3Com 3CRWE870075A - Wireless LAN Access Point... User manual

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User Guide
Wireless LAN Access Points 8200/8500/8700
3CRWE820096A
3CRWE850075A
3CRWE870075A
Version 2
Published May, 2003
Version 2.1.3

3Com Corporation
5500 Great America
Parkway
Santa Clara, California
95052-8145
Copyright © 2003 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be
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Contents
1
Introduction
Product Features 6
Security 7
Performance and Reliability 7
Manageability 7
Wireless Network Standards 8
Far-Reaching 802.11b 8
High-Performance 802.11a 8
Network Configuration and Planning 9
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN 9
Infrastructure Wireless LAN 10
Infrastructure Wireless LAN for Roaming Wireless PCs 11
Terminology 11
2
Installing the Access Point
Installation Requirements 13
Power Requirements 14
Safety Information 14
Deciding Where to Place Equipment 15
Before You Begin 16
Connecting the Standard Antennas 16
Connecting Power 17
Using the Power Supply 18
Using a Power-Over-Ethernet LAN Port 19
Checking the LEDs 19
Mounting on a Wall 19
Flat Surface Installation 21
Selecting and Connecting a Different Antenna Model 22
Installing Software Utilities 23

3
System Configuration
Using the 3Com Wireless Device Manager 24
Launching a Wireless Device Configuration 24
Using the Pre-IP Configuration Wizard 26
Configuration Login 26
Setting the Country Code 26
Basic Setup 27
Advanced Setup 27
Identification 28
TCP/IP Settings 28
DHCP Client 28
Secure Web Server Connection 28
RADIUS 29
Authentication 30
Filter Control 31
Filtering by VLAN 32
Security Filters 32
Filtering by Ethernet Protocol Type 32
SNMP 33
Administration 33
System Log 34
Status 35
Radio Interface 35
Radio Settings 35
Security 37
Configuring Authentication 37
Configuring Encryption 38
WPA Configuration 38
WEP Configuration 39
WPA Configuration for Windows XP 40
4
Troubleshooting
A
Technical Support
Online Technical Services 45
Support from Your Network Supplier 45

Support from 3Com 46
Returning Products for Repair 47
Regulatory Compliance Information
Index

6
1
I
NTRODUCTION
The 3Com® Wireless LAN Access Points 8200, 8500, and 8700 offer a
dual-mode architecture that supports both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless users
on a single device. This means you can mix and match radio bands to meet
different coverage and bandwidth needs within the same area. Different access
point models give you the flexibility to choose to support both radio modes
immediately or choose one radio mode now and upgrade to newer standards
later as they become available with an easy-to-install optional Mini PCI
upgrade kit.
With their flexibility and unfettered access, wireless LANs are changing the way
people work. Now with 3Com’s enterprise-class wireless access points, you can
build a cost effective, reliable, secure wireless network that provides users with
seamless connectivity to the Internet, company intranet, and the wired corporate
network from anywhere they happen to be—conference room, cafeteria or
office.
3Com’s dual-mode design supports both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless
standards on a single access point. This capability increases configuration and
coverage flexibility and protects your network investment for both existing and
emerging wireless standards.
Industry-leading security features and comprehensive management and
performance features combine to make these enterprise class wireless access
points an ideal choice for organizations ready to serve their increasingly mobile
workforce.
P
RODUCT
F
EATURES
■
Access Point 8200 —Creates an enterprise-class wireless LAN supporting up
to 250 simultaneous users. The single wireless interface 802.11b 2.4 GHz,
11-Mbps access point upgrades to 802.11b-802.11a dual mode with optional
upgrade kit.

7
■ Access Point 8500— Creates a high-performance enterprise-class wireless
LAN supporting up to 250 simultaneous users. The single wireless interface
802.11a 5 GHz, 54-Mbps access point upgrades to 802.11b-802.11a dual
mode with optional upgrade kit.
■
Access Point 8700 —Creates a high-performance enterprise-class dual-mode
802.11a and 802.11b wireless LAN supporting up to 250 simultaneous users
up to 100 meters (328 feet).
S
ECURITY
3Com offers one of the most robust suite of standards-based security on the
market today. To protect sensitive data broadcast over the wireless LAN, 3Com
supports Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) RC4 40/ 64-bit, 128-bit and 152-bit
shared-key encryption. 3Com strengthens this basic security mechanism with
additional security features, including MAC address access control lists, IEEE
802.1x per-port user authentication with RADIUS server authentication support,
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Wireless Protected Access and Extensible
Authentication Protocol (EAP) support: EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP.
In addition to standards-based security, 3Com 128-bit Dynamic Security Link
offers the highest level of security, requiring a user name and password to access
the wireless LAN.
P
ERFORMANCE AND
R
ELIABILITY
3Com wireless access point performance features ensure reliable and seamless
connections for users wherever they roam. Automatic channel selection
automatically finds the least loaded channel for interference-free communication.
Auto network connect and dynamic rate shifting keep users connected through a
wide variety of conditions by changing to the optimum connection speed as they
move through the network.
M
ANAGEABILITY
3Com offers a wide range of standards-based management support, from SNMP
to 3Com Network Supervisor and HP OpenView for seamless integration with
your wired network.
Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and Wireless LAN Device Discovery tools
let you configure parameters, run diagnostics, and monitor performance from
anywhere on the network using an embedded web server browser. You can also
update wireless device software on multiple devices using 3Com Network
Supervisor to simplify bulk updates.

8
With Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, the same Category 5 cable that
connects your access point to the data network also provides its power. A single
cable installation dramatically improves your choice of mounting configurations
because you no longer need to consider AC power outlet locations. PoE support
makes it easier than ever to overcome installation problems with difficult-to-wire
or hard-to-reach locations.
W
IRELESS
N
ETWORK
S
TANDARDS
Understanding the characteristics of the 802.11a and 802.11b standards can help
you make the best choice for your wireless implementation plans.
F
AR
-R
EACHING
802.11
B
802.11b operates in the 2.4 GHz band at 11 Mbps. Ratified in 1999, it’s the most
widely deployed protocol in the market today due to the Wi-Fi Alliance’s
successful certification efforts that have ensured interoperability. It supports the
widest coverage—up to 100 meters (328 feet). However, 802.11b is slower than
802.11a and it is subject to a greater risk of radio interference because it operates
in the more popular 2.4 GHz band.
Consider 802.11b when you need wider coverage and vendor compatibility and
you are:
■
Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges, gateways,
access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees compatibility
among vendors
■
Managing a tight budget; 802.11b is extremely price competitive with a wide
range of vendors and price points
■
Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee shops or
university cafeterias
■ Running applications that don’t require high bandwidth
H
IGH
-P
ERFORMANCE
802.11
A
Ratified in 2002, 802.11a is IEEE’s more recent wireless standard. It operates at
the 5 GHz band and supports data rates at up to 54 Mbps. For those
organizations demanding even higher speeds, a “turbo mode” feature can boost
throughput rates up to 108 Mbps. And because there are fewer devices in the
5 GHz band, there’s less potential for RF interference. However, because it is at an
entirely different radio spectrum, it is not compatible with 802.11b.

9
The higher spectrum provides about 50 meters (164 feet) of coverage—about
half what 802.11b offers.
Consider 802.11a when you need high throughput in a confined space and
you are:
■
Running high-bandwidth applications like voice, video, or multimedia over a
wireless network that can benefit from a fivefold increase in data throughput
■
Transferring large files like computer aided design files, preprint publishing
documents or graphics files, such as MRI scans for medical applications, that
demand additional bandwidth
■
Supporting a dense user base confined to a small coverage area. Because
802.11a has a greater number of non-overlapping channels, you can pack
more access points in a tighter space.
N
ETWORK
C
ONFIGURATION AND
P
LANNING
The wireless solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration as
well as an integrated configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.
The wireless network cards, adapters, and access point can be configured as:
■
Ad hoc for departmental or SOHO LAN
■ Infrastructure for wireless LAN
■
Infrastructure wireless LAN for roaming wireless PCs
A
D
H
OC
W
IRELESS
LAN
An ad hoc wireless LAN consists of a group of computers, each equipped with a
wireless adapter, connected via radio signals as an independent wireless LAN.
Computers in a specific ad hoc wireless LAN must therefore be configured to the
same radio channel. An ad hoc wireless LAN can be used for a branch office or
SOHO operation.

10
I
NFRASTRUCTURE
W
IRELESS
LAN
The access point can also provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations.
An integrated wired/wireless LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A Basic
Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that
is directly connected to the wired LAN. Each wireless PC in this BSS can talk to any
computer in its wireless group via a radio link, or access other computers or
network resources in the wired LAN infrastructure via the access point.
The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs
to the wired LAN, but also increases the effective wireless transmission range for
wireless PCs by passing their signal through one or more access points.
A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for
connection between mobile workers, as shown in the following figure.
Ad Hoc Wireless LAN
Notebook with
Wireless USB Adapter
Notebook with
Wireless PC Card
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
File
Server
Switch
Desktop PC
Access Point
Wired LAN Extension
to Wireless Adapters
PC with Wireless
PCI Adapter
Notebook with Wireless
PC Card Adapter