3Com WL-560 User Manual

11a/b/g wireless workgroup bridge
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3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge

User Guide

Model: WL-560
3CRWE675075
http://www.3com.com/
Part No. DUA6750-75AAA01
Published November 2004
Version 1.0.2

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Summary of Contents for 3Com WL-560

  • Page 1: User Guide

    3Com 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge User Guide Model: WL-560 3CRWE675075 http://www.3com.com/ Part No. DUA6750-75AAA01 Published November 2004 Version 1.0.2...
  • Page 2 3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time MA USA 01752-3064 to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation to provide notification of such revision or change. 3Com Corporation provides this documentation without warranty, term, or condition of any kind, either implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties, terms or conditions of merchantability, satisfactory quality, and fitness for a particular purpose.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Connecting to an Ethernet Device About the Client List Connecting to a Hub Connecting to a Network Printer Connecting to a Computer Checking the LED Indicators Attaching An External Antenna Determining if you Need to Configure the Bridge Using the 3Com Installation CD...
  • Page 4 ONFIGURING THE Using Secure Web Server Connection Using the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Using the Configuration Management System Clearing and Applying System Configuration Settings Changing System Properties Setting IP Network Properties Setting Wireless Network Properties Manually Select Radio Channels...
  • Page 5 BTAINING UPPORT FOR YOUR RODUCT Register Your Product to Gain Service Benefits Solve Problems Online Purchase Extended Warranty and Professional Services Access Software Downloads Contact Us Telephone Technical Support and Repair ICENSE GREEMENT EGULATORY NFORMATION...
  • Page 7: About This Guide

    Most user guides and release notes are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader Portable Document Format (PDF) or HTML on the 3Com World Wide Web site: http://www.3com.com/...
  • Page 8: Conventions

    BOUT UIDE Conventions Table 1 and Table 2 list conventions that are used throughout this guide. Table 1 Notice Icons Table 2 Text Conventions Convention Screen displays Syntax The words “enter” and “type” Keyboard key names Words in italics Related In addition to this guide, each Bridge documentation set includes the Documentation following:...
  • Page 9: Accessing Online Documentation

    ■ ■ To access the online documentation from the CD: 1 Insert the 3Com Installation CD supplied with your Bridge in the CD-ROM drive. The setup menu appears. If it does not appear, you can start the setup menu from the Windows Start menu. For example: Start > Run >...
  • Page 10: Product Registration And Support

    To register your product with 3Com, go to the following Web page: Registration and http://esupport.3com.com Support For support information, see “Obtaining Support for your 3Com Product” on page 53 or log on to the 3Com Web site at http://www.3com.com and navigate to the product support page.
  • Page 11: Introduction

    3Com wireless technology has all of the benefits of a local area network (LAN) without the constraints and expense of network wiring. 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN products provide easy, affordable, flexible ways to extend wireless networks to more users. This guide shows how...
  • Page 12: Wireless Network Standards

    1: I HAPTER NTRODUCTION Wireless Network Understanding the characteristics of the 802.11a and 802.11g standards Standards can help you 802.11a Ratified in 2002, 802.11a is IEEE’s more recent wireless standard. It operates at the 5 Because there are fewer devices in the 5 GHz band, there’s less potential for RF interference.
  • Page 13: Network Configuration And Planning

    The workgroup associates with the wired network through a wireless LAN access point such as the 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Access Point. Infrastructure configurations extend your wireless LAN to devices that would otherwise have to be connected to the wired network.
  • Page 14: Example Configurations

    1: I HAPTER NTRODUCTION Example The following examples illustrate ways you can use the Bridge to Configurations configure Ethernet client devices into workgroups. (Details for setting up specific configurations are in “Installing the Bridge” on page 9.) Wireless Infrastructure Network You can connect several computers, including those with non-Windows operating systems, and network printers, as shown in Figure 1.
  • Page 15: Installing The Bridge

    Checking the LED Indicators Attaching An External Antenna Determining if you Need to Configure the Bridge Using the 3Com Installation CD Power adapter and power cord. Standard Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable. Locking bar (used for securing a wall-mounted installation).
  • Page 16: Observing Safety Precautions

    CAUTION: The 3Com power supply (part number 61-0107-000) input relies on a 16A rated building fuse or circuit protector for short circuit protection of the line to neutral conductors.
  • Page 17: Deciding Where To Place The Bridge

    Deciding Where to Place the Bridge in a dry, clean location near the hub, computer, or Place the Bridge printer that will be connected to the Bridge. The location must have a power source and be within the following distance of a Wi-Fi compliant wireless LAN access point or ad-hoc wireless station: ■...
  • Page 18: Installing The Locking Bar

    2: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE 2 Route the power and Ethernet cables through the large opening in the cradle. Figure 5 shows a cable being routed under the cradle. Figure 5 Routing Cable Under the Cradle 3 Connect the power and Ethernet cables to the ports on the Bridge. 4 Snap the Bridge onto the cradle.
  • Page 19: Placing The Bridge On A Flat Surface

    2 Push the locking bar through the opening until the hole on the locking bar is exposed. 3 Insert a lock through the hole on the locking bar, and then close the lock to secure it in place, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 Securing the Locking Bar Placing the Bridge on The Bridge comes with four rubber feet that can be used to install the...
  • Page 20: Connecting The Bridge

    2: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE Connecting the The Bridge has power, Ethernet, and serial ports, as shown in Figure 8. Bridge Before connecting the Bridge to an Ethernet device, connect the power. Figure 8 Connecting the Power Connecting to a The Bridge can also be connected to a serial device, as shown in Figure 9.
  • Page 21: Connecting To An Ethernet Device

    Connecting to an The Bridge is designed to be connected to an Ethernet client device such Ethernet Device as a hub, computer, or printer. CAUTION: the Bridge and an access point, which could disrupt network operation, do not connect a Bridge that is set in Wireless Client (Infrastructure) mode directly to the LAN (for example, through a wall port or through a hub that is connected directly to the LAN).
  • Page 22: Connecting To A Network Printer

    2: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE Connecting to a You can connect a network printer directly to the Bridge or to a hub that Network Printer is connected to the Bridge. Used this way, the Bridge allows you to place network printers in areas that are not wired for Ethernet. 1 Configure the network printer as you would for connecting it to the wired LAN.
  • Page 23: Checking The Led Indicators

    Checking the LED When the Bridge is connected to power, LEDs indicate activity as follows: Indicators Figure 13 LED Indicators Table 3 LED Descriptions Color Power Green Green (solid) Green (blinking) 11b/g Green (solid) Green (blinking) Green (solid) Green (blinking) Green (solid) Green (blinking) Checking the LED Indicators...
  • Page 24: Attaching An External Antenna

    If your network has a DHCP server, an IP address is automatically assigned to the Bridge. It takes approximately one to two minutes for the Bridge 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 Bridge on the network and view its IP address.
  • Page 25 If the Configuration Management System does not start, the Bridge is ■ on a different subnet than the computer. Install and start the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to discover the Bridge’s IP address. See “Using the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device...
  • Page 26 Administration Password TFTP Server IP Address FTP Server IP Address RIDGE Default Setting 3Com WWB None (blank) For U.S. version, United States and Canada For non-U.S. version, set by the user Support multiple wired Ethernet clients Obtain IP address automatically Obtained automatically (with a DHCP server) 169.254.2.2 (without a DHCP server)
  • Page 27: Using The 3Com Installation Cd

    Table 5 Supported Operating Systems and Browser 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager—an administration tool that helps you select 3Com wireless LAN devices and launch their configurations in your Web browser. 3Com 3CDaemon Server Tool—a firmware upgrade tool that can...
  • Page 28 To install one of the tools on your computer: 1 Turn on the computer. 2 Insert the 3Com Installation CD in the CD-ROM drive. The setup menu appears. If it does not appear, you can start the setup menu from the Windows Start menu. For example: Start > Run >...
  • Page 29: Configuring The Bridge

    See “Web GUI Protocol” in Table 9 on page 30 for instructions. ONFIGURING THE Description Helps you locate 3Com wireless LAN devices on the network, select a device and view its properties, and launch the device’s configuration in your Web browser.
  • Page 30: Using The 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager

    If there is more than one device with the same name in the network (for example, 3Com WWB), make a note of the MAC address of the device you want to select so that you can identify it in the device manager.
  • Page 31 Using the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Devices in a different subnet than your computer are identified with exclamation points (!). You can refresh this display by clicking Refresh. You should refresh the display, for example, after you change a device IP address.
  • Page 32 The configuration main page appears in your Web browser. See “Using the Configuration Management System” on page 27 for details. Table 7 describes the functions of the buttons in the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager window. Table 7 Infrastructure Device Manager Options...
  • Page 33: Using The Configuration Management System

    Table 8 Connection Status Page Using the Configuration Management System Enter the IP address of the Bridge in your computer’s web browser. Start the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager, locate the Bridge, and then click Configure. User name — admin Password —...
  • Page 34: Clearing And Applying System Configuration Settings

    3: C HAPTER ONFIGURING THE Table 8 Connection Status Page (continued) Current Channel Security Rx Data Rate (Mbps) The most recent data reception Tx Data Rate (Mbps) The most recent data transmission Link Quality Received Signal Strength Activity (Packets Rx) Activity (Packets Tx) IP Address Clearing and...
  • Page 35: Changing System Properties

    Ethernet clients attached to the Bridge. Support Single Wired Ethernet Client is used only when the Bridge is used for replacement of a 3Com Ethernet Client Bridge. Select a MAC option: Capture: Each time the Bridge is ■...
  • Page 36: Setting Ip Network Properties

    IP address. Therefore, you must do the following steps after changing the IP address: 1 Close your browser. 2 Return to the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and click Refresh. 3 Select the device and click Configure to start a new configuration session.
  • Page 37: Setting Wireless Network Properties

    Setting Wireless Under System Configuration, click Wireless Network. The Wireless Network Properties Network Properties page appears, where you can select different wireless settings, as described in Table 11. When you are finished, click Apply. The Bridge supports Dynamic and Static Turbo modes and boosts throughput up to 108 Mbps.
  • Page 38 3: C HAPTER ONFIGURING THE Table 11 Wireless Network Page (continued) Wireless LAN Service Area Channel Selection Transmit Power RIDGE Select Attach to any WLAN Service Area (ESSID) automatically to allow the Bridge to associate with any access point without specifying the ESSID.
  • Page 39: Manually Select Radio Channels

    Table 11 Wireless Network Page (continued) Antenna Selection Data Preamble Manually Select On the Advanced Wireless Network page, you can manually select the Radio Channels radio channels and radio modes. The Bridge only looks for a best SSID that matches the specified radio mode on the specified channels. Using the Configuration Management System Select an antenna for the radio signal: Internal —...
  • Page 40: Setting Up An Ad-Hoc Network

    1 Connect the first Bridge to power and use the Ethernet cable to connect it to the computer. 2 Use the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to select the Bridge and launch the Configuration Management System. 3 Under System Configuration, click Wireless Network.
  • Page 41: Changing Wireless Security Settings

    Wi-Fi certified. This type of security requires you to set up encryption in one of the following ways: String—For use only with other 3Com 11a/b/g wireless devices, an ■ encryption string is a case-sensitive string of characters between 6 and 30 characters long.
  • Page 42 ONFIGURING THE 104/128-bit Shared Key This option can be used with other 3Com 11a/b/g Wireless LAN devices and with equipment from certain manufacturers that also support 128-bit shared key encryption. It provides a higher level of security than the 40-bit Shared Key (Wi-Fi) option and uses a more complicated type of encryption.
  • Page 43: Changing Radius Settings

    The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) option uses the highest security cipher for data encryption. To use AES: 1 On the Wireless Security page, select AES. 2 Select WPA-PSK for home network or WPA for the scenarios where RADIUS servers are employed: WPA-PSK: Enter a pass-phrase key or hexidecimal key.
  • Page 44: Changing Snmp Settings

    3: C HAPTER ONFIGURING THE Table 12 RADIUS Authentication Server Settings (continued) Secondary RADIUS Server Secondary RADIUS Port Secondary RADIUS Secret Changing SNMP Under System Configuration, click SNMP to display and change settings Settings for the Simple Network Management Protocol. To communicate with the Bridge, the SNMP agent must first be enabled and the Network Management Station must submit a valid community string for authentication.
  • Page 45: Using The Access Control List

    Using the Access You can use the Access Control List to allow or prohibit access to the Control List wireless network from Ethernet clients. Follow these steps to build the Access Control List: 1 Under System Configuration, click Access Control List. 2 On the Access Control List page, click Add.
  • Page 46: Serial Port

    3: C HAPTER ONFIGURING THE Serial Port Under System Configuration, click Serial Port to set up network serial port operation. About UART A Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) is the fundamental hardware for serial communication, controlling the speed and method of data transfer of the serial port. Applications utilizing a network serial port between an RS-232 interface and a wireless device use a TCP/IP socket connection.
  • Page 47 Configuring UART Settings For proper operation, it is imperative that these settings always match the settings of the device to which the bridge is connected via the RS-232 port. There are two groups of parameters that need to be configured to accomplish this task: UART Settings and Flow Control Settings.
  • Page 48: Resetting The Bridge

    3: C HAPTER ONFIGURING THE RIDGE Applying Settings After you set the UART settings, network serial port settings, and operation mode, select Apply to make the settings take effect. The socket can be substantially established between a client and server; that is, a Bridge in server mode and the other in client mode.
  • Page 49: Restoring The Bridge To Factory Defaults

    Bridge, do the following: 1 Close your browser. 2 Return to the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and click Refresh. 3 Select the device and click Configure to start a new configuration session. Using the Configuration Management System...
  • Page 50: Upgrading The System

    Upgrading the You can download firmware updates or updates of the Configuration System Management System from the 3Com Web site and install those updates on the Bridge. Options for upgrading the system include using a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. The Bridge acts as a TFTP or FTP client to receive the download.
  • Page 51: Changing The Administration Login Name And Password

    The upgrade takes place through the HTTP protocol from the local computer. Changing the 3Com recommends that you set a password to protect against Administration Login unauthorized access. After you set the password, you must enter it each Name and Password time you launch the configuration for the device.
  • Page 52: Restoring A Configuration

    IP address. If you want to continue configuring the Bridge, do the following: 1 Close your browser. 2 Return to the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and click Refresh. 3 Select the device and click Configure to start a new configuration session. Logging Out To log out of the Configuration Management System, click Logout under Tools.
  • Page 53: Viewing Connection Status

    Long [Wi-Fi Interoperable]). To change this setting, click Wireless Network under System Configuration. The elapsed time since the Bridge booted up. Day 0, 0:00:00 The date the Bridge was manufactured. Default Value 3Com WWB None Varies 100% Varies Varies...
  • Page 55: Troubleshooting

    1 Disconnect a client by unplugging its Ethernet cable from the hub. 2 Use the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager to select the Bridge and launch its Configuration Management System. 3 Under System Configuration, click Ethernet Client List.
  • Page 56 To recover from this situation and continue configuring the Bridge: 1 Close your browser. 2 Return to the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and click Refresh. 3 Select the device and click Configure to start a new configuration session and set its IP address.
  • Page 57: Disconnecting The Bridge

    Documentation system procedure for removing programs or use the following shortcut: 1 From the Windows Start menu, select Start > Programs > 3Com Wireless > Uninstall 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager. 2 When prompted to confirm, click OK.
  • Page 58: Upgrading Bridge Firmware

    Firmware Some problems can be solved by installing a new version of the firmware. For details on how to download a firmware update from the 3Com customer support Web site and install it on your Bridge, see “Upgrading the System” on page 44...
  • Page 59: Upport For Your

    To take advantage of warranty and other service benefits, you must first Product to Gain register your product at: Service Benefits http://eSupport.3com.com/ 3Com eSupport services are based on accounts that are created or that you are authorized to access. Solve Problems The 3Com Knowledgebase helps you to troubleshoot 3Com products. Online This query-based interactive tool is located at: http://knowledgebase.3com.com...
  • Page 60: Purchase Extended Warranty And Professional Services

    3Com or your reseller. 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 your 3Com reseller.
  • Page 61: Telephone Technical Support And Repair

    ■ ■ ■ 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. If your...
  • Page 62 Spanish speakers, enter the URL: http://lat.3com.com/lat/support/form.html ■ Portuguese speakers, enter the URL: http://lat.3com.com/br/support/form.html ■ English speakers in Latin America should send e-mail to: lat_support_anc@3com.com ■ US and Canada — Telephone Technical Support and Repair All locations: Network Jacks; Wired or Wireless Network Interface Cards:...
  • Page 63: End User License Agreement

    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. Such End User License Agreement shall prohibit the End User from: (i) copying the Run-Time Module, except for archive purposes consistent with the End User's archive procedures;...
  • Page 65 EDERAL OMMUNICATIONS The 3Com 11 a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge (Model WL-560) must be installed and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions as described in the user documentation that comes with the product. This device complies with the following radio frequency and safety standards.
  • Page 66 (800) 527-8677 Date: June 30, 2004 Declares that the Product: Brand Name: 3Com Corporation Model Number: WL-560 Equipment Type: 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge Complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
  • Page 67 – I (IC) ANADA NDUSTRY ANADA (IC) E NDUSTRY ANADA MISSIONS VIS DE ONFORMITÉ À LA ÉGLEMENTATION D AFETY OMPLIANCE OTICE This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of this device.”...
  • Page 68 Festlegungen der Richtlinie 1999/5/EG. (Wien) Greek Ì Å ÔÇÍ ÐÁÑÏ ÕÓÁ 3Com Corporation ÄÇËÙÍÅÉ Ï ÔÉ 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Birdge ÓÕÌ Ì Ï ÑÖÙÍÅÔÁÉ ÐÑÏ Ó ÔÉÓ Ï ÕÓÉÙÄÅÉÓ ÁÐÁÉÔÇÓÅÉÓ ÊÁÉ ÔÉÓ ËÏ ÉÐÅÓ Ó×ÅÔÉÊÅÓ ÄÉÁÔÁÎÅÉÓ ÔÇÓ Ï ÄÇÃÉÁÓ 1999/5/ÅÊ...
  • Page 69 UROPE ESTRICTIONS FOR SE OF Spanish Por medio de la presente 3Com Corporation declara que el 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge cumple con los requisitos esenciales y cualesquiera otras disposiciones aplicables o exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE Portuguese 3Com Corporation declara que este 11a/b/g Wireless Workgroup Bridge está...
  • Page 70 – R UROPE ESTRICTIONS FOR SE OF REQUENCIES IN UROPEAN European Community 5150-5250 MHz Countries Channels: 36, 40, 44, 48 Indoor Only Austria ✔ Belgium, France, Switzerland, ✔ Liechtenstein Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, ✔ Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, ✔...

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