User Guide 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Outdoor Bridge Solution 3CRWEASY96A Complete building-to-building outdoor wireless LAN kit http://www.3com.com/ http://support.3com.com/registration/frontpg.pl/ Published October, 2002 Document Version 1.0.
3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, California 95052-8145 Copyright © 2002 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 Introduction Product Overview 7 Point-to-Point Topology 7 Point-to-Multipoint Topology Basic Operating Modes 9 8 Planning the Installation Installation Guidelines 10 Proper Grounding 11 Alignment 11 Polarization 11 Thermal Conditions 12 Restrictions on Antenna Use 12 Administration Requirements 13 Installing the Bridge Mounting the Bridge to a Mast 14 Connecting the Bridge to the LAN 15 Installing Software Utilities 16 Establishing Wireless Association 17 Configuring the Bridge Using the Device
Setting Wireless Network Properties 24 Setting Advanced Performance Properties 26 Setting up an Ad Hoc Network 27 Setting up an Access Point Infrastructure Network Changing Security Settings 29 No Security (Open System) 30 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) 30 128-bit Shared Key 31 128-bit Dynamic Security Link 31 Setting up the Wireless Network Login 31 Resetting the Bridge 32 Restoring a Bridge to Factory Defaults 32 Upgrading the System 32 Changing the Administration Password 33 Backing up a Configuration 33 Rest
Regulatory Compliance Information Index
1 INTRODUCTION PRODUCT OVERVIEW The 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Outdoor Bridge Solution is a complete building-to-building outdoor wireless LAN kit that eliminates the need to evaluate, purchase and assemble separate components.
POINT-TO-MULTIPOINT TOPOLOGY Point-to-multipoint topology allows communication among three or more buildings. In one building, an access point equipped with an omnidirectional antenna provides wireless association among the wired LANs in several other buildings with 3Com outdoor bridges installed. If a 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 8000 is used, this topology can connect wired LANs over distances up to 16 kilometers (10 miles).
BASIC OPERATING MODES Two operating modes relate to the basic WLAN topologies: Ad hoc mode. This is the basis for point-to-point topology. Operating in ad ■ hoc mode, two outdoor bridges can associate without an access point, allowing the LANs to which they are connected to communicate. Access Point (Infrastructure) mode. This is the basis for point-to-multipoint ■ topology.
2 PLANNING THE INSTALLATION The following items are required for installation: ■ For a point-to point configuration, two 3Com outdoor bridges. ■ For a point-to-multipoint configuration, one 3Com 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 8000 (or other Wi-Fi compliant access point) with an omnidirectional antenna for one building, and one 3Com outdoor bridge for each other building.
mounted in any area where it could be vulnerable to extreme or hazardous conditions of any kind. PROPER GROUNDING To ensure the physical safety of anyone near the bridge and to prevent damage to the unit, follow the building codes for antenna installations in your area. Make certain that bridges and masts are appropriately grounded to prevent injury or damage from lightning strikes.
■ ■ For point-to-multipoint configurations, the omnidirectional antenna connected to the access point should be vertically aligned in relation to the ground. Unidirectional antennas that link with omnidirectional antennas should always be oriented for vertical polarization. Bridges should be identically polarized, either horizontally or vertically. THERMAL CONDITIONS As mentioned in a previous section, optimal performance is maintained at temperature ranges between -20˚C to 50˚C (-4˚F to 122˚F).
■ To comply with power restrictions on 18 dBi antennas, bridges must be separated by at least 200 meters (218 yards). ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS To use the administration tool, which helps you select 3Com wireless LAN devices and launch their configuration management systems, you need a computer running one of the following operating systems and one of the following browsers: ■ Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows Me, Windows 98 ■ Browsers: Netscape 6.
3 INSTALLING THE BRIDGE The bridge can be placed in any outdoor location as described in Installation Guidelines. Note: Only professional network personnel should install the bridge unit, antennas and cables. This helps to ensure compliance with all local and national buiding codes, regulatory restrictions, FCC rules, and the safety of people and equipment.
CAUTION: As shown in the illustration, avoid damage from direct lightning strikes by mounting the bridge at least 1 Meter (3 feet) below the top of the mast. WARNING: Do not install the bridge near overhead power lines, electric light or power circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the bridge, do not come into contact with such circuits, which can cause serious injury or death. Follow local and national codes for proper installation and grounding of antennas.
2 ft. or less Outdoor Ethernet cable (to Bridge) AC power adapter Lightning arrestor "To Access Point" (Bridge) "To Hub/Switch" Caution: To avoid damaging other components connected to the network, make sure that the Ethernet cable connected to the LAN port is plugged into the “To Hub/Switch” port on the power supply (not the “To Access Point” port).
3 From the menu, select Install the Tools and Documentation. This option installls the Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Tool, which you can use to monitor bridges and select devices for administrative changes. It also installs the User Guide in HTML and PDF formats. 4 Follow the instructions on the screen. ESTABLISHING WIRELESS ASSOCIATION After the bridge and software utilities are installed, you can configure the bridge as follows: ■ Launch the bridge configuration.
4 CONFIGURING THE BRIDGE If the configuration that was set at the factory does not meet your network requirements, or if you want to customize the settings, you can configure the bridge through your Web browser. The 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 in your Web browser.
identified with exclamation points (!). You can refresh this display by clicking Refresh. You should refresh the display, for example, after you change a device IP address. 2 In the Wireless Network Tree, select the device you want to configure. If more than one wireless LAN device appears in the tree and you are not sure that you have selected the right one, click Properties and check the MAC address to verify that it is the one you want. 3 Click Configure.
USING THE PRE-IP CONFIGURATION WIZARD You can only configure devices that are on the same subnet as your computer. To configure a device on a different subnet, you must first assign it an IP address on the same subnet as your computer. After you launch the configuration, you can change settings as usual. Just before you finish, you must change the device IP address back to its original setting.
To reduce the possibility of losing wireless association with an access point while you are configuring, security settings are stored when you click Save in the security pages, but they do not take effect until you click Save in the Wireless Network page. First configure security settings. Then go to the Wireless Network page and configure wireless network settings, including the Wireless LAN Service Area. The security settings take effect after you click Save in the Wireless Network page.
Property Description Default Value Secure Web Server Controls whether Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology is Off Connection used to encrypt information between the computer and the bridge during a configuration session. When this option is turned on, data is protected during the configuration session. When it is turned off, data could be intercepted during the configuration session.
SETTING UP PROTOCOL AND PORT FILTERING Protocol filtering allows you to control the types of protocols that the bridge is authorized to transmit and receive. The default setting allows the following protocols to be transmitted and received: ■ IPX ■ NetBEUI ■ UDP/IP ■ TCP/IP To set up a list of authorized protocols: 1 Under System Configuration, click Filtering. 2 In the Protocol Filtering page, click the Allow radio buttons next to the protocols that you want to authorize.
To view the list of protocol ports or delete protocol ports from the list: 1 Click the link to view the protocol port list. 2 In the next page, click the check boxes next to the protocol port numbers and click Delete. (You may click Reset to clear all check boxes before clicking Delete.) SETTING WIRELESS NETWORK PROPERTIES Under System Configuration, click Wireless Network Properties. The Wireless Network Properties page appears, where you can configure the items listed below.
■ When the network mode is Ad-hoc (Peer-to-Peer) you can specify channel selection as follows: ■ Automatically select the best channel—When this option is enabled, the bridge scans the primary channels. If the bridge is establishing a new ad hoc network, it chooses the channel with the least number of packets. If the bridge is joining an existing ad hoc network, it selects the channel in use.
18 dBi Power (dBm): Country 18 13 7 Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Y Colombia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Taiwan Y United States Y* Y Y* Y* All Other Countries † N N N N N N N N N * Channels 12 and 13 not allowed when using 18 dBi antenna in the United States. † Countries where transmit power is limited to 100 mW (20 dBm). SETTING ADVANCED PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES Under System Configuration, click Wireless Network Properties.
■ ■ ■ Acknowledgement Delay—This setting determines the length of time the bridge waits for an acknowledgement after transmitting packets. When the delay time has passed, the bridge resends the packets. A longer acknowledgement delay allows the bridge to associate with another wireless device over a greater distance. Set the delay to match the distance between the bridge and the wireless device with which it is associated. Click the radio button next to the appropriate distance range.
1 Install the first bridge. 2 Use the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to select the first bridge and launch its configuration management system. 3 Configure security settings. Security settings default to No Security (Open System). Optionally, you can set shared key security as described in “40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi)” or “128-bit Shared Key”. 4 Under System Configuration, click Wireless Network. (Wireless Network properties are described in “Setting Wireless Network Properties”.
compliant manufacturers can be located up to 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away from the bridge. 2 Use the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to select the first bridge and launch its configuration management system. 3 Configure security settings. Security settings default to No Security (Open System). Optionally, you can set up the following types of security: Shared key —See 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) or 128-bit Shared Key.
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. You can change the settings by clicking the radio buttons and entering values in the fields. When you are finished, click Save. Then go to the Wireless Network Properties page, set the Wireless LAN Service Area, and click Save.
from other manufacturers that use Wi-Fi certified 40-bit encryption. To enter the keys, click Specify shared keys and which to use. Then click the link to specify and select the shared keys. In the shared keys window, enter all the keys in the provided spaces, then click a radio button in the Selected Key column to specify which key to use and click Save.
RESETTING THE BRIDGE If the bridge stops responding correctly, you can perform a reset, which disrupts the network association temporarily, but does not affect bridge configuration settings that have already been saved. To reset the bridge, under Tools, click Reset Wireless Building-to-Building Bridge. In the next page, click Reset. RESTORING A BRIDGE TO FACTORY DEFAULTS You can restore bridge settings to the defaults that were set at the factory as follows: 1 Under Tools, click Restore Factory Defaults.
To install an upgrade: 1 Use the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to select the device and launch its configuration. 2 Under Tools, click Upgrade System. 3 Enter the name of the upgrade file that you downloaded earlier. 4 Enter the IP address of the TFTP server where the upgrade file is located. 5 Click Upgrade. The upgrade file is copied from the TFTP server to the bridge. The bridge restarts using the new upgrade.
RESTORING A CONFIGURATION If you have stored a backup configuration on your computer, you can restore the configuration as follows: 1 Under Tools, click Restore Wireless Building-to-Building Bridge. 2 In the next page, click Browse and select the backup file to upload to the bridge. 3 Click Restore. The configuration is restored and activated on the bridge. This operation may cause the bridge to reboot.
RESETTING STATISTICS LISTINGS In the Ethernet Client List page, click Reset Statistics to set the # Transmitted Packets and # Received Packets listings back to zero. CLEARING THE CLIENT LIST You can clear the client list manually by clicking Reset Clients in the Ethernet Client List page. The bridge erases the client list. Thereafter, clients are added to the list automatically when they next interact with the network.
5 TROUBLESHOOTING DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS If you have difficulty with the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Outdoor Bridge, try the solutions in the following table. Symptom Solutions Two bridges fail to communicate in ad hoc mode. ■ Adjust the positions of the antennas to improve reception. ■ To ensure correct operation in ad hoc mode, the settings on the two bridges must match exactly.
Symptom Solutions A bridge set for 128-bit Shared Key encryption seems to communicate with an access point set for 40-bit Shared Key encryption or open system. Although the bridge is allowed to associate with an access point set for a different level of encryption, data authentication is not allowed. Therefore, data cannot pass between the bridge and the access point unless their settings match exactly. The Wireless Network Tree does not appear in the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager window.
DISCONNECTING THE BRIDGE CAUTION: Disconnecting the bridge ends the network association. To avoid possible data loss, exit all networking applications on connected devices before you disconnect the bridge. ■ ■ ■ If you are using the 3Com power supply, unplug it from the power source. Then unplug the Ethernet cable from the power supply and the second Ethernet cable from the bridge. If the bridge is connected directly to a power-over-Ethernet device, unplug the bridge Ethernet cable from the device.
A TECHNICAL SUPPORT 3Com provides easy access to technical support information through a variety of services. This appendix describes these services. Information contained in this appendix is correct at time of publication. For the most recent information, access the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site at http://www.3com.com/.
SUPPORT FROM YOUR NETWORK SUPPLIER If you require additional assistance, contact your network supplier. Many suppliers are authorized 3Com service partners who are qualified to provide a variety of services, including network planning, installation, hardware maintenance, application training, and support services.
Country Telephone Number Malaysia 1800 801 777 New Zealand 0800 446 398 Pakistan +61 2 9937 5083 Philippines 1235 61 266 2602 P.R. of China 10800 61 00137 or 021 6350 1590 or 00800 0638 3266 Singapore 800 6161 463 S. Korea 02 3455 6455 or 00798 611 2230 Taiwan, R.O.C. 0080 611 261 Thailand 001 800 611 2000 Or, send a description of the problem by email to: apr_technical_support@3com.
Country Telephone Number Italy 800 8 79489 Luxembourg 0800 23625 Netherlands 0800 0227788 Norway 800 11376 Poland 00800 3111206 Portugal 0800 831416 South Africa 0800 995014 Spain 900 983125 Sweden 020 795482 Switzerland 0800 55 3072 U.K. 0800 966197 Latin America Brazil KRIS: Do all of these phone #s get eliminated????? http://www.3com.com/support/en_US/repair/lat.
Country Telephone Number Fax Number Brazil 0800 133266 or 55 11 5643 2700 ?? Caribbean 525 201 0004 Chile 562 240 6200 Colombia 525 201 0004 Ecuador 525 201 0004 Mexico 525 201 0004 Paraguay 525 201 0004 Peru 511 241 1691 Uruguay 525 201 0004 Venezuela 525 201 0004 From the following countries, you may call the toll-free numbers; select option 2 and then option 2: Austria 0800 297468 Belgium 0800 71429 Denmark 800 17309 Finland 0800 113153 France 0800 917959 Germany 0800 18
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 2 meters. This product does not contain any user serviceable components.
3Com Corporation WL-306B Tested to Comply With FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE Industry Canada Notice (Applicable to Use Within Canada) This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing.
INDEX Numbers C 128-bit Dynamic Security Link 31 128-bit Shared Key 31 3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 39 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager 18 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) security 30 changing passwords, administration 33 channel and power restrictions 12 channel selection 24, 25 choosing a NIC 19 clearing the client list 35 client list 35 configuration backing up 33 maintenance for bridges 33 restoring 34 saving changes 20 Configuration Management System 19, 20 Configure button 19 configuring an
F filtering port 23 protocol 23 firmware upgrade 32 flow control 26 G grounding antennas 11 guidelines, security 30 network access point 9, 28 ad hoc 9, 27 infrastructure 24 mode 24 privacy mode 24 traffic accelerator 26 network supplier support 40 NIC, choosing 19 No Security 30 O help file location 21 help file path 21 hexadecimal keys 30 online technical services 39 open system 30 operating mode access point 9, 28 ad hoc 9, 27 I P H installation 10 bridge 10 connecting to a wired network 15 firm
saving configuration changes 20 secure web server connection 22, 37 security 30 128-bit Dynamic Security Link 31 128-bit Shared Key 31 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) 30 guidelines 30 no security 30 saving settings 21 settings, radio channel 24, 25 shared keys 30 software utilities 16 installing 16 solving problems 36 system summary, viewing 35 T technical support 3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 39 network suppliers 40 product repair 42 third-party interoperability 35 traffic accelerator 26 troubleshooting 36 br
