Proxim RangeLAN 802 8520 User manual

RangeLAN802
™
Wir eless A cc ess P oin t
R ANGE LAN802 Access Point
Models 8520 and 8521
User's Guide

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Copyright
© 1999 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. This manual and the software described in it are
copyrightedwithallrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,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
RangeLAN, the RangeLAN logo, RangeLAN2, RangeLAN802, RangeLINK, ProxLink, 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
RangeLAN802 Access Point against defects in materials and workmanship. Proxim will not honor this
warranty if there has been any attempt to tamper with or remove the Adapter'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 Adapter at no cost
to you. To return defective merchandise to Proxim, please call Proxim Technical Support at 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;
Whethersuch damagesbe direct,indirect, consequential,specialor otherwiseand whethersuch damages
are incurred by the person to whom this warranty extends or a third party.
Part # 7360.0093
Rev. B

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Warranty Return Policy
If you have a problem with your RangeLAN802 product, 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 from Proxim Customer Service.
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..................................................................1
The RangeLAN802 Family...................................................................... 2
System Requirements............................................................................... 3
The Product Package................................................................................ 3
2.QuickInstallation .........................................................5
3.Installation....................................................................7
Ethernet Installation................................................................................. 7
10BASE-T Cabling................................................................................ 7
10BASE2 Cabling ................................................................................. 7
Antenna Options ...................................................................................... 7
Mounting Options.................................................................................... 8
4. Wireless Topologies..................................................11
Ad HocNetwork ..................................................................................... 11
InfrastructureNetwork............................................................................ 12
Guidelines for Roaming ......................................................................... 14
5. Configuration .............................................................15
Locally (Out-of-band) ............................................................................ 15
Remotely (In-band) ................................................................................ 16
Modem Support ..................................................................................... 17
Main Menu............................................................................................. 17
SNMP Management ............................................................................... 18
Remotely via a Web Browser................................................................. 18
6. Configuration Parameters.........................................19
TCP/IP Configuration Menu.................................................................. 21
Filter Configuration Menu..................................................................... 22
Radio Configuration Menu ................................................................... 25
Ethernet Configuration Menu................................................................ 27
Authorization Table ............................................................................... 28
SNMP Management ............................................................................... 28

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Upload Configuration Menu ................................................................. 29
Reset Access Point to Factory Defaults ................................................. 29
Dump Configuration to Screen .............................................................. 29
7. Statistics Menu ..........................................................31
Radio Statistics Menu ......................................................................... 32
Ethernet Statistics Menu...................................................................... 33
Bridge Statistics Menu ........................................................................ 33
Filter Statistics Menu........................................................................... 33
Reset Statistics ..................................................................................... 33
8. Status Menu ...............................................................35
Radio Status Menu .............................................................................. 36
Bridge Status Menu ............................................................................. 36
TCP/IP Status Menu ............................................................................ 36
Association Table ................................................................................ 36
9. SNMP Management ...................................................37
SNMP Supported Traps ....................................................................... 39
10. Web Browser Management.....................................41
Supported Web Browsers ....................................................................... 41
Establishing a Connection..................................................................... 41
Main Display.......................................................................................... 42
RangeLAN802 Access Point Network Management............................. 43
DiscoverAPs ........................................................................................ 43
Network Map ....................................................................................... 44
Traffic Monitor .................................................................................... 44
RangeLAN802 Access Point Device Management ............................... 46
11. Authorization Table .................................................47
12. Performance Hints...................................................49
Microwave Ovens .................................................................................. 49
Range ..................................................................................................... 49

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13. Site Survey Tool ......................................................51
14. Troubleshooting ......................................................55
How to Obtain Help with Your LAN Installation .................................. 55
Diagnostics Menu .................................................................................. 55
Radio Diagnostics .................................................................................. 57
Versions ............................................................................................... 57
Technical Support Parameters ............................................................. 57
Ping IP Host ......................................................................................... 57
DiscoverAPs ........................................................................................ 57
Commonly Asked Technical Support Questions ................................ 59
LED Indicators ....................................................................................... 60
A. Menu Structure..........................................................62
B. Download Menu ........................................................68
C. Glossary ....................................................................70
D. Parameters ................................................................72
TCP/IPParameters .................................................................................. 72
FilterParameters ..................................................................................... 73
EthernetParameters................................................................................ 74
Radio Parameters.................................................................................... 74
E. Hopping Patterns Within Each 802.11 Set ..............75
F. U.S. Specifications ....................................................76
G. How to Reach Technical Support............................77
Index...............................................................................78

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1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the RangeLAN802 Access Point, a member of the
RangeLAN802 family, Proxim’s IEEE 802.11-compliant wireless LAN products.
Proxim has long been a leader in wireless networking and is excited to introduce IEEE
802.11products.
RangeLAN802 Access Point was designed to be a “plug-and-play” product. In many
cases, you will not even need to run any software to configure it. If you need to use it,
you will find it easy to use. In no time, you will have a wireless connection to your
network’sapplicationsoftware,printing,e-mail,andothernetworkservices!
This access point allows for easy expandability of your wireless network, increasing
range and facilitating mobility applications. It operates at the Data Link level (layer 2) of
the OSI model, providing protocol-independent access for RangeLAN802 computer
users into an existing wired Ethernet LAN.
Today, Proxim is the leading supplier of spread spectrum radio networking technology
forlocalareaenvironments. Proxim’sunmatchedspreadspectrumnetworkingexpertise,
combinedwith thecompany’sextensiveexperience serving thecommunications needsof
the mobile computing user, have kept Proxim at the forefront of the emerging wireless
LAN market.
Proximalso manufactures theRangeLAN2 family, afamily of OpenAir-compatible
wireless LAN products. If you would like more information on RangeLAN2, please
contactProxim'sSales Departmentat800-229-1630.

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The RangeLAN802 Family
The RangeLAN802 Access Point is part of a family of high-performance products that
providesacompletewirelessnetworkingsolution.
❑RangeLAN802 8401 is a 100 mW wireless LAN adapter which fits into a PC
Card (PCMCIA) Type II slot on a portable notebook, laptop or pen-based
computer. It ships with a dipole antenna.
❑RangeLAN802 8402 is a 100 mW wireless LAN adapter which fits into a PC
Card (PCMCIA) Type II slot on a portable notebook, laptop or pen-based
computer. It ships with a snap-on antenna.
❑RangeLAN802 8403 is a 400 mW wireless LAN adapter which fits into a PC
Card (PCMCIA) Type II slot on a portable notebook, laptop or pen-based
computer. It ships with a dipole antenna.
❑RangeLAN802 8404 is a 400 mW wireless LAN adapter which fits into a PC
Card (PCMCIA) Type II slot on a portable notebook, laptop or pen-based
computer. It ships with a snap-on antenna.
❑RangeLAN802 8520 is a 100 mW wireless access point.
❑RangeLAN802 8521 is a 400 mW wireless access point.

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System Requirements
To begin using your RangeLAN802 Access Point, you need the following minimum
systemrequirements:
❑An Ethernet cable drop (10BASE-T or 10BASE2);
❑A terminal or PC with a terminal emulation software package and a null
modemcable
OR
a computer running a TCP/IP telnet client AND a BOOTP server; and
❑At least one other RangeLAN802 LAN adapter product installed on the
network.
The Product Package
Each RangeLAN802 Access Point comes with:
❑One RangeLAN802 Access Point;
❑One antenna (1 dBi omnidirectional);
❑One RangeLAN802 Access Point User’s Guide; and
❑One power adapter (12 V, 1 Amp).
If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact your reseller or Proxim
TechnicalSupport.

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Figure 1
RangeLAN802 Access Point components

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2. Quick Installation
You may follow the quick installation steps if the following conditions are true:
❑There will only be one Access Point on this network;
❑You will use all the software default values;
❑You do not need to configure an IP address for the Access Point and do not
intend to manage it via telnet or a Web browser;
❑You will not be setting ESSIDs on your network; and
❑You do not wish to enable Security or configure an Encryption Key for your
network.
Ifthe aboveconditionsare nottrue,more detailedconfigurationinformation isdescribed
in Chapter 5.
Ifyourinstallationmeetstheprecedingcriteria,proceedwiththefollowinginstructions:
1. Firmly screw in clockwise the antenna onto the antenna connector
on the back panel of the Access Point.
Note:
Governmentregulatoryagenciesmandatethatthe antennanotbealterable.
Therefore,theRangeLAN802AccessPointusesacustomantennaconnector.
Do not attempt to use a different antenna or you may damage the connector
and the Access Point unit.

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Figure 2
Attachment of the RangeLAN802 Access Point Antenna
2. Attach an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the
RangeLAN802 Access Point.
3. Plug the power cable into the back of the RangeLAN802 Access
Point and into an AC power outlet. Since there is no On/Off
switch on the Access Point box, the unit will turn on as soon as
power is applied.

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3. Installation
Ethernet Installation
The RangeLAN802 Access Point is attached to the wired LAN backbone via an
Ethernet cable. Two types of Ethernet connection are supported: 10BASE-T and
10BASE2.
10BASE-T Cabling
The RangeLAN802 Access Point 10BASE-T cable is typically connected between the
device and a 10BASE-T hub or wiring rack. It will use the same cable that would
otherwise be plugged into a 10BASE-T workstation on the Ethernet LAN. If you are
using a functional cable, the LED nearest the connector will light. Standard 10BASE-T
specifications apply to the 10BASE-T interface of the RangeLAN802 Access Point.
No segment can exceed 100 meters.
10BASE2 Cabling
When using 10BASE2 cabling with the RangeLAN802 Access Point, the cable must be
properly terminated on each end. Standard 10BASE2 specifications apply to the
10BASE2 interface of the RangeLAN802 Access Point. Each coax cable segment can
support up to 30 devices and the cable itself cannot exceed 185 meters.
Antenna Options
The RangeLAN802 Access Point is shipped with a standard directly-connected antenna.
To install the antenna, screw it clockwise onto the antenna connector. Proxim sells
severalantenna alternatives includinghigher gain anddirectional antennas. Each of
theseantennas shipswithinstallation andmountinginstructions. For informationon
additionalantennaoptions,pleasecontactyourProximSalesRepresentative.

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Mounting Options
The RangeLAN802 Access Point may be placed on a desktop or mounted to a wall. An
optional mounting hardware bracket is available for purchase in order to attach the unit
to a cubicle or a wall. Figure 3 and Figure 4, below, display these different mounting
options. The Access Point's rugged case has been developed to operate in harsh envi-
ronments. Also, Proxim recommends that the Access Point be mounted vertically in
installationswithextremeambienttemperatures.
In addition, Proxim offers an optional Outdoor Enclosure (shown without the lid at-
tached in Figure 5, below) for installations which afford little or no protection against the
elementsandwheretheambienttemperatureexceedstheoperatingtemperaturespecifi-
cation of the Access Point, as described in Appendix F.
Figure 3
WallMount

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Figure 4
CubicleMount

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10BASET
10BASE2
Figure 5
Outdoor Enclosure

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4. Wireless Topologies
RangeLAN802productslookandoperatesimilartoEthernetproducts. Theonlydifference
isthataradioreplacesthewirebetweenvariousnodes. Thismeansthatallofyourexisting
applicationsthatoperateoverEthernetwillworkwithRangeLAN802withoutanyspecial
wirelessnetworkingsoftware. Wirelessproductsaretypicallyusedinseveralnetwork
topologiesdescribedinthischapter.
Ad Hoc Network
WithwirelessLANs,oneormorecomputerseasilyestablishanadhocnetworkwhenthe
unitsareinrangeofeachother. Eachcomputercandynamicallyconnectandreconnectto
theotherswithnoadditionalconfiguration,usingoff-the-shelfpeer-to-peernetworkoperat-
ingsystems. Withthiscapability,manycompaniesaredevelopingapplicationsoptimizedfor
adhocnetworks.
)))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((
)))))))) (((((((((
)))))))) (((((((((
)))))))) (((((((((
)))))) (((((
))))))) (((((((
Figure 6
Ad Hoc

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Infrastructure Network
ManycompanieshaveanexistingEthernetorwiredLANinfrastructureandwanttobeable
toextendthatcapabilitytowirelessnodes. ThisisaccomplishedbyattachinganAccess
Point to the wired LAN. This allows the wireless clients to access the network re-
sources.
Server
RangeLAN802 8520
PC PC
RangeLAN802 8400
RangeLAN802 8400
Figure 7
Single AP
For larger environments, RangeLAN802 products support the ability to roam from one
wirelesscelltoanotherwhilemaintainingthesamenetworkconnection. TheAccessPoints
establishcoverageareasorcellssimilarinconcepttothoseofacellularphonenetwork. The
mobile clients will connect with any Access Point that is within range.

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RangeLAN802
8520
RangeLAN802 8400
RangeLAN802
8520 RangeLAN802
8520
RangeLAN802 8400
Figure 8
Roaming
Each RangeLAN802 Access Point within a roaming network must be configured on a
unique Hopping Pattern, but all must have the same ESSID and Encryption Key (if
Security is enabled). The portable PCs, shown in Figure 7 above, are equipped with
RangeLAN802 8400 Cards which are also set to the same ESSID, unless the
RangeLAN802 clients are configured to associate with “Any” ESSID. In addition, the
RangeLAN802 8400 Cards must have the same Encryption Key as the Access Points (if
Security is enabled). As the portable PC seamlessly switches from cell to cell, its net-
workconnectivityispreserved.
The user can move freely between the RangeLAN802 Access Points in the network.
When the roaming PC leaves the transmission range of one RangeLAN802 Access
Point, the software automatically polls the other RangeLAN802 Access Points with the
same ESSID to continue the network connection.
Note that the cells must overlap to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage, and
that the roaming PC will always have a connection available.