User’s Guide Aironet 3500 Series™ AP3500-E Ethernet Access Point DOC-710-004020-A1 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 367 Ghent Road, Suite 300 P.O. Box 5292 • Fairlawn, Ohio 44334-0292 www.aironet.
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the written permission of Aironet. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Aironet makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this manual and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
Manufacturers Federal Communication Commission Declaration of Conformity Statement Models: AP3500-E Manufacturer: Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. 367 Ghent Rd , Suite 300 Fairlawn, OH 44334 1-800-3-WIRELESS This device complies with Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and 2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Department of Communications - Canada Canadian Compliance Statement This Class B Digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numerique de la classe B respecte les exigences du Reglement sur le material broilleur du Canada. This device complies with Industry Canada certifications RSS-210 (unlicensed use) and GL-36/RSS-139-1 (licensed outdoor use).
Declaration of Conformity Aironet Model Number: AP3500-E Application of Council Directive: Application of Council Directive: CE Type Examination Certificate: 89/336/EEC 73/23/EEC HDTP/RDR/167/394122 Standards to which Conformity is Declared: EN 55022 (B) EN 55011 (B) EN 50082-1 EN 60950 Manufacturer: Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. 367 Ghent Road, Suite 300 Fairlawn Ohio, 44334 The undersigned hereby declares that the equipment specified above conforms to the directives and standards cited herein.
Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................... 1-1 Purpose of the Manual ............................................... 1-1 Safety Information ...................................................... 1-2 Dipole Antenna .................................................... 1-3 High Antennas ..................................................... 1-3 Other Devices in the Wireless Network .............. 1-3 Before You Start ......................................
Introduction Introduction Purpose of the Manual The purpose of this User’s Guide is to allow you to easily install and initially configure your Aironet Access Point. This will permit other wireless devices, such as fixed stations, mobile stations, or another Aironet Access Point (acting as a repeater), to be able to associate to it. These will then be able to communicate to each other over the radio network and to the rest of the network via the Ethernet link.
Introduction Safety Information The FCC with its action in ET Docket 96-8 has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radiated frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC certified equipment. The Aironet products meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1, 1991. Proper operation of this radio according to the instructions found in this manual will result in the user exposure to be substantially below the FCC recommended limits.
Introduction Dipole Antenna Always orient antenna such that it is at least 15 cm (6 inches) away from your body. High Antennas High gain wall mount or mast mount antennas are designed to be professionally installed and should be located a minimum distance of 30 cm (12 inches) or more from your body. Please contact your professional installer, VAR, or antenna manufacturer for proper installation requirements.
Introduction Before You Start After unpacking the system, make sure the following items are present and in good condition. • Ethernet Access Point 3500 Series™ • Power Pack. The power pack will be either 120VAC/60Hz or 90-264VAC/47-63Hz to 12-18VDC, whichever is appropriate for country of use. • Two standard 2dB Dipole Antennas If any item is damaged or missing, contact your Aironet supplier. Save all shipping and packing material in order to repack the unit should service be required.
Introduction Terminology When configuring your system, and when reading this manual, keep in mind the following terminology: Infrastructure – The wireless infrastructure is the communications system that combines Aironet Access Points, mobile stations and fixed stations. Aironet Access Points within the infrastructure can be either root units, which are physically wired to the LAN backbone, or can act as wireless repeaters. Other RF enabled devices serve as fixed stations or mobile stations.
Introduction Radio Node – A PC, file server, notebook computer, etc. containing a Radio Card or LAN Adapter. End Node – A radio node that is located at the end of the Network Tree. Parent/Child Node – Refers to the relationships between nodes in the wireless infrastructure. The complete set of relationships is sometimes described as a Network Tree. For example, the Aironet Access Point (at the top of the tree) would be the parent of the end nodes.
Introduction Understanding the Infrastructure The infrastructure is designed like an upside-down tree with a root unit at the top and repeaters, stations, and mobile stations branching down from the root unit as shown below. The AP3500-E Aironet Access Point can serve as a root unit, providing wireless data communications between the Ethernet based networks and other stations/mobile stations or within the wireless infrastructure.
Introduction In the example, the Access Point maintains an area of RF coverage (cell). Any radio node within the cell’s area can communicate to any other node (via radio or across the wired Ethernet LAN) using the Access Point. If a larger area of RF coverage is required, additional Access Points can be added either as root units, attached to the LAN, or as repeaters. Each Access Point adds its own cell, which can be used to provide additional coverage area, greater total bandwidth, or network redundancy.
Installation Installation This section describes the procedures for installing the Aironet Access Point. Installing the Antennas The AP3500-E comes with two antennas. 1. With the unit powered off, attach both antennas to the antenna connectors. 10Base5 10BaseT 10Base2 NOTE: Do not over-tighten; finger tight is sufficient. Position the antennas vertically for best omni-directional signal reception. 2.
Installation Installing the Console Port Cable 1. Attach the Console Port cable to the serial port. Attach the other cable end to the serial port on a terminal or a PC running a terminal emulation program. Use a 9-pin male to 9-pin female straight through cable. NOTE: This connection is required for setting up initial configuration information. After configuration is completed, this cable may be removed until additional configuration is required via the serial port. 2.
Installation Installing the Ethernet Connection The Aironet Access Point supports three connection types: • 10Base2 (Thinnet) • 10Base5 (Thicknet) AUI connector • 10BaseT (Twisted Pair) To Attach 10Base2 (Thinnet) Cabling: 1. Make sure the unit is powered off. 2. Attach the Thinnet cabling to each end of a BNC T-connector, if applicable. 3. Attach the T-connector to the 10Base2 BNC.
Installation To Attach the 10Base5 (Thicknet) Cabling: 1. Make sure the unit is powered off. 2. Attach the transceiver connector to the 10Base5 AUI port. 3. Slide the locking mechanism in place. 4. Attach the other end of the transceiver drop cabling to an external transceiver. 10BaseT 10Base5 10Base2 To Attach the 10BaseT (Twisted Pair) cabling: 1. Make sure the unit is powered off. 2. Plug the RJ-45 connector into the 10BaseT (Twisted Pair). 3.
Installation Attaching the AC/DC Power Pack and Powering On 1. Insert the small plug on the end of the AC/DC power pack cord into the power port. 2. Plug the AC/DC power pack into an electrical outlet. (120 VAC or 90-264 VAC as appropriate) 3. Power on the Aironet Access Point by pushing the On/Off button. On/Off Button When power is initially applied to the Aironet Access Point, all three indicators will flash in sequence to test the functionality of the indicators.
Installation Viewing the Indicator Displays Top Panel Indicators The indicators are a set of displays located on the top panel of the Aironet Access Point unit. • • • Ethernet Indicator - Used to indicate Ethernet network traffic activity. The light is normally off, but will flash green whenever a packet is received or transmitted over the Ethernet interface. Status Indicator - Shows solid green when the Aironet Access Point has accepted a radio association.
Installation Table 2.
Installation Back Panel Indicators The back panel indicators are: • • • • • • 10BaseT polarity: Solid amber to indicate the 10BaseT polarity is reversed. Check cable connections. 10BaseT active: Solid green to indicate the 10BaseT has been configured as the active port. Ethernet Rx: Flashes green when an Ethernet packet has been received. Ethernet Tx: Flashes green when an Ethernet packet has been transmitted. 10Base2 active: Solid green to indicate the 10Base2 has been configured as the active port.
Configuration Configuration This section describes the methods used to access and configure the Console system of the Aironet Access Point. This system contains all commands necessary to initially configure and monitor the operation of the unit. Accessing the Console System There are many ways in which you may configure and monitor the Aironet Access Point. When the unit is first powered up, basic configuration must initially be performed by accessing the Console serial port.
Configuration Configuring the Access Point To configure the Aironet Access Point so it will communicate with other stations or repeaters, use the Console Port to set the SSID parameter. If you choose to set an IP address, remote access via telnet or an HTML browser will be possible. SSID Identifier (ESSID) The SSID is a unique identifier that is attached to selected packets sent out over the radio network. This functions as a password to join the radio network.
Configuration Assigning an IP Address An IP address must be assigned to the unit before it can be accessed by telnet, HTTP, or SNMP. Other detailed internet addressing options (such as gateway address, SNMP routing, etc.) can also be defined. Refer to the Technical Reference Manual document #710-004021 for further details. To assign an IP address: 1. Select Configuration from the Main Menu. 2. Select Ident from the Configuration Menu. 3. Use the INADDR option to establish an IP address. 4.
Technical Support Technical Support Technical Reference Manual Use the Technical Reference Manual document #710-004021 to learn more about your Aironet unit. Communications Use the following information to contact the Aironet Technical Support group: Telephone - (330) 664-7903 Fax (330) 664-7990 e-mail techsupp@aironet.com Web Site For additional product information and technical support, including the capability to download new firmware and drivers, use the Aironet web site at: http://www.aironet.
Technical Support 4-2
