Using the Configuration Management System 25

The following table describes the functions of the buttons in the 3Com Wireless

Infrastructure Device Manager window.

Button

Description

 

 

Properties

Displays the following properties of the selected device: Device Name, Device

 

Type, Wireless LAN Service Area (ESSID), IP Address, Subnet Mask, and MAC

 

Address.

Configure

Launches the Configuration Management System for the selected device. If

 

the selected device is on a different subnet, you are prompted to assign an

 

address on the same subnet as your computer.

Refresh

Scans the network and displays the connected 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless

 

LAN devices.

Choose NIC

If your computer has more than one network interface card installed, allows

 

you to choose which card you want to use.

Close

Closes the device manager window and ends the session.

Help

Launches the device manager help page in your browser.

 

 

Using the

 

From the Configuration Management System main page, you can select which

Configuration

 

configuration page to view by clicking on the page names in the navigation tree in

Management System

 

the left-hand frame. The corresponding content is displayed in the main window.

 

 

 

 

Each page has a question mark icon in the upper-right corner that you can use to

 

 

 

 

display help on the contents of that page.

 

 

 

 

The Configuration Management System is password protected. If you are starting

 

 

 

 

it for the first time, it asks you to enter and confirm an administrative password. If

 

 

 

 

the device has an administrative password, the default Web browser prompts for

 

 

 

 

username and password (you need not enter the username – only the password is

 

 

 

 

required).

 

 

 

 

 

Any changes you make on a configuration page must be saved before you leave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

that page. Otherwise, the settings will revert back to the current settings. New

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

settings are applied to the device as each save operation is completed.

 

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Access Point 8000 configuration pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page Group

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System Configuration

The system configuration pages are concerned with high-level

 

 

 

 

 

network management, including access point properties, network

 

 

 

 

 

properties, and data transmission properties.

 

 

 

 

Security

The Security pages allow you to set up authentication and encryption,

 

 

 

 

 

control access, and set up access point RADIUS server parameters.

 

 

 

 

Management

The Management pages let you configure the access point for use

 

 

 

 

 

with third-party SNMP management programs, specify the TFTP

 

 

 

 

 

server you will use for various administrative functions, and set up the

 

 

 

 

 

access point system log.

 

 

 

 

Tools

Use the Tools pages to upgrade access point firmware, change the

 

 

 

 

 

administration password, restore factory defaults, and reset the

 

 

 

 

 

access point.

 

 

 

 

Statistics

The Statistics pages display various categories of operational and

 

 

 

 

 

performance statistics associated with the access point.

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3Com 11 Mbps manual Using, Configuration, Management System, Display help on the contents of that, Required
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11 Mbps specifications

3Com 11 Mbps was a pivotal product in the evolution of networking technology, paving the way for wireless communications as we know them today. Introduced in the late 1990s, this wireless LAN (Local Area Network) product utilized the IEEE 802.11 standard, which defined the protocols for wireless networking. Operating at a maximum data rate of 11 megabits per second, it offered users a revolutionary means of connecting devices without the constraints of physical cabling.

One of the main features of the 3Com 11 Mbps solution was its simplicity and ease of installation. Unlike traditional wired networks that involved intricate setups of cabling and switches, 3Com facilitated a swift deployment process. Users could set up a wireless network in minutes, allowing organizations to enhance their productivity without extensive infrastructure.

The technology behind 3Com 11 Mbps was based on Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) modulation. This approach spread the signal over a wider frequency range, which improved resistance to interference from other devices. The 2.4 GHz frequency band used by this network supported compatibility with various devices, making it a flexible option for businesses and homes alike.

In terms of security, 3Com incorporated Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which aimed to provide a level of data confidentiality comparable to that found in wired networks. However, WEP was later found to have vulnerabilities, leading to the development of more secure protocols like WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 in subsequent technologies.

Another characteristic that distinguished the 3Com 11 Mbps system was its ability to support multiple devices simultaneously. With the emergence of wireless laptops, printers, and other peripherals, a single access point could service several users without significant performance degradation.

Ultimately, the 3Com 11 Mbps was a significant stepping stone in the development of wireless technology. It showcased the potential of wireless networking and set the standard for future innovations. Although much faster and more secure wireless technologies have since emerged, the legacy of 3Com 11 Mbps resides in the fundamental advancements it brought to the realm of connectivity, making it easier and more accessible for users around the globe.
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