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Cisco WT2700 Wireless Suite

Wireless Point-to-Point Troubleshooting Guide

Document ID: 14242



Contents

Introduction
Prerequisites
      Requirements
      Components Used
      Conventions
Where is the Potential Problem?
Status Line Condition
      Radio x is Up -- Line Protocol is Up
      Radio x is Up -- Line Protocol is Down
      Radio x is Down -- Line Protocol is Down
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Related Information

Introduction

This document is an aid to troubleshoot wireless connections.  The first steps to take is to answer the questions in this document to become familiar with what kind of wireless link you use, and with what type of equipment.  From there, you can proceed to the chart and perhaps find your possible problem and the necessary steps to take to resolve the issue.

Prerequisites

Requirements

There are no specific requirements for this document.

Components Used

This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.

The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, make sure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

Conventions

Refer to Cisco Technical Tips Conventions for more information on document conventions.

Where is the Potential Problem?

When you troubleshoot wireless connections, consider these questions:

  • What type of link is this? 

    • Microwave Multi-point Distribution System (MMDS)

    • Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII)?

      Refer to Unlicensed Frequencies.

  • How far is the link? (miles)

  • Is the link a line-of-sight link?  If yes, how do you know? 

  • If this is a UNII link, check for interference as a higher priority on your checklist.

  • What is the antenna size?  Gain?  Is the antenna properly polarized?

    Refer to Antennas.

  • What is the cable length from the transverter to the antenna?  What type of cable?

    Refer to Cable and Connector Loss.

  • Are there other antennas close to yours?  If so, can you determine if they emit signals that cause you an interference problem? The mere proximity of other antennas generally does not pose a problem if:

    1. The antennas do not emit signals that can interfere with yours; and

    2. The antennas are not within your path axis.

For additional help with these questions, see the Related Information section.

Status Line Condition

Radio x is Up -- Line Protocol is Up

Possible Problems

Checks & Observations

Solutions

Comments

---------

---------

This is the proper status line condition. No action is required.

 

Radio x is Up -- Line Protocol is Down

Possible Problems

Checks & Observations

Solutions

Comments

Interference

Run histograms and/or snapshots; measure SNR and Rx signal level at both ends of the link

Try to locate source of interference (for example, nearby antennas)

Change polarization of antennas or frequency channel (UNII only)

If interference is the source of trouble, the SNR readings must show a degradation that correlates in time with the noted periods of poor link performance or outages

Poor (weak) receive signal level

Check antenna alignment

Check cable/connector integrity (possible moisture in cables)

Check transmit power level for the link

Check for path blockage of link (for example, trees, buildings, etc.)

Change bandwidth and throughput setting

Replace faulty cables if necessary

Reconfigure Tx power setting if necessary Realign antennas

Change the throughput setting as a work-around. Only change throughput settings after you try the other solutions given.

Loopback enabled

Check the configuration and issue the show run and show interface radio slot/port commands

Disable loopback command

 

Incorrect throughput setting

Check the configuration, and issue the show run command

Run a histogram to check the SNR

-Adjustthroughput setting accordingly

This parameter must be set the same at both ends of the link

Faulty control cable connection;

Check all control cable connections; wiggle suspected control cable while you monitor link status to verify faulty connection

Replace cable or connections if necessary

 

Radio x is Down -- Line Protocol is Down

Possible Problems

Checks & Observations

Solutions

Comments

Radio interface shutdown

Check the configuration and issue the show interface radio slot/port command

No shut the radio interface

Note that if this is the problem, the output of show interface will display "Radio x is administratively down"

Interference

Run histograms and/or snapshots; measure SNR and Rx signal level at both ends of the link

Try to locate source of interference (for example, nearby antennas)

Change polarization of antennas or frequency channel (UNII only)

If interference is the source of trouble, the SNR readings must show a degradation that correlates in time with the noted periods of poor link performance or outages

Wireless line card faulty

Run IF and RF loopback tests and ping the radio interface to verify

Replace line card

 

Frequencies configured incorrectly

Check configuration, and issue the show run command

Fix the configuration; Tx at one end of the link matches to the Rx of the other end

 

Radio ARQ configured incorrectly

Check the configuration, and issue the show interface radio arq command

Fix the configuration

This parameter must be set the same at both ends of the link

Number of antennas set correctly

Check the configuration and issue the show run command

Fix the configuration

 

Incorrect throughput setting

Check the configuration; measure the SNR

-Adjust the throughput setting accordingly

This parameter must be set the same at both ends of the link

Radio privacy set the same on both sides

Check the configuration, and issue the show run command

Fix the configuration

This parameter must be set the same at both ends of the link

Transmit power configured incorrectly

Check the configuration, and issue the show run command

Fix the configuration, and set radio transmit power to a valid value for the link

 

No power to one or both transverters (ODUs)

Use a voltmeter to check DC voltage at input to PFPs

Check that DC breaker switches on PFPs are turned on

Repair/replace DC power supplies

Turn on breaker switches on PFPs

 
 

Check cable integrity and connections

Ensure that cable is 50 ohm type

Run debug radio log verbose

Replace the cable if necessary

Be sure all outdoor connections are properly sealed, only use Coax-Seal or an equivalent

Control cable between PFP and transverter bad or disconnected

Check cable integrity, especially cable-to-LEMO connector junction

Run debug radio log verbose

Replace the cable if necessary

Weather proofing not required for LEMO connector

Poor or no receive signal level

Verify by measuring SNR from histograms

Be sure antennas are set for the same polarization

Be sure the antennas are aligned properly

Check all cabling, IF and RF

Have both sides of the link with the same polarization (horizontal or vertical)

Align the antennas

Replace the cables if necessary

 

Incorrect duplexer installed

Check the sticker on duplexer at each end of the link to ensure both ends are for the same band plan

 

Duplexers cannot be re-tuned, they must be replaced

Incorrect duplexer set-up

Duplexer at one end must be installed for tx high and the other side for tx low

Remove, reverse, and reinstall ONE of the duplexers

 

ODU not detected

Run IF loopback test, ping radio interface to verify whether the line card is good

Run debug radio log verbose to verify the problem

Replace ODU

 

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Updated: Apr 27, 2006Document ID: 14242