3com 3CRWE675075 - 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Workgroup Bridge User manual

http://www.3com.com/

Part No. DUA6750-75AAA01

Published November 2004

Version 1.0.2

3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge

User Guide

Model: WL-560

3CRWE675075

3Com Corporation

350 Campus Drive

Marlborough

MA USA 01752-3064

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If there is any software on removable media described in this documentation, it is furnished under a license

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please contact 3Com and a copy will be provided to you.

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If you are a United States government agency, then this documentation and the software described herein are

provided to you subject to the following:

All technical data and computer software are commercial in nature and developed solely at private expense.

Software is delivered as “Commercial Computer Software” as defined in DFARS 252.227-7014 (June 1995) or

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It is the policy of 3Com Corporation to be environmentally-friendly in all operations. To uphold our policy, we

are committed to:

Establishing environmental performance standards that comply with national legislation and regulations.

Conserving energy, materials and natural resources in all operations.

Reducing the waste generated by all operations. Ensuring that all waste conforms to recognized

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CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Conventions 2

Related Documentation 2

Accessing Online Documentation 3

Product Registration and Support 4

1 INTRODUCTION

Product Features 5

Security 5

Wireless Network Standards 6

Network Configuration and Planning 7

Example Configurations 8

2 INSTALLING THE BRIDGE

Unpacking the Bridge 9

Observing Safety Precautions 10

Deciding Where to Place the Bridge 11

Wall-Mounting the Bridge 11

Installing the Locking Bar 12

Placing the Bridge on a Flat Surface 13

Connecting the Bridge 14

Connecting to a Serial Device 14

Connecting to an Ethernet Device 15

About the Client List 15

Connecting to a Hub 15

Connecting to a Network Printer 16

Connecting to a Computer 16

Checking the LED Indicators 17

Attaching An External Antenna 18

Determining if you Need to Configure the Bridge 18

Using the 3Com Installation CD 21

3 CONFIGURING THE BRIDGE

Using Secure Web Server Connection 23

Using the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager 24

Using the Configuration Management System 27

Clearing and Applying System Configuration Settings 28

Changing System Properties 29

Setting IP Network Properties 30

Setting Wireless Network Properties 31

Manually Select Radio Channels 33

Setting Up an Ad-Hoc Network 34

Changing Wireless Security Settings 35

Changing RADIUS Settings 37

Changing SNMP Settings 38

Using the Access Control List 39

Serial Port 40

Resetting the Bridge 42

Restoring the Bridge to Factory Defaults 43

Upgrading the System 44

Changing the Administration Login Name and Password 45

Backing up a Configuration 45

Restoring a Configuration 46

Logging Out 46

Clearing the Ethernet Client List 46

Viewing Connection Status 47

Viewing System Summary 47

4 TROUBLESHOOTING

Diagnosing Problems 49

Disconnecting the Bridge 51

Uninstalling Software and Documentation 51

Upgrading Bridge Firmware 52

A OBTAINING SUPPORT FOR YOUR 3COM PRODUCT

Register Your Product to Gain Service Benefits 53

Solve Problems Online 53

Purchase Extended Warranty and Professional Services 54

Access Software Downloads 54

Contact Us 54

Telephone Technical Support and Repair 55

END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

REGULATORY INFORMATION

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

This guide provides all the information you need to install and use the

3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge in its default state.

The guide is intended for use by IT managers and experienced network

installation and administration professionals who have a basic knowledge

of current networking concepts.

If the information in the release notes that are shipped with your product

differ from the information in this guide, follow the instructions in the

release notes.

Most user guides and release notes are available in Adobe Acrobat

Reader Portable Document Format (PDF) or HTML on the 3Com

World Wide Web site:

http://www.3com.com/

2 ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Conventions Table 1 and Table 2 list conventions that are used throughout this guide.

In addition to this guide, each Bridge documentation set includes the

following:

Table 1 Notice Icons

Icon Notice Type Description

Information note Information that describes important features or

instructions.

Caution Information that alerts you to potential loss of data or

potential damage to an application, system, or device.

Warning Information that alerts you to potential personal

injury.

Table 2 Text Conventions

Convention Description

Screen displays This typeface represents information as it appears on the

screen.

Syntax The word “syntax” means that you must evaluate the syntax

provided and then supply the appropriate values for the

placeholders that appear in angle brackets. Example:

To change your password, use the following syntax:

system password <password>

In this example, you must supply a password for <password>.

The words “enter”

and “type”

When you see the word “enter” in this guide, you must type

something, and then press Return or Enter. Do not press

Return or Enter when an instruction simply says “type.”

Keyboard key names If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key

names are linked with a plus sign (+). Example:

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del

Words in italics Italics are used to:

■ Emphasize a point.

■ Denote a new term at the place where it is defined in the

text.

■ Identify menu names, menu commands, and software

button names. Examples:

From the Help menu, select Contents.

Click OK.

Accessing Online Documentation 3

■ Quick Start Guide—printed guide that describes basic installation.

■ Online Help—product help systems that describe how to use the

Configuration Management System and 3Com Wireless Infrastructure

Device Manager.

■ Release Note—printed note that describes important product

information.

■ README.TXT file—text file located on the 3Com Installation CD that

describes last-minute product information.

Accessing Online

Documentation

The CD supplied with your Bridge contains the following online

documentation:

■ 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge User Guide

■ 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Online Help

■ 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge Configuration

Management System Online Help

To access the online documentation from the CD:

1 Insert the 3Com Installation CD supplied with your Bridge in the CD-ROM

drive.

The setup menu appears. If it does not appear, you can start the setup

menu from the Windows Start menu. For example: Start > Run >

d:setup.exe.

2 In the menu, click View the Documentation to view the Bridge User

Guide.

To view the online help, install and launch the Wireless Infrastructure

Device Manager or Configuration Management System. See Chapter 3

for instructions.

4 ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Product

Registration and

Support

To register your product with 3Com, go to the following Web page:

http://esupport.3com.com

For support information, see “Obtaining Support for your 3Com

Product” on page 53 or log on to the 3Com Web site at

http://www.3com.com and navigate to the product support page.

1

INTRODUCTION

3Com wireless technology has all of the benefits of a local area network

(LAN) without the constraints and expense of network wiring.

3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN products provide easy, affordable, flexible

ways to extend wireless networks to more users. This guide shows how

you can use the 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge in your office

or classroom to connect groups of wired Ethernet client devices to your

wireless LAN.

Product Features The 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge includes a robust suite of

standards-based security features, and supports wireless network

standards including 802.11a and 802.11g.

Security To protect sensitive data broadcast over the radio, 3Com supports

Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) RC4 64-bit, 128-bit and 152-bit

shared-key encryption. 3Com strengthens this basic security mechanism

with additional security features, including:

■ MAC address access control lists

■ IEEE 802.1x per-port user authentication with RADIUS server

authentication support

■ Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)

■ Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

■ WiFi Protected Access (WPA)

■ Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) support: EAP-TTLS and PEAP

6 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Wireless Network

Standards

Understanding the characteristics of the 802.11a and 802.11g standards

can help you

make the best choice for your wireless implementation plans.

802.11a

Ratified in 2002, 802.11a is IEEE’s more recent wireless standard. It

operates at the 5

GHz band and supports data rates at up to 54 Mbps.

Because there are fewer devices in the 5 GHz band, there’s less potential for

RF interference. However, because it is at an entirely different radio

spectrum, it is not compatible with 802.11g.

The higher spectrum provides about 50 m (164 ft) of coverage—about

half

what 802.11g offers.

Consider 802.11a when you need high throughput in a confined space

and you are:

■ Running high-bandwidth applications like voice, video, or multimedia

over a wireless network that can benefit from a five-fold increase in

data throughput.

■ Transferring large files like computer-aided design files, preprint

publishing documents or graphics files, such as MRI scans for medical

applications, that demand additional bandwidth.

■ Supporting a dense user base confined to a small coverage area.

Because 802.11a has a greater number of non-overlapping channels,

you can pack more wireless devices in a tighter space.

802.11g

802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz band at up to 54 Mbps. Ratified in

2003, it supports

the widest coverage—up to 100 m (328 ft). However, is

subject to a greater risk of radio interference because it operates in the more

popular 2.4 GHz band.

802.11b operates at up to 11 Mbps and supports coverage up to 100 m

(328 ft).

Network Configuration and Planning 7

Consider 802.11g when you need wider coverage and vendor

compatibility and you are:

■ Maintaining support for existing 802.11b users and the existing

wireless investment while providing for expansion into 802.11g.

■ Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges,

gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees

compatibility among vendors.

■ Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee shops or

university cafeterias.

Network

Configuration and

Planning

The Bridge can operate in either infrastructure or ad-hoc mode, and can

support a stand-alone wireless network configuration or an integrated

configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs.

Operating in infrastructure mode and connected to an Ethernet hub, a

single Bridge can combine up to 16 client devices—such as computers

with network adapters and printers—into a multiclient workgroup. The

workgroup associates with the wired network through a wireless LAN

access point such as the 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Access Point.

Infrastructure configurations extend your wireless LAN to devices that

would otherwise have to be connected to the wired network.

Operating in ad-hoc mode, two or more Bridges can associate among

themselves and communicate with one another at close range without an

access point. You may wish to set up an ad-hoc network, for example, if

a group is working away from the office, or if a group in the office needs

to share files apart from the wired LAN.

8 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Example

Configurations

The following examples illustrate ways you can use the Bridge to

configure Ethernet client devices into workgroups. (Details for setting up

specific configurations are in “Installing the Bridge” on page 9.)

Wireless Infrastructure Network

You can connect several computers, including those with non-Windows

operating systems, and network printers, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Wireless Infrastructure Network

Workgroup Ad-Hoc Network

You can provide flexible wireless network association for small groups in

areas that cannot be wired, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Workgroup Ad-Hoc Network

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2

INSTALLING THE BRIDGE

This chapter contains the information you need to install and set up the

Bridge. It covers the following topics:

■ Unpacking the Bridge

■ Observing Safety Precautions

■ Deciding Where to Place the Bridge

■ Connecting the Bridge

■ Checking the LED Indicators

■ Attaching An External Antenna

■ Determining if you Need to Configure the Bridge

■ Using the 3Com Installation CD

Unpacking the

Bridge

Make sure that you have the following items, which are included with the

Bridge:

■ Power adapter and power cord.

■ Standard Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable.

■ Locking bar (used for securing a wall-mounted installation).

■ Rubber feet (four; used for a flat-surface installation).

■ 3Com Installation CD.

For wall-mounting installations, you need the following items, which

are not included with the Bridge:

■ Mounting screws.

■ Plastic anchors (for drywall mounting).

To secure the Bridge using the locking bar, you need a lock (not

supplied).

10 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE BRIDGE

Figure 3 shows the front view of the Bridge, including the LEDs and

connecting ports. It also shows the cradle, which is used to mount the

Bridge to a wall or to install the Bridge on a flat surface.

Figure 3 Bridge

Observing Safety

Precautions

This equipment must be installed in compliance with local and national

building codes,

regulatory restrictions, and FCC rules. For the safety of

people and equipment, only professional network personnel should

install the Bridge.

WARNING: To comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, a

minimum body-to-antenna distance of 20 cm (8 in.) must be maintained

when the Bridge is operational.

WARNING: To avoid possible injury or damage to equipment, you must

use either the provided power supply or power supply equipment that is

safety certified according to UL, CSA, IEC, or other applicable national or

international safety requirements for the country of use. All references to

power supply in this document refer to equipment meeting these

requirements.

CAUTION: The 3Com power supply (part number 61-0107-000) input

relies on a 16A rated building fuse or circuit protector for short circuit

protection of the line to neutral conductors.

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Deciding Where to Place the Bridge 11

Deciding Where to

Place the Bridge

Place the Bridge in a dry, clean location near the hub, computer, or

printer that will be connected to the Bridge. The location must have a

power source and be within the following distance of a Wi-Fi compliant

wireless LAN access point or ad-hoc wireless station:

■ For 802.11a compatibility, place the Bridge within 50 m (164 ft) of a

Wi-Fi compliant wireless LAN access point.

■ For 802.11b/g compatibility, place the Bridge within 100 m (328 ft) of

a Wi-Fi compliant wireless LAN access point.

The location should be away from transformers, heavy-duty motors,

fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, refrigerators, or other equipment

that could cause radio signal interference.

Wall-Mounting the

Bridge

The Bridge comes with a cradle for mounting on a wall. For additional

security, the Bridge also comes with a locking bar, which can be used

with a security lock (not provided) to lock the Bridge to the cradle after

the Bridge is mounted to a wall.

To wall-mount the bridge:

1 Screw the cradle to a wall,

as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 Wall-Mounting the Bridge

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12 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE BRIDGE

2 Route the power and Ethernet cables through the large opening in the cradle.

Figure 5 shows a cable being routed under the cradle.

Figure 5 Routing Cable Under the Cradle

3 Connect the power and Ethernet cables to the ports on the Bridge.

4 Snap the Bridge onto the cradle.

Installing the

Locking Bar

For additional security, install the locking bar in the cradle after the Bridge

is mounted to the wall. Use your own lock to secure it in place.

To install the locking bar:

1 Insert the locking bar through the opening in the side of the cradle, as

shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 Inserting the Locking Bar

.11g

.100

.10

.11a

Deciding Where to Place the Bridge 13

2 Push the locking bar through the opening until the hole on the locking

bar is exposed.

3 Insert a lock through the hole on the locking bar, and then close the lock

to secure it in place, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 Securing the Locking Bar

Placing the Bridge on

a Flat Surface

The Bridge comes with four rubber feet that can be used to install the

Bridge on a flat surface such as a table or desktop.

CAUTION: Do not place the Bridge on any type of metal surface. Select a

location that is clear of obstructions and provides good reception.

Remove the backing from the rubber feet and attach them to the bottom

of the cradle. After the rubber feet are installed, place the Bridge on a flat

surface.

.11g

.100

.10

.11a

14 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE BRIDGE

Connecting the

Bridge

The Bridge has power, Ethernet, and serial ports, as shown in Figure 8.

Before connecting the Bridge to an Ethernet device, connect the power.

Figure 8 Connecting the Power

Connecting to a

Serial Device

The Bridge can also be connected to a serial device, as shown in Figure 9.

Serial cables come with a variety of connector sizes. If your connector is

large and prevents the cradle from being attached to the Bridge, remove

the end cap on the cradle. This allows the connector to extend through

the cradle.

Figure 9 Connecting a Serial Cable

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