BSE342 and BSM342 Base Station Frequently Asked Questions [Cisco Aironet 340 Series]

Document ID: 8113

Questions

Introduction
Where can I download the latest software?
How can I manage the base station?
How can I recover forgotten passwords or recall the factory defaults on the base station?
Why can't I browse or Telnet to the base station at its external IP address?
Why doesn't the base station accept the changes set through the browser?
How can I find the external or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) IP address of a base station?
Why is the middle Status LED always blinking Yellow or Amber?
How many clients can I associate to the base station?
Is the Ethernet port of the base station 10/100 Mbps?
Where can I find the radio frequency (RF) association table?
Can I setup a MAC address or association filters?
Why doesn't my base station modem ring when dialing?
Does the base station modem support V.90 standard?
Can I change the internal IP address (192.168.200.1) and/or the DHCP address pool (192.168.200.2-101) of the base station?
How long is the DHCP lease from the base station?
What is the authentication type for the base station and client with BSCU?
Do the base station and BSCU client support 40-bit WEP encryption?
Can I roam between base stations?
Can a base station associate with a work group bridge?
Can I use static IP addresses on wireless and wired clients?
I forgot the WEP key that has been setup on some clients and base stations. Can I use the same WEP key for a new client without overriding all working WEP keys?
In BSCU, what happens if the ASCII or Hexadecimal WEP key is entered with fewer than 13 and 26 characters respectively?
In BSCU, if I change the settings of the base station, the SSID for example, will the client be de-associated?
What is the typical range for a base station?
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Related Information

Introduction

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about base station models, BSE342 and BSM342.

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

Q. Where can I download the latest software?

A. Firmware Version 8.81 is the latest and last version of software released for the Aironet 340 Base Station products. The two base station models (AIR-BSM342 and AIR-BSE342) have reached their end of life. For additional information, refer to these End-Of-Life announcements:

Product Bulletin No. 1422 - Cisco Aironet Product End of Life Announcement

Product Bulletin No. 1570 - EOL Announcement for 350 Series AP with Plastic Case

Q. How can I manage the base station?

A. The base station does not have a console connector. Configure the base station using one of these options:

If the Base Station Client Utility (BSCU) and the Base Station Connection Status (BSCS) are installed in the Wireless client, launch BSCU and configure the base station.

Type http://192.168.200.1 into your web browser. The base station is already configured with this IP address. Once you enter this information into the browser, you establish a connection with the base station.

Telnet to IP address 192.168.200.1.

Q. How can I recover forgotten passwords or recall the factory defaults on the base station?

A. Since there is no password setup, you must reset the base station to the factory defaults. To reset the unit to its out-of-the-box default state, go to the pinhole and press the Reset button for two seconds.

Q. Why can't I browse or Telnet to the base station at its external IP address?

A. The base station is designed to prevent Telnet or browser connections for security reasons. Although you cannot connect to the IP address, you can use a ping command to verify the base station is alive on the network. You can web browse or Telnet to the internal IP address of the base station, 192.168.200.1.

Q. Why doesn't the base station accept the changes set through the browser?

A. When you configure using http://192.168.200.1, you must press Enter after setting each parameter.

Q. How can I find the external or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) IP address of a base station?

A. You can use the web interface to locate the external or DHCP IP address at the bottom of the Base Station Homepage or inside the Log and Alarm History menu.

Q. Why is the middle Status LED always blinking Yellow or Amber?

A. The base station works with default service set identifier (SSID) and/or Encryption settings. Changing the SSID and/or Encryption setting changes the Status LED to blinking or solid green.

Q. How many clients can I associate to the base station?

A. 253 is the maximum number of clients you can associate to a base station. You can lease 100 IP addresses from the DHCP server of the base station. Additional clients must use static IP addresses between 192.168.200.102 and 254.

Q. Is the Ethernet port of the base station 10/100 Mbps?

A. The Ethernet port of the base station is 10Mbps.

Q. Where can I find the radio frequency (RF) association table?

A. A base station association table is not maintained. However, you can check the association by viewing the Log and Alarm History menu from the Base Station Homepage or from the menu in the BSCU.

Q. Can I setup a MAC address or association filters?

A. No. Filtering in not available on the base station.

Q. Why doesn't my base station modem ring when dialing?

A. The base station does not have a modem speaker. You can check the dialing status and results from the client utility by accessing the Base Station Connection Status or by accessing the Log and Alarm History for the base station. These items are accessed by a link or from a menu, depending on how you connect to the base station.

Q. Does the base station modem support V.90 standard?

A. Yes.

Q. Can I change the internal IP address (192.168.200.1) and/or the DHCP address pool (192.168.200.2-101) of the base station?

A. No.

Q. How long is the DHCP lease from the base station?

A. One day.

Q. What is the authentication type for the base station and client with BSCU?

A. It is hard-coded to Open Authentication and cannot be changed.

Q. Do the base station and BSCU client support 40-bit WEP encryption?

A. No. They support only 128-bit WEP encryption or no encryption.

Q. Can I roam between base stations?

A. Yes. Both a work group bridge and a base station can associate with each other.

Q. Can a base station associate with a work group bridge?

A. Yes. Both a work group bridge and a base station can associate with each other.

Q. Can I use static IP addresses on wireless and wired clients?

A. Yes. You can use static IP addresses in the 192.168.200.102 to 192.168.200.254 range.

Q. I forgot the WEP key that has been setup on some clients and base stations. Can I use the same WEP key for a new client without overriding all working WEP keys?

A. Yes. You can duplicate the WEP key without decrypting it by using BSCU on the WEP enabled client. To duplicate the WEP key:

Select Options > Install Additional Computer > Save to Floppy Drive from the menu of a client with the desired WEP key.

Save the configuration file on a floppy disk.

Select Clients > Edit Client Properties > Load from Floppy Drive from the menu on the BSCU of the new client.

Select the configuration file from the floppy disk.

Q. In BSCU, what happens if the ASCII or Hexadecimal WEP key is entered with fewer than 13 and 26 characters respectively?

A. The WEP key has a default null character (00 hexadecimal) function to maintain 13 and 26 characters for 40-bit and 128-bit WEP keys.

Q. In BSCU, if I change the settings of the base station, the SSID for example, will the client be de-associated?

A. No. BSCU changes the settings of the client accordingly. However, other clients may be de-associated depending on the parameter that is changed.

Q. What is the typical range for a base station?

Base Station Ranges

Indoor Range (typical home environment) Outdoor Range

100' at 11 Mbps (30m.) 300' at 11 Mbps (90m.)

300' at 1 Mbps (90m.) 1000' at 1 Mbps (300m.)

Base Station Product Numbers

Product Number Description

AIR-BSE342 340 Series 11 Mbps 802.11b DSSS Base Station with 128-bit WEP, 1-captured antenna, and no modem.

AIR-BSM342 340 Series 11 Mbps 802.11b DSSS Base Station with 128-bit WEP, 1-captured antenna, and a modem.