Mine Site Technologies impact User manual

Wireless Network Switch
User Manual

Contents
Revision History............................................................................................................................................7
Contact Information.......................................................................................................................................9
About This Manual......................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 1: Understanding the Wireless Network Switch....................13
1.1 Hardware Overview...................................................................................................................14
1.2 System Layout ..........................................................................................................................16
1.3 Connectivity...............................................................................................................................16
1.3.1 Composite Fibre Ports ...............................................................................................17
1.3.2 Ethernet Ports.............................................................................................................17
1.3.3 Wireless Access..........................................................................................................18
Chapter 2: Network System Design ........................................................19
2.1 Installation Types and Coverage................................................................................................20
2.2 Power Requirements..................................................................................................................20
2.3 Choosing Antennas ...................................................................................................................20
2.4 Placement of Wireless Network Switches.................................................................................21
2.5 Placement of Antennas..............................................................................................................21
2.6 Determining Wi-Fi Distances between Wireless Network Switches.........................................23
2.6.1 Line of Sight Distances...............................................................................................23
2.6.2 Distances Around Curves...........................................................................................23
Chapter 3: Installation..............................................................................25
3.1 WNS Mounting Options............................................................................................................26
3.2 Antenna Mounting Options.......................................................................................................27
3.3 Installation Schemes..................................................................................................................28
3.3.1 Installation in a Straight Drive....................................................................................28
3.3.2 Installation in a Curved Decline / Incline...................................................................29
3.3.3 Installation in a Stope.................................................................................................30
3.3.4 Installation at an Intersection .....................................................................................31
3.4 Connecting Power to the Wireless Network Switch..................................................................33
3.4.1 Installing Additional Power........................................................................................34
3.5 Handling Composite Cable During Installation........................................................................34
3.6 Connecting Composite Cable to the Wireless Network Switch................................................35
3.7 Connecting Ethernet Cable to the Wireless Network Switch....................................................36
3.8 Connecting Antennas to the Wireless Network Switch ............................................................38
3.9 Manual Reset and Reboot .........................................................................................................40
Chapter 4: Understanding VLANs .........................................................43
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4.1 Understanding Trunk and Access Ports.....................................................................................44
4.1.1 Trunk Ports.................................................................................................................44
4.1.2 Access Ports................................................................................................................44
4.1.3 Port Allocation............................................................................................................45
4.2 VLANs and Wireless Networks.................................................................................................45
4.3 Native VLAN ............................................................................................................................46
Chapter 5: Configuration Using the Web Interface ..............................49
5.1 Logging onto the Web Browser Interface..................................................................................50
5.2 Configuration screen..................................................................................................................50
5.3 Basic Tab....................................................................................................................................51
5.3.1 Setting Up the LAN....................................................................................................51
5.3.2 Configuring Wireless Radio.......................................................................................52
5.3.3 Configuring Wireless Networks.................................................................................53
5.3.4 Configuring Wireless Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)..............................56
5.3.5 Configuring Asset Tracking and Location Based Services........................................57
5.3.6 Configuring Ethernet Switch Ports.............................................................................59
5.4 Advanced Tab............................................................................................................................60
5.4.1 Enabling the MAC Address Filter..............................................................................60
5.4.2 Fine Tuning Wireless Performance.............................................................................62
5.4.3 Defining VLANs.........................................................................................................63
5.4.4 Configuring the VLAN Port Map...............................................................................65
5.4.5 Wireless Distribution System (WDS) settings............................................................66
5.5 Tools Tab....................................................................................................................................67
5.5.1 Configuring Administrator and User Settings............................................................68
5.5.2 Saving and Restoring Configuration Settings.............................................................69
5.5.3 Activating Power Over Ethernet.................................................................................70
5.5.4 Setting the Time..........................................................................................................71
5.5.5 Rebooting or Restoring the Network Device..............................................................73
5.5.6 Upgrading Firmware...................................................................................................74
5.6 Status Tab...................................................................................................................................76
5.6.1 Obtaining Device Information....................................................................................76
5.6.2 Wireless Client Information........................................................................................77
5.6.3 Viewing System Logs.................................................................................................78
5.6.4 Viewing Network Traffic Statistics.............................................................................80
5.6.5 Viewing Ethernet Switch Information........................................................................81
5.6.6 Viewing Tracking Information....................................................................................82
5.6.7 Viewing Recent Tag Reports.......................................................................................82
Chapter 6: Centralised Configuration Management ............................85
6.1 Overview....................................................................................................................................86
6.2 Site Configuration files..............................................................................................................86
6.3 Editing Site Configuration Files................................................................................................87
6.3.1 Network......................................................................................................................87
6.3.2 System .......................................................................................................................88
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6.3.3 Setting the Time .........................................................................................................88
6.3.4 Enabling Power Over Ethernet ..................................................................................89
6.3.5 Setting up Asset Tracking and Location Servers........................................................89
6.3.6 Switch Configuration .................................................................................................90
6.3.7 VLAN Configuration..................................................................................................91
6.3.8 Wireless EAP Configuration.......................................................................................93
6.3.9 Wireless Network Configuration................................................................................93
6.4 Device Configuration Files........................................................................................................96
6.5 Editing Device Configuration Files...........................................................................................96
6.6 Applying Configuration Files ...................................................................................................97
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide ....................................................101
Appendix B: Composite Cable Testing..................................................103
B.1 Visual Inspection of the Fibre Optic Cable.............................................................................103
B.2 Measuring and Testing for Power Loss...................................................................................103
Appendix C: Ethernet Cable Specifications.........................................105
Appendix D: Connecting a PC to an ImPact Network Device............107
Appendix E: Discovering Devices on the Network...............................109
Appendix F: Timezone Indices and Offsets .........................................111
Appendix G: Power Consumption Guide.............................................115
Appendix H: Maintenance Check-list...................................................117
Appendix I: ImPact Wireless Network Switch Specifications.............119
Appendix J: Acronyms...........................................................................121
Appendix K: HardwareWarranty and Software LicenseAgreement.123
K.1 Hardware Warranty.................................................................................................................123
K.2 Software End User License Agreement..................................................................................123
Wireless Network Switch User Manual5Revision A

Revision A6Wireless Network Switch User Manual

Revision History
DateChangeRevision
July 2011Manual forWNS hardware Rev D and firmware 2.22.0A
Copyright ©2011 Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd.All rights reserved. Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd
reserves the right to make changes to specifications and information in this manual without prior notice.
Mine Site Technologies Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in this
manual.
Wireless Network Switch User Manual7Revision A

Contact Information
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
25-27 Whiting Street
Artarmon NSW 2064 AUSTRALIA
Tel: [phone]
CANADA
Sudbury
1085 Kelly Lake Road
Sudbury Ontario P3E 5P5 CANADA
Tel: [phone]
CHINA
Hangzhou
4th Floor, Building 1
No. 5 Xianghong Road
Hangzhou CHINA 310011
Tel: [phone]x206
UNITED STATES
Denver
13301 W 43rd Drive
Golden Colorado 80403 USA
Tel: [phone]
Wireless Network Switch User Manual9Revision A

AboutThis Manual
This manual describes features and functions of theWNS (Wireless Network Switch) hardware. It provides
information about system design, hardware installation, configuration and how to troubleshoot any issues.
You will find it easier to use the manual if you are familiar with networking systems and have an
understanding of electronics in a network environment.
Conventions used in the manual
This publication uses the following conventions to highlight and convey information:
• Text that requires input from an operator is boldfaced.
• Operator interface screen control names are boldfaced.
• Keyboard input keys are CAPITALISED.
Icons
Icons are used in the manual to highlight specific information as shown the table below.
DescriptionIcon
The Note icon indicates important information or references to the
user.
Note:
The Important icon contains information to prevent damage to the
product and injury to the user.
Important:
The Caution icon indicates to stop and pay attention or an action not
to be performed.
Caution:
Additional Support
For additional support please visit our website www.minesite.com.au.
Wireless Network Switch User Manual11Revision A

Chapter
1
Understanding the Wireless Network Switch
This chapter presents the features and functions of the ImPactWireless
Network Switch (WNS) and shows how it is integrated within a
network.
Topics:
•Hardware Overview
•System Layout Mine Site Technologies' ImPact WNS consists of a managed fibre
optic Ethernet switch and two 802.11 b/g wireless access points. It
•Connectivity
provides wired and wireless network access for surface and hard rock
miningenvironments.TheWNSforms a networkinfrastructure where
voice, tracking, video and process control applications can be used to
enhance mining safety and communications.
The WNS has the following features:
• Four fibre optic Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Four internal 10/100 Ethernet ports
•Four external 10/100 Ethernet ports with Power over Ethernet (PoE)
capability
• Two 802.11b/g wireless access points
•Powder-coated stainless steel enclosure meeting Ingress Protection
IP66 standards
• AeroScout®tag reading capability, allowing real time tracking of
assets and personnel
• Composite cabling system incorporating fibre optic data and DC
power
• Low power design, with a wide input voltage from 10-50VDC
•Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) support for remote
monitoring
•Wireless Distribution System (WDS) for wirelessVLAN trunking
with other ImPact network devices.
For detailed specifications on the WNS, see ImPact Wireless Network
Switch Specifications on page 119.
Wireless Network Switch User Manual13Revision A

1.1 Hardware Overview
The features and functions of the WNS are illustrated in Figure 1: WNS layout and the accompanying
table.
Figure 1:WNS layout
FunctionDescriptionKey
Connector for data transmission and / or DC power
distribution.
Composite fibre / power cable
port
1
Labelling of the fibre optic ports.Composite fibre port number2
Power indicator LED3 •Green: when power is applied to the WNS.
•Red: when the power drops below 12V.
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FunctionDescriptionKey
Status indicator LED4 •Flashing Red: startup in progress.
•Flashing Green: normal operation.
•Solid Red: indicates an error.
•Off: indicates a problem (Refer to the Troubleshooting
Guide on page 101).
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to Radio 2.MAIN antenna port for WAC 25
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to Radio 2.AUX antenna port for WAC 26
Fibre port Link / Activity LEDs7 •The top LED (green) flashes when data is transmitted or
received, and is solid when a link is established.
• The lower orange LED (orange) is active when the link
is running at 1Gbps.
An optional power inserter jack to connect to an additional
DC supply.
External power insertion DC jack
(optional)
8
• The top LED (green) is lit when the internal ports have
established a link, and flashes when data is transmitted or
received.
Internal Ethernet ports 7-8 Link /
Activity status LED
9
• The lower LED (orange) is not used.
Labelling of the Ethernet ports.External Ethernet port number10
External Ethernet with IEEE 802.3 af PoE supply capability
for powering WAPs and other network devices.
External Ethernet ports11
External Ethernet ports 9-12 Link
/ Activity status LED
12 • The top LED (green) is lit when the internal ports have
established a link and flashes when data is transmitted
or received.
• The lower LED (orange) indicates that PoE power is
active.
Labelling of the Ethernet ports.Internal Ethernet port number13
Up to two internal wireless access cards (WACs) enabling
wireless network communication. The first WAC (located
Wireless Access14
on the left) is mandatory as it also manages the switch
processor.
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to Radio 1.AUX antenna port for Radio 115
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to Radio 1.MAIN antenna port for Radio 116
A protective cover when the Ethernet port is not in use.Ethernet port protective cover17
Internal Ethernet ports 5-6 Link /
Activity status LED
18 • The top LED (green) is shared between the radio card
and the first two internal ports (Radio 1 / Port 5 and Radio
2 / Port 6).
• The LED is active when either the Wi-Fi card or the
Ethernet has a link.
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Understanding the Wireless Network Switch

FunctionDescriptionKey
•The LED flashes when data is transmitted or received.
• The lower LED (orange) will flash when a Wi-Fi tag is
detected by the radio card.
A protective cover when the antenna jack is not in use.RP-TNC antenna jack protective
cover
19
Lockable catch to prevent unauthorised access.Stainless steel enclosure lock20
Mounting holes for attaching to a WNS mounting plate for
installation.
Mounting holes21
1.2 System Layout
WNS units are installed in a mine to form a wired and wireless network. This section describes a simple
WNS system layout in a mine as shown in Figure 2: Typical WNS system layout.
The first WNS in a network is connected to an Ethernet switch and power supply either by composite
cable (providing power and network connectivity) to the WNS, or connection to the WNS Ethernet port
and external power jack.
WNS units are typically connected in series down the mine tunnel by composite cable. When the mine
tunnel splits into different sections, an additional WNS is branched from the network. WNS or Wireless
Access Point (WAP) devices can also be positioned in Wi-Fi ‘hot spots’such as crib areas and refuge
bays.
A PC or mobile device can connect to the network when in proximity of an WNS or WAP.
Figure 2:Typical WNS system layout
1.3 Connectivity
The WNS has three types of network connections:
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• Composite Fibre Ports
• Ethernet Ports
• Wireless
1.3.1 Composite Fibre Ports
WNS units have up to four composite fibre ports, interconnected by composite cables. The composite
cable contains fibre optic data cores and power (as shown in Figure 3: WNS composite cable connection),
and connectors designed for durability in underground mines.
Figure 3:WNS composite cable connection
The composite cable overcomes the challenge of limited power access in mines by distributing power
between each WNS in a network. The fibre optic cable contained in the composite cable also provides
the following benefits over standard Ethernet cabling:
•WNS units can be spaced up to several kilometres apart, compared to Ethernet cabling with a distance
limitation of 100 metres. This reduces installation cost, component count and likelihood of faults.
•Fibre optic cable has superior signal integrity, with no signal interference from high powered electronics,
such as variable speed drives.
1.3.2 Ethernet Ports
The WNS has four optional internal Ethernet ports and four external Ethernet ports enabling connection
to client devices or other networking devices.
The four external Ethernet ports also provide IEEE 802.3 af PoE (Power over Ethernet) injector
functionality, allowing a single cable to be used for data and power to network devices. Each Ethernet
port's functionality can be configured by the web browser interface, or by centralised configuration
management. For more information on configuring Ethernet ports, see Configuring the VLAN Port Map
on page 65.
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Understanding the Wireless Network Switch

1.3.3Wireless Access
Wireless connectivity in each WNS is implemented using a WAC (Wireless Access Card), consisting of
a wireless network processor and an integrated mini PCI 802.11b/g adapter.
A WNS can contain up to two WACs. The WAC contained in the first radio card slot (on the left side)
also acts as the management CPU for the switch processor. As such, it is mandatory that this WAC is
fitted to each unit. TheWAC operational parameters can be configured through the web browser interface
or by centralised configuration management. For more information, see Configuring Wireless Radio on
page 52 and Editing Site Configuration Files on page 87.
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Chapter
2
Network System Design
This chapter describes network system design for underground mines.
Topics:
A MST System Engineer will usually design and preconfigure a
network based on the requirements and layout of each mine site. This
•InstallationTypes and Coverage
•Power Requirements will involve a visual inspection of the mine site to identify user areas,
•Choosing Antennas and determine access point locations. A RF (Radio Frequency) site
•Placement of Wireless Network
Switches survey is also conducted to understand the behaviour of radio waves
in the mine. The following factors help determine network design:
•Placement of Antennas
•Determining Wi-Fi Distances
between Wireless Network
Switches
• Wireless coverage requirements of the mine
• Quantity and type of wireless client devices connected to the
network
• Wired client devices connected to the network and their location
• Interconnection to the mine's existing corporate network
• Policies for network protocol between networks
• Cabling requirements
•Antenna types to use with each unit and mounting method for each
antenna
•Mounting location and installation method for each network device.
Wireless Network Switch User Manual19Revision A

2.1 InstallationTypes and Coverage
Wireless network coverage can be described as:
•Wi-Fi hotspot — Network coverage is provided in key areas, such as crib areas and refuge bays.
•Full coverage — Seamless wireless coverage by strategically placing WNS units so their radio fields
overlap.
AWNS can communicate at wireless distances of 150-300 meters, depending on the geometry and geology
of the mine.
2.2 Power Requirements
The power requirements for a network are unique to each site installation. Determining power requirements
can be complex and is dependent on various factors such as the number of WNS units, PoE devices,
branches in the network and composite cable lengths.
Note: A site inspection conducted by a MST System Engineer will help determine the power
requirements for your network.
TheWNS is designed to operate at a wide voltage range, from a minimum of 10VDC up to 50VDC. Each
WNS in a network can internally step up the incoming voltage to 48VDC in order to supply power to
connected PoE devices. The WNS needs to receive a minimum input of 15VDC to power connected PoE
devices.
48VDC power supplies are used for large networks to maximise the distance between power supplies.
For smaller networks of 1-2 nodes, it is recommended that a lower voltage 24VDC power supply is used.
2.3 Choosing Antennas
Antennas are connected to eachWNS to provide wireless network coverage.The type of wireless coverage,
surrounding geology, tunnel topology and stratum type are factors that will determine the choice of
antenna. A minimum of one antenna is required per WAC in a WNS.
Antennas consist of two directional patterns:
•Omnidirectional antennas — radiate equally in all directions for a short range, providing immediate
coverage in an open area.
•Directional antennas — radiate in a specific direction over a longer range. A higher gain antenna
will have a longer range and is more directional. It is important that directional antennas are aligned
properly between WNS units.
The antenna radiation pattern and polarisation need to be considered to provide suitable wireless coverage
in an area.
Antennas commonly used with the WNS are shown below.
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Network System Design