Aironet AP4500-E Product manual

Technical Reference Manual
Wireless Access Point for Ethernet
Products Supported: AP4500-E
DOC 710-004242-A0
Wireless Communications, Inc.

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Aironet Wireless Communications,
Inc. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this manual and specifically dis-
claims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
© 1998 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.All rights reserved.
Other trademarks used are properties of their respective owners.
Aironet®, LM4500
TM
, AP4500-E
TM
, AP4500-T
TM
, and PC4500
TM
are trademarks of Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
Printed in USA
DOC-710-004242-A0

i
About the Technical Reference Manual ....................................................x
Typographical Conventions ...........................................................................................xii
Welcome to the AironetAccess Point ........................................................xiii
Data Transparency and Protocols ..................................................................................xiii
Ethernet Compatibility ..................................................................................................xiii
Protocols Supported ......................................................................................................xiv
Radio Characteristics ....................................................................................................xiv
Radio Ranges ................................................................................................................xiv
Site Survey .............................................................................................................xiv
Radio Antenna ...............................................................................................................xvi
Security Features ...........................................................................................................xvi
Terminology ..................................................................................................................xvii
Aironet Access Point System Configurations ...............................................................xviii
Chapter 1 - Installing the AironetAccess Point for Ethernet .................1-1
BeforeYou Start ..................................................................................................................1-2
Installation ..........................................................................................................................1-3
Installing the Antennas ..................................................................................................1-3
Installing the Console Port Cable ..................................................................................1-4
Installing the Ethernet Connection .............................................................1-5
Attaching the AC/DC Power Pack and Powering On .........................................................1-7
Viewing the Indicator Displays ...........................................................................................1-8
Top Panel Indicators ......................................................................................................1-8
Back Panel Indicators ....................................................................................................1-11
Chapter 2 - Accessing the Console System ...............................................2-1
Access Methods ..................................................................................................................2-2
Using the Console ...............................................................................................................2-2
Sub-Menus ................................................................................................2-3
Commands and Information ..........................................................................................2-4
Contents

ii
Commands That Display Information ...........................................................................2-5
Command Line Mode ...................................................................................................2-6
Telnet Access ......................................................................................................................2-6
Web Access .........................................................................................................................2-7
About the Menus .................................................................................................................2-9
Using the Configuration Console Menu .............................................................................2-10
Setting the Terminal Type (Type) ..................................................................................2-10
Setting the Communication Port Parameters (Port) ......................................................2-11
Setting Privilege Levels and Passwords (Rpassword, Wpassword) ..............................2-12
Enabling Linemode (Linemode) ...................................................................................2-14
Enabling Telnet or HTTP Connections (Telnet/Http) ...................................................2-14
Monitoring of the DTR Signal ............................................................................................2-15
Chapter 3 - BeforeYou Begin .....................................................................3-1
Viewing the Configuration Menu ........................................................................................3-2
Menu Descriptions ........................................................................................................3-2
Saving Configuration Paramaters ..................................................................................3-3
Backing up your Configuration (Dump) .......................................................................3-3
Restoring your Configuration ........................................................................................3-4
Chapter 4 - Configuring the Radio Network ............................................4-1
Overview .............................................................................................................................4-2
Using the Configuration Radio Menu .................................................................................4-3
Establishing a System Identifier (SSID) .......................................................................4-3
Selecting Bit Rates (Rates, Basic_rates) .......................................................................4-4
Enabling Root Mode (Root) ..........................................................................................4-4
Using the Configuration Radio IEEE 802.11 Menu ...........................................................4-5
Adding IEEE 802.11 Management Packet Extensions (Extend) ..................................4-5
Setting the RF RTS/CTS Parameter (RTS) ...................................................................4-5
Encapsulation ................................................................................................................4-6
Packet Encapsulation in Mixed Networks ....................................................................4-6

iii
Using the Configuration Radio Install Menu ......................................................................4-8
Running a Link Test (Linktest) .....................................................................................4-8
Running a Signal Strength Test (Strength) ....................................................................4-9
Running a Multicast Test (Multicast) .....................................................................4-10
Running A Unicast Test (Unicast) .........................................................................4-10
Running a Remote Linktest (Remote) ...................................................................4-11
Specifying the Target Address (Destination) .........................................4-11
Setting the Packet Size and Count (Size, Count) ...................................................4-11
Viewing Errors (Errors) .........................................................................................4-12
Setting the Automatic Link Test Mode (Autotest) .................................................4-12
Continuously Running a Link Test (Continuous) ..................................................4-13
Testing the Radio Header Size (Header) .......................................................................4-14
Using the Configuration Radio Extended Menu .................................................................4-15
Setting the Parent ID (Parentid, Parent_wait) ...............................................................4-15
Setting Retry Transmission Time (Time_Retries, Count_Retries) ................................4-16
Setting the Refresh Time (Refresh) ...............................................................................4-16
Enabling Diversity Antennas (Diversity) .......................................................................4-16
Setting Power Level (Power)..........................................................................................4-17
Setting Fragment Size (Fragment) ................................................................................4-17
Chapter 5 - Configuring the Ethernet Port ..............................................5-1
Using the Configuration Ethernet Menu .............................................................................5-2
Activating/Disabling the Ethernet Port (Active) ...........................................................5-2
Setting the Maximum Frame Size (Size) ......................................................................5-2
Setting the Port Interface Type (Port) ...........................................................................5-3
Setting the Fallback Option (Fallback) .........................................................................5-3
Chapter 6 - Setting Network Identifiers ....................................................6-1
Using the Configuration Ident Menu ..................................................................................6-2
Establishing a Node Name (Name) ...............................................................................6-2
Resetting the Default Network ID (NID) ......................................................................6-2
Assigning an IP Address (Inaddr) .................................................................................6-3
Specifying the IP Subnet Mask (Inmask) .....................................................................6-3
Setting SNMP Location and Contact Identifiers (Location,Contact) ............................6-3

iv
Configuring the IP Routing Table .......................................................................................6-4
Displaying the Routing Table (Display) ........................................................................6-4
Entering a Host Route (Host) ........................................................................................6-5
Entering a Network Route (Net) ...................................................................................6-5
Entering Default Route (Default) ..................................................................................6-5
Deleting a Route (Delete) .............................................................................................6-6
Chapter 7 - Configuring SNMP .................................................................7-1
Overview .............................................................................................................................7-2
Using the Configuration SNMP Menu ................................................................................7-2
Enabling the SNMP Agent (Enabled) ...........................................................................7-3
Setting Up SNMP Communities (Communities) ..........................................................7-3
Displaying Communities (Display) .......................................................................7-3
Adding a Community (Add) ..................................................................................7-4
Removing a Community (Remove) .......................................................7-4
Setting a Community Access Mode (Access) ........................................................7-4
Setting or RemovingAllowed NMS IPAddresses (Ipadr) ....................................7-5
Setting or RemovingAllowed NMS Nodes IDs (Nid) ..........................................7-5
Enabling Remote NMS to Change Community Setup (Remote) ..........................7-6
Setting SNMP Trap Destinations (Trapdest) .................................................................7-6
Specifying Community Names for Trap Messages (Trapcomm) ..................................7-7
Specifying the Type of Log to Cause an SNMP Trap (Loglevel) .................................7-7
Enabling Authentication Failure Trap (Authtrap) .........................................................7-7
Chapter 8 - Viewing Statistics ....................................................................8-1
Viewing the Statistics Menu ...............................................................................................8-2
Throughput Statistics (Throughput) ..............................................................................8-3
Radio Error Statistics (Radio) .......................................................................................8-4
Displaying Overall Status (Status) ................................................................................8-6
Recording a Statistic History (Watch) ...........................................................................8-7
Displaying a Statistic History (History) ........................................................................8-8
Displaying Node Information (Node) ...........................................................................8-9

v
Displaying ARP Information (ARP) .............................................................................8-9
Setting Screen Display Time (Display_Time) ..............................................................8-10
Chapter 9 - Setting Up the Association Table ...........................................9-1
Overview .............................................................................................................................9-2
Using the Association Menu ...............................................................................................9-3
Displaying the Association Table (Display) ..................................................................9-3
Displaying the Association Table Summary (Summary) ..............................................9-5
Association Monitor Menu (Monitor) ...........................................................................9-6
Displaying the Network Map (Map) ......................................................................9-6
Network Map (Trace) .............................................................................................9-7
Setting the Allowed Number of Child Nodes (Maximum) ...........................................9-7
Controlling Associations With Static Entries (Autoassoc/Add/Remove) .....................9-7
Specifying How Node Addresses are Displayed (NIDdisp) .........................................9-9
Chapter 10 - Using Filters ..........................................................................10-1
Overview .............................................................................................................................10-2
Using the Filter Menu .........................................................................................................10-2
Filtering Multicast Addresses (Multicast) .....................................................................10-3
Setting the Default Action (Default) ......................................................................10-3
Displaying The Filters (Show) ...............................................................................10-3
Adding A Multicast Filter (Add) ............................................................................10-4
Removing a Filter (Remove) ..................................................................................10-4
Filtering Radio Multicasts (Radio_Mcast) .............................................................10-4
Filtering Node Addresses (Node) ..................................................................................10-5
Setting the Default (Source) ...................................................................................10-5
Displaying The NodeAddress Filters (Display) ....................................................10-6
Displaying the IP to Network Address Table (IPdisplay) ......................................10-6
Updating Specific Node Address Filters (Add/Remove) .......................................10-7
Filtering Protocols (Protocols) ......................................................................................10-7

vi
Setting the Default Action (Default) ......................................................................10-9
Enabling Unicast Packet Filtering (Unicast) ..........................................................10-9
Displaying the Filters (Display) .............................................................................10-10
Adding A Filter (Add) ............................................................................................10-11
Removing an Entry (Remove) ...............................................................................10-15
Length of Data Displayed in Log Action (Length) ................................................10-15
Protocol Monitoring (Monitor/ Show/ Clear) ........................................................10-16
Access Packet Direction (Direction) .............................................................................10-17
Chapter 11 - Setting Up Event Logs ..........................................................11-1
Overview .............................................................................................................................11-2
Information Logs ...........................................................................................................11-2
Error Logs .....................................................................................................................11-4
Severe Error Logs ..........................................................................................................11-5
Using the Logs Menu ..........................................................................................................11-7
Viewing History Logs (History) ....................................................................................11-8
Clearing the History Buffer (Clear) ..............................................................................11-9
Specifying the Type of Logs to Print (Printlevel) .........................................................11-9
Specifying the Type of Logs to Save (Loglevel) ...........................................................11-10
Specifying the Type of Logs to Light Status Indicator (Ledlevel) ................................11-10
Setting Statistic Parameters (Statistics) .........................................................................11-10
Forwarding Logs to a Unix System (Syslog) ................................................................11-12
Enabling Indicator Status Locking (Lockled) ...............................................................11-12
Chapter 12 - Performing Diagnostics ........................................................12-1
Using the Diagnostics Menu ...............................................................................................12-2
Starting a Telnet Session (Connect) ..............................................................................12-2
Changing the Escape Sequence (Escape) ......................................................................12-3
Running a Linktest (Linktest) .......................................................................................12-4
Restarting the Unit (Restart) .........................................................................................12-4
Preparing the Unit for Shutdown (Shutdown) ...............................................................12-4
Returning the Unit to the Default Configuration (Default) ...........................................12-4
Physically Locating a Unit (Find) .................................................................................12-4
Sending a Ping Packet (Ping) ........................................................................................12-4

vii
Loading New Code Versions (Load) ...................................................................................12-5
Downloading Using Xmodem Protocol (Xmodem/Crc-xmodem) ...............................12-6
Downloading or Uploading using the File Transfer Protocol (Ftp) ..............................12-7
Downloading a New Firmware/Configuration File (Get) ......................................12-8
Uploading a New Firmware Version (Put) .............................................................12-9
Uploading the Unit’s configuration (Config) .........................................................12-10
Distributing Firmware or Configuration (Distribute) ....................................................12-10
Downloading Using the Internet Boot Protocol (Bootp/DHCP) ...................................12-11
Configuring DHCP Servers (Class) ..............................................................................12-12
Appendix A - Aironet Access Point Specifications ....................................A-1
LAN Interfaces Supported ..................................................................................................A-1
Radio Characteristics ..........................................................................................................A-1
Physical Specifications .......................................................................................................A-2
Console Port Pin-Out ..........................................................................................................A-3
Appendix B - Console Menu Tree ..............................................................B-1
Appendix C - SNMP Variables ..................................................................C-1
Appendix D - Aironet Technical Support ..................................................D-1
User’s Guide ..................................................................................................................D-1
Communications ...........................................................................................................D-1
Web Site ........................................................................................................................D-1

viii
List of Figures
Figure 0.1 Wireless Workstations on LAN ...............................................xix
Figure 0.2 Wireless LAN ...........................................................................xx
Figure 0.3 Multiple Microcells On Cabled LAN ......................................xxi
Figure 1.1 Overview of Aironet Access Point ......................................... 1-2
Figure 1.2 Attaching the Two Antennas .................................................. 1-3
Figure 1.3 Console Port Connection ........................................................ 1-4
Figure 1.4 Attaching 10Base2 (Thinnet) Cabling .................................... 1-5
Figure 1.5 Attaching 10Base5 (Thicknet) Cabling .................................. 1-6
Figure 1.6 Attaching 10BaseT (Twisted Pair) Cabling ............................ 1-7
Figure 1.7 AC to DC Power Pack Connections and On/Off Button ........ 1-8
Figure 1.8 Top Panel Indicators ............................................................... 1-9
Figure 1.9 Back Panel Indicators ........................................................... 1-11
Figure 9.1 Association Tree ..................................................................... 9-2
Figure 9.2 Example of Using Static Entry to Restrict Association .......... 9-8

ix
List of Tables
Table 1.1 - Top Panel Indicator Description .............................................1-10
Table 4.1 - Auto Link Test Display Patterns .............................................4-13

x Aironet Access Point
About the Technical Reference Manual
This manual covers the installation, configuration, control, and
maintenance of your Aironet Access Point.
Please read
Chapter 1 - Installing the Aironet Access Point before
attempting to install, or use the hardware and software described in this
manual.
The technical reference manual is arranged as follows:
Chapter 1 - Installing the Aironet Access Point - Describes the physical
installation of the Aironet Access Point.
Chapter 2 - Accessing the Console Port - Introduces you to the Console
Port and shows you how to set up and configure the Console Port
parameters.
Chapter 3 - Before You Begin - Provides you with an overview of the
Configuration Menu and how to save and restore your configurations.
Chapter 4 - Configuring the Radio Network - Contains detailed proce-
dures for configuring your Radio Network.
Chapter 5 - Configuring the Ethernet Port - Contains detailed proce-
dures for configuring the Ethernet port.
Chapter 6 - Setting Network Identifiers - Outlines the procedures for
setting the Aironet Access Point’s Network Identifiers.
Chapter 7 - Configuring SNMP - Describes how to configure the Aironet
Access Point for use with the Simple Network Management Protocol.
Chapter 8 - Viewing Statistics - Describes how to use the Statistics
Menu to monitor the performance of the Aironet Access Point.
Chapter 9 - Setting Up the Association Table - Provides you with an
introduction to the association process and detailed procedures for set-
ting up the Aironet Access Point’s Association Table.
Chapter 10 - Using Filters - Describes how to control the forwarding of
multicast messages.

About the Technical Reference Manual - xi
Chapter 11 - Setting Up Event Logs - Outlines the procedures for setting
up Event Logs and lists the common error log messages received on the
Aironet Access Point.
Chapter 12 - Performing Diagnostics - Provides you with detailed pro-
cedures for restarting your unit, returning to your default configuration
and loading new firmware versions.
Appendix A - Aironet Access Point Specifications - Details the
Aironet Access Point radio and physical specifications.
Appendix B - Console Menu Tree - Provides you with a listing of all
menus, sub-menus and options contained in the Console Port.
Appendix C - SNMP Variables - Lists the SNMP variables supported by
the Aironet Access Point.
Appendix D - Aironet Technical Support
- Describes how to contact
Aironet for technical support and the information needed when request-
ing support.

xii Aironet Access Point
Typographical Conventions
When reading the technical reference manual, it’s important to under-
stand the symbol and formatting conventions used in the documentation.
The following symbols and formatting are used in the manual.
Convention Type of Information
Indicates a note which contains important
information set off from the normal text.
A caution message that appears before proce-
dures which, if not observed, could result in
loss of data or damage to the equipment.
Bold type An action you must perform such as type or
select.
Monospaced font Information and menus that are visible on the
Console Port screens.

Aironet Access Point xiii
Welcome to the Aironet Access Point
The Aironet Access Point provides transparent, wireless data communi-
cations between the wired LAN (and/or within the Wireless Infrastruc-
ture) and fixed, portable or mobile devices equipped with a wireless
adapter employing the same modulation.
Data Transparency and Protocols
The Aironet Access Point transports data packets transparently as they
move through the Wireless Infrastructure.
The Aironet Access Point is also protocol independent for all packets,
except those either addressed specifically to the AironetAccess Point, or
sent as multicast address packets.
Depending on the address, packets will be processed as follows:
n All packets, except those either addressed specifically to the Aironet
Access Point or sent as multicast address packets, will be processed
without examining the contents of the packet, and without regard to
the protocol used.
n Packets addressed specifically to the Aironet Access Point will be
examined by looking at the protocol header. If the protocol is recog-
nized the packet will be processed.
n Multicast address packets will also be examined by looking at the
protocol header, but will be processed whether the protocol is recog-
nized or not.
n If protocol filtering is enabled then the appropriate parts of the
packet will be examined.
Ethernet Compatibility
The Aironet Access Point can attach directly to 10Base2 (Thinnet),
10Base5 (Thicknet) or 10BaseT (Twisted Pair) Ethernet LAN segments.
These segments must conform to IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet Blue Book
specifications.

xiv Aironet Access Point
If the existing network to which the Aironet Access Point is to be
attached is not Ethernet-based, an Ethernet segment can be added by
installing an Ethernet Network Interface Card in the File Server or by
adding a third-party bridge.
The Aironet Access Point appears as an Ethernet node and performs a
routing function by moving packets from the wired LAN, to remote
workstations (personal computers, laptops and hand held computing
devices) on the Wireless Infrastructure.
Protocols Supported
Protocols supported:
n TCP/IP based protocol products
n SNMP Protocol - The resident agent is compliant with the MIB-I
and MIB-II standards, TCP/IP based internets, as well as a custom
MIB for specialized control of the system.
Radio Characteristics
The 4500 Series uses a radio modulation technique known as Direct
Sequence Spread Spectrum transmission (DSSS). It combines high data
throughput with excellent immunity to interference. This Aironet Access
Point operates in the 2.4 GHz license-free Industrial Scientific and Med-
ical (ISM) band. Data is transmitted over a half-duplex radio channel
operating at up to 2 Megabits per second (Mbps) rate.
Radio Ranges
The following section provides general guidelines on factors that influ-
ence network performance.
Site Survey
Because of differences in component configuration, placement and phys-
ical environment, every network application is a unique installation.
Before installing the system, users should perform a site survey in order
to determine the optimum utilization of networking components and to
maximize range, coverage and network performance.

Aironet Access Point xv
Here are some operating and environmental conditions that need to be
considered:
nData Rates. Sensitivity and range are inversely proportional to data
bit rates. The maximum radio range is achieved at the lowest work-
able data rate. There will be a decrease in receiver threshold as the
radio data rate increases.
nAntenna Type and Placement. Proper antenna configuration is a
critical factor in maximizing radio range. As a general guide, range
increases in proportion to antenna height. The AP4500 allows con-
nection to two antennas at the same time. This can be configured
either as two separate remote antennas or as the single unit diversity
antenna supplied by Aironet. Two antennas allow the AP4500 to
detect and use the strongest signal coming from either of the anten-
nas.
For a detailed explanation of antenna types and configurations along
with guidelines on selecting antennas for specific environments, see the
Aironet Antenna Guide, document number 710-003725.
nPhysical Environments. Clear or open areas provide better radio
range than closed or filled areas. Also, the less cluttered the work
environment, the greater the range.
nObstructions. A physical obstruction such as shelving or a pillar
can hinder the performance of the AP4500. Particularly when using
the small snap-on antenna, avoid locating the computing device and
antenna in a location where there is a barrier between the sending
and receiving antennas.
nBuilding Materials. Radio penetration is greatly influenced by the
building material used in construction. For example, drywall con-
struction allows greater range than concrete blocks.

xvi Aironet Access Point
Radio Antenna
The 4500 Series Aironet Access Point comes equipped with two dipole
antennas that operate in diversity mode. Diversity antenna systems can
improve reception in environments where multipath interference is a
problem. Aironet’s direct sequence spread spectrum radios are designed
to utilize a spacial diversity antenna system.
A benefit of a diversity system is improved coverage. At the edges of the
RF coverage or fringe areas, there are very often multiple signals reach-
ing the receiver, all from the same transmitter. These signals travel in
different paths (multipath) and are caused by reflection and shadows of
the RF signals. When the signals combine, the receiver may have trouble
decoding the data. The Aironet radio’s ability to switch and sample
between these antennas allows it to select the optimum antenna for
receiving the packet.
Security Features
The Aironet Access Point employs Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
Technology, previously developed for military “anti-jamming” and “low
probability of intercept” radio systems.
The Aironet Access Point must be set to the same System Identifier
(SSID) as all other Aironet devices on the Wireless Infrastructure. Units
with a different SSID will not be able to directly communicate with each
other.

Aironet Access Point xvii
Terminology
When configuring your system, and when reading this manual, keep in
mind the following terminology:
Infrastructure - The wireless infrastructure is the communications sys-
tem that combines Aironet Access Points, mobile stations and fixed sta-
tions. Aironet Access Points within the infrastructure can be either root
units, which are physically wired to the LAN backbone, or can act as
wireless repeaters. Other RF enabled devices serve as fixed stations or
mobile stations.
Cell - A single Aironet Access Point transmits and receives data within
an area called a cell. A cell is the area of radio range (coverage) in
which the Access Point can communicate to other devices in the wireless
infrastructure. The size of a single cell depends upon the speed of the
transmission, the type of antennas used, the physical environment as
well as other factors. The size of the entire coverage area for the wire-
less infrastructure can be increased by adding Access Points, thus add-
ing cells.
Root Unit - The root unit is an Aironet Access Point that is located at
the top, or starting point, of a wireless infrastructure. The root unit pro-
vides the physical connection to the wired LAN (such as Ethernet) and
contains configuration information in its association table that covers all
stations in the infrastructure.
Repeater - A repeater is an Aironet Access Point that extends the radio
range of the infrastructure. A repeater is not physically attached to the
wired LAN, but communicates via radio to another Access Point, which
is either a root unit or another repeater.
Radio Node - A PC, file server, notebook computer, etc. containing a
Radio Card or LAN Adapter.
End Node - A radio node that is located at the end of the Network Tree.
Parent/Child Node - Refers to the relationships between nodes in the
wireless infrastructure. The complete set of relationships is sometimes
described as a Network Tree. For example, the Aironet Access Point (at
the top of the tree) would be the parent of the end nodes. Conversely, the
end nodes would be the children of the Aironet Access Point.

xviii Aironet Access Point
Association - Each root unit or repeater in the infrastructure contains an
association table that controls the routing of packets between the LAN
backbone and the wireless infrastructure. The association table main-
tains entries for all the stations situated below the Aironet Access Point
on the infrastructure including repeaters and radio nodes.
Power Saving Protocol (PSP) and Non-Power Saving Protocol - The
Power Saving Protocol allows computers (usually portable computers)
to power up only part of the time to conserve energy. If a radio node is
using the Power Saving Protocol to communicate with the network, the
Aironet Access Point must be aware of this mode and implement addi-
tional features such as message store and forward.
Aironet Access Point System Configurations
The Aironet Access Point can be used in a variety of network configura-
tions. How you configure your network will determine the size of the
microcell, which is the area a single Aironet Access Point will provide
with RF coverage. You can extend the RF coverage area by creating
multiple microcells on a LAN.
Examples of some common system configurations are shown on the
pages that follow, along with a brief description of each.