Harmony Harmony 802.
Copyright © 2002 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. Covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents: 5,231,634; 5,875,179; 6,006,090. This user’s guide and the software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of Proxim, Incorporated.
Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................. 4 The Harmony Family ....................................................................................... 5 System Requirements ....................................................................................6 The Product Package .....................................................................................6 Harmony 802.11a Access Point Models .......................
Chapter 1 Introduction Thank you for choosing Proxim’s Harmony 802.11a Access Point, a member of Proxim’s Harmony wireless infrastructure family. The Harmony 802.11a Access Point complies with the IEEE 802.11a wireless standard to provide mobile clients with network connectivity at high speed data rates of up to 54 Mbps (up to 108 Mbps in 2XTM mode). The Harmony 802.
Introduction 5 The Harmony Family The Harmony 802.11a Access Point is member of a product family that provides a complete wireless networking solution. • The Harmony Access Point Controller Model 7560 centralizes the management, security, and filtering capabilities of a wireless LAN. The Access Point (AP) Controller communicates with Harmony Access Points over the Ethernet network to provide wireless network access for mobile clients.
Introduction 6 System Requirements To begin using the Harmony 802.11a Access Point, you must have the following items installed on your local network: • A Harmony AP Controller (with firmware version 2.0 or greater installed) • A 10Base-T Ethernet or 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet switch or hub • At least one 802.11a adapter The Product Package Each Harmony 802.11a Access Point package includes: • One Harmony 802.
Introduction 7 Harmony 802.11a Access Point Models There are three models of the Harmony 802.11a Access Point available. They are all essentially the same device with a few differences. Model 8569 • Includes two integral antennas that provide antenna diversity; these antennas cannot be removed from the unit • Provides eight independent Channels in 802.
Introduction 8 Access Point Overview Figure 1: Harmony 802.11a Access Point Model 8570 Top Panel LEDs The top panel LEDs are (from left to right) the Status Ethernet Wireless and LEDs. Status LED The Status LED gives information about the Access Point.
Introduction 9 Wireless LED The Wireless LED blinks green when the Access Point receives data packets over the wireless network. Ethernet LED The Ethernet LED blinks green when the Access Point receives data packets over the Ethernet port. Rear Panel Figure 2: Harmony 802.11a Access Point Model 8570 Rear Panel Ethernet Port This port connects the Access Point to your 10/100Base-T Ethernet network using a straight-through Ethernet cable.
Introduction 10 Power Port The Harmony 802.11a Access Point has a power port on its back panel. The voltage range for the Access Point’s power connector is 10-26 VDC. Proxim recommends that you connect only the Class 2 power supply (12V, 1 Amp) provided with the product to the power port. In addition, Model 8570 and 8571 can accept power from a Harmony Power System Model 7563, which is an alternative power source to the supplied Class 2 power supply. The Harmony Power System is sold separately.
Chapter 2 Installation The Harmony 802.11a Access Point requires a Harmony Access Point (AP) Controller. The AP Controller must be installed on the network before the Access Point can be installed and configured. See the User’s Guide that came with your Harmony AP Controller for instructions on how to install and configure Access Points. Note: The AP Controller must have firmware version 2.0 or greater installed to support the Harmony 802.11a Access Point.
Installation 12 Note: High power radars are allocated as primary users of the 5.25 to 5.35 GHz and 5.65 to 5.85 GHz band. These radar stations can cause interference with and/or damage the Harmony 802.11a Access Point (Models 8569, 8570, and 8571). Industry Canada Guidelines Models 8569 and 8570 have been designed to operate with antennas having a maximum gain of 6 dBi. Model 8571 has been designed to operate with an antenna having a maximum gain of 12 dBi.
Installation 13 Installation Determine the best location for the Harmony 802.11a Access Point using the following considerations: • The length of the Ethernet cable that connects the Access Point to the network must not exceed 100 meters. • Place the Access Point indoors, on a flat, sturdy surface as far from the ground as possible, such as on top of a desk or bookcase, keeping clear of metal obstructions and away from direct sunlight.
Installation 14 Mounting Instructions The Harmony 802.11a Access Point ships with a wall mounting kit so that the unit can be mounted to a wall or ceiling. The wall mounting kit contains the following parts: • One AP Mounting Disk • Two Plastic Wall Mount Anchors • Two #6x0.
Installation 15 2. Attach the Access Point to the mounting disk by aligning the Access Point’s mounting holes (located on the underside of the unit) over the mounting disk’s raised notches (shown below). Mounting Notches Figure 5: AP Mounting Disk Notches 3. Slide the Access Point over the mounting disk until it locks into place. 4. Ceiling mounting is now complete. Return the instructions on page 13 to install the Access Point cabling.
Installation 16 4. Align one of the #6 wood screws with one of the mounting holes (see Figure 6) and screw it into one of the wall anchors or directly into the wall. Do not tighten. 5. Insert the second screw into the remaining mounting hole and screw it into the remaining wall anchor or directly into the wall. 6. Tighten the two screws to secure the mounting disk to the wall. 7.
Chapter 3 Configuration The Harmony 802.11a Access Point must be used in conjunction with a Harmony AP Controller. A Harmony System that supports 802.11a generally consists of one or more Harmony AP Controllers, one or more Harmony Access Points, and one or more mobile clients that have an 802.11a adapter installed. Each Access Point acts as an intermediary between its mobile clients and the AP Controller, converting radio signals into Ethernet packets and vice versa.
Configuration 18 The IEEE 802.11a Specification In 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) adopted the 802.11 standard for wireless devices operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. This standard includes provisions for three radio technologies: direct sequence spread spectrum, frequency hopping spread spectrum, and infrared. Devices that comply with the 802.11 standard operate at a data rate of either 1 or 2 Mbps. In 1999, the IEEE modified the 802.
Configuration 19 802.11a Access Point Configuration All Harmony Access Points are configured automatically by the AP Controller or manually using the AP Controller interface. See the User’s Guide that came with your Harmony AP Controller for information about configuring the Access Point.
Configuration 20 Auto Configure Default Parameters The Harmony System’s Web interface lists each Access Point underneath the AP Controller with which it is partnered. (An Access Point that is not currently partnered with an AP Controller is listed as an Unregistered AP.) The AP Controller will assign default settings to a new Access Point automatically. These settings can be changed within the System’s Web interface. See your AP Controller User’s Guide for more information The 802.
Configuration 21 Operating Mode The Operating Mode determines how the Access Point communicates with its partnered AP Controller. There are three options: Tunneled, Managed and Automatic. When set to Tunneled, the Access Point does not communicate with the Ethernet network directly; all traffic is sent to or received from the AP Controller using an encapsulation technique known as IP Tunneling. In Tunneled mode, an Access Point receives its configuration settings from the AP Controller.
Configuration 22 (5.26 GHz), Channel 56 (5.28 GHz), Channel 60 (5.30 GHz), and Channel 64 (5.32 GHz). These Access Point models can use one of three Channels when in 2X mode: Channel 42 (5.21 GHz), Channel 50 (5.25 GHz), and Channel 58 (5.29 GHz). In the United States, the Harmony 802.11a Access Point Model 8571 can use one of three Channels when in 802.11a-compliant mode: Channel 56 (5.28 GHz), Channel 60 (5.30 GHz), and Channel 64 (5.32 GHz).
Configuration 23 Security Settings The Harmony 802.11a Access Point offers three security settings: No Security, Use WEP for Encryption and Authentication, and the Harmony Security Protocol. WEP Encryption and Authentication The IEEE 802.11a standard specifies an optional encryption feature, known as Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP, that is designed to provide a wireless LAN with a security level equal to what is found on a wired Ethernet network.
Configuration 24 Harmony Security Protocol The Harmony Security Protocol automates encryption management, assigning a unique and dynamic WEP Key to each user.
Configuration 25 Advanced Settings Supported Rates The IEEE 802.11a specification supports eight data rates: 54 Mbps, 48 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 9 Mbps, and 6 Mbps. Harmony’s 2X mode supports eight data rates: 108 Mbps, 96 Mbps, 72 Mbps, 48 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 18 Mbps, and 12 Mbps. As a mobile client moves away from an 802.11a Access Point, the data rate automatically decreases in order to maintain a usable radio connection.
Configuration 26 Fragmentation The Harmony 802.11a Access Point supports an optional feature called Fragmentation. In harsh radio environments, 802.11a devices may have difficulty transmitting large packets that exceed a certain size. However, when Fragmentation is enabled, the 802.11a Access Point can break up large packets into a number of smaller packets (called “fragments”) that can be successfully transmitted to another 802.11a device. The receiving 802.
Configuration 27 Roaming Between Access Points If there are multiple Harmony 802.11a Access Points on the network, then a mobile client may seamlessly roam from one Access Point to another. Each Access Point creates its own wireless cell or coverage area. This is also known as a Basic Service Set (BSS). A mobile device can communicate with a particular Access Point if it is within the Access Point’s coverage area.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting The Harmony 802.11a Access Point is designed to be very easy to install and operate. However, if you experience difficulties, use the information in this chapter to help diagnose and solve problems. Also, refer to the Harmony Access Point Controller User’s Guide for additional troubleshooting suggestions. If you cannot resolve a problem, contact Proxim Technical Support. See “Technical Support and Training” on page 35.
Troubleshooting 29 Range Every environment is unique with different obstacles, barriers, materials, etc., and, therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact range that will be achieved without testing. Radio signals may reflect off of some obstacles or be absorbed by others depending on their construction. The IEEE 802.11a specification supports eight data rates: 54 Mbps, 48 Mbps, 36 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 18 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 9 Mbps, and 6 Mbps.
Troubleshooting 30 Common Problems and Solutions Symptom/Question Possible Solution/Answer The Harmony 802.11a Access Point does not automatically register with a Harmony AP Controller. • Confirm that the Link LED is on. If the LED is not on, check your connection to the local Ethernet network. Also, try another Ethernet cable. • Try repowering the unit. The Access Point will try to contact an AP Controller during boot-up.
Troubleshooting 31 Symptom/Question Possible Solution/Answer My office has an existing 802.11b network. Is the Harmony 802.11a Access Point compatible? No. 802.11a devices are not compatible with 802.11b devices. I want to install a Harmony 802.11a network in my office that has an existing 802.11b network. Will the 802.11a network interfere with the 802.11b network? No. 802.11a and 802.11b devices will not interfere with each other since they operate at different frequencies. 802.
Appendix A Technical Specifications The following technical specification is for reference purposes only. Actual product’s performance and compliance with local telecommunications regulations may vary from country to country. Proxim, Inc. will only ship products that are type approved in the destination country. Specifications Network Interface ............................Ethernet 10Base-T /100Base-TX Radio Data Rate ...............................
Parameters Parameter Range Default AP Name 1-21 characters unit’s physical address Enable AP Enabled, Disabled Enabled Auto Image Synchronization Enabled, Disabled Enabled Operating Mode Automatic, Managed, Tunneled Automatic Partnered AP Controller N/A Any Enable 2X Mode Enabled, Disabled Disabled Channel (Models 8569 & 8570) In 802.11a mode: Channels 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, and 64; in 2X mode: Channels 42, 50, and 58 Assigned by AP Controller Channel (Model 8571) In 802.
Parameter Range Default Supported Rates Automatic selection by Access Point, or select transmit rate from among 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, and 6 Mbps in 802.
Appendix B Technical Support and Training If you are having a problem using a Harmony 802.
Index A Access Point Overview ...................................................................... 8 Antenna ................................................................................... 7, 29 Antenna Placement ........................................................................ 29 AP Defaults ................................................................... 17, 19, 20–26 AP Name ................................................................................
H Harmony 802.11a Access Point Available Models................................................................. 7 Installation .................................................................. 11–13 Access Point Controller .......................................................... 6, 11 Power System ................................................................. 7, 10, 13 Product Family Overview.............................................................. 5 Security Protocol .......................
P Partnered AP Controller ............................................................... 21, 33 Physical Address ........................................................................... 20 Ports and LEDs................................................................................ 8 Power Adapter ................................................................................ 6 Power Port .................................................................................... 10 Product Package .....
W Wall Mount .............................................................................. 15–16 Warranty Information ........................................................................ 2 WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) ......................................................... 23 WEP Key ................................................................................. 23, 33 Wireless LED ..................................................................................
