Aironet BR2040-E User manual

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 367 Ghent Road, Suite 300
P.O. Box 5292 • Fairlawn, Ohio 44334-0292
User’s Guide
Wireless Bridges
Wireless LAN-to-LAN Bridges
for Ethernet
Products supported:
BR2040-E, BR2000-E, and BR1000-E
DOC-710-003850 Rev. A0

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any means,
electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the written permission of
Aironet. Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Aironet makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of
this manual and specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
© 1997 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
ARLAN® & Aironet® are trademarks of Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
Printed in USA
DOC-710-003850 Rev. A0

i
Manufacturers Federal Communication Commission
Declaration of Conformity Statement
Models : BR1000-E, BR2000-E, BR2040-E
Manufacturer :
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
367 Ghent Rd , Suite 300
Fairlawn, OH 44333
1-800-3-WIRELESS
This device complies with Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1) this device may cause harmful interference, and 2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a residential environment. This equip-
ment generates, uses, and radiates radio frequency energy, and if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference. However there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one of the following
measures:
l
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
l
Increase separation between the equipment and receiver.
l
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
which the receiver is connected.
l
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.
User Warning
The Part 15 radio device operates on a non-interference basis with
other devices operating at this frequency. Any changes or
modification to said product not expressly approved by Aironet could
void the user’s authority to operate this device.

ii
Department of Communications—Canada
Canadian Compliance Statement
This Class B Digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numerique de la classe B respecte les exigences du
Reglement sur le material broilleur du Canada.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry of Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: 1) this device may cause harmful
interference, and 2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
European Telecommunication Standards Institute
Statement of Compliance
Information to User
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the European
Telecommunications Standard ETS 300.328. This standard covers Wide-
band Data Transmission Systems referred in CEPT recommendation T/R
10.01.
This type accepted equipment is designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.

iii
Declaration of Conformity
Aironet Model Number:
BR2000-E
Application of Council Directive: 89/336/EEC
Application of Council Directive: 72/23/EEC
CE Type Examination Certificate: HDTP/RDR/167/328880/11
Standards to which Conformity is Declared:
EN 55022 (B)
EN 55011 (B)
EN 50082-1
EN 60950
Manufacturer:
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
367 Ghent Road, Suite 300
Fairlawn Ohio, 44333
The undersigned hereby declares that the equipment specified
above conforms to the directives and standards cited herein.
Michael Smedley
Director, Manufacturing Engineering
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.


iv
Declaration of Conformity
Aironet Model Number:
BR2040-E
Application of Council Directive: 89/336/EEC
Application of Council Directive: 72/23/EEC
CE Type Examination Certificate: HDTP/RDR/167/377223
Standards to which Conformity is Declared:
EN 55022 (B)
EN 55011 (B)
EN 50082-1
EN 60950
Manufacturer:
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
367 Ghent Road, Suite 300
Fairlawn Ohio, 44333
The undersigned hereby declares that the equipment specified
above conforms to the directives and standards cited herein.
Michael Smedley
Director, Manufacturing Engineering
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.


v
Safety Information
The FCC with its action in General Docket 93-62, 1997, has
adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radio frequency
(RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC regulated equip-
ment. Aironet subscribes to the same safety standard for the use
of its products. Proper operation of this radio according to the
instructions in this manual will result in user exposure substantially
below the FCC recommended limits.
n Do not move the BR1000-E/BR2000-E/ BR2040-E antenna(s)
while the unit is receiving or transmitting.
n Do not hold any component containing a radio such that the
antenna(s) is(are) very close to, or touching, exposed parts of
the body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting. Hold
such a component 15 centimeters (6 inches) or more from
your face.
n Do not allow children to play with any radio equipment
containing a transmitter.
n Do not operate a portable transmitter near unshielded
electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere unless
it is a type especially qualified for such use.
n Do not turn on the BR1000-E/BR2000-E/ BR2040-E or
attempt to transmit data unless the antenna(s) is(are)
attached; if the antenna(s) is(are) not attached, the radio
module may be damaged.
The BR1000-E/BR2000-E/ BR2040-E are compliant with ANSI
C95.1.91 (1991).

vi
Table of Contents
Introduction.........................................................................1
Wireless Bridge Overview..................................................2
Supporting Mixed Network Topologies...........................3
Adding In-Building Wireless Connectivity.......................4
System Configurations...................................................5
Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge ...................................6
Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Bridge............................7
Network Extension with Repeaters ............................9
Wireless Bridge with Wireless End Nodes...............10
Radio Characteristics...................................................11
Radio Network Terminology.....................................11
Understanding the Radio Network ...........................14
Before You Begin..............................................................15
Determining the Location for the Bridge.......................15
Indoor locations........................................................15
Outdoor Locations....................................................16
Installing the Hardware ....................................................17
Connecting the Antenna...............................................17
Connecting the Console Port Cable.............................18
Connecting the Ethernet Cable....................................18
Connecting the 10Base2 Cable................................19
Connecting the 10Base5 Cable................................20
Connecting the 10BaseT (Twisted Pair) Cable........21
Connecting the Power Pack.........................................22
Viewing the Bridge’s Top Panel Indicators...................23
Configuring the Wireless Bridge.....................................24
Using the Console Port ................................................24
Setting Configuration Parameters................................26
Configuring the Radio Network ................................27
Setting Ethernet Parameters....................................30
Disconnecting the Terminal..........................................30

vii
Where to Go from Here ....................................................31
Technical Support ............................................................31
Shipping Address.........................................................31
Communications ..........................................................31
Web Site.......................................................................31
Appendix A: Serial Cable Pinout.....................................32
Serial Port Pinout..........................................................33
Appendix B: Ethernet RJ-45 Cable..................................34

viii

1
Introduction
Designed for linking networks together—typically in different
buildings—Aironet Wireless Bridges offer a low-cost
alternative to installing cable or dedicated telephone lines,
and are used when traditional wired LAN interconnections
are impractical. Rivers, rough terrain, private property and
highways can impede wired cable installation. Wireless
Bridges easily elude these challenges.
Now you can connect two or more buildings quickly and
easily with no expensive, time-consuming cable installation,
no right-of-way negotiations, and no monthly service fees
(unlike leased 56K, ISDN or T1 lines). By implementing an
Aironet wireless bridge solution, hundreds of your users can
experience speeds faster than 56K leased lines.
Aironet's field-proven wireless solutions deliver high-speed
network connectivity at a far lower cost than comparable
wired solutions. With no service fees required, you can save
hundreds—even thousands—of dollars per month.
Aironet Wireless Bridges establish radio links between two
or more networks up to 25 miles apart and move data
between buildings faster than T1 lines allowing all your PC
users to gain Internet access, email and network resources
housed in different buildings easily and efficiently.
Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. has pioneered the
design and manufacture of wireless LAN products using
advanced spread spectrum radio technology for extremely
reliable data transmissions.

2
Wireless Bridge Overview
Aironet Wireless Bridges enable you to connect two or more
Token Ring and/or Ethernet networks to create a single
virtual LAN. The workstations on each LAN can communi-
cate with each other over the Wireless Bridges as if they
were on the same physical LAN.
When connecting two or more LANs, each LAN uses an
Aironet Wireless Bridge and an antenna to transmit and
receive information between the LANs. Each RF-based
Bridge unit is connected to a LAN. Aironet offers a variety of
antennas to satisfy varying communication requirements
often dictated by premise considerations.
A wireless bridge appears as a single network node on the
wired LAN. It performs routing functions by moving packets
from the wireless LAN to remote workstations on the radio
network. Aironet Wireless Bridges support Direct Sequence
(DS) spread spectrum radios at frequencies of either 900
MHz or 2.4 GHz.

3
Supporting Mixed Network Topologies
To support mixed topologies, a Token Ring Bridge would be
installed to support a local Token Ring network and an
Ethernet Bridge would be installed to support a local
Ethernet network. The Aironet Ethernet and Token Ring
Bridges can then communicate with each other—linking
both types of networks into a single LAN.
You can connect an Aironet Wireless Token Ring Bridge
directly to Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) or Unshielded
Twisted Pair (UTP) network segments or a Wireless
Ethernet Bridge to 10Base2, 10Base5, or 10BaseT
segments.

4
If the existing network to which you are connecting the
Bridge is not Token Ring- or Ethernet-based, you can install
a Token Ring or Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) in
the File Server or third-party Bridge and accommodate other
network topologies.
Adding In-Building Wireless Connectivity
You can use an Aironet Wireless Bridge to support in-
building wireless connections when local devices such as
fixed, portable or mobile devices are equipped with Aironet
wireless adapters. Aironet offers a wide array of wireless
adapters—supporting ISA, Micro Channel, PC Card, Serial
as well as Token Ring and Ethernet network infrastructures.

5
System Configurations
You can use wireless bridges in many different network
configurations. The way in which you configure your net-
work determines the size of a network microcell (the area
for which a single Bridge provides radio coverage). You can
create multiple microcells on a LAN to extend your RF
coverage area.
The most common system configurations are:
• Point-to-Point Bridge
• Point-to-Multipoint Bridge
• Network extension with a Repeater
• Wireless Bridge with Wireless End Nodes

6
Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge
The Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge configuration (shown in
the following figure) uses two units to bridge two individual
LANs. Packets are sent between the File Server and Work-
station B through the Bridge units (Root Unit and Remote
Node) over the radio link. Data packets sent from the File
Server to Workstation A go through the wired LAN segment
and do not go across the wireless radio link.

7
Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Bridge
When connecting three or more LANs (usually in different
buildings), each building requires an Aironet Wireless Bridge
and antenna. This is called a ‘multipoint’ bridge
configuration. One bridge is designated as the central site
and its antenna is configured to transmit and receive signals
from the bridges at the other sites. Generally, the central
site is equipped with an omni-directional antenna that
provides radio signal coverage in all directions. The other
bridges are typically served by directional antennas that
direct radio signals toward the central site.
Under a multipoint wireless bridge configuration, work-
stations on any of the LANs can communicate with other
workstations on their respective LAN or with any worksta-
tions on the remote LANs.

8
The following figure shows an example of a Point-to-
Multipoint configuration. Packets sent between Workstation
A and Workstation B are forwarded by their respective
bridges to the Root Unit. Then the Root Unit forwards these
packets back down to the appropriate bridge for routing to
the workstations. Packets sent between the File Server and
the remote workstations are routed through the Root Unit
and the appropriate Bridge.

9
Network Extension with Repeaters
You can use bridges configured as repeaters to extend the
range of a wireless network beyond that of a single radio
hop. Repeaters can operate as either stand-alone units or
they can have LAN connections. (See the following figure.)

10
Wireless Bridge with Wireless End Nodes
You can configure a Wireless Bridge to send and receive
radio signals from in-building, radio-equipped devices at the
same time that it functions as a wireless bridge. By equip-
ping fixed, portable or mobile devices with Aironet Wireless
Adapters, these devices can establish radio contact with the
Bridge and have wireless access to all local and remote
LANs, workstations and network resources. (See the
following figure.)