Table Of Contents
Installation
Cautions and Warnings
Installation Guidelines
Basic Guidelines
Special Considerations
Coverage Options
Minimal Overlap Coverage Option
Multiple Overlapping Networks Coverage Option
Heavy Overlap Coverage Option
Site Surveys
Unpacking the Access Point
Package Contents
Connecting the Ethernet and Power Cables
Connecting Cables on 340 Series Access Points
Connecting Cables on 350 Series Access Points
Installation
This chapter describes the setup of the access point and includes the following sections:
•
Cautions and Warnings
•Installation Guidelines
•Unpacking the Access Point
•Connecting the Ethernet and Power Cables
Cautions and Warnings
Translated versions of the following safety warnings are provided in Appendix A, "Translated Safety Warnings."
Note The FCC, with its action in ET Docket 96-8, has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radiated frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC-certified equipment. Cisco Aironet products meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1, 1991. Proper operation of this radio device according to the instructions in this publication will result in user exposure substantially below the FCC recommended limits.
Caution Cisco Aironet power injectors are designed for use with 350 series access points and bridges only. Using the power injector with other Ethernet-ready devices can damage the equipment.
Caution The operational voltage range for Cisco Aironet 350 series access points and bridges is 24 to 60 volts. Higher voltage can damage the equipment.
Caution Cisco Aironet Power Injectors are not rated for operation in a building's environmental air space, such as above suspended ceilings.
Warning Do not operate your wireless network device near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use.
Warning Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.
Warning Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source.
Warning This product relies on the building's installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than 120 VAC, 15A U.S. (240 VAC, 10A international) is used on the phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors).
Installation Guidelines
This section describes things to keep in mind when installing your access point. Sections include:
•Basic Guidelines
•Special Considerations
•Coverage Options
•Site Surveys
Basic Guidelines
Because the access point is a radio device, it is susceptible to common causes of interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
•Install the access point in an area where large steel structures such as shelving units, bookcases, and filing cabinets do not obstruct radio signals to and from the access point.
•Install the access point away from microwave ovens. Microwave ovens operate on the same frequency as the access point and can cause signal interference.
Special Considerations
The 350 series metal case access point provides adequate fire resistance and low smoke-producing characteristics suitable for operation in a building's environmental air space, such as above suspended ceilings. This access point is intended for indoor use and can be used in environments where the temperature ranges from -4 to 131oF (-20 to 55oC).
Caution Cisco Aironet Power Injectors are not rated for operation in a building's environmental air space, such as above suspended ceilings.
Coverage Options
The network architecture options of wireless stations and access points provide for a variety of coverage alternatives and flexibility. The network can be designed to provide a wide coverage area with minimal overlap or a narrow coverage area with heavy overlap. A narrow coverage area with heavy overlap improves network performance and protection against downtime if a component fails.
Minimal Overlap Coverage Option
By arranging the access points so that the overlap in a coverage area is minimized, a large area can be covered with minimal cost (see Figure 2-1). The total bandwidth available to each wireless client device depends on the amount of data each mobile station needs to transfer and the number of stations located in each cell. Seamless roaming is supported as a client device moves in and out of range of each access point, thereby maintaining a constant connection to the wired LAN. Each device in the radio network must be configured with the same SSID to provide roaming capability.
Figure 2-1 Minimal Overlap Coverage Option
Multiple Overlapping Networks Coverage Option
Multiple networks can operate in the same vicinity (see Figure 2-2). The architecture provides multiple channels that can exist in the same area with virtually no interference to each other. In this mode, each system must be configured with different SSIDs and different channels, which may (depending on configurations) prevent clients from roaming to access points of a different wireless network.
Figure 2-2 Multiple Overlapping Networks Coverage Option
Heavy Overlap Coverage Option
By arranging the access points so the overlap in coverage area is nearly maximized, a large number of mobile stations can be supported in the same wireless infrastructure (see Figure 2-3). However, devices in overlapping coverage areas on the same frequency will detect adjacent cell traffic and delay transmissions that would cause collisions. This configuration reduces the aggregate radio system throughput. Heavy cell overlap is not recommended for maximum system throughput.
Because of the redundancy in coverage overlap, network access is not lost if an access point fails. Upon failure of the access point, the station automatically roams to an operational access point. With this architecture, each device in the RF network must be configured with the same SSID to provide the roaming capability.
Figure 2-3 Heavy Overlap Coverage Option
Site Surveys
Because of differences in component configuration, placement, and physical environment, every network application is a unique installation. Before installing multiple access points, you should perform a site survey to determine the optimum utilization of networking components and to maximize range, coverage, and network performance.
Consider the following operating and environmental conditions when performing a site survey:
•Data rates - Sensitivity and range are inversely proportional to data bit rates. The maximum radio range is achieved at the lowest workable data rate. A decrease in receiver threshold sensitivity occurs as the radio data increases.
•Antenna type and placement - Proper antenna configuration is a critical factor in maximizing radio range. As a general rule, range increases in proportion to antenna height.
•Physical environment - Clear or open areas provide better radio range than closed or filled areas. Also, the less cluttered the work environment, the greater the range.
•Obstructions - A physical obstruction such as metal shelving or a steel pillar can hinder performance of wireless devices. Avoid locating the devices in a location where there is a metal barrier between the sending and receiving antennas.
•Building materials - Radio penetration is greatly influenced by the building material used in construction. For example, drywall construction allows greater range than concrete blocks. Metal or steel construction is a barrier to radio signals.
Unpacking the Access Point
Follow these steps to unpack the access point:
Step 1 Open the shipping container and carefully remove the contents.
Step 2 Return all packing materials to the shipping container and save it.
Step 3 Ensure that all items listed in the "Package Contents" section are included in the shipment. Check each item for damage.
Package Contents
Each access point is shipped with the following items:
•Cisco Aironet Access Point
•AC to DC power adapter (340 series only)
•Cisco Aironet power injector (350 series only)
•Nine-pin, male-to-female, straight-through serial cable
•Quick Start Guide: Cisco Aironet Access Points
•Cisco Aironet Access Point CD-ROM
•Cisco Information Packet, which contains warranty, safety, and support information
•Cisco product registration card
Note If any item is damaged or missing, notify your authorized Cisco sales representative.
Connecting the Ethernet and Power Cables
Because of hardware differences, setup procedures differ for 340 series access points and 350 series access points. Cabling instructions for each series are included in the following sections:
•Connecting Cables on 340 Series Access Points
•Connecting Cables on 350 Series Access Points
Connecting Cables on 340 Series Access Points
Follow these steps to connect the Ethernet cable and power supply on 340 series access points:
Step 1 Plug the RJ-45 Ethernet connector into the Ethernet port on the back of the access point.
Step 2 Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the 10/100 Ethernet LAN.
Caution Do not connect the Ethernet cable when the access point is powered up. Always connect the Ethernet cable before you apply power to the access point.
Note The access point does not have an on/off switch, so power is applied to the unit when you plug it in.
Step 3 Plug the power adapter into a suitable power receptacle.
Step 4 Plug the power connector into the back of the access point.
At start-up, all three LEDs on the top of the access point slowly blink amber, red, and green in sequence; the sequence takes a few minutes to complete. During normal operation, the LEDs blink green. Refer to "Troubleshooting," for LED descriptions.
Step 5 Follow the steps in "Basic Configuration" to assign basic settings to the access point.
Connecting Cables on 350 Series Access Points
Follow these steps to connect the Ethernet cable and power supply on 350 series access points:
Step 1 Plug the RJ-45 Ethernet connector into the Ethernet port on the back of the access point.
Step 2 Choose a power option for the access point. The 350 series access point receives power through the Ethernet cable. Figure 2-4 shows the three power options for the access point.
Figure 2-4 Access Point Power Options
Power options include:
•A switch with inline power, such as a Cisco Catalyst 3524-PWR-XL
•An inline power patch panel, such as a Cisco Catalyst Inline Power Patch Panel
•A Cisco Aironet power injector
Caution Cisco Aironet power injectors are designed for use with 350 series access points and bridges only. Using the power injector with other Ethernet-ready devices can damage the equipment.
Caution The operational voltage range for Cisco Aironet 350 series access points and bridges is 24 to 60 VDC. Higher voltage can damage the equipment.
Step 3 Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the device that will supply power.
If you use a power injector, follow these additional steps:
a. Plug the cable from the access point into the end of the power injector labeled To AP/Bridge.
b. Run an Ethernet cable from the end of the power injector labeled To Network to the 10/100 Ethernet switch.
c. Plug the female end of the power cord into the universal power supply.
d. Plug the male end of the power cord into a power outlet or power strip.
At start-up, all three LEDs on the top of the access point slowly blink amber, red, and green in sequence; the sequence takes a few minutes to complete. During normal operation, the LEDs blink green. Refer to "Troubleshooting," for LED descriptions.
Step 4 Follow the steps in "Basic Configuration," to assign basic settings to the access point.
