Module 6 - Bridges

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Module 6 - Bridges

• Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.2

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Overview
802.11a (We will be using 1300 bridges)

• Designed to connect two or more networks,
  typically located in different buildings,
  wireless bridges deliver high data rates and
  superior throughput for data-intensive,
  line-of-sight applications.
• The bridges connect hard to wire sites,
  noncontiguous floors, satellite offices, school
  or corporate campus settings, temporary networks,
  and warehouses.
• The high-speed links between the wireless bridges
  deliver throughput many times faster than E1/T1
  lines for a fraction of the cost, thus
  eliminating the need for expensive leased lines
  or difficult to install fiber-optic cable.

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Bridge Connection
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Bridging Defined

• Bridges are used to connect two or more wired
  LANs, usually located within separate buildings,
  to create one large LAN.

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Technology Comparisons
Installation Cost
Monthly Cost (USD)
Barriers to Implement
Technology
Dialup or 56K
Remote locations
25 to 50
0 to 250
Cable/DSL
0 to 250
25 to 150
Reliability
E1, T1
250 to 1,000
400 to 1000
Availability
Recurring Cost
Physical obstructions
5,000 to 200,000
Fiber
0
Licensing, Weather
Microwave
15,000
0
2,000 to 15,000
802.11
0
Interference
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Traditional WAN Connectivity
Monthly Leased Line OpEx 2 DS1 600 1 DS3
5000 TOTAL 5600 RBOC provides guaranteed
level of service via a Service Level Agreement
(SLA)
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802.11b Connectivity
Monthly Line Cost 2 DS1
600 1 Fractional DS3 3000 TOTAL 3600
Wireless Installation Cost 7 350 Series Bridges
Installed 12,500 USD Pay Back Period 3
months New building connected Self managed
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802.11g Connectivity
Americas Point-to-Point 4.5 miles (7 km) at
54 Mbps 14 miles (23 km) at 11 Mbps
Monthly Line Cost 2 DS1 600 1 DS3
5000 TOTAL 5600
Wireless Installation Cost 7 1400 Series Bridges
Installed 40,000 USD Pay Back Period 8
months New building connected Self managed
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Role in Radio Network
File Server
BR350 or BR1310

• Role in Radio Network
• Determines functionality within WLAN
• Determines which type of clients will be supported

Workgroup Bridge
Bridge
Access Point (repeater mode)
PCI Card
PC Card
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Bridges

• Cisco bridges can be controlled and configured
  though command line and web interfaces.
• Management can also be done through traditional
  protocols like SNMP.

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Bridge roles in the network
VxWorks

• The Cisco bridges can be configured to operate in
  different modes.
• The BR350, or multifunction bridge, has the same
  receiver sensitivity, power levels, and
  capabilities, as the Cisco Aironet APs with .11b
  radio chips.
• This means that while operating in AP mode, the
  Cisco Aironet multi-function bridge can be
  configured as a fully IEEE 802.11 compliant AP,
  which will support wireless clients

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Parent-Child Relationship Root - Non-Root
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Bridge roles in the network
Root Access Point

• Root Access PointUse this setting to set up the
  bridge as a rugged access point connected to the
  wired LAN.

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Bridge roles in the network
Root Bridge

• Root bridgeOne bridge in each group of bridges
  must be set as the root bridge. A root bridge can
  only communicate with non-root bridges and other
  client devices and cannot associate with another
  root bridge.

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Bridge roles in the network
Non-Root Bridge with Clients

• Non-Root Bridge w/ClientsUse this setting for
  non-root bridges that will accept associations
  from client devices, and for bridges acting as
  repeaters. Non-root bridges can communicate with
  other non-root bridges, root bridges, and client
  devices.

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Bridge roles in the network
Non-Root Bridge without Clients

• Non-Root Bridge w/o ClientsUse this setting for
  non-root bridges that should not accept
  associations from client devices. A bridge set to
  Non-Root Bridge w/o Clients will only communicate
  with a root or non-root bridge.

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Bridge roles in the network
Repeater Access Point

• Repeater Access PointUse this setting to set up
  the bridge as a rugged repeater access point. A
  repeater access point is not connected to the
  wired LAN it is placed within radio range of an
  access point connected to the wired LAN to extend
  the range of your infrastructure or to overcome
  an obstacle that blocks radio communication.

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Power Options
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BR350Front Cover LEDs
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LED indicators

• When the bridge is powering on, all three LEDs
  normally blink.
• After bootup, the colors of the LEDs represent
  the following
• Green LEDs indicate normal activity.
• Amber LEDs indicate errors or warnings.
• Red LEDs mean the unit is not operating correctly
  or is being upgraded.

Troubleshooting BR350 Bridges
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802.11b Bridge
Standard Cable (6.7 dB/100 ft. loss) (6.7
dB/30.5 m)
Data Rate
Max. Distance Miles Km
Optional Antenna
11 Mbps
20.5 33.0
21 dBi Dish
50 ft (15.2m)/side
11 Mbps
32.7 52.5
21 dBi Dish
20 ft (6.1m)/side
32.6 52.4
5.5 Mbps
21 dBi Dish
50 ft (15.2m)/side
41.0 66.0
2 Mbps
21 dBi Dish
50 ft (15.2m)/side
51.7 83.2
1 Mbps
21 dBi Dish
50 ft (15.2m)/side
Note Distances over 25 miles or 40 Km are very
hard to align and install!
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802.11b Common Questions
Cisco Aironet Bridge
How Fast?
2 Mbps
Max data rate
11 Mbps
Typical throughput
5.5 Mbps
1.4 Mbps
How Far?
3.6 Miles 5.8 Km
7.3 miles 11.7 Km
Yagi antenna
20.5 Miles 33 Km
25 miles 40 Km
Dish antenna
Note All distances may be limited by governing
bodies and standards.
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Optional 2.4GHz Antennas for Long Range

• 13.5 dBi Yagi
• Distances over
• 7.3 miles _at_ 2 Mbps
• 11.7 Km _at_ 2 Mbps
• 3.6 miles _at_ 11 Mbps
• 5.8 Km _at_ 11 Mbps

• 21 dBi Solid Dish
• For distances up to
• 25 miles _at_ 2 Mbps
• 40 Km _at_ 2 Mbps
• 20.5 miles _at_ 11 Mbps
• 33 Km _at_ 11 Mbps

Note Distances include 50 feet of low loss cable
and 10 dB fade margin
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802.11b Bridge Application School District
Bode Elementary Yagi
Lincoln Elementary Yagi
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Connecting to the Bridge

• There are 3 basic GUI interfaces depending on the
  bridge image
• IOS 1400
• VxWorks BR350
• SOS WGB350

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1300 with IOS GUI
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BR350 with VxWorks GUI
BR350 Configuration Guide
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WGB350 with SOS GUI ad SOS Menu
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Resetting the Bridge

• Resetting the Cisco bridges depends on the model.
  
• The BR350, can be reset via the console, telnet,
  or browser connection.
• If the password is unknown, then the console
  reset method is required.
• The console port on the BR350.
• The resetall command can be used after rebooting
  the bridge, however the command must be entered
  within 2 minutes of rebooting.
• The 350 Series Workgroup Bridge or the 1300
  series bridge can be reset to default values via
  the Reset button, telnet, or browser connection.

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Default Settings for BR350 and 1300
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Basic Configuration

• Will will not use or discuss all of the
  configuration options and features.

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BR350 Home Page (Summary Status)
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BR350 Map Link

• The Map link opens the Map window, which contains
  links to every management page.
• The Map window can be used to jump quickly to any
  system management page, or to a map of the entire
  wireless network

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BR350 Network Link
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BR350 Associations Link
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BR350 Setup Link

• The Setup link displays the Setup page, which
  contains links to the management pages with
  configuration settings.

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BR350 Logs Link
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BR350 - Basic Configuration

• Connect just like an AP, suggest wired GUI.
• Remember to set the IP address on your Ethernet
  NIC.

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Root Bridge and Non-Root Bridges
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Non-Root Bridge without ClientsRepeater Bridge
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Bridge as Root Access Point
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Bridge as Repeater Access Point
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Root Radio Identification configuration

• The current IP subnet mask displayed under the
  setting shows the IP subnet mask currently
  assigned to the bridge. This is the same subnet
  mask as the default subnet mask unless DHCP or
  BOOTP is enabled. If DHCP or BOOTP is enabled,
  this is the subnet mask used by the DHCP or BOOTP
  server.
• You can also enter this setting on the Express
  Setup page.

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Root Radio Identification Page

• Primary Port Settings Two options allow for the
  designation of the radio port as the primary port
  on the bridge
• Primary Port? The primary port determines the MAC
  and IP addresses of the bridge.
• The default primary port of the bridge is the
  Ethernet port.
• The Ethernet port is connected to the wired LAN,
  so this setting is usually set to no.
• Select no to set the Ethernet port as the primary
  port.
• Select yes to set the radio port as the primary
  port.
• Adopt Primary Port Identity?
• Select yes, to adopt the primary port MAC and IP
  addresses for the radio port.
• Select no to use different MAC and IP addresses
  for the radio port. Bridges acting as root units
  adopt the primary port settings for the radio
  port.
• When putting a bridge in standby mode, select no
  for this setting.

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Root Radio Hardware configuration

• Similar to an AP.

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Root Radio Hardware configuration
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Ethernet Identification configuration

• Addressing is similar to Root Radio options

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Ethernet Hardware configuration
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Ethernet Hardware configuration
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Configuring time services
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Configuring boot services
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Configuring name services
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Configuring routing services
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Configuring routing services

• Manage Installation Keys is used to read
  specifications of the software license and to
  install a new license.
• Manage System Configuration is used to restart
  the device, download a configuration file, or
  reset settings to factory defaults.
• Distribute Configuration to other Cisco Devices
  is used to send the configuration of the device
  to other Cisco Aironet devices on the network.
• Distribute Firmware to other Cisco Devices is
  used to send a new firmware version to other
  Cisco Aironet devices on the network.

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CDP
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Distribute Firmware to Other Cisco Devices
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Hot Standby Management
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1310 Series Bridge

• 802.11g wireless bridge

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Overview
BR1310
AIR-BR1310G-A-K9-R
AIR-BR1310G-A-K9

• The Cisco Aironet 1300 Series Wireless Bridge is
  a high-performance 801.11g wireless bridge
  designed to connect multiple LANs in a
  metropolitan area.
• Designed to be a cost-effective alternative to
  leased lines, it is engineered specifically for
  harsh outdoor environments. The features of the
  1300 include

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Overview
BR1310

• Support for both point-to-point or
  point-to-multipoint configurations
• Support data rates up to 54 Mbps
• Enhanced security mechanisms based on 802.11i
  standards
• Rugged enclosure optimized for harsh outdoor
  environments with extended operating temperature
  range
• Integrated or optional external antennas for
  flexibility in deployment

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Overview
BR1310

• Data rates of 54 Mbps can be enabled for
  point-to-point links up to 4.5 miles, and for
  point-to-multipoint links up to 2 miles.
• Also, by using higher gain antennas or lower data
  rates, ranges in excess of 20 miles
  point-to-point can be covered.

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Models and options
BR1310
AIR-BR1310G-A-K9-R
AIR-BR1310G-A-K9

• There are two options for ordering the Cisco
  Aironet 1310 Series Wireless Bridge
• Cisco Aironet 1310 Outdoor Access Point/Bridge
  with 13-dBi integrated antenna, FCC config
• Cisco Aironet 1310 Outdoor Access Point/Bridge
  with RP-TNC type Connectors, FCC config

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Models and options
AIR-BR1310G-A-K9
AIR-BR1310G-A-K9-R
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Components and accessories
Cisco Aironet Power Injector
Mounting Kit
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IOS features
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Optional 2.4GHz Antennas for Longer Range

• AIR-ANT24120 12 dBi omni -1 mile _at_54Mbps and
• 7.29 miles _at_11mbps

• AIR-ANT3338 21 dBi dish -4.46 miles_at_54Mbps and
  20.1 miles_at_11Mbps

• Network configurations
• Point to point
• Point to multi-point
• Roof, pole, and wall mounting options
• 2.4 GHz Unlicensed Band Operation
• Rapid deployment and re-commissioning
• Operating temp range -30 to 55 oC
• Humidity 0 to 100

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Bridge Range Calculation Utility
Click Here
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Bridge Distance Calculations (cont.)
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Bridge Distance Calculations (cont.)
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Ch. 6 - Bridges

• Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.2