User's Manual

BreadCrumb
®
LX User Guide Rajant Corporation
June 25, 2008 Version 1.06
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4.6 DEPLOYMENT GUIDELINES AND METHODOLOGY (continued)
ii. Rajant recommends elevating each BCWN component a minimum of 6 ft. above the
surrounding terrain for maximum range. Elevating the BCWN components, as little as
14 inches, has proven to increase the range out to approximately 600 ft.
2. Distance
a. If you cannot elevate the BCWN components, they can only be approximately 300 ft. apart.
Also, any wireless clients can be no farther than approximately 300 ft. from a BCWN component.
3. Line of Sight
a. Obstructions to line of sight block/absorb/deflect the wireless LAN’s radio waves, resulting in
poor network performance or total loss of network connectivity.
b. When placing the BCWN components, scan the area for LOS obstructions. Envision the
BCWN’s radio waves as a light beam. Look for obstructions that would result in shadows in the
light beam, they will most likely weaken or block the BCWN’s radio waves.
4. Weather
a. Light precipitation will reduce the range and performance of the BCWN components and wireless
clients.
b. Heavy precipitation or fog will most likely result in extremely reduced range and
frequent or total loss of network connectivity.
4.6.2 DEPLOYMENT METHODOLOGY
The steps detailed in this section should assist you in successfully deploying the BCWN.
1. Scan the terrain on which the BCWN will be deployed.
a. Determine the initial distances for BreadCrumbs.
b. Note any LOS obstructions, and plan BreadCrumb placement to work around them.
2. Identify the PC on which BCAdmin will be run.
a. This PC should have a wireless NIC, as you will need to carry it with you as you deploy the
BCWN.
i. Alternatively, the BCAdmin PC can be stationary with one person monitoring BCAdmin
while another deploys the BreadCrumbs. This method requires some form of
communication (radio, cell phone, etc.) between the two persons.
3. Determine the location of the first two BreadCrumbs.
4. Power ON the device.
5. Wait approximately 90 seconds for the device to boot.
6. Power ON the BCAdmin PC.
7. Start BCAdmin.
8. The BCAdmin console should display the first BreadCrumb.
9. Proceed to the location for this BreadCrumb, observing the network in BCAdmin as you progress.
a. If the BreadCrumb loses network connectivity before you reach its destination, backtrack until
network connectivity is restored. The point at which network connectivity for this BreadCrumb
is restored is most likely the farthest point in this direction at which you will be able to place this
BreadCrumb.
b. If you reach the destination without losing connectivity you can place it there.
i. At this point, you may choose to proceed farther in an attempt to make optimal use of the
available BreadCrumbs.
1. If so, proceed until network connectivity is lost and then backtrack until network
connectivity is restored for this BreadCrumb. The point at which network
connectivity is restored for this BreadCrumb is most likely the farthest point in
this direction at which you will be able to place this BreadCrumb.