Copyright: Wireless Driver Help Version 1.64.a  Friday, April 27, 2001 17:19:18
Citation: Copyright © 2001 Agere Systems Inc., All Rights Reserved


Select Profile

Use this screen to:

• 	Activate a wireless profile from the pull-down menu, or

• 	Add, Edit or Delete a user-defined wireless profile.

You can add up to 99 different profiles, which will be stored in alphabetical order. To view a profile, use the Edit button.

See also:

• 	Using Configuration Profiles


Set Profile Properties

Use this screen to:

• 	Assign a name to your wireless profile.

• 	Select the Network Type to identify the type of wireless connection for this profile.

• 	Peer-to-Peer Group

• 	Access Point

• 	Residential Gateway


Identify Network

Use this screen to identify the Network Name of the wireless network to which you wish to connect your computer.

• 	When connecting to a Base Station, consult the LAN Administrator of the network for the correct value, or use the Scan button to retrieve a list of open wireless networks.

• 	When connecting to a Peer-to-Peer Group, consult one of the workgroup participants for the correct value.

Valid value is a case-sensitive string of ASCII printable characters with a maximum of 32 characters. The value ANY will allow your computer to connect to the first open Base Station network that it can find.

NOTE

In environments with third-party wireless products, this parameter is also referred to as ESSID.


Security Settings

Use this screen to:

• 	Enable or disable wireless data Encryption.

• 	Enter the encryption key that applies in your network.

You can enter key values in either Alphanumeric Value or Hexadecimal Value. The encryption key value is case-sensitive.

Consult your LAN Administrator for the correct value.

NOTE

When setting up a new network the defaults are:

• 	Disabled for Access Point devices.

• 	Enabled for Residential Gateway devices, where the default key matches the last 5 characters of the Network Name printed on a label on the Residential Gateway.


Card Power Management

Use this screen to:

• 	Enable Power Management for low power consumption and wireless performance.

• 	Disable Power Management for default power consumption and high wireless performance (default).

NOTE

Power Management is only supported in Base Station networks.


TCP/IP Behavior

Use this screen to control the TCP/IP protocol behavior when switching from one wireless profile to another.

Enable this option when your profiles connect to networks with a different TCP/IP Subnet. For example your home network and a corporate network.

As most DHCP servers assign an IP Address lease for 24 hours, your network connection might not work due to an IP Address mismatch when moving between two different network spaces. Enabling this option will ensure your IP Address will be renewed every time you select this profile.


NT Adapter Settings

Use this screen to resolve hardware resource conflicts if the Windows NT operating system does not assign these resources automatically.

• 	I/O Base Address

• 	Interrupt Request (IRQ)

In normal situations, the default values 0400 and 10 will work just fine.


RTS/CTS

From june 2001 this information can no longer be adjusted in the driver. From now on the settings from the Access Point will be used.

See also:

• 	RTS/CTS Medium Reservation


Interference Robustness

From june 2001 this information can no longer be adjusted in the driver. From now on the settings from the Access Point will be used.

See also:

• 	Interference Robustness


Distance Between APs

From june 2001 this information can no longer be adjusted in the driver. From now on the settings from the Access Point will be used.

See also:

• 	Distance Between APs


Using Configuration Profiles

To allow easy recognition, you can assign your own names to each profile.

Before you can start using Configuration Profiles, you have to add a Configuration Profile for each wireless network environment that you want to participate in with your (mobile) Wireless Client Station.

If you plan to use your Wireless Client Station in multiple networking environments that require different configuration settings, you can define dedicated profiles for each environment.

For example you can create a Configuration Profile for:

• 	your office head quarters

• 	a branch-office

• 	your home or  SOHO

After creating configuration profiles, you can easily switch your station from one wireless network to another by selecting one of the profiles.


Network Type

To connect a wireless computer to a network, you will need to identify how you wish to establish the connection.

• 	Peer-to-Peer Group

• 	To connect to a Base Station Network select the type of Base Station:

• 	Access Point

• 	Residential Gateway


I/O Base Address

This specifies the I/O base address to be used by the adapter.

You can select an address from the range of I/O Base addresses in the pull-down list.

Default value is 0400-0437.

IMPORTANT:

To determine which resource settings are available, run the Windows NT Diagnostics program prior to installing the Wireless Network Interface driver. If you did not do so yet, abort the driver installation and run the Windows NT Diagnostics program now.

For more detailed information please consult the documentation that came with your Windows NT System.


Interrupt Request (IRQ)

This specifies the interrupt number to be used by the adapter.

You can select a IRQ value from the range of Interrupt Requests in the pull-down list.

Default value is 10.

IMPORTANT:

To determine which resource settings are available, run the Windows NT Diagnostics program prior to installing the Wireless Network Interface driver. If you did not do so yet, abort the driver installation and run the Windows NT Diagnostics program now.

For more detailed information please consult the documentation that came with your Windows NT System.


Basic Troubleshooting

If you cannot connect your Wireless Client Station to the network, the first troubleshooting hint is to verify LED activity of the Wireless Network Interface. The LEDs may show the following behavior:

• 	Power LED on, Transmit/Receive LED off

• 	Power LED on, Transmit/Receive LED flickering

• 	Both LEDs blink once every 10 seconds

• 	Power LED is Flickering

• 	No LED Activity

If there is LED activity, run the Client Manager diagnostic tool on your station to:

• 	Run the Link Test to verify the quality of wireless network interface radio communications with the network.

• 	Run the Card diagnostics to investigate and/or resolve version mismatch of the various wireless network interface software components installed on your computer

NOTE

To isolate a potential conflict without unintentionally creating another one, you are advised to change only one value at the time.


Power LED on, Transmit/Receive LED off

This LED status indicates normal operation:

• 	The Wireless Network Interface is powered on

• 	The Transmit/Receive LED indicates there is no activity on the wireless network.

The absence of activity on the Wireless Network Interface might be related to the fact that:

• 	You moved out of Wireless Range of the Base Station(s) that could provide access to the selected network.

• 	There are no Wireless Client Stations in the Wireless Range of your computer to participate in the selected Peer-to-Peer Group.

• 	The Base Station(s) that could provide access to the selected network has (have) a problem (e.g. power is off).


Power LED on, Transmit/Receive LED flickering

This LED status indicates normal operation:

• 	The Wireless Network Interface is powered on

• 	The Transmit/Receive LED indicates activity on the wireless network.

If the radio of your Wireless Network Interface seems to communicate with other radio devices, but does not succeed in actually connecting to the network (i.e. the power and radio LED shows normal activity), you may need to verify whether your operating system installed the correct Network Protocol Settings.


Both LEDs blink once every 10 seconds

This LED indicates that the Wireless Network Interface is powered on and working properly, but it is not able to establish a wireless connection to the wireless network.

Possible causes might be:

• 	Your wireless station is outside the Wireless Range of the Base Station(s) that could provide you access to the selected network.

• 	The Wireless Network Interface of your station has been configured with an incorrect Network Name and/or Encryption settings.

• 	By mistake you selected a configuration profile on your wireless station, that does not belong to the wireless network that you want to connect to.

• 	The Base Station(s) that could provide access to the selected network has (have) been configured to deny access to stations that use the value ANY as their Network Name.

Contact your LAN Administrator for information about the correct values of the parameter settings that apply in your network.


No LED Activity

If there is absolutely no LED activity on the Power LED and Receive/Transmit LED of the Wireless Network Interface, this may be due to one of the following reasons:

• 	The Wireless Network Interface device is not properly connected to your computer.

• 	No driver was installed to allow communication between your computer and the wireless network interface.

• 	You are using a wireless network interface in combination with an ISA ORiNOCO Tools, but you did not yet "introduce" the adapter to your computer using the "Add New Hardware" option on the Control Panel.


Power LED is Flickering

A flickering Power LED identifies that you enabled the Card Power Management option for the Wireless Network Interface of a Wireless Client Station (Advanced Settings).


Network Protocol Settings

Subject to the type and version of your Windows operating system, the correct protocol may or may not be installed automatically when installing the  wireless network interface. Network protocols are for example:

• 	TCP/IP

• 	NetBEUI

• 	IPX/SPX

To verify your network protocol settings:

1.	Click Start, select Settings, then select Control Panel.

2.	Double-click the Network icon to open the Network properties window.

3.	Display the list of network components installed protocols for your 	 wireless	network interface.

• 	When using Windows 95/98, scroll down the list of items in the tab Configuration.

• 	When using Windows NT, select the tab Protocols.

4.	Contact your network administrator for information about:

• 	Which protocols should be included in the list.

• 	What property settings should apply for each of these protocols.

5.	(Optional) Click the:

• 	Add button to add a missing protocol.

• 	Properties button to view/modify the protocol settings.


Troubleshooting Windows NT

Unfortunately, the Windows NT Diagnostics program does not always show a 100% accuracy in displaying which resources were claimed by other hardware. In exceptional cases you may encounter difficulty installing your  Wireless Network Interface despite the fact that you ran the Windows NT Diagnostics.

In this case you might run into a Hardware Conflict even though you selected values for your wireless network interface that, according to the Windows NT Diagnostics, did not seem to be used by another device. When this is the case you may notice one of the following events:

• 	You are perhaps using a wireless network interface card in combination with an ISA Adapter Card, but you did not yet "introduce the ISA adapter" to your computer using the "Devices" option on the Control Panel to enable the "Start PCMCIA device at boot" option.

• 	Another Device does no longer work after the installation of your wireless network interface.


Another Device does no longer work

In case another device does no longer work after you installed the  Wireless Network Interface, you may have run into a Hardware Conflict. You can verify whether this is caused by the wireless network interface, simply by removing the interface and rebooting the computer:

• 	When the problem persists, the problem is not caused by the wireless network interface.

• 	When the other device functions properly again after removing the 	 wireless	network interface, one of the following two causes may apply:

• 	The resources were already claimed upon booting the device, by a resource setting in the BIOS or CMOS of your computer, or

• 	The driver software of the conflicting device did not notify the Windows NT operating system of its claim upon specific resources.

This means that if you selected resources that appeared to be available according to the Windows NT Diagnostics program, these settings were already claimed by the conflicting device.

In both cases you are encouraged to try alternative values for your wireless network interface to see whether these new values might help solving your problem. Upon doing so, you are advised to change only one parameter at a time.


Hardware Conflict

A conflict of the NT Adapter Settings of your Wireless Network Interface with another device in your computer.

If you encounter difficulty in connecting your computer using the Wireless Network Interface in a Windows NT environment, the cause is often related to hardware device settings, which prevent the driver from loading properly. In such situations you are advised to explore the following hints, prior to contacting Technical Support.

• 	Verify the settings of the BIOS that is loaded when you (re)start your computer.

• 	Try alternative I/O Base Address values for your wireless network interface. An I/O Base address conflict is most often perceived as no LED activity on the wireless network interface. In some cases an I/O Base conflict might result in hanging the system with a "blue-screen" error.

• 	Try alternative Interrupt Request (IRQ) values for your wireless network interface. An IRQ conflict is most often perceived as little LED activity: Power LED on, Receive/Transmit LED off. When running the Client Manager diagnostic tool, it will display that the radio communications are good, but the Base Station is not displayed with its proper name and is identified by its MAC Address only. When you would select the Link Test diagnostics, you will see that all dynamic indicators are blank.

In most cases selecting either a different I/O Base Address or IRQ value will help you resolve the issue.


Windows NT Diagnostics

This program that is included with the Windows NT operating system, is a tool that enables you to determine which system resources are used hardware installed into your computer.

Running this program will help you to find out whether the factory-set defaults of your  wireless network interface have already been claimed by other hardware devices. If so, this program will also help you to determine which alternative values supported by your wireless network interface are available.

To minimize the risk of hardware conflicts, you are advised always to run this program always prior to installing new hardware.

Consult the Windows documentation for more information about Windows NT Diagnostics.


Operating Systems that support 'Plug & Play'

The following operating systems support 'Plug and Play' for the wireless network interface:

• 	Microsoft Windows 95

• 	Microsoft Windows 95 OSR2

• 	Microsoft Windows 98 & 98 Second Edition (SE)

• 	Microsoft Windows Millenium Edition (ME)

• 	Microsoft Windows 2000


Operating Systems that do not support 'Plug & Play'

The following operating systems do not support 'Plug and Play' for the  wireless network interface:

• 	Microsoft Windows NT v3.51

• 	Microsoft Windows NT workstation v4.0

• 	Microsoft Windows for Workgroups (v3.x)

These operating systems are not able to dynamically allocate system resources such as I/O Base addresses and/or Interrupt Request (IRQ) values to your new hardware.

This means that prior to installing new hardware on such systems, you will need to determine which system resources have been claimed by other devices prior to selecting the resource settings for your  wireless network interface. Failing to do so might lead to an I/O Base address conflict and/or IRQ conflict which might prevent your card or the other device from operating properly.

To determine which resource settings are available:

• 	Run the Windows NT Diagnostics program prior to installing the wireless network interface driver.

• 	Verify the contents of your computer's BIOS or CMOS.


Hexadecimal Value

A hexadecimal number is a numeric value that can include both numeric and a limited number of alphabetical characters.

Hexadecimal values can be selected from the following sequence:

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F

Where 0 identifies the lowest value, and F the highest value of the hexadecimal range.

In most occurrences where hexadecimal values apply, you will be able to distinguish the hexadecimal values from standard numerical values.

For example:

• 	3F2C will identify a four-digit hexadecimal value

• 	1234 will most probably identify a four-digit numerical value.

Usually hexadecimal values are identified by a trailing 'h', to allow you to distinguish a hexadecimal value from a numerical value. For example:

• 	1234 'h will identify a four-digit hexadecimal value, where.

• 	1234 will identify a four-digit numerical value.

In case of doubt, consult the user documentation or online helpfile of your product, to find out which type of value applies in a specific situation.

See also: Translating Hex & ASCII values


Alphanumeric Value

An alphanumeric value is a value that can include both:

• 	Numeric values in the range of '0-9' and

• 	Alphabetical characters in the range of 'a-z'.

For example: AP2on2ndfloor.

Usually alphanumeric values are applied to specify a name or password, where the use of both alphabetical and numerical characters expands the flexibility to enter a name or value of your choice.

When used for passwords, alphanumerical characters expand the number of possible code-combinations for each single character.

For example:

• 	Numerical values would allow you to select from 10 different values per character only, in the range of '0-9'.

• 	Alphabetical values would allow you to select from 26 different values per character only, in the range of 'a-z'. or maximum 52 when the characters would be case-sensitive: 'a-z', and 'A-Z'.

• 	Alphanumerical characters enable you to select from 36 different values per character,  in the range of '0-9' and 'a-z'.  When the field value would be case-sensitive, the number of values per character would be 62:character you could select from a value in the range of '0-9', 'a-z', and 'A-Z'.

See also: Translating Hex & ASCII values


Translating Hex & ASCII values

When your network includes computers equipped with wireless adapters from different manufacturers, you may encounter difficulty entering the encryption keys because one system might require you to enter a Hexadecimal Value where the other system prompts you to specify an Alphanumeric Value.

You can use the table below to translate such values to a valid equivalent for the other system.

NOTE

Encryption Key strings are case-sensitive!

Example: If your Encryption Key reads: "Key2Z" the hexadecimal equivalent would be: "4B657932A"

Alphanumeric
 Hex
Alphanumeric
 Hex
A
41
a
61
B
42
b
62
C
43
c
63
D
44
d
64
E
45
e
65
F
46
f
66
G
47
g
67
H
48
h
68
I
49
i
69
J
4A
j
6A
K
4B
k
6B
L
4C
l
6C
M
4D
m
6D
N
4E
n
6E
O
4F
o
6F
P
50
p
70
Q
51
q
71
R
52
r
72
S
53
s
73
T
54
t
74
U
55
u
75
V
56
v
76
W
57
w
77
X
58
x
78
Y
59
y
79
Z
A
z
7A
Spacebar
20
0
30
!
21
1
31
"
22
2
32
#
23
3
33
$
24
4
34
%
25
5
35
&
26
6
36
'
27
7
37
(
28
8
38
)
29
9
39
*
2A
:
3A
+
2B
;
3B
,
2C
<
3C
-
2D
=
3D
.
2E
>
3E
/
2F
?
3F
[
5B
@
40
5C
]
5D
^
5E
_
5F
`
60
7B
|
7C
7D
~
7E
Del.
7F


RTS

Request To Send. RTS is part of medium reservation mechanism.


CTS

Clear To Send. CTS is part of medium reservation mechanism.


MAC

Medium Access Control


MAC Address

16-digit hexadecimal identification number for networking products.

Every networking device is identified by a unique factory-set number that can not be changed is also referred to as the 'Universal MAC Address'.

• 	The  MAC Address of a Wireless Client Station  is printed on a label on the backside of the hardware.

• 	Base Station type devices may have more than one MAC Address:

• 	One MAC Address for the wired Ethernet interface of the device, printed on a label on the Base Station, and

• 	A MAC Address for the ORiNOCO interface of the Base Station.

The wireless MAC Address corresponds with the value printed on a label on the backside of the card inside the Base Station.


WEP

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).

IEEE 802.11 compliant encryption scheme based on the RC4 algorithm that is used to secure wireless data.


IP Address

Internet Protocol (IP)

32-bit address assigned to hosts using TCP/IP. An IP address belongs to one of five classes (A, B, C, D, or E) and is written as 4 octets separated by periods (dotted decimal format).

Each address consists of a network number, an optional subnet number, and a host number. The network and subnet numbers together are used for routing, while the host number is used to address an individual host within the network or subnet of the network. A Subnet Mask is used to extract network and subnet information from the IP address.


SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol. A network protocol that can be used to manage networks locally, or world-wide via the internet.


Serial Number

The unique Identification Number of the product. The Serial Number is printed on a label that you can find on the product.


TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol


UDP

User Datagram Protocol.


BIOS

Basic I/O System (sometimes also referred to as CMOS)

This system is loaded first each time you (re)start your computer. It usually contains basic information about devices and ports installed into your computer. Examples of such settings are:

• 	System clock, which determines the date and time settings on your computer

• 	Type and number of Hard Disk Drives

• 	Type and device settings of Parallel and Serial ports

• 	Type and device settings of "on-board" audio cards and/or Ethernet interfaces

The number of settings defined in the BIOS and/or the ability to view or modify these settings may differ from one computer to another.

To access the BIOS or CMOS you typically need to press a specific key when (re)starting your computer. For most computer systems this is either the F1 function key, or the "Delete" key, other systems may use a custom key. Consult the user documentation that came with your computer for more information about accessing the BIOS, and instructions for viewing/modifying settings for your computer.


NetBEUI

A Microsoft proprietary protocol that is often used in small networking environments. It allows end-users to share resources on their computers by providing 'peer-to-peer' access. This protocol is required to use 'disk-sharing' or allow other users to print files on a printer connected directly to your computer.


Fragmentation

When transmitting data via the wireless network, your Wireless Network Interface will automatically split up the file or message in a number of different packets, that are re-assembled again by the communication partner.

ORiNOCO Products use standard IEEE 802.11 compatible frame lengths, where different lengths apply for each Transmit Rate. Fragmentation will apply alternative (usually shorter) frame lengths to split and reassemble the wireless data frames.


IPX/SPX

A networking protocol that is commonly used in networking environments that use the Novell Netware network operating system.


Radius Server Access Control

Radius = Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service.

A security mechanism based on a protocol exchange between a Base Station and dedicated server that contains a central database of computer stations that are allowed to access the network.

Authorized stations are identified by the unique Universal MAC Address of their network PC Card.


Access Control Table

The Access Control Table can be used as a security mechanism to restrict access to the wireless network by means of identifying "authorized" stations by the unique MAC Address of their network interface. This user-defined list is typically built and maintained by the LAN Administrator.

The list of MAC Addresses can be created and maintained either on:

• 	All Base Stations in your network, or

• 	A central database that is stored in a dedicated Radius Server.

To build an Access Control Table you can use your Base Station Management Tool.

The Access Control Table is loaded into the Base Station as part of an configuration upload.


Beacon Message

Beacon messages are management frames transmitted by a Base Station at regular intervals. The purpose of Beacon messages is to support Roaming wireless devices.

A beacon message contains information that:

• 	Identifies the wireless network and

• 	Informs the wireless computing device about the quality of its radio connection with the various Wireless Client Stations throughout the wireless network.

Wireless devices that roam between different physical locations, will use the Beacon information to determine if and when they should (try to) connect to another Base Station. This will avoid that wireless devices moving away from the Base Station might lose their network connection.

To receive and interpret a Beacon message, the Wireless Client Station must be configured with identical identification parameters as the Base Station interface that transmitted the Beacon message. Wireless devices equipped with an PC Card must be configured with an identical Network Name.


Beacon interval

Base Station devices transmit Beacon Messages at an interval of approximately 10 beacons/second.


Association

Association refers to the process where a Wireless Client Station establishes a connection to a Base Station that provides access to an IEEE 802.11 infrastructure.connection applies to the "physical" networking layer only: i.e. it involves nothing more than for example pulling a cable between a wired computer and the wiring closet.

To access networking data, the end-user would still need a login name and login password as implemented by most of today's network operating systems.


Trap Host

Station in an SNMP managed network, where SNMP trap messages are collected.


FCS

Frame Check Sequence.


PDU

Protocol Data Unit


MPDU

MAC Protocol Data Unit


MSDU

MAC Service Data Unit


MIB

Management Information Base


CSMA/CD

Carrier Sense Multiple Access Control, Collision Detect.

Reactive mechanism used by wired network devices to detect collisions of transmitted frames. The CSMA/CD mechanism is based on starting transmissions without sensing whether the medium is free, and only detect frames that failed as a result of a collision.


ICMP

Internet Control Message Protocol


BPDU

Bridge Protocol Data Unit (also referred to as Configuration BPDU).


Root Bridge

The Bridge that has the lowest Bridge priority level in a Spanning Tree topology.


Designated Bridge

In a Spanning Tree configuration, the LAN is usually split up into multiple LAN segments. The Designated Bridge is the bridge that will forward all packets from bridges residing on the same LAN segment to the Root Bridge or bridges residing in other LAN segments and vice versa.

The Designated Bridge is usually the one closest to the Root Bridge.


Root Port

In a Spanning Tree configuration, each bridge unit will identify which bridge port provides the shortest path to the Designated Bridge on the LAN segment and the Designated Bridge on the LAN.


Spanning Tree

In complex network topologies, the Spanning Tree option enables you to enhance data traffic efficiency, and eliminate the possibility of data loops.

With the spanning tree algorithm, all bridges on the LAN exchange special configuration messages (PDU's) that allow them to:

• 	Select a single bridge among all bridges in the connected LAN segments to be the Root Bridge

• 	Calculate the distance of the shortest path from them-selves to the root bridge.

• 	select a Designated Bridge in each LAN segment that will forward packets between that LAN segment and the root bridge.

• 	Select a Root Port among all ports of the bridge unit.

This way bridges will dynamically discover a loop-free subset of the LAN topology (a tree), that provides the most efficient level of connectivity between every pair of physically connected Local Area Network segments.

If the 'shortest data path' fails, (for example as a result of a physical breakdown), the Spanning Tree will automatically rebuild the topology within the confines of the available bridged LAN components.


SNR

The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is the primary diagnostic counter to diagnose wireless performance. SNR indicates the relative strength of the received Signal Level compared to the Local Noise Level.

In most environments, SNR is a good indicator for the quality of the radio link between transmitter and receiver. A higher SNR value means a better quality radio link. The color coding of the SNR-bar indicates the link quality.


Noise Level

Noise Level reflects the level of local background noise as measured at the Wireless Network Interface.

Noise can be indicated as Local Noise (close to the monitoring station) or  Remote Noise  (close to the Link Test partner)

Possible sources of interference can be:

• 	Theft Protection Devices

• 	Cordless Phones

• 	Microwave Ovens

• 	Pager Systems

This counter reflects only the Noise Level value (in %) of the latest frame that was received on this interface.

When the value displayed changes dynamically, the likely cause will be that there are multiple wireless stations communicating to this wireless interface, where the communications path of one or more stations to Base Station suffers from interference, and  the communications path of the other stations is 'clean'.

Use the Client Manager Link Test to investigate the communications quality between each Wireless Client Station and this Base Station.

The Noise Level, as well as the Signal Level, is expressed in decibel milliwatt (dBm) and has a negative value. The lower (= more negative) the value, the weaker the Noise.

When the source of interference is identified, eliminate the source of interference, or use this indicator to optimize station or antenna placement for optimal wireless performance.


Local Noise

The level of radio interference as measured in the vicinity of your wireless computer.


Remote Noise

The level of radio interference as measured in the vicinity of the remote station (for example your 'Link Test Partner' or the current).


Signal Level

Signal Level indicates the strength of the wireless signal as received at the Wireless Network Interface. As the wireless system may perform quite well even when the signal level is low, the primary indicator to diagnose the communications quality is the level of SNR.

When the value displayed changes dynamically, the likely cause will be that there are multiple stations communicating to this Base Station, where one or more stations may be on the fringe of the radio coverage area of the Base Station suffers from interference, and the other stations are close to the Base Station.

Use the Client Manager or AP Manager Link Test to investigate the communications quality of each Wireless Client Station connected to this Base Station.

The Signal Level, as well as the Noise Level, is expressed in decibel milliwatt (dBm) and has negative values. The lower (= more negative) the value, the weaker the signal. Normal operating range is between -10 and -100.


Roaming

The movement by a mobile Wireless Client Station among multiple wireless cells. The wireless network can locate the wireless station as it 'roams', and provides continuing service to that station.

When moving away from its current Base Station, your network interface will automatically connect to another Base Station when the quality of radio communications require it do so, in order to maintain the network connection.


SOHO

Small Office/Home Office

A SOHO network is typically a relatively small network that comprises up to 10 wireless and/or wired computers.

Occasionally a SOHO network uses a shared connection to an Internet Service Provider to provide internet access to individual workstations.


LED

The acronym LED (Light Emitting Diode) represents the indicator light on that you can find on most ORiNOCO devices.


Access Control

A security feature for Base Stations that enables you to restrict wireless access to Base Stations to authorized stations only.

Authorized stations are identified by the MAC address of their ORiNOCO PC Card in a so-called 'Access Control Table' file that is loaded into the ORiNOCO Base Stations as part of the configuration

When Access Control is enabled, the Base Station will ignore all requests to forward data to/from ORiNOCO devices that are not identified in the Access Control Table. You can create or edit Access Control Table files using either your Base Station Management Tool or the Client Manager program.


Basic Access Network

A basic access network consists of a small sized wireless LAN, with no connections via gateways or routers. The number of Base Stations in this network typically varies between 1 and 5. The administrator stations need to have the TCP/IP protocol stack loaded and use IP addressing to configure and monitor the Base Stations. IP addressing and the TCP/IP protocol are not strictly necessary for client stations.


BOOTP

(Bootstrap Protocol)

The standard protocol that is used to configure systems across internetworks.


Bridge in

The total number of data packets arriving at the Base Station from the LAN segment served by the selected wireless network interface.

This number reflects the sum of Unicast and Non-Unicast packets.


Broadcast

Messages transmitted by a single station (typically a server) to all stations on the network. This type of traffic is also referred to as Non-Unicast messages.


Bytes in

The number of bytes (octets) received at the Base Station from the LAN segment served by the selected wireless network interface, including framing characters.


CSMA/CA

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.active mechanism used by wireless network devices to avoid collisions of wireless transmissions. The CSMA/CA mechanism is based on sensing whether the medium is free prior to starting transmissions. If the medium is not free, the wireless device will defer its transmission using a random time-out counter until the medium becomes available again.


DHCP

(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

DHCP is a Microsoft proprietary extension to the existing bootstrap protocol (BOOTP). DHCP enables a LAN administrator to have a network server configure workstations with an IP Address dynamically without further intervention.

A dynamically assigned IP Address is referred to as an 'Active Lease'. The Active Lease usually has an expiry date, which allows re-allocation of IP addresses that are no longer used.

For Base Stations you are advised to use a specific IP address for which there is no expiry date. To do so, you can use your DHCP management program to reserve the IP address or a range of IP addresses.

For network devices that require a specific IP address, or for which you do not want the 'IP address lease' to expire, you can use a DHCP Management program to reserve their IP addresses. This is the case with your Base Stations.

Once a range of IP addresses has been reserved, you can use the values in this range to assign to your ORiNOCO system.

The Unique Identifier is the Media Access Control address (MAC Address) for the DHCP Client. The Client Name should be the computer name for the DHCP Client. However, this name is used for identification purposes in the DHCP Manager interface and, therefore, does not have to be and will not affect the actual computer name.

To see which IP addresses are still available, your DHCP Management program will usually include a 'Scope Active Leases' option. This option allows you to see which DHCP Clients have leased an IP address from the DHCP Server.


Firmware

Basic operating software for ORiNOCO Wireless Network Interface and Base Station that is factory-installed.

Occasionally firmware upgrades may become available when new functions or features are developed for your ORiNOCO Products.


Hidden Station Problem

A hidden station is a situation in which two Client Stations are within range of the same Base Station, but are not within range of each other.

The Hidden Station Problem illustrates an example of the "hidden station" problem. Both station A and station B are within range of the Base Station however, station B cannot "hear" station A, therefore station A is a "hidden station" for station B.

Figuur: The Hidden Station Problem

When station B starts to communicate with the Base Station, it might not notice that station A is already using the wireless medium. When station A and station B send messages at the same time, they might collide when arriving simultaneously at the Base Station. The collision will most certainly result in a loss of messages for both stations.

A situation in a wireless network, where communication fails despite the CSMA/CA mechanism. This problem may typically occur in networks where Base Stations are located at large distances from one another, and/or multiple wireless stations are located at the periphery of a wireless cell. such situations wireless stations are not able to adequately sense whether the medium is free, and might start transmissions simultaneously, resulting in a frame collision.


Initiator Station

The (remote) Base Station device that you selected to initiate a AP Manager  Link Test  with a wireless station connected to the selected Base Station.

The Remote Link Test Partner can either be a wireless station, or another Base Station device.


LAN Segment

A logical area within a network that is connected with other areas via a bridge.

For Base Station devices  these areas can either be an Ethernet or wireless segment.


Multicast

Messages transmitted by a single station (typically a server) to all stations on the network. This type of traffic is also referred to as Non-Unicast messages.


Non-Unicast packets out

The number of packets requested by higher level protocols, to be transmitted to a subnetwork-unicast address, typically Multicast or Broadcast messages. This number includes the frames that were discarded or not sent.


SNMP IP Access List

An advanced Security option that enables you to authorize SNMP management to a restricted group of SNMP Management stations.

To authorize a station to access the Base Station configuration or diagnostic information, you will need to add the IP address of that station to the so-called SNMP IP Access List.

When you enable the SNMP IP access option, the Base Station will deny all requests to read the configuration data or diagnostic tallies when the IP address of the requesting station is not registered in the SNMP IP access list.

You can use the SNMP IP Access List in combination with other security options such as the 'Read' and 'Read/Write' passwords.

To create or edit the SNMP IP Access List, use the SNMP tab of your Base Station Management Tool.


SNMP Trap Messages

SNMP trap messages are part of the trap host mechanism which can be used to inform a network administrator when somebody resets the Base Station unit, loads a new configuration into the Base Station, or performs a forced reload procedure.

The trap host alert message will enable the network administrator to verify whether this was an authorized action or not.

To receive the Trap Alert messages, the management station needs to have a standard Trap Host Agent installed to handle the trap messages.


Station Name

The station name is an optional parameter that may be used to designate wireless devices in the network. The name can help to identify a device in one of the ORiNOCO diagnostic utilities. A station name can consist of up to 31 alphanumeric characters.


AP Name

The name of the Base Station. The Base Station name is defined in the SNMP parameter settings in the Base Station configuration. You can display or modify these settings using the AP manager tool.


Storm Threshold

An advanced Bridge setup option that you can use to protect the network against data overload by:

• 	Specifying a maximum number of frames per second as received from a single network device (identified by its MAC address).

• 	Specifying an absolute maximum number of messages per port.

The 'Storm Threshold' parameters allow you to specify a set of thresholds for each port of the Base Station, identifying separate values for the number of broadcast messages/second and Multicast messages/second.

When the number of frames for a port or identified station exceeds the maximum value per second, the Base Station will ignore all subsequent messages issued by the particular network device, or ignore all messages of that type.


Subnet

A subnet is a logical sub-division of a Local Area Network that has been divided by means of routers or gateways. A subnet may include multiple LAN segments.

Each subnet is identified by the Subnet Mask.

NOTE

 In a wireless network that allows mobile wireless stations to roam between different cells, all Base Stations and wireless stations must be connected to the same LAN subnet."


TTL

(Time-To-Live)

An advanced IP Parameter Setup counter that you can you use to maintain network efficiency. The purpose of the Time To Live counter (TTL) is to avoid endless forwarding of message frames with an incorrect address that pollute the network medium.

The TTL defines a maximum number of passes per hop. Each time the frame is forwarded by a router, the TTL counter decreases by one. When the TTL = 0, the frame is rejected.


Unicast packets out

The number of bytes (octets) transmitted out to the interface.

This is 'true data' from station to station.


FCC

Federal Communications Commission (USA)


ETSI

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (Europe)


MPT

Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (Japan)


IC

Industry Canada


ESS

[Extended Service Set]

ESS is a parameter that is identified in the  IEEE 802.11 Standard for wireless LANs. In ORiNOCO  networks this parameter is referred to as Infrastructure Network.


Retransmission

Retransmission is a standard  IEEE 802.11 method of dealing with lost messages. In case a transmitting wireless computer does not receive an acknowledgment that a transmitted message was received, the station will try to transmit the message again. When the retransmission fails as well, your ORiNOCO computer will switch to a lower  Transmit Rate. using the Auto Fallback mechanism.


IEEE 802.11

IEEE 802.xx Standards define the access technologies for local and metropolitan area networks. IEEE Standards are developed and defined by the IEEE.

The IEEE 802.11 Standard is an interoperability standard for wireless LAN devices, that identifies three major distribution systems for wireless data communication:

• 	Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Radio Technology

• 	Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Radio Technology

• 	Infrared Technology

IEEE 802.11 compliant networking products that are based on the same type of distribution system are interoperable with one another regardless of the device's manufacturer.


IEEE

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Inc.

The IEEE is an organization that develops Standards for electrical and electronic equipment. IEEE Standards documents are developed within the Technical Committees of the IEEE Societies and the Standards Coordinating Committees of the IEEE Standards Board.

For more information, contact IEEE Customer Service at:

E-mail/Internet:
Customer.service@ieee.org
http://standards.ieee.org
Phone:
1.732.981.0060 (outside of the US and Canada)
Fax:
1.800.701.IEEE (within the US and Canada)
1.732.981-9667
Mail:
IEEE Customer Service
445 Hoes Lane, PO Box 1331
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 USA


USB

Universal Serial Bus


LAN Administrator Station

The LAN Administrator Station is the computer used for managing your Local Area Network


Primairy Base Station

In a network with multiple Residential Gateway Base Stations, one Base Station will act as the primary station. This primary Base Station will distribute IP addresses to each of the other secundary Base Stations. As the secundairy Base Stations will act as DHCP clients, the DHCP Server functionality must be disabled on these Base Station.


Secundairy Base Station

See Primairy Base Station.


ORiNOCO Products

The ORiNOCO product family is a comprehensive set of network equipment that enables you to build any type of network configuration, from a small independent wireless network to a large, completely wireless infrastructure.

The ORiNOCO products have been designed for interoperability with all other wireless LAN products that use the direct sequence radio technology, as identified in the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless LANs. ORiNOCO provides mobile broadband connection to IP/ Internet for enterprises, homes, and public areas.

In addition the ORiNOCO products will be certified with the Wi-Fi logo for proven interoperability with the major other 802.11 products.This means that your ORiNOCO hardware will communicate with other vendors' IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless LAN products.

The ORiNOCO product family includes:

• 	Products to create a Wireless Client Station

• 	Base Station

• 	ORiNOCO Tools

For more information about ORiNOCO Products, you can visit our Website.


Wireless Client Station

A wireless client stations is a computing device equiped with a Wireless Network Interface that can connect to a (wired) network infrastructure via  one or more Base Stations.

Alternatively, you can connect Wireless Client Stations to one another in a Peer-to-Peer Group to share files and printers.


Wireless Network Interface

ORiNOCO wireless network interfaces are not much different than the network interface for wired LANs. The operating system will not even notice the difference. The wireless network interface supports all protocols that are supported by standard Ethernet adapter cards.

Like wired network interfaces, ORiNOCO network interfaces are installed with a dedicated driver, but unlike wired network interfaces, ORiNOCO network interfaces do not need a cable to connect them to the network. Only wireless network interfaces allow you to relocate workstations without the need to change network cabling or connections to patch panels or hubs.

ORiNOCO wireless network interfaces support interoperability with other IEEE 802.11 compliant Direct Sequence radio devices.

ORiNOCO offers the following types of wireless network interface devices:

• 	PC Card

• 	Adapter Card

• 	USB Client


PC Card

The PC Card is a Wireless Network Interface that can be used with (mobile) computers that support the PC Card Type II slot. It has two LED indicators and two integrated antennas.

Optionally, you can use the ORiNOCO PC Card in combination with the following accessoires:

• 	Adapter Card

• 	Range Extender Antenna.


USB Client

The USB Client is a Wireless Network Interface that can be connected to computers with a USB port.

 The ORiNOCO  USB Client  has two LED indicators and two integrated antennas.


Base Station

ORiNOCO Base Stations are transparent bridge devices equipped with a Wireless Network Interface, that can be used to connect Wireless Client Stations to a (wired) network.

ORiNOCO offers the following types of Base Stations:

• 	Access Point 500

• 	Access Point 1000

• 	Residential Gateway

Each type of Base Station allows you to build a variety of Wireless Configurations


Access Point

ORiNOCO Access Points are transparent bridge devices to connect Wireless Client Stations to a (wired) network.

See also:

• 	Access Point 500

• 	Access Point 1000


Access Point 500

The Access Point 500 is a transparent bridge device equipped with:

• 	An integrated 128-Bit RC4 Network Interface to connect your wireless stations to a (wired) network.

• 	A 10Base-T Ethernet Interface, to provide Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks for Wireless Client Stations.

Optionally you can use the AP-500 in combination with a Range Extender Antenna.


Access Point 1000

The Access Point 1000 is a transparent bridge device equipped with:

• 	two PC Card Type II slots A and B, into which Wireless Network Interface PC Cards can be inserted to connect wireless stations to a (wired) network.

• 	A 10/100 Base-T Ethernet Interface, that can be used to connect your wireless network to an Ethernet network.

Optionally you can use the AP-1000 in combination with a Range Extender Antenna.


Residential Gateway

The Residential Gateway Base Station enables you to build various types of wireless network applications in your home or small office environment.

The following network options are available:

• 	Wireless networks

• 	Wireless to Internet via phone line (using the built-in 56k/V90 modem)

• 	Wireless to Internet via Ethernet connection (using an external cable/xDSL/ISDN modem)


Accessoires

• 	Adapter Card

• 	Range Extender Antenna


Adapter Card

To use the PC Card in a (desktop) computer that does not have a PC Card slot Lucent provides the dedicated ISA Adapter and PCI Adapter cards.


Range Extender Antenna

You can use the Range Extender Antenna to extend the Wireless Range of a ORiNOCO PC Card with approximately 15%.

Use of the Range Extender Antenna is recommended in situations where the integrated antenna of your ORiNOCO PC Card is shielded. For example:

• 	Objects, such as thick stacks of books (or other objects) shield the integrated antenna.

• 	Your computer is installed in a cabinet or underneath a table.

Use of the Range Extender Antenna is especially recommended for the ORiNOCO PC Card that is installed into a desktop computer, or in an Access Point.


ORiNOCO Tools

The ORiNOCO software suite consists of a set of management tools that enables you to:

• 	Configure Wireless Client Stations and Base Stations.

• 	Diagnose the network performance and, if necessary, identify and solve network errors.

• 	Manage and optimize network performance.

The ORiNOCO software suite consists of the following tools:

• 	Client Manager

• 	Base Station Management Tool

The ORiNOCO tools can be installed on stations that run the Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT (v.4.0) operating systems. The ORiNOCO Client Manager also runs on a Windows 2000 platform.


Base Station Management Tool

Subject to the type of Base Station that you are using for your network, one or more of the following management tools can be used:

Base Station Type
Management Tool
Access Point
AP Manager
Access Point
PRO Manager
Outdoor Router
OR Manager
Residential Gateway
Setup Utility


Client Manager

The ORiNOCO Client Manager is a diagnostic tool for Wireless Client Stations.

The tool provides the following options:

• 	Card Diagnostics:
This option enables you to investigate the operation of the Wireless Network Interface used by the Wireless Client Station.

• 	Link Test:
This option enables you to monitor the wireless communication with Wireless Client Stations in a single wireless cell (for example Peer-to-Peer Groups).

• 	Site Monitor:
This option enables you to verify and optimize placement of your Base Station(s) to provide seamless wireless coverage for Roaming mobile Wireless Client Stations.

The Client Manager runs on Microsoft Windows 95/ 98, ME, 2000 & NT 4.0.


AP Manager

The ORiNOCO AP Manager is primarily a tool for LAN administrators or system supervisors. You can use the AP_Manager program to configure Access Points and to monitor the performance of your wireless network. It can be run on any station in the network, either wired or wireless.

The AP Manager Tool must be installed on a computer that is identified as the ''manager station'' (typically the computer that the LAN Administrator will use to manage his network).

The tool can run on both wired stations (Ethernet) and wireless stations. To run diagnostic measurements, the LAN administrator station must be connected to the network infrastructure that allows the station to access the Access Point using the TCP/IP protocol.

The AP Manager is a tool that can only be run on  wireless or wired stations that use Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000 or Windows NT.


PRO Manager

The ORiNOCO PRO Manager is a tool specially designed for HP Open View systems. The PRO Manager enables you to:

• 	Configure Access Points.

• 	Display and modify the configuration of Access Points.

• 	Diagnose the network performance and, if necessary, identify and solve network errors.

• 	Manage and optimize network performance.


OR Manager

The ORiNOCO OR Manager is a software tool primarily for use by LAN administrators or system supervisors. You can use the OR Manager program to configure ORiNOCO Outdoor Routers, to monitor the performance of your wireless network, and for analysis of links between two wireless stations. It can be run on any station in the network, either wired or wireless.


Setup Utility

The Residential Gateway Setup Utility is a software tool for setting up a home/small office network using a Residential Gateway Base Station.


ORiNOCO Tools and other Products

You may not always be able to use the ORiNOCO Tools in combination with products of other vendors, due to the following reasons:

• 	The IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless LANs does not identify standards for diagnostic or management tools; i.e. each vendor may have designed a customized tool to configure and/or manage the IEEE 802.11 wireless network.

• 	The ORiNOCO software suite has been designed to offer an enhanced set of tools to monitor and analyze a wide range of diagnostic tallies.

• 	Some of these tools require additional functions in the hardware that (by default) is supported by all ORiNOCO Products, but may not be supported by the other vendors' products.

If other vendors' products do not allow you to display communications quality or configuration parameters using the ORiNOCO software suite, please refer to the documentation that was shipped with the other vendors' product.


Uninstalling ORiNOCO Software

If you wish to remove the ORiNOCO software from the ORiNOCO LAN administrator station you can use the "Add/Remove" function of your Windows operating system.

To uninstall ORiNOCO software:

1.	On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button.

2.	Click on Settings and then Control Panel.

3.	On the Control Panel window, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

4.	Select the ORiNOCO management program that you wish to uninstall, and click the Add/Remove button.

The Add/Remove option will remove program files only. If you have stored log files in the program files directory, these files will not be removed.


Wireless Configurations

Subject to the size and requirements, a wireless network can be identified by either one of the following configuration types:

• 	Peer-to-Peer Group

• 	Stand Alone Configuration

• 	Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks

• 	Multiple Access Point Configuration

• 	Multiple Channel Configuration


Peer-to-Peer Group

A Peer-to-Peer group is a group of Wireless Client Station communicate directly to one another, without intervention of a Base Station or network infrastructure.

Peer-to-Peer networks are typically small networks where:

• 	Wireless computers use for example Microsoft file and printer sharing to exchange data directly.

• 	Co-workers can quickly set up an ad-hoc workgroup while on the road or in a temporary workplace.

See also: Base Station Network


Base Station Network

A Base Station network is a wireless network where all wireless computers connect to one another or a larger network infrastructure via a dedicated Base Station.

Base Station Networks allow for larger wireless coverage, and more flexiblity in network design, as they can bridge data between:

• 	wireless stations, and

• 	wireless and wired infrastructures.

Base stations exist in different versions, allowing for a variey of network connections:

Stand Alone Configuration

Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks

Multiple Access Point Configuration


Stand Alone Configuration

A stand-alone configuration is the quickest and easiest way to set up a small wireless network. In this configuration only one Base Station is used, functioning as a relay that will forward the data communication from one Wireless Client Station to another within the same wireless cell. A server is not required, wireless stations can communicate like in a Peer-to-Peer Group, but in this configuration via a Base Station.

The wireless infrastructure is identified by a unique Network Name. All equipped devices that wish to connect to this network, must be configured with an identical Network Name.

Mobile wireless stations will maintain communication with the infrastructure as long as they remain within the Wireless Range of the Base Station in their network.


Wireless Access to Ethernet Networks

Connecting Base Stations to an Ethernet network, allows you to connect a number of Wireless Client Stations (mobile and/or desktop) to an existing Ethernet infrastructure, creating a larger coverage area.


Multiple Access Point Configuration

To extend the total wireless coverage area, you can setup a wireless network with multiple Access Points. To create multiple cell networks, the Access Points must be connected via a wired backbone.

The Access Points can serve mobile Wireless Client Stations Roaming between various locations within a network premises. Roaming wireless stations in a multiple Access Point configuration will:

• 	automatically switch between Access Points, when required, thus maintaining the wireless connection to the network.

• 	communicate with the infrastructure as long as they remain within the Wireless Range of the Base Stations in their network.

In multiple Access Point configurations with a high concentration of wireless stations, it may prove useful to setup a Multiple Channel Configuration.


Multiple Channel Configuration

By allocating different sub-Frequency Channels to neighboring Access Points, the Wireless Client Stations in each cell will be able to use the maximum bandwidth available to the cell. Wireless Client Stations that roam in a Multiple Access Point Configuration, will automatically adapt the operating frequency of their radio when required.

Such a multiple channel configuration may prove very useful in environments where:

• 	A high concentration of wireless stations are operational in the same vicinity of one another.

• 	The wireless client stations experience a performance decrease in terms of network response times as a result of the collision avoidance protocol

.

See also: Multiple Channel Configuration Requirements


Multiple Channel Configuration Requirements

The preferred channel separation between the Frequency Channels in neighboring cells is 25 MHz (5 channels). Subject to available shannels, this means that you can apply up to three different channels within your ORiNOCO network. Applying two channels that allow the maximum channel separation will decrease the amount of channel cross-talk, and provide a noticeable performance increase over networks with minimal channel separation.

When the number of selectable channels for a Wireless Network Interface sold in your country does not allow you to select such channels, you will not be able to benefit from this configuration option.

As is the case in any Roaming environment, you must configure all  Access Points in multiple channel configurations with an identical Network Name.


Dual Interface Configuration

A second PC Card inserted in the second slot of the Access Point 1000  will double the capacity of this Access Point. This option might be used in cases where a high rate of lost messages prevent fast data communication.


Residential Gateway Network

The Residential Gateway allows you to connect a SOHO network to the internet using either:

• 	The integrated v90 modem.

• 	An external device such as cable modem, ADSL modem or ISDN Router connected to the Ethernet port of the Residential Gateway.


Specifications and Features

Radio Specifications

• 	Wireless Range

• 	Transmit Rate

• 	Frequency Channel

Features

• 	Power Management

• 	Load Balancing

• 	Network Name

• 	Encryption

• 	64-bit WEP Network Interface

• 	128-Bit RC4 Network Interface


Wireless Range

When working close to each other, two wireless devices (devices equipped with a Wireless Network Interface) will communicate at the highest transmit rate as supported by both of the interfaces. However, communications at the highest Transmit Rate may not travel as far as transmissions at lower transmit rates. That's why the ORiNOCO wireless network interface provides an Auto Transmit Rate Select Mechanism.

When moving a way from each other, ORiNOCO wireless network interfaces will decrease their transmit rate automatically, but only if required to maintain the wireless connection. When moving closer to each other again, the Auto Transmit Rate Select Mechanism will automatically increase its transmit rate again to the highest possible Transmit Rate that will provide reliable communications.

For specific information about the range of ORiNOCO Wireless Network Interfaces in different environments, refer to the specifications in the documentation that comes with your product.


Transmit Rate

ORiNOCO Wireless Network Interfaces support the following Transmit Rates:

• 	11 MB/s

• 	5.5 MB/s

• 	2 MB/s

• 	1 MB/s

Your wireless network interface will try to send its data at the maximum available Transmit Rate whenever possible. With the Auto Transmit Rate Select Mechanism, your wireless network interface will dynamically determine and select the right Transmit Rate for optimal communications.

 See also:

Transmit Rate in Mixed Environments


Auto Transmit Rate Select Mechanism

In case a communication fails, the Wireless Network Interface will retransmit the 'lost message' at the same data speed. When the second attempt fails as well, the wireless interface will automatically switch to a Transmit Rate to attempt the transmission again. Transmissions at lower data speed may provide a larger Wireless Range, which may help in getting the message across.


Transmit Rate in Mixed Environments

If you are using ORiNOCO Products in "mixed" wireless environments, i.e. networks that include wireless LAN products from multiple vendors or manufacturers, your Wireless Network Interface will automatically adjust its Transmit Rate.

Your Wireless Network Interface will

• 	Operate at the highest possible Transmit Rate, if the third party wireless LAN product also comply with the:

• 	Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) certification as defined by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA).

• 	IEEE 802.11 standard for high-speed wireless LANs

• 	Switch back to the highest compatible Transmit Rate (typically 2 MB/s) as long as the third party product complies to the IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless LANs.


Frequency Channel

Your wireless network uses a 2.4 GHz radio that supports multiple channels.

• 	In a  Base Station network, each Wireless Client Station will automatically adopt the channel of the Base Station.

• 	In a Peer-to-Peer Group, each Wireless Client Station will automatically adopt the channel of workgroup. If your computer is the first station to start the  Peer-to-Peer Group, it will use the channel selected in the active profile.

See Also: Available Channels


Available Channels

The wireless network interface may support up to 14 radio frequency channels, as defined in the IEEE 802.11 Standard. The number of available channels is subject to radio regulations that apply in your country. In most countries these radio regulations will adhere to either the FCC or ETSI Standards.

To determine the channel set available for your Wireless Network Interface, read the Channel Set from the label on your product, or use the 'Card Diagnostics' option in the Client Manager.

See also:

• 	Channel Set FCC (World)

• 	Channel Set ETSI

• 	Channel Set for France

• 	Channel Set for Japan


Channel Set FCC (World)

FCC approved products support the following channels in the 2.4 GHz radio band

Frequency Channel
(MHz)
1
2412
2
2417
3
2422
4
2427
5
2432
6
2437
7
2442
8
2447
9
2452
10
2457
11
2462


ChannelSet ETSI

ETSI approved products support the following channels in the 2.4 GHz radio band.

Frequency Channel
(MHz)
ETSI
1
2412
X
2
2417
X
3
2422
X
4
2427
X
5
2432
X
6
2437
X
7
2442
X
8
2447
X
9
2452
X
10
2457
X
11
2462
X
12
2467
X
13
2472
X


Channel Set for France

Products approved for use in France support the following channels in the 2.4 GHz radio band.

Frequency Channel
(MHz)
10
2457
11
2462
12
2467
13
2472


Channel Setfor Japan

Products approved for use in Japan support the following channels in the 2.4 GHz radio bandR-F Frequency Band

Frequency Channel
(MHz)
Japan
1
2412
X
2
2417
X
3
2422
X
4
2427
X
5
2432
X
6
2437
X
7
2442
X
8
2447
X
9
2452
X
10
2457
X
11
2462
X
12
2467
X
13
2472
X
14
2484
X
Note: Earlier products may only support a single channel (14).


Load Balancing

In a Multiple Access Point Configuration, wireless stations may potentially associate with several Base Stations. In this type of configuration, the Load Balancing feature forces wireless stations to associate with Base Stations that are least busy. This will result in a more even distribution of Associations between (Roaming) stations and Base Stations, and increases the network's overall throughput.

NOTE

You don't have to enable Load Balancing, as it it is always on.


Network Name

The Network Name is used to logically connect Wireless Client Stations to the network, like cabling connects wired computers.

To allow wireless communication, all Wireless Client Stations must be configured with the same Network Name.


Encryption

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption enables you to encrypt all data that will be received via the Wireless Network Interface in order to prevent ''eavesdropping''.

To use encryption in your wireless network, all Wireless Client Stations and Base Stations, the encryption parameter must be enabled, and they must use the same encryption key.

You can specify up to 4 different keys to decrypt wireless data, and select one of the specified decryption key values to encrypt wireless data. This option allows you to change your WEP keys at regular intervals without affecting regular network performance.

See also:

64-bit WEP Network Interface

128-Bit RC4 Network Interface


64-bit WEP Network Interface

Wireless Network Interface that supports 64-bit WEP data encryption.

This type is also referred to as Silver Label.


128-Bit RC4 Network Interface

Wireless Network Interface that supports 128-Bit data encryption based on the RC4 algorithm.

This type is also referred to as Gold Label.


VoiceIP

The ORiNOCO Base Stations are transparent to SpectraLink Voice Priority (SVP) technology, allowing you to build high-speed wireless networks that deliver both voice and data to the end user.

The Spectralink NetLink Wireless Telephone System TM (NetLink WTS) is fully compatible with the 802.11b standard for data transmission as used by the ORiNOCO system.

Spectralink SVP technology prioritizes voice IP packets with minimal impact on throughput for data services and helps deliver excellent voice quality on converged wireless networks.

NOTE

For optimal performance of both data and voice services, Lucent advises to limit the number of wireless handsets to a maximum of 5 per wireless cell.

For more information see http://www.spectralink.com


Website

For information about ORiNOCO Products, or for downloading the latest device drivers, documentation and software updates, you can visit our website at:

http://www.orinocowireless.com


Interference Robustness

This (advanced) option can be activated in exceptional cases when troubleshooting slow performance of your wireless network that could be related to in-band interference with radio signal transmitting devices. Interference will usually show a poor Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) that is based upon a good Signal Level and a high Noise Level. This behavior is often perceived on Wireless Client Stations where:

• 	the "trouble" station or Access Point is close to a radio signal transmitting device (like a microwave oven), or

• 	a radio signal transmitting device is located in the signal path between the "trouble" stations and the Access Point.

NOTE

Wireless Client stations will automatically follow the setting of the Base Station.

CAUTION

This option should only be used in exceptional cases upon advice of an expert. When this setting is enabled without actual need, you might encounter unpredictable roaming behavior and/or connectivity problems.


Multicast Rate

For true data communication with wireless clients in its vicinity, the Base Station is able to determine the appropriate Auto Transmit Rate Select Mechanism for each client individually. For example in a network that includes Wireless Client Stations equipped with Wireless Network Interfaces that support different speeds, the Base Station can communicate at these speeds without additional configuration.

However when it comes to "anonymous data traffic" such as Multicast messages that must be transmitted to "all" Wireless Client Stations simultaneously the LAN Administrator must identify the correct Auto Transmit Rate Select Mechanism. For Multicast traffic, you are advised to use the Multicast Rate value 2 Mb/s, which is supported by all Wireless Network Interfaces.

Only use higher Multicast Rate values when:

• 	Your network environment includes wireless Turbo PC Cards only, and

• 	The physical placement of Access Points was based on the objective of creating a high performance wireless infrastructure with maximum data throughput, regardless of the total number of Base Stations required to build such a network.

• 	All locations where wireless (mobile) devices are operated, have been verified running with the Client Manager tool to provide a communications quality that is rated "Excellent" or "Good".

CAUTION

Selecting higher values than 2 Mbit/s in network environments that do not satisfy these requirements may result in Multicast messages getting lost. Subject to the type of network operating system in use, loss of Multicast messages may have serious impact on the connectivity and/or network performance of your wireless clients.


DTIM Period

The Delivery Traffic Indication Map (DTIM) parameter influences the handling of Multicast messages that need to be transmitted to the wireless medium.

Valid values: any digit in the range of 1 through 255.

Initial value =  1

Recommended value is '1'

• 	When the DTIM parameter is set to 1, the Access Point will deliver Multicast messages immediately following each Beacon Message (which is highly recommended setting in normal network environments).

• 	When the DTIM parameter is set to for example '5', the Base Station will buffer Multicast messages for the period of 5 Beacon intervals, and then deliver them immediately following the fifth Beacon Message.

The actual value that you select should be based on a tradeoff between:

• 	The delay applications and protocol stacks can endure for multicast messages, and

• 	The Power Management requirements of the Wireless Client Stations running applications and/or protocols stacks that need multicast messages.

See Also:

Power Management and Performance


Power Management

To extend the battery life of (mobile) Wireless Client Station, you can use this option to adjust the power consumption behavior of the Wireless Network Interface.

It is normal behavior of the wireless interface power LED to flicker while in power save mode. When Power Management is enabled, the station's network interface will go to "sleep" mode to minimize power consumption. But if the network interface would not scan for beacons and multicast messages coming from Access Points, it might lose its connection to the network during power save mode, and risk to be disconnected by the network operating system (subject to the settings of watchdog timers at the network servers). To stay connected, the network interface will "wake-up" at regular intervals to verify whether there is network traffic addressed to the wireless station.

If you disable Power Management, the interface power LED will be continuously green again to indicate continuous power consumption.

Power Management on Wireless Client Station requires support from Access Points, as these will need to buffer messages for wireless computers in "sleep mode". This will be done automatically for the wireless stations in power save mode. You do not need to "enable", and can not disable Power Management on Access Points for client stations that have been set to use Power Management.

See Also:

Power Management and Performance


Power Management and Performance

When a wireless station is in Power Management mode, all Base Stations will explore the wireless medium actively to determine which Base Station would be most suitable to store messages for this station. This will impose a more active use of the wireless medium, which might lead to more frequent transmission delays for your wireless stations, experienced as slower network response times when engaged in active file transfers over the network. Subject to the type of network communication of your wireless devices, you may need to wager wireless performance versus battery-life

Transaction Processing type of applications will hardly show any difference in network performance when using power management. Examples of this type of applications are Hand-held scanners, or mobile clients that use the wireless connection only to send and/or receive email.

When using a wireless computer to transfer (large) files over the network, such as copying and/or moving files from network drives to your local station and vice versa, you may experience longer network response times when you enable power management as well. The impact of power management on the throughput performance of your station will also depend on:

• 	The size of the transferred files

• 	The recurrence of the file transfer, like for example "auto save features" in Word Processors.

• 	The number of other wireless stations operational within the vicinity of your wireless computer.

When you experience a performance degradation in network response times for your wireless station, this typically implies that your network interface will spend more time in operational mode, resulting in less effective power management. In such cases you may wish to consider if disabling power management might result in better throughput performance.


Distance Between APs

You can use this screen to tune the software configuration of your Base Stations to match the actual density of Base Stations available in your infrastructure.

You can select from any of the following three options:

• 	Distance between APs is Large (default)

• 	Distance between APs is Medium

• 	Distance between APs is Small

Optionally you can use different setting per Base Station. For example in areas in your network where many users need wireless access simultaneously, you might use different settings than for areas where bandwidth requirements are low.

NOTE

Wireless Client stations will automatically follow the setting of the Base Station.


Distance between APs is Large

This setting is typically used for:

• 	Single-cell networks, where one or more (mobile) Wireless Client Stations are operated on locations in the periphery of the wireless coverage range.

• 	Multiple-cell networks, where the physical placement of Access Points was based on the objective of creating a network that would provide maximum wireless coverage, with a minimum number of Base Stations.

Typically, the physical placement of Base Stations at large distances provides a coverage area that is characterized by contiguous, but hardly overlapping cells.


Distance between APs is Medium

This setting is typically used for:

• 	Single-cell networks, where one or more (mobile) Wireless Client Stations are operated in the vicinity of one another and the Access Point.

• 	Multiple-cell networks, where the physical placement of Base Stations was based on the objective of creating a network that would provide both good wireless coverage and data throughput performance.

Typically the physical placement of Base Station with Medium distances is characterized by cells that overlap one another with approximately 20%.


Distance between APs is Small

This setting is typically used for multiple cell networks where:

• 	The physical placement of Access Points was based on the objective of creating a high performance wireless infrastructure with maximum data-throughput, regardless of the total number of Base Stations required to build such a network.

• 	The communications quality on all locations where wireless (mobile) computers are operated is qualified by the Client Manager Tool as 'Acceptable' or 'Good'.

The placement of Base Stations allows for creating by cells that overlap one another with approximately 50%, where Base Stations neighboring cells have been programmed to operate at different operating channels.

When setting up a network using this type of distance between APs, you are advised to use different frequencies (2.4 GHz sub-channels) for neighboring cells to optimize the wireless data throughput.


Frequency Channel

The frequency channel parameter gives you the ability to select from an operating frequency from a range of sub-channels in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. You can use this option to configure your Base Station for one of the following reasons:

• 	To select another 2.4 GHz sub-channel for this Base Station to solve a situation where the default channel suffers from interference by an in-band interfering device (e.g. microwave ovens).

• 	To configure your network infrastructure to support a Multiple Channel Configuration.

NOTE

Wireless Client Stations that roam between different Base Stations, will automatically adapt the operating frequency of their radio when required.

The number of selectable channels is determined by the radio regulations that apply in your country.

See also: Available Channels


RTS/CTS Medium Reservation

When you enable Medium Reservation, your Base Station will instruct each Wireless Client Station in its vicinity to use the RTS/CTS protocol to control wireless data transmissions and avoid wireless frame collisions.

In this situation, each Wireless Client Station will:

• 	transmit a RTS message to the Base Station prior to transmitting a message, and

• 	defer the transmission until it has received the CTS response from the Base Station.

The CTS message will also notify other  wireless stations in the vicinity of the Base Station to defer transmissions, until the wireless station that issued the RTS has completed its transmission.

• 	To enable Medium reservation, select the 'Medium Reservation Enable' check-box, and  enter a Medium Reservation Threshold value. Valid values are any decimal value in the range of '0 to 2347'. Default value: 2347 (= Medium Reservation disabled).

• 	To disable Medium reservation, clear the check mark in the 'Medium Reservation Enable' check-box, or enter the value '2347' in the Medium Reservation Threshold field.

NOTE

Wireless Client stations will automatically follow the setting of the Base Station.


Encryption Key

To enable encryption, select the Enable Encryption check box, and enter up to 4 different Encryption Keys to decrypt data received via the wireless interface.

Valid encryption key values are:

If your Wireless Interface supports 64-bit RC4 encryption:

• 	5-digit Alphanumeric Value in the range of "a-z" and "0-9". Example: SECU1

• 	A 10-digit Hexadecimal Value, preceded by the characters "0x" (zero x). Example: 0xABCD1234FE

If your Wireless Interface supports 128-bit RC4 encryption:

• 	13-digit Alphanumeric Value in the range of "a-z" and "0-9": SECURITY12345

• 	26-digit Hexadecimal Value, preceded by the characters "0x" (zero x).: 0xABCDEF1234567890FEDCBA4321

NOTE

Hexadecimal encryption key strings that are not preceded by the leading "0x" will be interpreted as alphanumerical string.

See Also:

Using Encryption Keys


Using Encryption Keys

• 	The option to enter up to 4 different keys enables you to define a Encryption Key roll-over scheme. For example you could choose to select another key every x weeks, until you reach the fourth key. At that point in time you could enter 3 new Encryption values for the first three Encryption key entries, before the expiration period of the fourth key value. Once all Wireless Client Stations and Access Points have been set to use the first new key again, you can replace the fourth key value with a new key value.

• 	You can use valid key values from Wireless Network Interfaces supporting lower bit encryption on types that support higher bit encryption, for example in environments using multiple types of encryption.

• 	The encryption key values you enter will remain visible only when you enter the character strings. As soon as you close the Security window, the values will be stored in hidden characters: i.e. a next time the Security window will be displayed, you will not be able to read the encryption key values anymore. You are advised to write down the values you enter, before closing the window.

• 	Like with other properties, your Encryption lock is as safe as locking the door to your house: i.e. if you don't stick to secure policies on who will be allowed to use the key, or will know where to find it, even the strongest lock can be opened by an intruder. That's why, for example you wouldn't "hide" the key to your house underneath the doormat. Similar good practice should be applied to the keys you will use to encrypt wireless communications.minimize the risk that intruders might be able to retrieve the Encryption values you are advised to:

• 	Lock away any paper registration sheet that you use to define/remember the defined Encryption values.

• 	Change the Encryption values at regular intervals.


Encrypt Data Transmission

If you decide to use Encryption, you are advised also to encrypt all data that will be transmitted via the wireless interface. You can select one key value for wireless data transmissions from the list of Encryption Keys.\parYou can only select a key that has a correct value assigned.

In case you specified no more than 2 key values (for example), you can only select the ''Data Transmission Key'' from these two values.


Closed Wireless System

The IEEE 802.11 standard was defined to provide:

• 	Interoperability between wireless LAN products from different vendors/manufacturers

• 	Allow wireless computing devices to associate with an Access Point quick and easily.

The "Closed Wireless System" mode is a proprietary mode that is not compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. You can use this mode to add a "low-level" security filter on your Base Stations.

When you set your Base Stations to operate in "Closed System" mode, the Base Stations will:

• 	Forward only data packets from/to Wireless Client Stations that use the same Network Name as has been configured for the Base Station.

• 	Deny Association requests of Wireless Client Station that have been configured to use either:

• 	The Network Name value "ANY"

• 	A zero-string (empty) value for the Network Name.

This means that even though these Wireless Client Stations may "sense'' radio activity from Base Stations in their vicinity, they will not be able to actually exchange data packets with the network infrastructure.

To configure your Base Stations for the IEEE 802.11 compliant mode of operation, clear the "Closed Wireless System" check-box.

NOTE

Make sure that all Base Stations will be set to use an identical setting for this parameter.


Deny non-encrypted Data

In some cases you may wish the Access Point also to process non-encrypted data. Examples of such situations could be:

• 	Network environments that include both wireless clients equipped with PC Cards that support Encryption and PC Cards that do not support encryption.

• 	Network environments where you are about to install a large number of wireless clients, using "out-of-the-box" configurations, which by default will have Encryption disabled.

If you would start-up such clients with their default configuration, these clients would not be able to establish an initial connection to the network, since they wouldn't be able to interpret the encrypted Beacon Messages.

CAUTION

For optimal security against unauthorized access to your network, you are advised always to leave the "Deny non-encrypted data option enabled (=default). Only when you would have good reasons to decide otherwise, you could clear this check-box, to allow the Base Station to communicate with Wireless Client Stations that either support Encryption or not, or have the encryption enabled or disabled. Please read the information described in How Encryption Works before clearing the Deny non-encrypted Data tick box.


How Encryption Works

The IEEE 802.11 Standard on wireless LANs was designed to provide an easy to use, and easy to install wireless network, that would allow users to combine wireless LAN products from different vendors. The drawback of easy access and interoperability is the vulnerability to unauthorized access to and/or use of your  network. Although Encryption provides a good way to secure access to your wireless data, there are a few things you need to know to ensure your network provides the right level of security.

When you enable Encryption you can have two modes of operation:

• 	Enable Encryption & Deny non-encrypted Data

• 	Enable Encryption & Allow non-encrypted Data

For optimal security, you are advised always to use the "Deny non-encrypted Data" option (=default).


Enable Encryption & Deny non-encrypted Data

When you select to enable Encryption and Deny non-encrypted Data", your Access Point will:

• 	Only process messages received at its wireless interface, when the messages have been encrypted with either one of the four identified keys.

• 	Always transmit wireless data using the selected Encryption.

• 	Also encrypt all its Beacon Message s and the Multicast and Broadcast traffic that it will transmit to the wireless medium.

If your network includes Wireless Client Stations configured with a non-matching Encryption, or equipped with PC Cards that do not support Encryption, such Wireless Client Stations will not be able to establish a wireless connection because they will not be able to understand (decrypt) network information.


Enable Encryption & Allow non-encrypted Data

When you select to enable Encryption, but you cleared the "Deny non-encrypted Data" tick box, your Access Point will:

• 	Process all messages received at its wireless interface, regardless whether the messages have been encrypted with one of the identified keys or not.

• 	Encrypt wireless transmissions based on the Encryption settings of the addressed Wireless Client Station.

• 	If the addressed Wireless Client Station does use Encryption, the Access Point will send the message in encrypted format, using the selected Transmit key value (see Encrypt Data Transmission).

• 	If the addressed  wireless station does  not use Encryption, the Base Station will send the message in non-encrypted format.

• 	If the data message is a Multicast or Broadcast message (typically addressed to "all  wireless stations"), the Base Station will send the message in non-encrypted format.

If for example a Wireless Client Station that uses Encryption wishes to send data to another client in the same wireless cell, the data transmission will:

• 	go encrypted from the wireless station to the Base Station

• 	go non-encrypted from the Base Station to its final destination, if the addressed wireless station does not support encryption, or does not have the encryption option enabled.

CAUTION

For most network environments that require a higher level of security than the standard security mechanisms (e.g. passwords), allowing non encrypted data for your wireless network is no option, unless easy access and/or migration is more critical.


10 Mbit/sec Half duplex (Auto Port Select)

The Ethernet interface will communicate at 10 Mbit/sec in half duplex mode (e.g. to communicate with a half duplex Ethernet hub).

NOTE

If the selected Base Station is equipped with a BNC connector (for connecting 10Base2 coaxial cable) besides the UTP connector (for connecting Unshielded Twisted Pair cable), the Base Station will automatically select the connected Ethernet port (BNC or UTP).


10 Mbit/sec Full duplex (Twisted Port Select)

The Ethernet interface will communicate at 10 Mbit/sec in full duplex mode (e.g. to communicate with a full duplex switch).

NOTE

If the selected Base Station is equipped with a BNC connector (for connecting 10Base2 coaxial cable) besides the UTP connector (for connecting Unshielded Twisted Pair cable), the BNC connector can not be used for full duplex connections.


10 Mbit/sec Auto Duplex

The 10/100 Mbit/sec Ethernet interface will communicate at 10 Mbit/sec. The Base Station will automatically detect and use the appropriate duplex mode (half or full duplex). If the communication fails with this option, you are advised to try one of the options with a fixed speed and/or duplex mode.


100 Mbit/sec Half Duplex

The 10/100 Mbit/sec Ethernet interface will communicate at 100 Mbit/sec in half duplex mode (e.g. to communicate with a half duplex Ethernet hub).


100 Mbit/sec Full Duplex

The 10/100 Mbit/sec Ethernet interface will communicate at 100 Mbit/sec in full duplex mode (e.g. to communicate with a full duplex switch).


Auto Speed Half Duplex

With this option selected the Base Station will automatically detect and use the appropriate bit rate (10 Mbit/sec or 100 Mbit/sec), but it will allways communicate in half duplex mode (e.g. to communicate with a half duplex Ethernet hub). If the communication fails with this option, you are advised to try one of the options with a fixed speed and/or duplex mode.


Auto Speed Auto Duplex

With this option selected the Base Station will automatically detect and use the appropriate bit rate (10 Mbit/sec or 100 Mbit/sec) and duplex mode (half or full duplex). If the communication fails with this option, you are advised to try one of the options with a fixed speed and/or duplex mode.


Link Integrity: Why?

In situations where the connection of the Base Station to the rest of the Ethernet network fails, typically as a result of a broken cable connection or network error, the Ethernet failure might disrupt regular network communication for (Roaming) wireless clients.

If the wireless connection however is still intact, the Wireless Client Station would not roam to another Base Station, since its radio might still interpret its "physical" connection to the Base Station as "Good" or "acceptable".

The Ethernet Link Integrity feature is a high-end solution that enables you to resolve this type of network failures, as it allows Wireless Client Stations to:

• 	Detect  any disruption in its connection to network services by testing the link between the Base Station and a maximum of three IP hosts.

• 	Reconnect automatically to another Base Station in situations where disruptions occur that are not related to poor radio communications.

Whether you should enable Link Integrity yes or no should be based on the trade-off of high-investment costs versus the required level of network reliability.

See Also:

Link Integrity: Requirements


Link Integrity: Requirements

To use Link Integrity it is required that your network infrastructure has been designed to provide two completely separated paths that allow wireless clients to reach the network Servers.

Your Base Stations must have been planned and installed in such a way, that every location in the network is covered by at least  two Base Stations, where each Base Station is connected to the network servers via a different infrastructure.

Base Station Link Integrity does not use the Link Integrity functionality as supported by some Ethernet network hub devices. Therefore it is does not matter whether your hubs support that type of Link Integrity or not.


Link Integrity: How does it Work?

The Base Station Ethernet Link Integrity testing is performed by sending Ping requests at regular intervals to the three IP hosts as identified in the Link Integrity menu. As these ping requests can travel across hubs, switches, bridges and/or routers, you can test the full link between an Base Station and its network server(s), simply by entering the IP Address of your network server device(s) in the IP host list.

When a ping request to the selected IP host times out, the link is declared "down". Upon detecting a "down" link, the "Link Integrity" mechanism will:

• 	Disable the wireless interfaces of the Base Station (s) involved, to allow Wireless Client Stations to disconnect from the Base Station and re-connect to another Base Station that does provide a correct link to the Ethernet network.

• 	Send a Trap message "Link down" to the Trap Host, provided that Trap messaging has been enabled in the Base Station.

The suspect Base Station will continue sending Ping requests to the IP host. When the Base Station detects that the link to the IP host is re-established, it will:

• 	Restart the wireless interface of the Base Station again to restart support for Roaming wireless clients.

• 	Send a Trap message "Link Up" to the Trap Host, provided that Trap messaging has been enabled in the Base Station.


What's the difference between Standard & Radius Access Control

Both the standard Base Station Access Control and the Radius Access Control security mechanism allow you to restrict access to your network, by authorizing specific stations only to establish a connection with your network. Authorized stations must be identified by the unique MAC Address of their PC Card.

Stations equipped with a wireless LAN card, identified by a non-listed MAC Address value, will be ignored.

The difference between these two security mechanisms is that:

• 	Standard Access Control Options filtering requires you to load the Access Control Table into each individual Base Station,

• 	Radius Server Access Control allows you to store the table in a central database stored on the third party server.

The Radius Server MAC Address authentication mechanism is usually most effective in larger networks with many mobile wireless network clients, as it allows the network administrator to:

• 	Maintain and administer a single database on a central location, and

• 	Optionally create a second backup system to validate authentication request from wireless network clients.


Access Control Table

The Base Station will ignore all forwarding requests to/from Wireless Client Stations that are not identified in the Access Control Table. The Access Control Table is loaded into the Base Station as part of the configuration.


Can I use Standard & Radius Access Control simultaneously?

Yes, it is possible to enable both the built-in Base Station Access Control and Radius Server Access Control simultaneously.

However in most networking environments it would not make much sense because:

• 	It would require you to edit and maintain two types of MAC Address tables (one for the Base Stations, one for the Radius servers), and

• 	Contradict the benefit of central management on the Radius Server.

When using both types of access control simultaneously, the Base Station Access Control Table will take precedence over the Radius Server table.

In more detail:

• 	When a (new) Wireless Client Stations attempts to establish a wireless connection with a Base Station, the Base Station will verify whether the unique MAC Address of that station is listed in its Access Control Table.

• 	If the MAC Address of that station is listed, the Base Station will grant access immediately (i.e. not validate the Mac Address at the Radius server).

• 	If the MAC Address of the station is not listed, the Base Station will consult the Radius server.

• 	Next the Radius server will verify whether the unique MAC Address of that station is listed in its MAC Address table.

• 	If the MAC Address of that station is listed, the Radius server will notify the Base Station that it may grant access to the Wireless Client Station. (it will not append the MAC Address to the Access Control Table of the Base Station!).

• 	If the MAC Address of the station is not listed, the Radius server will notify the Base Station that it should refuse the Wireless Client Station  to connect to the Base Station.

Why using both RADIUS and Standard Access Control?


Why using both RADIUS and Standard Access Control?

Although in most networking environments it will be most efficient to apply only one type of access control, you may wish to consider using both types of access control when:

• 	The connection to the RADIUS Server(s) appears not to be working error-free.

• 	You wish to allow a limited number of Wireless Client Stations to access the network at all times, regardless whether the RADIUS servers are up and running (for example the LAN Administrators that would need to identify and resolve networking problems).

In this situation, you could typically:

• 	Build a central database in the RADIUS server that will contain all MAC Addresses of regular wireless network clients, and

• 	Build a dedicated Access Control Table that will include only the MAC Addresses of computers used by the LAN Administrators, and load this table into each Base Station within your network.

Doing so, the authorization or regular wireless clients will be handled by the RADIUS server, and can easily be managed from a central location.

The LAN Administrators will be able to connect to the Base Stations at all times, regardless whether the RADIUS server is up or down.


Radius Authorization Lifetime

To enhance wireless security, the authorization of a listed MAC Address is only valid for a limited time-frame. Upon expiry of the time-frame, the authorization needs to be confirmed again.

This parameter determines the interval for executing a re-authorization for a particular associated and active MAC-Address.

Valid values: a number of pre-defined presets in the range of 15 minutes to 12 hours

Default value: 2 hours


Authorization Password

The Authorization password is a method of proof to the Base Station, that a responding RADIUS server is a valid one. It provides an extra security layer to avoid incorrect authorizations when someone would be tampering your network or introduce false RADIUS servers.

The Authorization Password is a case-sensitive alpha-numeric ASCII string with a maximum of 32 characters.

Valid values are any alpha-numeric character in the range of "a-z" "A-Z" and "0-9" For example "MySecret".

The Authorization Password you enter here, must match the value that you select at your RADIUS server(s).

When you are using two RADIUS Servers, both servers should use the same Authorization password.

NOTE

You may need to verify the options of your RADIUS Server to see whether the Authorization Password value you enter here will also be supported by your RADIUS Server.


Radius Server IP Address

Use this field to enter the unique IP Address of the device that you select to act as the RADIUS Server.

When using multiple RADIUS Servers, enter a unique address for each server.


Radius Server Authentication Port

Use this field to specify the UDP port that is set on the RADIUS server.

Valid Values: 1812 or 1645

Default value: 1812

Most RADIUS Servers apply the default port 1812.

The port 1645 should only be used in the exceptional case that your RADIUS Server does not support the standard port value 1812.


Protocol Filtering

Protocol filtering allows you to create a list of Ethernet Protocols to Filter (max. 20 protocols). You can also add a Custom Ethernet Protocol to Filter to this list. The complete list with protocols to filter is displayed in the Filter window that will pop-up after selecting the Protocol Filtering Button on the Bridge tab.


MAC Filtering

The option MAC filtering allows you to create a List of MAC Addresses that can be filtered. Filtered stations will have no traffic forwarded by the Base Station.

You can use the Static MAC Address filter to optimize the performance of a wireless (and wired) network. For example, to prevent redundant traffic from being transmitted over the wireless network, you could deny traffic between two particular servers, identified by their MAC Address and their location as perceived by the Base Station (on the 'wired' or wireless' port of the bridge).

The list with MAC Addresses to filter is displayed in the Filter window that will pop-up after selecting the MAC Filtering Button on the Bridge tab.


Bridge Priority

The Bridge Priority parameter allows you to influence the choice of the Root Bridge and  'Designated Bridge' as calculated by the Spanning Tree Algorithm.

Valid values: 0-65535value: '32768'

A low numerical value makes the bridge more likely to become the designated bridge or root bridge (typically '0'). The recommended value is '32768'.

You may assign a duplicate priority value to multiple bridges, provided that it is a non-zero value. Bridges that have an identical Bridge Priority level are typically not intended to function as the root bridge.


Hello Time

The Spanning Tree Hello Time parameter identifies the time interval in seconds between Configuration PDU transmitted by a Root Bridge, or a bridge that is attempting to become the root bridge.

• 	Valid values: 1-10 seconds

• 	Initial value: 2 seconds

• 	Recommended value: 2 seconds.

Shortening the Hello Time will make the protocol more robust, especially when the probability of loss of configuration messages is high.

Lengthening the Hello Time will lower the overhead of the algorithm since the interval between the transmission of configuration messages will be longer.


Max Age

The Max Age parameter identifies the maximum age of received Spanning Tree protocol information.

When the bridge receives protocol information that exceeds the Max Age value, the bridge will discard the information and start the Forward Delay timer to allow other bridges to forward updated topology information, e.g. that another bridge has become the Root Bridge.

• 	Valid values: 6-40 seconds

• 	Initial value: 20 seconds

• 	Recommended value: 20 seconds.

A low Max Age value occasionally may cause the Spanning Tree to reconfigure unnecessarily resulting in temporary loss of connectivity throughout the network.

A high Max Age value will cause the LAN to take longer than necessary to rebuild the Spanning Tree whenever a link or bridge unit breaks down or becomes available again.


Forward Delay

The Forward Delay is a timer that prevents a bridge to forward data packets when:

• 	The bridge receives information that  the active Spanning Tree topology must be updated (for example when a bridge breaks down or when somebody modified the 'Bridge Priority' or 'Path Cost' value of a particular bridge).

• 	The bridge registers that the protocol information exceeds the specified

• 	 Max Age value.

Changes in the Spanning Tree topology must be communicated to all bridges in the  bridged network. The Forward Delay timer will compensate for the propagation delays that occur in passing the protocol information, allowing all bridges to close the old data paths,  before the new data paths are activated.

• 	Valid values: 4-30 seconds

• 	Initial value: 15 seconds

• 	Recommended value: 15 seconds

A higher value  may result in longer partitions after the Spanning Tree reconfigures.

A lower value may result in temporary loops as the Spanning Tree Algorithm converges.


Port Priority

Normally the Bridge Port priority in Spanning Tree topologies is imposed by the Root Bridge and the applicable values of the Path Cost to the Root Bridge.

When concurrent bridge ports of a single bridge unit are connected in a loop, this parameter enables you to influence which port should be included in the Spanning Tree.

A lower value makes a port more likely to become selected in the Spanning Tree than the concurrent one that has a higher numerical value.

• 	Valid values: 0-255

• 	Initial value: '128'


Path Cost

The 'Path Cost' value is used to determine the preferred data paths between bridges throughout the network and the Root Bridge.

The 'Root Bridge' transmits BPDU messages throughout the Local Area Network. When a bridge unit receives BPDU message at one of its ports, it will add the value in the 'Path Cost ' field for  that port  to the value in the  'root path cost field' of the BPDU message before forwarding the message again. This will help the other bridges to determine the 'Total Path Cost' to the Root Bridge via this port.

Valid values: 1-65535value: 100

A lower 'Path Cost' value would typically be used for ports  to LAN segments closer to the Root Bridge.

A higher 'Path Cost' value would typically be used for ports to LAN segments that are 'the leafs' of the Spanning Tree.

For example when using the Base Station as an device for Wireless Client Stations to the Ethernet, a high 'Path Cost' for the  wireless port will minimize unnecessary use of the bandwidth for the wireless medium (recommended value 500).

When using Base Stations in a wireless point-to-point link to interconnect two LAN segments,  a low 'Path Cost' for the  wireless port will prioritize this link as compared to other physical links, such as a leased line or low-bandwidth connections.


Storm Threshold Preset

Port
Broadcast:
Multicast
Address Threshold (the maximum for a single station at any port)
30 frames/second
30 frames/second
Interface 1 (the max. for the Ethernet Port)
60 frames/second
60 frames/second
Interface 2 (max. for the
Wireless Network Interface
 A
60 frames/second
60 frames/second
Interface 3 (the max.or the
Wireless Network Interface
 B
60 frames/second
60 frames/second


IP/ARP Functions

The following functions belong to the Advanced Bridging Features:

• 	Proxy ARPFunction
Base Stations on the LAN maintain an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache. The ARP cache contains alist of IP addresses and their corresponding MAC addresses. The ARP is used to determine the MAC address of a particular IP address.

If a client station does not know the MAC address of the destination client station, it will send out a MAC broadcast frame asking "Who has IP address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx  ?". If the Base Station entry exists in its ARP table and the Proxy ARP function is enabled, then it will not forward the ARP request to the destination (or any other) station, but respond to the original station instead.

• 	IP/ARP Filtering
When the IP/ARP Filtering option is enabled, the Base Station will forward ARP requests, but only to client stations in a specific IP Address range. To specify the range you can enter an IP Address and a subnet mask.


Broadcast Filters

Broadcast Filters is one of the Advanced Bridging Features. It enables you to filter Broadcast, Multicast and IPX protocol messages:

• 	from the wired (Ethernet) stations via the Base Station to the Wireless Client Stations, or

• 	from the Wireless Client Stations via the Base Station to the wired (Ethernet) stations.


Subnet Mask

32-bit address mask used in IP to indicate the bits of an IP address that are being used for the subnet address.

NOTE

When your network needs to support seamless connectivity for mobile users that 'roam' between various areas, you must install all your Access Point on the same subnet. The Roaming functionality does not work over routers. When Base Stations are connected to different subtends/ use different subnetmasks, a mobile station may lose its network connection, when it physically enters an area where the Base Stations are connected to a different subnet.


Default Router

Enter the IP Address of the router that the Base Station should use to communicate with networked devices outside its current subnet.


Default TTL

The Time To Live counter (TTL), avoids endless forwarding of message frames with incorrect addressing, by defining a maximum numbers of passes per hop. Each time the frame is forwarded by a router, the TTL counter decreases by one. When the TTL = 0, the frame is rejected.

Valid values: 0-256value: 64


Read Password

This Password enables you to create a network management level, where a local LAN Administrator can view, but not modify the SNMP parameters. Read Password must be between 2 and 31 characters long.

Valid Values: Any Alphanumeric Value in the range of a-z, 0-9 with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 31 characters.

NOTE

The default password value is 'public'


Read/WritePassword

This Password enables you to create a network management level, where  only a Network Supervisor knowing the right Read/Write password will be able to view or modify  the SNMP parameters. Read/Write Password must be between 2 and 31 characters long.

Valid Values: Any Alphanumeric Value in the range of a-z, 0-9 with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 31 characters.

NOTE

The default password value is 'public'


System Contact

Optional field to include a name or address of the Network Supervisor that manages the network segment to which this Base Station is connected.

This field may contain a maximum of 63 characters.

Valid Values: Any Alphanumeric Value in the range of a-z, 0-9 with a maximum of 63 characters.Value: none.


System Name

Optional field to identify the 'logical' location of a Base Station, for example the physical location where the unit will be installed.

Valid Values:Alphanumeric Value in the range of a-z, 0-9 with a maximum of 63 characters.

NOTE

Although you can enter up to 63 characters in this field, please mind that other network diagnostic tools may only allow to display a limited number of characters that are read from this field. The Client Manager tool for example will only display a maximum of 31 characters. Therefore, you are advised to enter the major or unique identifiers of your Base Station in the first 31 characters of this field.


System Location

Optional field to identify the 'physical' location of a Base Station, for example the building or room where the Base Station is located. The AP Manager Tool and the client-based diagnostics tool Client Manager will read this beacon information to display it as the 'Base Station Name' on the diagnostics screens.

This field may contain a maximum of 127 characters.

Valid Values: Any Alphanumeric Value in the range of a-z, 0-9 with a maximum of 127 characters.Value: none.


SNMPTrap Agent

If you are managing remote networks from a central location, you can use the Trap Host IP Address field to enable the SNMP Trap Agent of the Base Station.

The SNMP Trap agent will notify the network administrator when:

• 	the Base Station unit is powered on, or

• 	somebody performs a Forced Reload procedure, or

• 	somebody performs a Manual Reboot or a Remote Reboot,

• 	an SNMP Reset Request is issued.

To enable the SNMP Trap agent, enter the valid IP Address of a network management station that will collect the SNMP Trap messages in the Trap Host IP Address field of the SNMP tab.

To disable the SNMP Trap agent, enter the value '0.0.0.0' in the Trap Host IP Address field of the SNMP tab.

See Also:

Trap Host IP Password


Trap Host IP Address

The IP Address of the network management station that collects the SNMP Trap messages.

Valid Values: any valid IP address. Value: 0.0.0.0 (SNMP Trap Agent disabled).

See Also:

Trap Host IP Password