Module 6 - Bridges

Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.2

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.

Bridge Connection

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
Technology Installation Cost Monthly Cost (USD) Barriers to Implement

Dialup or 56K Cable/DSL E1, T1 Fiber

$0 to $250
$0 to $250+

$25 to $50
$25 to $150

Remote locations Reliability

$250 to $1,000+
$5,000 to $200,000+ $15,000+ $2,000 to $15,000

$400 to $1000+ Recurring Cost

$0 $0

Availability
Physical obstructions

Microwave
802.11

Licensing, Weather
Interference

$0

Traditional WAN Connectivity

Monthly Leased Line OpEx RBOC DS1 DS1 DS3 2 DS1: $600

1 DS3: $5000
TOTAL: $5600

New remote office

RBOC provides guaranteed level of service via a Service Level Agreement (SLA)

- No DS1 connection available

802.11b Connectivity
Monthly Line Cost 2 DS1: $600

1 Fractional DS3: $3000 2 Mbps

TOTAL: $3600

2 Mbps

22 Mbps

Wireless Installation Cost 7 350 Series Bridges Installed: $12,500 USD

Pay Back Period: 3 months

5 Mbps 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
14 Mbps
Monthly Line Cost 2 DS1: $600

1 DS3: $5000
TOTAL: $5600

14 Mbps

50 Mbps

Wireless Installation Cost 7 1400 Series Bridges Installed: $40,000 USD

Pay Back Period: 8 months

27 Mbps 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

Bridges

Cisco bridges can be

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

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

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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 multifunction 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
Bridge Model
Data Rate 11 Mbps 11 Mbps Max. Distance Miles 20.5 32.7 Km 33.0 52.5 21 dBi Dish 21 dBi Dish Optional Antenna Standard Cable (6.7 dB/100 ft. loss) (6.7 dB/30.5 m) 50 ft (15.2m)/side 20 ft (6.1m)/side

BR350

5.5 Mbps
2 Mbps 1 Mbps

32.6
41.0 51.7

52.4
66.0 83.2

21 dBi Dish
21 dBi Dish 21 dBi Dish

50 ft (15.2m)/side
50 ft (15.2m)/side 50 ft (15.2m)/side

Note: Distances over 25 miles or 40 Km are very hard to align and install!

802.11b Common Questions

Cisco Aironet Bridge
Max data rate
Typical throughput

How Fast?
11 Mbps
5.5 Mbps 2 Mbps 1.4 Mbps

How Far?
Yagi antenna Dish antenna 3.6 Miles 5.8 Km 20.5 Miles 33 Km 7.3 miles 11.7 Km 25+ miles 40+ Km

Note: All distances may be limited by governing bodies and standards.

Optional 2.4GHz Antennas for Long Range

13.5 dBi Yagi

Distances over
7.3 miles @ 2 Mbps 11.7 Km @ 2 Mbps 3.6 miles @ 11 Mbps 5.8 Km @ 11 Mbps

21 dBi Solid Dish

For distances up to
25+ miles @ 2 Mbps 40+ Km @ 2 Mbps 20.5 miles @ 11 Mbps 33 Km @ 11 Mbps

Note: Distances include 50 feet of low loss cable and 10 dB fade margin

802.11b Bridge Application: School District

Richardson Elementary Yagi WeaverRoberts Special Middle School Education Dish Dish

Bode Elementary Yagi

High School 2 Bridges One 12 dBi omni One Dish

UNIVERSIT Y

Channel #1 Channel #6 Channel #11 Price Elementary Yagi

Administration 2 Bridges One 12 dBi omni One Yagi

Lincoln Elementary Yagi

Bolich Dewitt Elementary Middle School Yagi Yagi

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.

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 Clients Repeater 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 44 setting.

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. 54

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

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-ANT3338 21 dBi dish

-4.46 miles@54Mbps and 20.1 miles@11Mbps

AIR-ANT24120 12 dBi omni

-1 mile @54Mbps and 7.29 miles @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

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