Application Note:- To introduce a Ruckus R300 Access Point router to function with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) router which is providing broadband internet access and Wi-Fi. The Ruckus R300 Access Point will subsequently provide the Wi-Fi service previously provided via the ISP router. The Ruckus R300 will provided enhanced Wi-Fi compared to the ISP router. Wi-Fi from the ISP router will be switched off/disabled. Application Note Reference: AN140011 ISP Router Ruckus R300 Access Point Produced by: Tony Prout - IP Product Manager, Habitech E-mail: tony.prout@habitech.co.uk Tel: 01420 540054 Document written: 5 th November 2014
This application note describes introducing and using a Ruckus R300 Wi-Fi Access Point, allowing the router, provided by the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to remain as the internet gateway, typically monitored and supported by the ISP. Wi-Fi from the ISP router will be switched off/disabled. Wi-Fi will now be provided from the more specialised Ruckus R300 Wi-Fi Access Point. As we move from broadband internet connectivity environments which simply supported one or two home PCs, to an era of upsurge in Wi-Fi attached devices (PCs, laptops, printers, tablets, mobile phones, televisions, video and audio devices, NAS, CCTV, control devices, and many more). Relying on an ISP s router for the Wi-Fi element is no longer ideal. ISPs include; Virgin Media, Sky, BT, TalkTalk, PlusNet, and many others. Many of the more basic routers provided by ISPs, each competing in a busy cost and price driven market, are limited in terms of capacity or processing power for the features such as Wi-Fi they offer, resulting in reducing upload/download speed. Wi-Fi capability of ISPs standard routers typically provide only limited functions. ISPs may not permit (as a condition of their service and support), complete swap out of their chosen router, for an alternate, but better or more specialised product. ISPs may use methods such as MAC Encapsulated Routing to tie their router to the provided circuit, such that an alternate router cannot directly be used in place. An existing ISP router, providing Wi-Fi is likely to be located close the ISP s circuit or cable entry to the property. Typically meaning long distances for Wi-Fi signals to furthest points of the property. The existing ISP router may be connected via an extension cable to a location elsewhere in the property. If this extension is of old wire, or poorly laid, this may be reducing the broadband speed, thus internet speed. The existing ISP router probably needs to be near to an electrical power socket. The benefits of using this ISP router and Ruckus R300 Access Point method include; The Ruckus R300 deployed in Standalone mode is ideal for properties whose size or construction is excessive to be adequately covered by an ISP router which is also providing Wi-Fi, yet the property is not of a size or construction that a full multi access point managed Wi-Fi is required. If the location s Wi-Fi requirement continues to grow, additional Ruckus Access Points can be added, multiple Ruckus Access Points can be standalone, but are typically incorporated with a Ruckus Zone Director, which introduces additional features to a multi Access Point Ruckus Wi-Fi network. The quality, size, appearance, performance, features, easy configuration, outstanding performance and number of clients supported of the R300, one of a range of Ruckus Access Points, are market leading and make the R300, Ruckus s entry level indoor Access Point, preferable over other standalone access points which do not have or match these criteria. The R300 is low profile, extremely compact in size, measuring 13 x 13 x 2.8 cm (5.1 x.5.1 x 1.1 inches) with a single Gigabit Ethernet port and can be powered via 802.3af PoE or by a separate 12VDC power accessory. Allowing for an unobtrusive deployment in domestic or similar locations. Page 2 of 17
The R300 is easy to configure, and only a small amount of configuration is required. Once configured, there is little requirement for further configuration. The Ruckus Access Point advanced software and technology monitors and dynamically configures the access point s Wi-Fi provision. Ruckus ZoneFlex Access Points boast patented adaptive antennas enhanced with polarisation diversity to deliver BeamFlex. This technology works in conjunction with Ruckus ChannelFly advanced channel optimisation to provide industry-leading wireless performance. The advanced BeamFlex system software continually learns the environment with all its hostilities and interference sources. Then BeamFlex selects the optimum antenna pattern for each communicating device in real time and directs each 802.11n packet over the best performing signal path. The R300 features dual 802.11n radios (2.4GHz and 5 GHz) in a 2x2:2 MIMO configuration, capable of concurrent operation, yielding up to 600 Mbps of physical layer throughput. Ruckus ZoneFlex Access Points automatically select channels for highest throughput potential using Ruckus ChannelFly dynamic channel management, adapting to environmental changes without need for manual reconfiguration. The R300 can be positioned in a more central position in the property than the ISP router. This would reduce distance between the Wi-Fi access point and furthest points of the property in addition to the Ruckus-patented RF technologies which provide outstanding Wi-Fi performance. Moving between ISPs. With competing ISPs constantly offering new features, greater speeds and more competitive pricing. Changing ISP is a simpler exercise if the ISP is simply providing internet access and the Wi-Fi system is independent, provided by the Ruckus. This application note assumes that an existing, proven, stable ISP router and internet connection exists. This application note is a guide for individuals who are conversant with internet access elements such as routers, cables and IP addresses. This application note is not written for first time users. Page 3 of 17
SCENARIO A R300 Access Point is to be introduced as per this Application Note. A central location for the R300 is chosen. A RJ45 cable from this location to the existing ISP router is required. The R300 is typically ceiling mounted, in the corner or side of a room, a PoE cable can be concealed within a wall or ceiling, and thus unobtrusive. If not using a PoE source RJ45, then a Ruckus PSU (power supply unit) is required for the R300. The R300 could be connected to the ISP router by an interim switch, if the switch is a PoE switch, the R300 will not need a separate 12VDC power accessory. The R300 will need to be connected to a LAN port of the existing ISP router. Ideally a Gigabit LAN port, if the ISP router provides these. Typically Gigabit LAN ports are provided on ISP current routers. SETUP These Instructions for the very easy setup of the R300 are to be found on the Quick Setup Guide enclosed with each R300. The following is a summary, with screenshots. If not using a PoE source RJ45, then a Ruckus PSU (power supply unit) is required for the R300. The R300 needs to be configured. This could be done by RJ45 connecting the R300 to the existing ISP router, or standalone from a PC / laptop. There is a single Ethernet port on the R300. (it is a dedicated Wi-Fi access point, not a combined router / switch / access point). Check that the R300 s power LED lights. The R300 will take an IP address allocated by the ISP router, or other DHCP source to which it is connected. Or there is default IP address for the R300 to which a PC / laptop can be configured to connect to. Using the allocated/default IP address, and web browser, access the R300, entering default UserName and Password at login panel. Page 4 of 17
From the initial panel. Note: Selecting Need Help?, to be found on the top right of every panel, will cause the Help information for that panel to be displayed. Page 5 of 17
Select Radio 2.4G in the options under heading Configuration. This produces the following panel. The default settings are shown. SmartSelect allows the R300 to automatically select the best channel. Country Code. Assuming you are not installing the R300 in the United States. Select appropriate country (i.e. United Kingdom in most instances). The follow message will appear. Upon selecting OK, a Reboot in progress message will be displayed, the R300 will reboot. Page 6 of 17
Your connectivity with the R300 will be lost. Using allocated/default IP address, and web browser, re-access the R300. Entering default UserName and Password at login panel. Select Radio 2.4G in the options under heading Configuration. Country Code will now be the country as selected in previous step. Select one of the Wireless # tabs at the top of the page. Wireless 1 is selected in this example. In Wireless Availability?, Click Enabled. Delete the text in the SSID field, and add the SSID of the Wi-Fi network required. This could be the same SSID as on the existing ISP router. Wi-Fi on the existing ISP router will soon be switched off/disabled, once the R300 is fully installed. Using the same SSID (and passphrase) as on the existing ISP router will save reconfiguring client devices for the new Wi-Fi network. An SSID of SMITHS is selected in his example. Typically Encryption Method now needs to be enabled. This is installation specific, and may need to take into account client devices and settings previously used on the ISP router s Wi-Fi. In this example WPA is selected, which produces the following options and default settings. Page 7 of 17
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The Encryption defaults have been changed, and a Passphrase for SSID SMITHS has been added. See following panel. Select Update Settings to save the changes. The following message should be returned. Page 9 of 17
REPEAT THE PROCESS FOR THE RADIO 5.0G Select Radio 5.0G in the options under heading Configuration. This produces the following panel. Note that the Country Code, is already the same as the Country Code from the previous step. Changing the Country Code in one panel, changes the Country Code fully. Select 40Hz for Channel Width on the 5GHz Radio. Select Update Settings to save the changes. The following message should be returned. Page 10 of 17
Select one of the Wireless # tabs at the top of the page. Wireless 9 is selected in this example. Follow the same steps and settings (SSID, Passphrase and Encryption) as used on the 2.4GHz Radio. This will ensure that the R300 would be accessed on one SSID, and one Passphrase, on both the 2.4GHz Radio and the 5.0GHz Radio. An installation may want multiple SSIDs, which could be set up on under tabs Radio 2.4G Wireless 2 8 and tabs Radio 5G Wireless 10 16, and different Passphrases. This would be installation specific and not covered in this Application Note. Select Update Settings to save the changes. The following message should be returned. The R300 can now be deployed as the installation s Wi-Fi access point. Confirm the R300 s SSID can be seen from client devices, and accessed using the Passphrase. Page 11 of 17
DISABLE WI-FI ON ISP ROUTER Access the ISP router and disable the Wi-Fi function. Leave the Wi-Fi function configured, but disable the Wi-Fi function. This will be ISP router specific, menus, panels, options etc. But is a reversal of the process described earlier to Enable Wireless Availability on the R300. Screenshots below show the Wi-Fi enable/disable panels on each a BT Home Hub and a Sky router. Page 12 of 17
The R300 and ISP router are now configured as per the objective of this application note, To introduce a Ruckus R300 Access Point router to function with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) router which is providing broadband internet access and Wi-Fi. The Ruckus R300 Access Point will subsequently provide the Wi-Fi service previously provided via the ISP router. The Ruckus R300 will provided enhanced Wi-Fi compared to the ISP router. Wi-Fi from the ISP router will be switched off/disabled. STATIC / FIXED IP ADDRESS (OPTIONAL, BUT PROBABLY BEST PRACTICE) The R300 by default will be using an IP address supplied by the ISP router s DHCP. The R300 can be configured to use a static/fixed IP address, which has advantages for administration, management and documentation. Select Internet in the options under heading Status. This will show the IP address, subnet mask and Gateway allocated to the R300 by the ISP router s DHCP. (The gateway is the LAN IP address of the ISP router). Note Connection Type shows as dhcp. Page 13 of 17
To configure the R300 to use a static/fixed IP address. Select Internet in the options under heading Configuration. This produces the following panel. Page 14 of 17
Select IPv4 Connection Type Static IP. This produces the following panel. The IP information initially display is that previous allocated by the ISP router s DHCP. This needs changing. Page 15 of 17
Set the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Gateway to the required settings. 192.168.1.6 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1 are selected in this example. Click Update Settings. Your connectivity will be lost, as the R300 changes its IP address. Using chosen IP address, and web browser, re-access the R300. Entering default UserName and Password at login panel. Select Internet in the options under heading Status. This will show the IP address, subnet mask and Gateway allocated to the R300 in the previous step. (The gateway is the LAN IP address of the ISP router). Note Connection Type now shows as static. Page 16 of 17
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