Compaq WL110 User manual

11Mbps Wireless LAN - User’s Guide i i
Table of Contents
Introduction
About Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN ___________________________1-1
About Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN Tools ______________________1-1
About 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Points_______________________1-3
WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point_________________________1-3
WL510 Wireless Enterprise Access Point ____________________1-3
About This User’s Guide _____________________________________1-3
About Icons used in this Document_________________________1-4
On-line Help Documentation______________________________1-5
Additional Files on your CD-ROM __________________________1-5
Other Sources of Information _____________________________1-5
Wireless Configurations
Introduction ______________________________________________2-1
Peer-to-Peer Workgroup_____________________________________2-1
Basic Infrastructure ________________________________________2-2
Stand Alone Configuration _______________________________2-2
Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks ______________________2-3
Advanced Infrastructures ____________________________________2-3
Multiple Channel Configuration____________________________2-3
Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station
Introduction ______________________________________________3-1
Assigning an LAN Administrator Station _________________________3-1
Minimum Requirements _________________________________3-1
Managing Peer-to-Peer Workgroups____________________________3-2
Managing Infrastructure Networks _____________________________3-2
Wired or Wireless? _____________________________________3-2

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ii 11Mbps Wireless LAN - User’s Guide
Installing 11Mbps Wireless LAN Software _______________________ 3-4
Client Manager _______________________________________ 3-4
AP Manager _________________________________________ 3-5
Configuration Scenarios_____________________________________ 3-7
Wired LAN Administrator Station __________________________ 3-7
Wireless LAN Administrator Station ________________________ 3-9
Uninstalling 11Mbps Wireless LAN Software ____________________ 3-10
Basic Network Configuration
Introduction______________________________________________ 4-1
Peer-to-Peer Workgroups _______________________________ 4-1
Infrastructure Networks ________________________________ 4-1
Configuring Infrastructure Networks ___________________________ 4-2
Basic Configuration ____________________________________ 4-2
Monitoring your 11Mbps Wireless LAN Network
Introduction______________________________________________ 5-1
11Mbps Wireless LAN Tools _____________________________ 5-1
Which Tool Should You Use? _____________________________ 5-2
Using the Client Manager____________________________________ 5-3
Monitoring Methods ___________________________________ 5-3
Link Test Window _____________________________________ 5-5
Site Monitor Window ___________________________________ 5-8
Logging Measurement Data_____________________________ 5-14
Diagnose Card_______________________________________ 5-16
Troubleshooting Site Monitor____________________________ 5-16

11Mbps Wireless LAN - User’s Guide iii
Using the AP Manager _____________________________________5-17
Monitoring Options____________________________________5-17
Connecting to Access Points ____________________________5-18
System Information ___________________________________5-19
Remote Link Test Window ______________________________5-20
Remote Statistics Tab _________________________________5-23
System Intervals _____________________________________5-25
Optimizing Performance
Introduction ______________________________________________6-1
Eliminating Redundant Traffic_________________________________6-1
Protocol Filtering ______________________________________6-2
Optimizing Wired Connections ____________________________6-4
Optimizing Wireless Connections __________________________6-6
Link Integrity ________________________________________6-17
Designing High Capacity Networks ____________________________6-18
About the CSMA/CA Protocol ____________________________6-18
Security
Introduction ______________________________________________7-1
Securing Access to Wireless Data______________________________7-1
Restrict Wireless Access to the Network ____________________7-2
Closing the Wireless Network_____________________________7-2
Access Control ________________________________________7-3
Wireless Data Encryption ____________________________________7-7
Enabling WEP Encryption ________________________________7-8
Securing Access Point Setup ________________________________7-12
Read and Read/Write passwords _________________________7-12
SNMP IP Access List __________________________________7-13
Trap Host Alerts ______________________________________7-14

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iv 11Mbps Wireless LAN - User’s Guide
Advanced Security Maintenance _____________________________ 7-15
Maintaining Access Control Tables _______________________ 7-15
Maintaining WEP Encryption Keys ________________________ 7-15
Advanced Network Configurations
Introduction______________________________________________ 8-1
Advanced Parameters ______________________________________ 8-1
Advanced Parameters __________________________________ 8-2
Bridge Parameters ____________________________________ 8-4
Access point IP Parameters______________________________ 8-8
SNMP Parameters ____________________________________ 8-11
Ethernet Interface ____________________________________ 8-13
Configuring Large Networks ________________________________ 8-14
Common Parameters__________________________________ 8-15
Unique Parameters ___________________________________ 8-15
Managing Configuration Consistency______________________ 8-15
Modifying the Configuration_________________________________ 8-18
Changing Common Parameters __________________________ 8-18
Restoring a Back-up Configuration ___________________________ 8-19
Dual WL110 Wireless PC Card Configuration ____________________ 8-19
About IP Addresses and Subnets _____________________________ 8-20
BOOTP and DHCP ____________________________________ 8-20
Start-up Configuration
Introduction______________________________________________ A-1
Factory-set Configuration ___________________________________ A-2
Troubleshooting
Introduction______________________________________________ B-1
Problem-solving Approach ______________________________ B-1
Rebooting Access Points ____________________________________ B-4
Manual Reboot _______________________________________ B-4
Remote Reboot _______________________________________ B-5

11Mbps Wireless LAN - User’s Guide v
Forced Reload Procedure
Introduction _____________________________________________ C-1
Performing a Forced Reload _________________________________ C-2
Step 1 - Preparations __________________________________ C-2
Step 2 - Set to “Forced Reload” Mode _____________________ C-3
Step 3 - Configuring and Uploading Files ___________________ C-4
Creating a Back-up File ________________________________ C-7
Upgrading Access Point Software
About the Access Point Software _____________________________ D-1
Upload Software__________________________________________ D-1
Upload Software, a Look under the Hood ___________________ D-2

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vi 11Mbps Wireless LAN - User’s Guide

Introduction 1-1
chapter 1
Introduction
About Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN
The Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN product family is a comprehensive set of
network equipment that enables you to build any type of network configuration,
from a small independent wireless network to a large, completely wireless
infrastructure. The Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN product family consists of:
■WL110 Wireless PC Card, for (mobile) computers that support the PC Card
Type II slot.
■WL210 Wireless PCI Card for desktop computers
■WL215 Wireless USB Adapter for computers that support USB
connections.
■WL310 Wireless Home Office Gateway for easy setup in Small Office /
Home Office (SOHO) environments.
■WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point and WL510 Wireless Enterprise
Access Point to connect wireless stations to existing Ethernet LAN
infrastructures.
The wireless network interface is not much different from the interface for wired
LANs. The operating system will not even notice the difference.
The wireless network interface supports all protocols that are supported by
standard Ethernet adapter cards. Like wired network interfaces, wireless
network interfaces are installed with a dedicated 11Mbps Wireless LAN driver,
but unlike wired network interfaces, wireless network interfaces do not need a
cable to connect them to the network. Only wireless network interfaces allow
you to relocate workstations without the need to change network cabling or
connections to patch panels or hubs.
About Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN Tools
The Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN software suite consists of a set of
management tools that enables you to:
■Display and modify the configuration of (remote) network components.
■Configure network components such as Access Points.
■Diagnose the network performance and, if necessary, identify and solve
network errors.
■Manage and optimize network performance.

1-2 Introduction
The Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN software suite consists of the following
tools:
■Client Manager
■AP Manager
The Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN tools can be installed on stations that run
the Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0 or 2000 operating systems.
Note: The Compaq 11MbpsWireless LAN products have been designed for
interoperability with all other wireless LAN products that use the direct
sequence radio technology, as identified in the IEEE 802.11 standard for
wireless LANs.
In addition, the 11Mbps Wireless LAN products are certified with the
Wi-Fi logo for proven interoperability with the major other 802.11
products.
This means that your 11Mbps Wireless LAN hardware will
communicate with other vendors’ IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless LAN
products.
However, you may not always be able to use the 11Mbps Wireless LAN
software suite in combination with other vendors’ products, due to the
following reasons:
■The IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless LANs does not identify
standards for diagnostic or management tools; i.e. each vendor may
have designed a customized tool to configure and/or manage the
IEEE 802.11 wireless network.
■The Compaq 11MbpsWireless LAN software suite has been
designed to offer an enhanced set of tools to monitor and analyze a
wide range of diagnostic tallies.
Some of these tools require additional functions in the hardware that
(by default) is supported by all Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN
products, but may not be supported by the other vendors’ products.
If other vendors’ products do not allow you to display communications
quality or configuration parameters using the 11MbpsWireless LAN
software suite, please refer to the documentation that was shipped with
the other vendors’ product.
Client Manager
The Client Manager is a diagnostic tool to monitor wireless radio
communication between a wireless station and its Access Point, or to monitor
the link between two wireless stations in an independent network.
Furthermore it can be used as a site monitor to show the coverage of the installed
Access Point in a certain area.
AP Manager

Introduction 1-3
The AP Manager is primarily a tool for LAN administrators or system
supervisors. You can use the AP Manager program to configure Access Points
and to monitor the performance of your wireless network. It can be run on any
station in the network, either wired or wireless.
About 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Points
The Access Points are identified by either one of the following MAC addresses:
■The universal MAC address of (one of) the Wireless Network Interface(s)
used by the Access Point, or
■The universal MAC address of the Ethernet Interface.
There are two 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Points:
■WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point
■WL510 Wireless Enterprise Access Point
WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point
The WL410 Access Point is a transparent bridge device equipped with:
■An integrated Wireless Network Interface to connect Wireless Stations to a
(wired) network.
Note: The integrated Wireless Network Interface of the WL410 Wireless SMB
Access Point is called interface ‘A’ in this guide.
■A 10Base-T Ethernet Interface, that can be used to connectWireless
Stations to an Ethernet network.
WL510 Wireless Enterprise Access Point
The WL510 Access Point is a transparent bridge device equipped with two PC
Card slots A and B. Wireless Network Interfaces A and B are corresponding to
slot A and B ofthe WL510 Wireless Enterprise Access Point, into which WL110
PC Cards can be inserted.
For information concerning all Compaq products, please refer to the
documentation that was included with your product, or visit our website at: http:/
/www.compaq.com/support/files/networking/wlan/
About This User’s Guide
This guide describes how to use the 11MbpsWireless LAN tools to configure
and monitor wireless LANs built with 11MbpsWireless LAN products.
In this manual, you will find the following:
■chapter 1 “Introduction” describes the 11Mbps Wireless LAN tools and the
sources for finding more information.
■chapter 2 “Wireless Configurations” describes network scenarios that will
be used throughout this document.

1-4 Introduction
■chapter 3 “Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station” describes how to
select a station to manage your 11Mbps Wireless LAN network, and how to
install the necessary software.
■chapter 4 “Basic Network Configuration” explains how to configure your
particular network, using three network scenarios, from simple to
sophisticated.
■chapter 5 “Monitoring your 11Mbps Wireless LAN Network”, describes
how to monitor and diagnose communications quality.
■chapter 6 “Optimizing Performance” presents a number of considerations to
help you sort through the complex factors that determine the performance of
your wireless LAN.
■chapter 7 “Security” describes how to enhance security and minimize
unauthorized use of your 11Mbps Wireless LAN network.
This document does not describe every possible option supported by the
11Mbps Wireless LAN software suite. It should serve as a general guideline to
help you to decide which tool can help you to accomplish a specific task.
For more information about specific software screens or options, you are
advised to consult the on-line help documentation.
About Icons used in this Document
Throughout this document we use the following icons to represent the various
networking devices:
Icon Description
Wireless computer
Equipped with:
• WL110 Wireless PC Card
• WL215 Wireless USB Adapter
• WL210 Wireless PCI Card
Access Point
- WL310 Wireless Home Office Gateway
- WL410 Wireless SMB Access Point, or
- WL510 Wireless Enterprise Access Point
Server station

Introduction 1-5
On-line Help Documentation
Information about specific software screens or options in your AP Manager or
Client Manager program is covered in the on-line help of the programs.
■To access context-sensitive help on a specific screen for the 11Mbps
Wireless LAN programs, click the Help button or press the function key.
■In the on-line help you can click the Contents tab to get an overview of the
on-line information, or click the Index tab to open an alphabetical list of
specific topics.
Product specifications are listed in the user’s guide that came with your 11Mbps
Wireless LAN products.
Additional Files on your CD-ROM
The CD-ROM that is shipped with your11Mbps Wireless LAN products include
a file called “readme.txt”. This file contains information about the version of the
software and/or drivers on the CD-ROM.
You are advised to read this file prior to installing your 11MbpsWireless LAN
products, as it may contain additional information that was not available when
this document was produced. You can also download or view the “readme.txt”
file on the Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN website.
Other Sources of Information
For information on updates and other Compaq news, see the website at: http://
www.compaq.com/support/files/networking/wlan/.
For technical support, please consult the information at the back of this
document.
Router
Range Extender Antenna
Network Hub
Icon Description
F1

1-6 Introduction

Wireless Configurations 2-1
chapter 2
Wireless Configurations
Introduction
This document describes a number of network scenarios that may serve as an
example for building your wireless system.
Wireless systems typically apply to indoor network environments that require
connectivity for devices roaming throughout the network environment.
Wireless systems are wireless networks that service wireless (mobile) devices.
Wireless devices may roam freely throughout the network, with the only
restrictions being the size and distance of the wireless device.
Subject to the size and requirements of your LAN, a wireless system can be
identified by either one of the following type of configurations:
■Independent network
■Basic infrastructure
— Stand alone configuration
— Wireless access to ethernet networks
■Advanced infrastructures
— Multiple channel configuration
Peer-to-Peer Workgroup
A Peer-to-Peer workgroup, as pictured in Figure 2-1, is a group of wireless
devices that do not bridge their data via the Access Point. All machines within a
Peer-to-Peer network are configured to “Peer- to-Peer” mode.
The most simple independent network is one without a server, where stations
communicate Peer-to-Peer, e.g. by sharing a disk or printer via Microsoft
Networking or Novell personal NetWare.

2-2 Wireless Configurations
Figure 2-1 Peer-to-Peer Workgroup
Peer-to-Peer networks are typically used for small networks where:
■All wireless stations participate in workgroup computing, for example using
the disk-sharing option of Microsoft Networking and Printers.
■All stations are within range of a wireless server.
Peer-to-Peer networks are a quick and easy solution to set up a wireless network
at trade-shows, business visits or other (off-site) locations.
Basic Infrastructure
Stand Alone Configuration
In a stand alone configuration (Figure 2-2), the Access Point will function as a
relay base station, that will forward the data communication from one computer
to another within the same wireless cell.
This is the quickest and easiest way to set up a small wireless LAN
infrastructure. This configuration is ideal for temporary installations (e.g.
tradeshows) environments that do not allow the installation of a wired
infrastructure.
A server is not required in a stand alone wireless configuration; equipped
devices can communicate Peer-to-Peer, as described in “Peer-to-Peer
Workgroup” on page 2-1.
Figure 2-2 Stand Alone Configuration

Wireless Configurations 2-3
The wireless infrastructure is identified by a unique network name. All equipped
devices that wish to connect to this network, must be configured with an
identical network name.
Mobile wireless stations will maintain communication with the infrastructure as
long as they remain within range of the Access Point in their 11Mbps Wireless
LAN network.
Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks
Connecting Access Points to an Ethernet network, as pictured in Figure 2-3,
allows you to:
■create a wireless environment for mobile computers, or
■connect a number of stations (mobile and/or desktop) to an existing ethernet
infrastructure, creating a larger coverage area.
Figure 2-3 Wireless to Ethernet Access Configuration
All wireless stations within this coverage area that wish to connect to the
network must be configured with the same network name as the Access Points.
Roaming wireless stations will automatically switch between Access Points,
when required, thus maintaining the wireless connection to the network.
Advanced Infrastructures
Multiple Channel Configuration
The stations are capable of switching their operating frequency channel
dynamically when roaming between Access Points that have been configured to
use different radio channels.
Using different channels enables you to optimize wireless performance,
assigning different frequency channels to neighboring Access Points. Multiple
frequency configurations may prove very useful in environments where:

2-4 Wireless Configurations
■A high concentration of wireless stations are operational.
■The stations experience a performance decrease in terms of network
response times as a result of the collision avoidance protocol (for more
information, see “RTS/CTS Medium Reservation” on page 6-9.
Figure 2-4 Dual Channel Configuration
If the configuration pictured in Figure 2-4, will be realized with WL510 Access
Points, each WL510 Access Point is equipped with a single WL110 PC Card.
■By configuring neighboring Access Points with different frequencies, you
create separate mediums for each wireless cell. Operating at different
channels, the stations can no longer “hear” one another, and therefore no
longer need to defer communications.
■When the configuration pictured in Figure 2-4 represents a single channel
system, both station 1 and station 2 share the same medium. Station 1 might
need to defer communication with the Access Point when it senses that
station 2 is already communicating with the Access Point in the neighboring
cell.
As is the case in any roaming environment, you must configure all Access
Points in multiple channel configurations with an identical network name.
The preferred channel separation between thechannelsin neighboring cells is 25
MHz (5 channels). Subject to the number of channels supported by the wireless
client adapters available in your country, this means that you can apply up to
three different channels within your wireless network (see Table 6-1 on
page 6-16 for recommended channel configurations).
Applying two channels that allow the maximum channel separation will
decrease the amount of channel cross-talk, and provide a noticeable
performance increase over networks with minimal channel separation.
To configure networks with multiple channels, refer to “Frequency Channel
Management” on page6-13.

Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station 3-1
chapter 3
Setting Up your LAN Administrator
Station
Introduction
11Mbps Wireless LAN infrastructures are managed from the LAN administrator
station. Within this chapter decision points are described which are necessary to
help you set up LAN administrator station(s) to properly manage your network.
Typically, the LAN administrator station is a computer used by the LAN
administrator to configure, manage and monitor the network. You can assign as
many LAN administrator stations as you like, depending on how you would like
to manage your network.
The LAN administrator station uses the tools available in the 11Mbps Wireless
LAN software suite to configure and monitor your network. The following
programs are included within the 11Mbps Wireless LAN software suite:
■Client Manager
■AP Manager
In this chapter, we describe how to set up the LAN administrator station in the
following network configurations:
■Peer-to-Peer workgroup - all stations within the network directly
communicate with all other stations. No Access Points are necessary to
bridge the data.
■Infrastructure network - all stations communicate to each other and the
Ethernet backbone via Access Point interfaces.
For an overview of the 11Mbps Wireless LAN software tools, please refer to
“About Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN Tools” on pag e1-1.
Assigning an LAN Administrator Station
Minimum Requirements
To set up the LAN administrator station, you can use any desktop or portable
computer that meets the following requirements:
■A 80486 or faster processor.
■Free disk space of 4 MB.

3-2 Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station
■8 MB RAM (16 MB or more recommended).
■Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 or NT 4.0.
For the Client Manager you will also need:
■The wireless client adapters
For the AP Manager you will need the following:
■Access to the LAN, via
— Wireless client adapter
— Ethernet card
— dial-up connection
■11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Points.
■A loaded TCP/IP protocol that provides a Windows sockets (winsock)
interface. The TCP/IP drivers can be found on the Microsoft Windows
installation disks or CD-ROM.
Managing Peer-to-Peer Workgroups
A Peer-to-Peer workgroup consists of severalstations communicating directly to
each other without bridging data via the Access Point.
Peer-to-Peer workgroups do not need the Compaq 11Mbps Wireless LAN tools.
For more information refer to the documentation that comes with your product.
Managing Infrastructure Networks
In an infrastructure network, you will primarily use the LAN administrator
station that has the AP Manager installed to configure your Access Points and
monitor the radio traffic between selected Access Points and stations within the
network.
You may also install the Client Manager onall stations within the network, or on
selected mobile stations with the WL110 PC Card, to monitor the link between
the mobile station and the nearest Access Points.
Wired or Wireless?
The choice for a wireless or wired LAN administrator station will depend on
your preferences and abilities to administer your network.
You should first determine how you would like to manage your network. If you
like to configure and monitor stations from:
■on-site,to troubleshoot problems at the physical location of the station, you
may choose to have a mobile, wireless LAN administrator station.
Tool: AP Manager and Client Manager
■a central location, such as the LAN administrator station, you may prefer a
wired LAN administrator station.
Tool: AP Manager

Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station 3-3
■a remote location, via modem, calling into a RAS or PPP entry point to
your network.
Tool: AP Manager
Your next consideration for wired or wireless station should be the size of your
network. For instance:
■in larger networks, it may be more convenient to manage the stations from a
central location, so a wired station would be more appropriate.
■in smaller network configurations, in which there are only few Access
Points, a mobile, wireless station may be the most efficient way to configure
and manage your network.
For wireless stations the following has to be considered:
■LAN administrators require easy access to wireless areas, e.g. for on-site
troubleshooting.
■You need to perform a site verification to determine optimal placement of
Access Points.
■It is also possible remote configure and monitor the Access Point via a dial-
up connection. This feature is only possible when the network is externally
accessible.
Of course you can assign multiple stations as LAN administrator stations,
allowing for a combination of wired and wireless stations and allowing you the
freedom to choose the most appropriate tool for the situation.
Wired Stations
A wired LAN administrator station allows you to configure and monitor Access
Points through a wired backbone by using the A PManager tool.
Configuration
A wired LAN administrator station has access to all Access Points via a wired
backbone. The Access Points are identified by means of their unique IP address.
When your LAN architecture is comprised of multiple subnets, separated by
gateways or routers, please note that the LAN administrator station which you
intend to use for the initial configuration, must be on the same subnet as the
Access Points.
Once the Access Points have been configured and their IP addresses have been
registered, you can use any station to access the Access Points via the TCP/IP
protocol.
For more information on configuring your Access Point, please refer to
“Configuration Scenarios” on page 3-7.
Monitoring
When you use a wired LAN administrator station you will not be able to move
around to different physical locations of the network to determine or optimize
the placement of stations, Access Points or antennas.

3-4 Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station
However, a wired LAN administrator station can use the AP Manager remote
link test and remote statistics features to perform monitoring tasks.
With the AP Manager you can validate radio frequency links between a remote
Access Point and stations connected to that Access Point. For more information
on monitoring, refer to “Monitoring Options” on page 5-17.
Wireless Stations
A wireless, mobile LAN administrator station allows you to use the
Client Manager as well as the AP Manager.
Monitoring
You can use the following tools to monitor your infrastructure network:
■Client Manager
— Wireless client adapter diagnostics
— Logging measurements data
— Site monitor
— Link test
■AP Manager
— System information
— Remote link test
— Remote statistics
For more information on monitoring your network, refer to chapter
5 “Monitoring your 11MbpsWireless LAN Network”.
Installing 11Mbps Wireless LAN Software
Client Manager
The Client Manager is a diagnostics tool that runs on wireless stations only.To
setup the LAN administrator station that is capable of running the
Client Manager program, the station must be equipped with the wireless client
adapter.
To install the Clien tManager software, proceed as follows:
1. Insert the software CD-ROM that came with your Access Point station that
you have designated as the LAN administrator station.
If you downloaded the software from the web, please refer to the
installation instructions found on the web.
2. When the CD Browser automatically starts you can proceed with the next
step. If not:
❏Click the Start button on theWindows task bar, then select Run.
❏Click the Browse button in the Run window.