Proxim 7550 User manual

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Copyright
© 2001 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. Covered by one or more of the
following U.S. patents: 5,412,687; 5,844,900; 5,875,179; 5,913,174; 6,006,090; and 5,231,634.
This user’s guide and the software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No
part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permis-
sion of Proxim, Incorporated.
Trademarks
Harmony, RangeLAN, the RangeLAN logo, RangeLAN2, and Proxim are trademarks of
Proxim, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, Limitation Of Liability
For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the retail customer, Proxim warrants
the Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550 against defects in materials and workman-
ship. Proxim will not honor this warranty if there has been any attempt to tamper with or
remove the product’s external foil label.
This warranty does not cover and Proxim will not be liable for any damage or failure caused by
misuse, abuse, acts of God, accidents, or other causes beyond Proxim’s control, or claim by
any entity other than the original purchaser.
If, after inspection, Proxim determines there is a defect, Proxim will repair or replace the
Access Point at no cost to you. To return defective merchandise to Proxim, please call Proxim
Technical Support 1-408-731-2640 to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA)
number.
In no event shall Proxim, Incorporated be responsible or liable for any damages arising:
q From the use of the product
q From the loss of use, revenue or profit of the product
q As a result of any event, circumstance, action, or abuse beyond the control of
Proxim, Incorporated
Whether such damages be direct, indirect, consequential, special or otherwise and whether
such damages are incurred by the person to whom this warranty extends or a third party.
Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550 User’s Guide
Part # 7360.0137
Rev. B

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Warranty Return Policy
If you have a problem with the Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550, please call Proxim
Technical Support at 1-408-731-2640. Proxim Technical Support will assist with resolving any
technical difficulties you may have with your Proxim product.
After calling Proxim Technical Support, if your product is found to be defective, you may return
the product to Proxim after obtaining an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number.
The product must be returned in its original packaging. The RMA number should be clearly
marked on the outside of the box. Proxim cannot be held responsible for any product returned
without an RMA number, and no product will be accepted without an RMA number.
FCC WARNING
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
q Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
q Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
q Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that which the
receiver is connected.
q Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................5
The Harmony Family .......................................................................................................................... 6
System Requirements .......................................................................................................................... 7
The Product Package........................................................................................................................... 7
2. Installation ...................................................................................................8
Installation Procedure.......................................................................................................................... 8
Mounting Option ............................................................................................................................... 11
Using the Optional Harmony Power System .................................................................................... 12
LED Indicators .................................................................................................................................. 13
3. Wirefree Operation ....................................................................................16
Harmony Architecture....................................................................................................................... 16
The OpenAir Specification................................................................................................................ 17
Roaming Between Harmony OpenAir Access Points....................................................................... 17
Roaming Guidelines ....................................................................................................................... 18
4. Configuration Parameters ........................................................................19
AP Name ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Physical Address ............................................................................................................................. 19
Enable AP ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Partnered AP Controller.................................................................................................................. 20
Domain............................................................................................................................................ 20
Channel ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Subchannel...................................................................................................................................... 21
Master Name ................................................................................................................................... 22
Security ID ...................................................................................................................................... 22
MAC Optimize................................................................................................................................ 22
IP Addressing.................................................................................................................................. 23
5. Performance Hints ....................................................................................25
Microwave Ovens ............................................................................................................................. 25
Antenna Options................................................................................................................................ 25
Range................................................................................................................................................. 25
Using Harmony With Other OpenAir-Compatible Products ............................................................ 26

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6. Troubleshooting ........................................................................................27
How to Obtain Help with Your LAN Installation............................................................................. 27
LED Error Codes............................................................................................................................... 27
Common Problems and Solutions ..................................................................................................... 28
A. Parameters ................................................................................................31
B. Harmony OpenAir Access Point Specifications ....................................32
C. How to Reach Technical Support............................................................33
Index...............................................................................................................34

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1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing Proxim’s Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550, a
member of Proxim’s Harmony wirefree infrastructure family. The Harmony product
line is the first wirefree networking solution to support all current and future wireless
LAN standards, including OpenAir, IEEE 802.11b, and future 10 Mbps frequency
hopping and 5 GHz technologies, within a single, homogeneous architecture. Harmony
provides centralized management, configuration, and security for a wireless LAN.
Harmony protects current and future wirefree infrastructure investments by supporting
all leading and forthcoming wireless LAN protocols. Existing RangeLAN2 and
OpenAir-compatible products and existing IEEE 802.11b devices are all compatible
with Harmony. Customers can seamlessly transition to new LAN standards by adding
low-cost access points without changing the management interface or disturbing
existing users.
Harmony’s SmartArchitectureTM is the first wirefree management system to provide
one-click, system-wide security updates and remote office infrastructure management
through a single Web-based interface.
Harmony Access Points can be connected to any portion of the Ethernet network,
eliminating the need for special wirefree subnets common in other installations. Also,
Harmony clients can roam seamlessly anywhere there is wirefree coverage, without the
need for extra client software. In addition, Harmony SmartAttachTM software simplifies
installation by automatically discovering and configuring new access points upon
connection to the Ethernet network.
Proxim is the leading supplier of wirefree networking solutions. Proxim’s unmatched
expertise in spread spectrum radio networking technology, combined with the
company’s extensive experience serving the communication needs of the mobile
computing user, have kept Proxim at the forefront of the wireless LAN market.

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The Harmony Family
The Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550 is a member of a product family that
provides a complete wirefree networking solution.
qThe Harmony Access Point Controller Model 7560 centralizes the manage-
ment, security, and filtering capabilities of a wireless LAN. The Access Point
Controller communicates with Harmony Access Points over the Ethernet
network to provide wirefree network access for mobile clients. The Access
Point Controller can support multiple Access Points, even if each Access Point
follows a different wireless standard.
qThe Harmony Access Point is a networking bridge that operates at Layer 2 of
the OSI networking model. Working in conjunction with a Harmony Access
Point Controller, the Access Point forwards packets between its radio and the
Ethernet network. Two models of the Harmony Access Point are available to
support either the OpenAir or IEEE 802.11b wireless standards: the OpenAir
Access Point Model 7550 and the 802.11b Access Point Model 8550. Note
that the 802.11b Access Point does not require an AP Controller to provide
mobile clients with wirefree network access.
qThe Harmony PC Card is a wireless LAN adapter that fits into a PCMCIA
Type II slot in a laptop computer. Two models of the Harmony PC Cards are
available to support either the OpenAir (7430 Series) or IEEE 802.11b (8430
Series) wireless standards.
qThe Harmony 802.11b PCI Card Model 8110 is a wireless LAN adapter that
fits into a standard PCI expansion slot and complies with the IEEE 802.11b
wireless standard.
qThe Harmony OpenAir USB Adapter Model 7230 is a wireless LAN
adapter that connects to a Windows 98/2000 computer’s Universal Serial Bus
(USB) port and complies with the OpenAir wireless standard.
qThe optional Harmony Power System Model 7562 provides remote DC
power to Harmony Access Points over the unused pins of a twisted pair
Ethernet cable.

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System Requirements
To begin using the Harmony OpenAir Access Point, you must have the following
minimum requirements:
qAt least one Harmony Access Point Controller
qAn Ethernet (10Base-T) LAN switch or hub
qAt least one OpenAir client adapter (i.e., PC Card, USB Adapter, etc.)
The Product Package
Each Harmony OpenAir Access Point comes with:
qOne Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550
qOne 10Base-T crossover adapter
qOne power adapter (12V, 1 Amp)
qOne Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550 User’s Guide
qOne warranty registration card

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2. Installation
This chapter describes the installation procedure for the Harmony OpenAir Access
Point Model 7550 and includes a description of the LED indicators found on the unit.
Installation Procedure
Follow these steps to install the Harmony OpenAir Access Point Model 7550.
Note:
YoumustinstallaHarmonyAccessPointControllerbeforeinstallingaHarmony
Access Point.
1. If not already attached, firmly screw the antenna, included with the product, onto
the antenna connector using a clockwise motion. The antenna connector is
located on the side of the Access Point, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Attaching the Antenna

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2. If you are not using the Harmony Power System and an AP Power Over LAN
Module to supply power to the Access Point, connect the 10Base-T crossover
adapter, included with the product, to the 10Base-T port located on the back panel
of the Access Point.
Note:
Do not use the 10Base-T crossover adapter with the AP Power Over LAN
Module. The AP Power Over LAN Module ships with a 6-inch crossover
cable that connects directly to the Access Point’s Ethernet port.
3. Determine the best location for the Harmony OpenAir Access Point. Keep in
mind the following considerations:
qThe length of the Ethernet cable that connects the Access Point to the network
must not exceed 100 meters.
qTry to place the Access Point on a flat, sturdy surface as far from the ground
as possible, such as on top of a desk or bookcase, keeping clear of metal
obstructions and away from direct sunlight.
qTry to centrally locate the Access Point and its antenna so that it will provide
coverage to all of the mobile devices in the area.
qIf you are not using the Harmony Power System to supply power to the Access
Point, the distance between the Access Point and a power outlet cannot exceed
the length of the power adapter’s cable.
qYou can install the Access Point and the AP Controller on different IP subnets.
Refer to the Harmony Access Point Controller Model 7560 User’s Guide for
details.
4. Place the Access Point in the desired location. The Access Point is designed to
sit on a desktop but it also includes four pre-threaded holes for mounting. Refer
to the section entitled “Mounting Option” later in this chapter for details.
5. Attach one end of an Ethernet cable to the Access Point and attach the other end
to the 10Base-T port of a network hub, switch, router, or patch panel.

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Note:
The Harmony OpenAir Access Point does not support 100Base-TX; it only
supports 10Base-T.
6. Attach one end of the AC power adapter, included in the product package, to the
back of the Access Point and the other end to a power outlet. If you are using an
AP Power Over LAN Module and a Harmony Power System to supply power to
the Access Point, refer to the documentation that came with those products for
installation instructions.
Note:
Use the Access Point only with the power adapter supplied by Proxim in the
productpackage. UsinganotherpowersupplymaydamagetheAccessPoint.
All three LEDs on the top of the Access Point will light up when the unit is powered
on. Next, the Status LED will turn amber and then green to indicate that the unit is
operational. Note that the Status LED will remain amber if the Access Point cannot
find an AP Controller to partner with.
Note:
If the Status LED remains amber, the Access Point cannot find an AP
Controller to partner with. Refer to Chapter 6 for troubleshooting sugges-
tions.
In addition, the green Link LED will turn on to indicate that the Access Point has a
network connection.
7. The AP Controller will automatically detect and configure the Access Point over
the network. Refer to Chapter 4 and the Harmony Access Point Controller Model
7560 User’s Guide for more information on how to configure an Access Point.