Proxim AP5C User Manual
20
Chapter 3
Configuration
The Harmony 802.11a Access Point must be used in conjunction with a Harmony AP
Controller. A Harmony System that supports 802.11a generally consists of one or more
Harmony AP Controllers, one or more Harmony Access Points, and one or more mobile
clients that have an 802.11a adapter installed. Each Access Point acts as an
intermediary between its mobile clients and the AP Controller, converting radio
signals into Ethernet packets and vice versa. The Harmony AP Controller handles all of
the configuration and management of the Access Points on the network and
centralizes the management and security features of a wireless LAN.
Controller. A Harmony System that supports 802.11a generally consists of one or more
Harmony AP Controllers, one or more Harmony Access Points, and one or more mobile
clients that have an 802.11a adapter installed. Each Access Point acts as an
intermediary between its mobile clients and the AP Controller, converting radio
signals into Ethernet packets and vice versa. The Harmony AP Controller handles all of
the configuration and management of the Access Points on the network and
centralizes the management and security features of a wireless LAN.
The Harmony 802.11a Access Point supports two modes of operation: Tunneled and
Managed. In Tunneled mode, the Harmony 802.11a Access Point communicates
exclusively with the AP Controller using a technique known as IP Tunneling. An Access
Point in Tunneled mode can be installed on a remote subnet to support roaming
across a router. In Managed mode, the Harmony 802.11a Access Point communicates
directly with the Ethernet network but is still managed by the AP Controller. An Access
Point in Managed mode must be installed on the same IP subnet as the System’s AP
Controllers.
Managed. In Tunneled mode, the Harmony 802.11a Access Point communicates
exclusively with the AP Controller using a technique known as IP Tunneling. An Access
Point in Tunneled mode can be installed on a remote subnet to support roaming
across a router. In Managed mode, the Harmony 802.11a Access Point communicates
directly with the Ethernet network but is still managed by the AP Controller. An Access
Point in Managed mode must be installed on the same IP subnet as the System’s AP
Controllers.
The number of Access Points per AP Controller varies based on the type of Access
Points installed and the operating mode of those Access Points. An AP Controller has
a finite capacity to forward and filter packets on the network. Too many Access Points
communicating with a single AP Controller may reduce system performance, which
depends on the amount of traffic that is generated by the Ethernet network and the
Access Points. For example, an AP Controller can support more 802.11a Access Points
in Managed mode than in Tunneled mode because, unlike Access Points in Tunneled
mode, Access Points in Managed mode communicate directly with the Ethernet
network and packets do not need to be processed by the AP Controller first.
Points installed and the operating mode of those Access Points. An AP Controller has
a finite capacity to forward and filter packets on the network. Too many Access Points
communicating with a single AP Controller may reduce system performance, which
depends on the amount of traffic that is generated by the Ethernet network and the
Access Points. For example, an AP Controller can support more 802.11a Access Points
in Managed mode than in Tunneled mode because, unlike Access Points in Tunneled
mode, Access Points in Managed mode communicate directly with the Ethernet
network and packets do not need to be processed by the AP Controller first.
When a Harmony 802.11a Access Point is connected to the network for the first time,
the AP Controller automatically configures it with the AP AutoConfigure Default
settings. See “Auto Configure Default Parameters” beginning on page 23 for details.
the AP Controller automatically configures it with the AP AutoConfigure Default
settings. See “Auto Configure Default Parameters” beginning on page 23 for details.