devices. It is the highest level of security, requiring a user name and password to access the wireless LAN. The user name and password set up on the bridge must match those set up on the access point. Each network session creates a unique, one-time encryption code. If you choose this type of security, you must also set up a login as described in “Setting up the Wireless Network Login”.
CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURING WORKGROUP BRIDGES computer that is wired to the LAN and has access to the device you want to upgrade. If you upgrade both the firmware and the configuration management system, be sure to upgrade the Web server file system first. Locating Upgrade Files To locate upgrade files: 1 Log on to the 3Com Web site at http://www.3com.com. 2 Navigate to the product support page. 3 Navigate to the software download page and locate the files you want to download.
Restoring a Configuration 21 all the parameters of the selected bridge in a file on your computer. The file can be used later to restore the configuration on this or another bridge. 1 Set the bridge parameters in the System Configuration pages. 2 Under Tools, click Backup Wireless Workgroup Bridge. 3 In the next page, click Backup Now. 4 Specify a name and location for the backup, and click OK.
CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURING WORKGROUP BRIDGES
4 TROUBLESHOOTING If you have difficulty with the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Workgroup Bridge, try the solutions in the following table. Symptom Solutions Four devices have been connected to the bridge, either simultaneously or sequentially. After connecting another device, the new device cannot associate with the network. The workgroup bridge supports up to four specific clients (for example, computers and printers) and keeps track of them using a client list of MAC addresses.
CHAPTER 4: TROUBLESHOOTING Symptom Solutions Two workgroup bridges cannot To ensure correct operation in ad hoc mode, the settings on communicate in ad hoc mode. the two bridges must match exactly. Make sure that the Wireless LAN Service Area, channel selections, Data Preamble setting, and security setting are the same on both bridges. 128-bit security settings do not 128-bit security settings are not supported in ad hoc mode. work in ad hoc mode. Use 40-bit Shared Keys setting instead.
INDEX Numbers 128-bit Dynamic Security Link 19 128-bit Shared Key 18 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security 18 A access point IP address 15 changing 15 refreshing after changing 13 LEDs 10 viewing the wireless network tree 13 access point privacy mode 16 ad hoc network 5, 17 adapter, choosing 14 administration password, changing 20 G S guidelines, security 18 security 128-bit Dynamic Security Link 19 128-bit Shared Key 18 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) 18 guidelines 18 no security 18 security settings 18 setti
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE INFORMATION FCC RADIO-FREQUENCY EXPOSURE NOTICE This device generates and radiates radio-frequency energy. In order to comply with FCC radio-frequency radiation exposure guidelines for an uncontrolled environment, this equipment has to be installed and operated while maintaining a minimum body to antenna distance of 20 cm. This product does not contain any user serviceable components.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY - CE NOTICE Marking by the symbol: indicates compliance of this equipment to the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC.
