Cisco FM4200 Manual

Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless
Backhaul FM4200 Fiber
Installation and Configuration Manual
(Formerly Fluidmesh)
Model FM4200F | Edition 1.14 | Firmware 8.5.0

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trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the
word 'partner' does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any
other company. (1110R) © 2018–2021 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents
1. HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS ........................................................... 7
1.1. Water Ingress Hazard ............................................................................. 8
1.2. Radio-Frequency Transmission Hazard .................................................... 9
1.3. Optical Radiation Hazard ...................................................................... 10
1.4. Hot Surfaces Hazard .............................................................................. 11
2. Reporting Mistakes And Recommending Improvements ................................... 12
3. Getting Started .............................................................................................. 13
3.1. Introduction .......................................................................................... 13
3.1.1. Cisco FM4200 Fiber ..................................................................... 13
The Cisco FM4200 Fiber Radio Transceiver ...................................... 13
Introduction .................................................................................... 13
Unit Function And Throughput Speed ............................................... 14
Data Throttling ................................................................................ 14
MPLS Protocol ................................................................................ 14
Unit Configuration ........................................................................... 14
Role Adaptability ............................................................................. 14
Environmental Rating ...................................................................... 15
Product Specifications ..................................................................... 15
Transceiver And Gateway Unit Power Consumption .......................... 15
3.2. Cisco Architecture ......................................................................... 16
3.2.1. Overview ..................................................................................... 16
Wireless Network Architectures ........................................................ 16
The FluidMAX TDMA Protocol ......................................................... 16
3.2.2. Cisco Technologies ............................................................... 17
Prodigy .......................................................................................... 17
FM Racer ....................................................................................... 18
3.2.3. Point-To-Point Wireless Bridge ...................................................... 18
3.2.4. Mesh Network Architecture ........................................................... 19
3.2.5. Point-To-Multipoint Architecture With FluidMAX .............................. 20
3.3. Cisco Network Addressing ............................................................. 22
3.3.1. Bridge IP Addressing ................................................................... 22
3.3.2. Unit Identification And Addressing ................................................. 22
Mesh- And Bridge-Capable Radio Transceiver Identification ............... 22
Operating The Unit In Mesh Point Mode Or Mesh End Mode .............. 23
Network Addressing ........................................................................ 24
Cisco Radio Transceivers ................................................... 24
Connecting And Configuring An Ethernet Edge Device ...................... 25
Cisco Radio Transceivers ................................................... 25
4. Installing The Radio ....................................................................................... 26
4.1. Installing The Radio Using Tie-Wraps Or Hose Clamps ........................... 26
4.2. Installation On A DIN Rail ...................................................................... 27
4.3. Installation Using The Sliding Bracket ..................................................... 28
5. Hardware Installation ..................................................................................... 30
5.1. Cisco Hardware Installation ............................................................ 30
5.1.1. Installing The Cisco FM4200 Fiber ................................................ 30
Environmental Rating And Unit Roles ............................................... 30
Installation Hardware ....................................................................... 30
5.1.2. Cisco FM4200 Fiber Status And Link LEDs .................................... 30
Unit And Link Quality Status ............................................................ 30
Boot Sequence ............................................................................... 31
5.1.3. Supplying Power To The Cisco FM4200 Fiber ................................ 31
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Connecting Power To The Cisco FM4200 Fiber ................................. 32
DC IN, LAN And Fiber-Optic Ports .............................................. 32
5.1.4. Rebooting The Firmware And Resetting The Unit To Factory
Defaults ............................................................................................... 33
Device Firmware Reboot ................................................................. 33
Resetting The Unit To Factory Settings ............................................. 34
5.1.5. Suitability For Outdoor Installation ................................................. 34
5.2. Connecting The Cisco Cisco FM4200 Fiber To A Network And
Antennas .................................................................................................... 35
5.2.1. Terminal Assignments For Power And Data Connectors .................. 35
M12 A-Coded ................................................................................. 35
M12 A-Coded (Five-Pin) ............................................................ 35
M12 A-Coded Eight-Pin (Pre-September 2016 Only) ................... 36
M12 X-Coded ................................................................................. 37
XCO / SFP / SFP+ .......................................................................... 38
Connecting Fiber-Optic Connectors To SFP Modules ................... 39
5.2.2. Connecting A DC IN Power Source To The Unit ............................. 41
5.2.3. Connecting LAN Cables To The Unit ............................................. 42
M12X LAN Cable ............................................................................ 42
5.2.4. Connecting An XCO-Standard Duplex Fiber-Optic Cable To The
Unit ...................................................................................................... 44
5.2.5. Connecting The Antennas To The Cisco FM4200 Fiber ................... 48
QMA Antenna Connections .............................................................. 48
6. Using The Cisco Partner Portal ............................................................... 51
6.1. Accessing The Partner Portal ................................................................ 51
6.2. Enabling Two-Factor Authentication For Security .................................... 52
6.3. Administering Plug-In License Codes ..................................................... 53
6.4. Using The RACER™ Radio Configuration Interface ................................. 54
6.5. Viewing The Technical Documentation For Your Cisco Device ........... 54
7. Device Configuration Using The Configurator Interface .................................... 55
7.1. Software And Hardware Prerequisites .................................................... 57
7.2. Accessing The Cisco FM4200 Fiber For Device Configuration ................. 57
7.2.1. Local Access And Login For Initial Configuration ............................ 58
7.2.2. Initial Configuration With The Unit In Provisioning Mode .................. 61
7.3. Switching Between Offline And Online Modes ......................................... 67
Uploading A Device Configuration File From FM Racer ............................ 68
7.4. General Settings ................................................................................... 70
7.4.1. The General Mode Window .......................................................... 70
Changing The Operational Mode ...................................................... 71
Changing The Operational Mode On A Mesh Network-Capable
Unit .......................................................................................... 71
Changing The Prodigy Version ......................................................... 72
Changing The LAN Parameters ........................................................ 73
7.4.2. Wireless Settings ......................................................................... 74
Modifying The Wireless Settings ...................................................... 74
Important Considerations For Wireless Settings ................................ 76
Point-To-Point And Point-To-Multipoint Considerations ....................... 76
Co-Location Considerations ............................................................. 77
Channel Width Considerations ......................................................... 77
Dynamic Frequency Selection Considerations ................................... 78
7.4.3. Antenna-Alignment Tools And Physical Statistics ............................ 79
7.4.4. Spectral Analysis ......................................................................... 81
7.5. Network Control .................................................................................... 83
7.5.1. Ping Softdog ................................................................................ 83
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7.5.2. FM-QUADRO .............................................................................. 85
FM-QUADRO For Mesh Network-Capable Devices ........................... 85
Plotting And Interpreting The Wireless Links ..................................... 86
Viewing Live Data For A Radio Or Wireless Link ................................ 90
Viewing Live RSSI Data For A Wireless Link ..................................... 93
Manipulating The FM-QUADRO View ............................................... 94
Changing The Relative Position Of Device Icons ............................... 94
Showing KPI Values For Wireless Links ............................................ 96
Showing Real-Time Color Codes For Radio Transceiver Key
Performance Indicators ................................................................... 97
Adding An Aerial Map To The FM-QUADRO View ............................. 97
Adjusting The Transparency Of The Aerial Map View ......................... 99
Exporting A Network Representation File .......................................... 99
7.5.3. Advanced Tools ......................................................................... 100
Using The Ping Test Tool ............................................................... 100
Using The Bandwidth Test Tool ...................................................... 101
Using The Path MTU Discovery Tool .............................................. 102
7.6. Advanced Settings .............................................................................. 103
7.6.1. Advanced Radio Settings ........................................................... 103
Using The FluidMAX Management Setting ...................................... 104
Using The Max TX Power Setting ................................................... 105
Using The Max TX Power Setting ................................................... 105
Using The Select Antenna Gain Setting .......................................... 106
Using The Data Packet Encryption Setting ...................................... 106
Using The Maximum Link Length Setting ........................................ 107
7.6.2. SFP Settings ............................................................................. 108
7.6.3. Static Routes ............................................................................. 108
7.6.4. Pass Lists And Block Lists .......................................................... 109
7.6.5. Multicast .................................................................................... 113
Multicast Management For Mesh Network-Capable Devices ............. 113
Configuring Multicast Within A Layer-3 Network ............................... 115
7.6.6. SNMP Configuration ................................................................... 116
Using SNMP V2c ........................................................................... 117
Using SNMP V3 ............................................................................. 118
7.6.7. Wireless Access Point Configuration ........................................... 120
7.6.8. RADIUS Configuration ............................................................... 124
7.6.9. NTP Configuration ..................................................................... 128
7.6.10. L2TP Configuration .................................................................. 129
7.6.11. VLAN Settings ......................................................................... 130
VLAN Configuration ...................................................................... 130
Rules For Packet Management ...................................................... 131
7.6.12. Fluidity Settings ....................................................................... 133
Handoff Logic And Rate Adaptation Settings ................................... 136
7.6.13. Miscellaneous Settings ............................................................. 137
7.7. Management Settings ......................................................................... 139
7.7.1. View Mode Settings ................................................................... 139
7.7.2. Changing The Administrator Username And Password ................. 142
Enabling Remote Access To The Unit By Telnet .............................. 143
7.7.3. Overwriting And Upgrading The Unit Firmware ............................. 144
7.7.4. Plug-In Management .................................................................. 146
7.7.5. The Device Status View ............................................................. 150
The Device Status Window ............................................................ 150
7.7.6. Saving And Restoring The Unit Settings ...................................... 152
7.7.7. Resetting The Unit To Factory Defaults ........................................ 154
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Rebooting The Unit ....................................................................... 154
7.7.8. Logging Out .............................................................................. 155
7.7.9. Viewing The End-User License Agreement .................................. 155
8. Software Plug-Ins ........................................................................................ 157
8.1. Available Plug-Ins ............................................................................... 157
8.2. Plug-In Management Procedures ......................................................... 161
8.2.1. Plug-In Activation ....................................................................... 161
8.2.2. Deactivating An Active Plug-In .................................................... 163
8.2.3. Reactivating A Deactivated Plug-In ............................................. 166
8.2.4. Exporting And Uploading Multiple Activation Codes ...................... 167
8.2.5. Sharing License Codes And Accepting Shared License Codes ...... 168
9. Troubleshooting .......................................................................................... 170
9.1. I Cannot Get The Log-In Screen .......................................................... 170
9.2. I Cannot Log In To The FM Racer Interface .......................................... 170
9.3. I Forgot The Administrator Password ................................................... 170
9.4. The Wireless Link Is Poor Or Non-Existent In Bridge Mode .................... 171
10. Electrical Power Requirements ................................................................... 172
11. Heat Radiation Data ................................................................................... 175
12. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Interference Statement .. 177
13. Notices And Copyright ............................................................................... 180
14. Cisco End-User License Agreement ..................................................... 182
14.1. Preamble ......................................................................................... 182
14.2. Notice .............................................................................................. 182
14.3. Definitions ........................................................................................ 182
14.4. License Grant ................................................................................... 183
14.5. Uses And Restrictions On Use ........................................................... 183
14.6. Open-Source Software ...................................................................... 184
14.7. Termination ...................................................................................... 184
14.8. Feedback ......................................................................................... 185
14.9. Consent To Use Of Data .................................................................... 185
14.10. Warranty Disclaimer ........................................................................ 186
14.11. Limitation Of Liability ....................................................................... 186
14.12. Exclusion Of Liability For Emergency Services .................................. 187
14.13. Export Control ................................................................................ 187
14.14. General .......................................................................................... 188
15. Contact Us ................................................................................................ 189
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1. HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS
Like all other global technology vendors, Cisco is required to complywith
all local health and government regulations in the location;s in whichwe
operate. This includes meeting radio frequency (RF) exposure limitsfor
our products.
Our equipment is tested in accordance with regulatory requirements as a
condition to our ability to market and sell in any given jurisdiction. As an
equipment manufacturer, Cisco defers to expert national and
international health organizations responsible for guidance on the safety
of RF signals, specifically the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Health Canada, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other national
and global health agencies.
In May 2019, the FDA stated that there is "no link between adverse health
effects and exposure at or under the current RF energy exposure limit",
and that the current FCC RF exposure limits are sufficient to insure the
safety of users.
If any Cisco hardware unit breaks down or malfunctions, emits smokeor
an unusual smell, if water or other foreign matter enters the unit
enclosure, or if the unit is dropped onto a hard surface or damaged in any
way, power off the unit immediately and contact an authorized Cisco
Networks dealer for assistance.
If you are adjusting and/or controlling a Cisco device using control
software such as the RACER™ interface or the device's local Configurator
interface, do not make configuration changes unless you know with
certainty that your changes will not negatively impact people or animals in
the vicinity of the device and its antennas.
HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS
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1.1. Water ingress hazard
CAUTION
In all circumstances where the Cisco FM4200 Fiber will be
installed in an outdoor location, it is compulsory to mount the
Cisco FM4200 Fiber inside an FM-SHIELD auxiliary mounting
kit.
The FM-SHIELD auxiliary mounting kit is a proprietary
Cisco solution, and is designed specifically to assure the
long-term durability and reliability of compatible radio
transceivers that have been installed in outdoor environments.
If you need further information regarding the recommended
usage of FM-SHIELD, contact your Cisco Networks
representative.
Relevant technical specifications for FM-SHIELD can be found
in the Cisco FM-SHIELD installation manual.
HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS
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1.2. Radio-frequency transmission hazard
WARNING
The system shown in this manual is designed to be installed
and operated in a way that avoids contact with the antennas by
human beings. The legislation quoted in this section is
designed to reduce overall exposure of human beings to RF
radiation.
This section gives minimum separation distances between
antennas and humans. It is strongly recommended that the
system be installed in a location where these minimum
separation distances can be maintained at all times.
United States: This system has been evaluated for RF
exposure for humans, in accordance with FCC regulation CFR
47 Part 2.1091. To maintain compliance, the minimum
separation distance from the antenna to general bystanders is
20cm/7.9in. (all FM Ponte kit and x200 radio transceivers), or
21cm/8.3 in. (all FM1300 Otto and x500 radio transceivers).
Canada: This system has been evaluated for RF exposure for
humans, in accordance with ISED regulation RSS-102. To
maintain compliance, the minimum separation distance from
the antenna to general bystanders is 20cm/7.9in. for all
Cisco radio transceivers.
Europe / Australia / New Zealand: This system has been
evaluated for RF exposure for humans, in accordance with
standard EN 62232. To maintain compliance, the minimum
separation distance from the antenna to general bystanders is
20cm/7.9in. for all Cisco radio transceivers.
Before activating any device capable of transmitting RF
signals, make sure that all persons and animals are protected
from possible RF exposure.
Make sure that all RF feeds are securely connected to an
appropriate antenna. Never activate any RF-capable device
that is not connected to an antenna.
HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS
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1.3. Optical radiation hazard
WARNING
If any Cisco hardware device is equipped with one or
more fiber-optic transceiver modules, it is classified as a Class
1 laser product. It may use laser-emitting components and/or
very high-intensity light sources.
Do not look directly at the input/output end of the unit's SFP
connector, or at the input/output end of any fiber-optic cable.
Fiber-optic systems frequently use high-intensity light from
laser or LED sources that may cause temporary or permanent
blindness.
For additional guidance regarding the safe use of laser-based
and LED-based fiber-optic technology, refer to ANSI Z136.2
(Safe Use of Optical Fiber Communication Systems Utilizing
Laser Diode and LED Sources).
IMPORTANT
The Cisco FM4200 Fiber is not shipped from the factory with
fiber-optic transceivers installed unless the fiber-optic
transceivers were specified as part of the purchase order.
To gain fiber-optic capability, the unit must be equipped with a
separate fiber-optic transceiver module.
HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS
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1.4. Hot surfaces hazard
WARNING
The outer surfaces of transceiver and gateway unit enclosures
may become hot during normal operation. During normal
operation, do not touch or handle the unit enclosure without
personal protective equipment.
HAZARDOUS CONDITION WARNINGS
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2. Reporting mistakes and recommending
improvements
You can help improve this manual.
If you find any mistakes, or if you know of a way to improve the
procedures that are given, please let us know by E-mailing your
suggestions to [email protected].
Reporting mistakes and recommending improvements
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3. Getting Started
3.1. Introduction
3.1.1. Cisco FM4200 Fiber
The Cisco FM4200 Fiber radio transceiver
Introduction
The Cisco FM4200 Fiber (model FM4200F) is designed to operate in the
sub-6 GHz range as a static-mount wireless data link. In non-technical
terms, this means it is designed to function as an intermediate radio link
between a core wired and/or fiber-optic data network and a sub-network.
The unit is specifically designed for enhanced survivability in harsh
environments such as seaside ports, railways and mines. It provides
reliable service in high-speed applications (for example, servicing
extremely fast-moving trains) and must be connected to one or more
external antennas. The unit is designed primarily for mobility applications
based on Fluidity technology, in which specialized antennas need to be
deployed (for example, train-to-ground, automated mining vehicles,
industrial automation and similar applications).
The Cisco FM4200 Fiber is configured as a multiple input/multiple output
(MIMO) 2x2 radio transceiver. In a 2x2 scenario, two separate spatial
streams are transmitted by one transceiver unit, and are available to be
re-combined by the radio chipset of a second transceiver unit.
Getting Started
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IMPORTANT
XCO-standard transceiver modules and XCO-type duplex
fiber-optic connectors can easily be sourced as off-the-shelf
parts.
If you experience difficulty in sourcing or ordering fiber-optic
parts or accessories, please contact your local Cisco
Networks representative for assistance.
Unit function and throughput speed
The unit is designed to handle mission-critical video, voice, and data with
extremely high reliability. It can be fitted with a single XCO-type SFP fiber-
optic transceiver module to create fiber-optic connected point-to-point,
point-to-multipoint or mesh network links, with real throughput of up to 100
Mbps under optimal wireless link conditions.
Data throttling
The unit's FluidThrottle functionality allows you to specify the maximum
amount of data throughput the unit will be required to handle at any time.
The unit's throughput capacity can be upgraded to different levels using
software plug-ins.
MPLS protocol
Two different Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)-based protocol
versions can be chosen. If a newer network is being built or upgraded, the
advanced Prodigy 2.0 protocol can be selected to boost performance. If
an older network incorporating Cisco components is being upgraded,the
Prodigy 1.0 protocol with limited functionality can be selected to
guarantee compatibility. Prodigy uses a traffic optimization algorithm that
allows every Cisco radio to assign a specific priority level to every
forwarded data packet.
Unit configuration
The unit is compatible with Cisco RACER™. This is a centralized,
web-based interface that allows you to configure, monitor, and
troubleshoot the unit (and in certain cases, the entire wireless network) in
real time, without the need for any offline software. In cases where an
initial connection cannot be made to the internet, the unit can be
configured using a built-in offline Configurator interface.
Role adaptability
The unit is equipped with FluidMAX. This is a software technology that
allows you to easily change the role of the unit, so that it is able to function
as part of a Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint, or Mesh network
architecture without having to replace physical hardware. The unit can use
Getting Started
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time-division multiple access (TDMA), or carrier sense multiple access
(CSMA) protocols.
Environmental rating
The unit is certified for outdoor usage, equipped with vibration-proof
connectors, and designed for fast installation and enhanced reliability in
harsh environments.
Product specifications
For detailed product specifications, refer to the product data sheet for the
Cisco FM4200 Fiber.
Transceiver and gateway unit power consumption
In service, Cisco transceiver units and gateway units consume
electrical power at the rates given in the table below.
IMPORTANT
In service, transceiver and gateway units will consume power
at various levels between the quoted lower limit and upper
limit, depending on data traffic load, signal strength,
environmental conditions such as line-of-sight and atmospheric
moisture, and other factors.
Note that the power consumption of transceiver units tends to
be affected in inverse proportion to the unit temperature (in
other words, power consumption tends to rise when the
temperature of the unit falls, and the other way around).
Table 1. Power consumption figures (transceiver units)
Unit series Minimum power
consumption
Nominal power
consumption
(typical conditions)
Maximum power
consumption
(realistic system-
design
assumption)
FM Ponte kit
(Model FM1200V-
HW)
4 Watts 6 to 7 Watts 10 Watts
FM1200 Volo
(Model FM1200V-
HW)
4 Watts 6 to 7 Watts 10 Watts
FM1300 Otto 8 Watts 10 to 12 Watts 15 Watts
FM3200-series
(Model FM3200)
4 Watts 6 to 7 Watts 10 Watts
FM4200-series
(Models FM4200F
and FM4200)
4 Watts 6 to 7 Watts 10 Watts
Getting Started
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Unit series Minimum power
consumption
Nominal power
consumption
(typical conditions)
Maximum power
consumption
(realistic system-
design
assumption)
FM3500 Endo
(Model FM3500)
8 Watts 10 to 12 Watts 15 Watts
FM4500-series
(Models FM4500F
and FM4500)
8 Watts 10 to 12 Watts 15 Watts
FM 4800 Fiber 13 Watts 15 to 17 Watts 20 Watts
Table 2. Power consumption figures (gateway units)
Unit Maximum power consumption (realistic system-
design assumption)
FM1000 Gateway 60 Watts
FM10000 Gateway
(Gen. 1)
275 Watts (redundant AC power supply)
250 Watts (non-redundant AC power supply)
FM10000 Gateway
(Gen. 2)
300 Watts (redundant AC power supply)
3.2. Cisco architecture
3.2.1. Overview
Wireless network architectures
Depending on the network design and the type of components used, the
Cisco FM4200 Fiber can be used to create wireless network architectures,
including:
• Point-to-point (P2P) links.
• Point-to-multipoint (PTMP) sectors.
• Mesh networks.
• Mobility networks.
• Mixed networks that are capable of using any combination of types
listed above.
The FluidMAX TDMA protocol
Individual radio transceivers can easily be assigned different roles within
the same network, using Cisco's patented FluidMAX™ technology. A
typical example of a general network architecture that uses a combination
of Cisco components is shown below:
Getting Started
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FluidMAX™ enables high-performance deployments of outstanding
flexibility. The following section shows how to build point-to-point, point-to-
multipoint and mesh networks using Cisco products.
3.2.2. Cisco technologies
Prodigy
Prodigy is Cisco's proprietary implementation of the Multi-Protocol-
Label-Switching (MPLS) standard.
IMPORTANT
A Cisco device only features Prodigy selection if the
installed Prodigy engine includes the selection feature.
Cisco devices that are designed to operate exclusively in
Bridge Mode (in other words, point-to-point configuration) do
not feature Prodigy.
Prodigy 2.0 offers greatly improved performance compared to Prodigy 1.0.
New features include:
• Fluidity (through software plug-ins)
• Traffic engineering
• Advanced Quality of Service (QoS)
Note that Prodigy 2.0 is only compatible with device firmware versions 6.5
and higher.
Getting Started
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IMPORTANT
Prodigy 1.0 and Prodigy 2.0 are not compatible with each
other. Do not implement the two protocol versions within the
same network.
If you are expanding an existing network using new Cisco
hardware components, make sure that all components are
compatible with each other by:
1. Upgrading all network components within the same
network to firmware version 6.5 or higher, and:
2. Configuring all network components within the same
network to operate using either Prodigy 1.0 or Prodigy
2.0.
Use of Prodigy 1.0 is only recommended if the network
contains older Cisco devices that are not compatible with
Prodigy 2.0.
Select the Prodigy version you need by using the General
Mode page of the Configurator interface.
FM Racer
RACER™ is Cisco's web-based configuration portal. It is the primary
interface with which to configure Cisco radio devices.
You can operate FM Racer using any internet-connected computer with a
web browser.
IMPORTANT
For a detailed description of the differences between FM Racer
and the local Configurator interface, refer to “Device
configuration using the configurator interface” (page 55).
3.2.3. Point-to-point wireless bridge
A point-to-point wireless bridge allows two local networks to communicate
with each other. A simplified example is shown in Figure 1 (page 19).
In context of the overall network architecture, the two local networks are
called network segments.
Getting Started
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Figure 1. Point-to-point network architecture
All network activity that takes place on wireless bridges is 'transparent' to
the network hosts. In other words, a wireless bridge forwards packets
from one network segment to another according to a 'Forwarding table'.
The forwarding table is built by learning the network topology from
analysis of incoming traffic.
In this configuration, no explicit interaction takes place between the
wireless bridge and the network hosts. The network segments on either
side of the wireless bridge share the same IP subnet. Therefore, each
network host must use a unique IP address within the subnet.
3.2.4. Mesh network architecture
Cisco Networks offers wireless networking solutions that are basedon
the mesh networking architecture, but can also fill more traditional
networking roles if needed. This allows substantial reliability and flexibility
advantages when compared to traditional wireless solutions.
A simplified example of a wireless mesh network is shown in Figure 2
(page 20). In such a network, every Cisco hardware component
transmits the data packets that come from the components directly linked
to it.
In a reliable mesh network with an acceptable amount of redundancy,
every stream of data packets may reach the base station through any of a
variety of paths. The Cisco FM4200 Fiber is designed to act as an
'intelligent router' that is able to forward packets coming from other
Cisco components in real time, based on an optimal, software-
determined path. In addition, the absence of any single point of failure
Getting Started
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greatly increases reliability when compared to any other wireless or wired
data-transmission technology.
Figure 2. Cisco Mesh Networking Architecture
3.2.5. Point-to-multipoint architecture with FluidMAX
FluidMAX™ is Cisco's proprietary and patented communications co-
ordination protocol for wireless mesh networks.
The FluidMAX protocol is based on the concept of point-to-multipoint
network architecture (Figure 3 (page 21)) with improved features and
capabilities that allow the technology to meet or exceed the needs of the
security and industrial automation industries.
Getting Started
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