Fortinet ORTIWIFI-60A /AM manual Positioning an Access Point, Radio Frequency interface

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Setting up a wireless network

Using a wireless network

Positioning an Access Point

When placing the FortiWiFi AP, your main concern is providing a strong signal to all users. A strong signal ensures a fast connection and the efficient transfer of data. A weaker signal means a greater chance of data transmission errors and the need to re-send information, slowing down data transfer.

Consider the following guidelines when placing the FortiWiFi AP:

Physical barriers can impede the radio signals. Solid objects such as walls, furniture and people absorb radio waves, weakening the signal. Be aware of the physical barriers in your office space that may reduce a signal. If there is enough physical interference, you may encounter dead spots that receive no signals.

Ensure the FortiWiFi AP is located in a prominent location within a room for maximum coverage, rather than in a corner.

Construction materials used in a building can also weaken radio signals. Rooms with walls of concrete or metal can affect the signal strength.

Radio Frequency interface

The 802.11b/g standard uses a frequency range of 2.4 to 2.483 GHz and the 802.11a standard transmit at 5 GHz. Radio frequency (RF) interference occurs when other devices send RF signals during their normal operation that use the same frequency as the FortiWiFi AP. Wireless devices such as cordless phones, microwave ovens and Bluetooth devices can interfere with packet transmissions on a wireless network.

To avoid RF interference:

Remove these devices from the immediate area where users are working. Something as simple as a Bluetooth enabled mouse may cause transmission interruptions.

Keep the FortiWiFi AP and wireless devices at least 10 feet away from appliances such as microwave ovens and cordless phones.

If you must have a cordless phone, select one that does not use the 2.4GHz frequency range for b/g or 5GHZ frequency range for wireless a.

Consider more FortiWiFi APs to help strengthen the signal. The weaker the signal, the slower the transmission will be as it tries to compete against other wireless devices.

Set a channel that users and FortiWiFi APs will specifically use can improve signal quality.

Using multiple access points

If you cannot avoid some of these impediments due to the shape of the office or building materials used, you may need to use multiple FortiWiFi APs to help distribute the radio signal around the room. Figure 11 shows how positioning two FortiWiFi APs within a uniquely shaped office space helps to distribute signals around the area.

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FortiWiFi-60A/AM FortiOS 3.0 MR4 Install Guide

01-30004-0283-20070215

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Contents Install G U I D E Trademarks Regulatory complianceContents Configuring the FortiWiFi Configuring the modem interfaceFortiWiFi Firmware Using a wireless networkIndex Page About the FortiWiFi unit FortiWiFi-60A/AMFortinet Family Products Register your FortiWiFi unitFortiGuard Subscription Services FortiClientFortiReporter FortiMailFortiAnalyzer FortiBridgeAbout this document Document conventionsTypographic conventions Addressipv4FortiGate Install Guide Fortinet documentationFortinet Knowledge Center Customer service and technical supportComments on Fortinet technical documentation Customer service and technical support Installing the FortiWiFi unit Package ContentsSpecifications Powering on the FortiWiFi unitTo power on the FortiWiFi unit MountingCommand line interface Connecting to the FortiWiFi unitPowering off the FortiWiFi unit To power off the FortiWiFi unitConnecting to the web-based manager To connect to the web-based managerConnecting to the CLI System DashboardWelcome Quick installation using factory defaultsTo connect to the CLI Bits per second 9600 Data bits ParityGo to System Network Options Quick installation using factory defaults Factory defaults Factory default Dhcp server configuration Factory default NAT/Route mode network configurationFactory default Transparent mode network configuration Factory default firewall configurationFactory default protection profiles Restoring the default settings using the CLI Restoring the default settingsRestoring the default settings using the web-based manager To reset the default settings Go to System StatusRestoring the default settings Planning the FortiWiFi configuration NAT/Route modeNAT/Route mode with multiple external network connections Example NAT/Route mode network configurationTransparent mode Example NAT/Route multiple internet connectionNAT/Route mode installation Preparing to configure the FortiWiFi unit in NAT/Route modeNAT/Route mode settings Administrator Password Internal Dhcp or PPPoE configurationUsing the web-based manager PPPoE setting User name PasswordConfiguring basic settings To configure interfaces Go to System Network InterfaceUsing the command line interface Adding a default routeVerifying the web-based manager configuration Configuring the FortiWiFi unit to operate in NAT/Route modeExample To add/change the administrator passwordTo configure interfaces To set the WAN1 interface to use DHCP, enterTo set the WAN1 interface to use PPPoE, enter To configure DNS server settingsTo add a default route Get system interfaceConnecting the FortiWiFi unit to the networks To connect the FortiWiFi unitConfiguring the networks NAT/Route mode connectionsTransparent mode settings Administrator Password Transparent mode installationPreparing to configure Transparent mode DNS SettingsTo change to Transparent mode using the CLI To verify the DNS server settingsConnecting the FortiWiFi unit to your network Reconnecting to the web-based managerTo connect the FortiWiFi unit running in Transparent mode Next steps Set the date and timeUpdating antivirus and IPS signatures Updating the IPS signatures from the CLI Scheduling antivirus and IPS updatesTo update IPS signatures using the CLI EveryDaily To enable schedule updates from the CLIAdding an override server WeeklyTo add an override server using the CLI Config system autoupdate override set address Set status EndNext steps Configuring the modem interface Stand alone mode configuration Selecting a modem modeRedundant mode configuration To configure the FortiWiFi-60A using the CLIEnter the following to configure the dialup account Configuring modem settings To connect to a dial-up account Go to System Network Modem Connecting and disconnecting the modem in Stand alone modeTo configure modem settings Go to System Network Modem To disconnect the modemConfiguring the modem using the CLI Keywords and variables Description DefaultPeermodem1 Adding firewall policies for modem connections Adding a Ping ServerDead gateway detection Setting up a wireless network FortiWiFi unit as an Access PointUsing multiple access points Positioning an Access PointRadio Frequency interface Wireless Security Wireless Equivalent Privacy WEPAdditional security measures Wi-Fi Protected Access WPAMAC address filtering Access Point mode FortiWiFi operation modesService Set Identifier To disable Ssid Go to System Wireless SettingsClient mode Setting up the FortiWiFi unit as an Access PointChanging the operating mode To set the data security Go to System Wireless Settings Set the Dhcp settingsSet the security options Configure the firewall policies To upgrade the firmware using the web-based manager Upgrading the firmware using the web-based managerUpgrading to a new firmware version Execute restore image Tftp namestr tftpipv4 Upgrading the firmware using the CLITo upgrade the firmware using the CLI Execute restore image image.outExecute update-now Reverting to a previous firmware versionReverting to a previous firmware version using the CLI To revert to a previous firmware version using the CLIExecute restore image Tftp image.out To install firmware from a system reboot Enter Tftp Server Address Press Any Key To Download Boot ImagePress any key to display configuration menu Enter Local AddressFortiUSB key Restoring the previous configurationSave as Default firmware/Run image without savingD/R Do You Want To Save The Image? y/nTo backup configuration using the CLI Backup and Restore from the FortiUSB keyTo restore configuration using the CLI Using the USB Auto-Install feature To configure the USB Auto-Install using the CLIAdditional CLI Commands for the FortiUSB key Testing a new firmware image before installing itTo test a new firmware image Testing a new firmware image before installing it Type n FortiWiFi unit running v3.x Bios Testing a new firmware image before installing it Index Numerics01-30004-0283-20070215