Mine Site Technologies NS40 I.S. User manual

NS40 I.S.Wireless Network Switch
User Manual

Contents
Revision History............................................................................................................................................7
Contact Information.......................................................................................................................................9
About This Manual......................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 1: I.S. Wireless Network Switch................................................13
1.1 Hardware Overview...................................................................................................................14
1.2 System Layout Overview..........................................................................................................15
1.3 Connectivity...............................................................................................................................16
1.3.1 Composite Fibre Ports................................................................................................17
1.3.2 Wireless Access Points...............................................................................................18
Chapter 2: Installing I.S. Wireless Network Switches...........................19
2.1 Pre-Installation Planning...........................................................................................................20
2.2 Mounting an I.S. Wireless Network Switch..............................................................................20
2.3 Cables........................................................................................................................................21
2.3.1 Power and Data Cables...............................................................................................21
2.3.2 Coaxial cables ............................................................................................................24
2.4 Antennas....................................................................................................................................26
2.4.1 Antenna Placement and Layout..................................................................................27
2.5 Before Powering Up the I.S. Network Switch...........................................................................28
Chapter 3: Understanding VLANs .........................................................29
3.1 Understanding Trunk and Access Ports.....................................................................................30
3.1.1 Trunk Ports.................................................................................................................30
3.1.2 Access Ports................................................................................................................30
3.1.3 Port Allocation............................................................................................................30
3.2 Wireless MAC VLAN Bridge....................................................................................................30
3.3 Native VLAN ............................................................................................................................31
Chapter 4: Configuration using the Web Browser Interface ...............33
4.1 Logging onto the Web Browser Interface..................................................................................34
4.2 Configuration Page....................................................................................................................34
4.2.1 Changes Menu............................................................................................................35
4.3 Overview Tab.............................................................................................................................36
4.3.1 Setting the Language..................................................................................................36
4.3.2 Logging out of the web browser interface..................................................................37
4.4 Status tab....................................................................................................................................37
4.4.1 Viewing System Status...............................................................................................37
4.4.2 Viewing Interfaces......................................................................................................38
I.S. Wireless Network Switch3Revision A

4.4.3 Viewing Wireless Networks........................................................................................39
4.4.4 Viewing Routes...........................................................................................................40
4.4.5 Viewing System logs...................................................................................................40
4.4.6 Viewing Kernel Logs..................................................................................................41
4.5 System tab..................................................................................................................................42
4.5.1 Changing System Settings..........................................................................................42
4.5.2 Changing the System Administrator Password...........................................................43
4.5.3 Managing System Processes.......................................................................................44
4.5.4 Configuring Location Based Services........................................................................45
4.5.5 Configuring Network Time........................................................................................47
4.5.6 Backup and Restore Settings......................................................................................48
4.5.7 Rebooting the Device.................................................................................................49
4.6 Network Tab..............................................................................................................................50
4.6.1 Configuring LAN Interface Settings..........................................................................50
4.6.2 Configuring Wireless Interface Settings.....................................................................51
4.6.3 Configuring Spanning Tree Protocol..........................................................................54
4.6.4 Configuring Composite Fibre Ports............................................................................56
4.6.5 Defining VLANs.........................................................................................................57
4.6.6 Adding Static Routes..................................................................................................59
4.6.7 Configuring Wireless MAC VLAN Bridge Settings..................................................60
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide ......................................................63
Appendix B: Acronyms.............................................................................65
Appendix C: Composite Cable Testing....................................................67
C.1 Visual Inspection of the Fibre Optic Cable...............................................................................67
C.2 Measuring and Testing for Power Loss.....................................................................................67
Appendix D: Connecting a PC to an I.S. Wireless Network Switch.....69
Appendix E: Discovering Devices on the Network.................................73
Appendix F: I.S. Wireless Network Switch Reset and Reboot..............75
Appendix G: I.S. Wireless Network Switch Specifications....................79
Appendix H: Maintenance Checklist......................................................81
Appendix I: MSHA and IEC Approvals.................................................83
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Appendix J: Warranty and License Agreement.....................................85
J.1 Hardware Warranty....................................................................................................................85
J.2 Software End User License Agreement.....................................................................................85
I.S. Wireless Network Switch5Revision A

Revision A6I.S. Wireless Network Switch

Revision History
DateChangeRevision
June 2011User manual for NS40 hardware rev. D and firmware
0.9.36
A
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.
I.S. Wireless Network Switch7Revision 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]
I.S. Wireless Network Switch9Revision A

AboutThis Manual
This manual describes features and functions of the NS40 Intrinsically Safe Wireless Network Switch.
It provides information about hardware installation, operation, 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.
I.S. Wireless Network Switch11Revision A

Chapter
1
I.S.Wireless Network Switch
The Mine Site Technologies Intrinsically Safe Wireless Network
Switch (NS40) consists of a managed fibre optic Ethernet switch and
Topics:
•Hardware Overview two 802.11b/g wireless access points. It provides wired and wireless
•System Layout Overview network access in hazardous coal mining environments. The NS40
•Connectivity forms part of the ImPact Intrinsically Safe Communications System,
providing the network infrastructure where voice, tracking, video,
process control and data applications are used to enhance mining safety
and communication.
The NS40 has the following features:
• Four fibre optic fast Ethernet ports
• Two 802.11b/g wireless access points
•Powder-coated stainless steel enclosure complying to IP65 standards
• Aeroscout Tag reading capability for real time tracking of assets
and personnel
• Composite cabling which can incorporate both power and fibre
optic connectivity
• Low power design operating from 8 to15.1VDC for Intrinsically
Safe mining environments
• Spanning Tree Protocol for network redundancy.
I.S. Wireless Network Switch13Revision A

1.1 Hardware Overview
The features and functions of the NS40 are illustrated in Figure 1 and the accompanying table.
Figure 1: NS40 hardware
FunctionDescriptionKey
Power and / or fibre optic connectivity via composite cable,
fibre optic cable or DC power cable.
Composite fibre port.1
By default, composite fibre port 1 is the upstream port.Composite fibre port number.2
The status LEDs indicate the following:
IndicationLED status
Status indicator LED for each
CPU.
3
CPU is not running.Off
CPU is operating.Blinking slowly
CPU is booting up.Blinking fast
Wi-Fi LEDs indicate the following:
IndicationLED status
Wi-Fi indicator LED for each
CPU.
4
Wireless radio is disabled.Off
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I.S. Wireless Network Switch

FunctionDescriptionKey
IndicationLED status
Wireless radio is enabled.On
Transmitting or receiving data.Flashing
The fibre port LEDs indicate the following:
IndicationLED status
Composite fibre port link /
Activity LEDs.
5
Fibre transceiver is disabled or has not
established a link to the next device.
Off
Fibre transceiver is enabled and has
established a link to the next device.
On
Transmitting or receiving data.Flashing
NS40 mounting point.25mm diameter mounting hole.6
NS40 mounting point.10mm diameter mounting hole.7
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to wireless radio 1.Receive (Rx) antenna port for
wireless radio 1.
8
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to wireless radio 1.Transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx)
antenna port for wireless radio 1.
9
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to wireless radio 2.Receive (Rx) antenna port for
wireless radio 2.
10
RP-TNC jack for connecting an antenna to wireless radio 2.Transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx)
antenna port for wireless radio 2.
11
Protective cap when antenna ports are not in use.Antenna port protective cap.12
Protective arm to lock fibre port covers and cable connectors.Composite fibre port retention
arm.
13
1.2 System Layout Overview
NS40s are used to form a network system known as the ImPact Intrinsically Safe Communications System.
Each NS40 is placed at a location where data, voice, and tracking applications are required.
An Intrinsically Safe network consists of a number of cells. Each cell consists of:
• A power supply unit (PSU)
• Up to four NS40s
• A pair of antennas for each 802.11b/g wireless access point
• Interconnection cables consisting of power cables, fibre optic cables, composite cables and coaxial
cables
• Antenna splitter boxes
• Junction boxes that are used to join composite cable lengths greater than 325m.
I.S. Wireless Network Switch15Revision A
I.S. Wireless Network Switch

Figure 2: An example of an Intrinsically Safe network
The Intrinsically Safe design of the network requires each cell to be individually powered and that electrical
power must not travel between them. Fibre optic cables is used to connect between cells to provide network
connectivity as shown in Figure 2.
Cells can be connected in a loop configuration to provide multiple redundant network paths to the surface.
The NS40 supports Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), which monitors these loops and can redirect data
traffic if an active link fails.
1.3 Connectivity
The NS40 has two types of network connections:
• Composite fibre ports
• Wireless access points.
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I.S. Wireless Network Switch

1.3.1 Composite Fibre Ports
Each side of an NS40 unit has two composite fibre port connectors with a crush protection cover. Each
connector consists of two electrical contacts and a duplex LC single mode optic fibre (SMOF) receptacle
as shown in Figure 3.
Note: A protective cover or a mating cable connector must be attached to each port to maintain
the IP65 (Ingress Protection) rating of the unit. Leaving a port uncovered whilst an NS40 is operating
breaches the IP65 rating and consequently the Intrinsic Safety Certification.
Figure 3: Composite fibre ports
Each port can be connected in one of the following ways:
DescriptionPort connection
A DC power cable to connect the PSU to the electrical contacts on an
NS40 within a cell. By convention, this cable is connected to port 4.
DC power only connection
A fibre optic cable terminated to the fibre contacts of the NS40 composite
connector.
Fibre only connection
A composite cable providing fibre optic connectivity and power to the
NS40 in a cell.
Fibre and DC power
connection
Fibre optic cabling provides numerous benefits over Ethernet cabling, with superior signal integrity and
no signal interference from high powered electronics. It also enables NS40s to be spaced over longer
distances without the distance limitation of Ethernet cabling.
By default port 1 is configured as the upstream port and ports 2, 3 and 4 as the downstream ports. The
difference between upstream and downstream ports is the orientation of the fibre that is used for transmitting
data and the fibre used for receiving data. This is illustrated in Figure 4.
I.S. Wireless Network Switch17Revision A
I.S. Wireless Network Switch

Figure 4: Fibre orientation of Upstream and Downstream ports
Due to the difference in the fibre orientation, MST composite cable and fibre optic cable can only be
connected between ports on NS40 devices marked with a tick in the matrix below.
Port 4Port 3Port 2Port 1
Port 1
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4
1.3.2Wireless Access Points
The NS40 has two 802.11 b/g radios allowing up to two wireless access points. Each wireless access
point is managed by a CPU and can be enabled or disabled through the web browser interface. For more
information, see Chapter 4 “Configuring Wireless Interface Settings”.
Revision A18I.S. Wireless Network Switch
I.S. Wireless Network Switch

Chapter
2
Installing I.S.Wireless Network Switches
This chapter describes mounting and installation of NS40s, antennas,
and connection of cables. Fibre plug assembly and cable termination
are beyond the scope of this manual.
Topics:
•Pre-Installation Planning
•Mounting an I.S.Wireless
Network Switch Important:
•Cables
•Antennas The electronic components in an NS40 are designed to be isolated
from the enclosure and local electrical earth. This is known as galvanic
•Before Powering Up the I.S.
Network Switch isolation and ensures there is no current passing between grounds of
different potential. In the event of a short circuit to earth, galvanic
isolation allows all devices within a cell to be intrinsically safe as there
are no loops for current to flow. Galvanic isolation must always be
maintained in the following manner:
•All NS40 circuitry isolated from the enclosure (and electrical earth)
• Use of approved Intrinsically Safe Uninterruptible Power Supply
(I.S. UPS)
• All antenna and coaxial cable connections properly insulated.
I.S. Wireless Network Switch19Revision A

2.1 Pre-Installation Planning
A detailed design study of a mine must be conducted by an MST System Engineer to determine specific
network requirements and design before installation.The following factors help determine network design:
• 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
• Access to Intrinsically Safe power
• Interconnection to the mine's existing corporate network
• Policies for network protocols between networks
• Cabling requirements
•Antenna types to use with each unit, whether antenna splitters are required, and mounting method for
each antenna
• Mounting location and installation method for each NS40.
2.2 Mounting an I.S.Wireless Network Switch
The mounting location of each NS40 should be free from debris, and should not be an obstruction to
vehicles, machinery, vent tubing, piping and cables. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
The NS40 has mounting points shown in Figure 5 providing several installation options. The 10mm and
25mm diameter mounting holes allow the NS40 to be cable-tied to the mesh in a mine tunnel. The 25mm
diameter mounting holes also allow the NS40 to be secured to rock bolts in the mine rock face.
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Installing I.S. Wireless Network Switches