User's Manual

4. Wireless Link Mode and Wireless LAN Function

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Constructing a Network

This section gives some pointers and cautions relating to constructing a network using the AP and

station and provides some practical examples.

(1) This product conforms with the standard wireless LAN specifications such as IEEE802.11a,

IEEE802.11g and IEEE802.11b. This enables setting to the same channel as that used in each

country and wireless communication between access points and stations responding to each

channel. Using different channels for wireless networks adjacent to each other

(In IEEE802.11a, set it to a channel such as 36 and 44 with 8ch or more apart, and in IEEE802.11g,

a channel such as 1, 6, and 11 with 5ch or more apart) prevents radio interference and improves the

throughput of the networks.

(2) Check the range of radio waves (hereinafter collectively called "cover area"). To use the AP with

two or more station logged in AP, all the stations must be installed within the cover area. The AP’s

coverage varies with obstacles (concrete walls, iron doors, elevator halls, etc.). Note also that the

number of transmission/reception errors increases if communication distance becomes longer to

some extent.

When setting up the network, check the RSSI level then confirm that communication works

correctly with the application you plan to use. For a TCP/IP system, for example, you can use the

Windows PING command. To use PING, start the command prompt (MS-DOS) and enter the

following command. The example command is for an AP with an IP address of 10.144.0.1, as

follows.

ping 10.144.0.1

(3) Two or more stations can log in the AP at the same time. However, remember that the

communication speed slows due to the increased loading as the number of stations increases for one

AP.

(4) If a pair of wireless terminals are communicating via a particular channel, no other devices can

communicate within the range of those radio waves (the exception is broadcasting which transmits

to all terminals). As a result, communication speed tends to drop as the density of wireless terminals

increases although this depends to a large extent on how frequently the network is used.

(5) If the AP is connected to an Ethernet hub or similar, an unexpectedly large load can occur on the

AP if the Ethernet traffic is heavy and this may reduce the performance of the wireless network.

This can be solved by changing the hub connected to the AP to a switching hub (bridge).

(6) Setup the software in accordance with how the network will be used.

(7) The communication speed may also drop due to interference if two wireless terminals are located

close to each other. In general, maintain a gap of about 1m between stations, 3m between APs and

stations, and 3m between APs.

(8) The best performance is achieved from antennas if they are located in an open space free from

obstructions. Avoid locating antennas where they will be hidden. In particular, when

communication distance is an important consideration, it is recommended that you install antennas

in a high location with a clear view.

(9) Floors often contain steel beams or metal firewalls and therefore communication on different floors

is often not possible.