Setup guide

GRAVIMETRIC GATEWAY AND ETHERNET COMMUNICATIONS
10
Configuring a Wireless G2 Network
In the next few pages, several wireless networks are diagramed to illustrate several possible
configurations. The requirements of your wireless G2 network will depend on factors such as
distance, physical layout of the plant floor, the presence of obstructions such as walls or
machinery. Other factor may include the existing of a wired Ethernet network where other
computers require access to the G2 Server, such as computers running the G2 Client software.
Read this section to determine what wireless devices you may need.
Key Points to configuring your Wireless G2 Network
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Distance –
The theoretical distance of wireless 802.11b is typically specified much
greater than what real world installations can achieve. In most of our wireless testing,
the maximum distance that we were able to communicate without repeating the signal
was approximately 150 to 250 feet depending on obstructions. Line of sight yields the
best signal and possibly much greater distance. When line of sight was not possible,
placement of a WAP11 in Repeater Mode between the WAP11 and the Maguire
controllers can reestablished a connection.
•
Location of Devices –
The location of the wireless devices, more specifically the
antenna of the wireless devices, can determine to quality of the signal. When possible,
locate the wireless devices so that the antennas are within line of sight of each other.
This will yield the best signal. If line of sight is not possible, locate the devices so that
they have the least obstructs between devices. Potential interference sources to a
wireless network that should be avoided may include 2.4 GHz cordless phones,
vacuum loader lines, high voltage lines or transformers or the like.
Note: In some cases wireless antennas can be detached from the wireless device and
remote mounted using an antenna mounting system, which uses an extension cable
and in some cases a magnetic mount base that accepts the antenna. It was found in our
testing that there was a significant loss of signal quality when a remote antenna system
such as this was used therefore it is not recommended.
•
Wireless Security –
Because security is an issue with a wireless Ethernet network, use
of several security measures are recommended. They are: SSID – Short for service set
identifier, it is a maximum 32-character unique identifier attached to the header of
packets sent over a WLAN that acts as a password. The SSID must be the same on all
wireless devices in your wireless network. Disabling the SSID Broadcast is also
recommended. Wired Equivalent Privacy WEP - WEP is a security protocol,
specified in the IEEE Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard, 802.11b, that is designed to
provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) with a level of security and privacy
comparable to what is usually expected of a wired LAN. WEP uses a 64-bit or 128-bit
encryption key (sometimes generated from a passphrase).
•
Transmission Rate –
The Transmission Rate is the rate at which communication is
sent and received from the wireless device to wireless device. In our test, the higher