Aironet AP4500 User manual

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 3875 Embassy Parkway
Akron, Ohio 44333-8357
www.aironet.com
User’s Guide
Wireless Access Point
for Ethernet andToken Ring
Products supported:
AP4500 and AP4800
DOC-710-004240-B0

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any means, elec-
tronic 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.
© 1998 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
AP4500
TM
, LM4500
TM
, PC4500
TM
, AP4800
TM
, LM4800
TM
, PC4800
TM
, and Aironet
TM
are trademarks of Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
Other trademarks used are properties of their respective owners.
Printed in USA
DOC-710-004240-B0

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................... 1-1
Purpose of the Manual .................................. 1-1
Safety Information ......................................... 1-2
Dipole Antenna ....................................... 1-3
High Gain Antennas ............................... 1-3
Other Devices in the Wireless Network .. 1-3
Before You Start ............................................ 1-4
Terminology .................................................. 1-5
Understanding the Infrastructure ................... 1-7
Installation........................................................... 2-1
Installing the Antennas .................................. 2-1
Installing the Console Port Cable .................. 2-2
Installing the Ethernet Connection ................ 2-3
Installing the Token Ring Connection ........... 2-5
Attaching the AC/DC Power Pack and
Powering On Ethernet or Token Ring
Access Point ................................................. 2-6
Viewing the Indicator Displays ...................... 2-7
Top Panel Indicators ............................... 2-7
Back Panel Indicators (Ethernet Only) ... 2-9
Configuration...................................................... 3-1
Accessing the Console System ..................... 3-1
Configuring the Access Point ........................ 3-2
SSID Identifier (SSID) ............................. 3-2
Assigning an IP Address ........................ 3-3
Verifying Association .............................. 3-3

Appendix A..........................................................A-1
System Configurations...................................A-1
Point-to-Point LAN Connections..............A-2
Supporting Mixed Network Topologies ..........A-3
Point-to-Multipoint LAN Connections.......A-5
Infrastructure Extensions with Repeaters A-7
Appendix B..........................................................B-1
Manufacturers Federal Communication
Commission Declaration of Conformity
Statement.......................................................B-1
Department of Communications–Canada
Canadian Compliance Statement ..................B-5
European Telecommunications Standards
Institute Statement of Compliance
Information to User.........................................B-6
Appendix C..........................................................C-1
Technical Support..........................................C-1
Technical Reference Manual ..................C-1
Communications .....................................C-1
Web Site .................................................C-1

Introduction
1-1
Introduction
Purpose of the Manual
The purpose of this User’s Guide is to allow you to easily
install and configure your Aironet Access Point.This will
permit other wireless devices, such as fixed stations, mobile
stations, or another Aironet Access Point (acting as a
repeater), to be able to associate to it.These will then be
able to communicate to each other over the radio network
and to the rest of the network via the Ethernet or Token
Ring link.
For detailed technical and configuration procedures, see
the Technical Reference Manual document number
710-004242.
Wired LAN
Root Unit
End Node
Portable
Laptop

Introduction
1-2
Safety Information
The FCC with its action in ET Docket 96-8 has adopted a
safety standard for human exposure to radiated frequency
(RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC certified
equipment.The Aironet products meet the uncontrolled
environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1,
1991. Proper operation of this radio according to the
instructions found in this manual will result in the user
exposure to be substantially below the FCC recommended
limits.
• Do not touch or move antenna(s) while the unit is
transmitting or receiving.
• Do not hold any component containing the radio such
that the antenna is very close or touching any exposed
parts of the body, especially the face or eyes, while
transmitting.
• Do not operate a portable transmitter near unshielded
blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless it
is a type especially qualified for such use.
• Do not operate radio or attempt to transmit data unless
the antenna is connected, if not, the radio may be
damaged.
LISTED
UL
®
®

Introduction
1-3
Dipole Antenna
Always orient antenna such that it is at least 15 cm
(6 inches) away from your body.
High Gain Antennas
High gain wall mount or mast mount antennas are
designed to be professionally installed and should be
located at a minimum distance of 30 cm (12 inches) or
more from your body. Please contact your professional
installer, VAR, or antenna manufacturer for proper
installation requirements.
Other Devices in theWireless Network
Refer to the User’s Guide and Technical Reference
Manual for the Access Point, Universal Client, or Bridge
for additional information.

Introduction
1-4
BeforeYou Start
After unpacking the system, make sure the following items
are present and in good condition.
• Access Point (Ethernet or Token Ring model)
• Power Pack.The power pack will be either 120VAC/
60Hz or 90-264VAC/47-63Hz to 12-18VDC, whichever
is appropriate for country of use.
• Two standard 2 dBi dipole antennas
If any item is damaged or missing, contact your Aironet
supplier. Save all shipping and packing material in order to
repack the unit should service be required.
NOTE: Any remote antennas or associated coaxial
cables are ordered and packed separately.

Introduction
1-5
Terminology
When configuring your system, and when reading this
manual, keep in mind the following terminology:
Association – Each root unit or repeater in the
infrastructure contains an association table that controls
the routing of packets between the Access Point and the
wireless infrastructure.The association table maintains
entries for all the nodes situated below the Aironet Access
Point on the infrastructure including repeaters and client
nodes.
End Node – A client node that is located at the end of the
Network Tree.
Infrastructure – The wireless infrastructure is the
communications system that combines Access Points,
mobile nodes and fixed nodes.Access Points within the
infrastructure can be either root units, which are physically
wired to the LAN backbone, or can act as wireless repeat-
ers.Other RF enabled devices serve as fixed nodes or
mobile client nodes.
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 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 Access Point.

Introduction
1-6
Repeater – A repeater is an 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.
Root Unit – The root unit is an Access Point that is located
at the top, or starting point, of a wireless infrastructure.A
root unit provides the physical connection to the wired LAN
(such as Ethernet orToken Ring) and contains configuration
information in its association table that covers all nodes that
access the wired infrastructure.All Access Points directly
attached to the wired LAN backbone are root units.
Service Set Identifier – A unique identifier that is attached
to selected packets sent out over the radio network.This
functions as a password to join the radio network.

Introduction
1-7
Understanding the Infrastructure
The infrastructure is designed like an upside-down tree with
a root unit at the top and repeaters, stations, and mobile
stations branching down from the root unit as shown below.
The Aironet Access Point can serve as a root unit, providing
wireless data communications between the Ethernet or
Token Ring based networks and other stations/mobile
stations or within the wireless infrastructure.
Wired LAN
Root Unit
End Node
Portable
Laptop

Introduction
1-8
In the example, the Access Point maintains an area of RF
coverage (cell). Any radio node within the cell’s area can
communicate to any other node (via radio or across the
wired LAN) using the Access Point.
If a larger area of RF coverage is required, additional
Access Points can be added either as root units, attached to
the LAN, or as repeaters.Each Access Point adds its own
cell, which can be used to provide additional coverage area,
greater total bandwidth, or network redundancy.
For information about how to configure the Access Point as
a repeater or other networking and system configuration
issues, see the Technical Reference Manual document
number 710-004242.
Information about optional, long range antennas is available
from the Aironet Antenna Guide document number
710-003725 or your Aironet supplier.

Installation
2-1
Installation
This section describes the procedures for installing the
Aironet Access Point.
Installing the Antennas
The Access Point comes with two antennas.
1. With the unit powered off, attach both antennas to the
antenna connectors.
STP UTP
Token Ring
Ethernet
Antenna
Antenna
10Base2 10Base5 10BaseT
NOTE: Do not over-tighten; finger tight is sufficient.
Position the antennas vertically for best omni-directional
signal reception.

Installation
2-2
2. If you are using the Aironet Access Point with a remote
antenna, connect the coaxial cable to the antenna
connector. Only use antennas and cables supplied by
Aironet Wireless Communications.
Installing the Console Port Cable
1. Attach the Console Port cable to the Serial Port. Attach
the other cable end to the Serial Port on a terminal or a
PC running a terminal emulation program. Use a 9-pin
male to 9-pin female straight through cable.
2. Set the terminal to 9600 Baud, No -Parity, 8 data bits,
1 Stop bit, and ANSI compatible.
NOTE: Due to FCC and DOC Regulations, the antenna
connectors on the Aironet Access Point are of reverse
polarity to the standard TNC connectors.
NOTE:This connection is required for setting up initial
configuration information. After configuration is
completed, this cable may be removed until additional
configuration is required via the Serial Port.

Installation
2-3
Installing the Ethernet Connection
The Aironet Access Point for Ethernet supports three
connection types:
• 10Base2 (Thinnet)
• 10Base5 (Thicknet) AUI connector
• 10BaseT (Twisted Pair)
To Attach 10Base2 (Thinnet) Cabling:
1. Make sure the unit is powered off.
2. Attach the Thinnet cabling to each end of a BNC
T-connector, if applicable.
3. Attach the T-connector to the 10Base2 BNC. If the unit
is at the end of the Ethernet cable, a 50-Ohm terminator
must be installed on the open end of the T-connector.
NOTE: If you are installing a Token Ring Access Point,
proceed to page 2-5.
10Base2 10Base5 10BaseT
CAUTION: Removing a terminator to install extra cable, or
breaking an existing cable to install aT-connector, will cause a
disruption in Ethernet traffic.Consult with your LAN adminis-
trator before you change any Ethernet cabling connections.

Installation
2-4
To Attach the 10Base5 (Thicknet) Cabling:
1. Make sure the unit is powered off.
2. Attach the transceiver connector to the 10Base5 AUI port.
3. Slide the locking mechanism in place.
4. Attach the other end of the transceiver drop cabling to an
external transceiver.
To Attach the 10BaseT (Twisted Pair) cabling:
1. Make sure the unit is powered off.
2. Plug the RJ-45 connector into the 10BaseT port
(Twisted Pair).
3. Connect the other end of the Twisted Pair cabling to the
LAN connection (such as a hub or concentrator).
10Base2 10Base5 10BaseT
10Base2 10Base5 10BaseT

Installation
2-5
Installing theToken Ring Connection
The Aironet Access Point for Token Ring supports two
connection types:
• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
To Attach the STP Cabling:
1. Make sure the unit is powered off.
2. Attach the transceiver connector to the DB-9 port.
3. Attach the other end of the transceiver drop cabling to a
Token Ring Multi-Station Access Unit (MAU).
To Attach the UTP Cabling:
1. Make sure the unit is powered off.
2. Plug the RJ-45 connector into the UTP port.
3. Connect the other end of the UTP cabling to a Token
Ring Multi-Station Access Unit (MAU).
STP UTP
STP UTP

Installation
2-6
Attaching the AC/DC Power Pack
and Powering On the Ethernet orToken
Ring Access Point
1. Insert the small plug on the end of the AC/DC power
pack cord into the power port.
2. Plug the AC/DC power pack into an electrical outlet
(120VAC/60Hz or 90-264VAC/47-63Hz as appropriate).
3. Power on the Aironet Access Point by pushing the
On/Off button.
When power is initially applied to the Aironet Access Point,
all three indicators will blink in sequence to test the
functionality of the indicators.
On/Off Button

Installation
2-7
Viewing the Indicator Displays
Top Panel Indicators
The indicators are a set of displays located on the top
panel of the Aironet Access Point unit.
• Ethernet orToken Ring Indicator – Used to
indicate network traffic activity.The light is normally
off, but will blink green whenever a packet is
received or transmitted over the Ethernet or Token
Ring interface.
• Status Indicator – Shows solid green when the
Aironet Access Point has accepted a radio
association.
• Radio Indicator – Used to indicate radio traffic
activity.The light is normally off, but will blink green
whenever a packet is received or transmitted over
the radio.
When the Aironet Access Point is initially powered up,
all three displays will blink amber, red and then green,
in sequence.If a power-on test fails, the status indicator
will go solid red and the unit will stop functioning. See
Table 2.1 for a detailed explanation of the Top Panel
indicators.
RadioStatusEthernet
or Token Ring

Installation
2-8
Table 2.1 –Top Panel Indicator Description
Type Indicator Display Description
Ethernet
or
Token Ring
Status Radio
Nonassociated
Node Blinking Green No nodes associated
Green One or more
nodes
associated
Operational Green Blinking
Green Transmitting/ Receiving
Radio packets
Blinking
Green Green Transmitting/ Receiving
packets
Green Blinking
Amber Maximum retries/buffer
full occurred
on radio*
Error/Warning Blinking
Amber Green Transmit/ Receive
errors*
Blinking
Amber General warn- ing, check the
logs*
Failure Red Red Red Software
failure*
Firmware
Upgrade Red Flashing the firmware*
*See the Technical Reference Manual for instructions