Mediacell Inc WE2106A User Manual

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Version – 1.0 
 
in session prompt (with proper permissions) or simply power-cycling the WirelessTap.  In 
the latter case, it is best to wait three seconds or so before re-applying power to make sure 
that the power supply sufficiently discharges and will fully accomplish a hardware power-on 
reset. 
 
 
Boot Firmware Source 
 
WirelessTaps may come with a local firmware option installed.  In this case, runtime 
firmware is stored in non-volatile memory, and the WirelessTap can function without a 
backhaul interface.  This generally not useful, and is seen mostly in demonstration and 
evaluation systems.  There are some applications that do use this feature but they are 
relatively rare. 
 
In any case, if you do have a WirelessTap so equipped, you may desire to monitor the boot 
sequence via the console port and terminal.  There are boot options that you may want to 
select.  The most common are to use the Ethernet interface as the backhaul, use the 
DOCSIS interface as backhaul, or use “No Network” backhaul.  The first two must have 
DHCP available, whereas the “No Network” option does not.  Please see the Systems 
Administrator Guide
 for more details. 
 
Please Note:  Even with the local firmware option installed, the WirelessTap is almost 
certainly configured to search for boot firmware via the DOCSIS Interface first, then the 
Ethernet Interface.  If both these fail to supply a boot image, only then will local firmware 
will be loaded and run.  Please see the Systems Administrator Guide for more detailed start-
up information. 
 
 
Initial Testing 
 
The console port can be used to quickly check the platform’s operational status.  Simply 
connect a terminal set to 115.2K N81 using a null modem cable.  If the server is running 
and stable you will see only a login prompt.  If the unit cannot find a boot file to execute it 
will continually try by restarting itself every few minutes.  You will be able to witness this via 
the console.  The WirelessTap unit also beeps though it may be difficult to hear in noisy 
environments. 
 
Radio testing can be accomplished in a number of ways.  One is to use a specialty tester 
such as the YellowJacket handheld tester (for 802.11 systems
).  Another is a home-brew 
test setup such as a laptop running NetStumberKismet or other such software application 
(using an appropriate wireless adapter).  You should be able to see the radios in the display 
window.  Please consult the appropriate guide.  Beware using Windows based laptops and 
standard WLAN configuration utilities especially the built-in Windows subsystem, called WZC 
or Windows Zero Config.  These, especially the WZC application, can be very misleading.  
Please consult the appropriate guides, but we suggest using test gear for testing purposes.  
Other test rigs can be used, such as vector signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers and RF 
power meters, but these require exceptional skill given the complex modulation and time 
division duplex nature of the various digital radio protocol installed in WirelessTaps. 
 
 
                                                 
1
 See www.brsystems.com 
Strand Mount Platform Quick Start Guide 
 
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