Meru Networks PSM3X MULTI RADIO 802.11a/b/g/n WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINT User Manual AP Install AP300

Meru Networks Inc. MULTI RADIO 802.11a/b/g/n WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINT AP Install AP300

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Safety Precautions

AP1000 Beta Test

Chapter 2

Installing AP300

This chapter describes how to install and configure an AP300. It contains the following sections:

Safety Precautions

Unpack the AP300

Determine Power Requirements

Installation Requirements

Install the AP300

Check AP300 LED Activity

Where to Go From Here

Safety Precautions

IMPORTANT—Read and follow the regulatory instructions in Appendix B before installing and operating

this product.

If an optional power supply is used, it must be one supplied by Meru Networks.

The AP300 is intended only for installation in Environment A as defined in IEEE 802.3af. All intercon-

nected equipment must be contained within the same building, including the interconnected equip-

ment's associated LAN connection.

Best Practices for an AP300/AP1000 Network

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Best Practices for an AP300/AP1000 Network

Read this section if you have both AP1000 and AP320i active simultaneously on the same network. The

following best practices should be followed to get optimal performance from such a mixed network.

AP320i and AP300 are interchangeable and fully compatible to share a virtual cell. It's like having

two AP300s with different antennas. The only difference is that AP320i is detected as a such in the

UI of the controller.

If possible, do not deploy AP1000 and AP300/AP320i at the same physical location; we recommend

that there be no overlapping coverage between AP1000 and AP300.

If AP1000 and AP300/AP320i do have overlapping coverage, you have two options. Deploy them on

seperate channels or make sure the ESS profiles on both AP types are unique. The chart below shows

two ESS scenarios, one supported, one not supported.

Assumptions for the above best practices include:

AP1000 is using Virtual Port with BSSID Virtual Cell.

AP320i is using Virtual Port with BSSID Virtual Cell.

AP1000s and AP300s are on the same channel. (AP1000 and AP320i could also be on different

channels.)

AP1000s and AP320i is are on the same controller. (AP1000 and AP320i could also be on different

controllers as long as each controller has a unique controller index.)

Supported ESS Scenario AP1000 Configuration AP320i Configuration

Two Unique ESS profiles ESS Profile name in

controller is UniqueName1 ESS Profile name in

controller is UniqueName2

AP1000 and AP320i SSID

string over the air Meru Meru

Unsupported ESS Scenario AP1000 Configuration AP320i Configuration

Same ESS profiles ESS Profile name in

controller is same name ESS Profile name in

controller is same name

AP1000 and AP320i SSID

string over the air Meru Meru

Unpack the AP300

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Unpack the AP300

The AP300 series has five models as shown below.

Confirm that the AP300 shipping package contains these items:

AP300 with attached mounting bracket

Six antennas (four for PSM3x)

Screws for the mounting bracket

Model Radios

PSM3x One a/b/g/n, one spectrum

AP320 Two a/b/g/n

AP311 One a/b/g/n, one a/b/g

AP310 One a/b/g/n

AP302 One a/b/g

Determine Power Requirements

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Determine Power Requirements

Power requirements vary, depending on which AP300 radios are deployed and what MIMO mode is used.

See the chart below for supported power sources for different radio configurations.

802.af PoE Usage

When using System Director 3.6/4.0/4.1 and 802.3af PoE, Meru supports radios set to any MIMO settings

except 3x3 on dual radios. This is because two radios set to 3x3 MIMO using an 802.3af switch may not

have enough power if the cable is too long. Shorter cables frequently work, however. Meru supports:

Single 3x3 radio

Dual 2 x 2 radios

Dual radio with one set to 2x2 and the other one set to 3x3

When using System Director 4.0 and 802.3af, the AP300 MIMO configuration is limited to the following:

3x3 for the 5 GHz radio

2x2 for the 2.4 GHz radio

802.3at PoE Usage

When using System Director 3.6/4.0/4.1 and 802.3at, the following radio combinations are recom-

mended:

Single 3x3 radio

Dual 2 x 2 radios

Dual radio with one set to 2x2 and the other one set to 3x3

Radio 1 MIMO Radio 2 MIMO 802.3af PoE 802.3at PoE DC Power

2x2 2x2 

2x2 3x3 

3x3 2x2 

3x3 3x3 Do not

recommend



limitation

below



Installation Requirements

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Dual 3x3 radios are recommended with a limitation. Use 802.3at power for two 3x3 MIMO radios

when the switch has a high enough power output to support all devices on the PoE. Calculate the

amount of power needed by each AP300/AP300i in 3x3 mode (13 watts), add that to power required

by other PoE devices on the switch and compare that value to the total power output from the

switch.

The calculation for 802.3at PoE use looks something like this:

(Number of AP300s * 13watts) + (sum of all other PoE devices power requirements) <= switch

power provided

For a list of supported PoEs, see the appendix Supported Power Over Ethernet Devices for Meru APs

Installation Requirements

An array of holes on the mounting bracket allows the AP300 to be mounted on the wall and over junc-

tion boxes or molly bolts. There are holes for passing the PoE Ethernet or external power supply cable

through the bracket if the bracket is mounted on a junction box. A template of this bracket is included

in Appendix E of this guide.

The AP300 has a security cable slot so you can lock the AP300 with a standard security cable, such as

those used to secure laptop computers.

Purchase optional mounting kits to mount the AP300 either from the ceiling or inside an enclosure:

Suspended Ceiling Rail Mounting Kit: ACC-MNT-SCRMKIT

Above Suspended Ceiling Mounting Kit (T-Bar Hanger): ACC-MNT-ASCMKIT

Inside a Hoffman Enclosure using Hoffman compatible mounting bracket: ACC-AP300-BHE (enclosure

not provided)

Above hanging ceiling tiles. Suitable for use in environmental air space in accordance with the

Section 300-22(c) of the National Electric Code and Sections 2- 128.12 - 010 (3) and 12 - 100 of the

Canadian Electrical Code. Part 1. C22. 1.

To complete AP300 installation, you need the items listed below.

Installation Type Items Required

Horizontal mounting None

Vertical mounting over a wall

stud

Two #6 x 2" wood screws for a wood stud; or

Two #6 x 1½” metal screws for a metal stud

Mounting bracket

Install the AP300

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Additional Equipment

A power source is needed to power the AP300. See Determine Power Requirements.

Install the AP300

Select a Location

Attach the Provided Antennas

Install the Remote Antenna Mount (optional)

Install External ACC-ANT-MIMO-MNT Antenna with Three Connectors (optional)

Install Remote ACC-ANT-6ABGN-24 Antenna with Six Connectors (optional)

Install Antennas With One Connector (optional)

Install the Access Point

Select a Location

All AP300 interconnected equipment, including the associated LAN connection, must be contained

within the same building. In addition, the AP300 location should meet the following conditions:

Vertical mounting on sheetrock

Two #6 x 1" screws

Two #4-6 x 7/8” ribbed plastic wall anchors

Mounting bracket

Horizontal mounting below a

hanging ceiling

Two caddy fasteners

Two plastic spacers

Two keps nuts (with attached lock washer)

Mounting bracket

Using existing third party

brackets

Use included shoulder screws

Mounting above a ceiling tile

Two T-rail clips

One T-box hanger

One bracket mounting clip

Mounting bracket

Installation Type Items Required

Install the AP300

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Relatively unobstructed access to the stations the AP serves. Select a location with minimal physical

obstructions between the AP and the wireless stations. In an office with cubicles, mounting the APs

below a hanging ceiling (plenum is supported) or the wall near the ceiling provides the least

obstructed communications path. On a wall, orient the AP300 horizontally so that you can read the

Meru logo without tilting your head at 90 degrees - this orientation provides optimum MIMO

performance.

Access to wall outlet or a to a Power over Ethernet (PoE) connection to the network switch servicing

the controller.

We recommend planning for about 50 clients per radio (or per interference region) if you plan to

use Virtual Port and plan to have phones as clients. For a data-only installation, plan up to 128

clients per radio, meaning 256 for AP320 and 128 for other AP300 models. Refer to the Meru

Deployment Guides on the support site for more information.

AP300 is designed to provide 360 degree omni-directional coverage as illustrated below. Plan place-

ment with this pattern in mind.

Figure 7: Coverage Pattern for AP300 When Ceiling Mounted

Most installations receive the best coverage using the following guidelines:

Install APs toward the center of the building.

Place APs about 80 feet apart.

Do not install APs near metal objects, such as heating ducts, metal doors, or electric service panels.

For best coverage, orient antennas as shown in Figure 6.

Attach the Provided Antennas

All AP300s have six external antenna ports, labeled 1 - 6. These units operate with six antennas

attached, even though some configurations don’t use all six. Instead of attaching an antenna, you can

cap unused antenna connectors with 50 ohm Reverse Polarity SMA terminators. (For a list of approved

terminators, see http://www.merunetworks.com/merusupport.) Meru supplied antennas are suitable

only for indoor use unless they are mounted in an outdoor enclosure (see Mount AP300 in a Hoffman

Enclosure). To achieve the best performance from your AP300, position antennas at a 90 degree angle

relative to each other as shown in Figure 6. The antennas do not have to be oriented exactly as shown

in the figure, but it is important to maintain the relative angles. If for some reason you are unable to

maintain those angles, the network still operates, but you may experience up to 20% drop in throughput

depending on the antenna orientation.

ceiling

floor

Install the AP300

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Figure 6: AP320, AP311 or AP302 Antennas 1-6 in Ceiling and Wall Mount Configuration

The following antenna connections are used during operation of the AP320, AP311, and AP302. Note

that PSM3x APs will only have four antennas, rather than the typical six.

Table 1: AP300 With Two Radios and Corresponding Antennas

Model Radio 1 (Ant4, Ant5, Ant6) Radio 2 (Ant1, Ant2, Ant3)

PSM3x a/b/g/n with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas (only one radio can be N) Spectrum radio with one omni-directional

antenna.

AP320 a/b/g/n with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas a/b/g/n with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas

AP311 a/b/g/n with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas (only one radio can be N) a/b/g/n with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas (only one radio can be N)

AP302 a/b/g with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas a/b/g with 3 dual band omni-directional

antennas

1 (horizontal)

6 (vertical)

2 (horizontal)

4 (horizontal)

3 (vertical)

5 (horizontal)

Install the AP300

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Table 2: AP310 With One Radios and Corresponding Antennas

The AP310 has six external antenna ports labeled 1 - 6. However, AP310 uses only three of those

antennas and the unused antenna connectors are blocked. Figure 7 illustrates the recommended

antenna configuration for the AP310.

Figure 7: AP310 Antennas 1-3

The following antenna connections are used during operation of the AP310.

Do not leave any antenna connectors unterminated. All connectors on the AP must be terminated with

antennas or with 50 ohm Reverse Polarity SMA terminators. (For a list of approved terminators, see

http://www.merunetworks.com/merusupport.

The attached antennas must be the same model; if you replace one antenna, replace them all.

Model Radio 1 (Ant1, Ant2, Ant3)

AP310 a/b/g/n with 3 dual band omni-directional antennas

Radio 1 Antenna Connectors for AP310 Radio2 Antenna Connectors for AP310

Ant1, Ant2, Ant3 NA

1 (horizontal)

2 (horizontal)

3 (vertical)

does not matter

Install the AP300

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Install the Remote Antenna Mount (optional)

Use the optional Meru Remote Antenna Mount (ACC-ANT-MIMO-MNT) for one or both AP300 radios to

remotely connect the AP300 antennas. The Remote Antenna Mount allows you to relocate either your

current antennas or the optional high-gain dipole antennas to a location with clearer signal paths to

the other wireless devices in your network. The Remote Antenna Mount can be installed either below

the ceiling tile or on the wall. The default orientation for the mount is suitable for a ceiling mount,

but you can attach the mount to a wall with some modifications.

Use one mount per radio; for example AP310 needs one unit, and AP320 needs two units.The Remote

Antenna Mount uses low-loss plenum rated LMR195 cable and SMA connectors. To order this unit,

contact your Meru sales representative and refer to part number ACC-ANT-MIMO-MNT.

Figure 8: Remote Antenna Mount

The remote antenna mount kit includes:

Antenna stand with attached cable. The three antenna SMA female connectors on the Antenna

Mount support AP300 antenna diversity. This feature gives the client the ability to automatically

choose the antenna receiving the strongest signal.

Triangular ceiling mount clip for attaching to hanging ceiling (includes bolt assembly)

Three self-adhesive pads for the bottom of the unit (over the screws)

Two wall mount screws with anchors

Ceiling Mount Template

Installation diagram

Install the Remote Antenna Mount on the Ceiling

To connect the Remote Antenna Mount to the ceiling, refer to the installation diagram from the ship-

ping box while following these steps:

1. Attach the shorter end of the screw to the center hole on the back of the Antenna Mount.

2. Remove the designated ceiling tile.

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Install the AP300

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3. Using the template, drill holes in the ceiling tile.

4. Replace the ceiling tile.

5. Remove a ceiling tile adjacent to the newly drilled tile for access purposes.

6. Feed the Antenna Mount cable through the larger hole in the ceiling tile until the Antenna Mount

is flush with the ceiling. The screw should now be visible above the ceiling tile (through the second

hole).

7. Place the triangular plate above the ceiling tile with the screw aligned through the plate.

8. Drop the washer onto the screw and tighten the bolt.

The Antenna Mount is now connected to the ceiling.

9. Replace the adjacent tile.

10. Connect the three Remote Antenna Mount cables to the appropriate connectors on the AP300. Be

sure to connect the three antennas that correspond to one radio. Radio 1 uses A1, A2, A3 and Radio

2 uses A4, A5, A6.

11. Attach three antennas that shipped with AP300 to the three connectors on the triangular remote

device. See Figure 8.

Install the Remote Antenna Mount on a Wall

1. Reorient the cable on the Remote Antenna Mount by removing the three screws on the back,

removing the small cover, reorienting the cable and then replacing the three screws. Discard the

small cover.

2. Connect the three Remote Antenna Mount cables to the appropriate ports on the AP300. Be sure to

connect the three antennas that correspond to one radio. Radio 1 uses A1, A2, A3 and Radio 2 uses

A4, A5, A6. PSM3x devices only utilize A1, A2, A3, and A5.

3. Attach three of the antennas that shipped with AP300 to the three ports on the triangular remote

device.

4. Orient the connected AP300 horizontally so that you can read the Meru logo without tilting your

head at 90 degrees - this orientation provides optimum MIMO performance.

Meru

A5 A6

A4 A3 A2

Meru

A5 A6

A4 A3 A2

Install the AP300

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Install External ACC-ANT-MIMO-MNT Antenna with Three Connectors

(optional)

You can optionally use an external antenna setup with your AP300 if the controller and APs are running

System Director 3.6.1MR4 and later. Meru supports this antenna for use on one radio using 802.11n

MIMO. An AP300 with one radio, for example AP310, needs one antenna. An AP300 with two radios, for

example AP320, needs two antennas. Radio One antenna cables connect to ports A1, A2, and A3. Radio

Two cables connect to ports A4, A5, and A6. There is no preferred cabling connection; all three cables

are the same.

Calculate the antenna gain for the ACC-ANT-MIMO-MNT antenna by referring to the next three charts:

Band of Operation Gain Vertical Beamwidth Horizontal Beamwidth

2.40-2.483 GHz 2.5dB 55 degrees 360 degrees

5.15-5.85 GHz 4dB 60 degrees 360 degrees

Using This Cable Type with 2.4 GHz Calculate This Loss per Foot

RG174 0.60 dB

RG316 0.48 dB

LMR100 0.39 dB

LMR200 0.17 dB

LMR240 0.13 dB

LMR400 0.066 dB

LMR600 0.043 dB

Using This Cable Type with 5 GHz Calculate This Loss per Foot

RG174 1.02

RG316 0.76

LMR100 0.59 dB

Install the AP300

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LMR200 0.24 dB

LMR240 0.19 dB

LMR400 0.100 dB

LMR600 0.066 dB

Using This Cable Type with 5 GHz Calculate This Loss per Foot

Install the AP300

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Install Remote ACC-ANT-6ABGN-24 Antenna with Six Connectors

(optional)

You can optionally use an external antenna setup with your AP300 if the controller and APs are running

System Director 3.6.1MR4 and later. Meru supports this antenna for use on AP300s with two radios, for

example AP320. This antenna has six connectors to connect to both radios to a dual-radio AP300 and

it supports 802.11n MIMO operation.

The six cables on the ACC-ANT-6ABGN-24 antenna are already tagged with the numbers 1 - 6. Connect

the antenna cables to the AP antenna ports as shown here:

Calculate the antenna gain for the ACC-ANT-6ABGN-24 antenna by referring to the next three charts:

Meru AP300 Antenna

Connector Antenna Cable Numbered

A1 6

A2 5

A3 4

A4 3

A5 2

A6 1

Band of Operation Gain Vertical Beamwidth Horizontal Beamwidth

2.40-2.483 GHz 2.5dB 55 degrees 360 degrees

5.15-5.85 GHz 4dB 60 degrees 360 degrees

123

antenna

AP300

A3A4 A2 A1

Install the AP300

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Install Antennas With One Connector (optional)

You can optionally use an external antenna setup with your AP300 if the controller and APs are running

System Director 3.6.1MR4 or 4.0.

When deploying an AP300 with only one antenna per radio, AP300 cannot support 802.11n MIMO oper-

ation. Also, any antenna ports that are not used to connect to an antenna must be terminated with 50

ohm Reverse Polarity SMA terminators. (For a list of approved terminators, see http://www.merunet-

works.com/merusupport.) Connect the antenna using one cable per radio as described in the table

below. These instructions can be used to replace an AP200 existing antenna configuration with an

AP300. For these instructions, each port on the AP300 is identified by a label A1 to A6.

Using This Cable Type with 2.4 GHz Calculate This Loss per Foot

RG174 0.60 dB

RG316 0.48 dB

LMR100 0.39 dB

LMR200 0.17 dB

LMR240 0.13 dB

LMR400 0.066 dB

LMR600 0.043 dB

Using This Cable Type with 5 GHz Calculate This Loss per Foot

RG174 1.02

RG316 0.76

LMR100 0.59 dB

LMR200 0.24 dB

LMR240 0.19 dB

LMR400 0.100 dB

LMR600 0.066 dB

Install the AP300

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AP Has One BG or A Radio, One Antenna

AP Has Two Radios (BG and A), One Antenna For Each

AP Has One Radio, Two Antennas

AP Has Two Radios, Four Antennas

Meru

A5 A6

A4 A3 A2

(BG or A radio antenna)

Meru

A5 A6

A4 A3 A2

(BG radio antenna)

(A radio antenna)

Meru

A5 A6

A4 A3 A2

(BG or A radio antenna)

Meru

A5 A6

A4 A3 A2

(BG radio antenna)

(A radio antenna)

(BG radio antenna)

Install the AP300

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Install the Access Point

AP300 ships with a detachable mounting bracket. The AP300 is designed to be compatible with brackets

supplied by Meru and by other vendors as follows. The AP300 mounts directly on the AP150 mounting

bracket. If you are replacing AP200s/AP300s, the AP300 bracket can be mounted on the old

AP200s/AP300s bracket with included shoulder screws; you don’t need to remove the old brackets.

AP300 can also be directly mounted on third-party brackets such as Proxim AP4000 and Cisco standard

brackets.

You can mount an AP300 in the following ways:

Mount AP300 Horizontally on a Shelf

Mount AP300 Vertically on a Wall

Mount AP300 Below a Suspended Ceiling

Mount AP300 Above a Suspended Ceiling (Plenum)

Mount AP300 in a Hoffman Enclosure

Mount AP300 Horizontally on a Shelf

When mounting an AP300 horizontally, remove the mounting bracket. Be sure to position the antennas

vertically when an AP300 sits on a surface.

Mount AP300 Vertically on a Wall

Note:

If you are replacing AP150s, you can use the existing brackets: the AP150 and AP300 use the

same bracket. If you are replacing AP300s, the AP300 bracket can be attached to the old bracket with

included shoulder screws; you don’t have to remove the old brackets. This bracket will also mount

seamlessly into the Proxim AP4000 bracket and standard Cisco brackets.

To mount an AP300 on a wall:

1. Using the bracket holes as a guide, mark the location on the wall for the two AP bracket mounting

screws. If possible, center the mounting screws on a wall stud. If you do not center the mounting

screws on a wall stud, use plastic wall anchors. Orient the AP300 horizontally so that you can read

the Meru logo without tilting your head at 90 degrees - this orientation provides optimum MIMO

performance.

2. Drill holes at the locations you marked:

—3/16-inch holes if you are using plastic anchors

—1/8-inch holes if you are using only the screws

3. If you are using plastic anchors, install them in the holes.

4. Screw in the screws most of the way.

5. Mount the bracket on the screws, placing the circular portion of the keyhole mounts over the screw

heads and sliding the bracket down.

6. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the switch and the other end to the AP300 Ethernet port.

Install the AP300

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7. If you are not using a PoE device, connect an external power supply to the power connector and

plug it into the wall.

Mount AP300 Below a Suspended Ceiling

The optional suspended ceiling mounting kit (ACC-MNT-SCRMKIT) allows the AP300 mounting bracket

to attach to suspended ceiling T-rails (see Figure 9).

Note:

To comply with NEC code, attach a grounding wire to any of the screws used to attach the AP300

to the mounting bracket.

Figure 9: Mounting any AP to a Suspended Ceiling Rail using ACC-MNT-SCRMKIT

To mount an AP300 below a suspended ceiling:

1. Determine the location on the ceiling rail where the AP will be mounted and remove the ceiling

tiles.

2. Place each of the two caddy fasteners on the ceiling T-rail and twist to attach to the rail.

3. Adjust the distance between the caddy fasteners by using the mounting bracket holes as a guide.

4. Tighten the caddy fasteners in place using a standard screwdriver. Do not overtighten.

5. Place each spacer on the caddy fastener stud. The spacer legs should contact the ceiling T-rail.

6. Align the mounting bracket keyholes with the caddy fastener studs and slide the AP300 to the

narrow end of the hole.

7. Attach a keps nut to each caddy fastener stud and hand tighten. Do not overtighten.

Caution!

Be sure to connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port; the cable can

mistakenly be plugged into the Console port. If you do this, the AP won’t power up.

Suspended ceiling T-rail

Caddy fastener

Spacer

Mounting bracket

Washer

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8. Align the AP300 mounting posts over the circular portion of the keyhole mounts, push the AP in and

slide the AP down until it engages with the locking detents (see Figure 9). You should hear it snap

in place.

9. For each antenna, loosen the knurled ring at the base of the antenna, orient the antenna and then

retighten the ring.

10. Connect one end of the PoE 100BaseT Ethernet cable to the 100/1000 Ethernet connector.

Caution!

Be sure to connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port; the cable can

mistakenly be plugged into the Console port. If you do this. the AP won’t power up.

Install the AP300

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Mount AP300 Above a Suspended Ceiling (Plenum)

Use the optional T-bar box hanger mounting kit (see Mounting Brackets for the part number) to mount

AP300 above suspended ceiling T-rails (see Figure 10 and Figure 11). The installation attaches the T-

bar box hanger to the ceiling rails and then the AP300 attaches to the T-bar box hanger. We recommend

that you mount the AP300 no more than half way up the supports as shown in both Figure 10 and

Figure 11. Also note that AP300 mounted above the ceiling has about 2-3 dBm less RF coverage than

AP300 mounted under the ceiling.

Figure 10: AP300 Mounted Above a Suspended Ceiling Face Down

The second example above is mounted too high on the support rails, which could cause the rails to

bend.

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Figure 11: AP300 Mounted Above a Suspended Ceiling Face Up

The AP300 with the metal enclosure exposed meets the requirements for fire resistance and low

smoke-generating characteristics required by Section 300-22(C) of the National Electrical Code (NEC)

for installation in a building’s environmental air space.

You may need to modify thicker tiles to support this installation.

Warning!

When installed in air-handling spaces, such as above a suspended ceiling,

power the AP300 only with a PoE, not a power supply. See Power Supplies for part

numbers.

Warning!

Any Fast Ethernet (FE) cables installed in air-handling spaces should be

suitable under NEC Article 800.50 and marked accordingly for use in plenums and air-

handling spaces with regard to smoke propagation, such as CL2-P, CL3-P, MPP (Multi

Purpose Plenum), or CMP (Communications Plenum). Use Ethernet cable that meets

the requirements for operating in plenums and environmental air space in

accordance with Section 300-22(C) of the NEC.

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Install the AP300

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To mount an AP300 above the ceiling with the optional T-bar kit, follow these steps:

1. Determine the location on the ceiling rails where the AP will be mounted and remove the ceiling

tile.

2. Unpack the T-bar hanger kit and unfold the legs of the T-bar hanger.

3. Locate the bracket mounting clip holes on the mounting bracket (see Figure 10). One hole attaches

the bracket perpendicular to the box hanger; the other mounts the bracket parallel to the box

hanger.

4. Attach the U-joint of the clip to the T-bar and snap in place (see Figure 12).

Figure 12: Attaching the Mounting Bracket to the Box Hanger for Face Up Orientation

Figure 13: Attaching the Mounting Bracket to the Box Hanger for Face Down Orientation

5. Pass the long end clip through the large center hole to the underside of the mounting bracket clip

and then attach the bracket to the clip using the supplied screw (see Figure 12 for orientation).

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6. Hold the AP300 next to the mounting bracket to estimate the height of the T-bar box hanger. You

need to provide enough clearance for the external antennas that point down, while mounting the

T-bar on the lower half of the support rails for stability.

7. Adjust the height of the box hanger using the height adjusting screws (see Figure 9).

8. Clip the box hanger T-rail clips to the ceiling rails, making sure they are securely attached.

9. Connect a drop wire to a building structural element and through the hole provided in the bracket

mounting clip. The U.S. National Electrical Safety Code requires this additional support.

10. Connect the posts of the AP300 to the three keyholes of the mounting bracket and slide into the

keyhole, ensuring the locking detent is engaged. You will hear a click.

11. For each antenna, loosen the knurled ring at the base of the antenna, point the antenna down, then

retighten the ring.

12. Connect one end of the PoE Ethernet cable to the Ethernet connector.

13. Check that the AP300 is operating correctly before replacing the ceiling tile to the ceiling. Verify

correct operating using the LEDs, as shown in Check AP300 LED Activity.

Mount AP300 in a Hoffman Enclosure

Meru has designed a custom mounting bracket compatible with a Hoffman enclosure (www.hoffmanon-

line.com). This bracket is available exclusively through Meru and orderable as part number ACC-AP300-

BHE. To mount an AP300 in a Hoffman enclosure, follow these steps:

1. Place AP300 upside down on a soft flat surface.

2. Remove and discard the wall/ceiling mounting bracket.

3. Attach either the provided antennas or an external antenna.

4. Remove and discard the four rubber feet.

5. Position the Hoffman bracket (ACC-AP300-BHE) onto the back of the AP300 with the four Hoffman

mounting screws facing downwards.

Caution!

Be sure to connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port; the cable can

mistakenly be plugged into the Console port. If you do this. the AP won’t power up.

Note:

Use a shielded Cat 5e (or greater) Ethernet cable in order to comply with

international electromagnetic emissions limits.

Check AP300 LED Activity

AP1000 Beta Test

Figure 14: Hoffman Bracket ACC-AP300-BHE

6. Using a Phillips screw driver, attach the bracket using the two supplied 6-32 3/16 SEMS screws.

7. Flip the assembly over and mount into the Hoffman enclosure, attach the Ethernet cable to the

AP300 rotating the assembly to place the Ethernet cable within the enclosure.

8. Using a Phillips screw driver, tighten the four bracket screws to the enclosure.

9. Adjust the antennas as needed.

Check AP300 LED Activity

When AP300 first connects to the controller (and any time the access point is rebooted), the AP initial-

izes and is then programmed by the controller. When the AP first powers up, all LEDs are green.

Figure 15: AP300 Status LEDs

After the AP300 is connected, check the status of the LEDs. The functions of the five LEDs are described

below.

00230

00217

Check AP300 LED Activity

AP1000 Beta Test

AP300/AP300i LED Descriptions

LED Function Troubleshooting

Power off—no power

green—presence of power

Status

off—no power

green—booting stage 1

blinking green and off—booting stage 2

blinking green and white—discovering the

controller

blinking green and blue—downloading a

configuration from the controller

blinking blue and off—AP is online and

enabled, working state

blinking red and yellow—failure; consult

controller for alarm state

If the status LED is blinking red and

yellow, there is an alarm on the AP.

Determine what the alarm is by

clicking Monitor > Dashboard >

Alarms and looking at the AP alarms.

You can also use the CLI commands

show alarm and show log.

LAN

off—no power or no link

green—link status OK (at any speed)

green/blinking—activity (at any speed)

red—auto negotiation failure

If the LAN LED is red, auto

negotiation failed. This means that

you have a problem with cabling or

with the AP’s switch.

Radio 1

Radio 2

off—no radio present

green—radio enabled

green blinking—data activity

yellow—disabled or in scanning mode

red—failure

If one of the radio LEDs is yellow, it is

either disabled or in scanning mode.

To see if the AP is disabled, click

Configuration > Wireless > Radio >

select a radio and then look at

Administrative Status, which should

be set to Up. To see if the AP is in

Scanning Mode, click Configuration >

Wireless > Radio > select a radio and

look at AP Modes, which should be set

to Normal Mode.

If one of the radio LEDs is red, the

radio failed. Check the alarms

(Monitor > Dashboard > Alarms),

diagnostics (Monitor > Diagnostics >

Radio), and statistics (Monitor >

Dashboard > Radio) on the AP’s

controller to determine the cause.

Where to Go From Here

AP1000 Beta Test

Change LED Appearance

If you want to change the appearance of the LEDS, follow these steps:

1. From the controller, click Configuration > Devices > AP, and then select the AP.

2. Select one of these settings for the LED Mode setting:

—Normal: LEDs are as described below

—Node ID: Not supported in release 4.1

—Blink: Sets all LEDs flashing; this is useful to locate an AP

—Dark: Turns off all LEDs

3. Click OK.

Where to Go From Here

Now that the AP1000 is installed, refer to the Meru System Director Getting Started Guide for instruc-

tions on initializing the hardware. Return to this chapter to check the status of the LEDs once the WLAN

is operational.

Meru Networks PSM3X MULTI RADIO 802.11a/b/g/n WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINT User Manual AP Install AP300

Meru Networks Inc. MULTI RADIO 802.11a/b/g/n WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINT AP Install AP300

Users Manual

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