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Pro 11 Series Wireless Ethernet
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com
LW0050A
LW0051A
LW0052A
LW0053A
LW0054A
LW0055A
LW0056A
D
L O A
H
M
R
P W
L
R
I N F
R
E T H
JANUARY 2000
LW0057A
LW0058A
LW0059A
LW0060A-CAN
LW0061A-CAN
LW0062A-CAN
LW0063A-CAN
s
e l e s
W i r
e s s
A c c
n t
P o i

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Summary of Contents for Black Box LW0050A

  • Page 1 Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX SUPPORT FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746 INFORMATION Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com...
  • Page 3 TRADEMARKS TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL Apple and AppleTalk are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Digital is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
  • Page 4 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
  • Page 5 NOM STATEMENT NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura.
  • Page 6 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea eliminada. 13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos, poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del aparato.
  • Page 7 ELECTRONIC EMISSION NOTICES Electronic Emission Notices This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules, ETSI 300-328, UL , UL/C, ® TUV/GS, and CE. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference. 2.
  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    1.1 How to Use This Guide ..................11 1.2 Pro 11 Series Features ..................12 1.3 Pro 11 Series Product Line ................13 1.3.1 Access Point (LW0050A, LW0055A, or LW0060A-CAN)....13 1.3.2 Single Station Adapter (LW0051A, LW0056A, or LW0061A-CAN) ..14 1.3.3 Four-Port Station Adapter (LW0052A, LW0057A, or LW0062A-CAN)..15 1.3.4...
  • Page 9: Chapter Page

    CONTENTS Chapter Page 3.4.5 Station Control ..................35 3.4.6 Security (Authentication Feature) ............35 3.5 Advanced Settings Menu ................37 3.5.1 Translation Mode ..................37 3.5.2 Performance ..................37 3.5.3 Radio ......................38 3.5.4 Rate ......................39 3.5.5 Access Point Redundancy Support ............39 3.5.6 Maintenance ..................39 3.6 Site Survey Menu ....................40 3.6.1 System Counters ..................40 3.6.2...
  • Page 10 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Chapter Page 4.7 Using the Upgrade Kit Program..............70 4.8 Installation Troubleshooting ................74 4.9 Installing the PCMCIA Adapter Drivers in ODI Systems ......75 5. Planning and Installing Wireless LANs ..............78 5.1 System Configurations..................78 5.1.1 Single-Cell Configuration..............78 5.1.2 Overlapping Cell Configuration ............82 5.1.3...
  • Page 11 CONTENTS Chapter Page Appendix B. Specifications ..................107 B.1 Specifications for LW0050A–LW0053A and LW0055A–LW0058A ..107 B.2 Specifications for LW0054A and LW0059A ..........109 Appendix C. Wireless LAN Concepts ..............112 C.1 Topology......................112 C.1.1 Wired LAN Topology ................112 C.1.2 Wireless LAN Topology ..............113 C.2 Roaming ......................115 C.3 Load Balancing ....................115...
  • Page 12 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Chapter Page E.10.1 Preamble ....................136 E.10.2 PLCP Header ..................136 E.10.3 MAC Data ....................137 E.11 Most Common Frame Formats ..............141 E.11.1 RTS Frame Format ................141 E.11.2 CTS Frame Format ................142 E.11.3 ACK Frame Format................142 E.12 Point Coordination Function (PCF) ............143 E.13 Ad-hoc Networks ..................143...
  • Page 13: Introduction

    CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1. Introduction 1.1. How to Use This Guide This guide contains instructions for overall planning and setting up your wireless LAN. It explains how to install each unit, plus how to install antennas and accessories. This guide contains: •...
  • Page 14: Pro 11 Series Features

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 1.2. Pro 11 Series Features • IEEE 802.11 Compliant – All Pro 11 Series units are fully compliant with the final IEEE 802.11 specification for wireless LANs, and thus support interoperability with other 802.11-compliant vendors. •...
  • Page 15: Pro 11 Series Product Line

    CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.3 Pro 11 Series Product Line These are Pro 11 Series Wireless Ethernet Units with Integral 2-dBi Antennas. Ethernet Access Point, Monitor Cable, Power Supply ......LW0050A Single-Port Station Adapter, Power Supply ..........LW0051A Four-Port Station Adapter, Power Supply ..........LW0052A Ethernet Workgroup Bridge, Power Supply..........LW0053A...
  • Page 16: Single Station Adapter (Lw0051A, Lw0056A, Or Lw0061A-Can)

    TFTP protocol via the wired LAN or wireless LAN. The Access Point is available in two models: • With two integrated omnidirectional antennas (LW0050A), and • For use with external high-gain antennas (LW055A or LW0060A-CAN). 1.3.2 S...
  • Page 17: Four-Port Station Adapter (Lw0052A, Lw0057A, Or Lw0062A-Can)

    CHAPTER 1: Introduction The Single-Port Station Adapter contains an embedded SNMP agent enabling effective management. Software upgrades are downloaded by TFTP via the Ethernet port or via the Wireless LAN and Access Point. Network connection is maintained while roaming between overlapping coverage areas.
  • Page 18: Workgroup Bridge (Lw0053A, Lw0058A, Or Lw0063A-Can)

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 1.3.4 W (LW0053A, LW0058A, LW0063A-CAN) ORKGROUP RIDGE The Workgroup Bridge is a high-speed, wide-range wireless LAN bridge that provides connectivity to remote Ethernet networks. The Workgroup Bridge communicates with the Access Points of the remote LANs, effectively creating an extended wireless network spanning sites situated up to 6 miles (9.7 km) apart (in Europe, this range is limited by ETSI regulations to 2.5 km;...
  • Page 19: Pro 11 Functional Description

    CHAPTER 1: Introduction Network connection is maintained while roaming between overlapping cell coverage areas. Transmission and reception can be continued while moving at high speed with no data-packet loss or duplication. The PCMCIA Adapter is available in two models: • With two integrated omnidirectional retractable antennas (LW0054A). •...
  • Page 20: Single-Port Station Adapters

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 1.4.4 S INGLE TATION DAPTERS The Single-Port Station Adapter is connected to a station’s network card. When the station sends a message, the Single-Port Station Adapter wirelessly forwards it to the Access Point. And when the Access Point receives a message destined for the station, it wirelessly forwards the message to the Single-Port Station Adapter.
  • Page 21: 3-Mbps Type Ii Pcmcia Adapter

    CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.4.7 3-M II PCMCIA A DAPTER The 3-Mbps Type II PCMCIA Adapter is inserted into the station’s PCMCIA slot and features identical operation to that of the Single-Port Station Adapter. As opposed to the Single-Port Station Adapter that connects to the station’s network card, the 3-Mbps Type II PCMCIA Adapter is the station’s network card.
  • Page 22: Basic Installation

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 2. Basic Installation This chapter describes the physical installation of the Pro 11 Series units described in Chapter 1, with the exception of the PCMCIA Adapter. Installation for the LW0054A/LW0059A PCMCIA Adapter is described in Chapter 4. The Pro 11 Series features plug-and-play operation (the unit starts operating immediately after physical installation with a set of default operation parameters).
  • Page 23: Position The Unit

    CHAPTER 2: Basic Installation The Access Points come with these additional components: • This guide. • A monitor connector cable for connecting the units to a monitor in order to perform Local Terminal Management functions (see Section 3.1). A proprietary MIB disk for performing remote-unit configuration and monitoring via SNMP is also available.
  • Page 24: Connect The Unit To The Power Supply

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET DDITIONAL ONSIDERATIONS OSITIONING THE CCESS OINT When positioning the Access Points, take into account the following additional considerations. Height Install the Access Point at least 5 feet (1.5 m) above the floor, clear of any high office partitions or tall pieces of furniture in the coverage area.
  • Page 25: Connect The Unit To The Ethernet Port

    CHAPTER 2: Basic Installation 2.5 Connect the Unit to the Ethernet Port • Connect one end of an Ethernet 10BASE-T cable (not supplied) to the RJ-45 port on the rear panel of the unit (marked UTP). • Connect the other end of the connector cable to the Ethernet outlet: When connecting a Single-Port Station Adapter or Four-Port Station Adapter to a PC, use a straight cable.
  • Page 26: Access Point Leds

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Name Description Meaning Quality of reception H, M, and L LEDs not lit: Very-low-quality reception (less than -81 dBm) or not synchronized with Access Point. H and M LEDs not lit, L LED is lit: Low-quality reception (from -81 to -77 dBm), usually enabling 1-Mbps traffic.
  • Page 27: Using The Local Terminal For Unit Setup And Management

    CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management 3. Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management The Pro 11 Series units feature plug-and-play operation; the unit starts operating immediately following physical installation with a set of default parameters. System- specific configuration of the unit to meet specific requirements can be done via a local terminal (ASCII ANSI terminal or PC) connected to the unit.
  • Page 28: Configuration Screens

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET To use Local Terminal Management: 1. Click an option number to open/activate the option. You may need to press Enter in some cases. 2. Press Esc to exit a menu or option. 3. Reset the unit after making configuration changes. 3.2 Configuration Screens Listed below are the menus, sub-menus, and sub-submenus in the terminal program that the Installer can edit.
  • Page 29 CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management Table 3-1 (continued). Configuration Menus Menu Sub-Menu Sub-Submenu Default Values 1.4 Bridging 1.4.1 LAN to WLAN Bridging Mode (Access Points only) Reject Unknown 1.4.2 Intelligent Bridging Period (Access Points only) 15 sec 1.4.3 IP Filtering Disabled...
  • Page 30 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Table 3-1 (continued). Configuration Menus Menu Sub-Menu Sub-Submenu Default Values 2.7 Main- 2.7.1 Auto Calibration Enabled tenance 2.7.2 Wait for Association Address (not in Access 2.7.3 Japan Call Sign Points) 3. Site 3.1 System 3.1.1 Display Ethernet and WLAN Counters Survey Counters 3.1.2 Display Rate Counters...
  • Page 31: Main Menu

    CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management 3.3 Main Menu Pro 11 Series (Workstation Bridge) Version: 4.211 Date: 25 Jun 1998 15:46:24 Monitor =================== 1 - System Configuration 2 - Advanced Settings 3 - Site Survey 4 - Access Control Select option >...
  • Page 32: Station Status

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 3.4.1 S TATION TATUS Station Status is a read-only sub-menu that displays the current values of the following parameters: • Unit’s Mode – Identifies the unit’s function. For example, if the unit is an Access Point, “AP” appears in this field. •...
  • Page 33: Ip And Snmp Parameters

    CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management • Current Number of Authentications (Access Point Only) – Total number of stations currently authenticated with an Access Point. A station may be concurrently authenticated with several Access Points, but is associated with only one Access Point at a time.
  • Page 34 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET This parameter is set only in the LW0050A and LW0055A Pro 11 Access Point models. It is not accessible from any other Pro 11 unit. During the association process, all other stations learn the hopping sequence from the Access Point.
  • Page 35 CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management • Transmit Antenna – Which antennas are used for transmission. During reception, a Pro 11 unit dynamically selects the antenna where reception is optimal. In contrast, the unit selects the antenna from which it will transmit before transmission.
  • Page 36: Bridging

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET • Display Current Values – This read-only status screen displays current WLAN parameters. Press any key to return to the WLAN Parameters Menu. 3.4.4 B RIDGING The Bridging Menu contains the following options: • LAN to WLAN Bridging Mode (Access Points Only) – The options are: Reject Unknown –...
  • Page 37: Station Control

    CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management • Broadcast Relaying (Access Points Only) – Whether the unit performs broadcast relaying. When Broadcast Relaying is enabled, Broadcast packets originating in WLAN devices are transmitted by the Access Point back to the WLAN devices, as well as to the LAN.
  • Page 38 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET WEP, also referred to as the Privacy option, must be ordered specifically and is not supported by default. The security mechanism involves configuration of the following parameters: • Authentication Algorithm — This module operates in two modes: 0–Open System (default): no authentication, or 1–Shared Key authentication (for systems that have the privacy option implemented).
  • Page 39: Advanced Settings Menu

    Select option > Figure 3-3. Advanced Settings Menu. Modification of most of the parameters in the Advanced Settings menu is limited to certified Black Box Technical Support only. 3.5.1 T RANSLATION The translation mode determines how the unit handles 802.3 packets. The translation mode is either enabled (default) or disabled.
  • Page 40: Radio

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET • Power Save Support — If you enable Power Save Support on one of the WLAN stations (LW0054A or LW0059A only), you must also configure the Access Point unit. Power Save Support is influenced by two parameters: DTM interval on the Access Point side —...
  • Page 41: Rate

    CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management • Power Level – Output power level at which the unit is transmitting. There are two possibilities, Low (4 dBm) or High (17 dBm), at the antenna connector. 3.5.4 R •...
  • Page 42: Site Survey Menu

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 3.6 Site Survey Menu Pro 11 Series (Workstation Bridge) Version: 4.4.1 Date: 26 May 1999 15:46:24 Site Survey menu =================== 1 - System Counters 2 - Survey Software 3 - Event Log 4 - Display Neighboring APs Select option >...
  • Page 43 CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management 3.6.1.1 E THERNET OUNTERS Ethernet counters display statistics about the unit’s Ethernet-port activity. The unit receives Ethernet frames from its UTP port and forwards them to its internal bridge, which decides whether or not to transmit them to the Wireless LAN.
  • Page 44 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET acknowledge (there are no retransmissions for control frames). If the unit has retransmitted a frame for the maximum number of retransmissions, it will stop re- transmitting the frame and drop this frame. Available Counters: • Total Transmitted Frames – The number of frames transmitted to the wireless media.
  • Page 45 CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management • Power Saving Aged – Total number of buffered frames that were aged out. This counter counts the number of frames dropped by the Access Point because a station did not poll those frames for a long period of time. •...
  • Page 46 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 3.6.1.4 U SING THE ACKETS PER REQUENCY ISTOGRAM Use the Display Rx Packets per Frequency option to see a histogram of the number of frames received on each channel. Pro 11 Series (Workstation Bridge) Version: 4.211 Date: 25 Jun 1998 15:46:24 Max = 187 Min = 112...
  • Page 47: Survey Software

    CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management 3.6.1.6 P OWER AVING OUNTERS These counters apply only to Access Points. • PS stations — Number of associated stations currently working in Power Save mode. • Internally Discarded — Number of frames that were discarded because of aging.
  • Page 48 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 4. Start the survey by selecting option (2) in the Survey Software menu in both units. When performing a site survey from a station to an Access Point (transmitting from the station to the Access Point), always begin with the station (select option [2] on the station).
  • Page 49 CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management # Pack RSSI1 RSSI2 Bit_Err Freqs Rate Quality #########.. #########.. ########... ##########. ##########. ##########. ##########. ##########. #########.. ##########. ########### ##########. ########### ########### ########### ########### ##########. ########### ########... ########... Figure 3-7. Receive Statistics. 7.
  • Page 50: Event Log

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 3.6.4 E VENT • Display Event Log — The error messages that the unit displayed since the last Load Full Factory Defaults reset or since the log was erased by Erase Event Log. The Event log stores events in four levels of error notifications: MSG (Message), WRN (Warning), ERR (Error), and FTL (Fatal).
  • Page 51 CHAPTER 3: Using the Local Terminal for Unit Setup and Management The Access Control menu includes the following options: • Change Access Rights – This screen determines the level of access rights to the Pro 11 unit’s setup and configuration menus. When the unit is first installed, the default access right is Installer, and the default password is “user”: User –...
  • Page 52: Pcmcia Adapter Installation, Setup, And Management

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 4. PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management This chapter describes how to install the PCMCIA Adapter and its associated firmware, drivers, and utilities. The PCMCIA Adapter Configuration and Site Survey utilities, which are used to set up and manage the card, are also described in this chapter.
  • Page 53: Installing The Pcmcia Adapter

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management • We highly recommend that you remove all PCMCIA cards from the notebook prior to installing the PCMCIA Adapter. This will help to avoid conflicts during installation. If you have another network card installed (for example, an Ethernet card), you must remove it prior to installing the PCMCIA PC Card.
  • Page 54 2. When the Add New Hardware Wizard window appears, press Next. 3. Select the Search for best driver option and press Next. 4. Insert the Black Box drivers diskette, select the Floppy disk drives option, and press Next. 5. The installation wizard notifies you that the driver for the Brz 802.11 Wireless LAN PC Card has been located.
  • Page 55 2. Select the Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer option and press OK. 3. When prompted for the location of the driver, insert the Black Box drivers diskette and type A:\ and press OK. The necessary files are copied from the diskette.
  • Page 56 Have Disk. b. Click on the Adapters tab, press Add, and then click Have Disk. 3. Insert the Black Box drivers diskette, enter the location of the diskette (such as a:\) and press OK. 4. From the list choose Brz 802.11 Wireless LAN PC Card and press OK. The PCMCIA PC Card LAN Adapter Properties window appears.
  • Page 57 CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management 6. Press the Windows Start button and select Run. Type WINMSD and press OK. The Windows NT Diagnostics window appears. Figure 4-1. Windows NT Diagnostics Window. 7. Press IRQ and verify that IRQ 11 is not taken. If it is, find a free IRQ. For example, in the illustration, IRQ 2 is free.
  • Page 58: Checking The Led Indicators

    Double-click on the Network icon, click on the Configuration tab, select Brz 802.11 Wireless LAN PC Card, and click Remove. 2. Insert the Black Box Drivers diskette. From the Windows Start menu, select Run, and type a:\DrvClean. 3. When notified that the PCMCIA Adapter driver has been deleted, click Setup.
  • Page 59: Installing The Pcmcia Adapter Utilities

    (as described in Section 4.4.1). To install the PCMCIA PC Card utilities: 1. Insert the Black Box utilities diskette. 2. From the Windows Start menu, select Run. Type A:\setup and click OK. 3. When the notification dialog box appears, click Setup.
  • Page 60: Station Status Tab

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET • Undo – Causes the window to display currently active values. This is useful if you started changing values and you want to start again from the current values. • Cancel – Closes the window without implementing any changes you made. •...
  • Page 61: Wlan Parameters Tab

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management 4.5.2 WLAN P ARAMETERS The WLAN Parameters tab of the Wireless LAN Configuration utility lets you view and edit basic Wireless LAN parameters of the Adapter. The WLAN Parameters tab contains the following parameters: •...
  • Page 62: Configuration Access Tab

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET • Import – Imports a configuration file to this unit, and overwrites all previous settings. • Export – Exports the current configuration of this unit to a file. NOTE Parameter changes take effect only after reset. 4.5.4 C ONFIGURATION CCESS...
  • Page 63: Power Management Tab

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management IMPORTANT If you change the Installer password, do not forget it, or you will be unable to change the unit’s access rights. 4.5.5 P OWER ANAGEMENT The Power Management tab allows you to enable/disable Power Save mode and to configure Power Save mode parameters.
  • Page 64: Security Tab

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 4.5.6 S ECURITY The Security tab of the Wireless LAN Configuration utility allows you to set the security parameters of the station. The station in which the PCMCIA Adapter is installed can use one of the following authentication algorithms (as defined in the 802.11 standard): •...
  • Page 65: Maintenance Tab

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management NOTE The default Key ID you enter for the PCMCIA Adapter must match the Key ID defined in the Access Point. Section 3.4.6 describes the procedure for setting the encryption keys for Access Points. It is recommended that you change the encryption keys periodically to enhance system security.
  • Page 66: Performance Tab

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Wireless LAN Configuration Station Status WLAN params Station Control Configuration Access Power Management Radio Security Maintenance Performance Power level Default Radio Status High High Hopping standard US FCC Country Undo Apply Cancel Figure 4-2. Radio Tab. The Radio tab contains the following parameters: •...
  • Page 67: Resetting The Pcmcia Adapter

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management This tab is not visible when in User login mode. When in Installer login mode, you can see the parameters. When in Technician login mode, you can edit the parameters. Wireless LAN Configuration Station Status WLAN params Station Control...
  • Page 68: Using The Site Survey Utility

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 2. Restart the computer, or stop the Adapter: From the Control Panel, double-click the PCMCIA Adapter icon, select the PCMCIA PC Card, and click Stop. Then eject and reinsert the card, or stop and refresh the driver as follows: 3.
  • Page 69: Site Survey Main Window

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management Site Survey for Wireless LAN Card Edit View Report Help Associated AP Alias: Sales AP address: 00-20-D6-B1-05-35 Signal Strength: -60dBm Poor Fair Good Very Good Record Alias AP Address Signal Alias Production 00-20-D6-21-0D-78 Iconize Marketing 00-20-D6-69-91-2C...
  • Page 70 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET • Neighbor APs – This section, located at the bottom of the window, displays nearby Access Points (up to 4) from which the station is receiving a signal. For each Access Point, the following parameters are displayed: Alias –...
  • Page 71: Performing A Site Survey With The Pcmcia Adapter

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management • Menu Bar — The menu bar at the top of the window contains four menus: Edit, View, Report, and Help. These menus contain sub-menus which correspond in most cases to the buttons at the side of the window. Edit Menu –...
  • Page 72: Using The Upgrade Kit Program

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with other locations. The recorded readings should give you a good idea of where reception is good or bad, and where many Access Points overlap unnecessarily. 6. When you are done recording, press Print. A site survey report appears containing information about each recorded location, including signal strength of associated Access Point and of neighbor Access Points.
  • Page 73 CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management PCMCIA PC Card Upgrade Welcome This wizard assists you in upgrading your PCMCIA PC Card firmware, driver and applications. It is strongly recommended that you exit all Windows programs before running this wizard. Click “Close” to quit this wizard and exit all programs that are currently running.
  • Page 74 Enter the supplied password and click OK to return to the dialog box from step NOTE The password for enabling the WEP feature can only be obtained from Black Box. 7. Follow the on-screen instructions and check the Adapter’s LEDs as described in Section 4.3.2. Click Next. The following dialog box is displayed.
  • Page 75: Downloading Firmware

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management PCMCIA PC Card Upgrade Step 03 Downloading firmware..Note: This process takes approximately 15 seconds. Do not be alarmed if it seems as if the computer has frozen for the diuration of the downloading of the firmware.
  • Page 76: Installation Troubleshooting

    4.8 Installation Troubleshooting The following are some problems that may occur while installing the PCMCIA PC Card, and some recommended solutions to these problems. Should you encounter problems during installation which are not listed in this section, contact Black Box Technical Support.
  • Page 77: Installing The Pcmcia Adapter Drivers In Odi Systems

    CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management Problem 1: Adapter does not function properly. 1. Check Device Manager for conflicts with any other devices and drivers. 2. Right click My Computer, Properties, and then the Device Manager tab. 3. Click Network Adapters to verify status of the Adapter—an exclamation mark next to the card indicates a conflict.
  • Page 78 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 2. Copy all files from the DOSODI directory on the driver to the NetWare client directory. (If you already have a NET.CFG file that you want to keep, copy and paste the BRZWLAN section from the sample NET.CFG file supplied by Black Box, into your existing file.) 3.
  • Page 79 CHAPTER 4: PCMCIA Adapter Installation, Setup, and Management 3. Enter the ESSID as defined in the Access Point (if using default ESSID, do not change). 4. Reset/restart the computer. NOTE Default ESSID is ESSID1 in capital letters. ODI I ROUBLESHOOTING NSTALLATION The following paragraphs provide information that can help in the event of problems encountered in the ODI drivers installation.
  • Page 80: Planning And Installing Wireless Lans

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 5. Planning and Installing Wireless LANs Models LW0050A through LW0054A are equipped with two integrated 2-dBi omnidirectional antennas and are suitable for indoor, short- to medium-range installations. Models LW0055A through LW0059A are equipped with two customized female connectors for use with a range of external antennas.
  • Page 81 CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs There are three types of Single-Cell Configuration: • Point-to-Point • Point-to-Multipoint • Mobile Applications Each type is explained in the following sections. 5.1.1.1 P OINT OINT Point-to-Point installations require directional antennas at either end of the link. To select the best antenna for a specific application, consider the following factors: •...
  • Page 82 The figures in this section demonstrate how the Workgroup Bridge (LW0053A) can be used with an Access Point to extend a regular network with a wireless link. Access Point (LW0050A or LW0055A) Bridge (LW0053A or LW0058A) Figure 5-1. Connecting Remote Offices to Main Office Network.
  • Page 83 Workgroup Bridge enables these wireless stations in its coverage area to communicate with the wireless LAN and gain access to all of the network resources such as file servers, printers and shared databases. Access Point LW0051A (LW0050A or LW0055A) LW0050A LW0054A LW0052A...
  • Page 84: Overlapping Cell Configuration

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 3. Look at the Station Adapter’s front-panel LED indicators, or the PCMCIA PC Card’s Site Survey application, to check signal strength. 4. Make any necessary adjustments. For example, adjust the antennas, the location of the Station Adapter, or the location of the Access Point. 5.
  • Page 85 CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs • Any workstation situated in the overlapping area can associate and communicate with either Access Point #1 or Access Point #2. • Any workstation can move seamlessly through the overlapping coverage areas without losing its network connection. This attribute is called Seamless Roaming.
  • Page 86: Multicell Configuration

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 5.1.3 M ULTICELL ONFIGURATION Areas congested by many users and a heavy traffic load may require a multicell structure. In a multicell structure, several Access Points are installed in the same location. Each Access Point has the same coverage area, thereby creating a common coverage area that increases aggregate throughput.
  • Page 87: Multi-Hop Configuration (Relay)

    CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs Access Point Access Point Access Point Common Coverage Area Figure 5-4. Multicell Configuration. 5.1.4 M ULTI ONFIGURATION ELAY When you need to connect two sites and no line of sight exists between them, an Access-Point/Workstation-Bridge pair can be positioned at a third location where line-of-sight exists with each of the original locations.
  • Page 88: Indoor Installation Considerations

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 4. When an Access Point and Workstation Bridge communicate over the wireless LAN, set them both to the same ESSID. For example, set the Access Point of the main office and the Workstation Bridge of the first Access-Point/ Workstation-Bridge relay pair to the same ESSID.
  • Page 89: Site-Selection Factors

    CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs Access Point Figure 5-6. Access Point LAN in a Typical Office Environment. 5.2.1 S ELECTION ACTORS The Pro 11 Series Wireless Ethernet products are designed to operate efficiently under a wide range of conditions. The following guidelines are provided to help you position the units to ensure optimum coverage and operation of the wireless LAN.
  • Page 90: Antennas For Indoor Applications

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Site Selection for Access Points When positioning Access Points, take into account the following additional considerations. EIGHT Install the Access Point at least 5 feet (1.5 m) above the floor, clear of any high office partitions or tall pieces of furniture in the coverage area. The Access Point can be placed on a high shelf, or can be attached to the ceiling or a wall using a mounting bracket.
  • Page 91: Construction Materials

    CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs sufficient to ensure good performance levels. However, in cases where multipath propagation exists, we recommend that two antennas be used. This takes advantage of space-diversity capabilities. By using two antennas per unit, the system can select the best antenna on a per-packet basis (every few milliseconds).
  • Page 92: Cell Size

    Open Indoor Areas Open office areas with no partitioning and no obstacles between the Access Point and the workstation. The suggested maximum distance between a standard Access Point (LW0050A) and a workstation is 600 ft. (200 m). Semi-Open Indoor Areas Open-plan offices partitioned into individual workspaces, factory floors, warehouses, etc.
  • Page 93: Outdoor Installation Considerations

    CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs Closed Indoor Areas A floor divided into individual offices by concrete, masonry, or sheet-rock walls. A house is also a closed indoor area. The suggested maximum distance between a standard Access Point and a workstation is 150 ft.
  • Page 94: Rooftop Installation

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET window frames or metal film anti-glare windows in the transmission path. Install outdoor antennas high enough to avoid any obstacles which may block the signal. Minimal Path Loss Path loss is determined mainly by several factors: •...
  • Page 95 CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs Point-to-Point A point-to-point link is based on the use of one Access Point with external antennas (LW0055A) and one adapter (LW0056A–LW0059A). The Access Point and the Workstation Bridge must be equipped with one or two directional antennas. The necessary antenna gain depends on the required range and performance.
  • Page 96: Antenna Seal

    For open outdoor areas with an unobstructed line of sight between the Access Point and the Pro 11 workstation, the suggested maximum distance between a standard Access Point (LW0050A) and a workstation is 2000 ft. (700 m).
  • Page 97: Link Distance

    CHAPTER 5: Planning and Installing Wireless LANs 5.3.6 L ISTANCE Link distance is the maximum distance between the Access Point and the station adapter, usually related to point-to-point installations using external antennas. For open outdoor areas with an unobstructed line of sight between the Access Point and the wireless bridge, the suggested maximum distance is: •...
  • Page 98: Spurious Radio Frequency Emissions

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET 5.4.2 S PURIOUS ADIO REQUENCY MISSIONS The regulations referred to in the previous section also specify maximum “out-of- band” radio frequency emissions. Install a filter as close as possible to the Pro 11 unit’s connector. 5.4.3 L IGHTNING ROTECTION...
  • Page 99: Upgrade Procedure

    1. Send in your Pro Series equipment, and we will upgrade the units to the Pro 11 802.11 standard for a service fee. 2. Download the software at no charge from the Black Box FTP site and perform the upgrade yourself. If you choose to do the upgrade yourself, you assume all responsibility for the condition of the product after the upgrade.
  • Page 100 The current version and type of the unit determine the files used for upgrade. For example, when upgrading LW0050A from version 3.52 to version 4.4.1, use the erase and eanafb files. When upgrading LW0051A from version 3.62 to version 4.4.1,...
  • Page 101: System Troubleshooting

    CHAPTER 7: System Troubleshooting 7. System Troubleshooting This troubleshooting guide provides answers to some of the more common problems which may occur when installing and using the Pro 11 Series products. If problems not mentioned in this guide should arise, checking the Ethernet and WLAN counters may help.
  • Page 102 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Problem and Indication Possible Cause Corrective Action Failure to estab- 1. Power supply to units 1. Verify power to units. lish wireless link may be faulty. 2. Verify that all cables are (LW0055A– 2. Cables may be connected securely.
  • Page 103 CHAPTER 7: System Troubleshooting Problem and Indication Possible Cause Corrective Action Wireless link 1. Ethernet port on 1. Verify that the LINK LED is lit and established, but Network Interface card is solid at the NIC port. If this is not the there is no faulty.
  • Page 104 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Problem and Indication Possible Cause Corrective Action High-quality 1. Too much interference 1. Move the unit or the antennas out of signal but or multipath propagation. the range of interference. throughput is 2. Ethernet port of the •...
  • Page 105: Checking Counters

    CHAPTER 7: System Troubleshooting Problem and Indication Possible Cause Corrective Action Unit associates In a multicell structure For a unit to associate with a specific with the wrong with overlapping cells, the Access Point, assign a unique ESSID Access Point. units may not associate to the Access Point and to all the units with the closest Access...
  • Page 106: Appendix A Supported Mibs And Traps

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Appendix A. Supported MIBs and Traps A.1 Supported MIBs All products in the Pro 11 Series contain an embedded SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) agent. All functions can be accessed from the Management Information Base (MIB) using an SNMP application. Pro 11 Series agents support the following MIBs: •...
  • Page 107 APPENDIX A: Supported MIBs and Traps Trap Variables Description brzAProamingIn brzTrapSTAMacAddr A station has roamed into this Access Point coverage area. The trap contains the MAC address of the associated station. brzAPassociated brzTrapSTAMacAddr A new station is associated with this Access Point. The trap contains the MAC address of the associated station.
  • Page 108 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Trap Variables Description brzWlanStatus brzTrapToggle The wireless media condition has brzTrapMacAddress changed. An ON value is sent when the wireless LAN quality for a station or Access Point drops below the WLAN trap threshold. An OFF value is sent if the quality improves beyond the threshold.
  • Page 109: Appendix B. Specifications

    APPENDIX B: Specifications Appendix B. Specifications B.1 Specifications for LW0050A–LW0053A and LW0055A–LW0058A IRED INTERFACE Compliance — Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD standard Physical Interface — 10BASE-T Network Operating Systems Supported — All Network Protocols Supported — All IRELESS INTERFACE Compliance — IEEE 802.11 CSMA/CA Wireless LAN standard Physical Interface —...
  • Page 110 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET ONFIGURATION AND ANAGEMENT Configuration and Setup — Via Local Monitor port (serial RS-232) SNMP Management — SNMP agents: MIB II, Bridge MIB, WLAN MIB, and private MIB; Access via: Wired LAN, Wireless LAN Site Survey — Via Local Monitor port (serial RS-232), via SNMP Indicators —...
  • Page 111: Specifications For Lw0054A And Lw0059A

    APPENDIX B: Specifications LECTRICAL External Power Supply — 100 to 250 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz, 0.5 A Input Voltage — 5 VDC Power Consumption — 1.5 A peak, 1.2 A average HYSICAL Size — 5.1"H x 3.4"W x 1.35"D (13 x 8.6 x 3 cm) without antennas and power supply Weight —...
  • Page 112 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Sensitivity — 1 Mbps: -81 dBm; 2 Mbps: -75 dBm; 3 Mbps: -67 dBm Modulation — Multilevel GFSK Demodulation Technology — DSP-based with adaptive equalization Antenna Diversity — Two antennas, selected for use on a packet basis Frequency Accuracy —...
  • Page 113 APPENDIX B: Specifications NVIRONMENTAL Operating Temperature — 32 to 105°F (0 to 40°C) Operating Humidity — 5 to 95% noncondensing LECTRICAL Power — Via network PC Input Voltage — 5 VDC Power Consumption — XMT: 365 mA peak; RCV: 280 mA peak HYSICAL Size —...
  • Page 114: Appendix C. Wireless Lan Concepts

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Appendix C. Wireless LAN Concepts Wireless LAN technology is becoming increasingly popular in large-scale and complex wireless networks, as more and more users are discovering its reliability and high performance. Originally designed for indoor office applications, today’s wireless LANs can be used for both indoor client-server or peer-to-peer networks and outdoor point-to- point or point-to-multipoint remote-bridging applications.
  • Page 115: Wireless Lan Topology

    PC-based workstations and notebook or pen-based computers can move freely in the cell. 10BASE-T LW0050A LW0051A LW0051A LW0054A...
  • Page 116 The range of the system can be extended by cascading several wireless links, one after the other. LW0055A compatible LW0051A Overlapping cells compatible LW0055A LW0055A LW0050A LW0054A or 10BASE-T LW0059A 10BASE-T with laptop 10BASE-T computer 10BASE-T LW0058A...
  • Page 117: Roaming

    APPENDIX C: Wireless LAN Concepts C.2 Roaming When any area in the building is within reception range of more than one Access Point, the cells’ coverage is said to overlap. Each wireless station automatically establishes the best possible connection with one of the Access Points. Overlapping coverage areas are an important attribute of the wireless LAN setup, because this enables seamless roaming between overlapping cells.
  • Page 118: Dynamic Rate Switching

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Access Point Access Point Access Point Common Coverage Area Figure C-4. The Common Coverage Area of a Multi-cell Structure. C.4 Dynamic Rate Switching The data rate of each station is automatically adjusted according to the received signal quality.
  • Page 119: Fragmentation

    APPENDIX C: Wireless LAN Concepts C.6 Fragmentation Fragmentation of packets into shorter fragments adds protocol overhead and reduces protocol efficiency when no errors are expected, but reduces the time spent on re-transmissions if errors are likely to occur. When errors and retransmissions are occurring, no fragmentation or longer fragment length adds overhead and reduces efficiency.
  • Page 120: Appendix D. Radio Signal Propagation

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Appendix D. Radio Signal Propagation D.1 Introduction This section explains and simplifies many of the terms relating to antennas and RF (Radio Frequency) used when dealing with an RF installation system. The following diagram depicts a typical radio system. Receiving Transmitting Antenna...
  • Page 121: Rf Terms And Definitions

    APPENDIX D: Radio Signal Propagation D.2 RF Terms and Definitions An abbreviation for decibel, a comparative measure of signal strength. An absolute measure of signal strength. 0 dBm = 1 milliwatt. (See “RF Power Level” below.) RF P OWER EVEL RF power level at either the transmitter output or the receiver input is expressed in watts.
  • Page 122 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Attenuation is expressed in dB as follows: P dB = -10 × Log (P out /P in ) For example: If, because of attenuation, half the power is lost (P out /P in = 1/2), then attenuation in dB is -10 × Log (1/2) = 3 dB Loss of power of an RF signal traveling (propagating) through space.
  • Page 123 APPENDIX D: Radio Signal Propagation Side Lobes The radiation lobes in any direction other than that of the main lobe. Omnidirectional Antenna An antenna that radiates and receives equally in all directions in azimuth. The following diagram shows the radiation pattern of an omnidirectional antenna with its side lobes in polar form.
  • Page 124 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Antenna Beamwidth The directiveness of a directional antenna. Defined as the angle between two half- power (-3 dB) points on either side of the main lobe of radiation. YSTEM HARACTERISTICS Receiver Sensitivity The minimum RF signal power level required at the input of a receiver for certain performance.
  • Page 125 APPENDIX D: Radio Signal Propagation In conclusion, the received signal power is above the sensitivity threshold, so the link should work. The problem is that there is only a 2-dB difference between received signal power and sensitivity. Normally, a higher margin is desirable because of fluctuation in received power as a result of signal fading.
  • Page 126 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET • Interference Interference may be caused by another system on the same frequency range, external noise, or some other co-located system. INE OF IGHT An optical line of sight exists if you can see one antenna from the other. Clear Line of Sight A clear line of sight exists when no physical objects obstruct viewing one antenna from the location of the other antenna.
  • Page 127: Appendix E. Ieee 802.11 Technical Tutorial

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial Appendix E. IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial The purpose of this chapter is to give you a basic overview of the IEEE 802.11 Standard. You’ll be able to understand the basic concepts, principles of operation, and reasons behind some of the features of the Standard.
  • Page 128: Ieee 802.11 Layers Description

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Distribution System Access Access Point Point Figure E-1. Typical 802.11 LAN. The standard also defines the concept of a “portal.” A portal is a device that interconnects an 802.11 LAN and another 802 LAN. This concept is an abstract description of part of the functionality of a “translation bridge.”...
  • Page 129: The Mac Layer

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial Beyond the standard functionality usually performed by MAC Layers, the 802.11 MAC performs other functions that are typically related to upper-layer protocols, such as Fragmentation, Packet Retransmissions, and Acknowledges. E.3 The MAC Layer The MAC Layer defines two different access methods—the Distributed Coordination Function and the Point Coordination Function: E.3.1 T : CSMA/CA...
  • Page 130: Virtual Carrier Sense

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET In order to overcome these problems, 802.11 uses a Collision Avoidance (CA) mechanism together with a Positive Acknowledge scheme, as follows: 1. A station wanting to transmit senses the medium. If the medium is busy, then it delays.
  • Page 131: Mac-Level Acknowledgments

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial The following diagrams show an exchange between stations A and B, and the NAV setting of their neighbors: G1=SIFS G3 =DIFS Data CW=Contention Window Dest NAV (RTS) Next MPDU Other NAV (CTS) Defer Access Backoff After Defer Figure E-2.
  • Page 132 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET However, it doesn’t make sense to introduce a new LAN protocol that cannot deal with packets 1518 bytes long which are used on Ethernet, so the committee decided to solve the problem by adding a simple fragmentation/reassembly mechanism at the MAC Layer.
  • Page 133: Inter Frame Spaces

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial E.3.5 I NTER RAME PACES The Standard defines four types of Inter-Frame Spaces, which are used to provide different priorities: • SIFS, Short Inter-Frame Space, separates transmissions belonging to a single dialog (e.g. Fragment-Ack), and is the minimum Inter-Frame Space. There is always at most one single station to transmit at any given time, so it has priority over all other stations.
  • Page 134: How Does A Station Join An Existing Cell (Bss)

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET The 802.11 standard defines an Exponential Backoff Algorithm that must be executed in the following cases: • When the station senses the medium before the first transmission of a packet, and the medium is busy •...
  • Page 135: The Authentication Process

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial Both methods are valid. A method is chosen according to the power consumption/performance trade-off. E.4.1 T UTHENTICATION ROCESS Once the station has located an Access Point, and decides to join its BSS, it goes through the Authentication Process.
  • Page 136: Keeping Synchronization

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET E.6 Keeping Synchronization Stations need to keep synchronization, which is necessary for keeping hopping synchronized, and other functions like Power Saving. On an infrastructure BSS, this is achieved by all the stations updating their clocks according to the Access Point’s clock, using the following mechanism: The Access Point periodically transmits frames called Beacon Frames.
  • Page 137: Power Saving

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial The WEP is a simple algorithm based on RSA’s RC4 which has the following properties: • Reasonably strong: Brute-force attack to this algorithm is difficult because every frame is sent with an Initialization Vector which restarts the PRNG for each frame.
  • Page 138: Frame Types

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET NOTE Unicast frames can also be poled by the stations at the DTIM intervals. E.9 Frame Types There are three main types of frames: • Data Frames, which are used for data transmission • Control Frames, which are used to control access to the medium (for example, RTS, CTS, and ACK), and •...
  • Page 139: Mac Data

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial • PLCP Signaling Field, which currently contains only the rate information, encoded in 0.5-Mbps increments from 1 Mbps to 4.5 Mbps. • Header Error Check Field, which is a 16-bit CRC error-detection field. E.10.3 MAC D The following figure shows the general MAC Frame Format.
  • Page 140 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Type and Subtype These 6 bits define the Type and Subtype of the frame, as indicated in the following table: Type Value Type Description Subtype Value Subtype Description b3 b2 b7 b6 b5 b4 Management 0000 Association Request Management...
  • Page 141 APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial ToDS This bit is set to 1 when the frame is addressed to the Access Point for forwarding to the Distribution System (including the case where the destination station is in the same BSS, and the Access Point is to relay the frame). The Bit is set to 0 in all other frames.
  • Page 142 PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET Duration/ID This field has two meanings depending on the frame type: • In Power-Save Poll messages, this is the Station ID. • In all other frames, this is the duration value used for the NAV Calculation. Address Fields A frame may contain up to 4 Addresses depending on the ToDS and FromDS bits defined in the Control Field, as follows:...
  • Page 143: Most Common Frame Formats

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial Sequence Control The Sequence Control Field is used to represent the order of different fragments belonging to the same frame, and to recognize packet duplications. It consists of two subfields, Fragment Number and Sequence Number, which define the frame and the number of the fragment in the frame.
  • Page 144: Cts Frame Format

    PRO 11 SERIES WIRELESS ETHERNET E.11.2 CTS F RAME ORMAT The CTS frame looks like this: Octets: Frame Duration Control MAC Header Figure E-8. CTS Frame. The Receiver Address (RA) of the CTS frame is copied from the Transmitter Address (TA) field of the immediately previous RTS frame to which the CTS is a response.
  • Page 145: Point Coordination Function (Pcf)

    APPENDIX E: IEEE 802.11 Technical Tutorial E.12 Point Coordination Function (PCF) Beyond the basic Distributed Coordination Function, there is an optional Point Coordination Function, which may be used to implement time-bounded services, like voice or video transmission. This Point Coordination Function makes use of the higher priority that the Access Point may gain by the use of a smaller Inter- Frame Space (PIFS).
  • Page 146 © Copyright 2000. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved. 1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax 724-746-0746...

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