BreezeCOM and Floware unite We're on your wavelength. BreezeNE T DS.
BreezeNET DS.
© 2001 by Alvarion Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form without the written permission of the copyright owner. Trade Names BreezeACCESS, BreezeNET, BreezeLINK, BreezeVIEW, BreezeMANAGE, BreezeCONFIG and BreezeWIZARD are trade names of Alvarion Ltd. Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies. Statement of Conditions The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice.
ii BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide Safety Considerations For the following safety considerations, “Instrument” means the BreezeNET DS.11b units’ components and their cables. Caution To avoid electrical shock, do not perform any servicing unless you are qualified to do so. Line Voltage Before connecting this instrument to the power line, make sure that the voltage of the power source matches the requirements of the instrument. Radio The instrument transmits radio energy during normal operation.
Important Notice iii Important Notice This user's manual is delivered subject to the following conditions and restrictions: ! This manual contains proprietary information belonging to Alvarion Ltd. Such information is supplied solely for the purpose of assisting explicitly and properly authorized users of BreezeNET.
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Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................1-1 About BreezeNET ..................................................................................1-2 About BreezeNET Tools ........................................................................1-3 About BreezeNET Base Stations ............................................................1-5 Access Point AP-DS.11b ..............................................................1-5 About This User’s Guide .........
vi BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide Verifying the TCP/IP Protocol Settings ..................................... 3-10 Configuration Scenarios ....................................................................... 3-12 Wired LAN Administrator Station ............................................. 3-12 Wireless LAN Administrator Station ......................................... 3-13 Uninstalling BreezeNET Software ....................................................... 3-15 Basic Network Configuration .......
Table of Contents Maintaining Access Control Tables ............................................ 7-20 Maintaining WEP Encryption Keys ............................................. 7-20 Advanced Network Configuration ........................... 8-1 Introduction ........................................................................................... 8-2 Advanced Parameters .................................................................. 8-2 Configuring Large Networks ...................................
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Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction About This Chapter This chapter gives a basic description of the BreezeNet system and includes the following sections: 0 ! About BreezeNET on page 1-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet. ! About BreezeNET Tools on page 1-3, introduces the BreezeNET support applications. ! About BreezeNET Base Stations on page 1-5, introduces BreezeNET Base Stations. ! About This User’s Guide on page 1-6, gives tips and exp-lanations to help you get the most from this User’s Guide.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 1-2 About BreezeNET The Alvarion BreezeNET product family is a comprehensive set of network equipment that enables you to build any type of network configuration, from a small independent wireless network to a large, completely wireless infrastructure. The Alvarion BreezeNET product family consists of an AP-DS.
Introduction 1-3 About BreezeNET Tools The Alvarion BreezeNET software suite consists of a set of management tools that enables you to: ! Display and modify the configuration of (remote) network components. ! Configure network components such as Base Stations. ! Diagnose the network performance and, if necessary, identify and solve network errors. ! Manage and optimize network performance.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 1-4 AP Manager The AP Manager is primarily a tool for LAN administrators or system supervisors. You can use the AP Manager program to configure Base Stations and to monitor the performance of your wireless network. It can be run on any station in the network, either wired or wireless. Manual Version 1.
Introduction 1-5 About BreezeNET Base Stations The Base Stations are identified by either one of the following MAC addresses: ! The universal MAC address of (one of) the Wireless Network Interface(s) used by the Base Station, or ! The universal MAC address of the Ethernet Interface. Access Point AP-DS.11b The AP-DS.11b Access Point is a transparent bridge device equipped with: ! An integrated Wireless Network Interface to connect Wireless Stations to a (wired) network.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 1-6 About This User’s Guide This guide describes how to use the BreezeNET tools to configure and monitor wireless LANs built with BreezeNET products. In this manual, you will find the following: ! 1 “Introduction” describes the BreezeNET tools and the sources for finding more information. ! 2 “Wireless Configuration” describes network scenarios that will be used throughout this document.
Introduction 1-7 About Icons used in this Document Throughout this document we use the following icons to represent the various networking devices: Icon Description Wireless computer Equipped with: PC Card (CP1515) Base Station Access Point (RLM) On-line Help Documentation Information about specific software screens or options in your AP Manager or Client Manager program is covered in the on-line help of the programs.
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Wireless Configurationsn Chapter 2 Wireless Configuration About This Chapter This chapter explains how to configure the wireless setting of the BreezeNET system and include the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 2-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet wireless features.. ! Peer-to-Peer Workgroup on page 2-3, introduces how to configure workgroups with BreezeNET. ! Basic Infrastructure on page 2-4, introduces BreezeNET infrastructure options.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 2-2 Introduction This document describes a number of network scenarios that may serve as an example for building your wireless system. Wireless systems typically apply to indoor network environments that require connectivity for devices roaming throughout the network environment. Wireless systems are wireless networks that service wireless (mobile) devices.
Wireless Configuration 2-3 Peer-to-Peer Workgroup A Peer-to-Peer workgroup, as pictured in Figure 2-1, is a group of wireless devices that do not bridge their data via the Base Station. All machines within a Peer-to-Peer network are configured to “Peer- to-Peer” mode. The most simple independent network is one without a server, where stations communicate Peer-to-Peer, e.g. by sharing a disk or printer via Microsoft Networking.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 2-4 Basic Infrastructure Stand Alone Configuration In a stand alone configuration ( Figure 2-2), the Base Station will function as a relay base station, that will forward the data communication from one computer to another within the same wireless cell. This is the quickest and easiest way to set up a small wireless LAN infrastructure. This configuration is ideal for temporary installations (e.g.
Wireless Configuration 2-5 Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks Connecting Base Stations to an Ethernet network, as pictured in Figure 2-3, allows you to: ! Create a wireless environment for mobile computers –Or– ! Connect a number of stations (mobile and/or desktop) to an existing ethernet infrastructure, creating a larger coverage area.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 2-6 Advanced Infrastructures Multiple Channel Configuration The stations are capable of switching their operating frequency channel dynamically when roaming between Base Stations that have been configured to use different radio channels. Using different channels enables you to optimize wireless performance, assigning different frequency channels to neighboring Base Stations.
Wireless Configuration 2-7 The preferred channel separation between the channels in neighboring cells is 25 MHz (5 channels). Subject to the number of channels supported by the wireless client adapters available in your country, this means that you can apply up to three different channels within your wireless network (see Table 6-2 for recommended channel configurations).
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Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station Chapter 3 Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Section About This Chapter This chapter explains how to manage a BreezeNET system from an Administrator Station and include the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 3-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet LAN Administration. ! Assigning an LAN Administrator Station on page 3-3, introduces how to set-up an Administrator station. ! Managing Peer-to-Peer Workgroups on page 3-4, introduces workgroup management.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-2 Introduction BreezeNET infrastructures are managed from the LAN administrator station. Within this chapter decision points are described which are necessary to help you set up LAN administrator station(s) to properly manage your network. Typically, the LAN administrator station is a computer used by the LAN administrator to configure, manage and monitor the network.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-3 Assigning an LAN Administrator Station Minimum Requirements To set up the LAN administrator station, you can use any desktop or portable computer that meets the following requirements: ! A 80486 or faster processor. ! Free disk space of 4 MB. ! 8 MB RAM (16 MB or more recommended). ! Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000 or NT 4.0.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-4 Managing Peer-to-Peer Workgroups A Peer-to-Peer workgroup consists of several stations communicating directly to each other without bridging data via the Base Station. Peer-to-Peer workgroups do not need the Alvarion BreezeNET tools. For more information refer to the documentation that comes with your product. Manual Version 1.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-5 Managing Infrastructure Networks In an infrastructure network, you will primarily use the LAN administrator station that has the AP Manager installed to configure your Base Stations and monitor the radio traffic between selected Base Stations and stations within the network.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-6 ! You need to do a site verification to determine optimal placement of Base Stations. ! It is also possible remote configure and monitor the Base Station via a dialup connection. This feature is only possible when the network is externally accessible. Of course you can assign multiple stations as LAN administrator stations, allowing for a combination of wired and wireless stations and allowing you the freedom to choose the most appropriate tool for the situation.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-7 Monitoring You can use the following tools to monitor your infrastructure network: ! Client Manager " Wireless client adapter diagnostics " Logging measurements data " Site monitor " Link test ! AP Manager " System information " Remote link test " Remote statistics For more information on monitoring your network, refer to Monitoring your BreezeNET Network on page 5-1.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-8 Installing BreezeNET Software Client Manager The Client Manager is a diagnostics tool that runs on wireless stations only. To setup the LAN administrator station that is capable of running the Client Manager program, the station must be equipped with the wireless client adapter. To install the Client Manager software, proceed as follows: 1. Insert the software CD-ROM that came with your Base Station station that you have designated as the LAN administrator station.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-9 ! Network Interface Card (NIC) to connect this station to the network. The NIC cards can be of any type, including: " Wireless client adapter (for wireless stations) " Ethernet card ! TCP/IP protocol stack (see Verifying the TCP/IP Protocol Settings). Installing AP Manager To install the AP Manager software, proceed as follows: 1.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-10 Verifying the TCP/IP Protocol Settings The AP Manager program requires a TCP/IP networking protocol to communicate with the Base Station. When setting up the Base Stations for the first time you will need to verify the TCP/IP settings of the LAN administrator station.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-11 5. When prompted to restart your computer, select Yes. Once your computer has restarted, you will be ready to configure the Base Station via any of the configuration scenarios as described on Configuration Scenarios on page 3-12.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-12 Configuration Scenarios In the previous section you may have selected either a wired, or a wireless LAN administrator station. This section will describe some of the characteristics and features of each type and identify whether further modifications to the setup of your computer or “desktop workplace” are required.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-13 ! The Base Stations will be installed on remote locations, that are accessible via TCP/IP networking. Figure 3-6: Wired Access via a Network Connection Looking at Figure 3-6, the LAN administrator station has access to both Base Stations A and B via the wired backbone.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 3-14 Using a wireless LAN administrator station allows you to configure Base Stations: ! Directly by means of a wireless point-to-point connection as pictured in Figure 3-7 on page 3-13, or ! Indirectly by means of a wireless point-to-point connection with another Base Station that provides access to the “target” Base Station via a network backbone as pictured in Figure 3-8.
Setting Up Your LAN Administrator Station 3-15 Uninstalling BreezeNET Software If you wish to remove the BreezeNET software from the LAN administrator station you can use the “Add/Remove” function of your Windows operating system. To uninstall BreezeNET software: 1. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button. 2. Click on Settings and then Control Panel. 3. On the Control Panel window, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. 4.
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Basic Network Configuration Chapter 4 Basic Network Configuration About This Chapter This chapter explains how to configure a BreezeNET system and include the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 4-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet configuration. ! Configuring Infrastructure Networks on page 4-4, introduces different network options.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 4-2 Introduction This chapter will describe how to configure the BreezeNET network for: ! Peer-to-Peer workgroups, and ! Infrastructure networks Peer-to-Peer Workgroups A Peer-to-Peer workgroup consists of several wireless stations communicating directly with each other without bridging data via the Base Station. To set up a Peer-to-Peer workgroup operating with the standard protocols, do the following: ! Set all stations to connect to a Peer-to-Peer workgroup.
Basic Network Configuration 4-3 What you Need To manage your Base Stations, you must assign a unique IP address to each Base Station within your network. Furthermore, your management station must also have an IP address.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 4-4 Configuring Infrastructure Networks Basic Configuration Introduction This section will describe a 4-step installation approach to configure your Base Stations to service a roaming network environment for (mobile) wireless stations. Looking at the example pictured in Figure 4-10, each wireless cell is serviced by one Base Station that has been set to “Base Station Services”. All Base Stations share the same Network Name.
Basic Network Configuration 4-5 4. Create a back-up file of the new configuration settings (optional but recommended). Repeat steps 2 to 4 for each of the Base Stations that you wish to install. Step 1 - Installing the Base Station For installation instructions of the Base Station hardware, please refer to the documentation that was included with the Base Station. Step 2 - Connecting to the Base Station To connect to the Base Station, you need to address each Base Station via its IP address.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 4-6 ! To gain access to Base Stations on a different subnet or via a dial-up connection, enter a specific IP address in the field Enter the IP address for a specific Base Station. Figure 4-11: Main AP Manager window 1. Click the Edit button. ! If the Base Station that you select is identified by the factory-set IP address 153.69.254.254, you will be prompted to change this IP address. " Enter a unique IP address for the Base Station in the field Base Station IP Address.
Basic Network Configuration 4-7 fine with its factory-set values, changing the BreezeNET parameters to unique values will differentiate your network from possible neighboring networks. 1. Select the tab Wireless Interfaces (see Figure 4-12). Figure 4-12: AP Manager Wireless Interfaces tab 2.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 4-8 advised to make a back-up file of this configuration as described in Step 4 Create a Back-up of the Configuration. More advanced parameter settings are discussed in Advanced Network Configurations. Step 4 - Create a Back-up of the Configuration At all times when you change the configuration of the Base Station, we recommend that you create a back-up file of the configuration.
Monitoring your BreezeNET Network Chapter 5 Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network About This Chapter This chapter describes how to monitor and diagnose a BreezeNET system and include the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 5-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet monitoring options. ! Using the Client Manager on page 5-4, introduces the Client Manager application. ! Using the AP Manager on page 5-19, introduces the AP Manager application.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-2 Introduction Once your network has been configured and installed, you can use BreezeNET software tools to: ! Monitor the performance of your network; ! Verify optimal placement of your Base Stations and wireless stations.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-3 Which Tool Should You Use? The decision whether to use the Client Manager or AP Manager largely depends on your capabilities or desire to do diagnostic measurements on-site, or from a central location. Both the Client Manager and the AP Manager offer logging functions that can save measurement data for later evaluation or comparison with previous measurements.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-4 Using the Client Manager Monitoring Methods The Client Manager offers four monitoring methods: ! Wireless Client diagnostics (see Diagnose Card) ! Link test (see Link Test Window) ! Site monitor (see Site Monitor Window) ! Logging measurement data (see Logging Measurement Data) The site monitor, link test and logging measurement data options are only available when the Client Manager is installed in “Advanced” mode (see Client Manager” for more information).
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-5 " Good " Marginal " Poor, or " Out of range The quality of the radio connection is also displayed with a colored icon. The color indicates the quality of the connection " Green: Excellent or good connection " Yellow: Marginal connection " Red: Poor connection " Red with error sign: No connection ! The name of the Base Station to which the mobile wireless computer is connected at that moment. ! The channel used for the connection.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-6 ! The Base Station, when your Client Manager station is connected to an “Infrastructure Network” (see “Wireless Configuration”). In this type of network you will not be able to select another link test partner; when roaming throughout the wireless network environment, the link test partner may change dynamically whenever another Base Station provides better communications quality.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-7 Test Results Tab The Test Results tab is your primary screen to analyze link test results using the following indicators: ! Signal to noise radio (SNR) ! Received messages Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) The signal to noise ratio (SNR) identifies the communications quality of radio path between your station and the link test partner. This indicator is updated dynamically according to the actual status of the radio link.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-8 ! Compare the total number of messages sent to the number of messages received. " When the communications quality is rated as “Excellent” or “Good”, the total number of lost messages should be zero. " When communications quality is “Marginal”, the total number of lost messages may be in the range of 1% to 3% " When the total number of messages is >5% your network environment will most likely suffer from performance problems.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-9 ! Freeze - to momentarily stop the dynamic indicators and updating of numerical values, for example to analyze the results on your screen in more detail. ! Reset - to reset all of the diagnostic counters back to zero. You can use this option to investigate the results of an action to remedy a cause of poor performance. For example after you switched off a microwave oven that you suspect is causing interference.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-10 When roaming throughout a wireless network environment with your Client Manager station, you will be able to identify areas that may not have adequate coverage, or that suffer from in-band interference from other (wireless) equipment such as security gates, microwave ovens or photo copiers. To start the site monitor, select Site Monitor in the Advanced menu in the main Client Manager window. This will display the window pictured in Figure 5-15.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-11 Displayed across the top of the Site Monitor window are the following fields: ! Current Network (SSID) - which identifies the name of the network to which you are currently connected. ! Distance between APs - describes the Base Station density setting of the network to which you are currently connected. These fields will remain visible when selecting any of the other options in the Site Monitor window.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-12 The first time you open the Site Monitor window, the Base Stations are sorted in descending order of the SNR values. 6. (optional) To sort Base Stations in a different way, simply select another display item in column one. Customizing the Site Monitor Display For specific purposes, you may wish to select one or more of the other parameters as well, for example: ! Display the signal level (Signal) and noise level (Noise) to determine the cause of a poor level of SNR.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-13 " display all Base Stations belonging to that network that are within range of your Client Manager station.Peer-to-Peer workgroup: " a workgroup is created between stations with the setting Peer-toPeer. Selecting another Wireless Network: 1. Click the Selection tab on the Site Monitor window to display the window pictured in Figure 5-16.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-14 display these values only for the infrastructure network to which you are actually connected. When the list of Observed Networks does not show other networks, this means that: ! Your Client Manager station has been configured with a specific Network Name. ! This setting will not allow you to scan for/monitor other network infrastructures. To do so, you will need to reconfigure your station to use the Network Name “ANY”.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-15 When you are running the Client Manager tool in site monitor mode, you can use the AP Names tab to assign the Base Station name “on-the-fly” to any Base Station MAC address that you spot. When you spot Base Stations identified as “unknown” proceed as follows: 1. Open the tab AP names. 2. Enter a MAC address or double-click on one of the MAC addresses in the list. 3. Enter a name that allows for easy identification of this Base Station in the Base Station Name field.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-16 supports continuous data logging, which the Site Monitor window does not support. Manual Data Logging The manual data logging function allows you to take a snapshot of the measurement data at specific moment in time, e.g. when you are running site monitor to do a site survey or when you are investigating a particular source of interference.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-17 2. Enter a filename for your log file in the field Log Filename. If you: ! Enter a new filename - a new file is created. ! Enter the same filename - the data will be appended ! Use the default filename - the data will be appended. 3. Select the mode of logging: ! Data logging off - no data is logged. ! Manual data logging - to manually record your link measurements. Optionally, you can add comments each time you log data by clicking the “Add comments” check box.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-18 NOTE: Running the card test will disrupt the normal operation of your wireless client adapter, which may result in a temporary loss of your connection to the network. If the wireless client adapter passes all tests, the test status will read “OK” in all fields, and the Error Code field will remain blank. If an error occurs, click the Advice button for more information on how to handle the error.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-19 Using the AP Manager You can use the AP Manager to: ! Display a standard set of SNMP variables to monitor general LAN traffic performance in your network (see Remote Statistics Tab). ! Display remote link test measurements (see Remote Link Test Window) between a (remote) Base Station of your choice and a wireless station connected to the selected Base Station. The AP Manager has been designed to monitor your network from a central location (e.g.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-20 NOTE: Only Base Stations in the same subnet as the management station are displayed in the list. To investigate a link outside of the subnet, enter the specific IP address in the Enter the IP address of a specific Base Station field. 3. Click Monitor to connect to the target Base Station. 4. The monitor mode of the AP Manager window is displayed as pictured in Figure 5-18. You can now monitor your network.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-21 ! The Up Time field displays the time interval measured from the last time the Base Station was reset. If the up time is lower than expected, the Base Station may have been reset manually or rebooted automatically. ! The fields Services and Object ID do not display relevant information to endusers. You will need these values and the contents of the Description field only when contacting Technical Support to report a problem.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-22 Remote Link Test Window The AP Manager remote link test enables you to investigate the radio link between the Base Station of your choice (the “initiator station”) and a station connected to the selected Base Station. This station can be a wireless station connected to the selected Base Station. NOTE: The remote link test works only in combination with Base Stations.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-23 " 2 = PC Card slot A " 3 = PC Card slot B ! The Radio Type field identifies the type of PC Card (in the corresponding slots): " IEEE 802.11 for PC Cards 2. (Optional) To refresh the list, click the Refresh button. 3. Select a station from the list and click the Link Test button to display the Remote Link Test window as pictured in Figure 5-20.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-24 If the level of SNR is lower than expected the signal and noise level indicators may help you investigate the cause. Click the Details button to show the signal and noise level indicators. ! A low signal level indicates that the “strength” of the radio signal is fairly low, i.e. the Base Station selected link test partner has moved “out-ofrange”.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-25 To view the remote statistics, select the Remote tab from the AP Manager window in the monitor mode (see Figure 5-21 : Remote Statistics information). The performance for each of the interfaces of the selected Base Station can be displayed. Selecting the interface of your choice from the Select the interface pull down menu.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 5-26 System Intervals To display the system interval parameters to monitor the Base Station, you must first connect to the target Base Station as described in Connecting to Base Stations. Select the System tab and click the Options button to display the window pictured in Figure 5-22.
Monitoring Your BreezeNET Network 5-27 the initiator stations network via a low-speed connection (e.g. a dial-up modem connection). Adjusting SNMP Polling Interval The data displayed in the Remote tab refreshes at regular intervals that can vary between 1 second and 5 minutes. Adjust the refresh rate by changing the SNMP polling interval. ! Use a short interval (1 second) when you want to monitor remote statistics on-line, e.g.
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Optimizing Performance Chapter 6 Optimizing Performance About This Chapter This chapter describes how to optimize the performance of your BreezeNET system and includes the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 6-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet LAN performance. ! Eliminating Redundant Traffic on page 6-3, describes how to manage the amount of traffic on your BreezeNET system. ! Designing High Capacity Networks on page 6-20, gives tips and hints for network design.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-2 Introduction The performance of your LAN is usually determined by a complex combination of different factors. This section will present a number of considerations that may help you to: ! Determine whether optimization is really needed, ! Tailor your BreezeNET network to optimize its performance.
Optimizing Performance 6-3 Eliminating Redundant Traffic Data transmitted via your network can be divided in two major types of data: ! True Data - is data communicated between network stations, such as filetransfer or e-mail. This “True Data”, usually referred to as “payload”, also includes messages that were retransmitted one or multiple times as a result of a collision, malfunctioning cable connection or poor radio link.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-4 Do You Need Protocol Filtering? To diagnose whether or not the protocol broadcasts degrade the performance of a wireless network, you can use the Remote Statistics tab as described on Remote Statistics Tab. 1. Start the AP Manager and select the Base Station and click the Monitor button. 2. From the Monitor menu, select Remote Statistics. 3. Select the Remote tab to display the interface statistics. 4.
Optimizing Performance 6-5 4. Select the Base Station of your choice and click the Edit button. 5. Select the Bridge tab to show the protocol filtering information. 6. On the top-right side of the protocol filtering section, click the Edit button to open the Protocols to Filter window (pictured in Figure 8-37). 7. Place a check mark for all protocols that you wish to filter. 8. (Optional) To add a non-listed protocol to the list, click the Custom button to enter the protocol manually. 9.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-6 ! Your network system will generate a large number of error messages as a result of the faulty connection(s). As these messages are taking up bandwidth, the performance of your network may become very slow. Checking the Cable System The occurrence of a problem in the cabling system can be diagnosed with the remote statistics found on “Remote” tab in the monitor mode of the AP Manager. 1.
Optimizing Performance 6-7 ! Wired stations connected to the cabling system. If your network uses BNC coax cable (10Base2), make sure that terminators are placed on both ends. Checking the Length of Your LAN Segments In exceptional cases, networking problems may be caused by LAN segments that have been stretched over (too) large distances. In these situations, frequent collisions might occur because stations can no longer detect the carriers transmitted by distant stations.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-8 Station may get lost. Waiting in vain for an acknowledgment of the receiving station, the sending station will re-transmit the lost packet. Upon receipt of the same packet for the second time, the receiving station might decide to discard all packets received so-far, which would require that the sending station will have to retransmit all packets once again.
Optimizing Performance 6-9 Important indicators to monitor on the Remote Link Test window are: ! Signal to noise ratio (SNR) for an overview of the radio link quality. ! Signal level to determine whether a poor SNR is related to a weak radio signal (i.e. a station is “out-of-range”). ! Noise level to determine whether a poor SNR is related to a source of interference. IEEE Information The IEEE information on the IEEE 802.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-10 Remote Statistics Tallies Select the Remote tab in the monitor mode. Select either one of the interfaces from the pull-down menu to display the statistics for the wireless network interface(s). Then, use the following to diagnose link quality: 1. Compare the number of In errors with the number of Bridge in packets. ! When the number of “In errors” is 1% or more of the “Bridge in packets”, this may indicate that the wireless medium is very busy. 2.
Optimizing Performance 6-11 NOTE: You can also use the Client Manager to analyze the link quality between a remote station and the Base Station. In that case, you will need to have access to the “problem location” to do on-site diagnostics.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-12 Figure 6-24 illustrates an example of the “hidden station” problem. Both station A and station B are within range of the Base Station however, station B cannot “hear” station A, therefore station A is a “hidden station” for station B. When station B starts to communicate with the Base Station, it might not notice that station A is already using the wireless medium.
Optimizing Performance 6-13 ! Upon receipt, the Base Station will respond with a CTS message to all stations within its range to: " notify all other stations to defer transmissions for the time-frame of the requested transmission. " confirm the requestor station that the Base Station has checked the medium for availability, and has reserved it for the time-frame of the requested transmission. The CTS process is shown in Figure 6-26.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-14 ! When a message is shorter than the RTS/CTS medium reservation threshold, the Base Station will not initiate an RTS to the addressed station, but use the CSMA/CA protocol: i.e. it will immediately transmit the message when it senses that the medium is free.
Optimizing Performance 6-15 5. Next create a backup-file of the new configuration (see Step 4 - Create a Back-up of the Configuration). Frequency Channel Management When your network consists of more than one Base Station, we recommend that you alternate sub-channel frequencies between adjacent Base Stations to provide more bandwidth to the wireless stations in each cell. The number of available channels is subject to local radio regulations that apply in your country.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-16 Multiple-Channel Configuration You can alternate the frequency channels of your Base Stations between three or more sub-channels (depending on local radio regulations that apply in your country).
Optimizing Performance 6-17 3. Choose the socket (A or B) for the network interface that you would like to configure. 4. Click the Advanced button. A pull-down box will appear, allowing you to select a different operating frequency. The number of channels is subject to local regulations. 5. In the Wireless Advanced Setup window, use the Channel pull-down menu to select a sub-channel that allows for maximum channel separation from neighboring Base Stations (minimum channel separation: 25 MHz).
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-18 3. Click OK again to save the new configuration to the Base Station and to return to the main AP Manager window. 4. Next create a backup-file of the new configuration (see Step 4 - Create a Back-up of the Configuration). 5. Update the “Base Station Configuration Record” in Appendix A: Start Up Configuration on page A-1 to reflect these changes. 6. (Optionally) Modify the configurations of all your other Base Stations accordingly.
Optimizing Performance 6-19 Figure 6-29: Link Integrity Window For more information about link integrity refer to the help-file of the AP Manager program.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-20 Designing High Capacity Networks In networking environments where you have either data intensive users, or a large number of users in a small area, you may wish to improve the throughput efficiency and/or load balancing of your Base Stations. This solution described in this section allows you to balance “maximum range for minimum hardware investments” versus “maximum throughput performance for higher hardware investments”.
Optimizing Performance 6-21 In this type of situations the disappointing network performance might be caused by the busy wireless traffic in that area, where the CSMA/CA protocol causes the wireless stations to defer transmissions to often for either: ! Heavy data traffic by other stations in the same wireless cell ! Traffic from stations in neighboring cells, where stations in a location where wireless cells overlap one another seem to suffer more than the other stations.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 6-22 parameter should correspond with the actual increase of and more dense placement of your Base Stations. The examples listed on the following pages will illustrate the effect of the various Distance between APs configurations. In Figure 6-30 you see the standard configuration of networks, where Distance between APs parameter has been set to Large.
Optimizing Performance 6-23 Roaming stations will start looking for/connect to another Base Station as soon as they leave the colored area belonging to a specific Base Station.
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SecurityOptimizing Performance Chapter 7 Security About This Chapter This chapter describes how to set the security parameters of your BreezeNET system and includes the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 7-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet Security options. ! Securing Access to Wireless Data on page 7-3, describes how to secure your BreezeNET system. ! Wireless Data Encryption on page 7-10, gives tips and hints for encrypting data.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-2 Introduction An advantage of the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless networks is that it gives a quick and easy way to connect your wireless station to a network. For instance, BreezeNET stations that have been configured with the network name “ANY” will connect to the first IEEE 802.11 compatible Base Station it can find within range. The drawback of this “quick & easy connectivity” is the vulnerability of the LAN to unauthorized access.
Security 7-3 Securing Access to Wireless Data To prevent unauthorized stations from accessing data that is transmitted over the network, the products support the following levels of security: ! “Restrict Wireless Access to the Network” ! Data encryption to encrypt all data transmitted via the wireless medium (see Wireless Data Encryption).
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-4 " all non-BreezeNET stations with a “zero string ESSID” or “ANY” as network name. NOTE: The Closed option is not compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless LANs. To close your network proceed as described below: 1. Start the AP Manager and select the Base Station. 2. Click Edit to connect the Base Station. 3. Select the Wireless Interfaces tab (see Figure 7-33). 4. Select the interface (PC Card slot A or B) of the network you wish to secure. 5.
Security 7-5 Repeat steps 1 through 9 for all other Base Stations. Access Control Another method to restrict wireless access to the Base Stations is to use the access control table feature and/or the RADIUS Server Access Control feature. If you decide to enable the access control table feature your Base Stations will: ! only bridge messages to/from authorized stations, that have been identified in the access control table. ! ignore all requests to forward data to/from non-listed BreezeNET stations.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-6 1. Start the AP Manager and select the Base Station. 2. Click the Edit button. 3. Select the Access Control tab. 4. Click the Edit button to display all MAC addresses that are currently authorized as pictured in Figure 7-34. By default, access control is set to , i.e. there are currently no access restrictions defined. 5. Use the following buttons to modify the MAC address table: ! - to add MAC addresses one at a time.
Security 7-7 You can use this file later to import the configuration into other Base Stations. 8. Click OK to return to the Access Control tab. 9. Click OK again to save the new configuration to the Base Station and to return to the main AP Manager window. 10.(Optional) Save the configuration to a local back-up file (*.cnf) as described in Step 4 - Create a Back-up of the Configuration. To save the table to all Base Stations, please refer to Importing an Access Control Table1.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-8 7. Update the “Base Station Configuration Record” to reflect this change. 8. (Optional) Modify the access control settings for all other Base Stations. Enabling RADIUS Server Access Control RADIUS Server Access Control is a method where you use Base Stations in combination with a third-party RADIUS server. To use RADIUS Server Access Control, you will need to: 1. Setup a RADIUS server 2.
Security 7-9 3. Select the Access Control tab. 4. Click the lower Edit button to display the RADIUS server name and secret parameter. 5. Enable the check box Enable RADIUS Server. ! Default value is: RADIUS Access Control Disabled For more information refer the help-file (press F1 ) of the AP Manager.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-10 Wireless Data Encryption To provide the highest level of security to wireless data transmitted via your network, you can use the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption. To use WEP data encryption in your network, you need: ! All wireless stations and access points must be equipped with Client Manager cards ! All devices must be configured with matching WEP encryption key values.
Security 7-11 You are advised to use the Base Station configuration log to write down the proposed WEP key values, and store the information in a safe place. Figure 7-35: Enabling WEP Encryption Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption enables you to encrypt all data that will be transmitted via the wireless LAN medium. To use WEP within your network, all access points and wireless stations must be equipped with Client Manager cards that have been configured to use identical encryption keys.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-12 7. Click OK again to save the configuration to the Base Station and to return to the main AP Manager window. The Base Station will now reboot. Optionally you can choose to configure your Base Station to allow or deny nonencrypted data. WEP Encryption Key Values If you select to enable encryption you may choose to enter up to the following encryption keys.
Security 7-13 Deny non-encrypted Data If you decide to use wireless data encryption, you are advised to encrypt all data that will be transmitted via the wireless medium. In some cases however you may wish to choose to allow the Base Station also to process non-encrypted data as well.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-14 Enable Encryption & Deny non-encrypted Data When you select to enable encryption and deny non-encrypted data, your Base Station will: ! Only process messages received at its wireless interface, when the messages have been encrypted with either one of the four identified keys. ! Always transmit wireless data using the selected WEP key. ! Also encrypt all its multicast and broadcast traffic that it will transmit to the wireless medium.
Security 7-15 unless you want to provide easy access for any client station and/or migration is more critical to your data network than top-level security. Good Practice Administering Encryption Keys Like with other properties, your WEP lock is as safe as locking the door to your house: i.e. if you don't stick to secure policies on who will be allowed to use the key, or will know where to find it, even the strongest lock can be opened by an intruder.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-16 Securing Base Station Setup Security measures, such as access control, become ineffective when unauthorized persons can view and modify the configuration of your Base Stations.
Security 7-17 4. In the field Read/Write Password, enter the new password. The default value is “public”. 5. Click OK to save the configuration to the Base Station. The Base Station will now reboot. SNMP IP Access List In addition to the read and read/write passwords, you can restrict access to the Base Station configuration to a limited number of authorized stations.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-18 is an authentication failure or a link up or down is detected. The trap host alert will enable the network administrator to verify whether the reset or forced reload action was an authorized action or not. Enable Trap Host Alerts To activate the trap host mechanism: 1. Start the AP Manager and select the Base Station. 2. Click the Edit button to connect to the Base Station. 3. Select the SNMP tab to display the SNMP parameters. 4.
Security 7-19 Call Boot Trap Messages A Call boot trap message can occur in one of the following situations: ! Base Station is reset ! Power down ! Base Station configuration has been changed Authentication Failure Messages This message type is sent to the LAN administrator station once a wrong password has been entered on a (mobile) station. However, the Base Station itself does not respond, a time out error occurs.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 7-20 Advanced Security Maintenance Maintaining Access Control Tables It is best to create a single access control table and store it on the harddisk of the LAN administrator station and/or share it with other LAN administrator stations. You are advised to use only one table for all Base Stations. For more information refer to Creating/Editing an Access Control Table.
Security 7-21 The key roll-over possibilities built in the 802.11 standard and offered by BreezeNET allow for a number of scenarios, each with different values for the above aspects. The sequence of key configuration settings at Base Station (shown as AP=Base Station) and Station (shown as STA) over time is shown in a number of tables below. Each table reflects a certain key roll-over strategy.
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Security 7-23 bigger than the transition, this can still be considered to be a single key scheme, because most of the time only a single key is in use. Alternative Schemes Alternative schemes can be envisaged, which have main life periods in which two or more keys are active.
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Advanced Network Configurations Chapter 8 Advanced Network Configuration About This Chapter This chapter describes how to configure advanced aspects of your BreezeNET system and includes the following sections: 0 ! Introduction on page 8-2, gives an overview of BreezeNet’s advanced features. ! Configuring Large Networks on page 8-16, describes how to work with large networks. ! Modifying the Configuration on page 8-21, gives tips and hints for modifying your configuration.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-2 Introduction To configure your BreezeNET network beyond the basic configuration a number of advanced aspect will be discussed: ! Advanced Parameters, ! Configuring Large Networks, ! Modifying the Configuration, ! Restoring a Back-up Configuration, ! Dual PC Card Configuration, and ! About IP Addresses and Subnets.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-3 Advanced Parameters If you created a basic Base Station configuration, as described in the previous section, you may have already noticed the additional buttons in the setup window, as pictured in Figure 4-12. Frequency The Frequency setup menu gives you the ability to select an operating frequency from a range of sub-channels within the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The number of selectable channels is determined by the radio regulations that apply in your country.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-4 ! an interference source is located in the signal path between the “trouble” stations and the Base Station. To enable Interference Robustness click the Advanced button on the Wireless Interfaces tab in the edit mode to display the Advanced Setup window, then select the option Interference Robustness.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-5 NOTE: The settings Medium or Small distance between Base Stations require a excellent quality of radio communications throughout the entire wireless coverage area. In environments where the actual placement of Base Stations was designed to obtain maximum wireless coverage with a minimum number of Base Stations, changing the distance between Base Stations from Large to Medium or Small will not yield better results.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-6 ! Filtering traffic exchanged between two specific stations that are identified by their static MAC address (see Static MAC Address Filter). ! Enabling the spanning tree mechanism to resolve the closed network loops errors (see Spanning Tree). ! Storm threshold filtering to limit the number of messages per port and/or station from being bridged (see Storm Threshold). The Bridge parameter settings are typical “common” parameters, i.e.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-7 1. Determine the minimum set of protocols that must be bridged. 2. Click the Edit button to display the Filter Ethernet Protocols window pictured in Figure 8-37. Figure 8-37: Select Ethernet Protocols to be Filtered 3. Place a check mark in the check box of each protocol that does not need to be transmitted to the wireless medium. To stop filtering a specific protocol, clear the check box. 4.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-8 You can use the MAC filtering option for example to filter broadcast or multicast messages exchanged between wired servers that can receive each others messages also via the wired network. To filter out traffic between such devices add the MAC addresses of both devices as a pair in the Static MAC address Filter list.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-9 4. Click OK to return to the Bridge tab. 5. Click OK again if you want to save this configuration and return to the main AP Manager window. Otherwise continue changing other parameters. At this point, we recommend that you create a backup file, as described in Step 4 - Create a Back-up of the Configuration.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-10 The mandatory parameters that you must specify are: ! Base Station “IP address” (unique for each Base Station, in case of a BOOTP or DHCP server, this IP address is entered automatically). ! Base Station “Subnet Mask” (the same for all Base Stations, in case of a BOOTP or DHCP server, this IP address is entered automatically). ! (optional) Default router (usually the same for all Base Stations).
Advanced Network Configurations 8-11 The IP address is primarily used to address this Base Station when you use the AP Manager program to configure and/or monitor this device. When your organization does not use IP addressing, you can enter a userdefined value. For example a value of the same pattern as the factory-set IP address 153.69.254.254, where you replace the last three digits with a numerical value in the range of “1” to “253”.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-12 The value will be decreased each time the message passes a router. When the TTL value becomes 0, the message will be rejected by the next router it meets. By default, the value is 64. SNMP Parameters Most SNMP parameters (except for the System Location and System Name) are common parameters, i.e. they should be the same for ALL Base Stations in your network. To set the SNMP parameters proceed as follows: 1.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-13 Read Password Change the Read Password parameter in order to prevent unauthorized access to the Base Stations. A read password is requested when you connect to Base Stations with the Monitor option. The default value is “public”. With the correct read password, a local LAN administrator can only monitor Base Station statistics and tables, but not view or change any of the parameters.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-14 Trap Host Password Use the Trap Host Password field to enter a password that will be included in the SNMP trap messages. You can use this password at the trap host station to filter out trap messages that may have been sent to the trap host station erroneously. SNMP IP Access List You can use the SNMP IP Access List to create an extra level of security in addition to the read an read/write passwords.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-15 Ethernet Interface Subject to the type of interface offered by your Base Station, you can select one of the options (see Figure 8-42). Figure 8-42: Select Ethernet Interface For more information about selecting the Ethernet Interface refer to the helpfile of the AP Manager program.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-16 Configuring Large Networks Each Base Station configuration is characterized by two types of parameters: ! Common parameters that must be the same for ALL Base Stations in your network, and ! Unique parameters that must be unique for each Base Station in your network. In larger networking organizations, it may become quite cumbersome to copy the common parameters to each of the Base Stations in the network in order to provide consistency throughout the entire network.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-17 A list of common parameters is shown in Table 8-7 below, together with the AP Manager tabs where you can view or modify the parameters.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-18 1. Preparation Identify and record all information related to each of the Base Stations to be configured. 2. Creating a template file Identify and set the common parameters that should apply to all Base Stations within your network. 3. Configuring all Base Stations Import the template file and modify all the unique identifiers to differentiate the Base Station from the other Base Stations.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-19 ! Run AP Manager and connect to the target Base Station. ! Upload the template file that contains the values that are common for all Base Stations from a template file. ! Set the unique parameters for each Base Station. ! Save the values to an individual configuration file on disk. The detailed procedure is as follows: 1. Start the AP Manager program. 2. Select the target Base Station from the list or enter a specific Base Station IP address.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-20 Repeat step 2 - 7 for every other Base Station that you wish to configure. Completing the Installation When you configured the Base Stations at your desk, i.e. the Base Stations were not yet installed into their intended location, label each Base Station with clear instructions for your installation technicians. 1. Record the intended location of the Base Station on a label and attach the label to the Base Station. 2.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-21 Modifying the Configuration You can modify the Base Station configuration parameters using the Edit button from the main AP Manager window. Keep in mind that you will need to address the Base Station using its new IP address and the new read/write password (if you changed the Read/Write Password parameter) to open the configuration file.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide 8-22 ! If the IP address in not correct, click No to return to cancel the upload procedure The new parameter settings will now be loaded into the FlashROM of the Base Station. This means that the parameters will remain intact whenever the Base Station is reset or switched off and on again. To change the parameters again, simply repeat the procedure as described in this section to reconfigure your Base Stations.
Advanced Network Configurations 8-23 BOOTP and DHCP When powered-up for the very first time, the Base Station will broadcast a request for an IP address. If your network includes a BOOTP or DHCP server, this server will automatically assign an available IP address to the Base Station. Subject to the settings of your BOOTP or DHCP services, you may need to introduce the Base Station MAC address to the BOOTP or DHCP server. Consult the documentation of your BOOTP/DHCP software for more information.
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Appendix A: Start Up Configuration Your Base Station comes with installed operating software factory. Together with this software, the Base Station has also been loaded with a factory set configuration, that allows for “out-of-the box” operation. The factory-set configuration should not be confused with a “default” configuration. For example when performing a “Reboot” or “Forced Reload” (described later in this book) the unit will NOT return to the “factory-set” configuration.
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Appendix A A-3 Alvarion
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Appendix B: Troubleshooting Problems experienced in wireless LAN operation can be related to: ! Configuration mismatch ! Component failure ! Wired or wireless network problems. Problem-solving Approach To resolve a configuration mismatch you will need to compare the configuration parameter settings of both Base Stations and all stations involved. To determine a component failure, check the LED activity of the Base Station.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide B-2 Table B-11 :LED Error Table Power Ethernet Wireless interface A Description/Action: A Continuous Flicker Green Green Off Flicker Green Off Off Off Off Continuous Flicker Green Green Green Continuous Flash Green Red - Amber Amber Flash Red - Normal operation where flickering indicates interface activity. No action required.
Appendix B B-3 Amber Flicker Green Off Off Red - - - Amber - - Amber - Flicker Green Off Forced reload state. The flickering LED indicate LAN activity on the specific LAN interface. This activity is typically caused by the LAN administrator station that is performing the forced reload. Proceed with the forced reload procedure as described in Appendix C: Forced Reload Procedure on page C-1 of this user’s guide. General hardware failure Reboot the Base Station as described in this Appendix.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide B-4 Rebooting Base Stations If a particular Base Station has stopped responding to normal bridging requests, you can reboot (reset) the Base Station. You can reboot Base Stations either manually on-the-spot or remotely. Upon reboot, the Base Station will run the start-up diagnostics and start bridging operation using the configuration parameters as they were stored in the Base Station prior to the reboot.
Appendix B B-5 Remote Reboot To reboot the Base Station from a remote location: 1. Start the AP Manager program. 2. Select the target Base Station from the list or enter the IP address for a specific Base Station. 3. Open the Base Station menu. 4. Select Reboot Base Station. The AP Manager program will now prompt you to enter the password required to reboot the device. 5. Enter the Read/Write password and click OK. 6. The Base Station will restart and run the start-up diagnostics.
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Appendix C: Forced Reload Procedure A forced reload allows you to recover from a situation where: ! The Base Station has stopped responding to the system ! You have mislaid the unique identifiers such as IP address, SNMP read/write password, or other parameters that prevent communication with the Base Station. ! The Base Station has been configured with incorrect wireless network parameters, preventing you to access the Base Station via the wired network interface.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide C-2 Doing a Forced Reload A forced reload procedure consists of three steps: 1. Step 1 - Preparations. 2. Step 2 - Set to “Forced Reload” Mode. 3. Step 3 - Configuring and Uploading Files. One additional step is optional, but recommended: 4. Creating a Back-up File Step 1 - Preparations A forced reload procedure can only be done when you have physical access to the Base Station.
Appendix C C-3 ! Your LAN administrator station is a wired (Ethernet) station. Your LAN administrator station is a Wired Station Your LAN administrator station is connected to the Base Station via the Ethernet interface of the Base Station. ! Make sure the LAN administrator station and the Base Station are connected to the same LAN segment (subnet). To communicate with the Base Station in “Forced Reload” state, no routers are allowed between the target Base Station and the LAN administrator station.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide C-4 3. Use a small pointed object, such as the tip of a ball-point, to press the Reset button. 4. Release the Reset button and wait 5 seconds. The Base Station will do start-up diagnostics, characterized by LED activity, where the LEDs will change color in the range Amber, Red and Green. 5. After approximately 5 seconds, use the small pointed object again to press the Reload button for approximately 30 seconds.
Appendix C C-5 Step 3 - Configuring and Uploading Files The complete configuration and upload procedure of the forced reload procedure is pictured in Figure C-45. Select Access Point with Forced Reload status Select menu: Access Point Upload Software Button: Edit Button: Monitor Error Message: First Upload Software File Prompt: Select binary file (*.bin) Import configuration file (*.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide C-6 ! the Base Station has the IP address 153.69.254.254. Figure C-46: The Base Station in Forced Reload 2. Select Upload Software from the Base Station menu to start the configuration and upload procedure. ! If you click the Edit or Monitor button before uploading the software, you will be prompted to upload the software first. 3. In the Open window, move to the directory where you have installed the AP Manager program.
Appendix C C-7 You are advised to check the configuration settings. Click Ok to continue. ! If you do not have a back-up configuration file, or if you do have a file but do not want to use this file to configure the Base Station click No. You are now advised to manually modify/verify the configuration settings of the Base Station (i.e. assign a unique IP address, setup the BreezeNET parameters and, (if applicable) the other Base Station identifiers such as the IP Address and SNMP passwords). 7.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide C-8 ! If the pop-up window does not display the correct IP address and/or SNMP passwords, click No to cancel. ! If the IP address and/or SNMP passwords are correct, click Yes to proceed. 12.The AP Manager program will upload the new (restored) configuration to your Base Station and load it into the FlashROM. The Base Station will reboot and start bridging operation in approximately 60 seconds.
Appendix D: Upgrading Base Station Software The Base Station runs on embedded software, that is also referred to as “firmware” or “Bridge Kernel”. This software is already factory installed, so in normal situations, you do not need to worry about the software of the Base Station. In exceptional cases however, you may choose to load new Base Station software into the FlashROM of your Base Stations, for example in situations where: ! You wish to upgrade your Base Station to support new functionalities.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide D-2 Upload Software When uploading Base Station software (or firmware) no changes are made to the configuration of the Base Station. However, it is recommended to create a back-up file using the Download Config File from the Base Station menu in case no backup-file exist of the current configuration setting. 1. Select the target Base Station from the list or enter an IP address for a specific Base Station. 2. From the Base Station menu, select Upload Software.
Appendix D D-3 1. First save the Base Station software file back to disk, using the same filename, i.e. the software file you opened will be overwritten. 2. Next use the saved file to upload the target Base Station. When the Base Station software file is saved to disk, the “Configuration Parameter Area” of the software file is updated with the settings that were retrieved from the Base Station or imported from the back-up file (*.cnf).
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Glossary A Access Control A security feature for Base Station that enables you to restrict wireless access to a access point to authorized stations only.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide GL-2 Bridge in The total number of data packets arriving at the Base Station from the LAN segment served by the selected wireless network interface. This number reflects the sum of Unicast and Non-Unicast packets. See also: AP Manager, Monitoring, Remote Statistics Bridge in discards The number of data packets not accepted by the Base Station.
Glossary GL-3 D DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) DHCP is a Microsoft proprietary extension to the existing bootstrap protocol (BOOTP). DHCP enables a LAN administrator to have a network server configure workstations with an IP address dynamically without further intervention. A dynamically assigned IP address is referred to as an ‘Active Lease’. The Active Lease usually has an expiry date, which allows re-allocation of IP addresses that are no longer used.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide GL-4 F Filter Aging Time Base Stations maintain dynamic lists to identify the interface where they last spotted a BreezeNET station (either the Ethernet interface, or BreezeNET interface A or B). When the Base Station receives a packet addressed to a specific station, this list will help to determine to which interface the packet should be bridged. When mobile stations roam between multiple cells this table will be updated automatically.
Glossary GL-5 I Initiator Station The (remote) Base Station device that you selected to initiate a Remote Link Test with a wireless station connected to the selected Base Station. The Remote Link Test Partner can either be a wireless station, or another Base Station unit. IP Address The Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique addressing code for computing devices.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide GL-6 Max Age An advanced Bridge setup parameter for Base Station that identifies the maximum age of received Spanning Tree protocol information. When the bridge receives protocol information that exceeds the Max Age value, the bridge will discard the information and start the Forward Delay timer to allow other bridges to forward updated topology information, e.g. that another bridge has become the Root Bridge. Recommended value: 20 seconds.
Glossary GL-7 collisions detected on a particular interface later than 512 bit-times into the transmission of a packet. See also: AP Manager Remote Statistics P Packets received/lost The ‘Packets received/lost’ counter displays the percentage of packets received relative to the number of packets expected. The ‘packets received/lost’ counter is only displayed when you select the View Details option.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide GL-8 Port Priority An advanced Bridge Setup parameter for Base Station that enables you to influence which port should be included in the Spanning Tree, when concurrent bridge ports of a single bridge unit are connected in a loop. A lower value makes a port more likely to become selected in the Spanning Tree than the concurrent one that has a higher numerical value. Valid values: 0-255.
Glossary GL-9 Site Monitor A BreezeNET diagnostics option of the Client Manager program that enables you to display the communications quality of multiple Base Station units simultaneously. You can use the Site Monitor to investigate the overall coverage of your BreezeNET network, and to perform site verifications. Site Verification A procedure to determine or optimize the placement of your Base Station. See also: Site Monitor.
BreezeNET DS.11b User’s Guide GL-10 With the spanning tree algorithm, all bridges on the LAN exchange special configuration messages that allow them to: ! Elect a single bridge among all bridges in the connected LAN segments to be the root bridge. ! Calculate the distance of the shortest path to the Root Bridge. ! Elect a ‘Designated Bridge’ in each LAN segment that will forward packets between that LAN segment and the Root Bridge. Select a ‘Root Port’ among all ports of the bridge unit.
Glossary GL-11 T TTL (Time-To-Live) An advanced IP Parameter Setup counter that you can you use to maintain network efficiency. The purpose of the Time To Live counter (TTL) is to avoid endless forwarding of message frames with an incorrect address that pollute the network medium. The TTL defines a maximum number of passes per hop. Each time the frame is forwarded by a router, the TTL counter decreases by one. When the TTL = 0, the frame is rejected.
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Index A Access Control disable 7 Access Control Table 5 manual setup 17, 18 Advanced Parameters 2 Analysis Polling Interval 26 Analyzing Link Quality see Link Test Results 7 AP Manager 2, 3, 19 about 4 install software 8 B Back-Up configuration files 2, 8 create file 19 BOOTP 23 Bridge In Packets 25 Bridge Kernel 1 Bridge Out Packets 25 Bridge Parameters 5 C Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance 11 Carrier Sense, see CSMA/CA 20 CD-ROM files on 7 Client Manager 3 about 3 Link Test 5 Site Monitor
IX-2 D Default Router 11 DHCP 10, 23 Distance Between APs 4 Download Config File 8, 21 E Encryption see Wired Equivalent Privacy 10 Ethernet configuration scenario 12 connecting to 5 Ethernet Interface selecting 15 F Firmware 1 Forced Reload mode 1 procedure 1, 5 Frequency channel separation 7 H Help on-line 7 I Icons used in this document 7 In Errors 25 Initiator Station 22 Interface Parameters 7 Interference Robustness 3 IP Access List, SNMP 14 IP Address about 22 access point 13, 14 edit 6 MANAGER statio
Index IX-3 Logging Measurement Data stop 17 M MAC Address access control 5 access point 13 MANAGER Station introduction 2 wireless station 6, 13 Manual Data Logging 16 Measurement Data automatic data logging 16 automatic logging 16 logging 9, 14, 15 logging options 16 manual logging 16 Medium Reservation CTS 14 RTS 14 threshold 13 Monitoring AP Manager 2, 19 Client Manager 2 introduction 2 methods 4 utilities 2 Multicast Rate 5 N Network basic access 4 managing 2 name 6 performance 2 problems 1 Network Na
IX-4 R RADIUS Server Access Control 8 Ratio of Errors to Bridge Packets 25 Read Password 16, 2 Read password 16 Read/Write Password 16, 2 Reboot manually 4 remotely 5 Redundant Traffic 3 Refresh Button 23 Remote Link Test 22 Remote Statistics 19 Reset, see Reboot 4 Roaming 22 RTS see Medium Reservation 12 S Securing Unauthorized Access 3 Security access control 5 data encryption 10 read password 16 SNMP IP access 17 trap host alerts 17 WEP Encryption 10 write password 16 Setup bridge parameters 5 Site 9 Sit
Index IX-5 Tools AP Manager 4 Client Manager 3 Traffic payload 3 traffic load 3 Trap Host 11 activate 18 alerts 17 disable 18 IP address 13 mechanism 18 password 18, 14 Trap Messages 11 Troubleshooting problem-solving approach 1 U Unicast Packets see also Traffic 3 Up Time 21 Upgrade access point software 1 Upload Software 6, 2 about 3 Utilities 2 W WEP 10 see Wired Equivalent Privacy 10 WEP Encryption 10 Wired Equivalent Privacy 10 Wireless Interface Parameters 7 Wireless Network setting parameters 6 Al
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213201 We're on your wavelength. www.alvarion.com www.alvario BreezeNE T DS.11 Breeze Bre International Corporate Headquarters Alvarion Ltd. HaBarzel 21a Tel Aviv 69710, Israel Tel: +972 3 645 6262 Fax: +972 3 645 6222 Email: corporate-sales@alvarion.com North & South America Headquarters Alvarion Inc. 1890 Rutherford Road Suite 100 Tel: (760) 517 3100 France Brazil Fax: (760) 517 3200 Chemin de la Dime Le Saint James, 3 Che Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 1685 Email: n.america-sales@alvarion.
