SkyPilot SkyConnector Outdoor Installation
Contents About This Guide Audience and Purpose How This Guide Is Organized Conventions Used in This Guide 5 6 6 7 Chapter 1 Introduction Solution Overview Mesh Network SkyGateway SkyExtender Devices SkyConnector and SkyAccess DualBand 9 10 10 12 12 13 Chapter 2 The SkyConnector Outdoor Installation Kit Kit Contents What Else You Need 15 16 16 Chapter 3 Installing a SkyConnector Planning your Installation Cabling the SkyConnector Powering on the SkyConnector Optimizing Location Monitoring SkyConnector
About This Guide This guide explains how to install and set up a SkyPilot™ SkyConnector™ Outdoor to provide wireless network access to users of a SkyPilot wireless mesh network. It assumes administrator-level knowledge of IP networks and a familiarity with configuring wireless devices.
Audience and Purpose This guide provides directions for installing and setting up a SkyPilot SkyConnector Outdoor device that can provide access to users of a SkyPilot wireless mesh network. This guide assumes administrator-level knowledge of IP networks and a familiarity with configuring wireless devices.
Conventions Used in This Guide This section describes the text and syntax conventions used throughout this guide. Text Conventions This guide uses the following text conventions: • Italic is used to introduce new terms. • Bold is used to indicate what you click or type in a graphical user interface (for example, commands names or text being entered). In examples showing user interaction with the command-line interface, bold is used to indicate user input as opposed to command output.
1 Introduction This chapter provides an overview of the SkyPilot Networks solution, describes the SkyPilot devices, and then illustrates how they combine to form a mesh network.
Solution Overview SkyPilot Networks delivers a wireless, end-to-end broadband solution that seamlessly supports high-capacity, high-coverage mesh networks. Designed for managed-access networks and service providers, the SkyPilot network takes broadband wireless the “last mile” with a costeffective, robust infrastructure solution.
Figure 1.
SkyGateway The SkyGateway operates as a base station for a wireless mesh network. It provides an interface between wired infrastructure and a wireless network of subscribers who enjoy secure, high-speed access to the Internet or to wide area networks. A SkyPilot wireless network requires at least one SkyGateway for operation. If necessary, you can add additional SkyGateways to increase network capacity or provide redundancy.
antennas have similar coverage patterns, providing a cost-effective solution for municipal networks. For optimal performance, install the SkyExtender in an elevated location such as a roof, tower, or utility pole. SkyConnector and SkyAccess DualBand SkyConnectors link your subscribers to the SkyPilot wireless network. An Ethernet port on the device allows a connection to a subscriber’s computer, or to a local area network (LAN) via a data switch or router.
2 The SkyConnector Outdoor Installation Kit Your SkyPilot SkyConnector Outdoor installation kit provides the basic equipment you need to install the device and configure it for operation on a SkyPilot wireless mesh network. This chapter describes that equipment and lists additional items you should have on hand before starting installation.
Kit Contents Figure 2-1 shows the contents of the SkyConnector Outdoor installation kit. Figure 2-1. SkyPilot Outdoor installation kit SkyPilot separately offers accessories for different types of installation, including a surge suppressor and a tilt mount kit. For more information, visit the SkyPilot website at www.skypilot.com/support/.
• o Magnetic level o Steel pole between 1 1/8" (2.87 cm) and 1 3/8" (3.48 cm) in diameter For network cabling: o A spool of CAT5 network cable (shielded cable is recommended) NOTE Ethernet cabling must comply with NEC/CEC requirements for outdoor CAT-5 cables. The cabling’s outer jacket must be clearly marked as CAT-5e per ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2.
3 Installing a SkyConnector This chapter provides instructions for planning and performing the physical installation of a SkyConnector Outdoor.
Planning your Installation In a typical wide area wireless mesh network, you’ll install a SkyConnector on a utility pole or the roof of a building. The effective range of a SkyConnector is usually proportional to the height of the installation. When choosing a site for a SkyConnector Outdoor, consider the radio frequency (RF) environment and the physical layout of the area. Trees, buildings, and hills can attenuate or block a wireless signal.
easier if the device is more accessible. For information about configuration, see “Configuring the SkyConnector” on page 20. Cabling the SkyConnector Ethernet cabling provides power and data connectivity for the SkyConnector. This section provides instructions for attaching CAT5 cable to the device. To install CAT-5 cabling: 1 Terminate the appropriate grade and length of CAT-5 cable with an RJ-45 connector, and plug it into the RJ-45 port on the back of the SkyConnector.
a. Press the CAT5 cable into the gasket and insert the gasket into the housing, taking care not to twist or place unnecessary force on the RJ-45 connector. b. Fit the metal cover over the weather gasket and secure it with the four machine screws supplied in the accessory kit (Figure 3-2). Figure 3-2. Attaching weather gasket and metal cover 3. Attach the tie wraps to the neck of the weather gasket and tighten them so that they slightly depress the neck (Figure 3-3).
Figure 3-3. Attaching tie wraps to the gasket neck Powering on the SkyConnector Before mounting the SkyConnector, first power on the unit so that you can use the onboard LEDs to determine optimal placement. To power on the SkyConnector: 1 Attach the power supply a. Connect the AC power cord to the AC adapter, and plug it into an AC outlet. b. Connect the Ethernet cable to the port labeled “CPE” on the power injector.
c. Plug the AC adapter into the power injector. Figure 3-4. Providing power to the SkyConnector 2 Check the LEDs on the SkyConnector. If the connections are correct, the SkyConnector’s power LED (labeled “PWR”) should illuminate and the WAN activity LED (labeled “WAN Act”) should blink on and off. (For details about the LED status lights, see Table 3-1 on page 18.
Figure 3-5.
Optimizing Location After powering up the SkyConnector, use the device’s LEDs to identify the optimal location for mounting. (For details about the LED status lights, see Table 3-1 on page 18.) To power on the SkyConnector: 1 Confirm signal acquisition. a. Position the SkyConnector near the intended mounting location and watch the “WAN Act” LED for activity. The LED starts blinking when it acquires a signal from the network and is attempting to make a connection.
NOTE To optimize your SkyConnector installation, ask your network administrator (at the Network Operations Center) to measure signal strength on the node to which SkyConnector has established a link.
Monitoring SkyConnector Status Table 3-1 provides detailed descriptions of SkyConnector states indicated by the LED lights. When both LED lights are lit and steady, the SkyConnector is successfully connected to the wireless network.
Table 1. SkyAccess LED states LED LED state Device state LAN Link Steady illumination SkyConnector is connected to another device via its Ethernet port. LAN Act Blinking Device is transmitting or receiving data via its Ethernet port. PWR Steady illumination Device is powered on. WAN Link Blinking (fast blink when device is in standby mode) Device is attempting to establish an authorized connection on the wireless network.
To mount the SkyConnector: 1 Disconnect the CAT-5 cable from the power injector. 2 Power down the SkyConnector. 3 Attach a magnetic level to the 1 1/8" (2.87 cm) and 1 3/8" (3.48 cm) diameter steel mounting pole to verify that the pole is plumb (straight). IMPORTANT It is the installer’s responsibility to verify that the support pole and its installation method are of sufficient strength to withstand onsite weather conditions.
Figure 3-6. Attaching the SkyConnector 5 Reconnect the CAT-5 cable to the port labeled “CPE” on the SkyConnector power injector. Configuring the SkyConnector 4 To operate on the wireless mesh network, the SkyGateway requires a network configuration. A SkyConnector will not transmit a wireless signal until it’s configured, and it will not be able to connect to other network devices without a configuration.
• Automatic - Requires the use of SkyPilot EMS software to create configurations that an unattended central server can distribute to devices on the wireless mesh network. Although automatic provisioning requires more setup time than manual provisioning, it greatly simplifies the administration of a growing network.
Troubleshooting After making an Ethernet or serial connection to the SkyConnector, you can manage and troubleshoot the device using a wide range of commands available through the command-line interface. For detailed troubleshooting procedures, refer to the “Troubleshooting” section in SkyPilot Network Administration.
A Grounding Guidelines This appendix provides some guidelines for properly grounding the SkyPilot Connector. Proper grounding protects both your SkyPilot device and equipment connected to it. For the surge protection circuitry built into the SkyPilot equipment to be effective, proper grounding of the unit is necessary. This is especially true if you’re installing devices on tall structures, or in areas subject to lightning.
• The primary grounding point of the AC electrical system of the building. • A 10-foot or longer copper-clad ground rod driven into the earth. For a tower with multiple legs, you need one ground rod per leg and a ground wire loop connecting each of the rods; see Figure 12. Figure A1-1.
Use of an antioxide compound and proper sealing is essential. For protection against corrosion, wrap all connections with Scotch® 130C tape. Checking Cold-Water Pipe Integrity If you’re using a cold-water pipe for grounding, verify the integrity of the ground. In some cases, sections of metal cold-water pipes may have been repaired or extended with PVC material. PVC material or a dielectric union will render a cold-water pipe ground unacceptable for grounding.
Grounding Checklist When grounding a SkyPilot device, use the following checklist to confirm that your installation is adequately protected from power surges and lightning. • Connect a ground wire from the SkyPilot device to a ground system on the building or tower. • Use shielded CAT5 cabling and connect the drain wire of the shield to ground at the SkyPilot device. (Leave the other end of the drain wire unconnected.
B FCC Statements FCC Radio Frequency Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
C Specifications This appendix provides technical specifications for the SkyPilot SkyConnector. Wireless Specifications Frequency bands capable US & Canada SP 4100 SP 4304 5.5GHz to 5.725GHz 5.26 GHz to 5.32 GHz For other countries check with sales representative EIRP 29 dBm/0.
Channel resolution 5 MHz frequency control Receive sensitivity -90 dBm at 6 Mbps modulation Connectivity SkyConnector connects with SkyGateways, SkyExtenders, and SkyExtender DualBands Authentication MD5-based certificates Encryption 128-bit AES on all wireless links Product Specifications Connectors RJ-45: Ethernet connection (10/100bT) and power (Power-over-Ethernet) Mounting Eave, roof, or chimney; outside pole diameter up to 2.0" Range 7.
Warranty One-year limited warranty on hardware and software Security Authentication MD5-based certificates Encryption AES Filtering Based on protocol type, IP port ID, and configurable IP address list Network Management Command-line interface Console via Telnet NMS integration SNMP v2c GUI configuration SkyProvision™ software and Web interface GUI EMS SkyControl™ software IP address DHCP or static Firmware Multiple versions of firmware stored in nonvolatile memory; updated via FTP Config
Quality of Service Prioritization 802.
