Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

Advanced Configuration

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4.

Verify connectivity across the LAN 1 and LAN 2.

•

A PC on either LAN segment should be able to connect to the Internet or share files and

printers of any other PCs or servers connected to LAN Segment 1 or LAN Segment 2.

How to Configure Multi-Point Wireless Bridging

Figure 5-10:

Multi-Point bridging

1.

Configure the Operating Mode of the ME103 Access Points.

–

ME103 (AP1) on LAN Segment 1 in Point-to-Point Bridge mode with the Remote MAC

Address of AP2.

–

Because it is in the central location, configure ME103 (AP2) on LAN Segment 2 in

Point-to-Multi-Point Bridge mode. No MAC address is required because it will respond to

Point-to-Point APs which are configured communicating to it.

–

Configure the ME103 (AP3) on LAN 3 in Point-to-Point Bridge mode with the Remote

MAC Address of AP2.

2.

Verify the following parameters for all access points:

•

Verify that the LAN network configuration the ME103 Access Points are configured to

operate in the same LAN network address range as the LAN devices

•

Only one AP is configured in Point-to-Multi-Point Bridge mode, and all the others are in

Point-to-Point Bridge mode.

"Master" ME103 in

Point-to-Multi-Point

Bridge Mode

LAN

Segment 1

192.168.0.1

Router

ME103 in

Point-to-Point

Bridge Mode

Hub or Switch

LAN

Segment 3

ME103 in

Point-to-Point

Bridge Mode

LAN

Segment 2

Hub or Switch

AP1

AP3

AP2

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

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Advanced Configuration

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•

All APs must be on the same LAN. That is, all the APs LAN IP address must be in the

same network.

•

If using DHCP, all ME103 Access Points should be set to “Obtain an IP address

automatically (DHCP Client)” in the IP Address Source portion of the Basic IP Settings

menu.

•

All ME103 Access Points use the same SSID, Channel, authentication mode, if any, and

encryption in use.

•

All Point-to-Point APs must have AP2’s MAC address in its Remote AP MAC address

field.

3.

Verify connectivity across the LANs.

•

A PC on any LAN segment should be able to connect to the Internet or share files and

printers with any other PCs or servers connected to any of the three LAN segments.

•

Wireless stations will not be able to connect to the ME103 Access Points in the illustration

above. If you require warless stations to access any lan segment, you can additional

ME103 Access Points configured in Wireless Access Point mode to any LAN segment.

Note:

You can extend this multi-point bridging by adding additional ME103s configured in

Point-to-Point mode for each additional LAN segment. Furthermore, you can extend the range of

the wireless network with NETGEAR wireless antenna accessories.

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

Advanced Configuration

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August 2003

Antenna Installation

The ME103 comes with two removable 2-dBi antenna. Two antennae provide what is called

“space diversity”, which helps to combat the addition of electromagnetic waves in the space where

the unit is installed. This effect is called “multipath fading.” Multipath fading is generated by the

multiple reflections of electromagnetic waves in an office due to walls, ceiling, floors, partitions,

doors, metallic polls, cubicles, etc. and the motion of people and objects. The benefits of two

antennae are evident when there is distance or obstructions in the line of sight between the ME103

and the clients. When only one antenna is used, a degradation of up to 50% of data throughput can

be noticed in several spots of the coverage and also at the fringes of the range.

The two 2dBi antenna are dipole and use vertical polarization. They provide an optimal radiation

pattern in the plane perpendicular to their direction. When oriented vertically, they provide a

optimal range in the horizontal plane (horizontal donut shaped signals). If the office is small and

on multiple floors, it is advised to put the antenna flat so that the maximum coverage is vertical

rather than horizontal. When the office is an odd shape, NETGEAR advises you to do some

orientation trials.

For applications requiring more range, wireless accessories can be used such as external antennae

and bi-directional booster(s). The first optional update is replacing the two 2dBi antennae by two

5-7dBi dipole antennae. Simply turn the ME103 off, unscrew the two antenna, and screw on the

new ones. Be sure to use antenna with a reversed SMA connector.

Another solution is to relocate the antenna(e) with an RF cable to an optimal spot such as a ceiling,

high on a wall, etc. One typical application is to locate the ME103 is in a secure location like a data

center. Two external antenna are placed outside the room, for example on the ceiling, and

connected with RF cables to the ME103. Another application is two external directional antennae,

one pointing to one side of the building, and the other to the other side. Be aware of the loss in the

cable. If the cable is too long and used with a medium gain antenna, the gain from placing the

antenna in good spot may be reduced or eliminated. Only high gain antenna (more than 10dBi)

should be used with a long cable such as 5 or 10m.

To cope with this inherent limitation, NETGEAR also provides bi-directional booster. This

component amplifies the RF signal in transmit mode and in receive mode. It automatically

switches itself to the receive or transmit mode. The booster is placed very close to the antenna and

provides an outstanding output RF power of 500mW or 27dBm. It also includes a low noise

amplifier for the receive path of 10dB gain minimum. The antenna and booster can be connected

with a cable as long as 10 to 15m from the ME103 without any performance reduction.

Reference Manual for the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point

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Advanced Configuration

August 2003

Note that ME103 diversity is provided only in receive mode, not in transmit mode. The Primary

RF port provides transmit and receive. The Secondary RF port provides receive mode only.

Therefore passive components such as external antennae can be connected to either Primary or

Secondary ME103 RF ports. However, an active device such as bi-directional booster has to be

used on the Primary RF port only. If using one booster on each Primary and Secondary RF port,

the one connected to the Secondary will boost only the receive signals.

Blank Configuration Worksheet

EAP-TLS Configuration Worksheet

EAP-TLS 802.1x Security Settings

WEP Encryption Key Length:

RADIUS Port:

RADIUS Shared Key:

Network

LAN IP Network Address

Subnet Mask

Gateway IP (LAN IP Address)

Troubleshooting

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Chapter 6

Troubleshooting

This chapter provides information about troubleshooting your ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless

Access Point. After each problem description, instructions are given to help you diagnose and

solve the problem. For the common problems listed, go to the section indicated.

•

Is the ME103 on?

•

Have I connected the wireless access point correctly?

Go to

“Installing the ME103 802.11b ProSafe Wireless Access Point” on page 3-5

.

•

I cannot remember the wireless access point’s configuration password.

Go to

“Changing the Administrator Password” on page 4-10

.

If you have trouble setting up your ME103, check the tips below.

No lights are lit on the access point.

It takes a few seconds for the power indicator to light up. Wait a minute and check the

power light status on the access point.

If the access point has no power.

•

Make sure the power cord is connected to the access point.

•

Make sure the power adapter is connected to a functioning power outlet. If it is in a power

strip, make sure the power strip is turned on. If it is plugged directly into the wall, verify that it

is not a switched outlet.

•

Make sure you are using the correct NETGEAR power adapter supplied with your access

point.

Note:

For up-to-date ME103 installation details and troubleshooting guidance visit

www.NETGEAR.com

.