2
C
HAPTER
1: I
NTRODUCTION
1
Choose the best place for the installation (flat surface, wall, or acoustical ceiling).
Look for a location away from equipment that might cause radio interference. The
site should be elevated and centrally located relative to the users on your wireless
network.
2
Make sure that you are familiar with the following items and have them available
where required for your installation:
■
Access point
■
3Com Integrated Power-over-Ethernet power supply and power cord
■
Standard category 5 straight-through (8-wire) Ethernet cable
■
Mounting hardware (for wall- or ceiling-mount installations)
It may be useful for you to conduct a site survey before permanently installing the
access point. See “Conducting a Site Survey” on page 37.
3
Install the access point following the steps outlined in “Installing the Access Point”
on page 5.
4
For information on improving the signal between the access point and a wireless
client, see “Selecting A Different Antenna” on page 11.
User support Supports up to 256 simultaneous users, regardless of mode of
operation.
DHCP support Uses DHCP to obtain a leased IP address and network
configuration information from a server. If the network has no
DHCP server, the access point’s internal DHCP server assigns IP
addresses to wireless clients in a stand-alone wireless network.
SNMP and MIB interfaces SNMP, HP OpenView, and 3Com Network Supervisor (3NS).
Authentication features Supports RADIUS authentication between the wireless client and
the RADIUS servers, in conjunction with the IEEE 802.1x. For Serial
Authentication, requires the 3Com 3CRWE62092A wireless LAN
PC card upgraded with the latest firmware.
Supports client authentication by MAC address list on access point
or on RADIUS server.
802.1x Support Port-based network access control utilizes the physical
characteristics of the switched LAN infrastructures to authenticate
devices attached to a LAN port, and prevent access to that port in
cases where the authentication process fails.
Encryption Supports 40-bit and 128-bit shared encryption, and 128-bit
dynamic encryption key. Compatible with Cisco and Agere/Lucent
access points and clients. Also supports 3Com Dynamic Security
Link 128-bit dynamic encryption key.
Management tools Web server in the access point supports device configuration and
management through your web browser. Access point software
tools run under Windows 98, 98 SE, Me, 2000, and XP; Windows
NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or higher;. The 3Com Network
Supervisor discovers and displays a map of all Wireless Clients
within a segment. Built-in Web server simplifies firmware
upgrades. Web-based interface is compatible with Internet
Explorer 5.0 or greater and Netscape Communicator 6.0 or
greater.
Privacy Mode Broadcasting of ESSID can be disabled.
Client-to-client blocking Prevents communication among associated clients, providing client
privacy in public access situations.