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SkyPilot
SkyGateway/SkyExtender
Installation

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Summary of Contents for SkyPilot SkyExtender

  • Page 1 SkyPilot SkyGateway/SkyExtender Installation...
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Solution Overview Mesh Network SkyGateway SkyExtender Devices SkyConnector and SkyAccess DualBand Your SkyGateway/SkyExtender Kit Kit Contents What Else You Need Installing and Configuring the SkyGateway/SkyExtender Planning your Installation SkyGateway Installation SkyExtender Installation GPS and the SkyGateway/SkyExtender Mounting Cabling Attaching Antennas...
  • Page 4 Maximum Permissible Exposure IC RSS-210 statements The SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation and Setup Guide...
  • Page 5: About This Guide

    A b o u t T h i s G u i d e This guide explains how to install and set up a SkyPilot™ SkyGateway™, SkyExtender™, SkyExtender DualBand, or SkyExtender TriBand device to provide wireless network access to users of a SkyPilot wireless mesh network.
  • Page 6: Audience And Purpose

    This guide provides directions for installing and setting up a SkyPilot SkyGateway, SkyExtender, SkyExtender DualBand, or SkyExtender TriBand device that can provide access to users of a SkyPilot wireless mesh network. This guide assumes administrator-level knowledge of IP networks and a familiarity with configuring wireless devices.
  • Page 7: Conventions Used In This Guide

    For example: show filter [filter-table-number] Square brackets are also used to show the current value of parameters in the output of some commands. • A vertical bar, “|”, separates choices. For example: show bridge [cache | port] SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 9: Introduction

    I n t r o d u c t i o n This chapter provides an overview of the SkyPilot Networks solution, describes the SkyPilot devices, and then illustrates how they combine to form a mesh network. Chapter Highlights •...
  • Page 10: Solution Overview

    SkyPilot network delivers a dynamic broadband solution with significant advantages for business and home users. SkyPilot wireless devices are simple to install and easily fit into any type of wireless environment—metropolitan, business, or home. The auto-discovery and rapid provisioning features of a SkyPilot wireless mesh network can greatly reduce deployment and maintenance costs.
  • Page 11 Figure 1. SkyPilot wireless mesh network SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 12: Skygateway

    “repeaters” to extend the wireless range of a SkyGateway (see Figure ). You can add any SkyExtender device to your network to expand your coverage footprint and provide redundancy through SkyPilot’s mesh networking features.
  • Page 13: Skyconnector And Skyaccess Dualband

    For optimal performance, install the SkyExtender in an elevated location such as a roof, tower, or utility pole. SkyConnector and SkyAccess DualBand SkyConnectors link your subscribers to the SkyPilot wireless network. An Ethernet port on the device allows a connection to a subscriber’s...
  • Page 15: Your Skygateway/Skyextender Kit

    Your SkyPilot SkyGateway/SkyExtender kit provides the basic equipment you need to install the device and configure it for operation on a SkyPilot wireless mesh network. This chapter describes that equipment and lists additional items you should have on hand before starting installation.
  • Page 16: Kit Contents

    Kit Contents Figure 2-1 shows the contents of the SkyGateway/SkyExtender installation kit. Figure 2-1. What the basic kit provides Additionally, DualBand kits contain two 2.4 GHz (white tipped) omnidirectional antennas. And TriBand kits contain the following items in addition to the basic SkyExtender kit: •...
  • Page 17: What Else You Need

    For more information, visit the SkyPilot website at www.skypilot.com/support/. What Else You Need Before starting installation, you also need the following: • For basic mounting: o 7/16" wrench o Phillips screwdriver • For pole mounting: o Magnetic level o Steel pole between 1 1/8" (2.87 cm) and 1 3/8" (3.48 cm) in diameter •...
  • Page 18 RJ-45 crimping tool o External Surge protection device • For configuration: o Computer with a serial port, a terminal emulation program, a network interface card, and a Web browser (laptop recommended for convenience) SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 19: Installing And Configuring The Skygateway/Skyextender

    S k y G a t e w a y / S k y E x t e n d e r This chapter provides instructions for planning and performing the physical installation of the SkyGateway or SkyExtender and then configuring it.
  • Page 20: Planning Your Installation

    Planning your Installation When choosing a site for the SkyGateway or SkyExtender, consider the radio frequency (RF) environment and the physical layout of the area. Trees, buildings, and hills can attenuate or block a wireless signal. When assessing a site, examine the overall topology of the wireless path for possible obstructions—both existing and planned—as well as...
  • Page 21: Skygateway Installation

    SkyGateway on the roof of a medium-height building or on a utility pole. SkyExtender Installation You can install a SkyExtender in any location where a strong signal from a SkyGateway (or another SkyExtender) is available: home rooftops, tall buildings, or light and utility poles. Having fewer obstructions means greater signal strength, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and more throughput.
  • Page 22: Mounting

    Upon startup, a SkyGateway or SkyExtender searches for a GPS signal, and if the device can’t detect a signal, it will be unable to complete startup and won’t establish wireless connections with other devices. You can configure a SkyGateway or SkyExtender even if the device can’t detect a GPS signal.
  • Page 23: Cabling

    Use the provided mounting bracket and appropriate length 1/4" Number 28 screws (provided in the accessory kit) to attach the SkyGateway or SkyExtender to the mounting pole (see Figure 3-1). The 1" screws accommodate a pole diameter of 1 1/2", and the 2"...
  • Page 24 (recommended), see the procedure on page 16; to cable the device for Ethernet only, see the procedure on page 19. For SkyExtender, DualBand, and TriBand IMPORTANT installations, your view will differ slightly, allowing for antenna access through the cable covers.
  • Page 25 Figure 3-3. Connecting the serial cable b. Press the weather gasket into the recessed area around the serial port. Figure 3-4. Fitting the weather gasket Attach the cover. SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 26 Cut off any excess tie wrap. Figure 3-6. Sealing the weather gasket Secure the cabling. Use sturdy cable ties or Velcro wraps (not included) to secure all the cabling against strain, especially if the installation is subject to high winds. SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 27 Figure 3-7. Secured cabling SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 28 Attach the cover. a. Slide the port cover over the weather gasket and secure it to the base of the unit with the provided screws, making sure the Ethernet cable passes through the cutout in the cover. SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 29 Figure 3-9. Attaching the cover to the base Secure the cabling. Use sturdy cable ties or Velcro wraps (not included) to secure all the cabling against strain, especially if the installation is subject to high winds. Figure 3-10. Secured cabling SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 30: Attaching Antennas

    If you are attaching antenna other than those IMPORTANT provided by SkyPIlot, make sure you use the same type of antenna to comply with FCC requirements and that the antenna gain is equal to, or less than the gain of the SkyPilot antenna.
  • Page 31 Screw the 2.4 GHz (white tipped) antenna onto the N-connector marked “ant 1” and the 4.9 GHz (black tipped) antenna onto the N-connector marked “ant 2”. Figure 3-12. Attaching the TriBand antennas SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 32: Powering Up

    Powering Up To supply power to the SkyGateway or SkyExtender, perform the procedures described in this section. Making Power and Network Connections To supply power to the SkyGateway or SkyExtender, perform the procedures described in this section. To make connections: Attach the power supply for the SkyGateway or SkyExtender.
  • Page 33 Figure 3-13. Providing power to the SkyGateway/SkyExtender If you’re connecting a DualBand, skip this step. Likewise, if you’re connecting a SkyExtender that will operate solely as a repeater on the wireless mesh network, skip this step as a data connection is not required.
  • Page 34 Figure 3-14. Connecting a SkyGateway to a router or data switch For a SkyExtender (or TriBand, but not DualBand) that also gives subscribers access to the wireless mesh network, connect a second Ethernet cable from the power injector port labeled “Computer” to a personal computer (see Figure 3-15) or to a router or data switch providing a connection to a LAN (see Figure 3-16).
  • Page 35 Figure 3-15. Connecting a SkyExtender/TriBand to a computer SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 36: Monitoring The Power-On Sequence

    Figure 3-15. Connecting a SkyExtender/TriBand to a computer Monitoring the Power-On Sequence When power is supplied to the SkyGateway or SkyExtender, it starts a routine power-on sequence which you can monitor by observing the pair of LED lights on the underside of the device.
  • Page 37 You can observe the startup progress by attaching a laptop to the device’s serial port, starting a terminal emulation program, and rebooting the device. For more information about accessing a SkyGateway or SkyExtender via a serial connection, refer to the SkyPilot Command-Line Interface Reference, available from the SkyPilot website at www.skypilot.com/support/.
  • Page 38 Slow staggered blinking of both LEDs Startup failure Initializing image (and Blinks 4 times; repeats Blinks 4 times; repeats acquiring GPS signal) cycle cycle Initialization failure Fast, synchronized blinking of both LEDs Successful initialization, but authorization failure Connected SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 39 Table 3-2. SkyExtender/DualBand/TriBand LED Status Lights Device State Link LED (green) Activity LED (amber) Startup in progress Slow staggered blinking of both LEDs Startup failure Initializing image (and Blinks 4 times; repeats Blinks 4 times; repeats acquiring GPS signal) cycle...
  • Page 40: Configuring The Skygateway/Skyextender

    SkyPilot offers two modes for provisioning devices with a configuration: • Automatic - Requires the use of SkyPilot EMS software to create configurations that an unattended central server can distribute to devices on the wireless mesh network. Although automatic provisioning requires more setup time than manual provisioning, it greatly simplifies the administration of a growing network.
  • Page 41: Accessing The Command-Line Interface

    Accessing the Command-Line Interface SkyPilot devices include a command-line interface which you can use for manual provisioning and troubleshooting. You can connect to a device and access its command-line interface through Telnet over an Ethernet connection or via a terminal session from a console connected to the device’s RJ-45 serial port.
  • Page 43: Grounding Guidelines

    To ensure optimal reliability, properly ground the metal base of the SkyPilot device. The most efficient way to ground the device is to use an 8 GA or larger wire to connect it to a ground point on the structure or tower.
  • Page 44: Making Connections "Gas-Tight

    Figure A1-1. Attaching the SkyConnector Making Connections “Gas-Tight” Regardless of the grounding point you use, make sure the connections are “gas-tight” - capable of retaining low resistance and integrity over time and with exposure to the elements. SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...
  • Page 45: Checking Cold-Water Pipe Integrity

    If you’re installing a SkyPilot device in an area that’s subject to lightning storms, SkyPilot recommends installing a surge protection device (SPD) at both ends of the Ethernet cable - one at the SkyPilot device and one at the point of entry to a building or enclosure.
  • Page 46: Grounding Checklist

    • Use shielded CAT5 cabling and connect the drain wire of the shield to ground at the SkyPilot device. (Leave the other end of the drain wire unconnected.) • Use the proper size down lead to connect a SkyPilot device on a roof or tower to the ground system of indoor equipment.
  • Page 47: Fcc Statements

    Maximum Permissible Exposure In order to meet Industry Canada, FCC and other regulatory requirements for RF Exposure, the SkyGateway and SkyExtender units must be located a minimum of 68.4 cm (26.9 inches) from all persons. FCC 15.203 statement Because DualBands and TriBands use standard RF connectors for the external removable antennas, professional installation is required..
  • Page 48 5650 5850 MHz band, and, these radars could cause interference and/or damage to LE-LAN devices. The SkyExtender is equipped with a pair of detachable antenna for the optional Dual Band and Tri Band modes. In addition to the provided antennas, SkyPilot SkyExtender DualBand devices can also operate with the external antenna models for the 2.4...
  • Page 49 SF245+12 Comet SF245+12x A SkyPilot SkyExtender TriBand uses the 4.9 GHz band. Prior to operating these devices, users are legally required to obtain frequency licenses from their local communications governing agency. Operating parameters are defined by the certification requirements of the device and the limitations listed on the user license.
  • Page 50 SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation...

This manual is also suitable for:

SkygatewaySkyextender dualbandSkyextender triband

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