® 3Com AirConnect 9550 11n 2.4+5GHz PoE Access Point ® 3Com AirConnect 9150 11n 2.4GHz PoE Access Point www.3com.com M/N: WL-605 / WL-604 Published April 2008...
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3Com Corporation. 3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation to provide notification of such revision or change.
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All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT 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.
NTRODUCTION Key Product Features ................. 7 Security ..................8 Performance And Reliability ............8 Manageability................8 Wireless Network Standards ............9 802.11a................. 9 802.11b/g................10 IEEE 802.3af ................ 11 NSTALLING IRELESS CCESS OINT Unpacking the device ..............13 Deciding where to place your AP ............. 16 Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point.........
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Using the 3Com Installation CD ............25 Launch the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager (Widman) utility ..................25 Launching the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager 25 First Time Only ..............28 System Status .................. 29 System Summary................ 29 Wireless Station List ..............30 Event Log List................
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Channel / Frequency ............39 Current Profiles ..............40 SSID..................40 BSSID................... 41 Suppressed SSID ..............41 VLAN ID................41 Station Separation ............... 41 Security................41 WEP..................42 WPA Only ................43 WPA2-Only ................44 WPA2-Mixed................ 44 Profile (SSID) Isolation ............45 Multi-BSSID................
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Fragment Length..............49 RTS Threshold ..............49 802.11d support ..............50 Antenna Type ............... 50 Service..................... 51 Management VLAN..............51 IAPP ................... 52 802.11F (IAPP) Support - Choose either Enable or Disable ..52 QoS..................53 SNTP ..................56 Syslog function ................58 System Log ................
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Firmware Auto Update .............. 65 Firmware Upgrade ..............66 Rebooting.................. 68 Connecting through the Com Port ..........69 Restoring factory settings ..............70 ROUBLESHOOTING Diagnosing Problems ............... 71 BTAINING UPPORT RODUCT Register Your Product to Gain Service Benefits ......... 77 Solve Problems Online ..............
NTRODUCTION The 3Com AirConnect 9550 11n 2.4+5GHz PoE Access Point / 3Com AirConnect 9150 11n 2.4GHz PoE Access Point is a high performance access point that allows you to join isolated wired Ethernet networks into a unified wireless local area network (WLAN).
Key Product Features Security 3Com offers one of the most robust suites of standards-based security on the market today. To protect sensitive data broadcast over the wireless LAN, 3Com supports Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2). 3Com strengthens this basic security mechanism with additional security features, including MAC address access control lists, IEEE 802.1x...
Key Product Features Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and Wireless LAN Device Discovery tools let you configure parameters, run diagnostics, backup and restore configurations, and monitor performance from anywhere on the network using an embedded web server browser. With Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, the same Category 5 cable that connects your access point to the data network also provides its power.
Key Product Features The higher spectrum provides about 50m (164ft) of coverage. 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.
Key Product Features Maintaining support for existing 802.11b and 802.11g users ■ and the existing wireless investment while providing for expansion into 802.11n. Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including ■ Ethernet Adapters, gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees compatibility among vendors. Providing access to hot spots in public spaces such as coffee ■...
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Key Product Features unused, from a 10/100BASE-T perspective, pairs (pins 4, 5 & 7, 8) to deliver power that is supported within mid-span power delivery.
For first time use - Installing Device Manager ■ Unpacking the device Make sure that you have the following items in the box: • One 3Com AirConnect 9550 11n 2.4+5GHz PoE Access Point or one 3Com AirConnect 9150 11n 2.4GHz PoE Access Point • Wall-mounting hardware:...
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Unpacking the device • Four screws • Four wall anchors • Eight adhesive rubber feet • One CD-ROM containing the Setup Wizard software and a copy of the Quick Start Guide. One Warranty Flyer ■...
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Unpacking the device The Figure below shows the the AP, including the LEDs and connecting ports. Reset Hole LEDs RJ-45 Console Port Wall Mounting Bracket / Table Top Stand Ethernet Port Antenna Connectors...
Deciding where to place your AP Deciding where to place your AP Place the AP in a dry, clean location near the hub, switch, computer or printer that will be connected to the AP. The location must have a power source and be within the following distance of a Wi-Fi compliant wireless LAN access point or wireless access point.
Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point range. Try to position wireless devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through drywall or open doorways and not other materials. Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point Use the mounting bracket that comes with your Access Point to install it on a wall or electrical box.
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Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point • If mounting to a US electrical box (83.3mm), use two threaded screws and insert into the holes maked “B” in the diagram shown below.. 2 Connect the Ethernet cable (for power and network connection) to the port on the back of the Access Point.
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Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point 3 Mount Access Point onto the mounting bracket.
Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point Tabletop Mounting To install the Access Point on a flat surface such as a table or desktop: 1 Attach the mounting bracket/table stand to the side of the Access Point. 2 Place the Access Point and table stand on the table. 3 Connect the Ethernet cable (for power and network connection) to the port on the back of the Access Point.
LED 2 (2.4G) Green Administratively disabled Associated with network, but no activity Blinking Activity LED 3 (5G) Green Administratively disabled (3Com Associated with network, AirConnect but no activity 9550 11n Blinking Activity 2.4+5GHz PoE Access Point only) LED 4...
Wall Mounting the Wireless Access Point Power up Self test (POST) At power up, the product will carry out a self-test (POST). POST will run a test on the wireless circuit to check it is functioning correctly. When running the POST test, LED 1 (Power/System) will blink amber.
Access Point to determine if there is a DHCP server on the network. Use the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager (Widman) included on the 3Com Installation CD to locate the Access Point on the network and view its IP address.
Login name: admin ■ Password: password ■ If the Configuration Management System does not start, the Access Point is on a different subnet than the computer. Install and start the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to discover the Access Point’s IP address.
Using the 3Com Installation CD Using the 3Com Installation CD The 3Com Installation CD contains the following tools and utilities: 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager—an administration tool that helps you select 3Com wireless LAN devices and launch their configurations in your Web browser.
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Using the 3Com Installation CD Programs > 3Com Wireless > Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager If the device is working correctly the following screen should be seen.
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Using the 3Com Installation CD Click on the Properties button to see the following screen Directly connect to the device through its Ethernet port or console port. Follow the instructions below to log into the AP Configuration screen: Load a web browser and enter http://169.254.2.2...
Using the 3Com Installation CD The Logon screen appears To log on to the Web interface: Username, type admin (case sensitive) Password, type password Click Log On. First Time Only After you have logged in for the first time you will be asked to...
System Status System Status The Web interface has been designed to enable you to easily perform advanced configuration tasks and view information about the AP. System Summary After you click Logon from the Log On Screen, you’ll see the system status page on the screen. The System summary page is the default page that will pop up once you successfully log in.
System Status Wireless Station List Through this page, you can easily identify the adjacent wireless stations. It will automatically observe the adjacent wireless station’s ID (if specified), MAC address, SSID and current status.
System Configuration Event Log List The event log list stores a record of all the events within this designated WLAN. System Configuration In this section, you will learn how to configure the basic functions of your wireless AP. Setup Wizard The setup Wizard will walk you through the setting up of the Office Connect Access Point...
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System Configuration Screen 1 allows you to set up the following information: SSID (Service Set Identifier) – This is the name of wireless ■ network. Input 1-32 characters Wireless Mode – Choose the required network mode from ■ the drop down menu. Channel/Frequency –...
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System Configuration Screen 2 allows you to set up the following information: IP Network Setting – Check the radio button for either ■ obtaining an IP address via DHCP or specifying an IP Address manually. IP Address – Enter the IP address that you want to assign. ■...
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System Configuration Screen 3 allows you choose the security settings. Choose the following settings from the drop down menu: No security ■ ■ WPA - Only ■ WPA2 - Only ■ WPA2 - Mixed ■ Click Close to close without saving, click Finish to save the settings, or click Back to return to screen 2.
System Configuration System Properties The System properties page allows you to define Device name, location, operation modes and Load Type. There are 5 operation modes to choose from: Access Point mode A Wireless LAN data transceiver that uses radio waves to connect a wired network with wireless station.
Default is set to be FAT mode AP. FAP AP has complete set of AP features which can work alone as an individual AP. FIT mode AP needs to be connected to a 3Com Wireless Switch to provide complete feature sets.
System Configuration IP Settings This setting must match the network’s method of IP address assignment. Choose DHCP or Static IP. With Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), IP addresses are assigned for predetermined periods of time. Choose Static IP if your network does not have an automatic system for IP address assignment.
System Configuration Wireless Network The Wireless Access Point supports Multiple SSIDs which allows it to act as multiple APs appearing in a Wireless LAN network. You can configure up to 4 SSIDs on the device. Wireless Mode You can select your desired wireless operating mode from the drop-down manual.
System Configuration The Super Dynamic mode allows automatic switching between normal and turbo modes without modification by the user. The feature increases throughput when bandwidth demands are high. When bandwidth demands are low and at regular intervals, normal mode allows legacy connectivity and new associations.
System Configuration Current Profiles A maximum of 4 profiles can be configured. Check the Enable button to activate a profile. Click the Edit button to change its configuration. SSID Service Set Identifier. This is the assigned name for a wireless Wi-Fi network.
System Configuration BSSID Basic Service Set Identifier. This is the assigned MAC address of the station in the access point. This unique identifier is in Hex format and can only be edited when Multi BSSID is enabled in the previous screen. Suppressed SSID If you want to disable the broadcast of your SSID, you should check the Suppressed SSID box.
System Configuration Wired Equivalent Privacy data encryption provides data security. WEP Share Key authentication and WEP data encryption will block all but the most determined hacker. From the drop down list choose open-system or shared key authentication. Select the desired input method (HEX or ASCII) From the drop down list choose from 40/64, 104/128, 128/152 key lengths.
System Configuration WPA Only Wi-Fi Protected Access was constructed to provide improved data encryption, (which was weak in WEP), and to provide user authentication. Only allows WPA clients to connect to the VAP. You can choose TKIP or AES for encryption method The Group key update interval is configurable, default value is 1800 seconds You can choose personal mode (PSK) or enterprise mode...
System Configuration If you choose PSK, you will need to enter a pass phrase of 8-63 ASCII characters or 64 hexadecimal digits. If you choose 802.1X, you will need access to a RADIUS server, port and secret WPA2-Only Only allows WPA 2 clients to connect to the VAP. You can choose TKIP or AES for the encryption method The Group key update interval is configurable, with a default value of 1800 seconds...
System Configuration You can choose personal mode (PSK) or enterprise mode (802.1X) authentication. The default setting is PSK. If you choose PSK, you will need to enter a pass phrase of 8-63 ASCII characters or 64 hexadecimal digits. If you choose 802.1X, you will need access to a RADIUS server, port and secret.
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System Configuration WDS is incompatible with WPA. Both features cannot be used at the same time. A WDS link is bi-directional, so the AP must know the MAC address of the other AP, and the other AP must have a WDS link back to the AP.
System Configuration Supports up to 8 point to multipoint WDS links, check Enable WDS and then enable on the MAC addresses. Example of a WDS topology: AP1 <-- WDS --> Master AP (our AP) <-- WDS --> AP3<-- WDS --> AP4 WDS Security Settings This item is only available in Access Point Mode and Wireless Bridge Mode.
System Configuration If using WEP security, enter the WEP key. If using WPA, enter the pass phrase. Wireless Advanced Settings To configure advanced wireless settings, click Wireless Advanced Settings. The tool bar and Wireless Advanced Settings menu will appear. Data Rate Choose between the following data rates 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 108, and best.
System Configuration Transmit Power Choose between the following power levels Full, Half (-3dB), Quarter (-6dB), Eighth (-9dB) or Minimum. Default is Full. Beacon Interval The interval time between 20ms and 1000ms for each beacon transmission. The default is 100ms. Data Beacon Rate (DTIM) The Delivery Traffic Indication Message.
System Configuration 802.11d support 802.1d allows the device to communicate in areas where the 802.11 standard is not allowed. It adds features and restrictions to ensure compliance. Antenna Type If you have added external antennas (to replace the original included 3 internal antennas), check the External High-Gain Radio Antenna radio button.
Service Service Management VLAN If you reconfigure the Management VLAN ID, you may lose connectivity to the access point. Verify that the switch and DHCP server can support the reconfigured VLAN ID, and then re-connect to the new IP address.
Service IAPP Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP) 802.11F (IAPP) Support - Choose either Enable or Disable IAPP allows multiple access points to communicate and pass location information about their associated stations. If you enable 802.11F support you should manually add BSSID/IP mapping: Enter the BSSID and IP addresses of the AP.
Service Only stations roaming from one of the listed APs to this AP are allowed to re-associate with this AP. Others will be requested to go through the full association process. This section provides the administrator with the Quality of Service (QoS) data.
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Service Ack-Policy - when the Ack-Policy is checked. The device will not send ACK frames. The default value is disabled. Setting Description Min Contention For each access category, enter the minimum Window contention window value. Channel access is prioritized by assigning smaller contention window values to a higher priority traffic class.
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Service Setting Description Admission Note: In this release, clients are blocked from Control using an access category when they select Enable for Admission Control. The Admission Control check boxes control client use of the access categories. When you enable admission control for an access category, clients associated to the access point must complete the WMM admission control procedure before they can use that access...
Service SNTP Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) allows the administrator to configure the network time settings. The following settings can be configured. SNTP client Click the radio button to enable. enable/disable If it is disabled, the user has to input time manually.
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Service Timezone selection This selection will adjust the time obtained from the SNTP server. Note: This selection does not affect manual time input as they are considered to be input at the same time. Daylight Saving The start/end date of daylight saving will change automatically based on the time zone selection.
Syslog function Syslog function In the event of an error the device can send a message to a specified server. System Log Click either Enable or Disable to activate or deactivate the system log function. Syslog Server Enter the IP address of the server that will receive the error information.
Syslog function Syslog Port Enter the port number that your server can be accessed by. The default port number is 514. Syslog Level Choose from the following levels - in order of severity - of detail to be recorded. The default setting is Error. Emergency - System is unusable ■...
Management Management This section describes how to use the management and information features of your Wireless Access Point. Administration In this section, you can change the user administrator name and password. The default Administrator name is admin (case sensitive), and password is password. Click “Apply” to save changes.
Management SNMP The SNMP administrative functions are changed through this section. The following functions can be changed: Enable/Disable SNMP ■ Contact info ■ Community names for read-only and read/write ■ Trap destination IP address ■ Community name ■ This function is not available in Wireless Bridge mode.
Management MAC Filtering MAC filtering allows the administrator to filter MAC addresses of network cards that can access the access point. Enable/Disable filter ■ Change filter rule to allow or deny ■ Add/delete MAC addresses in the filter table ■ This function is only available in AP mode.
Management Rogue AP Detection Unspecified Access Points may try to access the network through this device. Rogue AP detection can prevent this. Change Rogue AP definition. ■ Legal AP list - The list of allowed access points. ■ Detect rogue AP – All channels are scanned and Access ■...
Management Backup/ Restore Settings This section allows the user back up the Access Point’s current settings and restore back to the factory default. Once you have the Access Point working properly you should back up the information to have it available if something goes wrong.
Management Firmware Auto Update The Wireless Access Point can auto upgrade the firmware if there is a newer version available. If you enable the Auto Upgrade function, the Wireless Access Point will automatically check for an updated version of firmware in the assigned FTP server for each time interval assigned.
Management Firmware Upgrade In this section, you can see the current firmware version of your AP. You can also manually upgrade your firmware by entring the path to your new firmware file.
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Management Once you have chosen the upgrade file click upgrade.
Management Rebooting You can reboot the Wireless access point from the browser interface. After you click reboot the following window will be displayed. After rebooting, the login page will automatically be displayed.
Connecting through the Com Port Connecting through the Com Port Instead of using an IP address to configure the Access Point a Null modem cable, connected to the RJ-45 Console Port, can be used. In your terminal settings ensure that the following configuration is met: Bits per Second –...
Restoring factory settings Restoring factory settings The Access Point can be reset to the default factory settings either through the web browser (see “Backup/ Restore Settings” on page 64) or manually. To restore the settings manually, insert a pointed object (such as the end of a straightened paper clip) into the reset hole on the side of the Access Point, and hold for five seconds.
Diagnosing Problems ROUBLESHOOTING Diagnosing Problems If you have difficulty with the Access point, try the solutions in the following table. Symptom After you change the IP address, after you restore a backup configuration, or after you reset the Access point to factory defaults, the Configuration Management System stops responding and you cannot continue configuring the Access point.
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Select the device and click Configure to start a new configuration session and set its IP address. Symptom The Wireless Network Tree does not appear in the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager window. Solution (s) Verify that you are using the correct network adapter. In the device manager window, click Choose NIC.
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To recover from this situation and continue configuring the ■ Access point: a Close your browser. b Return to the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and click Refresh. Select the device and click Configure to start a new configuration session.
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Diagnosing Problems Symptom You are running Windows NT. After you connect the Access point, your computer cannot obtain a valid IP address. Solution (s) The Access point configuration settings may not be compatible with the network. If they are not, and your Windows NT computer is set up to obtain its IP address from a DHCP server, the Access point is unable to associate with the network to obtain the IP address.
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Access point software and documentation, you can either use the standard operating system procedure for removing programs or use the following shortcut: From the Windows Start menu, select Start > Programs > 3Com Wireless > Uninstall 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager.
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For details on how to download a firmware update from the 3Com customer support Web site and install it on your Access Point, see “Firmware Auto Update” on page 65 or “Firmware Upgrade” on page 66.
To take advantage of warranty and other service benefits, you must first register your product at: http://eSupport.3Com.com/ 3Com eSupport services are based on accounts that are created or that you are authorized to access. Solve Problems Online The 3Com Knowledge base helps you to troubleshoot 3Com...
Contact your authorized 3Com reseller or 3Com for additional product and support information. See the table of access numbers later in this appendix. Access Software Downloads You are entitled to bug fix / maintenance releases for the version of software that you initially purchased with your 3Com product.
Support contracts that include software upgrades cover feature enhancements, incremental functionality, and bug fixes, but they do not include software that is released by 3Com as a separately ordered product. Separately orderable software releases and licenses are listed in the 3Com Price List and are available for purchase from your 3Com reseller.
■ Details about recent configuration changes, if applicable ■ To send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain a return materials authorization number (RMA). Products sent to 3Com without authorization numbers clearly marked on the outside of the package will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense.
Telephone Technical Support and Repair ICENSE GREEMENT Customer shall take all steps necessary to protect Wind River's and its licensors' proprietary rights in the Run-Time Module and to ensure that each Run-Time Module distributed by Customer will be accompanied by a localized copy of an End User License Agreement.
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Telephone Technical Support and Repair without limitation the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement; (iii) exclude liability for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages; and (iv) require that any further distribution of the Run-Time Module be subject to the same restrictions set forth herein.
Antennas Used per Mode PPENDIX Antennas Used per Mode The AP has three external antenna connectors, labelled A, B and C, as shown below.
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Antennas Used per Mode In some modes, not all of the connectors are in use. The following table defines which external antenna connectors are used in which mode: Mode Antennas Used A,B,C...
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
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