3Com 3CRWEASYA73 - 11a 54 Mbps Wireless LAN... User manual

Quick Start Guide
3Com Wireless
802.11a Outdoor Building-to-Building
Bridge and Access Point
3CRWEASYA73 / WL-575
The 3Com WL-575 802.11a Outdoor Building-to-Building Bridge and Access Point provides IEEE
802.11a or 802.11b/g wireless access to the network. The bridge offers a fast, reliable, and cost-
effective solution for connectivity between remote Ethernet wired LANs or to provide Internet access
to an isolated site.
Power is supplied by Power Over Ethernet (PoE) using a:
• 3Com propriety PoE Injector (output: 48V 60W)
About This Guide
This Quick Start Guide describes the basic installation of the bridge. It covers the following topics:
• 3Com WL-575 Outdoor Building-to-Building Bridge and Access Point
•Observing Safety Precautions
• Step 1: Unpacking the Bridge
• Step 2: Preparing for Installation
• Step 3: Mounting the Bridge
• Step 4: Connecting External Antennas
• Step 5: Connecting Cables
• Step 6: Connecting the Power (PoE Injector)
• Step 7: Checking the LED Indicators
• Step 8: Aligning Antennas
•Troubleshooting

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3Com WL-575 Outdoor Building-to-Building Bridge
and Access Point Features
Feature Description
Console Port
Connector
Connect the console cable (included) to the RS-232 console port for accessing the
command-line interface.
POE Connector The PoE port serves two functions, one in providing a means to supply power to the
unit and two as an Ethernet port providing access to the web browser interface.
The Ethernet port provides a 10/100BASE-TX Ethernet connection to a 3Com Wireless
LAN switch. The connection can be direct to a 3Com switch or indirect through an
intermediate Layer 2 or Layer 3 network.
Use a standard Category 5e cable or better with straight-through signaling and
standard RJ-45 connectors to connect the bridge to the switch on the network.
The bridge should be powered via proprietary Power Over Ethernet (PoE) power
injector.
LEDs The LEDs indicate power and activity. See “Checking the LED Indicators” on page 11
for details.
Antenna Connectors Three N-type female antenna connectors allow you to connect antennas that operate
in 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands.
Water Tight Test
Point
CAUTION: Do not remove or loosen this screw. Doing so could lead to damage of the
unit.
Console Port
Connector PoE Connector
Integrated Antenna
Bottom View
Top View
N-Type External
Antenna Connector
(2.4 GHz)
N-Type External
Antenna Connector
(5 GHz)
N-Type External
Antenna Connector
(2.4 GHz)
Grounding Point LEDs
Water Tight Test Point
(DO NOT REMOVE)

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Observing Safety Precautions
This equipment must be installed in compliance with local and national building codes, regulatory
restrictions, and FCC rules. For the safety of people and equipment, only professional network personnel
should install the bridge.
1 Unpacking the Bridge
Make sure that you have the following items, which are included in the package:
• One 3Com Outdoor 11a Building to Building Bridge and 11bg Access Point
• Mounting bracket and hardware
• One Weatherproof Category 5 network cable
• One Weatherproof Console to RS232 cable
• PoE power injector/ Ethernet connector and AC power cord
• One grounding screw, not attached
•ThisQuick Start Guide
• One CD-ROM containing the Setup Wizard software and User’s Manual
• One Warranty Flyer
•Optional: One N-type RF coaxial cable
2 Preparing for Installation
It is advisable to connect and check the PoE connection, Ethernet cables, and LEDs before installing the
bridge in a hard-to-reach location. Additionally, observe the following items before mounting or
connecting the bridge:
Grounding Point In the event of electrostatic shock the connection of an insulated cable to the
grounding point to an earthed point protects the unit from excessive electrical
discharge. A grounding screw is provided in the package contents.
Integrated Antenna Built in 5.0 GHz flat panel high-gain antenna.
WARNING: To comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, a minimum body-to-
antenna distance of 20 cm (8 in.) must be maintained when the bridge is operational.
WARNING: To avoid possible injury or damage to equipment, you must use power supply equipment
that is safety certified according to UL, CSA, IEC, or other applicable national or international safety
requirements for the country of use. All references to power supply in this document refer to equipment
meeting these requirements.
Installation Item Description
Cabling Make sure that standard Category 5e cable with straight-through signaling is
installed at the site before you install the bridge.
Power Requirements Power should be supplied via the 3Com proprietary POE injector.

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3 Mounting the Bridge
The bridge can be mounted on the following types of surfaces:
•Pole
•Wall
.
Using the Pole-Mounting Bracket
Perform the following steps to mount the unit to a 2 to 3 inch diameter steel pole or tube using the
mounting bracket:
1Place the V-shaped part of the bracket around the pole and tighten the securing nuts just
enough to hold the bracket to the pole. (The bracket may need to be rotated around the
pole during the antenna alignment process.)
IP Address Record the bridge MAC address in a safe place before the bridge is installed in a
hard-to-reach location.
The MAC address is printed on the back of the bridge. Additional IP address labels
are shipped with the bridge.
Location The WL-575 bridge must only be installed outdoors. It is not for indoor use. The PoE
injector is for indoor use only. Plan your equipment location accordingly.
CAUTION: The bridge is intended for outdoor use only. Do not install the bridge indoors.
V-Shaped bracket

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2Fit the edges of the V-shaped part into the slots in the rectangular plate, and tighten the
nuts.
3Attach the adjustable rectangular plate to the bridge with the supplied screws.
Slots

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4Attach the bridge with bracket to the plate already fixed to the pole.
5Use the included nuts to secure the wireless bridge to the pole bracket. Note that the
wireless bridge tilt angle may need to be adjusted during the antenna alignment process.
Be sure to take account of the antenna polarization direction; all antennas in a link must be
mounted with the same polarization.
Using the Wall-Mounting Bracket
Perform the following steps to mount the unit to a wall using the wall-mounting bracket:
1Always attach the bracket to a wall with the flat side flush against the wall (see following
figure).
CAUTION: The wall-mounting bracket does not allow the bridge’s integrated antenna
to be aligned. It is intended for deployment using a 5.0 GHz external antenna.

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2Position the bracket in the intended location and mark the position of the four mounting
screw holes.
3Drill four holes in the wall that match the screws and wall plugs included in the bracket kit,
then secure the bracket to the wall.
4Use the included nuts to tightly secure the wireless bridge to the bracket.
4 Connecting External Antennas
The bridge's primary antenna is it's built-in internal antenna. For some applications when deploying an
WL-575 unit for a bridge link or access point operation, you may need to mount external antennas and
connect them to the bridge. Typically, a bridge link requires a 5.0 GHz antenna, and access point
operation a 2.4 GHz antenna. WL-575 units acting as managed APs also require an external antenna for
2.4 GHz operation.
Perform these steps:
1Mount the external antenna to the same supporting structure as the bridge, within 3 m
(10 ft) distance, using the bracket supplied in the antenna package.
2Connect the antenna to the bridge’s N-type connector using the RF coaxial cable provided in
the antenna package.
3Apply weatherproofing tape to the antenna connectors to help prevent water entering the
connectors.

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5 Connecting Cables
1Attach the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the wireless bridge.
2For extra protection against rain or moisture, apply weatherproofing tape (not included)
around the Ethernet connector.
3Be sure to ground the unit with an appropriate grounding wire (not included) by attaching it
to the grounding screw on the unit.
NOTE: When you have connected external antennas, be sure to use the management
interface to configure the bridge for correct antenna operation.
CAUTION: Be sure that grounding is available and that it meets local and national
electrical codes. For additional lightning protection, use lightning rods, lightning arrestors,
or surge suppressors.
RF Coaxial Cable
2.4 GHz External
Omnidirectional
Antenna
2.4 GHz
N-type Connector
5 GHz
N-type Connector
5 GHz External
High-gain Panel
Antenna
2.4 GHz
N-type Connector

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6 Connecting the PoE Power Injector
To connect the wireless bridge to a power source:
1Connect the Ethernet cable from the wireless bridge to the RJ-45 port labeled “Output” on
the power injector.
2Connect a straight-through unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable from a local LAN switch to
the RJ-45 port labeled “Input” on the power injector. Use Category 5e or better UTP cable
for 10/100BASE-TX connections.
CAUTION: Do not install the power injector outdoors. The unit is for indoor installation
only.
NOTE: The wireless bridge’s Ethernet port does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE)
based on the IEEE 802.3af standard. Do not try to power the unit by connecting it directly
to a network switch that provides IEEE 802.3af PoE. Always connect the unit to the
included power injector.
NOTE: The RJ-45 port on the power injector is an MDI port. If connecting directly to a
computer for testing the link, use a crossover cable.
Ground Wire
Ethernet Cable

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3Insert the power cable plug directly into the standard AC socket on the power injector.
4Plug the other end of the power cable into a grounded, 3-pin socket, AC power source.
5Check the LED on top of the power injector to be sure that power is being supplied to the
wireless bridge through the Ethernet connection.
NOTE: For International use, you may need to change the AC line cord. You must use a
line cord set that has been approved for the socket type in your country.
Input Output
AC power
Power LED indicator
“Input” from
Ethernet Hub/
Switch
“Output” to Bridge