User's Guide
Table Of Contents
4 HotPort 5020 User Guide
The Firetide HotPort 5020 is a member of Firetide’s HotPort family of
wireless mesh nodes. It offers features similar to Firetide’s HotPort 7000
Series in a lower-cost unit.
Fundamentally, a Firetide mesh network gives you the convenience of a
wired-Ethernet switch combined with the flexibility of wireless technology.
A simple mesh network can be set up in minutes, with little more effort
than it takes to deploy an Ethernet switch. At the same time, Firetide offers
advanced features to enhance security, quality of service, and manageability.
This design makes the mesh ideal for any location where network cabling is
too difficult or expensive to install. HotPort networks operate indoors and out,
in the 900 MHz, 2.4, 4.9 (public safety), and 5 GHz bands. With its self-healing
capabilities and trac-prioritization options, a HotPort mesh network readily
satises the demands of high-bandwidth/low-latency applications, such as video,
voice, and data.
In addition, Firetide meshes support mobile mesh nodes, mobile 802.11
clients, and roaming. With this capability, nodes in a Firetide mesh can
move rapidly from zone to zone.
Complete Stand-Alone System
A Firetide mesh is a self-contained a fully-functional Ethernet switch, us-
ing a wireless backplane for its interconnect. There is no master node, nor
does the system require a computer or other management device. Thus, the
system is highly fault-tolerant; loss of a single radio will not bring down
the mesh.
Mesh Design and Software Conguration
For information on how design your mesh and configure your HotPort
5020 mesh nodes, refer to the the HotView Pro Reference Guide, available
from Firetide.
1 System Overview
Figure 1.1 HotPort 5020
outdoor MesH node