Transcript Managing the AccessPoint

1999 Cabletron Systems
Using the Client Utility
Managing AccessPoint
Building to Building Operations
Performing a Site Survey
1999 Cabletron Systems
RoamAbout
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout Operation
• The RoamAbout Client Utility is used by the end station to:
– Determine which AccessPoint they are utilizing in the wireless
network
RoamAbout
Using the Client Utility
– Verify proper client operation
– Perform a site survey
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– Determine CQ to the AccessPoint by performing a constant
link test
• The wireless network name
will also be indicated
• Click the More button to
access the other features of
the utility
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• Once the RoamAbout Client
Utility is opened it will
immediately indicate whether
or not there is an active
connection with a wireless
network
RoamAbout
Using the Client Utility
Network
connection
status
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• In the Status/Functions window, you can obtain connection
information
RoamAbout
Using the Client Utility
What impact
the status has
on operations
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• In the Status/Functions window basic connection
information can be obtained
RoamAbout
Using the Client Utility
Current Signal
Quality
information
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• In the Status/Functions window basic connection
information can be obtained
RoamAbout
Using the Client Utility
Wireless Networking
• To perform the Link Test press the Link Test Button
RoamAbout
Performing a Link Test
1999 Cabletron Systems
– In this case the test
partner is the
AccessPoint
– In Ad-Hoc mode the
test partner will be
another station
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• The link Test window
gives you, the user,
detailed signal quality
information about the
user and a test
partner
RoamAbout
Performing a Link Test
• Using the test history
feature you can view
link test information
over a period of time
RoamAbout
Performing a Link Test
– Time of sample
viewed is also
configurable
• Link Test is the tool of
choice for performing
a site survey
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– Type of display is
configurable
• The AccessPoint can easily be managed by:
– Using a VT100 terminal session with any terminal emulation
software
RoamAbout
Managing the AccessPoint
– Using an SNMP management application such as
• AccessPoint Manager (which will be discussed in detail in this
presentation)
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• ClearVsn
• It is important to understand that the AccessPoint is a layer 2
bridge that work’s fine “out of the box”
RoamAbout
Managing the AccessPoint
• There are a few parameters that may need to be configured
such as
– Wireless Network Name
– Security (WEP)
– LAN to LAN operations
• With the possible exception of these parameters; all the other
configurations should work fine at the factory defaults
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– IP address
Using Local Management
• Local Management is established by connecting the COM
port on the PC with the COM port on the AccessPoint
RoamAbout
Managing the AccessPoint
• The first menu item should come up now. If not check your
configuration and try again
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• Once connected, configure a VT100 terminal session with a
9600 Baud rate for the COM port
Local Management
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Installation Menu
1999 Cabletron Systems
Managing the AccessPoint
• As you can see, the Local Management interface is a menu
driven interface that is fairly intuitive.
RoamAbout
Using Local Management
Wireless Networking
• Item 9 Module-Specific Options will be your most useful
selection
1999 Cabletron Systems
Local Management
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Module-Specific Options
1999 Cabletron Systems
Managing the AccessPoint
Wireless Networking
• To see the wireless network configuration you can select the
Show Wireless Network Configuration menu item
RoamAbout
Using Local Management
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
Show Wireless Network Configuration
RoamAbout
Local Management
1999 Cabletron Systems
Managing the AccessPoint
• It should be obvious now that you can easily use local
management to configure the wireless network.
RoamAbout
Using Local Management
Wireless Networking
• You should also know that in order to use SNMP an IP
address must already be configured using local
management!!!
1999 Cabletron Systems
Managing the AccessPoint
• AccessPoint Manager is a management platform that is
designed to be used with the RoamAbout AccessPoint.
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint Manager (SNMP)
• AccessPoint Manager uses a GUI so that the configuration
is easy and quick
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• Once the IP address is assigned in local management, the
AccessPoint Manager is an easy way to configure the
AccessPoint
Managing the AccessPoint
To add an AccessPoint
to be managed just
click the applicable
button
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint Manager (SNMP)
Managing the AccessPoint
This Utility will allow
you to load an IP via the
use of BootP
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint Manager (SNMP)
Managing the AccessPoint
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint Manager (SNMP)
Wireless Networking
Just add the
appropriate IP address
for the AccessPoint to
be managed
If you set an SNMP
community string, you
will need to enter this
here
1999 Cabletron Systems
Managing the AccessPoint
Wireless Networking
• In the Identification window
just input information that you
would use to identify one
AccessPoint from another
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint Manager (SNMP)
1999 Cabletron Systems
Managing the AccessPoint
Note: The
AccessPoint is
now in the
AccessPoint
managed list
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint Manager (SNMP)
– You can reset the AccessPoint via management. To do so,
use the Reset/ Reload button on the main window.
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• It is important to note that while using the AccessPoint
manager any changes that you make to the configuration of
the AccessPoint will NOT go into effect until the AccessPoint
is reset.
RoamAbout
Reconfiguring the AccessPoint
RoamAbout
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
Click buttons to
view sub menus
• LAN to LAN mode is when the user wants to span a
distance with a wireless bridge
RoamAbout
Using the AccessPoint for LAN to LAN
operations
– The wireless link is a dedicated bridge link. It is NOT used for
workgroup communication
• Directional antennas: for long distance line of sight connections
• Range extending Antennas: Designed for relatively long
distance in building connections
• Wireless Adapters without any external antenna: Used for short
in building connections
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– This works with either
• In order to set up a LAN to LAN connection, you must first
perform a site survey to determine what equipment will be
required
RoamAbout
Configuring LAN to LAN Operation
– Operate in LAN to LAN mode and
– Operate on the same Channel as the other AccessPoint and
– Configure the other AccessPoint’s wireless MAC address in
management in order to make the connection
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• Once the equipment is installed, each AccessPoint must be
configured as follows:
Select the Wireless
Parameters button
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Configuring the LAN to LAN Mode
Wireless Networking
Ensure both
AccessPoints are on
the same channelin this case channel 3
RoamAbout
Configuring the LAN to LAN Mode
1999 Cabletron Systems
Using the pull down
menu, select the LAN
to LAN Bridge Mode
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Configuring the LAN to LAN Mode
Enter the Wireless
MAC of the other
AccessPoint at the
other end of the
connection
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
RoamAbout
Configuring the LAN to LAN Mode
Wireless Networking
Once the AccessPoint is
configured, reset the
AccessPoint for the settings
to take effect
RoamAbout
Configuring the LAN to LAN Mode
1999 Cabletron Systems
• A Site Survey is performed to verify proper AccessPoint
placement within the wireless network
RoamAbout
Site Survey
• Why perform a site survey?
– To determine number of AccessPoints needed to adequately
cover the desired area
– To determine location of AccessPoints within the facility
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– To determine actual coverage area
• Prior to performing a site survey, it is crucial that you have
some information about the facility in which the wireless
network will be installed
RoamAbout
Preparation for a Site Survey
– Detailed drawings on the facility
– Locations of possible interference sources
• From this information make an approximation as to where
the AccessPoints will need to be installed to provide the
desired coverage
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– Locations of existing network connections
• Once the plan is made, install test AccessPoints in the
desired locations and verify the coverage area by:
RoamAbout
Performing a Site Survey
– Adjustment of AccessPoint locations may be required to
achieve the desired coverage.
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– Using a laptop, slowly survey the coverage area and verify
operation using the link test feature of the client manager
• Barriers and interference sources will cause the coverage areas to be
something other than symmetric zones
RoamAbout
Actual Versus Ideal Coverage Area
Wireless Networking
Ideal coverage area
AccessPoint
Actual coverage area
1999 Cabletron Systems
– Proper overlapping channel separation of five channels is
required to minimize cross channel interference
– The coverage area is three dimensional, and possible
interference sources may be from other floors within the
facility
– Connection speeds at the various locations of within the
desired specifications
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• Things to keep in mind while performing a site survey
RoamAbout
Performing a Site Survey
Performing a Site Survey
• Determining what is line of sight in order to use the
directional antenna
RoamAbout
Building to Building considerations
– Line of sight is actually comprised of two parts
• Visual line of sight and
– Both MUST be clear and free of obstructions for the
directional antenna to be used
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• An additional area called the Fresnel Zone
Line of Sight
• In this example there is an obstruction in the direct line of
sight
RoamAbout
Direct
– This obstruction could in reality be anything such as:
• Other buildings
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
• Trees which may only pose a problem in the summer when
there are leaves on them
Line of Sight
• In this example there is an obstruction in the indirect line of
sight called the fresnel zone
RoamAbout
Indirect
– For specifications concerning the size of the fresnel zone
consult the installation guide for the antenna used
1999 Cabletron Systems
Wireless Networking
– In this case the connection may not work and is
undesirable
Line of Sight
• In this example there are no obstructions in either the direct
line of sight or the fresnel zone
RoamAbout
Preferred
Wireless Networking
– As long as this area remains clear and the antennas are
within the specified distance from each other, a valid
connection should be made
1999 Cabletron Systems