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User Guide
Wireless LAN Access Points 8250/8500/8750
3CRWE825075A
3CRWE850075A
3CRWE875075A
(Models WL-450, WL-462, WL-463)
Version 2
http://www.3com.com/
http://www.3com.com/support/en_US/productreg/frontpg.html/
Published September, 2003
Version 2.3.3
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3Com Corporation Copyright © 2003 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be 350 Campus Drive reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, Marlborough, MA transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corporation. 01752-3064 3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation
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Contents 1 Introduction Product Features 6 Security 7 Performance and Reliability 7 Manageability 7 Wireless Network Standards 8 Far-Reaching 802.11g 8 High-Performance 802.11a 8 Network Configuration and Planning 9 Ad Hoc Wireless LAN 9 Infrastructure Wireless LAN 9 Infrastructure Wireless LAN for Roaming Wireless PCs 10 Terminology 11 2 Installing the Access Point Installation Requirements 13 Power Requirements 14 Safety Information 14 Deciding Where to Place Equipment and Performing A Site Su
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3 System Configuration Using the 3Com Wireless Device Manager 25 Launching a Wireless Device Configuration 25 Using the Pre-IP Configuration Wizard 27 Configuration Login 27 Setting the Country Code 27 Basic Setup 28 Advanced Setup 29 Identification 29 TCP/IP Settings 29 DHCP Client 29 Secure Web Server Connection 30 RADIUS 30 Authentication 31 Filter Control 33 Filtering by VLAN 34 Security Filters 34 Client List Timeout 35 Uplink Port MAC Address Filtering 35 Filtering by Ethernet Protocol Typ
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4 Troubleshooting A Technical Support Obtaining Support for your Product 52 Register Your Product to Gain Service Benefits 52 Purchase Value-Added Services 52 Where To Go For Help 52 Troubleshoot Online 52 Access Software Downloads 53 Contact Us 53 Telephone Technical Support and Repair 53 Regulatory Compliance Information Index
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1 INTRODUCTION The 3Com® Wireless LAN Access Points 8250, 8500, and 8750 offer a dual-mode architecture that supports 802.11g, 802.11a and 802.11b wireless users on a single device. This means you can mix and match radio bands to meet different coverage and bandwidth needs within the same area. Different access point models give you the flexibility to choose to support both radio modes immediately or choose one radio mode now and upgrade to newer standards later as they become available wit
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n Access Point 8750—Creates a high-performance enterprise-class dual-mode 802.11g and 802.11a wireless LAN supporting up to 250 simultaneous users up to 100 meters (328 feet). SECURITY 3Com offers one of the most robust suite of standards-based security on the market today. To protect sensitive data broadcast over the wireless LAN, 3Com supports Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) RC4 40/ 64-bit, 128-bit and 152-bit shared-key encryption. 3Com strengthens this basic security mechanism with ad
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need to consider AC power outlet locations. PoE support makes it easier than ever to overcome installation problems with difficult-to-wire or hard-to-reach locations. WIRELESS NETWORK STANDARDS Understanding the characteristics of the 802.11g and 802.11a standards can help you make the best choice for your wireless implementation plans. FAR-REACHING 802.11G 802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz band at up to 54Mbps. Ratified in 2003, it supports the widest coverage—up to 100 meters (328 feet). Howe
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n Supporting a dense user base confined to a small coverage area. Because 802.11a has a greater number of non-overlapping channels, you can pack more access points in a tighter space. NETWORK CONFIGURATION AND PLANNING The wireless solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration as well as an integrated configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs. The wireless network cards, adapters, and access point can be configured as: n Ad hoc for departmental or SOHO LAN n Infrastructure
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The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs to the wired LAN, but also increases the effective wireless transmission range for wireless PCs by passing their signal through one or more access points. A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for connection between mobile workers, as shown in the following figure. Wired LAN Extension to Wireless Adapters File Server Desktop PC Switch Notebook with Wireless PC Card Adapter
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File Server Desktop PC Switch Notebook with Wireless PC Card Adapter Switch Access Point Notebook with Wireless PC Card Adapter Access Point Seamless Roaming PC with Wireless PCI Adapter TERMINOLOGY Access Point—An internetworking device that seamlessly connects wired and wireless networks. Ad Hoc—An ad hoc wireless LAN is a group of computers, each with LAN adapters, connected as an independent wireless LAN. Backbone—The core infrastructure of a network. The portion of the
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ESS—Extended Service Set. More than one BSS is configured to become an ESS. LAN mobile users can roam between different BSSs in an ESS (ESS-ID, SSID). Ethernet—A popular local area data communications network, which accepts transmission from computers and terminals. Infrastructure—An integrated wireless and wired LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. RADIUS—Remote Access Dial-In User Server is an authentication method used in conjunction with EAP for 802.1x authentication and sessio
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2 INSTALLING THE ACCESS POINT This equipment must be installed in compliance with local and national building codes, regulatory restrictions, and FCC rules. For the safety of people and equipment, this product must be installed by a professional technician/installer. CAUTION: Before installing, see the important warnings and cautions in “Safety Information” on page 14. INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS The following items are required for installation: n Access Point 8250, 8500, or 8750 n Standard de
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dedicated workstation for managing and configuring the access point and the wireless network. POWER REQUIREMENTS The access point complies with the IEEE 802.3af power-over-Ethernet standard. It receives power over standard category 5 straight (8-wire) Ethernet cable. Installation requires the use of either the 3Com power supply provided or IEEE 802.3af compliant power supply equipment (output power rated 48 V dc @ 350 mA maximum). Such equipment must be safety certified according to UL, CSA
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CAUTION: It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the Power-over-Ethernet (POE) power supply is properly connected. Connection to any other device, such as a standard Ethernet card or another POE supply, may result in permanent damage to equipment, electric shock, or fire. Refer to the installation instructions for proper installation DECIDING WHERE TO PLACE EQUIPMENT AND PERFORMING A SITE SURVEY The access point is ideally designed for vertical installation on a wall surface
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Regulatory restrictions dictate that when this device is operational, the minimal body-to-antenna distance is 1 Meter (3 Feet). BEFORE YOU BEGIN Record the access point MAC address in a safe place before the access point is installed in a hard-to-reach location. The MAC address is printed on the back of the access point housing. The following illustration shows the front and rear views of the access point, including the LEDs and connecting ports. Reset button Console port LEDs Ethernet port
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1 Carefully unpack the standard detachable antennas. CAUTION: Do not handle the antenna tips, especially after they are connected to the access point, as this could lead to electrostatic discharge (ESD), which could damage the equipment. 2 Screw an antenna into each of the sockets in the access point housing. 3 Hand-tighten the antennas at the very base of the SMA connectors without handling the antenna tips. 4 Access Point 8250 and Access Point 8750: Position the antennas so they turn out a
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n Connect the access point directly to your own power-over-Ethernet hub or switch, which must also comply with the IEEE 802.3af standard. If you supply your own Ethernet cable for connecting power, be sure that it is standard category 5 straight-through (8-wire) cable that has not been altered in any way. Use of nonstandard cable could damage the access point. "To Access Point" "To Hub/Switch" Using the Power Supply Using A Power-over-Ethernet LAN Port USING THE POWER SUPPLY CAUTION: To avoi
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4 To link the access point to your Ethernet network, plug one end of another Ethernet cable into the port labeled To Hub/Switch on the power supply, and plug the other end into a LAN port (on a hub or in a wall). USING A POWER-OVER-ETHERNET LAN PORT If your LAN equipment complies with the IEEE 802.3af power-over-Ethernet standard, you can connect the access point directly to a LAN port. For example, the illustration above right shows a connection through a 3Com Ethernet Power Supply to ® a
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1 Install the mounting plate as shown in the following illustration, on either a stud (or other hard wall surface), or onto drywall. If installing into drywall, use If installing into a stud or other 3 plastic anchors and 3 screws. secure vertical surface, use 2 screws. n Allow for a clearance of at least 25 cm (10 Inches) between the ceiling and the top of the mounting plate. n Make sure that “UP” is correctly oriented, and align the mounting plate screw holes vertically. n For installation
