Cabletron Systems FLIU-1 User manual

C A B L E T R O N S Y S T E M S, I N C.
Desktop Network Interface Products
FreeLINK WIRELESS LAN
INSTALLATION GUIDE
FreeLINK cover Page 1 Wednesday, April 19, 2000 11:52 AM

NOTICE
i
NOTICE
Cabletron Systems reserves the right to make changes in
speciÞcations and other information contained in this document
without prior notice. The reader should in all cases consult
Cabletron Systems to determine whether any such changes have
been made. The hardware, Þrmware, or software described in this
manual is subject to change without notice.
IN NO EVENT SHALL CABLETRON SYSTEMS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATED TO THIS MANUAL OR THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN IT, EVEN IF CABLETRON SYSTEMS HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF, KNOWN, OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN,
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
© Copyright May 1993
Cabletron Systems, Inc.
35 Industrial Way, P.O. Box 5005
Rochester, NH 03867-0505
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Order Number: 9030833 May 93
SPECTRUM , LANVIEW , and Remote LANVIEW are
registered trademarks and
FreeLINK is a trademark of
Cabletron Systems, Inc.
Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation. The term
Ethernet is used to indicate any IEEE 802.3-compliant network.
Printed on Recycled Paper.

ii
NOTICE

CONTENTS
iii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Using This Manual ................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Getting Help .............................................................................. 1-2
1.3 FreeLINK Wireless LAN System Features ............................ 1-3
1.3.1 Connectivity ................................................................. 1-4
1.3.2 Spread Spectrum Technology .................................... 1-4
1.3.3 Data Security ................................................................ 1-4
1.3.4 Safety Information ....................................................... 1-5
1.3.5 FreeLINK Architecture................................................ 1-5
1.3.6 The Wireless Hub......................................................... 1-6
1.3.7 The Wireless Transceiver/Interface Units................ 1-6
1.4 Software...................................................................................... 1-7
1.5 System LED Indicators............................................................. 1-8
1.6 SpeciÞcations ............................................................................. 1-9
1.6.1 Wireless Hub/62, Wireless Transceiver
FLIU-1, FLIU-8 ............................................................. 1-9
CHAPTER 2 SITE PLANNING AND INSTALLATION
2.1 System Components................................................................. 2-1
2.2 Transceiver Installation ............................................................ 2-2
2.3 Connecting Transceiver/Interface Units ............................... 2-2
2.4 Transceiver Serial Numbers .................................................... 2-3
2.5 FreeLINK Wireless Ethernet Hub........................................... 2-4
2.5.1 Wireless Hub Antenna ................................................ 2-5
2.6 Wireless Hub Chassis ............................................................... 2-6
2.7 Hub Ethernet Connections ...................................................... 2-7
2.8 Hub SETUP................................................................................ 2-7
2.9 Orienting the Hub Antenna .................................................... 2-8
2.10 ConÞguring the Wireless Hub Software................................ 2-8
2.11 Aligning FreeLINK Components ........................................... 2-8
CHAPTER 3 INSTALLING SYSTEM SOFTWARE
3.1 ConÞguring the Software ........................................................ 3-1

iv
CONTENTS
APPENDIX A TROUBLESHOOTING
APPENDIX B TRANSCEIVER SERIAL NUMBERS

INTRODUCTION
Page 1 - 1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Cabletron Systems FreeLINK
¨
Wireless LAN
Installation Guide. This manual provides installation and reference
information for the Cabletron Systems FreeLINK Wireless LAN
System.
The FreeLINK Wireless LAN System uses spread spectrum radio
transmission technology to wirelessly connect Ethernet devices to
an Ethernet Network link.
You should read through this manual to gain a full understanding
of the capabilities of CabletronÕs FreeLINK Wireless LAN System.
1.1 USING THIS MANUAL
This manual is structured so that you follow sequential chapters as
you install the Cabletron FreeLINK Wireless LAN System.
Chapter 1,
Introduction , discusses the capabilities of the Wireless
LAN system and lists its operating and environmental
speciÞcations.
Chapter 2,
Site Planning and Installation , contains instructions
for planning the wireless LAN site and installing the hardware
components of the FreeLINK Wireless LAN System.
Chapter 3,
Installing FreeLINK Software , provides instructions
for installing the wireless LAN software and conÞguring the LAN
SystemÕs operating parameters.
NOTE: Those who are familiar with Ethernet 802.3 technology can use
the Quick Start Installation Procedure to expedite installation.
The Quick Start procedure contains Section Number references
to this manual.

Page 1 - 2
INTRODUCTION
1.2 GETTING HELP
If you need additional support related to the FreeLINK Wireless
LAN System, or if you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions concerning this manual, contact Cabletron Systems
Technical Support. Before calling Cabletron Technical Support,
please have the following information available for use by the
Cabletron Technical Support personnel who will assist you.
¥ The FreeLINK transmitter and receiver type and Serial
Number.
¥ The Wireless LAN software version that appears on the front of
the software diskette.
¥ Any other relevant information pertaining to the site
conÞguration, etc.
You can contact Cabletron Systems Technical Support by:
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
BBS: [phone] (4 lines available)
AppleLink D3355, The Cabletron folder, in Third Party
Vendors folder, contains latest Cabletron
network drivers.
Cabletron Technical Support can also be reached over the Internet
by sending email to:
[e-mail] (IP Address 134.141.197.25)
CompuServe subscribers can also contact Cabletron Technical
Support through the Cabletron Forum by entering:
GO CTRON at any ! prompt.

INTRODUCTION
Page 1 - 3
1.3 FreeLINK WIRELESS LAN SYSTEM FEATURES
This section outlines the features of the FreeLINK Wireless LAN
System. Figure 1-1, below, shows the components of the FreeLINK
Wireless LAN System.
Figure 1-1. FreeLINK Wireless LAN System Components
Signal
Quality
Link
10BASE-T
Ports
Antenna
Cable
AC Power Cord FLIU-8 Multi-User
Interface Unit
Connection to
Network/Backbone
LED
Indicators
Antenna
FreeLINK
Wireless Hub Antenna
FreeLINK /62
Wireless Ethernet Hub
Transmit

Page 1 - 4
INTRODUCTION
1.3.1 Connectivity
With the Cabletron Systems FreeLINK Wireless LAN System you
can connectEthernet nodes within an wireless 80 meter radius of
the transmitter hub antenna. The FreeLINK system accommodates
up to 62 wireless transceivers, distributed anywhere within the 80
meter operating radius.
1.3.2 Spread Spectrum Technology
Spread spectrum radio communications is a technique used to
transmit radio signals that was originally developed for the
military. It was initially implemented in the 1950s for use in
battleÞeld voice communications because it is extremely difÞcult
to detect that the signal is even present, and if detected, it is even
more difÞcult to decode. It is extremely difÞcult to interfere with,
or jam, the signal.
There are two techniques used in spread spectrum: frequency
hopping and direct sequence. Most wireless network systems
today, including FreeLINK, use direct sequence. Spread spectrum
radio, and FreeLINK in particular, resists detection and
interference, and allows multiple systems to operate in the same
area (hence permitting overlapping FreeLINK hubs). This level of
security far exceeds that of narrow-band transmission and
unshielded twisted pair wire, and uses very little power.
1.3.3 Data Security
Spread spectrum radio transmission techniques were used
exclusively by the U.S. Army since the 1950s for battleÞeld
communications. Spread spectrum has been used since 1967 by the
Israeli military for voice and telemetry communications. The
overriding reason for the militaryÕs extensive use of spread
spectrum is its inherent data security characteristic.