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.