30CHAPTER 2: PLANNING AND MANAGING YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK WITH 3WXM

Which Services To What is a service?: A service is a concept (not a selectable item in the 3WXM

Provide?interface) that represents a set of options you configure and deploy on your wireless network. You configure services to support the different levels of network access you need to provide. For example, a service configured to support employee access will have different options configured to provide greater access to the network. In contrast, a service configured for guest access typically restricts users to limited or no internal network access, but easily provides a gateway connection to the Internet.

A service can be fully isolated and independent of other services on the network (multi-hosted access is typically isolated), or you can reuse part of a service configuration for another service you want to provide. Each service has potential authentications (802.1X, web page, MAC address, or “last resort”) and potential encryptions (802.11i, WPA, WEP, or unencrypted).

Purpose of this section: To provide information about services that you can configure using 3WXM.

Why is this important?: Understanding the services you can configure with 3WXM is the first step in planning and configuring your network.

The first step you need to do when planning your wireless network is to determine which services your organization requires. The three common types of services are:

„Employee access

„Guest access

„Voice over Wireless IP (VoWIP)

Employee access is typically secure, encrypted access to the wireless network. Guest access is access (possibly unencrypted) for visitors at your location. If you intend to resell services to other providers, you will need to provide multi-hosted access.

Determining the services you will need at the beginning of the planning process results in configuration data. The configuration data is used to create service profiles and AAA rules for each service. A service profile is a subset of a radio profile. A radio profile is a common set of configuration parameters that can be applied to many MAP radios.

See “Create a Service Profile” on page 99 for information about configuring services.

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3Com WX2200 manual Planning and Managing Your Wireless Network with 3WXM

WX2200 specifications

The 3Com WX2200 is a robust wireless access point designed to meet the demands of modern networking environments. Aimed at businesses looking for enhanced connectivity and efficient management, the WX2200 exemplifies reliability, performance, and advanced technology.

One of the standout features of the WX2200 is its dual-radio architecture, which supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. This enables users to experience improved performance and reduced interference, ensuring that devices can connect smoothly without experiencing lag. With support for the 802.11n standard, the WX2200 facilitates high-speed wireless connectivity, offering data rates of up to 300 Mbps per radio. This provides a powerful solution for environments with numerous users and devices, from retail spaces to educational institutions.

Moreover, the WX2200 is equipped with advanced technologies like MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), which enhances throughput and range. This feature allows the access point to utilize multiple antennas for both transmission and reception, significantly improving the performance in multipath environments. The result is a more stable connection, with improved coverage and reduced dead spots.

Another key characteristic of the WX2200 is its seamless integration into larger networks. It supports a unified management architecture that allows IT administrators to easily monitor and manage multiple access points from a centralized platform. This capability is crucial for ensuring consistent performance across various locations and for handling firmware updates and configuration changes efficiently.

Security is also a prime consideration in the design of the WX2200. It incorporates WPA2 encryption and supports various authentication methods, including 802.1X, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected throughout the wireless network. The access point also features guest access capabilities, allowing visitors to connect seamlessly without compromising the security of the main network.

Furthermore, the WX2200 is designed with scalability in mind, enabling businesses to expand their wireless networks as needed. With its capability to support a multitude of concurrent users, the WX2200 can easily adapt to growing demands and changeable environments.

In summary, the 3Com WX2200 is a versatile and powerful wireless access point that leverages advanced technologies to provide seamless connectivity, impressive performance, and robust security. Its dual-band capabilities, MIMO technology, unified management system, and scalability make it an ideal choice for any forward-thinking organization seeking to enhance its network infrastructure.