Proxim Harmony 802.11b User manual

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Copyright
© 2000 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. 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 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 8550 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
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:
❑From the use of the product
❑From the loss of use, revenue or profit of the product
❑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 802.11b Access Point Model 8550 User’s Guide
Part # 7360.0133
Rev. A

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WarrantyReturnPolicy
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 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:
❑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 .................................................................5
The Harmony Family ............................................................................... 6
System Requirements ............................................................................... 7
The Product Package................................................................................ 7
2. Installation ...................................................................8
Installation Procedure............................................................................... 8
Mounting Option .................................................................................... 10
LED Indicators ....................................................................................... 10
Power Requirements .............................................................................. 12
3. Wirefree Operation ....................................................13
Harmony Architecture............................................................................ 13
The IEEE 802.11b Specification............................................................ 14
Roaming Between Harmony 802.11b Access Points............................. 14
Roaming Guidelines ............................................................................ 15
4. Configuration Parameters ........................................17
Basic Settings ......................................................................................... 17
AP Name .............................................................................................. 17
Physical Address .................................................................................. 18
Enable AP ............................................................................................ 18
Partnered APC ..................................................................................... 18
Channel ................................................................................................ 18
Supported Clients................................................................................. 19
SSID ..................................................................................................... 19
IP Addressing....................................................................................... 19
Security Settings..................................................................................... 20
WEP Encryption .................................................................................. 20
WEP Key Size...................................................................................... 21
WEP Keys ............................................................................................ 21
Advanced Settings.................................................................................. 22
Supported Rates ................................................................................... 22
RTS/CTS .............................................................................................. 22

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5. Performance Hints ....................................................24
Microwave Ovens .................................................................................. 24
Range...................................................................................................... 24
6. Troubleshooting ........................................................26
How to Obtain Help with Your LAN Installation.................................. 26
LED Error Codes.................................................................................... 26
Common Problems and Solutions .......................................................... 27
A. Parameters ................................................................30
B. IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence Channels ...............31
C. Harmony 802.11b Access Point Specifications .....32
D. How to Reach Technical Support............................33
Index...............................................................................34

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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 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 802.11b Access Point Model 8550 is a member of a product family that
provides a complete wirefree networking solution.
❑The 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.
❑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 wireless standards: the OpenAir
Access Point Model 7550 and the 802.11b Access Point Model 8550. Note
that the Harmony Power System operates only with the 802.11b Access Point.
❑The 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 or IEEE 802.11b wireless standards.
❑The optional Harmony Power System Model 7562 provides remote DC
power to Harmony 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 must have the following
minimum requirements:
❑At least one Harmony Access Point Controller
❑An Ethernet (10Base-T) LAN switch or hub
❑At least one 802.11b PC Card
The Product Package
Each Harmony 802.11b Access Point comes with:
❑One Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 8550
❑One power adapter (12V, 1 Amp)
❑One Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 8550 User’s Guide
❑One warranty registration card

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2. Installation
This chapter describes the installation procedure for the Harmony 802.11b Access
Point and includes a description of 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
obstructions 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 802.11b 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 Model 7562 User’s Guide for instructions.
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.
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 Guide for more information on how to configure an Access Point.

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Mounting Option
The Harmony 802.11b Access Point is designed to sit on a desktop. In addition, an
optional mounting 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:
1. Remove the two 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 three 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 bracket.
4. Insert the screws into the three holes of the mounting bracket and Access Point
(that is, 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 802.11b Access Point, as shown
in Figure 1.
❑Status LED: This LED, located on the left 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. This LED will blink red
in a repeating pattern if a problem occurs with the unit during operation. See
Chapter 6 for a discussion of these patterns.
❑Radio LED: This LED, located in the center of the three LEDs, blinks green
when the Access Point receives data packets over its radio.