® BreadCrumb LX USER GUIDE Version: 1.06 Date: June 25, 2008 Corporate Headquarters Rajant Corporation 400 East King Street Malvern, PA 19355 Tel: (484) 595-0233 Fax: (484) 595-0244 www.rajant.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 Note: This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the device is operated in a commercial environment.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 Table of Contents Contents Page 1.0 PREFACE .........................................................................................................................................................5 1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE ................................................................................................................................ 5 1.2 USER INFORMATION................................................................
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................................................25 6.1 BREADCRUMB WIRELESS NETWORK.................................................................................................. 25 6.1.1 SPORADIC NETWORK CONNECTIVITY........................................................................................25 6.1.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 1.0 PREFACE 1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This manual refers to the BreadCrumb LX model. It provides information and guidance to all personnel who are involved with and use Rajant Corporation’s BreadCrumb® Wireless Network devices. The manual begins with an introduction to the BreadCrumb Wireless Network (BCWN) and a brief overview of the BreadCrumb LX. 1.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.0 INTRODUCTION Rajant Corporation's (www.rajant.com) BreadCrumb LX operates on IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless networking standard to form a wireless mesh network. The network is mobile, selfintegrating, self-meshing, self-healing, full-duplex and secure. The focus is on flexibility, adaptability, and simplicity.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.1 WHAT IS A BREADCRUMB? (continued) 2.1.4 WIRED NETWORK EXTENSION Networks in which two or more wired networks at different locations must be connected wirelessly (e.g., to securely connect combat service support computers with logistics bases) 2.1.5 ANY COMBINATION OF THE PREVIOUS SECTIONS 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 Most BreadCrumb deployments include elements from more than one of the above scenarios.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.2 MOBILITY THROUGH MESHING (continued) Example 1 Suppose you have four BreadCrumbs, called A, B, C and D. Each has two radios. All radio 0s are on 802.11a and all radio 1s are on 802.11b/g. All four BreadCrumbs are using the default ESSID of "breadcrumb54".
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.2 MOBILITY THROUGH MESHING (continued) Example 2 Now suppose that you change the ESSID of BreadCrumb C to "lonely". The network will adjust to this change, resulting in the following configuration: Note that BreadCrumb C can no longer communicate with A or B, and vice versa. 2.3 DESCRIPTION OF BREADCRUMB LX 2.3.1 RADIOS The BreadCrumb LX uses two radios. The LX only uses one antenna per radio.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.4 POWER/ETHERNET (continued) 2.4 POWER/ETHERNET The LX is powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is provided by an inline injector. This requires a special PoE power supply. The LX Ethernet port supports automatic MDI/MDI-X. This allows it to handle regular or crossover Ethernet cables. In most installations, the following specifications should apply.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.4 POWER/ETHERNET (continued) 2.4.1 BREADCRUMB LX EXTERNAL CHASSIS FEATURES Figure 1. BreadCrumb LX External Chassis Features (Top Side) A. USB Flash Port. B. STATUS LED. C. ETH0/PWR RJ45 Port. D. ETH1 RJ45 Port. E. ZEROIZE/RESET Pushbutton Switch. F. Type N RF Connector for the 2.4 GHz Antenna.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.4.1 BREADCRUMB LX EXTERNAL CHASSIS FEATURES (continued) Figure 2. BreadCrumb LX External Chassis Features (Bottom Side) A. ½” Closure Plug (Not Used) B. Type N RF Connector for the 5.0 GHz Antenna 2.5 NETWORK FEATURES Each BreadCrumb LX has one IEEE 802.11b/g wireless NIC (network interface card), one IEEE 802.11a NIC, two externally accessible Ethernet ports and one externally accessible USB2 port.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.6 CONNECTIONS Because the PoE voltage provided by the injector is a fairly high 48 volts, the Ethernet cable between the injector and the LX Breadcrumb should be made before powering up the injector. If cable is plugged in with a live injector, a large spark will be produced that is not good for the electronics.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.7 ANTENNA FEATURES The BreadCrumb LX makes use of two antenna ports, and are used alternately by the BreadCrumb, based on which one has the better signal. Both external antennas MUST be connected to the device at all times for proper operation. Always connect or disconnect external antennas with the power to the BreadCrumb LX off.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.7 ANTENNA FEATURES (continued) Figure 4.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 2.8 POWER FEATURES Each LX is shipped with a 48 V AC/DC POE power supply. Primary power is provided through the Ethernet port labeled ETH0/PWR. An optional 10 V—30 V DC in/24 V DC out power supply is available. 2.9 MISC. INFORMATION ABOUT THE LX There is no LED control switch on the LX. The LED will always come on when booted. The LX supports over the air flashing.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 3.0 USING BCADMIN™ BCAdmin is Rajant’s software package used for monitoring the status of a BreadCrumb Wireless Network (BCWN), configuring the BreadCrumbs and to graphically portray the network topology. BCAdmin typically runs on a laptop PC, but it can be run on any PC that has access to the entire BCWN. Versions are available for Microsoft Windows® and Linux.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 4.0 DEPLOYING THE BREADCRUMB WIRELESS NETWORK 4.1 OVERVIEW OF BCWN DEPLOYMENT There are many factors which need to be taken into account when deploying the BreadCrumb Wireless Network. Section 4.2 details some of the most commonly occurring environmental factors that will have a major impact on the performance of the BCWN. Section 4.6 details guidelines and methodology needed to follow when deploying the BCWN. 4.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 4.3 CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS By default, BreadCrumb LX devices use channels 152 and 11 upon startup. In some cases, however, it is necessary to manually set the radios to different channels as described below. 4.4 PHYSICAL PLACEMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Commonly occurring environmental factors have a significant impact on performance and behavior of the BreadCrumb Wireless Network.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 4.4 PHYSICAL PLACEMENT AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS (continued) 4.4.3 WEATHER Precipitation and fog also act as obstructions blocking the propagation of the wireless network’s radio waves. Light fog or precipitation may result in noticeable degradation of wireless network performance. Heavy precipitation or fog may result in severe performance degradation and possible loss of network connectivity.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 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.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 4.6 DEPLOYMENT GUIDELINES AND METHODOLOGY (continued) 10. Determine the approximate location for the next BreadCrumb. 11. Power ON the device. 12. Wait for it to appear in BCAdmin. 4.7 STATUS LED The LED function on the BreadCrumb indicates the current status of the BreadCrumb. The LED has three colors: Red, Blue and Green. Their color code indicators are given in the table below: Table 1.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 5.0 BREADCRUMB SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE 5.1 BREADCRUMB FIRMWARE 5.1.1 INTRODUCTION Each BreadCrumb relies on low-level software known as firmware for proper execution. Rajant periodically releases updated BreadCrumb firmware. The updated firmware must be obtained from Rajant.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 5.1.2.2 USING OVER-THE-AIR FLASH (continued) 3. The installation of the firmware can be started immediately, by left clicking on Open Folder. NOTE: Before proceeding any further, make sure that the BreadCrumb(s) that are being updated have been turned on. 4. On the BCAdmin screen, put in the location of where the Firmware Update File was saved to. Left click on Firmware Update.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 6.0 TROUBLESHOOTING 6.1 BREADCRUMB WIRELESS NETWORK 6.1.1 SPORADIC NETWORK CONNECTIVITY Table 2. Sporadic Network Connectivity Issues Problem Resolution Light precipitation or fog beginning after initial deployment of the BCWN can result in sudden sporadic network connectivity for BreadCrumbs and their associated wireless clients.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 6.1.2 BREADCRUMB CANNOT CONNECT TO BCWN Table 3. BreadCrumb Cannot Connect to BCWN Problem Resolution Discharged batteries can cause the BreadCrumb to appear to power up, but not be able to establish connectivity to the BCWN. When deploying the BCWN, ensure that the batteries should be fully charged.
BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 Rajant Corporation Version 1.02 APPENDIX A Error codes are divided into groups. Groups are indicated by the first digit of the error number. A full error code will be formed by prefixing a group number to the error number. Example: ‘Could not mount the USB drive.’ error (4) of the ‘LX USB Firmware Upgrade’ group (1) will be represented by error code 14.
Rajant Corporation Version 1.06 BreadCrumb® LX User Guide June 25, 2008 ►www.rajant.com Rajant Corporation • 400 East King Street • Malvern, PA • 19355 • tel 484.595.0233 • fax 484.595.0244 © 2008 Rajant Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. BreadCrumb is a registered trademark of Rajant Corporation.
