Access Point User Guide | Configuring the AP | | |
Configuring the AP
The AP has many configuration parameters. This section discusses all the AP parameters and how to set them.
Security
One of the first tasks you need to accomplish is to set AP security. By doing so, you define the system password, enable you Access Control List (ACL), determine which wireless clients have access to an AP and which do not, and enable or disable encryption.
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Select Configuration→Security.
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The Security Setup page displays.
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Review the default settings and change as appropriate.
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Do one of the following:
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Click Save Settings to write your changes.
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Click Clear Entries to remove your changes and return the default settings.
Adding Allowed Wireless Clients
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Select Configuration→Security.
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Select Enabled for Access Control.
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Click View/Add/Delete next to Allowed Wireless Clients.
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The Access Control List - Add/Delete Allowed Wireless Clients page displays.
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Enter the MAC address of a wireless client that can associate with the AP and click Add Wireless Client.
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Click Clear Entry if you decide not to allow the wireless client association with the AP.
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Repeat Enter the MAC address of a wireless client that can associate with the AP and click Add Wireless Client. for as many wireless clients as you wish.
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Click Security Home Page when you have completed your entry on this page.
Adding or Deleting a Range of Allowed Wireless Clients
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Select Configuration→Security.
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Select Enabled for Access Control.
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Click View/Add/Delete next to Ranges of Allowed Wireless Clients.
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The Access Control List - Add/Delete Allowed Ranges page displays.
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Enter the MAC address of the allowed wireless client that begins the range.
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Enter the MAC address of the allowed wireless client that ends the range.
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Click Clear Entry if you decide to modify the range or eliminate the range.
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Click Security Home Page when you have completed your entry on this page.
Adding or Deleting Disallowed Wireless Clients
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Select Configuration→Security.
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Select Enabled for Access Control.
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Click View/Add/Delete next to Disallowed Wireless Clients.
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The Access Control List - Add/Delete Disallowed Wireless Clients page displays.
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Enter the MAC address of a wireless client that cannot associate with the AP and click Add Disallowed Wireless Client.
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Click Clear Entry if you decide to remove a wireless client from disallowed status with the AP.
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Repeat Enter the MAC address of a wireless client that cannot associate with the AP and click Add Disallowed Wireless Client. for as many wireless clients as you wish.
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Click Security Home Page when you have completed your entry on this page.
System Parameters
The AP has configuration options to operate the unit, including security access and interface control. Some parameters do not require modification. To configure the system parameters, follow the procedure below.
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Select Configuration→System
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The System Setup page displays
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Type the AP's name in the Unit Name text box.
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Enter the appropriate value for Channel.
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The table below lists the direct-sequence channel settings for the operating countries.
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Frequency
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No. of Channels
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Country
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2412
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11
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Standard
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2412
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13
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Europe
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2457
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2
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Spain
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2457
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4
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France
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2484
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1
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Japan
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Check Enabled or Disabled for Mobile IP.
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Type a security key in the Mobile-Home MD5 Key text box.
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This security word key is used for Mobile-Home registration and authentication.
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Select the status of the Ethernet Timeout and enter the number of seconds between 30 and 255.
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This feature disables radio interface if no activity is detected on the Ethernet line after the seconds indicated. The AP disassociates wireless clients and prevents further associations with itself until it detects Ethernet activity.
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If the Ethernet Timeout is disabled when the Ethernet connection is broken, the AP clears the wireless client table and disables the RF interface until the Ethernet connection is restored.
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If the Ethernet Timeout is enabled when the Ethernet connection is broken, the AP sets the time-out value to zero (0) and attempts to associate with another WLAP in the network.
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Enter a value in seconds for Agent AD Interval. This specifies the interval in seconds between the mobility agent advertisement transmission. The default is 0.
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Enable or disable interfaces on the AP.
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Interface
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Description
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Default Condition
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AP-AP State Xchg
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Specifies AP-to-AP communication exchanged. If disabled, prevents AP Auto Configure and AP load leveling function from operating.
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Enabled
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WNMP Functions
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Specifies whether the AP can perform WNMP functions.
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Enabled
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Ethernet Interface
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Enables or disables wired Ethernet.
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On
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RF Interface
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Enables or disables radio.
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On
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Default Interface
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Specifies the default interface (Ethernet or PPP) that the AP forwards a frame to if the AP cannot find the address in its forwarding database.
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Ethernet
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Radio Frequency Parameters
The AP automatically configures most radio parameters. Exercise extreme caution when you adjust radio parameters for the AP since these parameters affect system operations. Options in the RF Configuration window fine-tune the radio and WLAP functions. To configure the radio parameters, follow the procedure below.
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Select Configuration→RF. The RF Setup page displays.
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Enter a value (in packets) for BC/MC QueuMax.This value determines the amount of memory allocated for the queue used in the AP to temporarily hold broadcast/multicast messages. The packets corresponds to the maximum-size Ethernet packets. The default is 10.
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Enter the Max Retries (data) value. The value represents the maximum allowed retries before the AP aborts a single transmission attempt. The default is 15.
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Enter the Max Retries (voice) value. The value represents the maximum allowed retries before the AP aborts a single transmission attempt. The default is 15.
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Enter the Multicast Mask (data) and (voice) values.
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AirConnect supports broadcast download protocols for any wireless client (typically Point-of-Sale terminals) requiring the expedited download of a new operating image over the network instead of using a local nonvolatile drive.
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All multicast downstream data packets that match the top 32 bits of the multicast mask are forwarded immediately instead of being queued for transmission at the next DTIM interval.
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Enter the time between beacons in milliseconds for Beacon Interval.
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The default is 100 milliseconds.
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Select Enable or Disable for Accept Broadcast Wireless LAN Service Area.
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This feature allows the AP to respond to any station sending probe packets with the industry-standard broadcast WSA. When Enabled, this feature allows industry-standard devices interoperability. The AP probe response includes the WSA_ID and information about the network. By default, this feature is Disabled and the AP responds only to stations that know the WSA_ID. This helps preserve network authentication security.
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Enter a value in minutes for the Wireless Client Inactivity Timeout.
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This value specifies the number of minutes the AP allows for wireless client inactivity. An AirConnect AP recognizes wireless client activity through data packet transmission and reception, and through scanning. AirConnect wireless clients conduct active scanning. Other industry-standard wireless clients might conduct passive scans and an AirConnect AP could classify them as inactive.
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Select values for Rate Control at the three transmission rates.
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The default values are:
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11 Mbps - Optional
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5.5 Mbps - Optional
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2 Mbps - Required
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1 Mbps - Required
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Do nothing with the RTS Threshold setting. RTS/CTS operation is not supported at this time.
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Configuring the SNMP Agent
An SNMP manager application gains access to the AP SNMP agent if the management application has the AP's IP address. To ensure security when SNMP is used, the SNMP agent can be configured as read-only, read-write, or disabled. The AP sends specific traps for some conditions.
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See the 3Com MIB on the Wireless LAN Installation and Utilities disk for specific entries.
The AP supports SNMP V1, MIB-II and the 3Com.MIB. To configure the SNMP agent, follow the procedure below.
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Select Configuration→SNMP.
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The SNMP Setup page displays.
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Select a mode for SNMP Agent Mode.
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Disabled disables SNMP functions.
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Read-only allows get and trap operations.
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Read/Write (default) allows get, set, and trap operations.
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Enter a user-defined password of up to 31 characters for Read-Only Community.
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This password is for and identifies users with read-only privileges.
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Enter a user-defined password of up to 13 characters for Read/Write Community.
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This password is for and identifies users with read/write privileges. This password should be the same password as the System Password used to gain access to the System Configuration page.
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Enter the IP address of the trap manager for Trap IP Address.
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Select Enabled or Disable All for All SNMP Traps.
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Use this feature to disable all traps or to selectively enable the individual traps. The default value is Disabled. The table below explains the traps.
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SNMP Trap
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Description
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Default Value
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Cold Boot
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Sends a trap to the manager when the AP cold boots.
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Deselected
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Authentication Failure
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Indicates that community strings other than those specified for the Read-Only and Read/Write Community were submitted.
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Deselected
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Radio Restart
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Sends a trap to the manager for radio restart.
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Deselected
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Access Control Violation
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Sends a trap to the manager when an ACL violation occurs.
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Deselected
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DHCP Change
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Deselected
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Configuring PPP/Modem
To use a Point-to-Point (PPP) connection, choose the appropriate hardware connection (direct or modem). On the System Configuration page, select PPP for Default Interface.
The PPP interface provides a connection using modems over a telephone line. Connect modems to the APs with straight-through serial cables. Designate one AP as the Originating AP and the other AP as the Answering AP. Configure the Originating AP with dial-out information to the answering AP. The answering AP waits for a dial-in from the originating AP.
The AP supports modems that use the generic Hayes Smartmodem command set. The AP uses Hayes commands and is capable of operating with various modems of 19200 baud or faster. 3Com does not support modems the company has not qualified.
The following modems qualify to work with the AP:
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Practical Peripherals PM288MT II V.34
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Supra Fax Modem 288
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US Robotics Sportster Modem 28.8
Configuring the Originating Modem
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Select Configuration→PPP/Modem. The PPP/Modem Setup page displays.
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Select Enabled for PPP Interface.
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Select PPP for Serial Port Use.
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Select Originate for Modem Connect Mode.
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Select Yes for Modem Connected.
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Select Auto for Dialout Mode.
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Select the appropriate mode for Modem Speaker.
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This setting sends a command to the modem to turn the modem speaker on or off. The default is On.
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Type the telephone number (maximum 31 characters) of the answering AP for Dialout Number.
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This string follows a typical Hayes Smartmodem ATDT command. Possible characters include pauses, numbers and letters. Refer to your modem documentation for specific information.
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Enter the time in seconds that the AP will wait for a remote connection for Answer Wait Time.
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If the AP does not make a remote connection in the amount of time you specify, it will discontinue attempts to make a connection. The default is 60 seconds from a 5- to 255-second range.
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Enter the time in minutes for Inactivity Timeout.
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This setting controls the time-out between issuing a PPP packet and the anticipated reply. This is necessary if the serial connection has long delay periods. Zero (0) indicates no time-out. The default is 3 from a 0 to 255-minute range.
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Enter the time in seconds for Maximum PPP Terminates.
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This setting controls the PPP-terminate requests an AP issues when a PPP-linked AP does not respond to a terminate request. The AP closes the PPP connection after issuing PPP-terminate requests for the maximum time specified. The default is 10 seconds from a 0-255-second range.
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Click Modem Dialout to dial the modem.
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Click the Modem Hangup check box to have the modem hang up after a call.
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Configuring the Answering Modem
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Complete steps 1-3 for configuring the originating modem above.
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Select Answer for Modem Connect Mode.
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Complete steps 5-11 for configuring the originating modem above.
Filtering
In order to control the types of network traffic the AP handles or to eliminate some network traffic, you can configure the AP to forward or discard particular types of packets (TCP/IP, IPX). Or you can allow all traffic through by disabling the filtering option.
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Select Configuration→Filtering. The Filtering Setup page displays.
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Determine what type of filtering you want to set up and select the appropriate procedure below.
Filtering to Forward Packets
To configure the AP to forward packets of particular types, do the following:
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Click Forward as the Type Filtering.
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Enter the four hex digits associated with the network protocol for which you want the AP to forward packets.
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Click Add Filter.
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Repeat steps 2 and 3 to add additional protocol types.
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Filtering to Discard Packets
To configure the AP to discard packets of particular types, do the following:
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Click Discard as the Type Filtering.
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Enter the four hex digits associated with the network protocol for which you want the AP to discard packets.
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Click Add Filter.
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Repeat steps 2 and 3 to add additional protocol types.
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Removing Filtered Packet Types (Networking Protocols)
You may have set up particular type of packets for discarding or forwarding by the AP. If you chose to remove packet types from your list, do the following.
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Highlight the hex number representing the packet type you want to delete.
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Click Delete Filter.
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Click Clear Entries to reinstate the default settings.
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Click Save Settings to save your entries on this page.
Disabling Type Filtering
If you want the AP to handle all types of network traffic, disable type filtering.
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Select Disabled (the default) as the Type Filtering if it is not already selected.
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Click Save Settings to save any changes you made on this page.
Updating AP Firmware
To upgrade your firmware you need a TFTP server and a connection between the AP and PC on the same Ethernet segment.The files required for firmware updates are 3cap_fw.bin and 3cap_htm.bin.
Verify the PC has a TFTP server running on it. Running the server requires third party software such as FTP PC/TCP for DOS or OnNet for Windows. The wireless TFTP upgrade method requires a connection between the AP and a TFTP server. The TFTP server can be running on a 3Com AirConnect device.
To update the AP firmware, do the following:
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Select Configuration→Firmware.The Firmware Download page displays.
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The Firmware Filename, HTML Filename, and the TFTP Server values display.
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Do one of the following:
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To update only the current AP, select either Firmware, HTML File, or both under update THIS Access Point's
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To update all APs, select either Firmware, HTML File, or both under update ALL Access Points.
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Click Clear Entries to modify your entries or to abort the firmware upgrade.
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Select Perform Function start the download.
Special Functions
The configuration items under Special Functions perform housekeeping functions on APs. The functions are explained in the table below.
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Special Function
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Description
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Clear All Statistics
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Clears the current statistics for the AP.
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Clear Wireless Client Table
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Ensures that wireless clients associating with the AP are active. Clear the wireless client association table for diagnostic purposes. Clear wireless clients from an AP if the AP has many wireless client associations that are no longer in use. The AP removes the wireless clients associated with it. Wireless clients cleared from an AP will attempt to reassociate with the AP or another nearby AP.
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Clear Access Control List (ACL) - Individual
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Clears the list of MAC addresses for the wireless clients that can associate with the AP.
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Clear Access Control List (ACL) - Range
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Clears the range of MAC addresses for the wireless clients that can associate with the AP.
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Clear Address Filters
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Clears filters that have been set up for the AP.
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Load ACL from Wireless Client List
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Loads the list of MAC address from the wireless client list.
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Reset AP
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The AP keeps only saved configuration changes after a reset. Resetting an AP clears statistics and restores the last saved configuration. If changes are made and not saved, the AP clears those changes and restores the factory defaults upon reset.
After a reset, the AP LEDs flash as they do when the AP powers up. The AP returns to a STATUS-flashing state.
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Save Configuration to All APs
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Saves the configuration options you have selected for the current AP to all APs with the same network ID on the same subnet.
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Select Configuration→Special Functions. The Special Functions window displays.
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Select all appropriate options.
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Click Clear Entries to remove all of your entries.
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Select Perform Function to execute your choices.