Table Of Contents
Network Configuration Examples
Repeater Unit That Extends Wireless Range
Bridge Operating as a Root Access Point
Overview
Cisco Aironet 350 Series Bridges are wireless LAN transceivers that connect two or more remote networks into a single LAN. The bridge can also be used as a rugged access point, providing network access to wireless client devices.
The bridge uses a browser-based management system, but you can also configure the bridge using a terminal emulator, a Telnet session, or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
The bridge contains a metal enclosure having adequate fire resistance and low smoke-producing characteristics suitable for operation in a building's environmental air space in accordance with Section 300-22(c) of the NEC. The bridge also supports an extended operating temperature range suitable for use in covered outside environments.
This chapter provides information on the following topics:
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Key features
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Key Features
This section describes the key features of the bridge:
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Inline Power
The bridge receives power through the Ethernet cable, so you don't need to run a separate power cord to the bridge. Plug the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the back of the bridge and plug the other end into one of three possible power sources:
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Note
Caution
Caution
Antenna Connectors
The bridge is equipped with dual reverse-polarity TNC connectors that you can use to connect to your own antennas for special applications.
Ethernet and Serial Ports
Ethernet Port
The bridge's Ethernet port accepts an RJ-45 connector, linking the bridge to your Ethernet LAN. The 350 series bridge receives power through the Ethernet cable from a switch with inline power, from a power patch panel, or from the bridge's power injector.
Serial Port
The bridge's serial port provides console access to its management system. Use a nine-pin, straight-through, male-to-female serial cable to connect your computer's COM 1 or COM 2 port to the bridge's serial port. Assign the following port settings to a terminal emulator to open the management system pages: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, No parity, 1 stop bit, and Xon/Xoff flow control.
Indicator Lights
The three indicator lights on top of the bridge report Ethernet activity, association status, and radio activity. The indicators are labeled in Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1 Indicator Lights on the Bridge
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For repeater bridges, blinking 1/2 on, 1/2 off indicates the repeater is not associated with the root bridge; blinking 7/8 on, 1/8 off indicates that the repeater is associated with the root bridge but no client devices are associated with the repeater; steady green indicates that the repeater is associated with the root bridge and client devices are associated with the repeater.
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Network Configuration Examples
This section describes the bridge's role in three common wireless network configurations. The bridge's default configuration is as a root unit on a wired LAN. The other examples illustrate the bridge being used as a repeater unit and as an access point.
Root Unit on a Wired LAN
The typical bridge configuration consists of two or more bridges. One bridge is connected directly to the main wired LAN (referred to as a root unit) and the other bridge or bridges (referred to as non-root units) are attached to remote LAN segments (usually in different buildings). Only one bridge in a wireless LAN can be set to root, all other bridges must be set to non-root. Figure 1-2 shows a bridge acting as a root unit on a wired LAN communicating with other non-root bridges on remote LANs.
Figure 1-2 Bridges Interconnecting Wired LANs
In Figure 1-2, packets sent between the file server and Workstation B or Workstation C go through the non-root bridges over the wireless link. Data packets sent from Workstation A to the file server go through the wired LAN segment and do not go across the wireless link.
Repeater Unit That Extends Wireless Range
The bridge can be configured as a repeater to extend the range of your infrastructure or to overcome an obstacle that blocks radio communication. The repeater forwards traffic between wireless users and the wired LAN by sending packets to another repeater or to a root bridge or root access point connected to the wired LAN. Figure 1-3 shows a bridge acting as a repeater (Non-root Bridge w/Clients) to bridge a LAN segment to the main root LAN.
Figure 1-3 Bridge as Repeater
A similar repeater function can be configured using repeater access points to extend the range of wireless clients from the main root LAN. When you configure a bridge as a repeater access point, the Spanning-Tree Protocol is deactivated.
If you use a bridge as a repeater, the data throughput is cut in half.
Bridge Operating as a Root Access Point
The bridge can be configured as a rugged root access point and connected to a wired LAN. In this configuration, the bridge allows associated wireless devices to access resources on the wired LAN as they would with an access point. Figure 1-4 shows a bridge operating as an access point.
Figure 1-4 Bridge Operating as a Root Access Point
Bridge Specifications
Table 1-1 lists specifications for the bridge.
