DATA SHEET
3Com 10 Mbps LAN PC Cards
Reliable network performance at Ethernet speeds
3Com 10 Mbps LAN PC Cards offer Ethernet network access with innovative features that can save you time and money. And because theyre made by 3Comone of the industrys leading suppliers of notebook PC Cardsyou can count on reliable performance and world-class support. Our 10 Mbps LAN PC Cards simplify your life and enable your mobility.

Guaranteed Compatibility

When you purchase a 3Com 10 Mbps LAN PC Card, rest assured that youre getting complete compatibility with a broad range of leading operating systems and notebooks with 16-bit PC Card slots. In fact, youre guaranteed compatibility with all notebook computers that comply with the PC Card Standard.

Trouble-Free Connections

Key Benefits

Leading LAN Performance

Patented 3Com Parallel Tasking performance allows 3Com PC Cards to increase network performance and platform availabilitykeeping enterprises profitable and employees productive. This patented technology ensures best-in-class LAN performance by overlapping tasks for higher 10 Mbps LAN throughput, improving application performance and lowering CPU utilization.
Our 10 Mbps LAN PC Cards are designed to connect notebook computers directly to Ethernet LANs as easily as possible. Thats why these PC Cards are available with an XJACK connector. The XJACK LAN connector pops out to hook to your LAN cables RJ-45 connectoreliminating the worry of carrying, and possibly losing, an extra connector cable. Just what youd expect from 3Comsimple, reliable access to your LAN.
Ethernet Cables Easy to Install, Configure, and Update
3Com LAN PC Cards practically install themselves. Intelligent Auto Install and innovative 3Com architecture allow your system to quickly install and configure the LAN PC Card automatically. A couple of clicks, and youre up and running. And when youre ready, 3Com LAN PC Cards feature flash DSP for updating your PC Cards main functionality simply and easily yourself.
Expand your networking capabilities or replace lost cables with individual 10BASE-T or 10BASE2 cables. To order, visit http://buydirect. 3com.com/ or call your local 3Com support center. In the U.S., call 846 2233.
Lifetime Limited Warranty
3Com warrants your 3Com LAN PC Card for as long as you own it.
3COM 10 MBPS LAN PC CARDS
One-Step Configuration and Simplified Management
3Com Mobile Connection Manager lets IT managers create network configuration profiles once, then distribute them as needed. All users have to do is click the appropriate icon, such as sales-office LAN or home-office LAN, and all system configurations are set, automatically. Now users get an easy, dependable way to get connected, and IT managers get fewer headaches.
Whats more, DynamicAccess LAN agent support comes free with your 10 Mbps LAN PC Card. It turns your PC Card into an active network component, making your mobile PC easy to manage and perform better on the network.

Product Features

Parallel Tasking technology
Delivers higher throughput, lower CPU utilization, and faster application performance due to more efficient data transfer. Delivers easy, durable connections and saves you from carrying and possibly losing cables. Available on all 3CX models. Turns your PC Card into an active network component for better network performance and easier, centralized management. Allows you to enjoy easy, plug-and-play installation in a matter of minutes. Compatible with all notebook computers that comply with the PC Card Standard. 3Com warrants your 3Com PC Card for as long as you own it.
XJACK connector DynamicAccess LAN agent support Intelligent Auto Install Guaranteed compatibility Lifetime limited warranty

Specifications

Software Drivers
Standards Conformance All models
Physical Dimensions All models
For a current list of software drivers, please visit www.3com. com/mobile/pccards/.
Network Management All models

IEEE 802.3 (10BASE-T) The PC Card Standard, March 1997
Safety and Electromagnetic Conformance All models
Length: 85.6 mm (3.37 in) Width: 54.0 mm (2.23 in) Thickness: 5.0 mm (0.20 in)
Environmental Operating Ranges All models
SNMP driver agents available at www.3com.com/. Transcend PCLink SmartAgent software available by order.
Minimum System Requirements All models
FCC part 15, Subpart B, Class B VCCI Class 2 C-tick CE CULus 1950, 3rd edition
Temperature: 0 to 70 C (32 to 155 F) Relative humidity: 10 to 90% non-condensing

Warranty

Notebook PC with an available 16-bit PC Card or 32-bit CardBus PC Card slot 8 MB of RAM (16 MB of RAM for Windows NT 4.0) Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows 98/98SE, Windows 95 OSR 2.x (95B or 95C), Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 3.1x with Card and Socket Services v2.1 or higher, Windows CE 2.0, or DOS
Power Consumption All models
Lifetime limited warranty
With supply voltage of 5 V +/- 5% 10BASE-T: 26 mA typical 10BASE2: 198 mA typical
3Com warrants your PC Card to be in good working order for as long as you own it.

Ordering Information

Product Name 3Com Megahertz 10 Mbps LAN PC Card with XJACK Connector
For Use In. U.S. Asia/Pacific Rim Japan U.S.
Order Number 3CXE589ET* 3CXE589ET-AP 3CXE589ET-JP 3CXE589EC* 3CCE589ET* 3CCE589ET-AP 3CCE589ET-JP 3CCE589EC*
3Com Megahertz 10 Mbps LAN PC Card
U.S. Asia/Pacific Rim Japan U.S.
*Quantity Packs Available Save by buying 3Com LAN PC Cards in quantity packs. For pricing in the U.S., call NET 3COM. Outside the U.S., call your local sales office.

Also available from 3Com

Experience truly mobile computing with the 3Com AirConnect Wireless LAN PC Card (3CRWE73796B) and the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card with patented XJACK antenna (3CRWE62092A). Both cards allow your notebook to connect instantly and securely to any 3Com or Wi-Fi certified access point or gateway. Notebook PC users can enjoy fast, reliable and secure cable-free access to network resources from virtually anywhere at work, in their home office, or in public spaces.

Enjoy simple, reliable 10 Mbps network connectivity for your Windows CE handheld devices including Pocket PCs. The 3Com Megahertz 10 Mbps LAN+CF Card (3C1) delivers LAN connectivity in an innovative matchbook-size Type II CF+ card. Easy to install and use, it enables you to stay connected wherever you are around the world. For more information on these products visit www.3com.com.
3Com Corporation, Corporate Headquarters, 5400 Bayfront Plaza, P.O. Box 58145, Santa Clara, CA 95052-8145 To learn more about 3Com solutions, visit www.3com.com. 3Com Corporation is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol COMS.
Copyright 2001 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. 3Com, AirConnect, DynamicAccess, Megahertz, Parallel Tasking, and XJACK are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. The 3Com logo is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective companies. 400651-003 08/01

SNMP and MIB interfaces Authentication features

802.1x Support

Port-based network access control utilizes the physical characteristics of the switched LAN infrastructures to authenticate devices attached to a LAN port, and prevent access to that port in cases where the authentication process fails. Supports 40-bit and 128-bit shared encryption, and 128-bit dynamic encryption key. Compatible with Cisco and Agere/Lucent access points and clients. Also supports 3Com Dynamic Security Link 128-bit dynamic encryption key. Web server in the access point supports device configuration and management through your web browser. Access point software tools run under Windows 98, 98 SE, Me, 2000, and XP; Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6 or higher;. The 3Com Network Supervisor discovers and displays a map of all Wireless Clients within a segment. Built-in Web server simplifies firmware upgrades. Web-based interface is compatible with Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater and Netscape Communicator 6.0 or greater. Broadcasting of ESSID can be disabled. Prevents communication among associated clients, providing client privacy in public access situations.

Encryption

Management tools
Privacy Mode Client-to-client blocking

Installation Overview

1 Choose the best place for the installation (at surface, wall, or acoustical ceiling). Look for a location away from equipment that might cause radio interference. The site should be elevated and centrally located relative to the users on your wireless network. 2 Make sure that you are familiar with the following items and have them available where required for your installation:
Access point 3Com Integrated Power-over-Ethernet power supply and power cord Standard category 5 straight-through (8-wire) Ethernet cable Mounting hardware (for wall- or ceiling-mount installations)
It may be useful for you to conduct a site survey before permanently installing the access point. See Conducting a Site Survey on page 37. 3 Install the access point following the steps outlined in Installing the Access Point on page 5. 4 For information on improving the signal between the access point and a wireless client, see Selecting A Different Antenna on page 11.

5 After hardware installation is complete, install the access point tools, utilities, and user guide from the installation CD. See Installing Software Utilities on page 14. 6 To set up a wireless client to authenticate through the access point to your RADIUS server, refer to Using the Wireless 802.1x Agent on page 19. 7 To set access point security or congure the wireless network, refer to Conguring the Access Point 8000 on page 23. 8 Review the system settings and ensure they are suitable for your site.

Before You Begin

The following items are required for installation:
3Com Integrated Power-over-Ethernet power supply and power cord. Standard category 5 straight (8-wire) Ethernet cable for connecting the access point to the power supply. This length of cable must reach from the access point to the power supply. If you plan to connect the access point to a wired network, you will need an additional length of Ethernet cable.
If you plan to mount the access point on a wall:
Mounting template Wall mount hardware kit Mounting bracket Two #6 panhead screws
If you plan to mount the access point to the T-rail grid of an acoustical ceiling:
For advanced installations, we recommend that you conduct a site survey before permanently installing the access point. A site survey tool is provided on the 3Com CD. To conduct the survey, you must also use the administrator utilities to set up a wireless client. See Conducting a Site Survey on page 37. Only professional network personnel should install the access point, cables, and antennas.
Deciding Where to Place Equipment
Select a clean, dry location that provides good reception. The site should not be close to transformers, heavy-duty motors, uorescent lights, microwave ovens, refrigerators and other electrical equipment. The power supply must be located near a power source. If you are connecting the access point to a wired network, the location must provide an Ethernet connection. You will need to run an Ethernet cable from the power supply to the access point. An access point provides coverage at distances of up to 1000 feet. Signal loss can occur if metal, concrete, brick, walls, or oors block transmission. If your ofce has these kinds of obstructions, you may need to add additional access points to improve coverage. If you plan to use one of the available optional antennas instead of the standard detachable antennas, review Selecting A Different Antenna on page 11 before

CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE ACCESS POINT
selecting the nal location and be sure to allow for routing the antenna cable as required. Do not install the access point in wet or dusty areas without protection. Make sure the temperature ranges between 20 C to 55 C (4 F to 131 F).
Connecting the Standard Antenna
The access point is supplied with standard detachable antennas. These should be attached before the access point is installed. 1 Carefully unpack the standard detachable antennas. 2 Screw an antenna into each of the sockets in the access point housing. 3 Hand-tighten the antennas. 4 Position the antennas so they turn out and away from the access point at a 45-degree angle. As a rule, the initial orientation of the antennas should be perpendicular to the oor. After network startup, you may need to adjust the antennas to ne-tune coverage in your area. Depending on the coverage required for your site, you may want to replace the standard detachable antennas with one of the external antennas available for use with the access point. See Selecting A Different Antenna on page 11.

Placing the Access Point

The access point can be placed on a at surface such as a table or desktop or it can be mounted on a wall or to the T-rail grid of an acoustical ceiling. If you choose a at surface, select one that is clear of obstructions and provides good reception. Place the access point and adjust the antenna so that the arms point up and away from the access point at a 45 angle.

Mounting on a Wall

To mount an access point on a wall, follow the instructions on the mounting template supplied in the box and refer to the following illustration. Preferably, mount the access point near the ceiling above any obstructions that could block transmission. Position the antenna so that the arms point out and away from the access point at a 45 angle

Mounting on a Ceiling

To mount an access point to the T-rail grid of an acoustical ceiling, you must rst attach the mounting bracket to the access point as shown.
Align the T-rail grips with the ceiling T-rail, adjusting them so they grip the T-rail snugly. Tighten the screws on the T-rail grip. Position the antenna so that the arms point down and away from the access point at a 45 angle.
NOTE: After installation, there may be some play in the t of the T-rail grips on the T-rail. This is likely due to the size of the T-rails but should not prevent a secure grip.

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Connecting Power
The access point is powered by the 3Com Integrated Power-over-Ethernet power supply, which provides power over a standard category 5 straight (8-wire) Ethernet cable. This eliminates the need to run standard power directly to the access point. The power supply can be located at any point between the access point and the LAN access port (if you plan to connect to a wired LAN), wherever a convenient power outlet exists.LEDs light. The access point is IEEE 802.3af compliant. Before connecting the access point to your own power-over-Ethernet hub or switch, ensure that your equipment also complies with the IEEE 802.3af standard. When you connect the power make sure you connect the cable to the port labeled To Access Point on the power supply. When the access point receives power, the LEDs light. If you supply your own Ethernet cable for connecting power, be sure that it is standard category 5 straight-through (8-wire) cable that has not been altered in any way. Use of nonstandard cable could damage the access point.

A six-foot accessory cable (model 3CWE480) is required for each of these optional antennas. It provides the transition from the SMA connector on the access point to the N-type connector on the antenna. A 20-foot cable (model 3CWE481) is also available. * Coverage varies depending on building construction. ** See Setting Data Transmission Properties on page 27 for information on selecting power transmission levels.
You can order any of the optional antennas by model number from the 3Com Web site. Omnidirectional Antenna The berglass omnidirectional antenna (model number 3CWE490) is designed for use in harsh indoor environments. It can be centrally located on the ceiling to provide uniform coverage over a wide area. This antenna features a built-in matching network that eliminates the need for a ground plane. This antenna can be mounted on the ceiling by means of a standard ceiling-mount bracket. Before installing, ensure that access is available for cable routing. This antenna does not have an electrical connection between the mask mount and the coaxial cable shield. However, adding a lightning arrestor will correct this situation by grounding the outer shield as recommended. Some arrestor designs provide over-voltage protection for the signal sent down the cable. If you use such
a design, be sure that it can pass signals used in the 2.5 GHz signal range. Many inexpensive units are available with F connectors, but these are typically designed for cable TV-UHF applications and may degrade the signals in the band used by the access point. Ceiling Mount Omnidirectional Antenna The ceiling-mount omnidirectional antenna (model number 3CWE492) is designed to cover large, open areas. It should be located at or near the center of the ceiling of a large, open area (such as an open ofce space divided into cubicles) to provide uniform coverage in all directions. It is mounted by means of a single-hole stud mount, and so can be xed easily to drop ceiling tiles or to a solid ceiling surface where cable routing access is available. This antenna does not have an electrical connection between the mask mount and the coaxial cable shield. However, adding a lightning arrestor will correct this situation by grounding the outer shield as recommended. Some arrestor designs provide over-voltage protection for the signal sent down the cable. If you use such a design, be sure that it can pass signals used in the 2.5 GHz signal range. Many inexpensive units are available with F connectors, but these are typically designed for cable TV-UHF applications and may degrade the signals in the band used by the access point. Ceiling Mount Hallway Antenna The ceiling-mount hallway antenna (model number 3CWE497) has a bidirectional design that makes it ideal for use in long corridors. Its small size means it can provide extended WLAN coverage with minimum visibility. This model includes a bracket for quick installation on standard one-inch ceiling rails. In addition, mounting holes allow for installation to any at surface with screws.

"A" side

Installing Software Utilities
The 3Com Administrator Utilities CD includes tools and utilities to help you set up and administer the wireless components of your network. Software tools and utilities are presented as Tools and Utilities options on the main menu of the CD and include:
Install the Utility Software and Documentation. This option installs the Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager Tool which you can use to monitor access points and select devices for administrative changes. It also installs the Site Survey Tool and product documentation in other languages as translations become available. Install 3Com TFTP 3CDaemon Server Tool. A TFTP server is required for rmware upgrades and for backing up and restoring access point conguration les. This option launches the 3CDaemon installation, which is a resident TFTP server. You do not have to select this option if you already have a TFTP server set up. The 3CDaemon server tool can also act as a system log (syslog) server for the access point. Install 3Com 802.1x Agent. This option installs the Wireless Authentication Agent for 802.1x support. If you will be using the access point in conjunction with a RADIUS authentication server, you must install this agent on each wireless client PC in the network. On systems running Windows XP this agent is not required because 802.1x support is built into the operating system.
Install the 3Com Network Supervisor. The 3Com Network Supervisor v. 3.5 (3NS) graphically discovers, maps, and displays network links and IP devices, including 3Com wireless access points. It is not required for access point management. It is included for sites that require centralized network management and are not already using an SNMP-based tool. 3NS maps devices and connections so you can easily monitor stress levels, set thresholds and alerts, view network events, generate reports in user-dened formats, and launch device conguration tools. For use with the Access Point 8000, it should be installed in conjunction with the 3Com Network Supervisor Advanced Package v 1.0. Install the 3Com Network Supervisor Advanced Package v 1.0. This is a supplementary upgrade package that lets the 3Com Network Supervisor manage additional 3Com equipment. You should install the service pack only after installing the 3Com Network Supervisor. Install Adobe Acrobat Reader. For users who do not already have Acrobat Reader 5.0 for viewing the PDF documentation, a current version is included on the CD. Install Internet Explorer 5.5. A copy of Internet Explorer is included on the CD in case you are running an older browser. You must have Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater or Netscape 6.0 or greater in order to use the Conguration Management System. We recommend that you make this the default browser on the workstation you will use for system conguration and management.

802.1x RADIUS Support

3Com 128-bit Dynamic Security Link Encryption. 3Coms proprietary 128-bit Dynamic Security Link is built into the access point and permits user-level authentication. This option can be used only with local access point authentication. Users must log in with username and password. (The access point username and password database can support up to 1000 names.) Once the user is authenticated, the access point dynamically creates a unique 128-encryption key for the user for that session. Encryption keys are generated automatically and so do not need to be supplied. To take advantage of this security setting, clients must use a 3Com Wireless LAN PC Card (model 3CRWE62092A).
The IEEE 802.1x standard species a general method for the provision of port-based network access control. It provides an architecture framework for User-RADIUS authentication through an authenticator such as a wireless access point or a switch. The access point supports any RADIUS implementation compliant with RFC 2865 and following standard EAP, RFC 2284, 2716, and 2548 protocols. This includes support for port-based network access control, which permits standard security protocols such as EAP and RADIUS to provide centralized user identication, authentication, dynamic key management, and accounting. (The access point supports RADIUS Accounting per RFC2866: Username, Start time, Stop time, and Packet input/output.) 3Com does not supply RADIUS software or conguration instructions other than what is applicable for access point conguration. Refer to your system administrator for additional third-party software and conguration information. The access point supports any RADIUS server that complies with RFC 2865 and follows standard EAP, RFC 2284, 2716, and 2548.
Using the Wireless 802.1x Agent
3Com provides a software utility to allow Windows clients to authenticate to the Access Point 8000 using either EAP-MD5 or 3Com Serial Authentication. The 802.1x agent can be used with any vendors PC card, but to take advantage of 3Coms Serial Authentication, it must be used with a 3Com Wireless LAN PC Card (model 3CRWE62092A) that has been upgraded to the latest rmware. A copy of the agent must be installed on each client computer Use the 3Com CD to install the wireless 802.1x agent on systems running under, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6a, Windows 2000, or Windows XP. Systems running under Windows XP include support for EAP-MD5 and EAP-TLS. On Windows XP, the 802.1x agent is only required when using 3Coms Serial Authentication.

Using the Configuration Management System
The following table describes the functions of the buttons in the 3Com Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager window.
Button Properties Description Displays the following properties of the selected device: Device Name, Device Type, Wireless LAN Service Area (ESSID), IP Address, Subnet Mask, and MAC Address. Launches the Configuration Management System for the selected device. If the selected device is on a different subnet, you are prompted to assign an address on the same subnet as your computer. Scans the network and displays the connected 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN devices. If your computer has more than one network interface card installed, allows you to choose which card you want to use. Closes the device manager window and ends the session. Launches the device manager help page in your browser.

Configure

Refresh Choose NIC Close Help
Using the Conguration Management System
From the Conguration Management System main page, you can select which conguration page to view by clicking on the page names in the navigation tree in the left-hand frame. The corresponding content is displayed in the main window. Each page has a question mark icon in the upper-right corner that you can use to display help on the contents of that page. The Conguration Management System is password protected. If you are starting it for the rst time, it asks you to enter and conrm an administrative password. If the device has an administrative password, the default Web browser prompts for username and password (you need not enter the username only the password is required). Any changes you make on a conguration page must be saved before you leave that page. Otherwise, the settings will revert back to the current settings. New settings are applied to the device as each save operation is completed. The following table summarizes the Access Point 8000 conguration pages.
Page Group System Configuration Description The system configuration pages are concerned with high-level network management, including access point properties, network properties, and data transmission properties. The Security pages allow you to set up authentication and encryption, control access, and set up access point RADIUS server parameters. The Management pages let you configure the access point for use with third-party SNMP management programs, specify the TFTP server you will use for various administrative functions, and set up the access point system log. Use the Tools pages to upgrade access point firmware, change the administration password, restore factory defaults, and reset the access point. The Statistics pages display various categories of operational and performance statistics associated with the access point.

Beacon PeriodThe beacon period sets the amount of time between beacons sent out from the AP. Normally you will not have to change this setting, although it can be useful in extremely noisy RF environments. Radio AntennaThese settings determine whether the radio will use one or two antennas. If the user attaches an external antenna, this parameter should
be set to Diversity Off. Generally, if the access point is using the standard detachable antennas, this parameter should be set to Diversity On to maximize the transmission and reception qualities of using both antennas.
Transmit PowerYou can adjust the transmit power between these settings: High: +18 dBm at the connector Medium: +13 dBm at the connector Low: +7 dBm at the connector These settings may need to be adjusted for compatibility with different types of external antennas that have different gains. These adjustments may be required to be legally compliant with the communications regulations in certain countries. For example, if you are using a high-gain antenna such as the optional at-panel directional antenna (model 3CWE498) in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Colombia, India, and Peru, no transmit power restrictions apply. If you are using it in any other country, however, you must manually select Low or Medium power.
Setting Advanced Data Transmission Properties
The Advanced Settings page provides additional features for controlling client access and communications among clients. Changing the advanced settings causes the access point to reassociate with clients, which can temporarily disrupt their network operations.
Load BalancingAllows you to specify the maximum number of clients that can associate with the access point at the same time. To specify a number, click On, enter a number between 1 and 256, and click Save. To disable load balancing, click Off. When load balancing is Off (the default) up to 256 clients can associate with the access point. If you specify a small number of clients, it is recommended that you also choose the shortest possible time in the Client List Timeout setting. Client-to-Client BlockingWhen this setting is On, clients associating with the access point are prevented from communicating with one another, providing client privacy in public access situations. When this setting is Off, clients associating with the access point can communicate. Client List TimeoutThis setting determines the length of time a client remains in the access points list of associated clients after ending the association. You can choose a timeout setting from the list. It is recommended that you choose the shortest possible timeout setting, especially if you have specied a small number of clients in the Load Balancing setting. Broadcast WLAN Service Area Name (ESSID)When this mode is enabled (the default mode), the access point WLAN service area is visible to wireless clients. When this mode is disabled, the access point WLAN service area is invisible to wireless clients. Clients that support association with access points in privacy mode can associate with the access point by specifying the access points Wireless LAN Service Area. Click On to enable broadcasting. Click Off to disable broadcasting.

Conguration of the RADIUS accounting server is optional.
Conguring for SNMP Management
The SNMP Management page lets you set up the conguration for using the access point in conjunction with third-party SNMP management programs. From this page, you can:
Modify the Read Only (default public) or Read/Write (default private) community names. Activation of either Modify button displays the corresponding page where the community names can be set. Identify one or two host machines to receive SNMP traps.
Identify which traps to send to the trap host or hosts.

Dening a TFTP Server

A TFTP server must be set up in order to perform rmware updates, backups, and restores. The TFTP Setup page identies the TFTP server that will be used. If you do not have a TFTP server, you can install the one shipped with the access point. Use the 3Com CD (Tools and Utilities options) to install the 3CDaemon TFTP server. You must supply the IP address of the TFTP server computer. The default TFTP client port number is 69, the TCP/UDP port number that is most commonly used for TFTP, although you can change this to a different port number if required.

Setting up a System Log

The System Log page lets you set up one or two computers for saving log les and to enable or disable logging. Log les are not viewable through the Conguration Management System or the access point, and so must be accessed from a host computer running a syslog server. By default, logging is off. If you turn on logging, you must specify at least one host. The access point sends log information to the host using syslog through port 514 (the TCP/UDP port number that is most commonly used for syslog). If you do not have a syslog server, you can install the one shipped with the access point. Use the 3Com CD (Tools and Utilities options) to install the 3CDaemon syslog server.

Upgrading the System

You can download system rmware upgrade les from the 3Com Web site at http://www.3com.com and install those upgrades on the access point. You must have a TFTP server set up on which to store the upgrade le. This is the server specied on the TFTP setup page. To avoid problems that could occur if a wireless association were interrupted during the upgrade, it is recommended that you perform the upgrade from a computer that is wired to the LAN. To locate an upgrade le and download it to your computer: 1 Log on to the 3Com Web site at http://www.3com.com. 2 Navigate to the product support page. 3 Navigate to the software download page and locate the le you want to download. 4 Follow the instructions to download the le into a directory on your computer. 5 Copy or move the le to the TFTP server upload/download directory. To install an upgrade: 1 Launch the access point conguration. 2 Under Tools, click Upgrade System. 3 In the Upgrade System page, make sure the TFTP server IP address is correct. If you need to change the TFTP server address, click Change. In the TFTP Setup page, enter the server address and click Save. Then under Tools, click Upgrade System to return to the Upgrade System page.

Changing the Administration Password
4 Click the Access Point Firmware check box. 5 Enter the name of the upgrade le that you downloaded earlier. 6 Click Upgrade Now. The upgrade le is copied from the TFTP server to the access point and the access point restarts using the new upgrade.
When you log in for the rst time, the Conguration Management System asks you to supply an administration password. Enter a password of at least 6-16 alphanumeric characters. If you choose not to use a password, be sure to check the check box instead. To change the administration password, under Tools click Change Administration Password. In the Change Administration Password page, enter the current password and the new password in the spaces provided and click Save. You can remove an existing administrative password by selecting Change Administration Password and leaving the new password elds blank.
Restoring Factory Defaults
The Restore Factory Defaults page allows you to erases the access points current conguration and restore the factory default settings. You can also erase the current conguration and restore the factory default settings by pressing the end of a pin or paper clip into the Reset hole on the front of the access point (near the RJ-45 connector) and holding it in for ve seconds.
Resetting the Access Point
The Reset Wireless Access Point page allows you to reboot the access point without affecting the current conguration settings. You can also reset the hardware by disconnecting and reconnecting the power.

Backing up Congurations

Access Point congurations can be saved as data les and later used to restore the access point conguration. The Backup Conguration page lets you save access point settings in an external le. (You must have a TFTP server set up on which to store the backup le. This is the server specied on the TFTP setup page.) When you back up a conguration, you must supply the name of the le that the conguration is saved to. This le will be written to the upload/download directory of the TFTP server. If you need to change the TFTP conguration, click the Change button to open the TFTP Setup page.

Restoring Congurations

Use Restore Conguration to restore settings from a previously saved backup le to the current access point. If you select All Conguration Settings, the saved conguration is restored completely. If you select Only Template Settings, only general conguration parameters such as WLAN service area, data transmission settings, security settings, dynamic security link user access list, RADIUS server settings, and management setup information are restored. Template settings would be used in common by several access points in a network and provide an easy way to recongure all access

packets that higher-level protocols requested be transmitted to a subnetwork unicast address, including those that were discarded or not sent

Viewing System Status

subnetwork unicast packets delivered to a higher-layer protocol packets that higher-level protocols requested be transmitted to a non-unicast (a subnetwork-broadcast or subnetwork-multicast) address, including those that were discarded or not sent non-unicast (subnetwork-broadcast or subnetwork-multicast) packets delivered to a higher-layer protocol octets transmitted out of the interface, including framing characters octets received out of the interface, including framing characters outbound packets that were chosen to be discarded, even though no errors had been detected, to prevent their being transmitted; one possible reason for discarding such a packet could be to free up buffer space inbound packets that were chosen to be discarded, even though no errors had been detected, to prevent their being deliverable to a higher-layer protocol; one possible reason for discarding such a packet could be to free up buffer space outbound packets that could not be transmitted because of errors inbound packets that contained errors preventing them from being deliverable to a higher-layer protocol packets received via the interface which were discarded because of an unknown or unsupported protocol
Interface StatisticsDisplays the interface statistics for the access point. The top table displays the interface counts, showing the cumulative packets or frames sent and received and the bytes sent and received over the Ethernet and wireless interfaces. The bottom table displays the rates per second for each of these parameters. Channel Retry StatisticsProvides statistics for each of the radio channels supported by the access point. For each channel, the table indicates the number of frames sent and received, and the number of retries that have occurred for that channel. Forwarding CountsDisplays the cumulative number of packets forwarded between the Ethernet and wireless interfaces, and the broadcast packets transmitted from the access point. The rows represent the source, and the columns represent the destination of the forward.

Setting up Equipment

Launching the Tool
Launch the tool from the Windows Start menu. Select Start/Programs/3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Administrator Utilities/3Com Site Survey. The 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Site Survey window and the Site Survey dialog box appear.

Conguring the Survey

In the Site Survey Conguration dialog box: 1 Enter the IP address of the test access point. 2 Select one or more tests to perform: Ping Currently Associated APFinds the average round trip value (in milliseconds) of a ping to the access point. Throughput (UDP Test)Finds the value (in kilobytes per second) of a transmission between the client and the access point. This value is only meaningful for the test; it does not reect throughput with a network. For the most accurate results, select both tests. 3 Click OK.

Running the Tests

In the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Site Survey window: 1 In the AP Test Location eld, type the location of the access point. For example, if you are testing the access point located on a desk, type Desk. 2 In the PC Test Location eld, type the location of the wireless client. For example, if you are in ofce number 1, type Office1.
3 From the Run menu, select Start Test. The tests take a few moments to run. When they are nished, the results appear in the window. For details on the information that is presented, see Interpreting Test Results on page 40. 4 Optionally, save the test: From the File menu, select Save. Name the test and save it in the location of your choice. The Site Survey tool appends the characters.ssf to the le name. 5 Move the client to the next test location and perform the next test: a If you previously saved the test, open it: From the File menu, select Open. Select the saved test, and click OK. b In the PC Test Location eld, type the new location of the wireless client. For example, if you are in ofce number 2, type Office2. c From the Run menu, select Start Test. The tests take a few moments to run. When they are nished, the results appear in the window. 6 Repeat the tests in all of the client test locations. Specify a unique name for each client test location. 7 When you are nished testing the rst access point location in all of the client test locations, place the access point in the next location, power it up, and repeat the tests from the same client test locations. Repeat this process for all access point locations. Make sure that you specify a new name for each access point location, and that you use the same set of client test locations for each access point location. At any time during the testing, you can save the current set of tests, start a new set of tests, and print test results. For a description of the commands available in the utility, see Site Survey Menus on page 41.

The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful: The Interference Handbook This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
MANUFACTURERS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza P.O. Box 58145 Santa Clara, CA 95054-8145 (408) 326-5000 Declares that the product: Date: Brand Name: Model Number: Equipment Type: 11 January 2002 3Com Corporation WL-306 Wireless LAN Access Point
Complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

3Com Corporation WL-306

Tested to Comply With FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
INDUSTRY CANADA NOTICE (APPLICABLE TO USE WITHIN CANADA) AVIS DE CONFORMIT LA RGLEMENTATION DINDUSTRIE CANADA
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing. Cet appareil numrique de la classe B est conform la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Pour empcher que cet appareil cause du brouillage au service faisant l'objet d'une licence, cet appareil doit tre utilis l'intrieur seulement et devrait tre plac loin des fentres afin de fournir un cran de blindage maximal.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY - CE NOTICE

Marking by the symbol:

indicates compliance with the essential requirements of Directive 73/23/EC and the essential requirements of articles 3.1(b), 3.2 and 3.3 of Directive 1999/5/EC. Such marking is indicative that this equipment meets or exceeds the following technical standards:
EN 300 328-2 - Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Wideband Transmission systems; data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using spread spectrum modulation techniques ETS - Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for 2,4 GHz wideband transmission systems and HIgh PErformance Radio Local Area Network (HIPERLAN) equipment EN 60950 - Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment.
indicates that this product cannot be used in France.