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CONFIGURING WIRELESS SERVICES

 

What are Services? A service is a concept (not a selectable item in the 3WXM interface) that represents a set of options you configure and deploy on your wireless network. Services are configured to provide various levels of wireless network access to users, such as secure employee access, guest access, multi-hosted access, or Voice over Wireless IP (VoWIP) access.

You can configure a service to be independent of other services on your wireless network, or you may be able to share configuration components among services. For example, multi-hosted access is typically fully isolated from other services (no shared configuration), while services that provide for guest and employee access in a single corporation may share a common radio profile. In this way, you can reuse part of the service configuration for other services you want to provide. You could configure a service for employee access; then reuse part of the configuration to provide services for guest access.

Each service has potential authentication types (802.1X, web page, MAC address, or open access) and potential encryption types (802.11i, WPA, WEP, or unencrypted). (Open Access is sometimes called last resort.)

This chapter contains examples to help you configure the following types of service sets:

„Employee access (802.1X)

„Guest access (Web Portal)

„Voice over IP (MAC AAA)

The configuration examples in this chapter take place on a WX switch already in the network plan. However, you also can preconfigure services in a policy and apply the policy to WX switches later.

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3Com WX2200 manual Configuring Wireless Services

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.