AMX NXD/NXT-1500VG Wireless Settings Page Wireless Access Overview, IP Routing, Hot Swapping

Configuring Communication

Wireless Settings Page - Wireless Access Overview

IP Routing

The behavior of the wireless routing is largely dependent on the wired network interface. Although the panel can be connected to two networks simultaneously it may only have one gateway. If the wired network was successfully set up and a gateway was obtained; then the default route for all network traffic will be via the wired network. In the event that the wired network was not configured, then the default route for all network traffic will be via the wireless network. The wired network connection always takes priority.

As an example:

Imagine a panel connected to two networks A & B. A is the wired network and B is the wireless network. If the Master controller is on either of these networks then it will be reached. However if the Master controller is on a different network, C, then determining which network interface (wired or wireless) that will be used is dependent on the gateway.

Hot Swapping

Hot swapping is not an issue on these panels as the card is installed within the unit and cannot be removed without first removing the housing.

In the case of DHCP, there must be a DHCP server accessible before the fields are populated.

If the SSID (Network Name) and WEP fields have not previously been configured, the Wireless Settings page will not work until the panel is rebooted.

Ethernet Communication from the panel can be direct (using an Ethernet cable) or indirect (through the optional NXA-PCI80211G AMX Wireless Card (FG2255-04) communicating to a Wireless Access Point such as the NXA-WAP200G). In determining the Ethernet method of communication, the panel will always default first to the direct Ethernet communication. If no direct connection is detected, the panel will first check to see if there is an installed wireless interface card and then communicate to the WAP using the Wireless Settings assigned within the Wireless Settings page. The WAP communication parameters must match those of the pre-installed wireless interface card installed within the panel.

Wireless Access Points are the cornerstone of any wireless network. A Wireless Access Point acts as a bridge between a wired and wireless network. It aggregates the traffic from all the wireless clients and forwards it down the network to the switch or router. One Wireless Access Point may be all you need. However, you could need more Wireless Access Points depending on either how large your installation is, how it is laid out, and how it is constructed.

Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Security is a method by which WLANs protect wireless data streams. A data stream encrypted with WEP can still be intercepted or eavesdropped upon, but the encryption makes the data unintelligible to the interloper. The strength of WEP is measured by the length of the key used to encrypt the data. The longer the key, the harder it is to crack.

802.11b implementations provided 40-bit and 104-bit WEP keys. This is known respectively as 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption. 64-bit is generally not regarded as adequate security protection. Both key lengths are supported by the Modero product line. Whichever level of WEP you use, it's crucial to use identical settings (CASE SENSITIVE)--the key length, and the key itself-- on all devices. Only devices with common WEP settings will be able to communicate. Similarly, if one device has WEP enabled and another doesn't, they won't be able to talk to each other.

VG-Series Modero Touch Panels 101