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Proxim Harmony 8550 Manual

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Copyright
© 2001 Proxim, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. Covered by one or more of the
following U.S. patents: 5,809,060; 6,075,812; 5,077,753; 5,231,634. This user's guide and the
software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form by any means without the written permission of Proxim, Incorporated.
Trademarks
Harmony, the Harmony logo, Proxim, and the Proxim logo are trademarks of Proxim, Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, Limitation Of Liability
For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the retail customer, Proxim warrants
the Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 855x against defects in materials and workmanship.
Proxim will not honor this warranty if there has been any attempt to tamper with or remove the
product's external foil label.
This warranty does not cover and Proxim will not be liable for any damage or failure caused by
misuse, abuse, acts of God, accidents, or other causes beyond Proxim's control, or claim by
any entity other than the original purchaser.
If, after inspection, Proxim determines there is a defect, Proxim will repair or replace the
Access Point at no cost to you. To return defective merchandise to Proxim please call Proxim
Technical Support 1-408-731-2640 to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.
In no event shall Proxim, Incorporated be responsible or liable for any damages arising:
G From the use of the product
G From the loss of use, revenue or profit of the product
G As a result of any event, circumstance, action, or abuse beyond the control of
Proxim, Incorporated
Whether such damages be direct, indirect, consequential, special or otherwise and whether
such damages are incurred by the person to whom this warranty extends or a third party.
Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 855x User's Guide
Part # 7360.0133
Rev. E
1

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Summary of Contents for Proxim Harmony 8550

  • Page 1 Limited Warranty, Disclaimer, Limitation Of Liability For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the retail customer, Proxim warrants the Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 855x against defects in materials and workmanship.
  • Page 2 Warranty Return Policy If you have a problem with the Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 855x, please call Proxim Technical Support at 1-408-731-2640. Proxim Technical Support will assist with resolving any technical difficulties you may have with your Proxim product.
  • Page 3 Declaration of Conformity Déclaration de Conformité Konformitätserklärung The Manufacturer: Proxim Europe B.V. Le Constructeur: Der Hersteller: Address: Strawinskylaan 3127 1077 ZX, P.O. Box 7067, Addresse: 1007 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands Addresse: Declares that the Product: Déclare que le Produit: Type: Harmony Erklärt, dass das Produkt:...
  • Page 4 Place and Date of the declaration Lieu et date de la declaration – Ort und Datum der Konformitätserklärung Name and Signature Nom et Signature – Name und Unterschrift Carmelo S. Amarena International Product Manager Proxim, Inc. & Proxim Europe B.V.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. Introduction ....................7 The Harmony Family .......................... 8 Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model Numbers ................9 The IEEE 802.11b Specification ...................... 10 System Requirements ........................11 The Product Package ......................... 11 2. Installation ....................12 Installation Procedure ........................12 Mounting Option ..........................
  • Page 6 Radio ..............................38 Channel ............................38 SSID ..............................39 Supported Clients ........................... 39 Supported Rates ..........................39 RTS/CTS Threshold ........................40 Security ............................. 41 WEP Encryption ..........................41 WEP Key Size ..........................42 Default Key ............................. 42 WEP Keys ............................43 System Access ...........................

  • Page 7: Introduction

    Proxim is the leading supplier of wireless networking solutions. Proxim’s unmatched expertise in spread spectrum radio networking technology, combined with the company’s extensive experience serving the communication needs of the mobile comput- ing user, have kept Proxim at the forefront of the wireless LAN market.

  • Page 8: The Harmony Family

    The Harmony Family The Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 855x is a member of a product family that provides a complete wireless networking solution. G The Harmony Access Point Controller Model 7560 centralizes the manage- ment, security, and filtering capabilities of a wireless LAN. The Access Point Controller communicates with Harmony Access Points over the Ethernet network to provide wireless network access for mobile clients.

  • Page 9: Harmony 802.11B Access Point Model Numbers

    Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model Numbers There are two models of the Harmony 802.11b Access Point available. Both models offer the same functionality and have the same user interface. Model 8550 is a Harmony 802.11b Access Point that ships with an integrated antenna that provides diversity.

  • Page 10: The Ieee 802.11B Specification

    Channels 1, 6, and 11 are independent and do not overlap with each other. To avoid interference between 802.11b Access Points, Proxim recommends that you configure the Access Points using only Channels 1, 6, and 11 (if available).

  • Page 11: System Requirements

    System Requirements To begin using the Harmony 802.11b Access Point, you must have the following mini- mum requirements: G An Ethernet (10Base-T) LAN switch or hub G At least one 802.11b adapter Note: If you want to create a Harmony system that provides centralized management, configuration, filtering, and security, you will also need at least one Harmony Access Point Controller.

  • Page 12: Installation

    2. Installation This chapter describes the installation procedure for the Harmony 802.11b Access Point and includes a description of the LEDs found on the unit. Installation Procedure Follow these steps to install the Harmony 802.11b Access Point Model 855x. Note: If you have a Harmony Access Point Controller, install it first before installing a Harmony Access Point.
  • Page 13 Access Point and the other end to a power outlet. Note: Use the Access Point only with the power adapter supplied by Proxim in the product package. Using another power supply may damage the Access Point. If you want to use the Access Point in conjunction with the Harmony Power System, refer to the Harmony Power System Model 7562 User’s Guide for instructions.

  • Page 14: Mounting Option

    By default, the Harmony 802.11b Access Point will attempt to find an AP Controller to partner with. During this process, the Access Point’s Status LED will be amber. If you have one or more AP Controllers on the network, an AP Controller will automatically detect and configure the Access Point over the network (this assumes that you have not disabled the Harmony system’s ability to automatically detect new Access Points).

  • Page 15: Led Indicators

    LED Indicators There are three LEDs on the top panel of the Harmony 802.11b Access Point, as shown in Figure 1 (which is a picture of a Model 8550 Access Point). In addition, there is one LED on the Access Point’s back panel. Status LED Radio LED Ethernet LED...
  • Page 16 The Ethernet LED is located on the Access Point’s top panel to the right of the Radio LED (with the unit orientated so that you can read the Proxim logo) and blinks green when the Access Point receives data packets over the 10Base-T Ethernet port.

  • Page 17: Power Requirements

    Link LED The Link LED is located on the Access Point’s back panel between the power connector and the 10Base-T port and turns green when the Access Point has a physical connection to the Ethernet network. Power Requirements The Harmony 802.11b Access Point requires power from either a Harmony Power System or from an external power supply.

  • Page 18: Wireless Operation

    3. Wireless Operation This chapter describes how the Harmony 802.11b Access Point provides network access to mobile clients. It begins with a discussion of the Access Point’s operating modes and the parameter known as AP Controller Dependence. AP Controller Dependence determines whether the Access Point operates on its own or in conjunction with an AP Controller.

  • Page 19: Independent Mode

    Note: For best performance, Proxim recommends using a Harmony 802.11b Access Point without an AP Controller on isolated Ethernet networks that contain less than 512 nodes and connect to a single router. The Access Point has limited filtering and forwarding capabilities and may have difficulty keeping up with the amount of traffic on larger networks.
  • Page 20 Figure 2 802.11b Access Point in Independent Mode The Access Point maintains a table of MAC addresses, which it has learned are located either on the Ethernet network or on the radio network by monitoring the source address of packets it receives. For example, if the Access Point receives a packet over its radio, it creates an entry in its table for the node that sent the packet and labels the entry as a member of the radio network.

  • Page 21: Dependent Mode

    Given this, the Access Point can only support a limited amount of network traffic. Proxim recommends that you only use an Access Point in Independent mode on networks that contain less than 512 nodes.
  • Page 22 Figure 3 802.11b Access Point in Dependent Mode A Harmony AP Controller handles all of the configuration and management of the Access Points on the network. Each Access Point acts as an intermediary between its mobile clients and the AP Controller, converting radio signals into Ethernet packets and vice versa.
  • Page 23 Note: The Harmony 802.11b Access Point should be used in conjunction with a Harmony Access Point Controller on Ethernet networks that have more than 512 nodes or require the advanced management, security, and filtering features provided by the Harmony system. An Access Point in Dependent mode communicates exclusively with the AP Controller: the AP forwards all of the packets it receives over its radio to the AP Controller for processing.

  • Page 24: Flexible Mode

    Flexible Mode When configured to Flexible, an Access Point will attempt to partner with an AP Controller during boot-up. If an AP Controller is found, the Access Point will operate in Dependent mode and partner with the AP Controller. The Access Point will remain in Dependent mode until it is rebooted.

  • Page 25: Roaming In Independent Mode

    Roaming in Independent Mode Mobile clients can roam between multiple Harmony 802.11b Access Points operating in Independent mode. As shown in Figure 4, three Harmony 802.11b Access Points operating in Independent mode are connected to a common Ethernet network. A laptop computer with a Harmony 802.11b PC Card installed can move around the facility and roam between the three Access Points while maintaining an uninterrupted connection to the network.

  • Page 26: Roaming In Dependent Mode

    Note: A Harmony 802.11b Access Point in Independent mode does not support roaming across routers. Roaming in Dependent Mode Harmony 802.11b Access Points that are partnered with an AP Controller also support roaming, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 Roaming Between APs in Dependent Mode...
  • Page 27 In addition, a mobile client can roam between Access Points located on different IP networks as long as the Access Points on the remote networks are partnered to an AP Controller on the local network. Figure 6 Roaming Across a Router...

  • Page 28: Roaming Guidelines

    As shown in Figure 6, Access Point #3 is installed on the remote IP network but it is partnered with the AP Controller located on the local IP subnet. The mobile client can roam from Access Point #2 to Access Point #3 even though the Access Points are located on different IP subnets and are separated by a router.
  • Page 29 G Proxim strongly recommends that you perform a site survey to determine the best location for each Access Point in the facility, as described in Proxim’s free one-day technical training class. See Proxim’s web site at http://www.proxim.com/support/ for more information on the technical...

  • Page 30: Access Point Management

    Point. Note: You will be prompted to enter a User Name and Password if you select either the <Configure> or the <Reboot> button. The User Name is “admin”. The default Password is “proxim”. The User Name and Password are case-sensitive.

  • Page 31: Access Point's Ip Address

    The <Reboot> button is described at the end of this chapter. The <Configure>, <Status>, and <Statistics> buttons are described in Chapters 5 through 7. Note: Close all instances of the computer’s Web browser to exit from the Harmony Access Point Management tool. Access Point’s IP Address You can configure the Access Point’s IP address in one of three ways: G The Access Point can receive a dynamic IP address from a network DHCP...
  • Page 32 IP Address Assigned by DHCP If you have a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server on the network, then the DHCP server will automatically assign the Access Point an IP address when the Access Point is powered up. To determine what IP address has been assigned to the Access Point, review the IP address assignment list generated by the DHCP server.

  • Page 33: Rebooting An Access Point Via The Management Tool

    Once the network computer has restarted, open a web browser and type the IP address of the Access Point in the Location or Address field and hit <Enter> to access the man- agement tool. Static IP Address The Access Point also accepts a static IP address. You may manually configure the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway used by the Access Point within the Harmony Access Point Management tool.

  • Page 34: Configuration Parameters

    Click the <Configure> button. When prompted, enter the management tool’s User Name and Password. The User Name is “admin”. The default Password is “proxim”. The User Name and Password are case-sensitive. Select one of the four tabs (Network, Radio, Security, and System Access) to view the configuration settings for the Access Point.
  • Page 35 The four configuration screens (Network, Radio, Security, and System Access) and the parameters listed within each are described below.

  • Page 36: Network

    Network The 802.11b Access Point Network Configuration screen lists the current and configured values for the Access Point’s IP information and operating mode. The parameters listed within the 802.11b Access Point Network Configuration screen are described below. Note: You must reboot the Access Point before any new network settings will take effect.

  • Page 37: Ip Address

    IP Address Enter an IP address in the field provided to assign the Access Point a static IP address. Note that the Use DHCP parameter must be set to “No” before the Access Point will use the configured static IP settings. Subnet Mask Enter a subnet mask in the field provided to assign the Access Point a static subnet mask.

  • Page 38: Radio

    Radio The 802.11b Access Point Radio Configuration screen lists the IEEE 802.11b radio parameters that can be configured by the user. These settings only apply to the Access Point when it is operating in Independent mode. If the Access Point is operating in Dependent mode, the AP Controller will automatically configure the Access Point using the AP AutoConfigure Default settings the first time the Access Point is connected to the network.

  • Page 39: Ssid

    All Harmony 802.11b Access Points and Harmony 802.11b client adapters must have the same SSID to allow a mobile client to roam between Access Points. By default, the SSID is set to “proxim.” Supported Clients 802.11b products can operate at 11 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps or 1 Mbps. This allows 802.11b devices to communicate with any existing 802.11 direct sequence devices that...

  • Page 40: Rts/Cts Threshold

    greatly reduce the size of the coverage area provided by the Access Point. Once the PC Card moves outside the range that provides 11 Mbps operation, the PC Card will lose connectivity with the network. RTS/CTS Threshold The 802.11b standard supports optional RTS/CTS communication based on packet size. Without RTS/CTS, a sending radio listens to see if another radio is already using the medium before transmitting a data packet.

  • Page 41: Security

    Security The IEEE 802.11b standard specifies an optional encryption feature, known as Wired Equivalent Privacy or WEP, that is designed to provide a wireless LAN with a security level equal to what is found on a wired Ethernet network. WEP encrypts the data portion of each packet exchanged on the 802.11b network using either a 40-bit or 128-bit encryption algorithm.

  • Page 42: Wep Key Size

    Shared Key Authentication. If one device is configured to use Shared Key Authentica- tion but a second device is not, then the two devices will not communicate, even if both devices have the same WEP Keys. When set to Authentication and Encryption, the Access Point uses WEP to encrypt and decrypt both authentication messages and data packets.

  • Page 43: Wep Keys

    WEP Keys An 802.11b device with WEP enabled uses a WEP Key (also known as an Encryption Key) to encrypt and decrypt information. If the WEP Keys do not match on two radios and WEP Encryption is enabled, the two devices will be unable to associate and/or exchange data (depending on the WEP Encryption setting).

  • Page 44: System Access

    Click <Submit> for this change to take effect. Reenter the Access Point’s IP address in the Web browser’s Location or Address field to reset the Harmony Access Point Management tool. Note: If you forget the Access Point’s Password, contact Proxim Technical Support for assistance.

  • Page 45: Status

    Harmony Access Points on Proxim’s Web site. You can update an Access Point’s Flash Code using the Harmony System’s Web browser interface or an Access Point upgrade tool (which will be posted on Proxim’s Web site with new Flash Code versions). If you are experiencing a problem with your Harmony equipment, a Proxim Technical Support representative may ask you to report the device’s Flash Code version.

  • Page 46: Statistics

    7. Statistics Click the <Statistics> button to view the 802.11b Access Point Statistics screen. An Access Point’s Statistics are divided into two sections: Ethernet Statistics and Radio Statistics, described below. Note: The statistics are reset to zero each time the Access Point is rebooted. Radio Statistics The Radio Statistics provide information concerning the number of packets sent and received by an Access Point over the radio network.
  • Page 47 G Retries Exceeded: This statistic reports the number of packets for which the AP did not receive an acknowledgment within the maximum number of retries. G Transmissions Discarded: This statistic reports the number of packets dis- carded by the radio due to a transmission error, such as exceeding the number of retries.

  • Page 48: Ethernet Statistics

    Ethernet Statistics The Ethernet Statistics provide information concerning the number of packets sent and received by an Access Point over the Ethernet network. The following statistics appear under the Ethernet Statistics heading: G Number of Packets Sent G Number of Packets Received G Number of Collisions G Frame Align Errors: An Alignment Error occurs when a received packet does not end on a byte boundary.

  • Page 49: Performance Hints

    However, Proxim has developed some guidelines to estimate the range that users will see when the product is installed in their facility, but there are no hard and fast specifications.
  • Page 50 External antenna options are available for the Model 8551 Access Point that can increase the product’s range. Contact your Proxim reseller for more information. Proper antenna placement can help improve range. Here are some guidelines: G The Model 8550 Access Point’s integral diversity antenna should be placed so that it emits its signal in the appropriate direction.

  • Page 51: Troubleshooting

    Appendix D, “How to Reach Technical Support.” How to Obtain Help with Your LAN Installation If you require assistance to install your LAN, Proxim can put you in contact with a Harmony reseller in your area. The reseller is an expert in the design, installation, and...

  • Page 52: Common Problems And Solutions

    Common Problems and Solutions Problem 1: The Harmony 802.11b Access Point does not automatically register with a Harmony AP Controller. Solution 1: Follow these steps: Confirm that the Link LED is on; this means that the Access Point has a network connection.
  • Page 53 You can download a new firmware image to an Access Point using either the Harmony System’s Web browser interface or the Access Point upgrade tool (posted on Proxim’s Web site with new Flash Code versions) . If you have an AP Controller on the network, refer to the Harmony Access Point Controller Model 7560 User’s Guide for information...
  • Page 54 Point’s Flash Code using the Harmony System’s Web browser interface or an Access Point upgrade tool (which will be posted on Proxim’s Web site with new Flash Code versions). If you have AP Controller on the network, refer to the Harmony Access Point...

  • Page 55: Parameters

    Parameter Name Range Default 1-11; (1, 6, and 11 are Channel independent) SSID 1-32 characters proxim 11 Mbps clients only, Supported Clients Allow 2 Mbps clients Allow 2 Mbps clients Any combination of Supported Rates 11 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, All rates supported...

  • Page 56: Security

    40 bit, 128 bit 40 bit Default Key 1, 2, 3, 4 WEP Key(s) 10 hexadecimal digits 0000000000 for 40 bit encryption, 20 hexadecimal digits for 128 bit encryption System Access Parameter Name Range Default Web Password 0-12 characters proxim...

  • Page 57: Ieee 802.11B Direct Sequence Channels

    B. IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence Channels The IEEE 802.11b standard specifies 14 Channels within the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The following table lists the center frequency for each Channel. If operating multiple Access Points in the same vicinity, the distance between the center frequencies must be at least 25 MHz to avoid interference.

  • Page 58: Harmony 802.11B Access Point Specifications

    The following technical specification is for reference purposes only. Actual product’s performance and compliance with local telecommunications regulations may vary from country to country. Proxim, Inc. will only ship products that are type approved in the destination country. Network Interfaces...

  • Page 59: How To Reach Technical Support

    G What Harmony products are installed on the network? G What were you doing when the error occurred? G What error indication did you see? G Can you reproduce the problem? You can reach Proxim Technical Support by voice, fax, e-mail, or mail: Tel: 800-477-6946 or 408-731-2640 Fax:...

  • Page 60: Index

    Index 100Base-TX 13 10Base-T 11, 13 Access Point Management 30–33 Accessing the Management Tool 30–31 Allow New APs to Be Added Automatically 52 Antenna Diversity 9 Antenna Placement Considerations 12, 50 AP AutoConfigure Defaults 38 AP Controller Dependence 18–24, 37, 52, 55 Authentication 56 Authorization Table 18 Auto-IP 36...
  • Page 61 Ethernet LED 16 Ethernet Statistics 48 Ethernet Switch or Hub 11 Extended Service Set (ESS) 24, 42 External Antenna Options 9, 50 FCC 2, 13 FCS Errors 47 Firmware Upgrade 54 Flash Code Version 45 Flexible Mode 19, 24, 33, 37 Gateway IP Address.
  • Page 62 LED Error Codes 51 LED Indicators 13, 15–17 Link LED 13, 17, 52 Microsoft Internet Explorer 30 Microwave Oven 49 Model 8550 9, 50. See also Harmony Access Point: 802.11b: Model Information Model 8551 9, 50. See also Harmony Access Point: 802.11b: Model Information Mounting 14 Multiple Retries 46 Netscape Navigator 30...
  • Page 63 Roaming 24–29 In Dependent Mode 26–28 in Independent Mode 25–26 Roaming Across a Router 18, 27–28, 28 Roaming Across Routers 26 RTS/CTS Threshold 40, 55 Security Parameters 41–43 Shared Key Authentication 41, 42 Single Retries 46 SNMP 18 Software Version 45 Spread Spectrum Direct Sequence 10, 58 SSID 24, 28, 39, 53, 55...
  • Page 64 Use WEP for Encryption Only 41 User Name 30, 34, 44 Warranty 1–2 Web Password. See Password WEP Encryption Parameter 41–42, 56 WEP Key 28, 43, 56 WEP Key Size 42, 56 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) 28, 41–43, 53 128 bit 42, 43 40 bit 42, 43...

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