Proxim Harmony 802.11b User manual

Harmony 802.11b
Access Point
Model 8550
User’s Guide

1
Copyright
© 2000 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. This manual and the software de-
scribed in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro-
duced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language in
any form by any means without the written permission 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 802.11b Access Point Model 8850 against defects in materials and workmanship.
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
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:
❑From the use of the product;
❑From the loss of use, revenue or profit of the product; or
❑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.
Part # 7360.xxxx
Rev. A

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Warranty Return Policy
If you have a problem with the Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 8550, 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 Materials 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:
❑Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
❑Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
❑Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that which the receiver
is connected.
❑Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................4
The Harmony Family ............................................................................... 5
System Requirements ............................................................................... 6
2. Installation ...................................................................7
Installation Procedure............................................................................... 7
Mounting Option ...................................................................................... 8
LED Indicators ......................................................................................... 9
3. Wirefree Operation ....................................................10
Harmony Architecture............................................................................ 10
The IEEE 802.11b Specification............................................................ 11
Roaming Between Harmony 802.11b Access Points............................. 11
Roaming Guidelines ............................................................................ 12
4. Configuration Parameters ........................................14
Basic Settings....................................................................................... 14
WEP Settings ....................................................................................... 17
Advanced Settings ............................................................................... 17
5. Performance Hints ....................................................19
Microwave Ovens .................................................................................. 19
Range...................................................................................................... 19
6. Troubleshooting ........................................................21
How to Obtain Help with Your LAN Installation.................................. 21
Common Problems and Solutions .......................................................... 21
A. How to Reach Technical Support............................24
B. Harmony 802.11b Access Point Specifications .....25

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1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing Proxim’s Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 8550, a
member of Proxim’s Harmony Wirefree Infrastructure Family. The Harmony product
line is the first wirefree networking solution to embrace all current and future wirefree
LAN standards, including OpenAir, IEEE 802.11b, and future 10 Mbps frequency
hopping and 5 GHz technologies, in a single, homogeneous architecture.
For enterprise customers implementing wirefree solutions, Harmony reduces equip-
ment acquisition costs, installation complexity, and long-term operating costs by
centralizing network management, communication, and security services.
Harmony protects current and future wirefree infrastructure investments by supporting
all leading and forthcoming wireless LAN protocols. Existing RangeLAN2,
OpenAir-compatible and IEEE 802.11b products are all fully compatible with Har-
mony. Customers may seamlessly transition to new LAN standards by adding low-cost
access points without changing the management interface or disturbing existing users.
Harmony further reduces network costs through its SmartArchitecture, the first
wirefree management system to provide one-click, system-wide security updates and
remote office infrastructure management through a single interface. The system may be
managed through a Web-based interface, which provides customizable network maps
and traffic statistics, or through standard enterprise SNMP packages. Harmony’s
SmartArchitecture also greatly reduces the time and expense of installation by avoiding
many of the hidden costs of a wirefree infrastructure.
Harmony Access Points may be connected to any portion of the Ethernet network,
eliminating the need for special wirefree subnets common in other installations. Har-
mony clients also roam seamlessly anywhere there is wirefree coverage, without the
need for extra client software. In addition, Harmony SmartAttach software auto-
discovers and configures new access points upon connection to the Ethernet network,
simplifying installation.
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 wirefree LAN market.

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The Harmony Family
The Harmony Wirefree Infrastructure Family includes the following products:
❑The Harmony 7560 Access Point Controller centralizes the management,
security, and filtering capabilities of a wirefree 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 wirefree standard.
❑The 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 wirefree standards: the model
7550 OpenAir Access Point and the model 8550 802.11b Access Point. Note
that only the Harmony Power System operates only with the 802.11b Access
Point.
❑The Harmony PC Card is a wirefree 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 or IEEE 802.11b wirefree standards.
❑The optional Harmony Power System provides remote DC power to Har-
mony 802.11b Access Points over the unused pins of a twisted pair Ethernet
cable.

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System Requirements
To begin using the Harmony 802.11b Access Point, you need the following minimum
requirements:
❑At least one Harmony Access Point Controller;
❑An Ethernet (10Base-T) or Fast Ethernet (100Base-TX) LAN switch or hub;
and
❑At least one 802.11b PC Card.

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2. Installation
This chapter describes the installation procedure for the Harmony 802.11b Access
Point and the LEDs found on the unit.
Installation Procedure
Follow these steps to install the Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 8550:
Note:
YoumustinstallaHarmonyAccessPointControllerbeforeinstallingaHarmony
Access Point.
1. Determine the best location for the Harmony 802.11b Access Point. Keep in
mind the following considerations:
❑The length of the Ethernet cable that connects the Access Point to the network
must not exceed 100 meters.
❑Try 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 obstruc-
tions and away from direct sunlight.
❑Try to centrally locate the Access Point so that it will provide coverage to all of
the mobile devices in the area.
❑If 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.
2. Place the Access Point in the desired location. An optional wall mount is avail-
able for the Access Point. Refer to the section entitled “Mounting Option” later
in this chapter for details.

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3. 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.
Note:
The Harmony 8550 Access Point does not support 100Base-TX; it only supports
10Base-T.
4. If you are not using the Harmony Power System to supply power to the Access
Point or want to connect the Access Point to both the Power System and an AC
power source, 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.
Note:
Use the Access Point only with the power adapter supplied by Proxim in the
product package. Using another power supply may damage the Access Point. If
youwanttousetheAccessPointinconjunctionwiththeHarmonyPowerSystem,
refer to the Harmony Power System manual for instructions.
The Status LED, located on the top of the Access Point, will turn 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.
In addition, the green Link LED will turn on to indicate that the Access Point has a
network connection.
5. 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 Manual for more information on how to configure an Access Point.
Mounting Option
The Harmony 802.11b Access Point is designed to sit on a desktop. In addition, an
optional hardware bracket is available for purchase so that the unit may be mounted to
a wall or ceiling.
Follow these steps to attach the mounting bracket to the Access Point:

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1. Remove the 2 rubber feet on the bottom of the Access Point. Note that the rubber
feet are attached to the unit with an adhesive.
2. Underneath the rubber feet there are 3 unthreaded mounting holes that accept M5
thread forming screws. Align the holes of the mounting bracket with these holes.
3. Locate the screws provided with the mounting hardware.
4. Insert the screws into the 3 holes of the mounting bracket and Access Point (i.e.,
the holes aligned in Step #2 above).
5. Tighten the screws with a screwdriver to attach the mounting bracket to the
Access Point.
LED Indicators
There are three LEDs on the top panel of the Harmony 8550 802.11b Access Point:
❑Status LED: This LED, located on the right side (with the unit orientated so
that you can read the Proxim logo), is green when the unit is powered up and
operational. The LED is amber during initialization and when the Access
Point is not partnered with a Harmony AP Controller. If there is an internal
problem with the unit, the LED will turn red. If the Status LED turns red, try
recycling power to the unit. If the LED remains red, contact Proxim Technical
Support for assistance.
❑Radio LED: This LED, located in the center of the three LEDs, blinks green
when the Access Point is transmitting data packets over its radio.
❑Ethernet LED: This LED, located on the left side, blinks green when the
Access Point is transmitting data over the 10Base-T Ethernet port.
There is also one LED on the back panel of the Harmony 8550 802.11b Access Point:
❑Link LED: This LED, located between the power connector and the
10Base-T port, will turn green when the Access Point has a physical connec-
tion to the Ethernet network.