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BreezeNET B
BreezeNET B Version 3.1
Release Note
June 2005 P/N: 214122
ALVARION LTD.
21A HABARZEL STREET,
TEL AVIV, 69710,
ISRAEL
TEL: 972-3-6456262
FAX: 972-3-6456222
HTTP://WWW.ALVARION.COM
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1. Introduction
BreezeNET B version 3.1 includes new SW and new HW (Rev C hardware supporting the 5.4 GHz
band). It introduces new features and some problem fixes.
2. Frequency bands
The currently supported frequency bands:
• 5.725 – 5.850 GHz (5.8 band, FCC)
• 5.470 – 5.725 GHz (5.4 band, ETSI)
• 5.150 – 5.350 GHz (5.2 band)
• 5.250 – 5.350 (5.3 band, FCC)
3. New Features and Improvements
Increased Capacity through Improved Concatenation Mechanism
The Concatenation mechanism enables bundling several data frames into a single frame for
transmission to the wireless link. This feature reduces the overhead in the wireless media and
improves the achievable throughput. In version 3.1 the number of data frames that can be bundled into
a single wireless frame was increased from 2 to 8 data frames. The maximum size of a concatenated
frame is 2200 bytes.
New Tx and Rx counters were added to indicate the number of transmitted/received concatenated
frames with more than two data frames.
Enhanced QoS Support through Multiple Prioritization Options
The traffic prioritization mechanism enables improved support of delay-sensitive applications such as
Voice over IP as well as service differentiation through allocation of higher priority to certain
applications and/or end-users.
The implementation uses three queues, high, mid and low priority queues. Each packet received on
the Ethernet port is assigned either a high or low priority according to a set of classifiers. Packets with
high priority will be sent with minimal delay. Packets with low priority will be sent only if mid
(Broadcast/multicast and internal management packets are send via mid priority) and high priority
queues are empty. The available priority classifiers in the new Traffic Prioritization feature are:
• VLAN Priority Threshold. This parameter replaces the VLAN Priority Threshold parameter that
was available in previous versions in the Bridging - VLAN Support menu. After version
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upgrade, this parameter is forced to the default value of 7, meaning no VLAN-based
prioritization.
• IP ToS: IP Precedence (3-bits according to RFC791). This parameter replaces the ToS
Precedence Threshold parameter that was available in previous versions in the Bridging
menu. After version upgrade, this parameter is forced to the default value of 7, meaning no IP
Precedence based prioritization)
• DSCP (6-bits according to RFC2474)
• UDP and/or TCP ports. This classifier is intended primarily for prioritization of VoIP traffic,
including support for prioritization of only RTP packets or both RTP and RTCP packets.
Each one of these classifiers can be activated/deactivated. If more than one classifier is activated, the
priority of each packet will be determined by the highest priority given to it by the active classifiers.
MAC Pinpoint
The MAC Pinpoint feature enables identifying the RB or BU that is used by a certain Ethernet station to
access the wireless network. The MAC Pinpoint feature is available in BU using either SNMP or
Telnet.
Limiting Transmissions of Broadcast/Multicast Packets
The Ethernet Broadcast/Multicast Limiter option, available in both AU and SU, enables to limit the
number of broadcast and/or multicast packets that can be transmitted per second, in order to prevent
the potential flooding of the wireless media by certain ARP attacks or similar events.
In SUs, the limiter is placed after the Ethernet Broadcast Filters. For this reason, the limiter will receive
only the packets that pass through these filters. In case that the Ethernet filters of the SU are disabled,
the limiter will be applied to all relevant packets received from the Ethernet port.
When the Ethernet Broadcast/Multicast Limiter is enabled and the specified limit is reached, the unit
will send a trap. The trap will be sent periodically, informing the user how many packets were
discarded in the last period. The interval between two consecutive traps is configurable in the range
from 1 to 60 minutes.
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Remote Blocking of the Ethernet Port
The Ethernet Port Control option allows enabling or disabling non-management traffic to/from the
Ethernet port of an RB. The system administrator can use this feature for blocking communication
to/from end-users upon non-payment or similar events. When the port is disabled, all current data
sessions will be terminated. The unit is still manageable via the Ethernet port even if it is disabled for
data traffic.
Increased Number of Management Stations
The Set/Change Network Management IP Address Ranges feature enables defining, updating or
deleting IP address ranges from which the unit can be managed if the Network Management Filtering
option is enabled. This is in addition to the previous options in the Network Management menu that
enable defining, updating and deleting discrete IP addresses. IP address ranges can be defined using
either start and end addresses or start address and subnet mask.
Adding the RB Name to the MAC Address Database
The Sys Name of the RB is sent to the BU during the association process and is available through
both Telnet (Association Info) and SNMP.
Improved MMI for IP Ranges Definition in User Filtering
The MMI for IP address ranges definition in User Filtering through Telnet was improved to make it
clearer and more user-friendly (similar to the MMI for the newly add feature for defining management
IP address ranges).
Enhanced Access Security
The access security algorithm was changed, and it is now based on MD5. This increases the level of
protection against unauthorized access to various configuration options.
4. Documentation
The information in the release notes is complementary to the product documentation, provided with the
products. BreezeNET B documentation includes the System Manual for BreezeNET B version 3.1,
User Manual for BreezeCONFIG version 3.1, installation support documents, and release notes. All
the documentation, including the latest release notes, is available in the customer service section of
the Alvarion web site.
ALVARION LTD.
21A HABARZEL STREET,
TEL AVIV, 69710,
ISRAEL
TEL: 972-3-6456262
FAX: 972-3-6456222
HTTP://WWW.ALVARION.COM
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5. BreezeCONFIG Configuration Utility Version 3.1
A new version of BreezeCONFIG that supports all the new features of BreezeNET B version 3.1 is
provided with the product. BreezeCONFIG SW will also be available in the customer service section of
the Alvarion web site.
6. Compatibility and Interoperability
Version 3.1 is fully compatible with versions 1.2, 2.0 and 3.0. Nevertheless, it is recommended to
always upgrade existing equipment to the latest version.
The SW package will be available in the customer service section of the Alvarion web site.
7. Important Notes
• The system provides TFTP functionality for SW and configuration download. In case FTP
functionality is required, an additional IP address is required for the FTP client. In addition, FTP
parameters change requires reset. Note: The FTP frames are not handled as management
frames and are not affected by VLAN management and management filtering.
• Although minimum output power is defined as -10 dB when configuring the Tx Power
manually, when ATPC is enabled the RB’s output power may be less than this minimum.
• Extra care should be taken when configuring VLAN management and management IP filtering
in order not to lose connectivity with unit. In case of connectivity loss, use the “restore default
parameters” application to reset to factory values.
• The system was checked with SNMPC version 5.1.11e.
8. Limitations & Known Issues
• Sensitivity may change slightly as a function of frequency (+/-2dB).
• Transmission power accuracy is +/-1dB above 8dBm @ antenna port (typical condition). At
lower levels the accuracy is +/-3dBm, never contradicting regulations. At very low levels the
use of ATPC may cause significant fluctuations in the power level of the transmitted signal.
When operating at such low levels, it is recommended to disable the ATPC Option in the RB
ALVARION LTD.
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and to set the Transmit Power parameter to the average Tx Power level before the ATPC was
disabled.
• In units operating in the 5.3 GHz band, the following rule must be met for full compliance with
FCC regulations: When operating at 5270 MHz, the Transmit Power parameter in the BU, and
the Maximum Tx Power parameter in the RB served by this BU, should not be set to a value
above “17-Antenna Gain” (The maximum allowed EIRP for 5270 MHz is 17 dBm).
• The FTP Client IP address should not be configured with the same value as the unit’s IP
address. Attempting to do so will display an error when telnet is used. No error will be raised
when SNMP is used. Note that the FTP settings are not reverted to defaults upon issuing a
“Set Full Operator defaults” command (they do revert to default after executing “Set Full
Factory Defaults”).
• In units with HW Revision B, Burst Mode cannot be activated when using WEP for data
encryption. In units with HW Revision B, the Burst Mode option will be “blocked” upon trying to
enable it when using WEP for data encryption. This limitation does not apply to units with HW
Revision C.
9. Fixed Issues
• In previous versions the prioritization mechanism was disabled when the traffic rate reached
the maximum information rate supported by the RB. This problem was solved.
ALVARION LTD.
21A HABARZEL STREET,
TEL AVIV, 69710,
ISRAEL
TEL: 972-3-6456262
FAX: 972-3-6456222
HTTP://WWW.ALVARION.COM
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