Digi XPress User Manual

XPress™ Ethernet Bridge Multipoint: User
Guide

Overview

The XPress Ethernet Bridge (XEB) replaces costly wiring with a solution that can enable industrial
Ethernet PLCs, electronic (LED) signs, remote Wi-Fi APs, Pan/Tilt/Zoom security cameras, VoIP
phones, Internet kiosks and more. With a range of up to 15 miles (line-of-sight with a high gain
antenna) and the ability to transmit through as many as 10 standard walls, the XEB uses the added
range and capabilities of the 900 MHz band to communicate where Wi-Fi and other wireless data
products fall short.
Contents
• 1 XEB RF Modem: XEB09-BCS = Commercial (Indoor), XEB09-BIS = Industrial (Outdoor)
Accessories Kit also includes:
• 1 Half-wave, 2.5 dBi dipole antenna
• 1 6VDC/110VAC power adapter (Commercial only)
• 1 12VDC/110VAC power adapter (Industrial only)
• 1 Power over Ethernet injector (Industrial only)
• 1 XEB Multipoint manual

How It Works

The XEB radios allow you to create a long range, wireless Ethernet network for up to 16 Subscriber
Units (SU) per Access Point (AP). The AP automatically scans for the best of the 12 available radio
channels. Then it encrypts Ethernet data received from the network and transmits it wirelessly to the
correct SU. The AP is constantly
monitoring the network performance and automatically
changes channels if the performance is hindered because
of interference.
Select any of the 12 radio channels by toggling DIP switch settings. (See DIP Settings for additional
information.) It is possible to operate up to 12 APs in the same area with each AP on a different
channel. To avoid interference, space the APs at least 10 feet apart. Typically, the AP is attached to
the wired network via an Ethernet Cable. The Auto MDI/MDIX feature on each XEB will work with
either a straight through or crossover network cable.
Note: The AP does not have a MAC/IP address.
Any 10BaseT Ethernet Client Device (ECD) can be connected to an XEB SU. Each SU encrypts Ethernet
traffic received from the attached ECD and transmits the data wirelessly to its AP. You can plug each
SU directly into an ECD without need for any drivers or loading software on the ECD. Crossover cables
are never needed.
You can only attach one ECD to each SU. The DIP switches on the SU should be in the default OFF
setting. To avoid overloading the radio's receiver, place the SU at least 10 feet from the AP. 100-foot
spacing is recommended if using high-gain antennas.
Note: The SU does not have its own MAC/IP address.