Firetide HotPort 6100 Series Manual

Manual Revision 1.06 012909
HotPort
The contents of this Installation Guide are subject to change without notice.
Please refer to the Firetide partners web site, partners.firetide.com, for current versions.
Hardware Installation Guide
HotPort Series 6000
Indoor and Outdoor Wireless Mesh Nodes
Series 6200 - Outdoor NodeSeries 6100 - Indoor Node

2 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Firetide Limited End User Product Warranty
Pursuant to all provisions described herein, Firetide hardware products and
Firetide antennas are warranted for one (1) year from the date of purchase
against defects in the build materials and workmanship. Firetide does not
warrant that the Products will meet any requirements or specifications of
any End User Customer. This warranty applies to the entire Firetide product,
including the AC power adapter.
Pursuant to all provisions described herein, Firetide software products are
warranted for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase against defects in
the build materials and workmanship. Firetide also warrants that the Soft-
ware will materially conform to the documentation supplied by Firetide with
the Software. In the event that the Software fails to materially conform to
the documentation and an authorized Firetide reseller is notified in writing
of such failure within the warranty period, Firetide or its reseller shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to promptly correct the nonconformity.
Firetide does not warrant that the use of the Software will be uninterrupted
or error free.
The above warranties are void if the alleged defect cannot be verified by
Firetide or if, as determined by Firetide, the product failure was due to tam-
pering, abuse, misuse, accident, shipping, handling, or storage; or if the
product has been installed, used, or maintained in a manner not described
in the product user manual; or if the product has been altered in any way;
or if product serialization has been altered. Any attempt to disassemble or
repair the product by anyone other than Firetide immediately voids this
warranty.
This warranty applies only to the original End User purchaser of the product
and may not be transferred to any other individual or entity.
THE FOREGOING ARE THE EXCLUSIVE WARRANTIES APPLICABLE TO THE PROD-
UCT INCLUDING THE SOFTWARE, AND THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR DEFECTS
IN THE PRODUCT. FIRETIDE DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OR FIT-
NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SOME LAWS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLU-
SION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO TO THAT EXTENT THIS LIMITATION MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.
In no event will Firetide be liable for any special, incidental, consequential,
punitive or indirect damages whatsoever (including, without limitation,
damages for loss of profits, business interruption, loss of information, or
other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use or inability to use the product
or the performance, interruption or failure of the product, irrespective of
the cause of action, even if Firetide has been advised of the possibility of
such damages. Firetide’s cumulative liability for all claims arising out of or
in connection with this warranty will not exceed the amount paid by the
original End User purchaser to purchase the product. The amounts payable
for the product are based in part on these limitations and these limitations
shall apply notwithstanding the failure of essential purpose of any remedy.
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so to that extent the above limitations or exclu-
sions may not apply to you.
By using the product the original End User purchaser agrees to and is bound
by these terms and conditions.
In the event that a product fails to meet this warranty and Firetide’s autho-
rized reseller is notified in writing of such failure within the warranty peri-
od, Firetide shall, at its own discretion, either repair the product or replace
it with the same or a functionally-equivalent product free of charge. Re-
placement products may contain refurbished materials in whole or in part.
Firetide will honor this warranty provided the product is returned through
an authorized Firetide reseller or dealer with shipping charges prepaid,
along with a proof of purchase describing the original purchase date and
product serial numbers if applicable. The authorized reseller must acquire a
Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number from Firetide prior to return-
ing any product. Firetide does not accept shipments of defective products
without shipping charges prepaid.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the pres-
ence of important operating, maintaining and servic-
ing instructions in the literature accompanying the
HotPort node. Failing to comply with this instruction
may result in electrical shock.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the pres-
ence of important operating, maintaining and servic-
ing instructions in the literature accompanying the
HotPort node. Failing to comply with this instruction
may result in a hazard.
Copyright Notice: ©2003-2007 Firetide, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks: Firetide, the Firetide logo, Instant Mesh Networks, HotPort, and HotPoint are trademarks of Firetide, Inc. All other trademarks are the prop-
erty of their respective owners.
Safety Instructions
The HotPort outdoor wireless mesh node must be installed by a quali-
fied professional such as a licensed electrician. Failure to install this
equipment properly may result in equipment damage and personal in-
jury or death.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the pres-
ence of non-insulated dangerous voltage that may be
of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of lethal
electric shock to persons.
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 3
Contents
HotPortNodeInstallation......................................................................................5
Package Contents ..........................................................................................5
PlanningYourInstallation......................................................................................7
Staging Considerations ......................................................................................7
Antenna Placement .........................................................................................7
Required Tools and Supplies ..................................................................................7
Indoor Node Installation .......................................................................................8
Outdoor Node Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Preparing the Unit..........................................................................................9
Preparing the Site for Mounting ...............................................................................9
SafetyConsiderations ......................................................................................9
Weatherproofing ..........................................................................................9
Preparing Earth Ground .....................................................................................9
Mounting the Antennas..................................................................................... 10
MountingGuidelines ......................................................................................10
Mounting the Universal Bracket .............................................................................. 11
RemovingtheBracket .....................................................................................11
Choosing a Mounting Location...............................................................................11
WallMounting ...........................................................................................11
PoleMounting ...........................................................................................11
Using Mounting Straps.....................................................................................12
Mounting the Node ........................................................................................13
Connecting Cables......................................................................................... 14
PowerConnection ........................................................................................14
Connecting Ethernet Cables .................................................................................15
Building a Custom Ethernet Cable .............................................................................15
Typical Connections........................................................................................ 16
Adding a HotPoint AP to a HotPort Node ........................................................................ 17
AppendixA-ContactingFiretide................................................................................19
AppendixB-ConnectorWiring .................................................................................20
HotPort Outdoor Node Ethernet Transition Cable Pin Descriptions ....................................................20
HotPort Outdoor Node AC Power Connector......................................................................20
HotPort Outdoor Node DC Power Connector...................................................................... 21
Custom Power Cables.......................................................................................21
HotPort Indoor Node DC Power Connector.......................................................................22
AppendixC-Specifications ....................................................................................23
Common Specifications .....................................................................................23
WirelessInterface ........................................................................................23
Series 6200 Outdoor Unit Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Series 6100 Indoor Unit Specifications .........................................................................24
AppendixD-RegulatoryNotices ................................................................................25
USA ...................................................................................................25
Canadian Compliance Statement .............................................................................25
AppendixE-WaterproofingInstructions..........................................................................26
January 2009

4 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Dangerous voltages inside.•
No serviceable parts inside.•
Refer to qualified service personnel.•
Unit must be disconnected from power prior to servicing.•
Unit has tamper-evident labeling that indicates when the cover has been removed.•
Do not open the cover
Caution! Risk of electric shock!
POWER LINES CAN BE LETHAL
Do not install the HotPort outdoor mesh node where possible con-
tact with power lines can be made. Antennas, poles, towers, guy
wires, or cables may lean or fall and contact these lines. People may
be injured or killed if they are touching or holding any part of the
equipment when it contacts electric lines. Make sure there is NO
possibility that equipment or personnel can come in contact directly
or indirectly with power lines.
ASSUME ALL OVERHEAD LINES ARE POWER LINES
The horizontal distance from a tower, pole or antenna to the nearest
power line should be at least twice the total length of the pole/an-
tenna combination. This will ensure that the pole will not contact
power if it falls either during or after installation.
SURVEYING THE SITE
Look over the entire site before beginning any installation and an-
ticipate possible hazards. Never assume anything without checking
it out for yourself! Don’t take shortcuts!
TO AVOID FALLING, USE SAFE PROCEDURES WHEN WORKING AT
HEIGHTS ABOVE GROUND
Select equipment locations that will allow safe and simple in-•
stallation.
Don’t work alone. A friend or co-worker can save your life if an•
accident happens.
Don’t attempt repair work when you are tired. Not only will•
you be more careless, but your primary diagnostic tool -
deductive reasoning - will not be operating at full capacity.
Use approved non-conducting ladders, shoes, and other safety•
equipment. Make sure all equipment is in good repair.
If a tower or pole begins falling, don’t attempt to catch it. Stand•
back and let it fall.
If anything such as a wire or pole does come in contact with a•
power line, DON’T TOUCH IT OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE IT. Instead,
save your life by calling the power company.
Don’t attempt to erect antennas or towers on windy days.•
MAKE SURE ALL TOWERS AND POLES ARE SECURELY GROUNDED,•
AND ELECTRICAL CABLES CONNECTED TO ANTENNAS HAVE LIGHT-
NING ARRESTORS. This will help prevent fire damage or human
injury in case of lightning, static build-up, or short circuit within
equipment connected to the antenna. The HotPort outdoor node
has built-in lightning protection. Be sure that any other equip-
ment connected to the HotPort node also has the same level of
protection.
The base of the antenna pole or tower must be connected direct-•
ly to the building protective ground or to one or more approved
grounding rods, using 10 AWG ground wire and corrosion-resis-
tant connectors.
Refer to the National Electrical Code for grounding details.•
IF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD OCCUR WITH THE POWER LINES:
DON’T TOUCH THAT PERSON, OR YOU MAY BE ELECTROCUTED.•
Use a non-conductive dry board, stick, or rope to push or drag•
them so they no longer are in contact with electrical power.
Once they are no longer contacting electrical power, administer•
CPR if you are certified.
Immediately have someone call for medical help.•
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 5
HotPort Node Installation
This hardware installation guide describes how to install the HotPort node safely. The HotPort is intended to be installed by trained profes-
sionals. Be sure to read and understand all installation and safety instructions before proceeding with the installation.
Table 1. Summary of HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Model Use No. of Radios
6101 Indoor, Worldwide, 2.4, 4.9, 5 GHz 1
6102 Indoor, Worldwide, 2.4, 4.9, 5 GHz 2
6201 Outdoor, Worldwide, 2.4, 4.9, 5 GHz 1
6202 Outdoor, Worldwide, 2.4, 4.9, 5 GHz 2
This guide covers both dual-radio and single radio models. The only difference between dual-radio models and single-radio models is the
second radio. Note that the single-radio models have two antennas in order to support receive diversity. On single-radio models, antenna
1 is the transmit antenna and antenna two is the (optional) diversity antenna.
Package Contents
The HotPort node package contains the following items. If you are missing any of these items, contact your Firetide reseller. Figure 1 shows
the indoor unit as packed. Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the outdoor unit.
Series 6100 Indoor Mesh Node
HotPort node in plenum-rated enclosure.•
Antennas
Two detachable 2.4 GHz omnidirectional antennas.•
Two detachable 5 GHz omnidirectional antennas.•
Power
External power module with NEMA5-15 (US) to IEC-320 cord.•
Other IEC cords are available separately.
Documentation
Series 6100 Quick Install Guide.•
Warranty and registration card.•
Compact Disk (CD)
HotView software.•
HotView Pro Reference Guide.•
HotPort Series 6000 Hardware Installation Guide•
Warranty/Registration Card.•
EULA.•
Series 6200 Outdoor Mesh Node
HotPort node in NEMA-4X enclosure with weatherproof caps.•
Two N to reverse-polarity SMA adapters.•
Mounting bracket for pole and wall mounting. Designed to fit 37•
mm to 50 mm (1.5 in to 2.0 in) poles.
Weatherized Ethernet transition cable, 2 meter (6.6 ft), circular,•
watertight, IP67-rated female to RJ-45/RJ-45 male connector
kit with Bulgin connector housing.
Mounting Kit
U-Bolts, M6x1.0-80mm, with flat washers, split washers, nuts.•
Claw-tooth pole grippers.•
M6x1.0-40mm hex bolt.•
M6x1.0-20mm hex bolt.•
Hex-head socket wrench.•
Antennas
Two detachable 2.4 GHz indoor omnidirectional antennas.•
Two detachable 5 GHz indoor omnidirectional antennas.•
Power
AC power cord with NEMA 5-15 (US) plug. Other IEC cords are•
available separately.
Documentation
Series 6200 Quick Install Guide.•
Warranty and registration card.•
Compact Disk (CD)
HotView software.•
HotView Pro Reference Guide.•
HotPort Series 6000 Hardware Installation Guide.•
Warranty/Registration Card.•
EULA.•
January 2009

6 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Figure 1. Contents of 6102 Kit
Figure 2. Contents of 6202 Kit: Left, showing weatherproof Ethernet kit; Right, showing hardware kit
Figure 3. 6202 Node as packed, showing mounting plates.
HotPort Node
CD
AC Power
Brick
Hardware
Kit
Antennas
Quick Install;
Warranty
AC Power
Cord
Antennas
Hardware
Kit
N to SMA
adapter
E’net Cable
Kit
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 7
You should set up and test your nodes indoors, on a bench or ta-
ble, before installing them. This will allow you to pre-configure the
nodes so that they are all on the same RF channel, etc.
Set up your HotPort node in a lab with all other HotPort units using1.
two of the provided antennas, as shown in Figure 4.
Make the necessary connections and power the HotPort units.2.
Install the HotView software on a workstation and connect the3.
workstation to a HotPort node. (See the HotView Reference
Guide for information about installing and using HotView.)
You will use HotView to configure the HotPort nodes and create a
mesh network. Configure and test the settings you plan to use.
Begin by checking to see that all nodes are visible in HotView.1.
If not, troubleshoot this problem according to the directions in
the HotView Reference Guide.
Set the Country Code for your country of operation.2.
Re-verify that all nodes are visible.3.
Verify that all dual-radio nodes (Series 6102 and Series 6202)4.
have both radios correctly meshed.
Warning: the indoor antennas supplied with
Series 6200 outdoor nodes are for initial stag-
ing and testing only. They are not weather-
proof and will fail if used outdoors or in hu-
mid environments. Use them to deploy; but
immediately replace them with outdoor-rated
antennas.
Figure 4. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Indoor Staging Antennas
Planning Your Installation
Staging Considerations
HotPort Series 6000 nodes are easy to install. They are mechanically
compatible with existing HotPort nodes. Series 6000 nodes form
their own mesh, and can connect to Series 3000 meshes via Mesh-
Bridge. A Series 6000 node can also be added to an existing Series
3000 mesh. Refer to the HotView Pro Reference Guide for details.
Series 6200 outdoor nodes are improved compared to earlier de-
signs. For new installations, a single weatherproof AC power cord is
provided. No external ‘brick’ is used. The Series 6200 can power up
to two peripherals via PoE, as well.
Required Tools and Supplies
Many indoor installations simply place the Series 6100 node on a
convenient tabletop or shelf. An optional mounting bracket kit is
available which allows you to mount the node to a wall or ceiling.
To use this bracket, you will need a #2 Philips screwdriver to attach
the bracket to the node. You will also need devices to attach the
bracket to the wall or ceiling (e.g. molly bolts); these devices should
be selected based on the type of wall.
For Series 6200 outdoor nodes, you will need:
#2 Phillips screwdriver.•
Small adjustable wrench.•
Wire cutters to cut tie wraps around cables.•
10 AWG grounding cable to connect the node to earth ground.•
Grounding connectors and grounding rod.•
Weatherproofing kit – if you are installing outdoor nodes, this•
kit provides electrical tape and butyl mastic. Check your local
distributor for weatherproof antennas and coaxial cables.
Hose clamps, band clamps, U-bolts, or similar brackets, to mount•
your chosen antennas to your chosen antenna mast.
Depending on the installation location, you may need ladders, a lift
truck, or other means to access the actual installation locations.
January 2009

8 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
The dual-radio capability of the Series 6102 and Series 6202 nodes
must be considered when selecting operating frequencies and ar-
ranging antennas. Each transmitter is powerful enough to drown
out the other unless steps are taken to provide adequate isolation.
The amount of isolation between the antennas depends on how
close in frequency the two radios are.
Operating Modes
Series 6000 nodes can be operated in either of two modes. Firetide’s
Auto-Channel Assignment (ACA) mode is also known as linear mode.
This mode is recommended for most applications. In Auto-Channel
Assignment mode, you select three or more channels for the mesh
to use, and you designate the ‘exit point’ of the network - the point
where traffic density is highest. The ACA algorithm will test each link
in the mesh at the various frequencies and select a topology which
optimizes traffic throughput. When you are using directional anten-
nas or otherwise deploying a mesh where most nodes can only hear
a few other nodes, ACA will produce the best throughput.
In bonded mode, you simply assign a frequency to the radio 1 in
each node and another frequency to the radio 2 in each node. This
mode works well in a mesh where most nodes can hear each other.
Note that if you use ACA on a mesh where essentially all nodes can
hear each other, the algorithm will converge on a set of channel as-
signments that will deliver performance equal to bonded mode.
For a complete discusssion of the advantages and characteristics of
each mode, refer to the HotView Pro Reference Guide.
Regardless of the mode chosen, you should configure the antennas
to minimize inter-antenna interference. Firetide recommends that
the antennas be placed such that there is 60 dB of isolation.
Antenna Separation in Dual Band Operation
The easiest solution is to operate one radio in the 2.4 GHz band and
the other radio in the 5 GHz band, with the antenna a minimum of
1 meter (3 ft) apart. A separation of 1.6 m (5 ft) is preferred. This
usually provides sufficient isolation to avoid overload problems.
If this is not possible, you must select and place the antennas to
achieve the necessary isolation. The best way to do this depends on
the radiation pattern of the antenna.
Directional Antennas
If the antennas are directional, place them so that they are not in
each other’s radiation pattern. Consult the antenna maker’s radia-
tion plot; note that many directional antennas have a small side-
lobe directly to the rear of the main lobe. For panel or patch anten-
nas, a diagonal placement is often best.
Omni-Directional Antennas
Omnidirectional antennas transmit in a plane perpendicular to the
shaft of the antenna, as shown in Figure 5. This pattern is often de-
scribed as a doughnut (or torus) shape.
Figure 5. Typical Omni Antenna Pattern
Antenna Placement
Note that an omni antenna does not radiate power from either
end. As a result, if the antennas are placed in line with one
another, they will not interfere. This arrangement, called co-
linear, is shown in Figure 6. The node is mounted vertically on a
wall, and the two antennas point in opposite directions.
Figure 6. Co-linear Antenna Placement
Note that in this arrangement,
the unit is oriented so that both
antennas are vertical. Thus, both
antennas provide good coverage in
the horizontal plane.
Also note that this configuration is
applicable to outdoor units as well.
Simply mount both antennas adja-
cent to each other on the mast or
cross-bar, with one pointing up and
one pointing down.
If exact co-linear placement is not
possible, sufficient isolation can still
be provided by pointing one antenna
up and the other one down. Because
of the vertical offset, antenna pat-
tern overlap will be minimized if the
antennas are not too far apart. This
is shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7. Up-down Antenna Placement
If the two omnidirectional antennas must be placed parallel and at
the same height, mount them at least 1.6 meters (5ft.) apart. If you
are using higher-gain omnidirectional antennas, more separation
may be required.
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 9
Mounting Outdoor Antennas
Once you determine which RF band to use, you can order spectrum-
specific high-gain antennas from Firetide or another supplier.
Note: The indoor antennas supplied by Firetide are not weather-
proof, and are for staging use only. After initial configuration, they
should be replaced with suitable weatherproof antennas.
The following material provides some general guidelines for mount-
ing antennas. Refer to the information which came with your an-
tenna for detailed mounting instructions.
Many installers prefer to mount the HotPort node and its associated
antennas to a short bar, typically about 2 meters long. This entire
bar assembly is them mounted horizontally to the vertical mast of
the main antenna structure.
Figure 8 shows a typical installation on a horizontal sub-mast. This
particular configuration, with both antennas parallel, will work well
if the two radios are on different bands. For same-band use, it would
be better to invert one antenna, and ideally to place the two anten-
nas in a coaxial configuration, that is, one below the other. Refer to
the previous page for a complete discussion of antenna placement.
Figure 8. Typical Installation with Horizontal Pole Subassembly
Mounting Guidelines
For best results, the mounting location should be selected to en-•
able maximum performance of the antennas. Generally speak-
ing, a higher antenna will have better overall range and cover-
age.
Large or heavy antennas must be mounted to a pole or other se-•
cure structure.
The antennas should not be within 1 meter (~3 ft.) of any metal•
bar or structure, and ideally not within 1 meter (~3 ft.) of any
concrete or stone structure. In general, try to locate the anten-
nas as far from such objects as practicable.
Shorter antenna cables give better performance. Plan your in-•
stallation to minimize antenna cable length. However, do not
attempt to splice or shorten the antenna cable.
If a longer coax cable is required, the system requires a high-•
quality, low-loss 50 ohm cable. Contact your local distributor to
obtain a 50 ohm cable with the correct connectors. Firetide rec-
ommends LMR400 cable or better.
In order to maintain proper system operations, there should•
be less than 3 dB of insertion loss between the HotPort node
and the antenna. Insertion loss is defined as the loss of signal
strength when a cable is inserted between the transmitter and
the receiver, and is measured in dB.
Minimize use of connectors and adapters.•
Once you’ve verified that everything is working, waterproof all•
connections!
Do not mount the antenna pole near power lines.•
When mounting next to an access point, mount the access point•
lower on the pole and at least 1 meter (~3 ft.) from the anten-
nas. You can also mount the access point on a horizontal bar to
achieve the required separation.
Wall Mounting
Position the antennas above or to the side of the HotPort enclo-•
sure to permit easy attachment of the antenna to the connector
at the bottom of the enclosure.
RF signals can be attenuated by a wall or the composition of a•
building. When utilizing omnidirectional antennas, connecting
the antennas to a wall may limit the amount of coverage.
January 2009

10 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Indoor Node Installation
Indoor node installation is straightforward. Firetide recommends
that you power up and configure all nodes on a table or bench before
deployment. Use HotView or HotView Pro to configure your mesh.
Place the unit on a table or shelf, or use the optional bracket to at-
tach it to a wall, ceiling, or cubicle partition. Apply power. The pow-
er LED should illuminate immediately; after about 60 to 90 seconds,
the status LED should switch to steady green.
Note the location of the reset button in the lower right corner of the
rear panel. To reset the unit, apply power and wait until the unit has
fully booted and the status light has come on. Then use a paperclip
to press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds.
Figure 9. AC Power Brick
Figure 10. Optional Mounting Bracket
Auxiliary Bracket Main Mounting Bracket
HotPort Mesh Node
Attach the antennas, keeping in mind that all “Radio 1” antennas on
all units should be parallel - typically vertical. Likewise, all “Radio
2” antennas should be parallel. Refer to the antenna section for a
complete explanation of antenna placement and orientation.
Figure 11. HotPort Series 6100 Mesh Node - Front View
Figure 12. HotPort Series 6100 Mesh Node - Rear View
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 11
Preparing the Site for Mounting
Prior to mounting the antenna and enclosure, prepare the site for mounting as described below.
Safety Considerations
Consider the following safety issues.
If using a ladder, use approved, non-conducting ladders.•
Use approved and non-conducting shoes and other safety equip-•
ment. Make sure that all equipment is in good repair.
If mounting to a pole or tower, make sure all poles and towers are•
securely grounded.
Make sure antenna cables have lightning arrestors.•
Weatherproofing
The two Ethernet ports on the bottom of the HotPort node feature
circular, watertight IP67-rated connectors. Use the included weath-
erized Ethernet transition cable/RJ-45 connector kit to connect
Ethernet devices with male RJ-45 connectors to the HotPort node.
Be sure to weatherize the entire Ethernet cable, from end to end.
Preparing Earth Ground
The HotPort node must be properly connected to earth
ground. Failure to do so may result in equipment dam-
age, injury, or death. The product warranty does not cov-
er damages resulting in part or in whole from improper grounding.
The components that will attract lightning strikes are the antenna,
the antenna pole, and the Ethernet and power cables. Below are
some guidelines for installing grounding components.
Having a proper ground is critical. The following steps repre-•
sent minimum acceptable grounding practices. Consult your
location’s building and electrical codes regarding antennas and
follow them, or consult the National Electric Code (NEC).
If connecting to a tower or pole, connect the base of the tower•
pole directly to the building’s ground or to one or more approved
grounding rods using 10 AWG ground wire and corrosion-resis-
tant connectors.
Connect the grounding cable to rain gutters only if the•
rain gutter or other conductive material is connected to earth
ground.
Grounding rods should be copper and 1.8 meters to 2.4 meters•
(6 - 8 ft) long.
Install all grounding components in straight lines. If bends are•
unavoidable, do not make sharp turns.
Earth-to-ground resistance should not be more than 10 ohms.•
Understanding the soil is very important in order to create a•
proper earth ground. If your soil is rocky or sandy, drive your
ground rods and then pull them back out and dump an approved
ground enhancement material into the holes where the ground-
ing rods go. Then replace the grounding rods. Keep in mind that
some salt compounds are corrosive and can cause copper to cor-
rode.
Outdoor Node Installation
Preparing the Unit
Pre-assemble the antenna, HotPort node, and other devices to1.
a metal pole and antenna stand and then relocate and attach
the entire stand to a roof top. It is often easier to install all
devices to one object, such as a pole, and then attach the pole
to the roof. In many cases, connecting the devices to a pole al-
ready attached to the roof top can be difficult and dangerous.
A lightning surge suppressor must be used. Some antennas in-2.
clude one. If not, you must install a lightning surge suppres-
sor.
Install the antenna and any wireless devices higher than the3.
HotPort node. Take care when locating the HotPort node far
away from the antenna; a short antenna cable gives better per-
formance than a longer one. Firetide recommends that you use
antenna cables less than 3 meters; if you have an application
which requires a long antenna cable, consult the factory.
The HotPort node and its antenna must both be grounded.4.
Use weatherproofing kits that include non-vulcanized rubber5.
to weatherproof connectors and antennas. All Ethernet cables
must be waterproofed; standard RJ-45 connectors do not last
outdoors.
Power over Ethernet: Consider which devices require PoE and6.
what the required input voltage will be.
Connect peripheral devices to the HotPort node.7.
Connect power to the HotPort node and peripherals.8.
WARNING
The staging antennas provided with Firetide outdoor
nodes and access points are for temporary use only.
They MUST be replaced with outdoor-rated antennas as
soon as the mesh is staged and operational.
The staging antennas are NOT waterproof and NOT moisture resis-
tant. If used outdoors or in humid environments, the antennas may
fail.
Your CD has a copy of Firetide’s Antenna Guide. Contact your Firetide
Reseller for assistance in selecting and ordering outdoor antennas
suitable for your application(s).
January 2009

12 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Mounting the Universal Bracket
The HotPort enclosure should be mounted securely. You can mount the enclosure to a wall, a light pole, or an irregularly shaped pole. The
universal mounting bracket has been designed with multiple holes and slots to allow mounting with bolts, straps, or other methods. Extra
nuts and bolts are provided for this purpose; don’t be alarmed if you have leftover fasteners when installation is complete.
Removing the Bracket
The bracket is shipping already attached to the HotPort node. Begin
by removing it. This is done by loosening the four Phillips screws,
two on each side, as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13. Removing the Mounting Plate
Next, slide the plate down, toward the connector side of the HotPort
node, as shown in Figure 14. This releases its tabs from the node
itself.
Figure 14. Sliding the Mounting Plate Off
Next, you will attach the Universal Mounting Plate to your chosen
mounting location.
Slide the plate
down
Choosing a Mounting Location
For best results, provide clear line-of-sight access for the an-•
tennas. You can test various locations by mounting the unit to
a portable stand until you can determine the ideal location for
permanent mounting.
The location must allow for a solid connection to earth ground.•
Be sure the ground does not obstruct access to the enclosure.
The unit must be within reach of the power cord. A five meter AC•
cord is provided, or a DC cord may be used.
Wall Mounting
The Universal Mounting Bracket contains holes and slots to allow it
to be mounted via U-bolts or straps. Use four screws (not supplied)
to attach the universal mounting bracket securely to the wall using
the four holes near the top and bottom of the universal mounting
bracket. Use appropriate anchors when attaching to masonry or
other materials.
Pole Mounting
You can mount the HotPort node to a 37 mm to 50 mm (1.5” to 2”
pole using the supplied U-bolts. Your installation kit includes a small
T-handle socket wrench which fits the supplied nuts.
Insert the two U-bolts through the holes in the claw-toothed1.
pole-gripper piece.
On each U-bolt, place a washer, a lock washer, and a nut, as2.
shown in Figure 15. Smaller pole diameters usually require a
second nut as a spacer to hold the bracket away from the U-bolt
clamp. Finger-tighten the nuts. Figure 15 shows this second
nut, as a spacer. There should be about 12-15 mm (1/2-5/8”) of
U-bolt sticking past the second nut.
Figure 15. U-bolt Mounted on Pole
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 13
Mount the second U-bolt, as shown in Figure 16. Use the mounting
bracket as a guide to correctly space the two U-bolts, then tighten
the nuts. A horizontal pole-mount is also shown for reference.
Figure 16. U-bolts, Vertical and Horizontal Mounting.
Use lock washers and nuts to secure the mounting bracket to the
U-bolts, as shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17. Universal Mounting Bracket Attached to Pole
Figure 18 shows the use of spacer nuts when mounting to smaller
poles. You may find an open-end wrench useful for tightening the
inner nuts in these applications.
Figure 18. Mounting Bracket Showing Use of Spacer Nuts
Figure 19 shows use of the universal mounting plate on a horizontal
plate. Installation is the same, you just use different holes in the
mounting plate.
Figure 19. Horizontal Pole Mount
Using Mounting Straps
For poles with diameters larger than 50 mm (2”), irregularly shaped
poles, or light poles, you can use mounting straps (not supplied) to
mount the HotPort enclosure.
Position the universal mounting bracket against the pole.1.
Thread two mounting straps around the pole and through the2.
slots located near the top and bottom of the universal mount-
ing bracket. Secure the mounting straps.
Attach the enclosure to the universal mounting bracket by slid-3.
ing the metal clips on the back of the enclosure into the metal
straps on the universal mounting bracket.
Secure the enclosure to the universal mounting bracket using the
four captive screws on the sides of the universal mounting bracket.
Mounting Antennas
Now that you’ve attached the Universal Mounting Plate, you are
ready to proceed to the next steps. Most outdoor applications use
separately-mounted antennas, if so, mount your antennas now. If
you are using the temporary staging antennas, the next step is to
attach the HotPort node itself.
January 2009

14 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Mounting the Node
Your HotPort node is shipping with its backing plate attached. If it
has been removed for any reason, re-attach it now. Note that the
holes in the node are pre-tapped for the supplied metric screws; do
not use other screws.
Next, slide the node assembly onto the bracket, so that the four tabs
on the node assembly engage the straps on the bracket, as shown
in Figure 20.
Figure 20. Mounting the Node - Vertical Mast
Figure 21. Mounting the Node - Horizontal Pole
Then tighten the four captive screws on the node assembly. This
locks the node onto the bracket. Don’t leave these screws loose; if
you do, it’s easy to knock the node off the bracket.
Figure 22. Tightening Screws
You’re now ready to make all the necessary cable connections to
your HotPort node.
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 15
Connecting Cables
After your node is mounted, attach the two antennas, the power cable, and any Ethernet cables you need. The HotPort Series 6200 connec-
tors are shown in Figure 23. Note that all of the weatherproof caps have been removed from the node for illustrative purposes. You should
not leave any unused connector uncovered.
Figure 23. HotPort Node Bottom Panel
Note the locations of the reset button under the weatherproof cap, just below Ethernet port 3. To reset the unit, apply power and wait until
the unit has fully booted and the status light has come on. Then use a paperclip to press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds.
Power Connection
Connect the suppled AC power cable to AC power and to the HotPort node.
If you wish to power your node with DC power, you will need a source of power which can deliver 15 V ±10% at 3 A. Information on building
custom power cables is shown in Appendix B. Do not connect both AC and DC supplies simultaneously.
Powering Other Ethernet Devices
Ports 2 and 3 on a Series 6200 node can provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality to Powered Devices (PD) connected to these ports.
(Port 1 cannot.) A Powered Device can receive data and the power to process the data from the HotPort node, which functions as Power
Sourcing Equipment (PSE) in this configuration. To receive power from a HotPort node, the device must support the IEEE 802.3af standard,
which defines PoE functionality.
Radio 2 Antenna
Reset
Button
Radio 1 Antenna
Power Status Radio 1
Mesh
Radio 2
Mesh
Ethernet
AC Power DC Power Ethernet
Port 1
Ethernet
Port 2
Ethernet
Port 3
Radio 2 MAC
address label Radio 1 MAC
address label
Serial number
label
January 2009

16 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
If you are using your Series 6200 with a companion Firetide HotPoint access point, a special Ethernet cable is available to connect the two
units and to supply PoE power to the AP. The cable is shown in Figure 24, and is supplied with your HotPoint AP.
Figure 24. Ethernet Cable for HotPort-HotPoint AP Connection
Figure 26.
Waterproof RJ-45 Coupler
Note: Regardless of your exact configuration of Ethernet cable and
power sources, you must make sure all cables and connections are
completely waterproofed. It is a good installation practice to leave
enough cable slack so that there is a drip loop in each cable. This pro-
vides a low point for water to drip off the cable, rather that running
down to a connector.
Figure 25. Waterproof Ethernet Transition Cable
To connect to Ethernet devices, you will need to assemble a weath-
erproof Ethernet cable. Note that most cat-5 cable sold for indoor
use does not have weatherproof covering, and will fail if used out-
doors.
To assist in cable construction, Firetide supplies a weatherized Eth-
ernet transition cable. It is PoE compatible. A weatherized RJ-45
coupler is also included.
To use the transition cable:
Insert one end of a cat-5 cable (without an RJ-45 connector)1.
through the provided coupler housing.
Use an RJ-45 crimping tool to attach an RJ-45 connector to this2.
end of the Ethernet cable. If necessary, crimp an RJ-45 on the
other end as well.
Insert the male RJ-45 connector on the constructed Ethernet3.
cable into the female-to-female Ethernet coupler, shown in
Figure 26.
Tighten the connector nut.4.
This cable-and-coupler assembly can now be used with the Firetide-
supplied waterproof Ethernet cable, shown in Figures 25 and 27. To
use it, connect the male RJ-45 connector on the Firetide-supplied
Ethernet transition cable to the female-to-female coupler.
Then, remove the protective cap from an Ethernet port on the Hot-
Port enclosure and insert the circular, 10-pin connector on the Eth-
ernet transition cable.
Tighten all connectors to ensure a watertight seal.
Building a Custom Ethernet Cable
Figure 27. Ethernet Cable Drawing
Connecting Ethernet Cables
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 17
Figure 28 and Figure 29 show typical connection examples. In Fig-
ure 28 the sunshield has been removed for clarity.
Figure 28. Connected Outdoor Node
Figure 29 shows a similar arrangement, viewed from the bottom.
Figure 29. Outdoor Node Connections
Figure 29 also shows the location of the radio MAC address labels
and the unit serial number labels. Each HotPort has a primary label
on its back which has all relevent unit-specific information on it.
However, when the unit is installed this can be difficult to read.
Firetide has placed three additional labels on the underside of the
unit. All are visible in Figure 29, a close-up of a MAC address label is
shown in Figure 30.
Typical Connections
Figure 30. MAC Address Label
Once you have completed the installation and verified that the sys-
tem works correctly, you must weatherproof the connections. Direc-
tions for this are shown in a later section.
WARNING
The staging antennas shown in these photographs are for tempo-
rary use only. They MUST be replaced with outdoor-rated antennas
as soon as the mesh is staged and operational.
The staging antennas are NOT waterproof and NOT moisture resis-
tant. If used outdoors or in humid environments, the antennas may
fail.
Your CD has a copy of Firetide’s Antenna Guide. Contact your Firetide
Reseller for assistance in selecting and ordering outdoor antennas
suitable for your application(s).
Radio 2 MAC
address label
Radio 1 MAC
address label
Serial number
label
January 2009

18 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Adding a HotPoint AP to a HotPort Node
The Series 6200 HotPort nodes have been designed to co-mount
with Series 4600 HotPoint outdoor access points (APs). An AP can
be added to an existing Series 6200 HotPort node, or a new HotPort
node can be added to an existing AP.
Note that the hardware required for this mounting is included with
the AP, not with the Series 6200 HotPort node.
Begin by removing the backing plate from the HotPort node. Then
place the AP on the back of the HotPort, as shown in Figure 31.
Figure 31. Bolts to Attach the AP to the HotPort
Insert the bolts and tighten them to appoximately 50 N-m (36 ft-
lbs), as shown in Figure 32. Do not overtighten; these bolts thread
into aluminum.
Figure 32. AP Bolted to HotPort
Next, re-attach the backing plate to the body of the AP, as shown in
Figure 33. You may now either re-install the assembly to the mount-
ing plate, or make all cable connections and then re-install it.
Figure 33. Re-attaching the Backing Plate
Figure 34 shows a cabled-up HotPort 6202 and a HotPoint 4600.
Note that the HotPoint receives its power via PoE; no extra power
supply is required.
Also note the antenna arrangement. The AP has its two antennas
directly connected; they will point down when installed. The Hot-
Port 6202 has its two antennas remotely mounted and connected
via coax, which is visible in the picture as heavy black cable.
Figure 34. AP Cabled to HotPort 6202
January 2009

Firetide Instant Mesh Networks 19
Figure 35 shows the complete assembly of HotPort 6202 and HotPoint 4600. On the left, the unit is shown mounted directly to the vertical
mast. On the right, the assembly, complete with all antennas, has been attached to a horizontal bar which is then bolted to the mast.
Figure 35. HotPoint-HotPort Assembly; Vertical and Horizontal Mounts
Once you have completed the installation and verified that the system works correctly, you must weatherproof the connections. Directions
for this are shown in Appendix E.
January 2009

support@firetide.com, or call 1-877-FIRETIDE, extension 2, or
[phone] (direct). 140 Knowles Drive
20 HotPort Series 6000 Mesh Nodes
Appendix A - Contacting Firetide
Dealer Provided Technical Support and Warranty Services
If you need additional technical assistance, please contact your
Firetide dealer directly. All authorized Firetide dealers are trained
and authorized to provide technical support and warranty services
for our products and have qualified technical staff available to help
you build and maintain your Firetide mesh network.
Firetide Provided Technical Support
You can also get technical support from Firetide. Simply email
Product Returns
Please contact your Firetide dealer for instructions on returning
defective or damaged products for repair or replacement. Do not
return products to Firetide, Inc. Please keep all original packaging
materials in the event they are needed to return the product for ser-
vicing.
Sales Assistance
If you need additional HotPort wireless mesh nodes or accessories,
please contact your Firetide dealer directly. If you do not know your
dealer’s name, simply email sales@firetide.com and we will send
you the dealer information you need. To help us provide the best
service possible, be sure to include your phone number, address,
and the serial numbers of the HotPort nodes at your location.
Mailing Address
Firetide, Inc.
Los Gatos, CA 95032 USA
January 2009