PLANET Wire Free Family
11Mbps IEEE802.11 Products
WAP-1900 / WAP-2000
Wireless LAN Access Point
Chapter 3. Configure the Access Point
The 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point is shipped with default parameters, which will be suitable for the typical infrastructure wireless LAN. Just simply install the Access Point, power it on, and it is now ready to work. Nevertheless, you can still adjust configuration settings depending on how you would like to manage your wireless network. The 11Mbps Wireless Access Point allows for configuration either via the configuration utility, known as Access Point Manager, console port connection, or anywhere through a TCP/IP (Telnet) connection.
3.1 Using the Access Point Manager
Installed on your Windows 95/98/NT/2000 desktop computer, the Windows-based utility "Access Point Manager" provides a user-friendly interface. The utility will enable you to configure all of your Access Points on the network more easily than ever before. The following gives instructions guiding you through the installations of the Access Point Manager utility.
Configuration Window
3.1.1 Information tab:
MAC Address It is a hardware identification number that distinguishes the unit from others. You will see the number on the label located on the bottom of the access point. Frequency Domain The regulated operating frequency per country. Firmware Version
Displays the firmware version that is equipped with your hardware.
3.1.2 Statistics Tab:
The statistics tab contains three of the following items for you to monitor the Ethernet and Wireless network traffic.
Ethernet sub Tab: You may monitor the TX/RX on the wired network.
Wireless sub Tab: You may monitor the TX/RX of the wireless network.
Wireless Error sub Tab:
This item offers detailed information on error wireless packets that the AP receives and transmits.
Receive:
Packet FCS Errors: The number of wireless packets that fail during FCS transmission (Frame Check Status when accessing the wired network.
No Buffer: The number of wireless packets that the AP ignores due to insufficient memory.
Received WEP Errors: The number of wireless packets that have WEP encryption errors.
Transmit:
Deferred Transmission: The number of packets that have deferred transmission due to the fact that the medium is busy.
Retry Limit Exceed: The number of packets that are not sent due to the reason that the packets exceed the retry limits.
Single Tries: The number of packets that are successfully sent on the first retry.
Multiple Retries: The number of packets that are successfully sent after several retries.
Wrong Source Address: The number of packets that are ignored by the Access Point because the source client is not in its BSS.
Other reasons: Other reasons that cause errors.
3.1.3 Configuration Tab:
The configuration tab contains the 4 following items for you to make changes for the Access Point.
General sub tab :
AP Name
In this entry field, you may enter any name. This will enable you to manage your Access Points with more ease.
IEEE802.11 sub tab :
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WAP-1900 | WAP-2000 |
Radio mode:
You may select the operation mode for your Access Point. This mode is for WAP-2000 only! Wireless LAN Access Point (AP): . Served as a transparent Media Access Control (MAC) bridge between wired and wireless network Inter-Building with Repeating (PxP): Connect several separated networks with Access Points. (To be available soon) Station Adapter - Infrastructure (SAI): Served as a wireless station (infrastructure). Connected to a PC, it is able to access the network via Access Point. Station Adapter - Ad-hoc (SAA): Served as a wireless station (Ad-hoc). Connected to a PC, this station adapter along with other wireless stations can establish a small wireless network without Access Points. Station Adapter - 802.11 Ad-Hoc (SAA2): Same to SAA. This Ad-Hoc mode complies with 802.11 standard. NOTE: When setting the operation mode to either PxP or SAA, you need to set the Access Points with the same channel. ESSID however can be ignored. When the SAA2 is selected, you need to set both the ESSID and channel for the Access Point. ESSID
The ESSID is a unique ID given to the Access Point. Wireless clients associating to the Access Point must have the same ESSID. The ESSID can have up to 32 characters.
Channel
You may select any of the available channels as an operational channel for your Access Point.
RTS Threshold
RTS Threshold is a mechanism implemented to prevent the "Hidden Node" problem. "Hidden Node" is a situation in which two stations are within range of the same Access Point, but are not within range of each other. Therefore, they are hidden nodes for each other. When a hidden station starts data transmission with the Access Point, it might not notice that another station is already using the wireless medium. When these two stations send data at the same time, they might collide when arriving simultaneously at the Access Point. The collision will most certainly result in a loss of messages for both stations. Thus, the RTS Threshold mechanism will provide the solution to prevent data collisions. When the RTS is activated, the station and its Access Point will use a Request to Send/Clear to Send protocol (RTS/CTS). The station will send an RTS to the Access Point, informing that it is going to transmit the data. Upon receipt, the Access Point will respond with a CTS message to all station within its range to notify all other stations to defer transmission. It will also confirm to the requesting station that the Access Point has reserved the channel for transmission.
Fragmentation Threshold Fragmentation mechanism is used for improving the efficiency when there is high traffic within the wireless network. If you transmit large files in a wireless network, you can enable the Fragmentation Threshold and specify the packet size. The mechanism will split the packet into the packet size you set.
TX Rate: When the Access Point is under PXP, SAI, SAA, and SAA2, it provides various data rate options for you to select. Data rates options include Fully Auto, Fixed 1Mb/s, Fixed 2Mb/s, Auto Select 1M or 2M, Fixed 5.5Mb/s, and Fixed 11Mb/s. In most networking scenarios, you will see that the factory-set default "Fully Auto" will prove the most efficient. This setting will allow your 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point to operate at the maximum data rate. When the communications quality drops below a certain level, the Access Point will automatically switch to a lower data rate. Transmission at lower data speeds is usually more reliable. However, when the communications quality improves again, the 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point will gradually increase the data rate again, until it has reached the highest available transmit rate.
Administration sub tab:
You may change the default password by entering the new password.Enter the new password in the Confirm Change field to make the new setting take affect.
IP Address sun tab:
In the IP Address tab, there are two TCP/IP modes for the Wireless Access Point: Bridge-Only and IP Router.
Bridge-Only ModeBridge-Only Mode
To enable remote access to the Wireless Access Point using Telnet or Web Management, you need to select the Bridge-Only mode and assign an IP address to the wireless Router. You may either give a fixed IP address to your Wireless Access Point by choosing the Manual item, or set your wireless Router to function as DHCP client with the DHCP item selected. It will obtain the IP address automatically from your DHCP server.
IP Router ModeIP Router Mode
In the IP Router mode, the Wireless Micro Access Point is not only the bridge but also manages the IP routing with Ethernet port and Wireless LAN port. For example, the Ethernet port of the Wireless Router is connected to your enterprise TCP/IP network (or WAN with Cable/DSL modem) while all the wireless clients being connected with its own IP sub-network. The wireless clients can have private IP addresses and access the Internet by sharing the IP address of Ethernet port with NAT.
For further configuration on the IP Router mode, you need to configure the Ethernet Port (WAN) and Wireless LAN Port by entering the Setup item.
Ethernet Port (WAN):
The values refer to the outside network you connect to every time you access the Internet connection. When the IP Router mode is enabled, the Wireless Access Point will act as a DHCP client and automatically obtain the IP address. You may also assign a fixed IP address to your Wireless Access Point by choosing the Manual item. If you wish to activate the IP sharing, check the NAT (IP Sharing) through this port check box. Moreover, you may have the Wireless Access Point to bridge the non-TCP/IP traffic by checking the "Enable Bridge" check box.
PPPoE Setup
If you wish to have the Wireless Access Point be connected to a Cable/DSL modem, you will need to manage the PPPoE settings. Once the PPPoE is enabled, the Access Point will get IP configuration through PPPoE regardless of the settings of Manual or DHCP IP Address. When the IP Router mode is selected, the PPPoE will be enabled at the same time (default value). Click the Setup button and set the User Name and Password provide by your ISP. Click Apply to make the changes take affect. The Wireless Access Point will then automatically obtain an IP address from the PPPoE server and establish a connection. The wireless clients will be able to access Internet via the Wireless Access Point. To disconnect the link, click on the Disconnect button. If you want to re-start a connection, click on the Connect button. With Connect on Demand checked, together with defined Max. Idle Time, the PPPoE connection will be automatically disconnected when the Wireless Access Point does not transmit or receive data within the specified idle time.
Wireless LAN port:
These values refer to your internal network settings. Unless you have specific internal needs, there should be no reason to change these values. The default IP Address is 192.168.1.1. If you wish to have the Wireless Access Point to act as a DHCP server of the wireless clients, please enable the Enable DHCP server (wireless LAN) check box and configure some network parameters such as IP Address Start, IP Address End, DNS server, etc. For other network parameters such as Netmask, Gateway, DNS server, WINS server, you may choose to set either manually or obtain these parameter via your DHCP server.
WEP sub tab:
The 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point allows you to create up to 4 data encryption keys to secure your data from being eavesdropping by unauthorized wireless user. To activate and set the WEP keys, do the following:
- From the WEP encryption item, pull down the menu and it will list three options:
Disable Allows wireless adapters communicate with Access Points without any data encryption. WEP40 Requires wireless stations to use data encryption when communicating with the Access Point. WEP128 Allows wireless clients to communicate with the Wireless Access Point with data 128 Bit encryption algorithm.
- When WEP40 or Optional WEP40 is selected, type five alphanumeric characters in the range of a-z, A-Z and 0-9(e.g. MyKey) in the WEP Key 1 entry field.
Alternatively, you may enter 10 digit hexadecimal values in the range of A-F and 0-9, preceded by the characters 0x values (e.g. 0x 11AA22BB33).
- When WEP128 is selected, enter 13 alphanumeric characters in the range of "a-z", "A-Z" and "0-9" in the WEP Key fields. Alternatively, you may enter 26 digit hexadecimal values in the range of "A-F", "a-f" and "0-9", preceded by the characters "0x" values (e.g. 0x00112233445566778899AABBCC).
You can also enter WEP keys in the Key 2, Key 3 and Key 4 if you wish. WEP will only use 1 Key. You will have to select one WEP key as an active key before enabling use of encryption.
NOTE: The WEP key must be set up exactly the same on the Access Points as they are on the wireless client stations. If you use Key 1 on the Access Point and the value is (e.g. MyCar), the same must be assigned to Key 1 for all client stations.
NOTE: WEP will work with TCP/IP only. NetBEUI and IPX/SPX will be supported in upcoming firmware.
3.1.4 Upgrade tab:
This item is used for uploading the newest firmware of the Access Point. You may either enter the file name in the entry field or browse the file by clicking the Open File button. For information about the release of the newest firmware, contact your local reseller.
3.1.5 Access Control tab:
With the Access Control Table enabled, you can authorize wireless units to access the Access Point by identifying the MAC address of the wireless devices that are allowed access to transmit data. To create or edit the Access Control Table, do the following:
Go to the Access Control tab and select "Enable Access Control". Note that when you enable the Access Control Table without any MAC address in the table, no access is allowed to communicate with the Access Point.
Use the following buttons to manage the Access Control Table:
Add
to enter MAC addresses of authorized wireless devices one at a time.
Edit
to change the entries in the table if you enter the incorrect MAC address.
Remove
to remove MAC addresses one at a time.
Clear
to remove all MAC addresses in the table.
Import
to import an existing Access Control Table.
Export
to save the current Access Control Table to a location on your computer. i.e. You can save the file as a text document.
The built-in Web Management provides you with a user-friendly graphical user interface (web pages) to manage your Access Points. An AP with an assigned IP address (e.g. http://192.168.1.1) will allow you via web browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator 3.0 ~ 4.5 or MS Internet Explorer 4.0) to monitor and configure the Access Point.
The Access Point main page contains two items for you to manage your Access Point.
3.2.1 Information
General
This item displays the general information of the Access Point such as the MAC address, Frequency Domain, and Firmware Version.
Statistics
This item displays the Ethernet and wireless network traffic.
3.2.1 Configuration
General
You may make the settings on the Access Point such as ESSID, channel, AP mode, RTS threshold, fragment threshold and password.
WEP
To prevent unauthorized wireless stations from accessing data transmitted over the network, the 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point offers WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy). You can set up 4 encryption keys but choose one key to encrypt your data.
Access Control
The Access Control Table enables you to restrict wireless stations accessing the Access Points by identifying the MAC address of the wireless devices.
TCP/IP
The Access Control Table enables you to set the Wireless Access Point act as either a bridge with DHCP client enabled, or a wireless Router with DHCP server and PPPoE enabled.
Upgrade
Here, you can upload the newest firmware of the Wireless Access Point. You may either enter the file name in the entry field or browse the file by clicking the Browse button.
3.3 Setup by Console (WAP-2000) or Telnet
The Access Point can be configured via the command prompt console with either:
RS-232 (serial) Connection: The RS-232 port configuration is provided for advanced users to manage the Access Point. You may use any terminal emulation program with a RS-232 (serial) connection (e.g., Telix, ProCOMM, Windows 95/98/NT/2000s Hyper Terminal) to configure the Access Point.
Telnet (TCP/IP) Connection: Assign an IP address to your Access Point through the RS-232 connection or Access Point Manager and then telnet to the Access Point anywhere to get access to the Access Point console. Thus, you will be able to make the configuration via the TCP/IP connection.
The following are the instructions to configure the Access Point through RS-232 connection under Windows. Configuration through Telnet is the same as the RS-232 configuration.
Note: Use a null modem
The Access Point console screen appears when the connection has been established.
3.3.1 Basic Commands
The following are the commands provided for configuring the Access Point. In loader mode, i.e., no valid firmware in the Access Point, only the commands with an asterisk (*) are provided.
NOTE: [xxx] stands for optional arguments.
info*
Display some basic information of the Access Point, for example, firmware version, frequency domain, etc.
stat
Display the statistical values of the operation of the access point, for example, association status, LAN/WLAN interface load, etc.
passwd [ clear]
Change the password of the Access Point. The clear option is used to delete the existing password if you miss it (This option is only available in RS-232 console).
ping ip_addr [num_pings] [data_size] Ping (ICMP echo) to an ip_addr host with optional num_pings times with optional data size in a length of data_size.
set
set xxx yyyy
List the configuration information. Where xxx stands the command parameter and yyyy for the value.
The following is a list of parameters you can make changes on the Access Point.
Parameter Description / Default Value apname A textual name for the identification of the Access Point.
Default: apXXXXXX
(where XXXXXX is the last six octets of Access Points MAC address)channel The radio channel number.
Default:1mode (WAP-2000) The operation mode: ap, pxp, sai, saa, saa2
Default: apessid The ESS ID (a.k.a., SSID) of the Access Point.
Default: My Networkrts_threshold The threshold (number of bytes) for enabling RTS/CTS handshake. Data with its frame size larger than this value will perform the RTS/CTS handshake. Range of value: 0~2432.
Default: 2432tx_rate Transmission Rate Tx_retry Number of retries for data transmission frag_threshold The threshold (number of bytes) for the fragmentation boundary. Data will be transmitted in fragments which its size does not exceed this value. Range of value: 256~2432.
Default: 2432ip_address The IP address of the Access Point.
Default: 192.168.1.1ip_netmask The subnet mask address of the Access Point.
Default:255.255.255.0ip_gateway The default gateway address of the Access Point.
Default192.168.1.254To change factory default settings, type set xxx (parameter) yyyy (value). For example, set channel 7 command will set the channel to number 7; set essid "Your Network" command will set the ESSID as Your Network. Remember that, a 'save' command is required for changes to take effect. Always reset your AP with the "Reset" command.
save
Save the changes to the Access Point Save your new configuration. Remember that the "save command" is required every time you make the new configuration.
set default Return the factory default settings of the Access Point except for the IP addresses. A 'save' command is required for changes to take effect. cls*
Clear the console screen. exit*
Exit the console. ? * or help*
Print a help screen. rz*
`Receive a firmware file by the Zmodem protocol. The console will enter Zmodem receiving mode and then use the "file upload" function of your terminal emulation program to upload a new firmware file (ap.img) to the Access Point. Upon completion, always remember to type the 'reset' command for running the Access Point with the new firmware.
reset*
Issue a reset signal. The Access Point will be reset if user confirms.
3.3.2 Advanced Settings for Security
This section describes the commands to control the security for Access Point. To prevent unauthorized wireless stations from accessing data transmitted over the network, the 11Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point offers the following levels of security options.
- Access Control Table restricts wireless stations to access the Access Point.
- Data Encryption, known as WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy), encrypts wireless data transmitted via wireless medium.
Access Control
auth mode | add | del | list| clear
The 'auth' command contains sub-commands that allow you to manage the access control (MAC address filter) of the Access Point. The access control table consists of a list for you to control the accessibility of any wireless stations or repeaters. The sub-commands are listed below:
mode open | allow:
set the access control mode. The definition of each mode is specified as follows:
- open: open to public (default)
- restrict: only allow access of the authorized stations/repeaters in the table (no access is allowed if the list stays empty)
add mac_addr:
add an address into the access control table
del mac_addr |index:
delete a MAC address, or index an address from the access control table
list [start/end]:
display the content of the access control mode and the address list. The optional arguments, start and end, can be affixed to select the range of items to be listed.
clear:
clear all the addresses in the access control table.
WEP Keys
wep mode | set | list
The 'wep' command contains sub-commands that allow you to manage the data encryption (WEP, wired equivalent privacy) function provided with the access point. The sub-commands are listed as follows:
mode disable | wep40 | wep40opt:
set the access control mode. The following are the definition of each data encryption mode.
- none: no encryption (default)
- wep40: use 40-bit WEP data encryption
- wep40opt: use 40-bit WEP data encryption for 40-bit WEP-equipped clients while allowing non-WEP clients associating to the Access Point as well.
- wep128: user 128-bit WEP data encryption
set key1 key_text:
set WEP Key#1 as key_text. 10 hexadecimal digits (0-9 or A-F) heading by "0x" or five alphanumeric values (ASCII characters, case-sensitive) are required if 40-bit WEP is used.
Example: 0x1122334455, 0x0055AA55AA, abcde, or MyKey.
set key2 key_text:
set WEP Key#2 as key_text with a same format as WEP Key#1.
set key3 key_text:
set WEP Key#3 as key_text with a same format as WEP Key#1.
set key4 key_text:
set WEP Key#2 as key_text with a same format as WEP Key#1.
set usekey 1|2|3|4:
Select the WEP key to be used for encrypting data transmission. Only one key can be selected at a time.
list:
Display current WEP settings.
Note: Your new WEP settings will take effect after resetting the access point.
DHCP/IP Router Mode
ipcfg set | renew | release
The 'ipcfg' command contains sub-commands that allow you to manage Ethernet port of the Wireless Micro Access Point. You may set the Wireless Access Point act as either a bridge with DHCP client enabled, or a wireless Router with DHCP server and PPPoE enabled. The sub-commands are described as follows:
set mode | obtain | ip_address | ip_netmask: set TCP/IP mode and other related parameters for the Wireless Access Point. The definition of each mode is specified as follows:
renew: re-assign an IP address to the Wireless Access Point via your DHCP server.
release: release the current IP address of the Wireless Access Point.
PPPoE Setup
The 'pppoe' command contains sub-commands that allow you to configure the pppoe setup for the Wireless Access Point. When you enter the "pppoe" command, you will see some information such as pppoe mode, username, password and IP address, etc. The sub-commands are described as follows:
set mode | username | passwd | cm | idle_time: set the pppoe mode and other parameters for the Wireless Access Point. The definition of each command is listed as follows:
connect: establish a PPPoE connection.
Disconnect: terminate the PPPoE connection
Wireless DHCP Server
The 'dhcps' command contains sub-commands that allow you to manage Wireless LAN port of the Wireless Access Point. You may set the Wireless Access Point act as wireless DHCP server. All the wireless clients can automatically obtain an IP address from the Wireless Access Point. The sub-commands are described as follows:
set mode | ip_start | ip_end | ip_netmask | ip_gateway | ip_dns1 | ip_dns2 | ip_wins1 | ip_wins2 |wizard: set the DHCP server mode and other related network parameters for the Wireless Access Point. The definition of "dhcp set mode" command is listed as follows:
stat: display IP addresses and MAC addresses of wireless clients.
NAT Setup
The 'nat' command contains sub-commands that allow you to manage NAT configuration for the Wireless Access Point. All the wireless clients can access Internet with a single IP address. Note that NAT will function only when the Wireless Access Point is set to IP Router mode. The sub-commands are described as follows:
mode[disable/enable]: enable or disable the NAT function
stat: display status of the wireless clients
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