Aruba AP-85 User manual

Aruba AP-85 Outdoor
Access Point Series
Installation Guide

www.arubanetworks.com
1344 Crossman Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94089
Phone: [phone]
Fax [phone]
Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide 0510323-06 | October 2008
Copyright
© 2008 Aruba Networks, Inc. AirWave®, Aruba Networks®, Aruba Mobility Management System®, Bluescanner, For Wireless That
Works®, Mobile Edge Architecture®, People Move. Networks Must Follow®, RFprotect, The All Wireless Workplace Is Now Open For
Business, Green Island, and The Mobile Edge Company®are trademarks of Aruba Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective owners.
Open Source Code
Certain Aruba products include Open Source software code developed by third parties, including software code subject to the GNU
General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), or other Open Source Licenses. The Open Source code used
can be found at this site:
http://www.arubanetworks.com/open_source
Legal Notice
The use of Aruba Networks, Inc. switching platforms and software, by all individuals or corporations, to terminate other vendors’ VPN
client devices constitutes complete acceptance of liability by that individual or corporation for this action and indemnifies, in full, Aruba
Networks, Inc. from any and all legal actions that might be taken against it with respect to infringement of copyright on behalf of those
vendors.
Warranty
This hardware product is protected by the standard Aruba warranty of one year parts/labor. For more information, refer to the
ARUBACARE SERVICE AND SUPPORT TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Altering this device (such as painting it) voids the warranty.

Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide |3
Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................... 5
Guide Overview .....................................................................................................5
Related Documents ...............................................................................................5
Contacting Aruba Networks ..................................................................................6
Chapter 1 AP-85 Series Hardware Overview .......................................................... 7
About the AP-85 Series .........................................................................................7
AP-85 Series Operation ..................................................................................7
Minimum Software Requirements .........................................................................8
Package Checklist.................................................................................................8
Hardware Model Overview ....................................................................................9
AP-85 Series Front View...........................................................................9
AP-85 Series Rear View............................................................................9
AP-85 Series Top View...........................................................................10
AP-85TX Bottom View............................................................................10
AP-85FX/LX Bottom View.......................................................................11
LED Status Indicators ...................................................................................13
Optional Accessories...........................................................................................14
Chapter 2 Outdoor Planning and Deployment Considerations........................... 15
Planning and Deployment Considerations ..........................................................15
Scale Requirements ......................................................................................15
Identifying Known RF Absorbers/Reflectors/Interferences Sources ............15
RF Absorbers..........................................................................................15
RF Reflectors ..........................................................................................15
RF Interference Sources.........................................................................16
Line of Sight (Radio Path Planning)...............................................................16
Antenna Height .............................................................................................17
Antenna Position and Orientation .................................................................18
Radio Interference.........................................................................................19
Weather Conditions ......................................................................................19
Ethernet Cabling ...........................................................................................19
Grounding .....................................................................................................19
Chapter 3 AP-85 Series Installation....................................................................... 21
Pre-Installation Network Setup............................................................................21
Pre-Installation Checklist ..............................................................................21
Access Point Setup .............................................................................................21
Verifying Pre-Installation Connectivity ..........................................................22
Provisioning the AP.......................................................................................22
Installing the AP-85.......................................................................................22
Mounting the AP-85 ...............................................................................23
Positioning the AP-85.............................................................................27
Connecting Required Cables..................................................................28
Lightning Arrestor Installation.................................................................31
Antenna Installation ................................................................................31
Verifying Post-Installation Connectivity ........................................................32

4|Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide
Configuring the AP-85...................................................................................32
Appendix A Understanding Antennas ...................................................................... 33
Aruba Antennas ...................................................................................................33
Understanding Wireless Antennas................................................................33
Omni-Directional vs. Directional Coverage ............................................33
Antenna Beamwidth, Pattern, and Gain Considerations........................34
Understanding Antenna Pattern Plots and Specifications .....................36
Detachable Antenna Selection......................................................................37
Detachable Outdoor Antenna Types ......................................................37
Detachable Antenna Selection Tips........................................................37
Appendix B Product Specifications.......................................................................... 43
Mechanical (AP-85TX, AP-85FX, and AP-85LX) ...........................................43
Electrical........................................................................................................43
AP-85TX .................................................................................................43
AP-85FX .................................................................................................44
AP-85LX..................................................................................................44
Maximum Power Draw ...........................................................................44
Wireless LAN.................................................................................................44
Safety and Regulatory Compliance.....................................................................45
Declaration of Conformity .............................................................................45
European Headquarters .........................................................................46
Instructions for Use in a Potentially Explosive Atmosphere................................46
Proper Disposal of Aruba Equipment ..................................................................47
Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment ..............................................47
European Union RoHS..................................................................................48
China RoHS ..................................................................................................48
Index..................................................................................................................................... 49

Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide Preface | 5
Preface
This preface includes the following information:
zAn overview of the contents of this manual
zA list of related documentation for further reading
zAruba Networks support and service information
Guide Overview
zChapter 1, “AP-85 Series Hardware Overview” on page 7 provides a detailed hardware overview of the three AP-85
models: the AP-85TX, the AP-85FX, and the AP-85LX.
zChapter 2, “Outdoor Planning and Deployment Considerations” on page 15 provides key questions to ask and items to
consider when deploying an outdoor wireless network.
zChapter 3, “AP-85 Series Installation” on page 21 describes the multi-step process for successful installation and
deployment of an AP-85.
zAppendix A, “Understanding Antennas” on page33 provides key tools that will help you understand Aruba antenna
specifications.
zAppendix B, “Product Specifications” on page43 includes product technical specifications and safety and regulatory
compliance information.
Related Documents
The following documents are referred to in this guide and are considered components of the complete documentation set
needed for successful AP deployment and management:
z ArubaOS Quick Start Guide
z ArubaOS User Guide
z Aruba Mobility Management System User Guide
zAruba Outdoor Antenna Specifications

6| Preface Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide
Contacting Aruba Networks
Web Site Support
Main Site http://www.arubanetworks.com
Support Site https://support.arubanetworks.com
Software Licensing Site https://licensing.arubanetworks.com/login.php
Wireless Security Incident
Response Team (WSIRT)
http://www.arubanetworks.com/support/wsirt.php
Support Emails
zAmericas and APAC [email protected]
zEMEA [email protected]
WSIRT Email
Please email details of any security
problem found in an Aruba product.
[email protected]
Telephone Support
Aruba Corporate [phone]
FAX [phone]
Support
zUnited States 800-WI-FI-LAN (800-943-4526)
zUniversal Free Phone Service Number
(UIFN): Australia, Canada, China,
France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland,
Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore, South
Africa, Taiwan, and the UK.
+800-4WIFI-LAN ([phone])
zAll Other Countries [phone]

Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide AP-85 Series Hardware Overview | 7
Chapter 1
AP-85 Series Hardware
Overview
About the AP-85 Series
The AP-85 Series consists of resilient, environmentally hardened, outdoor rated, dual-band IEEE 802.11a/b/g devices, which
can be configured for deployment as a wireless access point, air monitor, mesh point, or mesh portal. This outdoor access
point series is part of Aruba’s comprehensive wireless network solution. The AP-85 Series works only in conjunction with an
Aruba Mobility Controller and each AP can be centrally managed, configured, and upgraded through the controller.
The AP-85 Series consists of the following models:
zAP-85TX (Ethernet)
zAP-85FX (Multi-mode Fiber)
zAP-85LX (Single-mode Fiber)
AP-85 Series Operation
zWireless access point (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g)
zWireless air monitor (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g)
zWireless access point with wireless backhaul support*
zEnterprise mesh point (MP; Mesh license required)*
zEnterprise mesh portal (MPP; Mesh license required)*
zProtocol-independent networking functionality
zIEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) compatible (AP-85TX only)
NOTE
Items noted with a asterisk (*) require a secure enterprise mesh license. Contact your Aruba sales
representative for a complete listing of available software licenses.
!
CAUTION
Aruba access points must be installed by trained service personnel. These installers are responsible
for ensuring that grounding is available and it meets applicable local and national electrical codes.
WARNING
Do not work on an AP and do not connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.

8| AP-85 Series Hardware Overview Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide
Minimum Software Requirements
The AP-85 Series requires ArubaOS 3.2.0 or later.
ArubaOS software builds prior to version 3.2.0 do not support the AP-85 Series. If your network currently runs on a software
build prior to 3.2.0, you must upgrade the software on your master and local controllers to 3.2.0 or later prior to installing an
AP-85 in your existing network.
Package Checklist
Included with all three AP-85 models:
zAruba AP-85 outdoor access point (TX, FX, or LX model)
zAP-85 wall/pole/mast mount kit (fixture with hardware)
z8-foot DC outdoor rated power cable
zWeatherproof connector shell for RJ-45 terminated CAT 5 cable
LTW P/N LTWRJS-00PFFA-SL8001
z Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Installation Guide
Included with the AP-85FX/LX models only:
z8-foot AC outdoor rated power cable (for FX/LX models only; US and EU options available)
zFiber Optic Termination Kit
AP-85FX: Tyco P/N 1828618-1
AP-85LX: Tyco P/N 1828618-2
NOTE
Inform your supplier if any parts are incorrect, missing, or damaged. If possible, retain the carton,
including the original packing materials. Use these materials to repack and return the unit to the
supplier if needed.
NOTE
Optional accessories are available for use with the AP-85 and are sold separately. Refer to "Optional
Accessories" on page14 for further details.

Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide AP-85 Series Hardware Overview | 9
Hardware Model Overview
AP-85 Series Front View
The front of the AP-85 Series has LED status indicators (see Figure 1). For descriptions of the LEDs and their behavior, refer
to "LED Status Indicators" on page13.
Figure 1 AP-85 Series Front View
AP-85 Series Rear View
The rear of the AP-85 Series has four mounting holes (see Figure 2). Refer to Chapter 3, “AP-85 Series Installation” on
page 21 for mounting and installation instructions.
Figure 2 AP-85 Series Rear View
arun_0100
LED
Status Indicators
Mounting Holes

10 | AP-85 Series Hardware Overview Aruba AP-85 Outdoor Access Point Series | Installation Guide
AP-85 Series Top View
The top of the AP-85 Series consists of four, female N-type antenna interfaces (see Figure 3).
Figure 3 AP-85 Series Top View
The AP-85 Series requires the use of detachable, outdoor rated antennas. Select the correct antenna type to support the
required frequency band (2.4 or 5 GHz) and the desired coverage pattern.
The four, female N-type antenna interfaces on the AP-85 models are grouped into diversity pairs, one pair is marked as
RADIO 0 and the other pair is marked as RADIO 1. RADIO 0 supports 2.4 GHz frequency band antennas and RADIO 1
supports 5 GHz frequency band antennas.
To select the correct antenna type for the deployment, download and read Aruba’s outdoor antenna specifications: http://
www.arubanetworks.com/products/access-points/antennas.php.
For further details, see Appendix A, “Understanding Antennas” on page33.
AP-85TX Bottom View
The bottom of the AP-85TX unit (see Figure 5) has the following ports and connections:
zDC PWR 12 VDC, 2 A: The AP is capable of accepting DC power in the range of 8 to 16 VDC. If the AP-85TX is not
connected to a PoE source, the AP must be powered via a DC power source. An outdoor rated, two-wire, 8-foot long DC
power cable (wiring harness) is supplied with the unit. For proper installation instructions, see "DC and AC Power
Cables" on page30.
zLAN/POE 48 VDC, 350 mA: Also known as a 10/100Base-T Fast Ethernet (RJ-45) port, which is IEEE 802.3 BaseT and
802.3u 100BaseTX compliant. This port supports IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE), accepting 48 VDC as a
standards-defined powered device (PD) from a power sourcing equipment (PSE), such as a PoE midspan injector. The
AP-85TX also supports SPoE (Serial Power over Ethernet).
!
CAUTION
An Aruba Lightning Arrestor, AP-LAR-1, must be installed on each antenna port for protection
against lightning induced surges. Failure to use an AP-LAR-1 can void the warranty of an Aruba
outdoor AP model and renders the AP susceptible to failure from lightning induced surges.
Four, Female N-Type
Antenna Interfaces.
RADIO 0 supports 2.4 Ghz;
RADIO 1 supports 5 GHz