GE MDS entraNET Series User guide

Start-Up Guide
Access Point
Remote
900 MHz and 2400 MHz
Extended Range IP Networking Transceivers
Firmware Release 3.0
MDS 05-4565A01, Rev. A
MAY 2007
MDS entraNET Series
™

Refer to the Installation Reference Chart
at the middle of this guide for essential
installation and configuration details.

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 1
Contents
OPERATIONAL & SAFETY NOTICES ................................... 2
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION..................................................... 4
Feature Summary ....................................................................... 4
GE MDS CYBER SECURITY SUITE ..................................... 4
INSTALLATION PLANNING.................................................... 5
INSTALLATION STEPS .......................................................... 5
Step 1—Mount the Radios.......................................................... 5
Step 2—Install the Antenna ........................................................ 7
Step 3—Measure & Connect DC Power ..................................... 7
Step 4—Configure the AP........................................................... 8
Step 5—Configure the Remote Radio ...................................... 10
Step 6—Connect the Terminal Equipment................................ 11
Step 7—Check for Normal Operation ....................................... 12
Resetting to Factory Defaults (Use with Care).......................... 14
AIMING DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS FOR MAXIMUM
RSSI ..................................................................................... 15
TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................... 17
Interpreting the Front Panel LEDs............................................. 18
Troubleshooting Using the Embedded Management System ... 20
Ethernet Packet Statistics Menu ................................................23
Serial Port and Remote Serial Statistics Menu..........................25
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE .................................................. 26
FACTORY SERVICE............................................................. 26
.
Copyright Notice
This publication is protected by copyright law. Copyright 2007, GE MDS, LLC. All
rights reserved.

2 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
Manual Revision and Accuracy
While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this manual,
product improvements may result in minor differences between the manual and the
product shipped to you. If you have questions or need an exact specification for a
product, please contact our Technical Services Team using the information at the back
of this guide. Microwave Data Systems reserves its right to correct any errors or omis-
sions. Updated information may also be available on our Web site at:
www.GEmds.com. This manual is for the use of professionals to guide them in the
installation, operation and basic system maintenance of the equipment described.
OPERATIONAL & SAFETY NOTICES
Professional installation required. The radio equipment
described in this guide emits radio frequency energy.
Although the power level is low, the concentrated
energy from a directional antenna may pose a health
hazard. Do not allow people to come closer than 23 cm
(9 inches) to the antenna when the transmitter is oper-
ating in indoor or outdoor environments. More informa-
tion on RF exposure is available on the Internet at
www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins.
Installation in Hazardous Locations
The transceiver is not acceptable as a stand-alone unit for use in hazardous locations.
It must either be mounted within another piece of equipment which is certified for
hazardous locations, or installed within guidelines, or conditions of approval set forth
below:
1. The transceiver must be mounted within a separate enclosure which is suitable for
the intended application.
2. The antenna feedline, DC power cable and interface cable must be routed through
conduit in accordance with applicable electrical codes.
3. Installation, operation and maintenance of the transceiver should be in accordance
with the transceiver's manual, and applicable electrical codes.
4. Tampering or replacement with non-factory components may adversely affect the
safe use of the transceiver in hazardous locations, and may void the approval.
5. A power connector with screw-type retaining screws as supplied by the
manufacturer must be used.
6. Articles 500 through 502 of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) provide fur-
ther information on hazardous locations and approved wiring methods.
Do not connect or disconnect equipment unless
power has been switched off or the area is
known to be non-hazardous.
Refer to Articles 500 through 502 of the National
Electrical Code (NFPA 70) for further information
on hazardous locations and approved Division 2
wiring methods.
RF Exposure
EXPLOSION
HAZARD!

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 3
Environmental Information
The manufacture of this equipment has required the extraction and use of natural
resources. Improper disposal may contaminate the environment and present a health
risk due to hazardous substances contained within. To avoid dissemination of these
substances into our environment, and to limit the demand on natural resources, we
encourage you to use the appropriate recycling systems for disposal. These systems
will reuse or recycle most of the materials found in this equipment in a sound way.
Please contact MDS or your supplier for more information on the proper disposal of
this equipment.
About This Guide
This guide presents installation and initial operating instructions for the
MDS entra NET Series™ networking transceivers. Following installation, we suggest
keeping this guide near the equipment for future reference.
The scope of this manual is limited to the safe and effective installation of the unit in
typical office or non-hazardous industrial settings. Users who require optimization of
the equipment’s capabilities and operating range should read the
MDS entraNET 900/2400 Transceiver Installation and Operation Guide ,
P/N 05-4055A01. This manual provides more in-depth information on antenna selec-
tion and optimization, and extensive coverage on user-controllable parameters and
diagnostic tools.
Key installation information is contained on the
Installation Reference Chart found at
the center of this guide.

4 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The entraNET system is an easy-to-install wireless solution sup-
porting long-range serial and Ethernet data transmission at a speed of
106 kbps. The typical system set-up includes an Access Point (AP)
transceiver and one or multiple Remote transceivers.
Feature Summary
The MDS entraNET design makes installation and configuration an
easy task, while allowing for configuration changes in the future.
• Long-range transmission over favorable, unobstructed terrain,
with sufficient antenna heights
• Fast, 106 kbps data speed—Ten times faster than 9.6 kbps
radios
• Low power consumption—Sleep and Shutdown modes to
enable solar-powered operation
• Repeater configurations—A repeater scheme can be established
to extend the transmission range or to work around obstructions
in a network. This is accomplished by connecting two radios
back to back at a single site.
• Industrial-grade product—Extended temperature range for
trouble-free operation in extreme environments
• Robust radio communications—Designed to perform in
high-interference environments
• MDS Security Suite—Blocks common attack schemes and pre-
vents “rogue” hardware from gaining access to or control of a
network. Common attack events are logged and reported via
alarms.
• Simple setup—Ethernet bridge configuration option requires
minimal setup
• Serial ports—Embedded terminal server for serial interface
equipment
GE MDS CYBER SECURITY SUITE
The operation and management of an enterprise is becoming increas-
ingly dependent on electronic information flow. An accompanying
concern is the cyber security of the communication infrastructure.

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 5
The entraNET transceivers are capable of dealing with many common
security issues. Table 1 profiles security risks and how the transceivers
provide a solution for minimizing vulnerability.
INSTALLATION PLANNING
It is highly recommended that the Access Point unit be installed first.
With this plan, you can quickly check the operation of each associated
Remote as it is placed on the air.
Should further information be needed, see “TECHNICAL ASSIS-
TANCE” on Page 28 of this guide for information on contacting the
MDS Technical Services Group. You will also find support informa-
tion at the GE MDS Web site: www.GEmds.com.
INSTALLATION STEPS
There are three main requirements for installing the transceiver. They
are: adequate and stable DC power, a good antenna system, and the
correct interface between the transceiver and the data device.
Step 1—Mount the Radios
Figure 1 shows the dimensions of the AP transceiver with mounting
brackets attached. Figure 2 shows the same view for a Remote trans-
ceiver. When mounting entraNET transceivers, choose a location that
provides easy access to the connectors on the end of the radio and an
unobstructed view of the LED status indicators.
Table 1. entraNET Cyber Security Highlights
Security Level Specification
• MDS Cyber Security
Suite, Level 3:
• RC4-128 encryption
• Automatic rotating key algorithm
• Approved AP/Remotes list (local authentication)
• Failed login lockdown
• 900 MHz operation and proprietary data framing

6 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
Invisibleplaceholder
Invisibleplaceholder
.
Figure 1. AP Mounting Bracket Spacing
Invisibleplaceholder
Figure 2. Remote Mounting Brackets Spacing
DIN Rail Mounting Option
The radio is available with an optional 35 mm DIN Rail Mounting
Bracket (Part No. 03-4022A02). Equipment cabinets and racks of
recent design often employ this type of mounting. A transceiver with
a DIN bracket can be quickly installed or removed without tools.
Figure 3 on Page 7 shows how the DIN rail bracket attaches to the
back of the radio, and how the entire radio attaches to the mounting
rail.
2.75˝(7 cm)
7.25˝(18.4 cm)
2.75˝(7 cm)
6.69˝(16.99 cm)

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 7
Invisibleplaceholder
Figure 3. DIN Rail Mounting Details for MDS Equipment
Step 2—Install the Antenna
To minimize radio frequency interference, the antenna should be
mounted at least nine inches (> 23 cm) from the connected device(s),
sensors and other components of the system.
Step 3—Measure & Connect DC Power
The power applied to transceivers (AP and Remotes) must be within
6–30 Vdc and be capable of continuously providing a minimum of 11
Watts. (Typical power consumption is 800 mA at 13.8 Vdc for the AP
and 600 mA at 13.8 Vdc for Remotes.)
A power connector with screw terminals is provided with each radio.
Strip the wire leads to 6 mm (0.25"). Be sure to observe proper
polarity, as shown in Figure 4, with the positive lead (
+ ) on the left.
NOTE:
It takes approximately 30 seconds for the AP transceiver to
power up and be ready for operation. The Remote requires
approximately five seconds to power up.
Step 1: Attach the bracket using
the two screws provided. (Attach
to the end opposite the connectors.)
Step 2: Snap the assembly onto
the DIN rail. To remove the radi
o,
pull down on the release tab.

8 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
Invisibleplaceholder
Figure 4. DC Power Connector
The transceiver must be used only with
negative-ground systems. Make sure the
polarity of the power source is correct. The
radio is protected from reverse polarity by
an internal diode and an on-board fuse.
Step 4—Configure the AP
The AP must be configured first, as Remote transceivers depend on the
AP beacon signal to achieve a connected (linked) state. For detailed
AP menu navigation instructions, refer to the
MDS entraNET System
Guide (05-4055A01) .
a. Connect to the AP using a serial or Ethernet connection.
Console Terminal Connection (recommended for first-time log-in)
To configure the AP using the serial
COM1
port, connect a PC to the
COM1
port on the radio and configure HyperTerminal with the fol-
lowing data parameters:
• 19200 bps
• 8 bits, no parity, one stop bit (8N1)
• hardware flow control disabled
• VT100 emulation
Telnet Connection Using the AP LAN Port
To configure the AP via its
LAN
port, connect a PC Ethernet port to the
AP with an Ethernet crossover cable, and start a telnet session to the
IP address of the AP. The default is 192.168.1.1.
b. Log in to the AP as follows:
Lead
Screws (2)
Binding
Wire Ports (2)
(Polarity: Left +, Right –)
Retaining
Screws (2)
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 9
• Press the key to receive the
login
prompt. The
COM1 / LAN LED flashes to indicate data communications.
• At the login
prompt, enter the username (
admin
is the default
username). Press .
• At the
Password
prompt, enter the password (
admin
is the
default password). Press
.
Upon successful log-in, the
Starting Information Screen appears.
c. Review the current settings and make any necessary changes.
Typically, the parameters shown in Table 2 are the only settings that
need to be set or reviewed. A complete list of AP commands appears
in the MDS entraNET System Guide (05-4055A01) .
Table 2. Key AP Parameters & Defaults
Menu Item Management
System
Location
Default Values or Range
IP Address Main Menu >>
Network
Configuration >
IP Configuration
192.168.1.1 Contact your
Network
Administrator.
If IP Address Mode
(below) is set to
Dynamic, IP
Address is
configured
automatically.
IP Address
Mode
Main Menu >>
Network
Configuration >
IP Configuration
Static Static | Dynamic
IP Netmask Main Menu >>
Network
Configuration >
IP Configuration
255.255.0.0 Settable per
customer
requirements
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER

10 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
Step 5—Configure the Remote Radio
a. Connect a PC to the
COM1
port on the radio. Establish a
HyperTerminal session with the following data parameters:
• 19200 bps
• 8 bits, no parity, one stop bit (8N1)
• hardware flow control disabled
• VT100 emulation
Net
Address
Main Menu >>
Network
Configuration >
Wireless MAC
Configuration
9999 1-15 alphanumeric
characters. A good
choice is the last
four digits of the AP
serial number.
RF Output
Power
(non-ETSI)
Main Menu >>
Radio
Configuration >
900 MHz: 30
dBm
2.4 GHz: 27
dBm
900 MHz: 20–30
dBm
2.4 GHz: 17-27
dBm
RF Output
Power
(ETSI)
Main Menu >>
Radio
Configuration >
2.4 GHz: 20
dBm
2.4 GHz: 10-20
dBm
Password
Changes
Main Menu >>
Security
Configuration >
User Passwords
Administrator
Password:
admin (lower
case)
Guest
Password:
guest (lower
case)
• 1–8 alphanumeric
characters
• Passwords are
case sensitive;
can be mixed case
Table 2. Key AP Parameters &
Menu Item Management
System
Location
Default Values or Range

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 11
Invisibleplaceholder
Invisibleplaceholder
Invisibleplaceholder
Invisibleplaceholder
Invisibleplaceholder
Figure 5. Remote Configuration Setup
b. Login to the remote radio:
• Press several times to receive the
entranet> prompt.
(The
COM1
/
ETH
LED blinks to indicate data communication.)
• At the
entranet>
prompt, enter
login
. Press .
• At the next prompt, enter the username (the default username is
admin
). Press .
• At next prompt, enter the password (the default password is
admin
). Press . The radio is now ready to accept com-
mands.
c. Set or Verify Network Address:
• Type
RADIO NETADDR=
to display the currently programmed
network address.
• If changes are required, type RADIO NETADDR=<netaddr>,
where <netaddr> is 1-15 alphanumeric characters. (The network
address of the Remote radio must match that of the AP.)
7. Verify that the LINK LED lights to indicate successful connection
with the AP. (It may take several seconds for the LED to light.)
Step 6—Connect the Terminal Equipment
Be sure not to overload the radio network with high-bandwidth LAN
traffic during this test. Refer to the MDS entraNET System Guide
(05-4055A01) for more information.
PC Running Terminal Session
(19,200 bps, 8N1)
LINK COM2
COM1 PWR
Remote
CO 1 Port
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER
ENTER

12 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
Ethernet Device Connection to Remote
NOTE: Verify that the Remote ETH port is enabled (on) using the ETH
command. If it is not, use the ETH=ON command to enable the
port.
Connect an Ethernet endpoint to the Remote ETH port. The ETH port
supports any Ethernet-compatible device. This includes a device that
uses the Internet Protocol (IP).
Serial Device Connection to Remote
Connect a serial device to the Remote COM2 port and verify that the
port settings are compatible with the connected device (baud rate, data
format, etc.).
Step 7—Check for Normal Operation
In this step you will verify the proper operation of wireless communi-
cations between an Access Point and the associated Remotes.
At All Units...
Observe the transceiver LEDs on the top cover for the proper indica-
tions. In a normally operating system, the following LED indications
should be seen within 30 seconds of start-up:
•PWR—Lit continuously
•LINK—Lit continuously (unless Sleep is enabled)
•ETH—On, or blinks intermittently
•COM1/COM2—Blinks to indicate data communications
Table 3 on Page 13 provides details on the LED functions for Remotes
and AP radios.

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 13
Table 3. Transceiver LED Functions
At the Access Point Unit...
a. If the Access Point unit is the first unit you are installing, send
a PING command to it through the LAN port. This verifies basic
LAN connectivity.
b. Connect to the radio’s management system via Telnet and
check for the list of connected Remotes.
c. Check the Starting Information screen for the Device Status. It
will show one of the following:
Operational—The unit is operating normally.
Alarmed—An alarm event has been logged and not cleared.
At Remote Units...
a. Look for the LINK LED to light and remain on. This indicates
the unit has successfully associated with the Access Point.
(Association may take several seconds.)
LED Label Activity Indication
LAN/ETH ON LAN or endpoint detected
Blinking Data TX or RX
OFF LAN or endpoint not detected
COM1
(MGT System)
Blinking Data TX or RX
OFF No data activity
COM2 Blinking Data TX or RX
OFF No data activity
PWR ON Primary power (DC) present
Blinking Radio in “Alarmed” state
OFF Primary power (DC) absent
LINK (AP) ON Lights when radio has finished
its startup cycle. Remains lit.
LINK (Remote) ON Connected to an AP
OFF Not connected to an AP

14 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
b. Check the Starting Information screen for the Device Status
(also known as Connection Status). It will show one of the fol-
lowing:
Scanning—The unit is looking for an Access Point beacon
signal.
Exp(ecting) Sync(hronization)—The unit has found a valid
beacon signal for its network.
Hop Sync—The unit has changed its frequency hopping pat-
tern to match that of the Access Point.
Connected —The unit has a radio (RF) connection with the
Access Point, but has not obtained cyber-security clearance
to pass data.
Associated —This unit has successfully synchronized and
associated with an Access Point. This is the normal status.
Alarmed—The unit is has detected one or more alarms that
have not been cleared.
c. When the network is operating properly based on observation
of the unit’s LEDs, connect a computer to the transceiver’s
data port that will be used by the local terminal equipment.
Send the PING command to verify the communications link
integrity with the Access Point.
d. After the PING command is successful, connect the terminal
equipment to the radio’s data port and verify normal opera-
tion.
If all checks are OK, you are finished with the installation at this site.
Resetting to Factory Defaults (Use with Care)
This procedure may be useful when several parameters have been
modified, and there is no track of changes. It causes the transceiver to
return to a known-operational state.
To reset all transceiver parameters back to the factory defaults,
including the password (default = admin), you must enter a special
code (authorization key) provided by the factory in place of the user
name at the time of login.
To reset the admin password to the factory default (“admin”)
(Figure 6):

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Menu Flowchart
96
5 1
Pin Functions
1.....Unused 2.....Receive Data (RXD) 3.....Transmit Data (TXD) 4.....Unused 5.....Signal Ground (GND) 6.....Unused 7.....Unused 8.....Unused 9.....Unused RS/EIA -232
Pin Functions
1.....Data Carrier Detect (DCD) 2.....Receive Data (RXD) 3.....Transmit Data (TXD) 4.....Data Terminal Ready (DTR) 5.....Signal Ground (GND) 6.....Data Set Ready (DSR) 7.....Request-to-Send (RTS) 8.....Clear-to-Send (CTS) 9.....Unused RS/EIA-232
69
15
Pin Functions
1.....Transmit Data (TX) 2.....Transmit Data (TX) 3.....Receive Data (RX) 4.....Unused 5.....Unused 6.....Receive Data (RX) 7.....Unused 8.....Unused 10BaseT Supported
INTERFACE FUNCTIONS AND DEFAULTS
LED FUNCTIONS & INDICATIONS
LAN ......ON ............LAN detected
Flashing....Data TX/RX
OFF ..........LAN not detected
COM1 ...Flashing....Data TX/RX Activity
OFF ..........No data activity
COM2 ...Flashing....Data TX/RX Activity
OFF ..........No data activity
All connections viewed from outside the radio.
INTERFACE PINOUTS
MAIN MENU
Radio
Configuration
RF Output
Power
Dwell Time
Contention Window
(Min.)
Contention Window
(Max.)
Repeat Count
Unicast Retry Count
Skip Zones
Network
Configuration
Bridge Configuration
SNMP Agent Configuration
Mobility Configuration
IP Configuration
Wireless MAC Config.
Security
Configuration
Remote Serial
Gateway
RSG Talkback Enable
RSG Talkback Timeout
Remote Serial Wizard
Local Serial
Configuration
COM1/COM2 Port Status
RSG Entries
Various submenus and
parameters, depending on mode
selected
COM1/COM2 Serial
Configuration Wizard
Various submenus and
parameters, depending on mode
selected
COM 1/2 Data Stats
Remote Management
Wireless Network
Reprogramming
Configuration/
RSG Scripts
PING Utility
Authorization Codes
Statistics/Event Log Maintenance/Tools
Remote Serial
Device
Information
Serial Number
Uptime
Date
Date Format
Time
Model
Console Baud Rate
Device Names
Radio Packet Statistics
Ethernet/Wireless
Packet Statistics
DNP3 Routing
DNP Multicast Address
DNP Multicast Port
DNP Unicast Port
DNP Routing Enable
DNP Routing Database
Redundancy
Network Event Triggers
Hardware Event Triggers
Redundancy Config. Options
Redundancy Configuration
Force Switchover
Database Timeout
Max Remotes
Remote Database
Endpoint Database
Access Point Database
Endpoint Logging
Transmitter Test
Event Log
Gateway Statistics
Approved Remote
Encryption Enable
HTTP Access
Telnet Access
SNMP Mode
Approved Remotes List
Remote Access Manager
Encryption Phrase
HTTP Security Mode
Auto Key Rotation
Force Key Rotation
Max Remotes
User Passwords
Remote Access IP
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
PWR .....ON ............Primary power (DC) present
Flashing....Alarm present
OFF ..........Primary power (DC) absent
LINK .....ON ............Default state
Flashing....Data Tx/Rx
LINK ˚.....ON ............Associated to AP
Flashing....Data Tx/Rx OFF ..........Not Associated with AP
Access Point
Remote Gateway
COM1 •
DCE (Console/Terminal only)
•
19,200 bps/8N1
•
No Handshaking
•
RS/EIA-232
COM2
•
DCE (Tto serial equip.)
•
19,200 bps/8N1
•
Full Handshaking
•
RS/EIA-232
PRIMARY POWER
•
6–30 Vdc
(800 ma @ 13.8 Vdc) 
•
Negative Ground
ANTENNA
•
TNC Conn.
•
+30 dBm/1W Out (M
•
–30 dBm Input (Max.
LAN •
10-Base-T
•
IP/Ethernet Port
•
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
COM2 •
DCE (To serial equip.)
•
115,200 bps/8N1
•
Full Handshaking
•
RS/EIA-232
ANTENNA
•
TNC Connector
•
+30 dBm/1W Out
•
–30 dBm Input
(Max.)
LAN •
10-Base-T
•
IP/Ethernet Port
•
No IP Address–
Endpoint Bridge Only
COM1
•
DCE (Console/Terminal only)
•
19,200 bps/8N1
•
No Handshaking
•
RS/EIA-232
PRIMARY POWER •
6–30 Vdc
(600 ma @ 13.8 Vdc) 
•
Negative Ground
REMOTE
ACCESS POINT
COM1: DB-9 M / DCE
COM2: DB-9F / DTE
LAN: ETHERNET
NOTES
• Chart shows top-level view only. See User’s Guide for details.
• Not all menu items are-user configurable
• Some items depend on Device Mode
• Bolded items indicate a menu selection
• Spacebar used to make some menu selections
• AP = Access Point Only
• RM = Remote Only

INSTALLATION REFERENCE CHART
INSTALLATION REFERENCE CHART
Detailed instructions are contained in the Reference Manual, P/N 05-4055A01
INSTALLATION SUMMARY
Step 1 — Initial Checkout
Set the equipment up in a tabletop arrangement.
Review the transceiver's Configuration. As a minimum, Access Points must have the following programmed: IP Address,
IP Network identifier, and Radio Network Address. (RF output power and Password should also be reviewed and set
as necessary.) Remote radios normally require only a Radio Network Address to be set. (Note: The Remote Radio
Network Address must match that of the AP.)
Connect data equipment to the transceivers.
Verify proper exchange of data communications by viewing the LEDs:
PWR—Lit continuously
LINK—Lit continuously
ETH—Lit continuously (unless Sleep is activated)
COM2—Blinking to indicate exchange of data communications
Step 2 — Endpoint Connectivity (PING) Test—for Ethernet Systems Only
Verify the link integrity between the Access Point and endpoint devices connected to Remotes by issuing a PING
command from the AP.
Step 3 — Set Configuration of AP and Remote Radios
Step 4 — Install the Equipment in the Field
After basic installation, optimize the performance of the radio network.
KEY AP PARAMETERS & DEFAULTS

05-4565A01, Rev. A MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 15
1. At the login prompt, type authcode.
2. At the password prompt, type authcode.
3. At the authorization prompt, enter the authorization code.
Figure 6. Reset Password to Factory Default
NOTE: For enhanced security, consider using a misspelled word. This
helps protect against sophisticated hackers who may use a
database of common words (as, for example, in a dictionary
attack) to determine a password. An even better approach is to
use a password that includes some numbers. Making the pass-
word as long as possible (up to the full eight characters) also
improves its security.
AIMING DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS FOR
MAXIMUM RSSI
The wireless network integrity depends, in a large part, on stable radio
signal levels being received at each end of a data link. In general,
signal levels stronger than –90 dBm provides the basis for reliable
communication that includes a 15 dB fade margin. As the distance
between the AP and Remotes increases, the influence of terrain,
foliage, and man-made obstructions become more influential, and the
use of directional antennas at remote locations becomes necessary.
Directional antennas usually require some fine-tuning of their bearing
to optimize the received signal strength. The transceiver has a built-in
received signal strength indicator (RSSI) that can be used to tell you
when the antenna is in a position that provides the optimum received
signal.
(none) login: authcode
Password:
MDS EntraNET Access Point
No directory, logging in with HOME=/
MDS EntraNET
Device Name: AP EntraNET 900
Serial Number: 1437374
Enter Authorization Code>

16 MDS entraNET Start-Up Guide 05-4565A01, Rev. A
RSSI measurements and Wireless Packet Statistics are based on mul-
tiple samples over a period of several seconds. The average of these
measurements is displayed by the entraNET MS.
The measurement and antenna alignment process usually takes 10 or
more minutes at each transceiver.
The path to the Management System Menu item is shown in bold text
below each step of the procedure.
Procedure
1. Verify that the Remote is associated with an AP radio. Observe the
condition of the LINK LED.
LINK LED = on or blinking
This indicates that you have an adequate signal level for the
measurements, and it is safe to proceed.
2. View and record the Radio Retries and No Ack counts on the Radio
Packet Statistics Screen (Figure 8 on Page 24). This information
will be used later.
3. Clear the Radio Statistics history.
4. Read the RSSI level at the Remote (RADIO RSSI=).
5. Optimize the RSSI by slowly adjusting the direction of the
antenna and watching for a peak in received signal strength. Get
the RSSI indication several times after making each adjustment,
so that the RSSI accurately reflects any change in the link signal
strength. The higher the indication (less negative), the stronger the
signal level (that is, –60 is better than –70).
6. View the Radio Retries and No Ack counts at the point of maxi-
mum RSSI level. They should be the same or lower than the previ-
ous reading.
(Main Menu > Performance Information > Packet Statistics > Wire-
less Packet Statistics)
If the RSSI peak results in an increase in the Radio Retries and No
Ack counts, the antenna may be aimed at an undesired signal
source. Try a different antenna orientation.