309-2273-001AA.fm Page 1 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM Quick Start Guide Wireless LAN Outdoor Bridge Solution 3CRWEASY96A Outdoor solution for secure long-distance wireless connections The 3Com Wireless LAN Outdoor Bridge Solution is a comprehensive building-to-building outdoor wireless LAN kit that reduces the need to evaluate, purchase and assemble separate components. One convenient package includes everything you need to offer an easy-to-manage building-to-building wireless LAN. The package features a 3Com Wireless LAN Building-to-Building Bridge with integrated antenna and power-over-ethernet cable in a durable, weatherproof enclosure. The bridge uses either of two network topologies: Point-to-point Point-to-multipoint The first illustration shows the point-to-point topology (also known as Ad Hoc Network Mode). Notice that the bridges face one another. While this is elementary in a close setting, real-world conditions such as long distances, mountainous regions, and architectural barriers will not allow for such a precise alignment. However, those conditions will not necessarily prohibit effective communication between locations.
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 2 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM The following illustration shows the point-to-multipoint topology (also known as Infrastructure Network Mode) using an omnidirectional antenna atop the central building, (which is attached to the central AP inside) with a 3Com Wireless LAN bridge mounted on the other buildings. 1 Before you start If you encounter problems while installing the bridge, insert the installation CD into your computer and review the installation information in the User Guide. NOTE: 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, cables, and antennas. Make sure that you have the following items ready for the installation: For a point-to point configuration, two 3Com outdoor bridges. For a point-to-multipoint configuration, one 3Com 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 8000 (or other Wi-Fi compliant access point) with an omnidirectional antenna for one building, and one 3Com outdoor bridge for each other building. Mounting hardware (supplied with each bridge). Properly grounded outdoor mast or wall mount. Lightning arrestor properly grounded at each building in the topology. NOTE: A lightning arrestor will not prevent damage from a direct lightning strike. It will, however, protect networking equipment inside the building (as well as the people working there) from lightning-induced surges that travel over Ethernet cables. To avoid damage from direct lightning strikes, mount the bridge at least 1 Meter (3 feet) below the top of the mast or pole. Outdoor rated category 5 Ethernet cable (3Com part number 3CWE487 recommended). If you do not have IEEE 802.3af power-over-ethernet LAN equipment, use the 3Com Integrated Power-over-Ethernet power supply and power cord that comes with the bridge. If your LAN equipment complies with the IEEE 802.3af power-over-ethernet standard, you can connect directly to the equipment, and the power supply is not needed.
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 3 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM Decide where to mount the bridge/antenna unit (freestanding pole or rooftop mast) For best performance, do not install the bridge unit in a location where it could be vulnerable to extreme or hazardous conditions. Optimal performance is maintained at temperature ranges between 20 C to 50 C ( 4 F to 122 F). Install the bridge in a place that is conveniently located for connection to the Ethernet network and proper polarization to the appropriate antenna. (See Align and Polarize the Units on page 4 and the polarization section in the User Guide). Although you can place the bridge indoors, it is specifically designed as an outdoor solution and provides optimal functionality when installed outdoors. An outdoor location, such as a rooftop, provides the following advantages: Fewer obstacles to signal paths between antennas Increased antenna range Fewer multipath problems It is recommended that you configure the units, making sure the system is operational, before permanently mounting the units on hard-to-reach poles or rooftop masts. Record the bridge MAC address in a safe place before installing the bridge in a hard-toreach location. The MAC address identifies the bridge for administrative purposes. It can be found on the label on the bottom of the unit, and on the box. 2 Mount the Unit to a Mast Follow the instructions that come with the bridge mounting hardware and follow the general guidelines listed below. For best performance, place the antenna outdoors using the mounting hardware provided with the antenna. Placement is especially important if the building is of metal construction or
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 4 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM has metal siding. If necessary, you can mount an antenna inside a building; however, indoor placement reduces the antenna s effective range. To ensure the physical safety of anyone near the antenna and to prevent damage to the bridge, follow the building codes for antenna installations in your area.this is another good reason to make sure that only a professional performs the installation. Keep in mind that In order to comply with FCC radio-frequency radiation exposure guidelines, a minimum body to antenna distance of 2 meters (6 feet) must be maintained while operating this device. Ensure that access is available for routing the Ethernet cable from the bridge to the Ethernet connection inside. Make certain that the antenna mast is appropriately grounded. Proper grounding can prevent injury or damage from lightning strikes. After installing the bridge, the highest allowable power level is automatically set when country selection is configured. Adhering to this configuration ensures compliance with national laws. 3 Align and Polarize the Units For optimal performance, position the antenna so that there are minimal obstacles between it and any other antenna with which it will communicate. While maintaining a direct line of sight between antennas is not strictly necessary, such a configuration helps to ensure a strong signal. As mentioned earlier, this is not always possible in long distance configurations. Any two bridge units that are to communicate with each other must be set for the same polarization, either horizontally or vertically. If cross-polarization occurs, the link with either work poorly or not at all. Please refer to the Polarization section of the User Guide for further details. The following illustration shows proper alignment, orientation and polarization for optimal performance.
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 5 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM 4 Connect the Bridge to the Power Supply and the LAN You can connect to the LAN either through the 3Com power supply or through IEEE 802.3af powerover-ethernet compliant equipment. Using the Power Supply The power supply can be located indoors at any point between the bridge and the LAN access port where an accessible power outlet exists. Connect the cable coming from the bridge to the port labeled To Access Point on the power supply. Connect another Ethernet cable from the port labeled To Hub/Switch on the power supply to an Ethernet LAN port, as shown. CAUTION: To avoid damaging network equipment, make sure that the cables are connected from bridge to power supply to LAN as shown and described above. Using a Power-Over-Ethernet LAN Port If your LAN equipment complies with the IEEE 802.3af power-over-ethernet standard, you can connect the bridge directly to a LAN port. For example, the illustration shows the connection through a 3Com Ethernet Power Supply to a 3Com SuperStack Switch.
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 6 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM 5 Install the Software and Tools Adobe Acrobat Reader. You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view the PDF documentation. Browser Requirements. In order to use the Configuration Management System, you will need Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer, or Netscape 6.0 or newer. We recommend making this the default browser on the workstation used for system configuration and management. After hardware installation is complete, install items from the installation CD as follows: Turn on the computer and put the 3Com CD in the CD-ROM drive. The setup menu should appear when the CD autostarts. Follow the instructions on the screen. If no menu appears, you can run the startup program from the Windows Start menu: Start/ Run/d:setup.exe (where d: is the CD-ROM drive). From the CD startup menu, select Install the Tools and Documentation. This option installs the Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Tool which you can use to monitor bridges and select devices for administrative changes. It also installs the User Guide in HTML and PDF formats. 6 Establish Wireless Association At initial startup, the default ESSID is 3Com, no security is set, and channel selection is automatic. Also, unless it detects a DHCP server on the network, the bridge defaults to an IP address of 169.254.xxx.1, where xxx is the last two bytes of the MAC address. The User Guide describes these and other default settings and tells you how to change configuration parameters. The User Guide is included on the 3Com CD in HTML and PDF formats. After the bridge and software utilities are installed, you can configure the bridge as follows: Launch the bridge configuration and specify the Country Selection from the pull-down menu. The highest allowable power level is set automatically. This selection ensures proper compliance with the FCC and any other regulatory bodies.
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 7 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM For a point-to-point association between two bridges, see Setting up an Ad Hoc Network in the User Guide. For a point-to-multipoint association between an access point and one or more bridges, see Setting up a Bridge to Access Point Network in the User Guide. For the latest networking information, see the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site at: http://www.3com.com/. 7 Regulatory Information Channel Selection in France In France, this product must be configured to operate on a legal channel. Channels 10-13 are allowed. User documentation should be consulted to ensure that this product is used in accordance with local spectrum restrictions. Additional Country Restrictions In Israel, this product must be configured to operate on a legal channel. Channels 5-7 are allowed. In Jordan, this product must be configured to operate on a legal channel. Channels 10-13 are allowed. User documentation should be consulted to ensure that this product is used in accordance with local spectrum restrictions. Safety Information 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, cables, and antennas. WARNING: Do not install the bridge near overhead power lines, electric light or power circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. Provide ten feet or more clearance between the bridge and such power lines or circuits. Do not install the bridge flush with the rooftop or wall. When installing the bridge, do not come into contact with such circuits, which can cause serious injury or death. Follow local and national codes for proper installation and grounding of antennas. WARNING: To comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, antennas should be located at least eight inches (20 centimeters) or more from the bodies of all persons. WARNING: Do not install the bridge or connect and disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.
309-2273-001AA.fm Page 8 Monday, February 3, 2003 4:54 PM WARNING: To avoid possible injury or damage to equipment, you must use either the provided power supply or IEEE 802.3af compliant 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. WARNING: It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the Power-over-Ethernet (POE) power supply is properly connected. Connection to any other device, such as a standard Ethernet card or another POE supply, may result in permanent damage to equipment, electric shock, or fire. Refer to the installation instructions for proper installation WARNING: 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. CAUTION: A lightning arrestor will not prevent damage from direct lightning strikes. It is extremely important to ensure that the bridge is installed at least 1 meter (3 feet) below the top of the grounded pole or mast. CAUTION: If you supply your own Ethernet cable for connecting power, be sure that it is outdoor rated category 5 straight-through (8-wire) cable that has not been altered in any way (3Com part number 3CWE487 recommended). Use of nonstandard cable could damage the bridge. CAUTION: Minimize damage from direct lightning strikes by mounting the bridge at least 1 Meter (3 feet) below the top of the mast. International Notices Note for use of the 3Com power supply (part number 61-0107-000) in Norway: This product is also designed for use on an IT power system with phase-to-phase voltage of 230 V. Copyright 2003 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. 3Com, the 3Com logo, and SuperStack are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. 309-2273-001 Rev AA Published February, 2003