ProSoft Technology SR71A RLX2-IHNF, RLX2-IHN-W, RLX2-IHN-WC User Manual RLX2 Series v35xx
ProSoft Technology, Inc RLX2-IHNF, RLX2-IHN-W, RLX2-IHN-WC RLX2 Series v35xx
user manual
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| Document Description | user manual |
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| Date Submitted | 2015-11-04 00:00:00 |
| Date Available | 2015-11-04 00:00:00 |
| Creation Date | 2015-10-26 13:25:54 |
| Producing Software | Acrobat Distiller 10.1.15 (Windows) |
| Document Lastmod | 2015-10-26 13:26:37 |
| Document Title | Microsoft Word - RLX2 Series User Manual v35x.docx |
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| Document Author: | valbertson |
RLX2‐IHx Series
802.11a, b, g, n
Industrial Hotspots
802.11abg, RLX2‐IHW
802.11abgn, Fast, RLX2‐IHNF
802.11g, High Power, RLX2‐IHG
802.11a, High Power, RLX2‐IHA
802.11abgn, Weatherproof IP66/67, RLX2‐IHNF‐W/WC
Firmware version V35 and later
February 5, 2015
USER MANUAL
Your Feedback Please
We always want you to feel that you made the right decision to use our products. If you have suggestions, comments,
compliments or complaints about our products, documentation, or support, please write or call us.
How to Contact Us
ProSoft Technology
5201 Truxtun Ave., 3rd Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93309
+1 (661) 716‐5100
+1 (661) 716‐5101 (Fax)
www.prosoft‐technology.com
support@prosoft‐technology.com
Copyright © 2015 ProSoft Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.
RLX2 Series User Manual
February 5, 2015
®
®
®
®
®
ProSoft Technology , ProLinx , inRAx , ProTalk , and RadioLinx are Registered Trademarks of ProSoft Technology, Inc.
All other brand or product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products and services of, their
respective owners.
In an effort to conserve paper, ProSoft Technology no longer includes printed manuals with our product shipments. User
Manuals, Datasheets, Sample Ladder Files, and Configuration Files are provided on the enclosed DVD, and are available at
no charge from our web site: http://www.prosoft‐technology.com
Content Disclaimer
This documentation is not intended as a substitute for and is not to be used for determining suitability or reliability of
these products for specific user applications. It is the duty of any such user or integrator to perform the appropriate and
complete risk analysis, evaluation and testing of the products with respect to the relevant specific application or use
thereof. Neither ProSoft Technology nor any of its affiliates or subsidiaries shall be responsible or liable for misuse of the
information contained herein. Information in this document including illustrations, specifications and dimensions may
contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. ProSoft Technology makes no warranty or representation as to its
accuracy and assumes no liability for and reserves the right to correct such inaccuracies or errors at any time without
notice. If you have any suggestions for improvements or amendments or have found errors in this publication, please
notify us.
No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, without express written permission of ProSoft Technology. All pertinent state, regional, and local safety
regulations must be observed when installing and using this product. For reasons of safety and to help ensure compliance
with documented system data, only the manufacturer should perform repairs to components. When devices are used for
applications with technical safety requirements, the relevant instructions must be followed. Failure to use ProSoft
Technology software or approved software with our hardware products may result in injury, harm, or improper operating
results. Failure to observe this information can result in injury or equipment damage.
© 2015 ProSoft Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.
Important Safety Information
The following Information and warnings pertaining to the radio module must be heeded:
WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – DO NOT REPLACE ANTENNAS UNLESS POWER HAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF OR THE
AREA IS KNOWN TO BE NON‐HAZARDOUS.
"THIS DEVICE CONTAINS ONE TRANSMITTER MODULE:
FCC ID: OQ7SR71A
PLEASE SEE FCC ID LABEL ON BACK OF DEVICE."
"THIS DEVICE USES AN INTERNAL COMPACT FLASH RADIO MODULE AS THE PRIMARY RADIO
COMPONENT. THE COMPACT FLASH RADIO MODULE DOES NOT HAVE AN FCC ID LABEL. THE
COMPACT FLASH RADIO MODULE HAS NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS."
"THIS DEVICE 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."
"CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR
COMPLIANCE COULD VOID THE USER’s AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT."
“THIS DEVICE IS CONFIGURED FOR OPERATION IN THE USA DURING MANUFACTURING. THESE
CONFIGURATION CONTROLS ARE NOT PRESENT IN THE SOFTWARE WITH WHICH THE UNIT IS
SHIPPED; THEREFORE THE END USER CANNOT CHANGE THE MAX POWER SETTINGS OR THE
COUNTRY/REGION. THE MODELS SOLD & SHIPPED WITHIN THE U.S. ARE IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE
MODEL NUMBER WITH –A AS PART OF THE IDENTIFIER.”
Industry Canada Requirements:
"THIS DEVICE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO OPERATE WITH AN ANTENNA HAVING A MAXIMUM GAIN OF
24 dB. AN ANTENNA HAVING A HIGHER GAIN IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED PER REGULATIONS OF
INDUSTRY CANADA. THE REQUIRED ANTENNA IMPEDANCE IS 50 OHMS."
"TO REDUCE POTENTIAL RADIO INTERFERENCE TO OTHER USERS, THE ANTENNA TYPE AND ITS GAIN
SHOULD BE CHOSEN SUCH THAT THE EQUIVALENT ISOTROPICALLY RADIATED POWER (EIRP) IS NOT
MORE THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION."
"THE INSTALLER OF THIS RADIO EQUIPMENT MUST INSURE THAT THE ANTENNA IS LOCATED OR
POINTED SUCH THAT IT DOES NOT EMIT RF FIELD IN EXCESS OF HEALTH CANADA LIMITS FOR THE
GENERAL POPULATION; CONSULT SAFETY CODE 6, OBTAINABLE FROM HEALTH CANADA."
RLX2‐IHNF, RLX2‐IHA, RLX2‐IHG, RLX2‐IHW
1. This equipment is Suitable For Use in Class I, Division2, Groups A, B, C, D or Non‐Hazardous
Location Only.
2. WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – Substitution of Any Components May Impair Suitability
for Class I, Division 2.
3. WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – Do not disconnect equipment unless power has been
removed or the area is known to be non‐hazardous.
4. The unit is to be connected only to PoE networks without routing to the outside plant.
5. WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – The SIM Card/Personality Module connection is for initial
setup and maintenance only. Do not use, connect, or disconnect unless area is known to be
non‐hazardous. Connection or disconnection in an explosive atmosphere could result in
explosion.
6. Device must be powered by a Class 2 Power Source.
7. Device is an open‐type and is to be installed in an enclosure suitable for the environment.
RLX2‐IHNF‐W
1. WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – DO NOT USE IN CID2 HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS.
2. WARNING – DO NOT CONNECT OR DISCONNECT WHEN ENERGIZED.
3. This unit is to be connected only to PoE networks without routing to an outside plant.
4. Device must be powered by a Class 2 Power Source.
5. Make sure proper grounding is secured.
6. Unit does not comply to the cable assy requirements of ISA 12.12.01 but does comply with
the ATEX standards IEC60079‐0 & IEC60079‐15. In ATEX environments, do not
connect/disconnect unless area is known to be non‐hazardous.
RLX2‐IHNF‐WC
1. SUITABLE FOR USE IN CLASS I, Division 2, GROUPS A, B, C, and D HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS, or
NON‐HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS ONLY.
2. WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – SUBSTITUTION OF ANY COMPONENTS MAY IMPAIR
SUITABILTY FOR CLASS I, DIVISION 2.
3. WARNING – EXPLOSION HAZARD – DO NOT DISCONNECT EQUIPMENT UNLESS POWER HAS
BEEN REMOVED OR THE AREA IS KNOWN TO BE NON‐HAZARDOUS.
4. This unit is to be connected only to PoE networks without routing to the outside plant.
5. The equipment shall be properly grounded with the external ground screw provided
connected to building ground as well as the antenna coaxial screen of the connector shall be
grounded.
6. Device must be powered by a Class 2 Power Source.
7. The common or earth side of the circuit side is connected to the screen of the coaxial cable
and to all accessible parts and circuits.
8. Shall be installed in Restricted Access Location Only.
Antenna Spacing Requirements for User Safety
It is important to keep the radio's antenna a safe distance from the user. To meet the requirements of FCC part 2.1091 for
radio frequency radiation exposure, this radio must be used in such a way as to guarantee at least 20 cm between the
antenna and users. Greater distances are required for high‐gain antennas. The FCC requires a minimum distance of 1 mW
*cm2 power density from the user (or 20 cm, whichever is greater).
If a specific application requires proximity of less than 20 cm, the application must be approved through the FCC for
compliance to part 2.1093.
Contents
YOUR FEEDBACK PLEASE ...........................................................................................................................................2
HOW TO CONTACT US .............................................................................................................................................2
CONTENT DISCLAIMER .............................................................................................................................................2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................. 3
Industry Canada Requirements:..................................................................................................................... 3
RLX2‐IHNF, RLX2‐IHA, RLX2‐IHG, RLX2‐IHW .................................................................................................. 4
RLX2‐IHNF‐W ................................................................................................................................................. 4
RLX2‐IHNF‐WC ...............................................................................................................................................4
Recommended Antennas ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Antenna Spacing Requirements for User Safety......................................................................................................... 5
START HERE................................................................................................................................................11
ABOUT THIS MANUAL ............................................................................................................................................11
About the RadioLinx® RLX2 Industrial Hotspot™ Products ........................................................................... 12
General Features ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
PACKAGE CONTENTS ..............................................................................................................................................17
Standard Content RLX2‐IHNF‐W .................................................................................................................. 17
RLX2‐IHNF‐W Cables................................................................................................................................................. 17
Standard Contents (RLX2‐IHNF‐WC) ............................................................................................................ 18
Standard Contents (All other radios) ........................................................................................................... 18
Industrial Hotspot Bench Test Kit (RLX‐IHBTK) ............................................................................................. 19
Personality Module ......................................................................................................................................19
THE RADIOLINX INDUSTRIAL HOTSPOT BROWSER CONFIGURATION TOOL......................................................................... 20
System Requirements ..................................................................................................................................20
Installation from DVD ..................................................................................................................................20
Installation from Download File................................................................................................................... 23
RLX2 QUICK SETUP .....................................................................................................................................25
SETUP MASTER RADIO ...........................................................................................................................................26
For RLX2‐IHNF‐W Radios.............................................................................................................................. 26
For RLX2‐IHNF‐WC Radios............................................................................................................................ 28
For All Other Radios .....................................................................................................................................33
SETUP REPEATER RADIO .........................................................................................................................................40
SETUP CLIENT RADIO .............................................................................................................................................42
INSTALL REPLACEMENT RADIO USING PERSONALITY MODULE........................................................................................ 44
PLANNING THE NETWORK .......................................................................................................................................45
Installation Questions ..................................................................................................................................47
Planning the Physical Installation ................................................................................................................ 47
ProSoft Wireless Designer ............................................................................................................................ 47
Functional Specifications: ......................................................................................................................................... 50
Personality Module Configuration Restoration ........................................................................................................ 51
INSTALLING THE RADIOS ............................................................................................................................53
CONNECTING ANTENNAS ........................................................................................................................................55
TEST THE NETWORK INSTALLATION PLAN .................................................................................................................. 55
DIAGNOSTICS AND TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................... 57
DIAGNOSTICS ...................................................................................................................................................... 58
CHECK THE ETHERNET CABLE .................................................................................................................................. 59
LED DISPLAY ....................................................................................................................................................... 60
RETRIEVE THE DEFAULT PASSWORD ......................................................................................................................... 61
RLX2‐IHNF‐W and RLX2‐IHNF‐WC Reset ..................................................................................................... 61
Resetting All Other Radios .......................................................................................................................... 62
TROUBLESHOOT IH BROWSER ERROR MESSAGES ........................................................................................................ 63
TROUBLESHOOT MISSING RADIOS ........................................................................................................................... 63
IMPROVE SIGNAL QUALITY ..................................................................................................................................... 64
DETAILED RADIO CONFIGURATION / DIAGNOSTICS .................................................................................... 65
READ‐ONLY FIELDS ............................................................................................................................................... 66
CONFIGURATION HELP .......................................................................................................................................... 66
RADIO STATUS ..................................................................................................................................................... 70
Available Parents ........................................................................................................................................ 71
Address Table .............................................................................................................................................. 73
Port Status .................................................................................................................................................. 74
RADIO NETWORK SETTINGS.................................................................................................................................... 76
Parent Link Settings .................................................................................................................................... 80
Prioritized Parent Selection ...................................................................................................................................... 83
IGMP Settings ............................................................................................................................................. 86
VLAN Settings .............................................................................................................................................. 86
QoS Settings ................................................................................................................................................ 88
Rapid Spanning Tree Functionality ............................................................................................................. 90
Spanning Tree Settings ............................................................................................................................... 93
Advanced Settings ....................................................................................................................................... 95
Roam Control ............................................................................................................................................ 100
SECURITY SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................................ 103
Encryption Type......................................................................................................................................... 106
WPA Phrase .............................................................................................................................................. 106
Enterprise Mode Settings .......................................................................................................................... 107
Certificate Management ........................................................................................................................... 108
Configuring the RLX2 Repeaters with Certificates .................................................................................................. 109
WEP Key .................................................................................................................................................... 110
MAC Filter ................................................................................................................................................. 112
Hide Network SSID .................................................................................................................................... 112
RADIO ACCESS SETTINGS ..................................................................................................................................... 113
SNMP Agent Settings ................................................................................................................................ 115
Serial Settings............................................................................................................................................ 116
Change Password ...................................................................................................................................... 119
APPLY CHANGES ................................................................................................................................................ 120
CANCEL CHANGES .............................................................................................................................................. 120
FACTORY DEFAULTS ............................................................................................................................................ 120
RLX2‐IHNF DFS SUPPORT ..................................................................................................................................121
Master Radio Operations ........................................................................................................................... 121
DFS Auto Select ..........................................................................................................................................122
RADIOLINX INDUSTRIAL HOTSPOT BROWSER ........................................................................................... 123
PRIMARY RADIO FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................................124
FILE MENU ........................................................................................................................................................125
Scan Setup..................................................................................................................................................125
Scan............................................................................................................................................................126
Clear ...........................................................................................................................................................126
Import ........................................................................................................................................................126
Export.........................................................................................................................................................126
Freeze.........................................................................................................................................................126
Print ...........................................................................................................................................................126
Print Preview ..............................................................................................................................................127
Print Setup .................................................................................................................................................127
Exit .............................................................................................................................................................127
OPERATIONS MENU ............................................................................................................................................127
Connect ......................................................................................................................................................128
Assign IP .....................................................................................................................................................129
Update Firmware .......................................................................................................................................130
Ping Device.................................................................................................................................................130
Ping Options Dialog Box ......................................................................................................................................... 131
DIALOGS MENU ..................................................................................................................................................132
Wireless Clients ..........................................................................................................................................132
Ethernet Nodes ..........................................................................................................................................133
Scan List .....................................................................................................................................................134
802.11 Access Point Detector ................................................................................................................................. 135
Port Table...................................................................................................................................................135
All 4 Dialogs ...............................................................................................................................................136
Close All......................................................................................................................................................136
Event Log ...................................................................................................................................................136
Event Filter ............................................................................................................................................................. 137
Properties...................................................................................................................................................137
VIEW MENU ......................................................................................................................................................138
Toolbar .......................................................................................................................................................138
Status Bar...................................................................................................................................................139
List View .....................................................................................................................................................139
Topology View ...........................................................................................................................................143
Topology View Key ................................................................................................................................................. 143
Zoom In ......................................................................................................................................................145
Zoom Out ...................................................................................................................................................145
Zoom to Fit .................................................................................................................................................146
Show Ping Stations.....................................................................................................................................146
Show Parents ‐ All ......................................................................................................................................147
Show Parents ‐ One ....................................................................................................................................147
Print Area .................................................................................................................................................. 147
Reset Columns ........................................................................................................................................... 148
Select Columns .......................................................................................................................................... 148
HELP MENU ...................................................................................................................................................... 148
Help Topics ................................................................................................................................................ 149
About RLX IH Browser ............................................................................................................................... 150
RLX2 VIRTUAL LAN (VLAN) FUNCTIONALITY .............................................................................................. 151
TRANSPARENT SUPPORT OF VLAN TAGS (802.1Q) ................................................................................................. 151
PORT/RADIO‐BASED VLAN TAGGING WITH MANAGED SWITCHES............................................................................... 152
PORT/RADIO‐BASED VLAN TAGGING WITHOUT MANAGED SWITCHES ......................................................................... 153
REFERENCE .............................................................................................................................................. 155
PRODUCT OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................................... 155
COMPATIBILITY WITH PROSOFT RLXIB SERIES RADIOS .............................................................................................. 157
DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGS.................................................................................................................................... 159
MASTER CHANNEL‐FREQUENCY TABLE ................................................................................................................... 161
FCC EMISSION REGULATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 163
2.4 GHz Band, Point‐To‐Multipoint ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4 GHz Band, Point‐To‐Point.......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5 GHz Bands, Point‐To‐Multipoint .................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
5 GHz Bands, Point‐To‐Point ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
RADIO HARDWARE ............................................................................................................................................. 163
Radio Power Requirements (RLX2‐IHNF‐W) .............................................................................................. 163
Ethernet Cable Specifications .................................................................................................................... 167
Ethernet Cable Configuration (RLX2‐IHNF‐W)........................................................................................... 167
Ethernet Cable Configuration (all other radios) ........................................................................................ 169
RLX2‐IHA DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................... 170
Agency Approvals & Certifications ......................................................................................................................... 171
RLX2‐IHG DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................... 171
Agency Approvals & Certifications ......................................................................................................................... 172
RLX2‐IHNF, ‐W, ‐WC DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................... 172
Agency Approvals & Certifications ......................................................................................................................... 174
RLX2‐IHW DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 175
Agency Approvals & Certifications ......................................................................................................................... 176
ANTENNA CONFIGURATION ..................................................................................................................... 177
ANTENNAS ........................................................................................................................................................ 177
Control Drawing ........................................................................................................................................ 178
Antenna Pattern........................................................................................................................................ 179
Antenna Gain ............................................................................................................................................ 180
Antenna Polarity ....................................................................................................................................... 180
Whip Antennas.......................................................................................................................................... 181
Collinear Array Antennas .......................................................................................................................... 181
Yagi Array Antenna ................................................................................................................................... 182
Parabolic Reflector Antennas .................................................................................................................... 182
RLX2 Approved Antennas .......................................................................................................................... 183
Approved Antennas in Europe/CE .......................................................................................................................... 184
Approved Antennas in Mexico ............................................................................................................................... 185
Approved Antennas with Power Amp .................................................................................................................... 185
Antenna Location, Spacing, and Mounting................................................................................................ 186
SUPPORT, SERVICE & WARRANTY ............................................................................................................. 187
CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................... 187
Warranty Information................................................................................................................................188
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ............................................................................................................................... 189
INDEX....................................................................................................................................................... 205
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
START HERE
For most applications, the installation and configuration steps described in the following
topics will work without additional programming. ProSoft Technology strongly
recommends the completion of the steps in this chapter before developing a custom
application.
About This Manual
This manual covers the entire RadioLinx® RLX2 Industrial Hotspot™ series of radio
products. There are five products available in this product line:
Model
Standards
Maximum Output Power
RLX2‐IHA
IEEE 802.11a
24 dBm (250 mW)
RLX2‐IHG
IEEE 802.11b/g
24 dBm (250 mW)
RLX2‐IHNF
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
17 dBm (50 mW)
RLX2‐IHNF‐W
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
17 dBm (50 mW)
RLX2‐IHNF‐WC
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
17 dBm (50mW)
RLX2‐IHW
IEEE 802.11a/b/g
20 dBm (200 mW)
Except for different operating frequencies and output power levels, these radios all
operate in a similar fashion. Different models operating on common frequencies can
communicate with each other. Furthermore, most RLX2 series radios (except RLX2‐IHNF)
can communicate with ProSoft Technology’s legacy RLXIB series of radios. Details on the
specific differences between the RLX2 and RLXIB series products can be found in the
Compatibility with ProSoft RLXIB Series Radios section on page 157.
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 11 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
About the RadioLinx® RLX2 Industrial Hotspot™ Products
General Features
The RadioLinx® 802.11 Industrial Hotspots™ are high‐speed wireless Ethernet radios,
with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Serial Encapsulation. All radios operate at speeds
up to 54 Mbps, and the RLX2‐IHNF operates at speeds up to 300 Mbps. Designed for
industrial installations, the RLX2 series offer many features including hazardous location
certifications, IGMP Snooping, OFDM for noise immunity, repeater mode to extend
range, QoS, VLANs, RADIUS Server, automatic parent selection for self‐healing, OPC
server diagnostics, extended temperature, high vibration/shock and DIN‐rail mounting.
LED Indicators
All radios have LED indicators on the front panel that indicate the status of the radio
while booting up and during operation. The LED states are summarized in the following
table:
Power
While booting up
When fully operational
RF Transmit
While transmitting over wireless
RF Receive
While receiving over wireless
Serial
When a serial cable is attached
Ethernet
When Ethernet data is being
transferred
Net
Alternates red and green if SD card
with new configuration inserted
Mod
Alternates red and green if SD card
with new configuration inserted
Signal Strength LEDs: SD card inserted
Alternates green and amber if SD
card with new configuration inserted
Signal Strength LEDs: running in Client or
Repeater Modes
Page 12 of 208
No Signal
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Radio linked, Poor Signal
Radio linked, Fair Signal
Radio linked, Good Signal
Signal Strength LEDs: running in Master
Mode
No radios linked
One or more radios linked
(right LED blinking).
DFS Channel Availability Check
in progress (all LEDs blinking Amber)
See section 0 for further details regarding the LED display for various conditions.
Antenna Ports
Each RLX2 series radio has active antenna connectors on the top as shown below:
RLX2‐IHA
RLX2‐IHG
These radios have a single active antenna port:
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 13 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
RLX2‐IHNF
This radio has three active antenna ports:
RLX2‐IHNF‐W‐A (FCC)
RLX2‐IHNF‐W‐E (ETSI)
These two radios represent the weatherproof versions for the RLX2‐IHNF. Three
antennas perform the same functions as those on the RLX2‐IHNF.
Page 14 of 208
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
RLX2‐IHNF‐WC
This version represents a weatherproof, hazardous location radio. It is a conduit
version and is Class I, DIV 2 compliant. Three antennas perform the same
functions as those in the RLX2‐IHNF‐W‐A and RLX2‐IHNF‐W‐E.
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 15 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
RLX2‐IHW
This radio uses the right‐side antenna port for transmit and receive. An optional
receive‐only antenna can be attached to the left‐side antenna port to improve
performance in some applications.
Antennas used for FCC/IC testing:
The antenna used for testing the RLX2‐IHNF has a maximum gain of 2dBi and
the RLX2‐IHNF‐W used an antenna with a maximum gain of 6/8dBi.
Page 16 of 208
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Package Contents
Standard Content RLX2‐IHNF‐W
The following components are included with Weatherproof RLX2 radio products:
Qty.
Part Name
Part Number
Part Description
RLX2 Series Radio
RLX2‐IHNF‐W
RadioLinx® RLX2 802.11 Industrial Hotspot
Weatherproof
ProSoft Solutions DVD
DVD‐001
Contains sample programs, utilities, firmware
images, and documentation for RadioLinx®
products.
U‐mounting bracket
Pole mounting bracket
M12 Cap
Water tight cap
RLX2‐IHNF‐W Cables
The following cables are for outdoor locations (sold separately).
Part Name
Locking Clip
Part Number
CUL‐M12‐LOCKCLIP
Part Description
7 foot (2m),
M12 to RJ45,
Network
Cable/ PoE
CULRJ45‐M12‐007
7 foot Network PoE cable
33 foot (10m), CULRJ45‐M12‐033
M12 to RJ45,
Network
Cable/PoE
33 foot (10m), CULPWR‐M12‐033
33 foot Power Cable
M12 to
unterminated
leads, Power
Cable
10 foot Power Cable
or
CUPLWR‐M12‐010
33 foot Network PoE cable
or
10 foot (3m),
M12 to
unterminated
leads, Power
Cable
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 17 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Standard Contents (RLX2‐IHNF‐WC)
The following components are included with Weatherproof Hazardous Location RLX2
radio products:
Qty.
Part Name
Part Number
Part Description
RLX2 Series Radio
Varies
®
RadioLinx RLX2 802.11 Industrial Hotspot
Preinstalled 6 foot CAT 6 Ethernet PoE cable
5 foot CAT 6 Ethernet
PoE cable
5 foot flying leads power
cable
U bolts for mounting
Oval Clip & Seal Cap
Oval clip and seal cap for conduit connections
ProSoft Solutions DVD
Preinstalled 6 foot flying leads power cable
DVD‐001
Contains sample programs, utilities, firmware
®
images, and documentation for RadioLinx
products.
Standard Contents (All other radios)
The following components are included with standard RLX2 radio products:
Qty.
Part Name
Part Number
Part Description
RLX2 Series Radio
Varies
RadioLinx® RLX2 802.11 Industrial Hotspot
Personality Module
001‐005700
Industrial Grade MicroSD card (blank, in plastic
bag)
Power Connector
002‐0116
Mating power connector for the RLX2 radios,
for attachment to customer’s power supply.
Power Connector Wiring 357‐0061
Tool
Antenna
A2502S‐OA
ProSoft Solutions DVD
Page 18 of 208
DVD‐001
Tool to assist wiring the power connector.
2 dBi Omni RP‐SMA articulating, 2.4/5GHz. This
antenna is suitable for all RLX2 radio products.
Contains sample programs, utilities, firmware
®
images, and documentation for RadioLinx
products.
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Industrial Hotspot Bench Test Kit (RLX‐IHBTK)
The standard radio products are intended for deployment into production systems and
do not include accessory power supplies or cables. For bench testing of radios, an
optional bench test kit provides these accessories:
Qty.
Part Name
Power Supply
Part Number
RL‐PS007‐2
Part Description
AC Power Adapter, 12V1.6A w/2 pin & 4 plug
Set
Cable
RL‐CBL025
5 foot Ethernet Straight‐Thru Cable
Cable
085‐1007
6 foot RS232 serial cable
Adapter
HRDNULL‐DB9
RS232 null modem serial adapter
Personality Module
The RLX2 series of industrial hotspots include a feature for quickly moving the
configuration from an installed radio to a replacement using a provided MicroSD card.
This feature reduces the time to replacement of a damaged radio. Consideration of how
to use this feature in advance of installation is necessary to take advantage of this
feature.
Note: The RLX2‐IHNF‐W and WC do not have a Personality Module.
Important: Before installing, please verify all listed product items are present. If any of these
components are missing, please contact ProSoft Technology Support for replacements.
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The RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot Browser
Configuration Tool
The Industrial Hotspot Browser configuration tool (hereafter called the IH Browser) is
used for setup and configuration of the RLX2 radios. It is designed for personal
computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems. The IH Browser can be
installed from the product DVD shipped with the RLX2 radio product, or it can be
downloaded from the ProSoft website.
System Requirements
The RLX2‐IHx browser is designed for Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, and 2003. Minimum
hardware requirements are:
Pentium® II 450 MHz minimum. Pentium III 733 MHz (or better) recommended
Supported operating systems:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional 32‐bit with Service Pack 3
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32‐ or 64‐bit, with Service Pack 1
Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview 32‐ or 64‐bit.
Other Microsoft Windows operating system versions may work but have not
been tested by ProSoft and are not officially supported.
128 Mbytes of RAM minimum, 256 Mbytes or more of RAM recommended
100 MB available hard drive space
256‐color VGA graphics adapter, 800 x 600 minimum resolution (True Color 1024 x
768 resolution or better recommended)
At least one 100BASET or 1000BASET network interface. A second interface is often
useful to setup a small private network for initial configuration and testing.
In addition, these items may be needed:
A DVD‐ROM drive, if installing the RadioLinx IH Browser from optical media.
An RS‐232 port on the PC or a USB‐to‐serial convertor cable, to use serial
encapsulation features or to access system debugging information.
An internet connection may be useful to download updated product information
from the ProSoft Technology website at http://www.ProSoft‐Technology.com.
Installation from DVD
1. Insert the ProSoft Solutions DVD in the DVD drive. On most computers, a menu
screen will open automatically. If a menu does not appear within a few seconds,
follow these steps:
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2. Click the Start button, and then choose Run.
3. In the Run dialog box, click the Browse button.
4. In the Browse dialog box, click "My Computer". In the list of drives, choose the
DVD drive where the ProSoft Solutions DVD was inserted.
5. Open the DVD and double‐click the ProSoft_DVD.exe file to run it.
6. The DVD should display a startup screen like this:
7. Type the product name into the search box and click Search. Here is an example
of searching for the RLX2‐IHNF:
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8. Click on the Product Name. The screen displays the contents for this module.
9. Double‐click on RadioLinx IH Browser v3.4 (or a newer version if available) and
the installation wizard should launch:
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10. Follow the instructions on the installation wizard to install the program with its
default location and settings.
11. When the installation finishes, a prompt to restart the computer may appear if
certain files were in use during installation. The updated files will be installed
during the restart process.
Installation from Download File
If the RadioLinx IH Browser was downloaded from the ProSoft website, it will be
packaged as a compressed zip file. Double–click the zip file after downloading. The
Windows extraction wizard will extract the installation file (RadioLinx IH Browser
3.130.msi or a newer version.) Then double‐click the .msi file to install the IH Browser.
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RLX2 QUICK SETUP
This section describes how to setup RLX2 radios in a minimal configuration before
deploying them in the permanent installation. It will help verify the radios are
operational along with getting familiar with basic configuration procedures.
Note that the procedures described in this section assume the radios are in their default
configurations as shipped by ProSoft. If that is not the case, reset the radios to factory
defaults before attempting these procedures.
In any given network, there must be one radio acting as a Master, and the other radios
will be configured as Repeaters or Clients. Generally there is only one Master radio per
network.
Because most wireless networks consist of one Master radio and multiple Repeaters, all
RLX2 radios are shipped from ProSoft pre‐configured as Repeaters. Hence our first task
is to configure one radio as the network Master.
IMPORTANT: If a ProSoft Power adapter RL-PS007-2 (supplied with the RLX-IHBTK Bench Test
Kit) is not present, see instructions on wiring the power connector in this manual.
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Setup Master Radio
The first step is to select the radio to use as a Master. All RLX2 radios in a network are
typically the same model, although this is not necessary.
IMPORTANT: The only RLX2 radios that do not have any channels in common with each other are
the RLX2-IHA and RLX2-IHG. The RLX2-IHW and RLX2-IHNF radios can communicate with each
other and with the RLX2-IHA and RLX2-IHG radios.
If all the radios are present on the workbench, antennas may not be needed for this
configuration exercise. Radios without antennas may have sufficient signal strength to
link over short distances, without radiating or receiving unnecessary RF energy in the
surrounding environment. However, connecting an antenna to the master radio is
recommended. The connections needed are on the bottom of the radio.
Note: The RLX2‐IHNF‐W Weatherproof radio uses M12 connectors for Ethernet and
Power. You can order these cables directly from ProSoft.
For RLX2‐IHNF‐W Radios
1. Attach an Ethernet cable with an M12 connector to the specified port shown on the
designated Master RLX2 radio. Make sure that this network connection is on the
same subnet as the PC running the IH Browser configuration software.
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2. Connect the power cable with an M12 connector to the specified port shown.
Note: The RLX2‐IHNF‐W radio can be powered over Ethernet (POE) with an
approved injector available from ProSoft. In this case, the Power connector would
not be used.
If PoE is used, please cap the Power Connector with the supplied M12 Waterproof
Cap before installation.
3. Connect the Ethernet cable through the PoE injector (if using PoE) and then into the
network switch.
Note: Most off‐the‐shelf PoE Injectors work with this unit except for the 802.3at/
PoE+ Injectors.
Note: The M12 PoE cable is not included with the radio but can be ordered through
ProSoft.
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WARNING: Do not connect or disconnect the PoE connection when energized.
Antennas are to be installed in accordance with Control Drawing 06/2514.
For RLX2‐IHNF‐WC Radios
This radio is suitable for Class I, DIV2 hazardous locations.
This radio contains a set of wires that protrude through a single conduit hub. One wire
is terminated with an RJ45 connector for Ethernet connections. This wire can also
supply power if attached to a PoE Injector.
The second wire supplies power to the radio if a PoE Injector is not used. If not using
these cables, simply terminate them.
To install this radio….
1. Place a Seal Cap over the top of the conduit.
2. Run both wires down through the conduit.
3. Push the conduit up into the permanently installed connector on the bottom of the
radio. Push it up as far as it will go.
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Note: Recommend conduit is Thomas & Betts® PMA Series, Cat. No. CYLT‐23B.
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4. Place the Oval Clip into the opening in the Connector until it snaps into place. This
secures the conduit to the connector.
Note: In the event that you have to remove the conduit, simply remove the Oval Clip
using a screwdriver to pry it out. The conduit can now be removed from the Connector.
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The wire with the RJ45 connector is your Ethernet connection and supports Power over
Ethernet (PoE). If you are not using PoE, the other wire set is used to power the
module.
Note: If you are using PoE to provide power to the module, the additional power cables
should be terminated inside the junction box during installation to prevent the wire
assembly from shorting out.
WARNING: Do not connect or disconnect the PoE connection when energized.
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Antennas are to be installed in accordance with Control Drawing 06/2514. See the
Antenna section in this manual.
For All Other Radios
1. Attach an Ethernet cable to the designated master RLX2 radio. Make sure this
network connection is on the same subnet as the PC running the IH Browser
configuration software.
Note: The Ethernet DATA LED should come on when data is sent or received from the radio. The
Ethernet SPEED LED indicates the speed of the Ethernet connection. The SPEED LED is off for
10 Base T, on for 100 Base T, and blinks about once every two seconds for 1000 Base T links.
Power‐Up the Radios
1. Power up the radio. There is no On/Off Switch. Power is applied when the power
cord connection is made to the RLX2 radio.
The power LED should illuminate with an amber color, then go out for a few seconds
during initialization, then finally come back on green. This process will take 10 to 15
seconds. Once the power LED is green, the radio has booted and is operational.
Other LEDs may become active as well.
2. Take note of the MAC address of the RLX2 radio. This is printed on a label attached
to the front of the radio. The MAC address should be something like 00‐0D‐8D‐XX‐
YY‐ZZ (e.g. 00‐0D‐8D‐F0‐5C‐8E.) This number uniquely identifies the radio on the
network.
3. Run the IH Browser configuration software.
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If the display is different than above, use the IH Browser toolbar controls to clear and
refresh the display:
The “erase” tool clears the display
The “search” tool rescans the network for RLX2 radios
If no radios appear in the list, see Section 0 on troubleshooting missing radios.
4. In particular, note the line listing the MAC address of the RLX2 radio. If the radio is
on a network with a DHCP server, it will obtain an IP address via DHCP. If not, the
radio will appear with an IP address of 0.0.0.0 as shown above.
5. Assign the RLX2 a valid IP address for the network. Do this by right‐clicking on the
radio’s row in the IH Browser display and selecting Assign IP from the context menu.
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6. The Assign Temporary IP Address dialog opens:
The Unused IP’s: box contains a number of IP addresses that are currently available on
the network. Select one of them and click OK. (In this example,192.168.1.250 is used)
IMPORTANT: Be sure to click OK or the selected IP address will not be assigned to the radio.
7. The Access Point utility warns you of the temporary selection.
8. Click OK.
9. Open a web browser on the PC, and enter the IP address that was just assigned to
the radio (e.g. http://192.168.1.250). A login screen opens:
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The default password is “password”. Enter that in the text box and click Login.
10. The radio’s main webpage opens: (Some fields may be different depending on the
specific radio model).
11. Select the Master radio button and select Channel 1 (2412 MHz) as shown in the
following example.
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Note: Select Channel 36 (5180 MHz) if the Master radio is an RLX2-IHA.
12. If the IP address is manually set as previously described, permanently set the IP
address by selecting the Use the following IP address radio button:
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13. Click the Apply Changes button and the Radio reboots.
A progress bar is visible during reboot.
Upon successful reboot, the RLX2 radio is shown as a Master in the IH Browser window:
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Setup Repeater Radio
Since we haven’t changed any factory‐default configuration parameters in the Master
radio (other than to make it a Master), additional RLX2 radios in their default shipping
configuration should link to it as soon as power is applied to them.
1. Attach power to another RLX2 radio. The Ethernet cable does not need to be
attached to it at this time.
2. After the radio is booted, the radio should appear in the IH Browser:
Note that the Repeater radio above (whose MAC address ends in BF in the above
example) has linked to the Master (whose MAC address ends in BE) and there is a
signal strength indication of –85 dBm.
3. Attach an Ethernet cable, and assign a unique IP address to the Repeater. In this
example, the Repeater is assigned an IP address of 192.168.1.251:
After setting the Repeater’s IP address, remove its Ethernet connection.
4. On the PC, open a command prompt window and attempt to ping the Repeater’s IP
address. The Master should ping the Repeater over the air:
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5. Congratulations! The RLX2 wireless network is now configured. Additional Repeaters
can be configured by repeating the steps listed above.
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Setup Client Radio
RLX2 radios can be configured in Client mode. Client mode radios only support one
wired network device, but can connect to third‐party 802.11 Access Points. The
following table highlights the most significant differences between Repeater and Client
modes on RLX2 radios:
Repeater
Client
Number of attached
Ethernet devices
supported
Many (up to limits of
network)
One
Can connect to other
RLX2 Repeaters?
Yes
No
Can connect to non‐
ProSoft Access Points
(Masters)?
No
Yes
MAC address seen on
network
Repeater radio’s MAC
address
MAC address of
connected device, or
user‐specified MAC
address.
Client mode radios are not often necessary in Industrial network applications. If the
need for a Client RLX2 radio in the system is not needed, this example configuration can
be skipped.
The most straightforward way to test a Client mode radio configuration is with a second
PC connected as the downstream network device from a Client radio. We will assume
such a setup in the following example, and will connect to the Master radio we
configured previously.
1. Connect the client radio to the same network as the configuration PC running the IH
browser. Assign it an IP address as described above. Open the configuration
webpage and change the radio to Client mode as shown:
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Click Apply Changes. When the radio reboots, the IH Browser will display:
2. Power off the Client radio and disconnect the Ethernet cable from the configuration
PC.
3. Connect the Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on another PC, and power up the
Client radio. (The radio must be powered up after attaching the Ethernet cable to
the new PC so the radio will register the MAC address of the PCs network interface.)
Ensure the IP address of the Ethernet interface on the PC is on the same subnet as
the network of the Client Radio. For this example, set the IP address of the PC
interface to 192.168.1.100. Here is an example of doing so in Windows 7:
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4. Open a command prompt on the client PC, and try to ping the IP address of the Master
radio. It should respond as seen below:
Install Replacement Radio Using Personality Module
If the radio being installed is replacing an existing radio, and a Personality Module was
already installed in the existing radio, then no manual configuration is necessary.
Remove the Personality Module from the existing radio with the stored configuration
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and install it in the new radio. On power up of the new RLX2 Industrial Hotspot, all
configuration settings from the radio being replaced are automatically used.
Note: The RLX2‐IHNF‐W or WC radios do not have a Personality Module and must be
configured using the steps described in this manual.
Planning the Network
Before configuring and installing the wireless network, it may help to create a plan. The
following points assume a bridge network of masters and repeaters. Clients can also be
configured to work with devices on existing wireless LANs. For information, see Setup
Client Radio (page 42).
The simplest way to design the physical network of radios, antennas, connectors, cables,
amplifiers and other accessories is to use ProSoft Wireless Designer (page 47). This is a
freely‐available software application that determines the hardware needs based on the
user’s answers to a few questions.
The software will generate a Bill of Materials specifying all the components needed for
the installation. ProSoft Wireless Design is included on the optical media supplied with
the RLX2 radio, and is also available for downloading from the ProSoft website.
To begin, identify the potential radio locations. For example, the master radio may
be installed near a PC in a central plant location (This PC can configure the radios
through the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility). If the plant is an oil refinery,
for example, radios may need to be installed near the oil tanks.
The next important issue is how to link the radios. Unless the radios are very close
together, make sure that each pair of radio antennas in the network has a line of
sight between them. In other words, visibility is needed from one antenna to
another, either with the naked eye or with binoculars.
If a line of sight does not exist between antennas, an additional site is needed for
installing a repeater radio. This site will create a bridge between the radio
antennas.
Choose the appropriate antennas for the network. If an antenna will be connected
to the radio by a long cable, a power amplifier (available from ProSoft Technology)
may be needed. The more distance between an antenna and its radio, the more
signal loss the radio will have.
ProSoft Wireless Designer can suggest suitable antennas for the application based
on frequency band, data rate, distance, power output level, and other factors.
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Consider drawing up the network plans on paper. As part of the drawing, assign a
logical name to each radio. These names can be assigned in the Radio Configuration
/ Diagnostic Utility.
As part of the planning, a site survey may be helpful. You can hire ProSoft
Technology or a surveyor to perform a survey, or you can conduct the survey on
your own.
Protect radios from direct exposure to weather, and provide an adequate, stable
power source. Make sure the plan complies with the radio’s power requirements
and cable specifications.
Important: Radios and antennas must be located at least 8 inches (20 cm) away from personnel.
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Installation Questions
The following questions will help in getting familiar with the system.
How many radios are in the network?
Master ID:
Repeater ID:
Client ID:
Locations:
Is there a Line of Sight between them?
What type of antennas will be used in the
network?
Will the Personality Module configuration
restoration feature be used?
Planning the Physical Installation
A network's performance is affected by attributes specific to the installation site.
Consider the following cautions, where possible, to optimize the network installation:
Design the network to use less than 2048 radios (per network)
Place radios within the specified 15 miles of each other
Add repeater to extend distance or where line of sight is limited
Radios or antennas CANNOT be placed within 8 inches (20 cm) of personnel
Though radio frequency communication is reliable, sometimes its performance can be
affected by intangibles. A good network installation plan includes time and resources
for performance testing and installation changes.
Test the installation plan (page 55) before the network installation is complete.
ProSoft Wireless Designer
ProSoft Wireless Designer is a freely‐available software tool to simplify the task of
specifying a ProSoft wireless installation. The following screenshot shows an example of
configuring wireless links and estimates of signal quality:
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ProSoft Wireless Designer can also compute a Bill Of Materials (BOM) for a complete
radio installation, including antennas, cables, connectors and other required materials:
It is included on the DVD with the RLX2 radio, or it can be downloaded from the ProSoft
website. ProSoft Wireless Designer provides a variety of views containing an accurate
description of each site in a wireless network, including:
Visual diagram of site layout
Location (latitude/longitude, based on GPS coordinates)
Radio type, frequency range, and country‐specific channel and power requirements
Length, type and estimated signal loss for cables
Required accessories, including lightning protection, cable adaptors and antennas
Complete parts list
ProSoft technical personnel use ProSoft Wireless Designer when conducting site audits
for customers, and then provide customers with a complete list of components and a
detailed description for each site and link. Customers can use this information to
understand and visualize their network, and provide necessary information for technical
support and maintenance.
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Functional Specifications:
Contains a database of all currently available RadioLinx radios, antennas, cables,
connectors and accessories
Exports Parts List, Site and Link Details, and Wizard settings into a variety of
common file formats, for import into applications such as spreadsheets, databases
and word processors
Checks wireless link feasibility based on path length and recommended accessories
Predicts signal strength based on distance, local regulations and hardware choices
Fully documents the ProSoft Wireless network plan
ProSoft Wireless Designer Installation
When installing from the product DVD, search for the product, then double‐click on
the ProSoft Wireless Designer item on the product menu (see the red arrow
below). This action starts the installation wizard.
When using the downloaded application from the ProSoft website, it is packaged as
a zip archive. Double‐click the zip archive to extract the installation file INSTALLER.MSI,
double‐click it to start the installation.
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The installer wizard should start and look like this:
Follow the instructions on the installation wizard to install the program.
Click FINISH to complete the installation. If prompted to restart the computer, save
all work, close the applications, and allow the computer to restart.
Refer to the user manual for ProSoft Wireless Designer and its online help for
detailed information.
Personality Module Configuration Restoration
The RLX2 Series of Industrial Hotspots include a feature for quickly adopting the
configuration from an installed radio to a replacement using a provided MicroSD
card. This feature reduces the time to replace a damaged radio by eliminating
the need to manually configure the replacement radio. Consideration of how to
use this feature in advance of installation is necessary to take advantage of this
feature.
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By default, the RLX2 series of radios will write configuration changes to a
MicroSD card (Personality Module) whenever configuration changes are made
and a card is present. The RLX2 (by default) will also read the MicroSD card’s
configuration when powered on and use the stored configuration.
While this feature can save much time when a field replacement is necessary, it
is also a potential security risk. The configuration stored on the MicroSD could
be inserted into another radio, and the radio could then access the network.
The file itself on the MicroSD card is encrypted so the configuration information
(principally the configuration password and encryption key) cannot be
extracted. Physical security of the radios and the MicroSD card is highly
recommended.
If the Personality Module feature will not be used, it is recommended that you
turn Auto‐Clone and Auto‐Write off.
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INSTALLING THE RADIOS
If possible, configure all the radios side by side in an office setting and make sure they
link before installing them in the field. If feasible, test with the radios and end‐device
equipment together before they are installed in the field.
If the Personality Module feature is to be used, remove the MicroSD card from the
plastic bag and insert it into the Personality Module slot in each radio prior to
configuration. After the configuration is saved on the main web page (or written to the
card in Advanced Settings), the MicroSD may stay in the radio or be stored in some
other location. The supplied plastic bag includes a sheet to record the MAC ID and
Radio Name. It is important to keep the MicroSD in a known and secure location in case
it is needed for use on a replacement radio.
Important: If the radios are close enough to each other that their received signal strength is
greater than -40dBm, performance may be degraded. Disconnect antennas from radios during
bench testing, or move the radios further apart from each other.
Tip: To make it easier to physically identify the radios, apply a label to each radio indicating the
radio name and IP address.
After each radio is configured using the IH Browser and the web configuration form, you
can install the radios and test their performance. Install the radios in their proposed
permanent locations, then temporarily place each radio’s antenna near its proposed
mounting location. The temporary placement of the antenna can be by hand.
However, with this testing method, one person must hold the antenna while another
monitors the radio’s signal strength.
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To see how a radio is linked in the network, make sure that the radio is connected to a
PC, and select Topology View from the View menu in the IH Browser.
The Topology view shows a diagram of the network’s wireless connections. Use this
view to see whether all the radios are linked, and approve of the way the radios are
linked.
A radio that is not linked to a parent will show as a circle outlined by a flashing dashed
red line. It may be near the bottom of the window. Scroll down to view all available
radios. To change how radios link to the network, see Parent Link settings (page 80).
Refer to Improve Signal Quality (page 64) for more information on overcoming poor
connectivity.
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Connecting Antennas
Each radio must have an antenna connected to the Main antenna port on the RLX2
radio; without an antenna for each radio, the network will not function if the radios are
more than a few meters apart. You should always connect the number of antennas on
Port A, PortA‐PortC, or PortA‐PortB‐PortC, as indicated in the #antennas control. The
network will not function without all antennas installed.
All antennas for radios that communicate directly with each other should be mounted
so they have the same antenna polarity. Antennas with N‐jack connectors cab be
mounted directly to the radio using an N‐plug to N‐plug adapter. Screw the antenna
onto the antenna port connector until it is snug.
For remote placement of antennas, an extension cable with N‐plugs can be used.
Because the antenna cable attenuates the RF signal, use an antenna cable length that is
no longer than necessary to ensure optimum performance
Important: If the radio is to be used in a hazardous location, the radio must be mounted in an
enclosure approved for hazardous locations. The radio requires a separate cable connection to the
SMA connector that leads to an internal antenna.
Test the Network Installation Plan
Test proposed installations before finalizing the installation.
After the network and radios are configured:
Install the Master radio in its proposed permanent location
Cable the Configuration PC to the Master radio
Place the Remote radios in their proposed locations
Temporarily place each radio's antenna near its proposed mounting location. The
temporary placement of the antenna can be by hand. However, one person must
hold the antenna while the other person monitors the Remote radio's signal
strength displayed on the Configuration PC.
To improve the signal quality of each Remote radio:
Increase the height of the antenna's placement
Use higher‐gain antennas
Increase the radio's transmission power, cable the radio to the Configuration PC,
and reconfigure it
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Select a new location for the Remote radio and/or its antenna
Decrease the length of antenna cable
Determine and resolve sources of "electrical" noise which may be interfering with
the radio transmission
Add a repeater between the radios that are not communicating, or reconfigure an
existing radio as a repeater if line of sight is available
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DIAGNOSTICS AND TROUBLESHOOTING
Use the program’s diagnostic and signal strength settings at the top of the Radio
Settings window to make sure the network is working properly:
Signal Strength graph: This setting graphically shows the radio’s signal strength. The
graph will show the word Master if a master radio is selected. The graph will show
the word Scanning if the radio is scanning to find another radio to which to connect.
If the radio is not connected to a network and not currently scanning, the graph will
show the words Not Connected.
Update every: To update the diagnostic readings on a particular interval, specify the
interval (in seconds) in this field. The default is 15 second updates.
Read‐only fields that appear with the diagnostic settings.
You can perform the following troubleshooting routines:
Check the Ethernet cable (page 59)
Retrieve the default password (page 61)
For more troubleshooting information, go to the ProSoft Technology web site at
www.prosoft‐technology.com
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Diagnostics
The Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility (Web configuration form for the radio)
provides information that can help troubleshoot problems with the radio.
Use the program’s diagnostic and signal strength settings at the top of the Radio
Settings window to make sure the network is working properly.
Signal Strength graph: This setting graphically shows the radio’s signal strength.
The graph will show the word Master if a master radio is selected.
The graph will show the word Scanning if the radio is scanning to find another radio
to which to connect.
If the radio is not connected to a network and not currently scanning, the graph will
show the words Not Connected.
If the radio is configured as a Repeater and has linked to a Master, the Signal
Strength graph will show a color‐coded signal quality indication.
Update every: To update the diagnostic readings according to a particular time interval,
specify the interval (in seconds) in this field. After entering the new value, press Enter to
save the new value. Press Tab or click elsewhere to use the new value temporarily.
The following configuration forms in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility provide
information about current radio operation:
Address table (page 73)
Port status (page 74)
Available Parents
Read‐only fields (page 70)
The following topics describe troubleshooting routines:
Check the Ethernet cable (page 59)
Retrieve the default password (page 61)
Troubleshoot IH Browser error messages (page 63)
Troubleshoot missing radios in the IH Browser (page 63)
For more troubleshooting information, visit the ProSoft Technology website at
www.prosoft‐technology.com.
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Check the Ethernet Cable
If the radio’s Ethernet port is connected and the Ethernet LED does not light on the
radio, there may be a problem with the Ethernet cable. Verify the cable is plugged into
the radio at one end, and to an Ethernet hub or a 10/100/1000 Base‐T Ethernet switch
at the other end.
If using the PoE injector, verify that the M12 to RJ45 cable is connected between the
radio and the injector and also that the Ethernet patch cable is connected between the
injector and switch.
Note: The RLX2 radio auto-detects the Ethernet connection type, and does not require a crossover
cable for direct connection to a PC.
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LED Display
The RLX2 radio front panel includes a set of LEDs that indicate the radio’s status:
LED
POWER
Description
While booting up
When fully operational
This bi‐color LED comes up amber when power is first applied. After power is applied,
this LED will go out completely for about four seconds while internal hardware is
initialized. After initialization, the power LED comes on green, indicating the radio is
fully operational.
RF TRANSMIT
While transmitting data over the wireless interface
RF RECEIVE
While receiving data over the wireless interface
SERIAL
When serial data is received
ETHERNET
When Ethernet data is being transferred over the wireless interface
Note that the state of the front‐panel ETHERNET LED may not necessarily correspond to
the state of the DATA LED on the Ethernet connector. The DATA LED indicates any
traffic over the wired link, while the ETHERNET LED indicates network data that will be
sent (or has been received from) the wireless link.
For example if the radio is pinged over the wired link, the DATA LED will blink but the
ETHERNET LED will not (because the ping packet was not transmitted over the air)
NET
Blinks if SD card with new configuration inserted
Reserved for future additional use.
MOD
Blinks if SD card with new configuration inserted
Reserved for future additional use.
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LED
Signal Strength
Description
Blinks if SD card inserted with new configuration
This is for all radio modes.
Radios in Master mode:
No radios linked
One or more radios linked (right LED blinking).
DFS Channel Availability Check in progress (all LEDs blinking Amber)
Radios in Repeater or Client mode:
No Signal
Radio linked, Poor Signal
Radio linked, Fair Signal
Radio linked, Good Signal
Once the power cable and Ethernet cable are connected to the radio, the Power/Status
LED should illuminate green. The SPEED LED should indicate a valid wired link. The RF
Transmit and RF Receive LEDs should start to blink occasionally.
For Repeater or Client mode radios, all three Signal Strength LEDs will blink just after the
radio links to the Master’s signal but before it has been fully authenticated. Normally
this lasts only a few seconds. If it lasts longer or never turns solid it usually means the
encryption keys are not correct.
Retrieve the Default Password
If the password is unknown, the user will be unable to change the radio settings. The
user can retrieve the default password to use the software again, but will lose all the
settings that were programmed before.
RLX2‐IHNF‐W and RLX2‐IHNF‐WC Reset
1. Remove power from the radio.
2. Press the Reset button. The Reset button is located on the front of the unit just
under the ProSoft logo.
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3. While holding down the button, apply power to the radio and continue to hold the
button down for 30 seconds.
The radio will be reset to its default settings including the password. You can now log in
using the default password “password”.
Resetting All Other Radios
To retrieve the default password and return the radio to its default settings:
Turn off power to the radio.
Locate the reset button hole.
Insert the end of a paperclip or similar device into the hole to press the reset
button.
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While holding the reset button in with a paperclip, attach power to the radio, and
continue to hold down the reset button for 30 seconds.
The radio will be reset to its default settings, including the password. The user
should now be able to log in using the default password, which is password.
Troubleshoot IH Browser Error messages
One error message commonly occurs when using the IH Browser, "Unable to scan for
AP's".
This error occurs when the IH Browser attempts to scan for radios and no valid network
connection exists on the PC, wired or wireless.
To correct this error, Confirm the PC has at least one active network (LAN) connection.
It could be a wired Ethernet connection or a wireless 802.11 connection.
Confirm the network connection has a valid IP address. The network connection might
need to have a static IP address assigned to it. Check the IP address of the network
connection to determine that one has been assigned.
Troubleshoot Missing Radios
If radios are not visible in the IH Browser, try the following:
First, click the SCAN button again. Scans are sent as broadcast messages, which can
be dropped in RF connections, requiring the user to scan again.
Second, disable any software firewall running on the PC (This is most common in
Windows XP and newer). Open the NETWORK CONNECTIONS folder in the Windows
Control Panel, then open the LOCAL AREA CONNECTION PROPERTIES window and verify
that the check box under INTERNET CONNECTION FIREWALL is not checked.
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If the preceding approaches do not help, the PC running the IH Browser and the
radios are probably not connected to the same local network. Verify the
connections.
In topological view, any unlinked radios may be at the bottom of the window. Scroll
down to see all radios. If the radios still cannot be seen in the IH Browser, call
technical support.
Improve Signal Quality
To improve a radio’s signal quality, try the following steps:
Adjust the direction of the high‐gain antennas.
Increase the height of the antenna’s placement.
Use higher‐gain antennas or external preamplifiers.
Select a new location for the radio and/or its antenna.
Decrease the length of the antenna cable.
Determine and resolve sources of interfering electrical noise.
Add a repeater between radios that are not communicating.
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DETAILED RADIO CONFIGURATION /
DIAGNOSTICS
The RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot radio has a built‐in Radio Configuration / Diagnostic
Utility (radio web configuration form) that allows the configuration of the radio from
any computer that can connect to the radio, through a wired Ethernet connection, or
through a Wireless connection.
A web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox on a network‐enabled
desktop computer, laptop or Personal Data Assistant (PDA) can be used to monitor and
change the settings within the RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot radio.
To open the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility
In the RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot Browser, select the radio to configure from the
list view or topography view, and then click the right mouse button to open a
shortcut menu.
On the shortcut menu, choose Connect. The Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility
will open in the web browser.
or,
Double‐click the selected radio to launch the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic
Utility.
Also, the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility can be opened directly from the web
browser.
Important: The desktop computer, laptop, or PDA must be connected to the same network as the
RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot radio.
Open a web browser.
In the address bar, type "http://", followed by the IP address for the radio, and
then click the "Go" button. For example,
http://192.168.6.10
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Read‐Only Fields
Some of the fields on the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility form are read‐only,
meaning that the content of the field is provided for information only, and cannot be
directly modified.
Also note that depending on how the radio is configured, some fields and buttons may
be unavailable because they do not affect the configuration you have selected. Review
the topics in this section for more information on when and how to use each
configuration option.
Configuration Help
Help is available for each item in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility.
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To view a brief help message about any field on the screen, move the cursor over
the field (which turns blue), or use the [Tab] key, and refer to the text that appears
at the bottom of the screen.
To view more help about the selected field, click the field name. This action opens a
help page in a new browser window.
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To view the complete online documentation for the RLX2 radio, click the
button. This action opens the online documentation in a new browser window. Use
the Contents, Index and Search tabs in the left frame to navigate the help system.
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Radio Status
The general radio status fields appear at the top of the Radio Configuration window.
Note: Different versions of the RLX2 Radios support different functionality. There may be more or
fewer options on this page, depending on the version of the radio.
Use the settings in the Radio Status panel to view the current settings for this radio.
Field
Radio Name
Description
The user assigned name of the radio.
Radio MAC
MAC address of the selected radio. The MAC ID is also printed on the side of
the radio.
Radio Type
The Model Number of this radio –Examples: RLX2‐IHA, RLX2‐IHG, RLX2‐IHNF,
or RLX2‐IHW.
Firmware
Version of firmware currently installed. All radios on the network must have
the same firmware versions installed to guarantee proper operations. For
more information on firmware versions, refer to Update firmware (page 130).
Update every
Value in seconds controls how often the web configuration form
automatically refreshes. To change the value temporarily, enter the new value
and press the [Tab] key. To change the value permanently, enter the new
value and press the [Enter] key.
Up Time
The length of time the radio has operated since the last system power‐up or
last system reset.
Link Time
The length of time that the radio has been continuously connected to parent
radio.
Signal Strength
Strength of the signal from the Parent radio.
Parent MAC
MAC address of the parent radio to which the selected radio is linked.
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Field
Branch Length
Description
Number of RF links from the radio to the master radio.
# Radios Linked
Number of other radios that are linked to this radio.
Current Channel
Channel upon which the radio is currently operating. For a Master, this would
match the channel set below. For a Repeater, this would be the channel its
Parent is on.
When the Link Mode indicates that the unit is in 40 MHz mode, this field
indicates the main channel number first followed by the extension channel’s
number.
Link Mode
The 802.11 Mode with which the radio is currently operating. For a Master,
this would be the highest mode supported. For a Repeater, this would be the
highest common mode supported by the settings of the Repeater and Parent,
and the capability of the radio channel.
Available Parents
Click this button to view the list of Access Points and Bridges (Parents) from
which this radio can detect beacons. This button is only available when the
radio type is Repeater.
Address Table
Click this button to view a list of MAC addresses for devices entered in the
radio’s address table.
Port Status
Click this button to view the spanning tree status of each bridge port (RF ports
and the RJ45 Ethernet port).
Available Parents
Note: The Available Parents form is not available when the radio type is Master.
This page is helpful for viewing:
Possible parents for a repeater. The current parent should normally be the radio
with the lowest cost and a matching SSID.
Other 802.11 networks in the area.
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Field
Only Show Same SSID
Description
Select (check) this box to restrict the list of available parents to those with
the same SSID as the radio you are configuring.
Refresh
Click this button to re‐scan the network and update the devices in the list.
Mac ID
A unique hexadecimal number that identifies any Ethernet device.
SSID
Network Name (Service Set Identifier).
Channel
The radio channel on which the device is transmitting. The channel list
indicates the channel number as well as the frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
bands).
Important: The RadioLinx RLX2 radio is supplied with a dual-band
antenna that supports both frequency ranges. If you use a different
antenna with the RLX2 radio, you must choose a channel and
frequency range supported by the antenna.
RSSI
Received Signal Strength Indication.
Security
The encryption type enabled for the device.
Speed
The IEEE 802.11 connection speed (a, b, g or n). The RadioLinx RLX2 radio
supports all of these 802.11 connection speeds.
Cost
Parent selection cost.
Age
The length of time (in seconds) since the radio last saw a packet from this
MAC address
Hops
The number of hops to the Master. A value of 0 (zero) is shown for non‐
ProSoft devices.
This list contains both 802.11 devices that are part of the same SSID as the RLX2 itself
(for example, "Minerals") as well as devices that belong to different SSIDs (for example,
"Network1" and "ProSoftInternal"). This list is updated continuously and can be used for
many purposes.
The IH radio updates this list with each 802.11 packet that is received, whether from a
radio of the same network or one that belongs to another SSID. It can also see radios
from other vendors.
Once per second the IH radio evaluates the link it has to its parent to determine if this
link is the best parent to use. A cost is calculated for each entry and can be seen in the
column labeled "Cost" in the preceding table. The cost calculation is based not only on
the strongest signal, but on several other factors to provide optimum network
communication.
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Address Table
The Address Table shows the port through which each MAC address is connected, along
with the age in seconds since the radio last saw a packet from this MAC address.
Field
Radio MAC
Description
The MAC address of the selected radio. The MAC ID is also printed on the side
of the radio.
Show Addresses for the
Following
Dropdown list to filter the address list. Options are:
Devices Out Ethernet Port
Directly Linked Radios/Clients
Devices beyond Direct RF Links
When the table is filtered to show only Directly linked radios/clients, an
additional RSSI column is listed, showing the Received Signal Strength from
each radio or client linked to the radio.
Number of Rows to Display
Use this field to choose hwo many MAC addresses to display on this page.
Use the Next and Prev buttons to scroll through the available MAC addresses.
Index
Position in the list. Each page shows up to 10 devices. Use the Next and
Previous buttons to move up and down through the table.
MAC Address
The MAC address for the device.
Connection
The connection type
Age (s)
The length of time (in seconds) since the radio last saw a packet from this
MAC address
Top
Click the Top button to see the top of the table. The radio will display
updated data in the table entries.
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Field
Next / Prev
Description
If the table has more MAC addresses than it can display in the window, use
the Next and Prev buttons to move up and down through the table.
Refresh
Click Refresh to update the table.
Port Status
When you click on the Port Status button, you can see information about all of the
active ports on the radio. Above the table, you can see information about the current
Spanning Tree including the MAC address of the “root” device, and the timing
parameters that are set for the current Spanning Tree. Each radio can have up to 34
active ports – one Ethernet cable, one parent RF link, and up to 32 child RF links.
The primary reason for creating a Spanning Tree to that is allows you to create fully
redundant paths. If any single radio in a redundant path loses its connection, another
path still exists, and the connection will be updated and communication restored.
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Field
Spanning Tree Protocol:
Wireless Ports
Description
The Spanning Tree Protocol level for the wireless port (Rapid STP or STP).
Ethernet Port
The Spanning Tree Protocol level for the Ethernet port (Rapid STP or STP).
Edge Port
Displays Active or Inactive based on the setting of Ethernet Edge Port in the
Spanning Tree configuration dialog.
Spanning Tree Root: MAC
The MAC ID of the root device in the spanning tree.
Priority
Spanning Tree device with the lowest‐priority value is elected the root of the
tree
Max Age
The length of time a port can stay enabled without any new spanning
updates.
Hello Time
The length of time between the transmission of spanning update packets.
Forward Delay
The length of time a port must listen for spanning information before being
activated.
Position in the list. Each page shows up to 10 ports. Use the Next and Previous
buttons to move up and down through the table.
Connection
This field indicates what the port represents: Ethernet, a parent radio, or a
child radio.
State
The current Spanning Tree state of the port. Possible states are Blocking,
Learning, Listening, and Forwarding. Forwarding packets can be transferred.
Designation
The Spanning Tree designation for the branch off the port. Possible
designations are Root (ports going to the root), Designated (ports going to a
branch), or Normal.
Path Cost
The cumulative cost of all wired and wireless links from the port to the
Spanning Tree root.
Designated Bridge
The Next bridge toward the Spanning Tree root for this port.
Top
Click the Top button to see the top of the table.
Next / Prev
If the table has more ports than it can display in the window, use the Next and
Prev buttons to move up and down through the table.
Refresh
Click Refresh to update the table.
The following illustration shows the RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot Browser (page 121)
application provided with the radios. Notice it shows the radio named Hematite_4F,
linked to Amethyst_BD. This link is shown with a red dotted line. Also visible is the level
of redundancy in their network. Each of the blue lines represents an alternate parent.
From this view, it is easily shown how much redundancy exists in their network.
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To display the redundant paths, select the toolbar button denoting two "parents." To
view the redundancy on a per‐radio basis, select the single "parent" button, and then
click on the radio to view its available redundancies.
Radio Network Settings
Note: Different versions of the RLX2 Radios support different functionality. The may be more or
fewer options on this page, depending on the version of the radio.
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Use the settings in the Radio Network Settings panel to configure the radios in the
network. For more information on using these settings, see Configuring the radios (page
52).
Field
Radio Name
Description
Assign a unique name to each radio.
Network SSID
Assign a Network name (SSID) of up to 32 characters. The radio uses this
name in all network references. All radios in a network must have the same
SSID. SSID names are case‐sensitive.
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Field
802.11 Mode
RLX2‐IHNF
Description
This control is only present on the RLX2‐IHNF model. It allows the unit to be
configured to operate in 802.11 a/g mode or to operate in 802.11n mode
(default). In addition, it allows configuration of whether the unit will allow
use of 40 MHz wide channels for Child clients.
Note: The Parent radio link of a Repeater automatically uses a mode that is
compatible with the Parent settings. For example, an RLX2‐IHNF may connect
to an RLX2‐IHW master which only operates in 802.11a/g mode, and still use
802.11n mode for any Child Repeaters.
802.11a/g
The radio acts as an 802.11a radio on the 5 GHz band, and an 802.11g radio
on the 2.4 GHz band. Data rates will be limited to the 802.11 a/g rates (54
mbps maximum). 802.11n operational features will be disabled. It is not
necessary to select this mode for RLX2‐IHNF radios to link to other RLX2 or
RLXIB series radios; they will link their best possible speeds regardless of
mode. This mode is not commonly used. It is mainly used to allow 802.11
a/b/g client devices that cannot link to 802.11n devices to work. One example
of such a device is the ProSoft 1734‐AENTR wireless I/O client.
802.11n
Default operational mode of the RLX2‐IHNF radio. All 802.11n features are
operational, and 20 MHz wide channels are used.
802.11.n wide
Utilizes adjacent pairs of 20 MHz‐wide channels as a single 40 MHz‐wide
channel. This allows the fastest data throughput to other 802.11n devices.
Only 802.11n devices can utilize this mode, but all RLX2 radios will link at their
best speed regardless of mode.
Channels in the 5 GHz band are 20 MHz apart, so 802.11n wide mode occupies
only two channels in that band. However, channels in the 2.4 GHz band are
spaced only five MHz apart, so 802.11n wide mode in the 2.4 GHz band
occupies eight adjacent channels! Since there are at most 13 channels in the
2.4 GHz band, and only three channels do not overlap others, it is not
recommended to enable wide mode on 2.4 GHz band channels.
Master
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Click this button to configure a radio as a Master. The Master is the root radio
in a network. You must have at least one Master radio per network. For
redundancy, you can assign more than one Master to a network. For
information, see Redundancy.
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Description
Field
Channel List (Master Radio) The Channel List indicates the channel number, the band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) as
well as the frequency in MHz.
When the 802.11 Mode is set to ‘802.11n wide’, each entry shows the main
channel number first followed by the extension channel number if the
particular channel supports 40 MHz.
The main 20 MHz channel is used whenever sending frames at an 802.11 a/g
data rate (e.g., Beacons at 6 Mbits/s. The main and extension channels are
used together for 802.11n data rate transmissions. Note that the frequency
indicated when in 802.11n wide mode is the center of the 40 MHz channel
pair.
Important: The RadioLinx RLX2 radio is not supplied with an antenna. When
choosing an antenna for use with the RLX2 radio, you must choose one that
supports the frequency range set in the configuration for the radio.
Repeater
Click this button to configure a radio as a repeater. The repeater mode is the
normal radio mode for the network, while the master mode is more of a
special setting to establish the network channel and define the root of the
network tree. Repeater radios help extend the range of a network and help
create the signal "bridges" that allow networked radios to communicate. All
RLX2 radios are capable of repeating.
Parent Link settings
Click this button to specify how a repeater radio connects to the network. For
information, see Parent Link settings.
Client
This is a special mode that allows you to connect an Ethernet device to any
802.11 a, b or g access point. This mode is used in the special event of
connecting a device to another brand access point. For information on setting
up a client, see Configuring clients.
Auto / Specify
Only choose "specify" if device does not send out any unsolicited Ethernet
packets. Try Auto first.
Client MAC
The MAC ID of the device connected to the radio, only if the device does not
advertise its MAC address.
IGMP
Click this button to open the IGMP Settings form. Use this form to enable
(default) or disable IGMP, and to configure how the RLX2 radio will behave
when IGMP is enabled.
VLAN
Opens the VLAN Settings form. The Ethernet ports for the Master and its
associated Repeaters can be thought of as a distributed smart switch. The
Transporting of tagged frames to the appropriate remote Ethernet port is
automatic and does not require any settings. See VLAN Settings in this
section.
QoS
Opens the QoS Settings form. Prioritization of frames using QoS is always
enabled in the RLX2 for packets received already marked with a priority value.
This page allows you to set the default priority for frames received without
any priority markings. See QoS Settings in this section.
Spanning Tree
Opens the Spanning Tree Settings form.
Advanced Config
Opens the Advanced Settings form.
Roam Control
Opens the Roam Control Settings
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Parent Link Settings
Field
Parent MAC
Description
MAC Address of the radio’s Parent node. In the example above, the Repeater
is not linked to a Master radio so the Parent MAC is shown as all zeroes.
Parent Selection Method
Automatically Choose Best
The Automatic Parent Selection algorithm uses a calculation to create a
“cost” metric for each possible parent radio that it detects.
In the calculation the radio includes,
RSSI ‐ Stronger signals receive a lower cost.
Hop Count ‐ Fewer hops from the Master radio is given preference and
therefore a lower cost
Choose this setting to allow the radio to determine the best parent to select.
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Field
Parent Branch Length
Description
RLX2 radio will choose its parent strictly by the number of repeaters between
it and the Master radio. If a Branch Length of 1 is chosen, the RLX2 radio will
link only to the Master radio. If a Branch Length of 2 is chosen, the RLX2 radio
will link only to another RLX2 radio that is linked to the Master radio, and so
on. If multiple candidates are available at a particular hop count, the RLX2
chooses the Parent that has the smallest cost.
Preferred Parent
RLX2 radio will select its parent from a list of possible parents specified by the
user. When this option is selected, a list of up to eight MAC Address entry
fields become visible. The user enters one or more MAC Addresses of the
Radios that the RLX2 must choose from.
Best in List
When Best in List is selected the radio will select its parent using the
"Automatic Parent Selection" algorithm, but it will limit the selection to
the list of radios in the list. Therefore, the radio in the list with the
lowest cost according to the algorithm will be chosen as its parent.
Follow List Priority
When Follow List Priority is chosen the radio will select its parent from
the list giving preference to the 1st entry followed by the 2nd entry and
so on.
Parent Selection Parameters
When the signal from a parent reaches a high enough value, a stronger signal
Signal Strength Threshold
will not improve the quality of the link any further. For signals that are above
that threshold, only fewer hops from the Master give preference. The
threshold can be adjusted here. Another way to consider this in Fast Roam
applications, is that the RLX2 will not Roam to a new Parent at the same hop
count level until its current Parent’s RSSI goes below (weaker) that this value.
Parent Margin
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In Fast Roam applications where the RLX2 is on a mobile platform, or there is
a lot of movement in the environment causing RSSI levels to fluctuate, it is
desirable to have the RLX2 stick to its current Parent unless a better Parent’s
RSSI is stronger than this value. This margin value is added to the current
Parent’s RSSI prior to calculating its cost. It is desirable to ‘roam’ to a new
Parent prior to losing the connection with the current Parent which results in
data loss.
A value too small in this parameter can lead to an RLX2 ping‐ponging back
and forth between two Parents as the RSSI levels fluctuate. A value too large
could result in a roam not occurring up to the point where the unit moves out
of range, even though a candidate exists that is actually better than the
current Parent.
The default value is 5 dB. Larger values (10‐15 dB) should be used to prevent
false roams from occurring due to temporary RSSI inversions between the
current Parent and another candidate, with the caveat of course, that a roam
point exists where the RSSI difference between the current Parent and the
new Parent is greater than this margin.
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Field
Rate to Parent
Description
The default setting is Auto which allows the radio to select the best rate to
use to the parent radio, and adapt over time. Specify a fixed rate rather than
auto for example if the link to the parent has a low signal strength in which
case fixing a lower rate can improve performance.
The actual rate used between this radio and its parent is the lower value of
this setting and the Max Data Rate setting in the parent (see Max Data Rate).
So use these two controls in conjunction if desired to tailor the rate of each
parent link.
Note: When configuring an RLX2‐IHNF, this control is only enabled if the
802.11 Mode control on the main page is set to 802.11a/g mode.
Allow Children
This parameter controls whether the RLX2 Repeater will act as a Parent to
other RLX2 Repeaters. Selecting ‘No’ will disguise the RLX2’s SSID thus
preventing other 803.11 devices from finding it. Fast Roam applications take
advantage of this where it is not desirable to have anything connect to an
RLX2 that is itself, moving and roaming.
Roaming Parameters
Roaming
In typical Fast Roam applications a Repeater is installed on a mobile
pallet or platform and a set of Master units forms a backbone
infrastructure network, through which the Repeater must roam. To
obtain Fast Roam times, Spanning Tree must be disabled and SSID's
not hidden on the Master. The Repeater should be configured to not
allow child Repeaters and to use a Signal Strength Threshold set high
enough such that RSSI is used to determine the link cost to a parent.
Checking the checkbox in this section automatically sets these
parameters accordingly along with a predetermined optimum value for
the cost threshold. Unchecking it will revert the parameters to their
previous values before the check box state was saved.
Note: All Spanning Tree configurations and Hide SSID must be
disabled manually on all Master units as this dialog box is only
accessible when in Repeater mode.
It is always possible to subsequently change any of these parameters if it is so
desired, for example to set a different value for the Signal Strength
Threshold. If this is done then the control will not display as checked as it will
only display as checked if all three parameters have the preset values.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
After a selection is saved and return to the Radio Network Settings panel, notice the
selection is indicated under the Parent Link button.
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The Automatic Parent Selection algorithm uses a calculation to create a cost for each
possible parent radio that it detects. Once per second, the RLX2 radio evaluates the link
it has to its parent to determine if this link is the best parent to use. A cost is calculated
for each entry and can be seen in the column labeled “Cost” in the Available Parent web
screen. The cost calculation is based not only on the strongest signal, but on several
other factors including Number of Hops to provide optimum network communication.
Prioritized Parent Selection
If more control is needed than the automatic algorithm allows, a priority list of parents
for the RLX2 radio can be defined.
Prioritized Parent by Branch Length
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With Parent Branch Length, the radio will choose its parent strictly by the number of
repeaters between it and the Master radio. If Branch Length of 1 is chosen, the radio will
link only to the Master radio. If Branch Length of 2 is chosen, the radio will link only to
an RLX2 radio that is linked to the Master radio, and so on.
Prioritized Parent by Preferred Parent List
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With Preferred Parent, the radio will select its parent from a list of user‐specified
parents. Up to eight radios can be defined.
Best in List
The radio will select its parent using the "Automatic Parent Selection" algorithm
described above but it will limit the selection to the radios in the list. The radio in
the list with the lowest cost according to the algorithm will be chosen as its parent.
Follow List Priority
The radio will select its parent from the list giving preference to the first entry,
followed by the second entry, and so on.
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IGMP Settings
RLX2 radios support IGMP v1 and v2. The default operation of the RLX2 radios is to have
IGMP functionality enabled, although the user can disable IGMP entirely. Additionally,
the user can specify settings associated with IGMP filtering and snooping. Unknown
multicast addresses can be sent to all ports (flood) or to none (filtered) by changing the
IGMP Multicast Filtering option. The user can specify whether the radio will generate
IGMP queries, and configure the query interval time.
By RFC specification, only one device on a network should generate IGMP queries. As
such, RLX2 radios will only send a query if another device has not sent a query within its
Query Interval setting, even if Query Generation is enabled.
Field
IGMP Multicast Filtering
Description
Disabling filtering will cause the radio flood multicast packets to all ports.
Default Propagation Action
Determines how to handle multicast addresses that are not in the radio’s
address table.
IGMP Query Generation
Enables or disables query generation from this radio.
IGMP Query Interval
Number of seconds between queries (if not pre‐empted by a query from
another device).
Multicast State Count
Number of queries generated before a device is removed from the multicast
group on this radio if no response is received.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
VLAN Settings
RLX2 radios support port based VLANs. Each RLX2 can be considered to have 3 different
ports or interfaces; the Ethernet interface, the local applications stack of the RLX2 itself,
and the 802.11 BSS created by each RLX2 allowing client devices to associate. The VLAN
settings for the Ethernet interface are settable on all RLX2 radios. The VLAN settings for
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the Local and SSID ports are only settable on the Master and pushed down to each
Repeater associated below the Master. This allows the VLAN settings for an RLX2
bridged network rooted at a Master to have common settings for these two ports,
which ensures for example, that if the Local interface is set to a management VLAN, the
all Repeaters below the Master will all be accessible by a Management PC.
The Ethernet ports for the Master and its associated Repeaters can be thought of as a
smart switch. Transporting of tagged frames to the appropriate remote Ethernet port is
automatic and does not require any settings.
Field
VLAN Enable
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Description
This control enables or disables the VLAN function of the RLX2. If disabled,
the RLX2 still bridges received Ethernet packets that are VLAN tagged but
does not act on the VLAN ID of the frame or add or remove any VLAN tags.
When this function is enabled, packets received by the RLX2 on an interface
that are not VLAN tagged are assigned to the VLAN as set by the PVID
parameter of the respective interface.
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Field
PVID
Description
Each interface (Ethernet, SSID, Local/Mgmt) has a PVID setting representing
the VLAN ID to assign to non‐tagged ingress frames from that interface. The
Local/Mgmt interface also supports a control that when checked, will allow
the Mgmt interface to be accessible from all VLANs and interfaces.
VLAN Table
The VLAN Table allows each of the interfaces to be made a member of a
particular VLAN ID and set whether frames sent from the Ethernet interface
should be tagged or untagged for a particular VLAN. Up to 10 different VLAN
IDs can be configured.
The following VLAN table parameters are supported:
VLAN ID – The ID of the VLAN to be assigned to the RLX2’s
interfaces. Valid VLAN Ids range from 1 to 4096. Note that VLAN
IDs 1956 and 1957 are reserved and cannot be used.
Ethernet Member – When checked, this indicates that the Ethernet
interface of the RLX2 is a member of the VLAN indicated by the
row’s VLAN ID.
Ethernet Egress Action – Frames belonging to the row’s VLAN ID
are sent out the Ethernet port either tagged or untagged as set by
this control.
SSID Member – When checked, this indicates that the SSID (BSS) of
the RLX2 is a member of the VLAN indicated by the row’s VLAN ID.
Local/App Member – When checked, this indicates that the
Local/App interface of the RLX2 is a member of the VLAN indicated
by the row’s VLAN ID.
QoS Settings
Prioritization of frames using QoS is always enabled in the RLX2 for packets received
already marked with a priority value. The QoS Settings Page allows you to set the
Default Priority for frames received without any priority markings. In addition, you can
map a priority value to packets received without priority according to a set of match
criteria.
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Field
Default Priority
Description
Defaults to 0 (no priority). This control sets the priority value to be assigned
to packets received on the Ethernet interface that are not marked with a
priority value.
QoS Map Enable
This control enables or disables the priority mapping function of the RLX2.
When enabled, the priority mapping table becomes editable.
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Field
QoS Map Table
Description
Each row of the table corresponds to one match filter allowing up to 8
distinct filters to identify and assign a priority value to received Ethernet
packets. Each filter has several parameters that can be enabled by clicking on
its checkbox. When multiple parameters are enabled, all must match before
the Priority value is assigned to a packet.
The following priority map filter fields are supported:
Priority – The priority value to assign to the received Ethernet
frame if it was not already marked with a priority value and if all
enabled filter fields match.
Source IP Address – A field match occurs for all packets received
from the device with the entered IP address.
Destination IP Address – A field match occurs for all packets
received addressed to the device with the entered IP address.
Source Port No. – A field match occurs for all IP packets received
with this source port value.
Destination Port No. – A field match occurs for all IP packets
received with this destination port value.
Protocol No. – A field match occurs for all IP packets received with
this protocol number.
Packet Length – This field contains 2 sub‐fields. An edit box to
enter a packet length threshold, and checkboxes to select whether
a field match occurs if the length of the received packet is less than
the threshold or if it is greater than or equal to the threshold.
Rapid Spanning Tree Functionality
The Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP) option is an advanced networking function that shuts
off ports as necessary to prevent data packet loops when more than one network path
is available. If loops are created in an Ethernet network, packets can be circulated
endlessly, consuming all the bandwidth and making the network unusable.
RSTP allows users to create truly redundant connections between any two points in the
network. The radios detect the redundant paths and keep one connection alive for
communications. If the Primary connection fails for any reason, the secondary
connection is quickly transitioned to a state to forward packets, allowing the network to
adapt itself to handle problems without customer intervention.
RTSP uses active communications between network devices to propagate changes in the
network and to cause transitions to occur much more quickly. Because RTSP is an IEEE
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standard, IH radios work in conjunction with wired Ethernet switches to form a
redundant network.
Each RSTP device (RLX2 radio or Ethernet switch) communicates with other RSTP
devices in the network via packets called Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs). BPDUs
are sent out each of the devices ports. In a wired switch, this would be from each of the
Ethernet ports. In an RLX2 Radio, in addition to the Ethernet port, each wireless link is
considered a port. These BPDUs are the communications means to allow each RSTP
device in the network to make sure that the proper connections still exist.
In the following illustration, the RLX2 Radio has 4 RSTP "ports":
Ethernet port (1)
A port for its parent connection (2)
A port for each of its two child connections (11 and 12).
BPDUs are sent out the port at a rate called the "Hello Time". The accepted standard
value for this is 2 seconds. If a radio (or any other RSTP device) does not get a BPDU for
2 Hello Times, it assumes the RSTP device that had been there is no longer available. It
can then open an alternate path if one is available. This process is much like the STP
process. If other devices on the network are not operating in rapid spanning tree mode,
the radio will revert to normal spanning tree operation on a per‐port basis.
RSTP provides a performance enhancement over STP operation. By comparison, the
radio using the STP algorithm would revert its port to the listening state, and then to the
learning state, before returning to the forwarding state. Each of these states takes at
least 15 seconds, during which the STP devices are listening for BPDUs to re‐negotiate
the network topology. The advantage of using the RSTP functionality is that is uses
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active handshaking between adjacent RSTP devices to re‐negotiate the network
topology. This process takes one to two seconds.
Each RLX2 Radio contains a switch table, which tells it how to forward Ethernet packets
to get them to their proper destination. When the network topology changes, the RLX2
Radio the Ethernet switch table is flushed immediately. This allows it to pass traffic
immediately over the new network topology and learn the configuration in the process.
Until the learning is complete, the packets are broadcast to their destination. As each
packet is seen and the switch table rebuilds, the radios return to directing packets to
their destinations.
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Spanning Tree Settings
Field
Enable Spanning Tree
Description
Spanning Tree is enabled when this box is checked. Without spanning tree,
redundant connections might exist if multiple radio links are created in
parallel with each other. Redundant connections are blocked only if spanning
tree is enabled. Additionally, spanning tree is used to flush the Ethernet
switch table when the network topology changes as described in the section
on Automatic Parent Selection.
All RLX2 models support Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP), and will default to this
mode when enabled.
The recommended setting for spanning tree is “Enabled”.
Ethernet Edge Port
Because RSTP is an active protocol, it depends on communication between
RSTP devices. If no RSTP device is connected to the radio’s Ethernet port, the
handshake cannot take place. In this case RSTP reverts to STP. This means
that the Ethernet port will be forced to adhere to the timer based transition
protocol of STP.
Therefore on network transitions and power up, communications will not be
allowed over the Ethernet port for 30 to 45 seconds. This setting is an
indication that no redundant connections exist out this port and
communication can immediately be allowed. If for some reason a BPDU is
received on this port, the RSTP protocol will negotiate properly and handle
any possible redundant paths.
The recommended setting for Ethernet Edge Port is "Enabled".
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Field
Bridge Times
Description
Priority
Determines who should be the root of the RSTP. The RSTP device with the
lowest priority becomes the root. The accepted standard value for this is
32768. If wired switches exist in the network that support RSTP, they should
always be allowed to be the root.
Set this value to 32769 to prevent the radio from being the root over a wired
switch. Use this setting when a radio is configured to be a Master.
Set this value to 32770 when the radio is configured to be a Repeater. In this
way, if only RLX2 radios exist in the network, the Master radio will become
the root.
Hello Time
Rate at which BPDUs are sent out. The industry standard is 2 seconds.
Max Age
Measures the age of the received protocol information recorded for a port
and ensures this information is discarded when its age limit exceeds the
value to the maximum age parameter recorded by the switch. The timeout
value for this timer is the maximum age parameter of the switches.
Forward Delay
Monitors the time spent by a port in the learning and listening states. The
timeout value is the forward delay parameter of the switches.
Path Costs
RSTP and STP algorithms use a cost to determine which connections should
be used. The "spanning tree" is formed by determining the least cost paths
from any RSTP device back to the root.
Wireless
Gives preference to a wired connection, set the Wireless cost to 200.
Ethernet
Gives preference to a wired Ethernet connection, set the Ethernet cost to
100.
Configures the timing intervals to use.
Multiple master radios can be defined on the same network. If one master radio goes
down, any radios linked to it can switch over to the other master, so the networked
radios remain connected and transmitting. In order to be redundant, the two masters
should typically be on the same segment—in other words, they should be wired
together into the same switch. These two masters can be assigned different channels to
increase network bandwidth, but they must be assigned the same SSID.
Also, because all radios are repeaters, each radio can be configured to reach a master
radio via multiple repeater paths. If a repeater goes down, the linked radios can use a
different path to get back to a master radio.
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Advanced Settings
It is important to allow many industrial protocols to communicate properly over the
RLX2 radios. The standard 802.11 AP operation for transmitting broadcast messages is
to accumulate them and transmit them only on specific time intervals. This allows
clients that are in power‐save mode to wake up at the synchronized time interval and
receive the broadcast packets. However, the power‐save mode is rarely used in
industrial networks.
Additionally, many industrial protocols utilize multicast traffic, which is sent as
broadcast messages over the wireless network. By enabling immediate broadcasting,
these multicast messages are not delayed by the wait for the next time interval to occur
before they can be transmitted. This results in improved network performance.
The settings on this form also allow the configuration of the transmission rate and
broadcast mode to optimize this radio's use on an industrial network.
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Field
Description
Max Data Rate
RLX2‐IHA
RLX2‐IHG
RLX2‐IHW
Normally, the Max Data Rate should be set to the maximum value. The
above example shows this setting MCS15. The default maximum is 54
MBits/s. However, under poor operating conditions, reliability may improve
if the Max Data Rate is reduced.
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Field
Description
Max Data Rate
RLX2‐IHNF
The maximum data rate for the RLX2‐IHNF radio is specified in terms of a
Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index value. This specification is
unique to IEEE 802.11n devices. The actual maximum data rate depends on
several factors as shown in the following table:
802.11n mode, Mbit/s
MCS
Index
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Active
Antennas
800 ns GI
400 ns GI
802.11n wide mode,
Mbit/s
800 ns GI
400 ns GI
6.50
7.20
13.50
15.00
13.00
14.40
27.00
30.00
19.50
21.70
40.50
45.00
26.00
28.90
54.00
60.00
39.00
43.30
81.00
90.00
52.00
57.80
108.00
120.00
58.50
65.00
121.50
135.00
65.00
72.20
135.00
150.00
2 or 3
13.00
14.40
27.00
30.00
2 or 3
26.00
28.90
54.00
60.00
10
2 or 3
39.00
43.30
81.00
90.00
11
2 or 3
52.00
57.80
108.00
120.00
12
2 or 3
78.00
86.70
162.00
180.00
13
2 or 3
104.00
115.60
216.00
240.00
14
2 or 3
117.00
130.00
243.00
270.00
15
2 or 3
130.00
144.40
270.00
300.00
Only MCS rates from 0 through 7 are available with one antenna, which is
the default configuration. To select MCS rates of 8 and above, configure the
Active Antennas to be A,C or A,B,C. (See Active Antennas below.)
The maximum throughput also depends on the 802.11n Mode as configured
in the Radio Network Settings section of the main webpage. See section 0.
Throughput in 802.11n wide mode is approximately twice that of 802.11n
mode.
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The radio will automatically select the Guard Interval (GI) based on
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Field
Description
current operating conditions. The system attempts to use a 400 microsecond
Guard Interval, but will fall back to an 800 microsecond Guard Interval if
excessive data corruption is detected. The radio will periodically attempt to
resume using a 400 microsecond Guard Interval as conditions improve. A 400
microsecond Guard Interval results in about 11% more throughput than
using a 800 microsecond guard interval. The user has no control of the Guard
Interval.
As seen in the table above, absolutely best throughput requires 802.11n
wide mode, more than one antenna, and a RF environment capable of
supporting a 400 microsecond Guard Interval.
Max Basic Rate
In addition to the Data Rate setting which controls generic data traffic, the
Basic Rate setting adjusts the rate at which control packets such as Beacons
and ACKs are sent at as well as packets that need to go to the whole network
such as Broadcasts. Because these packets are intended for the whole
network, the Max Basic Rate setting of the Master is advertised to each of
the radios in the network through Beacons. Each radio, other than the
Master, then inherits the Max Basic Rate setting of the Master. Therefore
the setting only needs to be made in the Master radio. The setting in each of
the other radios is disregarded.
Interop Optimization
This control allows for ease of configuration for the following controls, for
two specific interoperability scenarios.
RLX2 Bridging optimizes Immediate Broadcasts, Block General Probes and
rd
Range for operation when peer devices are primarily other RLX2s. 3 ‐Party
Clients optimizes these controls for peer devices such as laptops, tablets,
phones or any other WiFi devices that perform regular power saving are
expecting to connect to this RLX2. If this setting is not used, these client
devices may have difficulty in finding the network SSID, and their
communication may be erratic due to broadcasts not being transmitted
when expected. RLX2 Bridging will still function, although the RLX2 will be
responding to all scanning client devices which may introduce some jitter to
data being transferred.
Immediate Broadcasting
Forward multicast traffic immediately, rather than waiting for specific time
intervals.
Block General Probe
Requests
Do not respond to general probe requests that are not specific to the radio's
SSID.
Range
Allows the radios to account for round trip delays. The Range settings should
be the same in all radios in the network and should be at least large enough
to account for the length of any links. However, increasing the Range beyond
what is necessary can cause a slight decrease in throughput. The default
Long range is 25km, which is valid for all operating modes of all radios.
Reducing the range setting for systems at closer range may improve
throughput.
TX Power Attenuation
Sets the output power of the radio.
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Field
Description
AeroScout Location Services
This control, if present, enables the RLX2’s support for AeroScount Location
Services. If not present, the feature has been disabled at the factory.
Tag Enabled Mode will forward any Tag Reports received to the AeroScout
Location Engine.
Tag & MU Enabled mode forwards tag Reports as well as any Mobile Unit
packets heard from on the RLX2’s channel.
When disabled, the RLX2 does not forward any Reports.
The AeroScout feature listens on Port 1141 for commands from the
AeroScout Engine.
Active Antennas
RLX2‐IHNF
This control is only available on the RLX2‐IHNF radios. The default is set to A,
B, C (for a three connector MIMO antenna). The other options are A Only
(for one antenna) and A, C (for two antennas). Note that if two antennas are
used, they must be attached to the ANT A and ANT C antenna connectors
MIMO antennas generally will have three connections so all three antenna
ports must be activated. In general, operation with three antenna ports will
give best performance. When more than one antenna port is active, the
radio will monitor the signal appearing at all antenna ports and dynamically
select the port(s) with the best signal. However, there are situations where
performance may improve if fewer antenna ports are active. If radios are
very close together (typically a few feet), all three antenna ports will receive
essentially identical signal strengths and the radio may continuously change
antenna ports, resulting in degraded performance.
SD Auto Write Enable
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Enables the unit to write a copy of its Configuration to the SD Card whenever
new settings are saved from any pages of the unit's web interface. Previous
Configuration files are renamed with a unique file name which allows
auditing of changes made to the unit's settings.
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Field
Description
SD Auto Clone Enable
Enables the unit's Clone function. On power up if an SD Card is present that
has a Configuration file different from the unit's current Configuration the
unit will adopt the settings from the SD Card. If the Configuration matches or
there is no Configuration file on the SD Card then no action is taken. On
inserting an SD Card into a running unit, if the Configuration file found on the
SD Card will result in the unit's settings being changed on Powerup or Reset,
a warning is indicated by flashing the Signal Strength, MOD and NET LEDs.
In order to save this control as enabled, either an SD Card must not be
present, or the SD Auto Write Enable control must also be checked when
saving. If these conditions are not present the control will be disabled before
saving, to prevent the unit from reverting back to a Configuration file on the
SD Card after reset.
To adopt the Configuration file on an SD Card when this control is already
enabled, simply insert the SD Card and power cycle the unit. If this control is
not enabled, first enable and save the setting without the SD Card inserted
and then insert the SD Card and power cycle the unit.
NOTE: Do not enable Auto Write if you do not want the active Configuration
file on the SD Card to be replaced when the unit adopts and saves the SD
Card's current Configuration file.
Write SD Card
Immediately writes a copy of the unit's Configuration file to the SD Card,
independent of the Auto Write check box setting. Note that the
configuration files are in a binary format so sensitive data (e.g. passwords,
encryption keys) cannot be easily read from the files.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
Roam Control
In roaming applications, a mobile platform equipped with an RLX2 Repeater roams from
one Master’s coverage area to another. By default, an RLX2 Repeater roams
autonomously by calculating the cost for each roam candidate based only on RSSI and
hop count. The lowest cost determines when a better Parent candidate is present.
There are several limitations when the RLX2s are operating in autonomous roam mode
that can be overcome by using Parent Assisted Roaming.
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Given that the current RLX2 only has one radio module, all Masters, by
necessity, have to be on the same Channel to allow the roaming Repeater to
detect them.
In applications where the mobile platform is travelling a known path, it is
necessary to have an unambiguous option when it reaches a roam point. If
multiple Parents are in range at the roam point, it may decide to roam to the
wrong Parent.
The Repeater’s Roam Threshold and Parent Margin settings are used for every
roam. Due to topology variances, there may be one or two coverage areas that
would operate better with different settings for these roam parameters.
The following settings allow for Parent Assisted roaming by advertising these parameter
values to any Child Repeater that associates to this unit. Each parameter can be
enabled separately using a checkbox. Only enabled parameters are advertised to Child
Repeaters.
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Field
Description
None
When checked, this control negates all others so that no
roam parameters are advertised to Child Repeaters.
Next Parent
When checked, this enables advertising of a specific unit as
the Parent or Child Repeater should associated to next. A
select‐edit box is present that is automatically populated with
all the RLX2 units with the same SSID that are on the same
Ethernet network as a unit.
Each entry is represented by the Name of the RLX2, so it is
important that each RLX2 be given a unique name. If the
desired next Parent has not been detected because it is not
currently powered up or attached to the network, it will not
appear in the list. In this case, its MAC Address can be
manually entered into the edit box. Once saved, this MAC
Address appears in the select box until that unit is detected
on the Ethernet at which point it will switch to displaying the
unit’s name.
When an advertised Next Parent is on the same channel as
the current unit, then the Child Repeater will roam to the
Next Parent when the Next Parent’s cost is lower than its
current parent’s. When the advertised Next Parent is on a
different channel, then the Roam Threshold is used to make
the roam decision.
Roam Threshold
When checked, this enables advertising of the Roam
Threshold that a Child Repeater should use. This Roam
Threshold overrides the Child Repeaters equivalent setting
but only while the Child Repeater is associated to this unit. If
the Parent is not advertising a Roam Threshold, then the
Child Repeater will revert to using its own value configured in
the Parent Link Settings dialog box.
This setting is critical when a Next Parent is also being
advertised and that parent is configured to be on a different
channel than this unit. The Child Repeater uses this threshold
to determine when to switch to the Next Parent’s channel an
associate with it. The installer must ensure that at a point
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where the current Parent’s RSSI goes below the threshold,
the Next Parent is in range. Otherwise, the roam will fail.
The main point to remember is that a Child Repeater will not
roam while its current Parent’s RSSI is higher than the current
Roam Threshold value. In the case where a Next Parent is not
being advertised, or the Next Parent is on the same channel,
then the Cost comparison to determine when to roam only
occurs once the current Parent’s RSSI is below the Roam
Threshold. This allows the roam point to be controlled when
a mobile platform travels a known path.
Parent Margin
When checked, this enables advertising of the Parent Margin
that a Child Repeater should use. This Parent Margin
overrides the Child Repeater’s equivalent setting, but only
while the Child Repeater is associated to this unit. If the
Parent is not advertising a Parent Margin, then the Child
Repeater will revert to using its own configured value. (see
the Parent Link Settings help page description of Parent
Margin).
Save
Saves your changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards your changes without updating the radio
configuration.
Security Settings
The Security Controls shown in the center panel will vary depending on the values of the
following controls”
Security Mode
802.11 Mode
Master or Repeater/Client
As each of the Mode controls are changed on the web page, the set of controls in the
Security panel will automatically change to selections applicable to the selected mode.
Note: The controls will change to allow you to fully configure the Security Settings
before Applying the Changes.
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Note: Newer firmware versions of the RLX2 Radios may support additional functionality.
Therefore, you may see more or fewer options on this page, depending on the version
of firmware included the radio you purchased.
The following security settings can be configured:
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Field
Security Mode
Description
This unit supports both “Personal” and “Enterprise” security modes as well
as Legacy WEB encryption modes for interoperability with legacy devices.
The following security mode settings are supported:
None – Not recommended.
Personal – Security mode using pre‐shared key for networks that
don’t require an authentication server.
Enterprise – Security mode requiring the use of an external Radius
authentication server.
WEP – Legacy security setting using either 64 or 128‐bit key and
WEP encryption.
Personal and Enterprise security can be used with:
Encryption type (page 106)
WPA – Original protocol introduced to replace WEP.
WPA2 – Latest 802.11 security protocol conforming to the 802.11i
standard.
WPA/WPA2 – Allows client devices to connect using WPA if they
do not support WPA2.
WPA‐AES is the preferred encryption method. It contains the latest updates
to the 802.11 standards for best security. However, some legacy devices do
not yet support these updates. Therefore, a few combinations of legacy
methods can be selected.
Available encryption types are:
None (not recommended)
WPA‐AES ‐ Latest security setting using WPA (pre‐shared key)
authentication and AES encryption.
WPA‐TKIP ‐ Security setting using WPA (pre‐shared key) authentication
and TKIP encryption.
WEP128 ‐ Legacy security setting using a 128‐bit key and WEP
encryption.
WEP64 ‐ Legacy security setting using a 64‐bit key and WEP encryption.
WPA phrase (page 106)
WPA pass phrase of between eight and 63 normal keyboard characters.
WEP key (page 107)
Five normal text characters in the WEP key field
MAC Filter (page 112)
Restricts connections by MAC address.
Edit Filter
Opens the MAC filter (page 112) form, allowing the specification of the MAC
addresses of devices to allow in the network.
Hide Network SSID (page
112)
Hides the Network SSID (Network Name) from other 802.11 users. Clients
can connect to the "hidden" network by typing the Network SSID.
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The following topics describe each security setting in more detail.
Encryption Type
The preferred encryption type is WPA or WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access) using AES. You
should only select TKIP for use with an older client radio that does not support AES or
WEP (wired equivalency protocol). For compatibility with clients that do not support
WPA, you can select TKIP+WEP128 as the encryption type. Then older clients can
connect to the RLX2 using the WEP setting, but all other links will use the more secure
WPA encryption.
Important: If the RLX2 model supports 802.11n rates and they are enabled, then all
‘TKIP only’ and TKIP/WEP options are disabled. If a client radio only supports TKIP, then
use the AES & TKIP option. If the client radio only supports WEP, then switch the 802.11
Mode control to ‘802.11 a/g and then select the appropriate WEB setting in this control.
Important: If TKIP+WEP128 is selected, some clients using WPA might not be able to
connect unless you use a WEP key other than number 1, due to limitations in these
clients. In such cases, you should set a WEP key other than key 1 and set this same key
for all clients that are using WEP. See WEP key.
When the WEP Security mode is selected, you can then select WEP128 or WEP64 as the
encryption type but none of these settings are recommended.
WEP is the original security protocol used by 802.11 networks but should only be used if
interoperability with a legacy device is essential. Tools are available that allow an
attacker to break the WEP keys simply by sniffing an active WEP network for a few
minutes. WPA offers vastly better protection against attacks, for several reasons. WPA
distances the encryption key from the actual data by performing several algorithms to
create a ‘Session’ key before encrypting any data, and it performs dynamic key
management by changing keys frequently.
Note: If an RLC2 is set to use TKIP+WEP128, it will connect to other radios set to WPA
only or WPA+WEP, but it will not communicate with radios set to WEP only. Likewise, an
RLX2 in client mode with TKIP+WEP128 selected will not connect to an access point with
WEP only selected.
WPA Phrase
To use WPA encryption on packets sent between the radios, enter a WPA pass phrase of
between eight and 63 normal keyboard characters. This phrase automatically generates
an encryption key of 128 hexadecimal characters. This field is only available if you select
one of the ‘Personal’ security modes. The default WPA‐AES Phrase is 'passphrase'.
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Enterprise Mode Settings
When one of the Enterprise modes are selected in the Security Mode control, a set of
controls for Enterprise mode parameters is automatically displayed in the middle of the
Security Settings panel on the main web page of the RLX2. There are two sets of
controls; the first pertains to the RLX2 in Master mode, and the second when the RLX2 is
configured in Repeater or Client mode.
In Enterprise mode, the Master’s authenticator communicates directly with the RADIUS
Server while it is relaying 802.1x frames received from an associating note’s Supplicant.
The following parameters must be configured in this mode:
Field
IP Address
Description
The IP address of the RADIUS server with which the Network Administrator
has register this RLX2.
UDP Port
The UDP port number the RADIUS server is using to listen to Radius frames
from this RLX2. The default port number used for the Radius protocol is
1812.
Secret
The passphrase that was used when this RLX2 was registered to the RADIUS
server. This is used to validate that the Radius frames received on either end
are legitimate.
When in Repeater or Client mode, the RLX2 Supplicant communicates via its Parent
RLX2 with a RADIUS server. Several different authentication protocols are available and
can be set using the following parameters.
Field
EAP Method
Description
The EAP Method, sometimes referred to as the ‘outer protocol’ defines the
mechanism used to create a secure tunnel between the Supplicant and
RADIUS server during the first phase of the Authentication sequence. The
following EAP methods are supported:
EAP‐PEAP – EAP method using the ‘Protected Extensible
Authentication Protocol’
EAP‐TLS – EAP method based on X.509 certificates that provides
for mutual authentication. This is the most secure authentication
mechanism available for 802.11. Certificates are required both on
the RLX2 and the RADIUS server. The only authentication option
available for EAP‐TLS is to use TLS for the inner protocol.
EAP‐TTLS – EAP Tunneled TLS. Similar to EAP‐PEAP.
Anonymous ID:
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Field
Authentication Method:
Description
The Authentication Method, sometimes referred to as the ‘inner protocol’
defines the mechanism used to authenticate the Supplicant of the RLX2 with
the RADIUS server. The following authentication methods are supported:
MS‐CHAPv2 – Microsoft’s version of the ‘Challenge Handshake
Authentication Protocol’ (CHAP). This method provides mutual
authentication between the Supplicant and the RADIUS server,
using a user name and password and challenge text responses.
MD5 – ‘Message Digest’ cryptographic hashing algorithm based on
a user name and password.
TLS – Certificate‐based inner authentication protocol.
User Name:
Enter the User Name of the account that is to be authenticated. When using
EAP‐TLS, this represents the identity of the entity assigned to the device
certificate being used.
Password:
Required field when using EAP‐PEAP or EAP‐TTLS with MS‐CHAPv2 or MD5.
Enter the password of the account corresponding to the user name.
Certificates
Opens a window that displays the current certificates installed in the RLX2,
and provides controls to upload new certificates into the unit. Note: The
RLX2 does not ship with any certificates installed.
Certificate Management
When using Enterprise‐level security, some EAP methods require the use of X.509
certificates. The Certificate Management web page allows the uploading of certificate
files to the RLX2.
There are two certificate types; a certificate from a ‘Certification Authority’ used to
authenticate the RADIUS server to the RLX2 supplicant, and device or client certificate
created by the RADIUS server for the RLX2. The RLX2 is able to hold one of each
certificate type.
If PEAP authentication is used, you’ll need a CA Certificate (to authenticate the RADIUS
server) and a username and password.
If EAP‐TLS is used, you’ll need a CA Certificate, a Client Certificate and Private Key
(contained in a single p12 file) to authenticate the client. The p12 file is encrypted and
requires a password.
The IT person will provide you with the appropriate files that you’ll need to load to the
RLX2 Repeater.
The following controls are used for uploading a certificate:
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Field
Certificate Type
Description
Select the type of certificate that you will be uploading. It is important that
this is set correctly as the RLX2 does not distinguish between them in any
other way.
Certificate Passphrase
If the certificate is encrypted, enter the passphrase that was used to create it
on the RADIUS server.
File Location
Browse to locate the certificate file on the local PC that is to be uploaded.
Configuring the RLX2 Repeaters with Certificates
Obtain the required certificate files from your IT person and use the following procedure
to upload these files to the RLX2 Repeater.
1. Open the web page for the RLX2 repeater that you want to configure.
2. Select the EAP Method (PEAP or EAP‐TLS).
3. Enter the Username.
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4. Click Certificates to enter the certificate files.
5. Select either CA or Device (client).
A CA Certificate is required for both PEAP and EAP‐TLS. This is used to authenticate
the server’s certificate. Additionally, for EAP‐TLS, a client certificate and private key
are required.
6. Enter the CA Certificate file created previously (CAcert.pem) and apply it.
7. Enter the Client Certificate combined file (clientcert.p12) and the password
associated with the file and apply.
8. Apply changes on the main page and attempt to connect to the Master.
WEP Key
A key is a set of hexadecimal (hex) or ASCII characters used to encrypt data. This field is
only available when using WEP encryption type. Be sure to record the WEP encryption
key to retrieve if needed.
To create a 64‐bit WEP key, enter five normal text characters in the WEP key field, which
converts the characters automatically to 10 hex digits. Alternatively, enter 10 hex digits
(0 to 9, a to f, A to F) directly in the WEP key field.
To create a 128‐bit key, enter 13 normal text characters, which convert to 26 hex digits,
or enter 26 hex digits (0 to 9, a to f, A to F) directly.
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Note: Clients often support more than one WEP key. Packets received can be decrypted using any
one of the keys if programmed, but packets are always transmitted with the "default" WEP key
number. If a transmit key number is set on the RLX2 radio, make sure all other radios and clients
have this key programmed. To set keys other than key 1 on some clients using Windows,
Advanced settings may be used.
Programming more than one key on the RLX2 radio requires setting the key number to
the key, entering the key, and saving the changes. Repeat these steps for each key to
program, saving after each one. Finally, change to the desired transmit key number if
necessary and save again (If "****" remains in the key field, the previously programmed
key will not be changed when changes are applied)
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MAC Filter
Field
Add MAC
Description
Enter the MAC address to add.
Delete
Deletes the selected MAC address from the list.
Address
List of MAC addresses configured.
Top
Displays the top of the list.
Next / Prev
Navigates up and down through the address list.
Upload File
To assign the same list of MAC addresses to several radios conveniently,
open a text editor such as Notepad.exe. Enter addresses in hexadecimal
format, one MAC address per line, including periods. When finished, save
the document. In the MAC Filter window, click Browse to select the text file,
click Upload File to upload the list of MAC addresses.
Browse
Navigates to a prepared text file of MAC addresses on the appropriate drive
and folder, and click the Upload File button.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
Hide Network SSID
If the radio network is to be hidden from other 802.11 users, click the Hide Network
SSID check box in each radio to be hidden. With the SSID hidden, the network does not
show up when other clients scan for an access point. Clients can still connect to the
"hidden" network by typing the Network SSID.
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Radio Access Settings
Note: Different versions of the RLX2 radios support different functionality. You may see
more or fewer options on this page, depending on the version of the radio you
purchased.
In order to configure or diagnose a radio using its built‐in Web server or SNMP agent,
both your computer and radio must have IP addresses, and these IP addresses must be
on the same sub‐network. An IP address is only needed so you can figure the radio and
view its diagnostic settings. Otherwise, the address is unnecessary.
The following fields appear in the Security Settings area on the right side of the Radio
Configuration window.
Field
Obtain IP address ‐ DHCP
Description
Allows the radio to obtain its IP address from a DHCP server.
Use the following IP address Specifies a Static IP address to the radio. Enter the IP address information in
the following fields.
IP Address
Use an IP address that will not interfere with any other devices on the
network. Request a block of IP addresses to use from the Network
Administrator.
Subnet Mask
Subnet Mask provided by the Network Administrator.
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Field
Default Gateway
Description
Default Gateway address provided by the Network Administrator.
Primary DNS
Primary DNS address provided by the Network Administrator.
Secondary DNS
Secondary DNS address provided by the Network Administrator.
SNMP button
Opens the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) Agent settings
form. Use this form to configure access to radio network settings through an
SNMP agent.
Login Password button
Configures the Login Password for the radio. The default password is
"password". Change this password and keep a record of it in a safe place, to
protect the radio from being reconfigured by unauthorized users.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) is a service provided by a server (typically a
router or a firewall) on a local area network. Devices on a network that supports DHCP
can request and receive an IP address from the DHCP server. RLX2 radios support DHCP;
by default, they attempt to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.
If a DHCP server is not available, the radio will not be able to acquire an IP address
automatically. Therefore, assign an IP address, subnet mask and default gateway to the
radio so that it can communicate on the network.
Assign a Static (fixed or permanent) IP address to the radio to make it easier to identify
and configure the radio. Static IP addresses are particularly useful when configuring
radios to serve as Access Points, or for radios that must be accessible through a firewall.
A detailed discussion of TCP/IP networking is beyond the scope of this manual. Refer to
the following Microsoft knowledgebase article for more information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/164015
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SNMP Agent Settings
SNMP is a network management protocol that is often used with TCP/IP and Ethernet.
As an alternative to using the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility, changing radio
settings and viewing diagnostics can be done in an SNMP manager application.
Field
Enable
Description
Enables the following SNMP Agent settings.
Allow Any Manager
Allows any user to change the radio settings from any computer using SNMP.
Allow IP
Restricts access to an SNMP manager with a particular IP address. Enter the
IP address in the Allow IP field.
Community String
Enter a "community string" (essentially a password) that a manager must use
to access the radio’s SNMP agent.
Permission
Select the permission level to assign to this radio.
Read only
An SNMP Agent can view but cannot modify radio settings.
Read/Write
An SNMP Agent can view and modify radio settings.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
The RLX2 SNMP agent supports SNMP protocol version 1.4 and 2 MIBs:
RFC12133‐MIB (partial; internet.mgmt.MIB‐2.system, .interfaces, .snmp)
ROMAP‐MIB (included on the DVD; internet.private.enterprises.romap)
It also supports a selection of standard SNMP traps, including Cold Start, which is sent
when the radio initializes.
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Serial Settings
This configuration page opens when the Serial Port Settings button is clicked on the
Radio Configuration form.
Use this page to configure the way serial data packets are encapsulated and transmitted
over an Ethernet network.
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Field
Serial Encapsulation Mode
Description
None: No serial data encapsulation.
UDP: In UDP mode, programs on networked computers can be used to send
short messages or Datagrams. Once enabled, the serial port is used to
transmit and receive packets.
NOTE: In UDP mode if a multicast group address is entered in this field then
packets are sent to that address.
TCP Server: In TCP Server mode, only connections from this address will be
accepted. Once the session is established, the serial port is enabled to
transmit and receive packets.
NOTE: To accept connections from any IP address the field should be set to
0.0.0.0.
TCP Client: In TCP Client mode, a TCP connection will be established with this
address.
When the session is established, the serial port is enabled to transmit and
receive packets.
Single IP Address
IP Address or URL of the radio that should receive encapsulated serial
protocol packets.
Range of IP Addresses
Up to 4 IP Address ranges for radios that should receive encapsulated serial
protocol packets.
Remote Port Number
Remote UDP port number to use for encapsulated serial data transmission.
Local Port Number
Local UDP port number to use for encapsulated serial data transmission.
Delineation Method
None: All data received between packet delineation events is sent to the
remote node in a single network frame.
Time Gap: The minimum time gap between characters that is to be
interpreted as a delineator for a packet. Configure this value in the EOL Time
Gap field.
Character: The particular character sequence in the stream of characters
that indicates the delineator for the packet. Configure this value in the EOL
Delineator field.
EOL Delineator
Available when the selected Delineation Method is Character. Choose the
type of delineator to use from the dropdown list:
Available delineation types are:
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Type
Use Text
Decimal
Hex
Description
Any string of characters
CR
13
0D
Carriage Return
ESC
27
1B
Escape
LF
10
0A
Line Feed (New Line / nl)
Null
00
00
Null
Spacebar
32
20
Space
Tab
09
09
Horizontal Tab
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Field
EOL Time Gap
Description
Available when the selected Delineation Method is Time Gap; This value
configures the length of time in milliseconds that must elapse after a
character is received (from the local attached device) before that character
marks the end of a packet.
NOTE: the smallest value this field can be set to will be limited by the device
and is platform dependent.
Packet Rate (milliseconds)
Sets the minimum time gap that will be interpreted as an inter‐packet space.
When detected the characters received up to that point will constitute a
single packet and will be sent to the remote node. Units: microseconds.
Values: 1,000 to 500,000.
Baud Rate
Baud rate on the radio must match the baud rate on the connected serial
device.
Data Bits
Number of data bits (5, 6, 7 or 8). The data bits on the radio must match the
data bits on the connected serial device.
Parity
Parity (None, Even, Odd, 1 or 0). The parity on the radio must match the
parity on the connected serial device.
Flow Control
Flow control (handshaking) mode (None or Hardware). The handshaking
mode on the radio must match the handshaking mode on the connected
serial device.
Stop Bits
Stop bits (1 or 2). The stop bits on the radio must match the stop bits on the
connected serial device.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
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Change Password
Field
Old
Description
Enter the current password in this field. The default password is "password"
(lower case, no quotes). This entry must exactly match the current password,
otherwise the change will be rejected.
New
Enter the new password in this field. Passwords are case sensitive.
Repeat
Confirm the new password in this field. This entry must exactly match the
password entered in the "New" field, otherwise the change will be rejected.
Save
Saves the changes and updates the radio configuration.
Cancel
Discards the changes without updating the radio configuration.
Any alphanumeric value between one and 31 characters can be entered. The password
is case‐sensitive.
If the password cannot be found, changes the radio settings cannot be done. To revert
back to the default password, see the Troubleshooting section.
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Apply Changes
Click the Apply Changes button to save the changes after editing radio configuration in
order for those changes to take effect. When changes are applied, the radio will shut
down and restart using the new settings.
Cancel Changes
Click Cancel Changes to discard any settings made during this session.
Note: This button only applies to changes made in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic window.
Changes made to individual configuration forms (for example, Spanning Tree, Parent Link, and
SNMP Agent settings) take effect when the Save button is clicked on each of those forms.
Factory Defaults
Click the Factory Defaults button to reset the radio to the default settings.
Important: This action discards all the radio configuration settings.
A prompt to confirm this action will appear before changes take place.
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RLX2‐IHNF DFS Support
Some channels in the 5 GHz band are shared with radar and must adhere to Dynamic
Frequency Selection (DFS) rules. This means that if the radio detects the presence of
radar on its operating frequency, it must automatically change to another frequency.
Master Radio Operations
If radar is detected on an operating channel, transmissions must cease within the
required Channel Closing Transmission Time, and must move to a new channel within
the required Channel Move Time. Before transmitting on a new DFS channel that has
not been previously checked for radar, the Master radio must monitor the channel for
the Channel Availability Check Time before transmitting. Operations cannot return to a
channel where radar was detected for at least the Non‐Occupancy Period. The values for
these parameters are noted in the table below:
Parameter
FCC Value
ETSI Value
ETSI Value
5.600 – 5.650 GHz
(Channels 120, 124, & 128)
Channel Availability
Check Time
60 seconds
60 seconds
10 minutes
Channel Move Time
10 seconds (12 seconds
for “long pulse” radar
10 seconds
10 seconds
Channel Closing
Transmission Time
200 milliseconds (plus up
to 60 milliseconds over
10 seconds)
1 second
1 second
Non‐Occupancy Period
30 minutes
30 minutes
30 minutes
If a Master radio detects radar, it issues a channel change announcement to all Clients
and Repeaters in the network. Then it moves to a new channel within the Channel Move
Time. (Typically, this move time is 500 milliseconds or less.) If the selected channel was
not previously checked for the presence of radar, the Master radio must do so for the
Channel Availability Check Time before it can begin to transmit. If the newly‐selected
channel is not a DFS channel, or if the channel was previously monitored for radar since
the radio was powered on, transmissions can begin immediately.
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During the Channel Availability Check Time, a radio blinks all three amber Signal
Strength LEDS approximately once per second. If radar is detected on the new channel
during the Channel Availability Check Time, the Master selects another channel and
begins the process again.
A Repeater detecting radar, in addition to stopping data transmission, notifies its Parent
of the presence of radar. Each unit receiving a radar notification from a child treats it
the same as if it had detected radar itself and acts accordingly. Thus radar notifications
always reach the Master and a channel change is affected.
After a Master successfully selects a DFS channel, radios in Repeater mode will connect
to the Master and scan for RADAR for an additional 60 seconds (Channel Availability
Check Time). If a chain of Repeaters ultimately connects to a Master using a DFS
channel, the time to connect is 60 seconds for each Repeater in the chain as DFS
channels are initially scanned for RADAR transmissions.
DFS Auto Select
One of the Master channel selection options is DFS Auto Select.
With this selection the radio randomly selects a DFS channel for operation. The actual
channel in operation is always shown in the Current Channel display:
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RADIOLINX INDUSTRIAL HOTSPOT
BROWSER
The IH Browser finds any radio connected to the network. It can also see basic settings
and change the IP address. Access to the radio’s Web page can be done. For more
information, see Primary radio functions.
The List view (shown in the illustration) appears with a list of any radios on the same
network as the computer running the IH Browser. If a known radio cannot be seen, click
the Scan button in the tool bar or select Scan from the File menu.
The preceding illustration shows the List View. Refer to Topology view (page 143) to see
alternate views.
To clear all the radios from the list, click the Erase button in the tool bar or select Clear
from the File menu. Refreshing the list is done by clicking Scan.
If there is trouble viewing radios in the IH Browser, see Troubleshoot missing radios
(page 63).
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Primary Radio Functions
Performing the following primary functions on any listed radio is done by right‐clicking
the radio name.
Connect (page 128): Log in to the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility to configure a
radio or check diagnostics.
Assign IP (page 52, page 129): Assign a temporary IP address to a radio.
Update Firmware (page 130): Update the version of firmware the radio uses.
Start Ping Session (page 130): Sends a ping command to an address
Wireless Clients (page 132): View a list of client radios
Ethernet Nodes (page 133): View a list of wired Ethernet nodes connected to the
network
Scan List (page 134): View a list of all the radios detected on the network (including
those from other vendors)
Port Table (page 135): Lists of all the active ports on the radio
Event Log (page 136): Shows a history of the radio
Properties (page 137): View the selected radio’s properties.
In addition, there are more options in the File menu.
Print either a list of the radios' properties or a topology view.
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Change how the IH Browser scans for radios.
File Menu
The following commands are available on the File menu:
Scan Setup (page 125)
Scan (page 126)
Clear (page 126)
Import (page 126)
Export (page 126)
Freeze (page 126)
Print (page 126)
Print Preview (page 127)
Print Setup (page 127)
Exit (page 127)
Scan Setup
The Scan Setup command allows the configuration of settings that govern how the IH
Browser scans for radios. In the top field of the Scan Setup dialog box, adjust how often
the IH Browser program automatically scans for radios. Enter a value in seconds.
In the New address/range fields, the program scan type can be adjusted for radios. By
default, the program sends a broadcast message to all the radios at the same time,
looking for a response. Broadcasts are limited to a local network, and will not be passed
through a router.
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If there is a router between the PC running the IH Browser and the radio to be scanned,
the IP address of the radio or a range of addresses can be added to the scan list. At each
interval determined by the scan rate, each IP address is individually queried.
Scan
The IH Browser automatically scans for all active radios on the network at a regular
interval, use the Scan command in the File menu to look for active radios at any time.
Clear
Clears (deletes) all entries from the IH Browser window.
Import
Imports an XML file created by the Export command in the IH Browser.
Export
Creates and saves an XML file containing the current configuration and status of all
radios discovered by the IH Browser. Use this command under the direction of ProSoft
Technical Services, for troubleshooting purposes.
Freeze
Temporarily stops the display from updating. This command is useful for studying
network topology and performance without the distraction of radios and other devices
appearing and disappearing from the screen.
Print
Prints the contents of the IH Browser window. Depending on the view selected, the
radio properties or a topology view can be printed.
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Print Preview
Displays a preview of the contents of the IH Browser window. Use this to adjust the
placement of elements so that they do not span page boundaries.
Print Setup
Displays the standard Window Print Setup dialog box.
Exit
Closes the IH Browser.
Operations Menu
The following commands are available on the Operations Menu:
Connect (page 128)
Assign IP (page 52, page 129)
Update Firmware (page 130)
Start Ping Session (page 130)
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Connect
To connect to the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility and change radio settings,
double‐click the radio listing in the IH Browser after it has been assigned an IP address
(either manually or with DHCP). Alternatively, the Connect option in the AP Operations
menu can be selected. Enter the password to log in to the radio.
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Assign IP
If the radio is connected to a network with a DHCP server, the radio may already have
an IP address assigned to it. If no address appears, double‐click the radio listing in the IH
Browser or select Assign IP in the AP Operations menu. In the next window, click OK to
accept the temporary IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. If necessary, a
particular IP address can be entered (see Radio Access settings (page 113)). After an IP
address is assigned, configuring the radios can be done in the Radio Configuration /
Diagnostic Utility (page 64).
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Update Firmware
"Firmware" is the program that runs in the RadioLinx® 802.11abg Industrial Hotspot that
allows it to communicate and exchange data between devices, using the radio as a
network connection. Different versions of the firmware communicate with other radios
in different ways, and provide different levels of functionality.
In order for the RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot radio to communicate with other RLX2
devices, all radios on the network must use the same firmware version.
To change the firmware version of the radio:
Start RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot Browser.
Open the Operations menu, and then choose Update Firmware.
Enter the password for the radio. This is the same password used to log into the
radio from the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility (page 64).
Click the Browse button to locate the Image File (firmware version) to update. Both
versions of firmware are available both on the DVD that came with in the box with
the radio, and at our web site at www.prosoft‐technology.com
Click Update to begin copying the new firmware to the radio. Do not disconnect the
cable or turn off power to the radio during this operation.
Ping Device
A Ping Session allows traffic to run over the radio network between any two computers
running the IH Browser. With it the user can monitor their network over time.
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To start the ping session, enable "Show Ping Stations" on the View menu, and then
highlight one of the other computers visible in the IH Browser. The session then starts
automatically and the Ping Results dialog box opens.
This dialog box displays statistics on the minimum, maximum and average latency
between two points on the network.
Ping Options Dialog Box
The Ping Options dialog box opens from the Show Options button on the Ping Results
(page 130) dialog box. Use this dialog box to choose ping parameters, logging options,
and response to other stations.
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Dialogs Menu
The Dialogs menu contains the following commands:
Wireless Clients (page 132)
Ethernet Nodes (page 133)
Scan List (page 134)
Port Table (page 135)
Event Log (page 136)
Properties (page 137)
Wireless Clients
This dialog box opens when the Wireless Clients option is selected from the AP Dialogs
menu. Use this dialog box to see information about wireless clients attached to the
radio.
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Ethernet Nodes
This dialog box opens when the Ethernet Nodes option is selected from the AP Dialogs
menu. Use this dialog box to see information about Ethernet devices attached to the
radios. The following illustration shows a list of Ethernet devices (by IP address and MAC
ID) attached to the Ethernet port of Tourmaline_14. In addition to the IP and MAC ID it
gives an age for each entry, which is the amount of time since a packet has been heard
from that device.
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Scan List
This dialog box opens when Scan List is selected in the AP Dialogs menu.
The scan list is a list of all the radios that this particular radio "hears" on this channel (via
beacons) even if it is not linked to it (different SSID or encryption). This list shows the
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same information as the Available Parents list in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic
Utility.
List entries marked with a "*" indicate the entry is an alternate path, which can also be
seen if the ‘parents' button is selected in the menu bar (blue lines will link the radio to
its alternate parents).
802.11 Access Point Detector
The RLX2 radio can be used as an installation tool to analyze the 802.11 environment
and provide the user with information on choosing antenna location and channel
selection.
By using the table in the radio, mounting an RLX2 radio with its actual antenna and use
it to report information on every active 802.11 radio in the area can be done. It will
report:
Each 802.11 AP heard including SSID
Actual RSSI from each given in dBm
Channel of each radio
Use this information to help choose a channel that is least utilized, or to select
appropriate antenna types and alignments to minimize interference.
Port Table
This dialog box opens when Port Table is selected from the AP Dialogs menu.
The port table is a list of all the active ports on the radio. This list shows the same
information as the Port status (page 74) list in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic
Utility. Each radio can have up to 34 active ports—one Ethernet cable, one parent RF
link, and up to 32 child RF links.
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All 4 Dialogs
This menu entry simply opens all four “list” dialogs (Scan, Port, Ethernet node, and
Client.) The dialogs open on top of each other. Drag the windows to view them
completely.
Close All
This entry closes all “list” dialogs that are currently open.
Event Log
The event log allows the extraction of a log from the selected radio. The log shows a
history of the radio. The event log can be saved to a file for troubleshooting purposes.
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Event Filter
The Event Filter dialog box allows the inclusion or exclusion of specific event types from
the event log.
Properties
This dialog box opens when a radio is selected the Properties option is selected from the
AP Dialogs menu.
To see additional properties, click the More button.
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View Menu
The View menu contains the following commands:
Tool Bar (page 138)
Status Bar (page 139)
List View (page 139)
Topology View (page 143)
Zoom In (page 145)
Zoom Out (page 145)
Zoom to Fit (page 146)
Show Ping Stations (page 146)
Show Parents (page 147)
Print Area (page 147)
Reset Columns (page 148)
Select Columns (page 148)
Toolbar
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The Tool Bar near the top of the IH Browser window contains buttons to access
frequently used commands. Hold the mouse button over each button to view a brief
"Tool Tip" explaining the button’s use.
Status Bar
The Status Bar at the bottom of the IH Browser displays additional information about
the currently selected menu command or tool bar button. On the right side of the Status
Bar, the status of the Caps Lock and Num Lock keys on the computer keyboard can be
seen. Use the corner of the status bar to drag and resize the IH Browser window.
List View
List View shows a list of all the connected radios in a grid, arranged similarly to data in a
spreadsheet. Resize the window or scroll across to see all of the available columns. Click
between column headers and drag to the left or right to resize columns. Click on column
headers and drag to the left or right to re‐order columns.
Tip: Use the Reset Columns command to restore the column size and order to their default values.
The default columns and their left-to-right display order are:
Name
MAC
IP
SSID
Security
Channel/Width
Signal (dBm)
Parent
RSTP
There are many columns of data that can be displayed. Columns can be hidden as
needed. Use Select Columns from the View Menu to choose the columns of data to
display.
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Available data columns in List View:
Name
Name of the object in the IH Browser. Names are displayed
in a nested tree order, with graphics on some entries that
can be identified:
Computer
Wired Network Interface
Master Radio
Repeater Radio
Client Radio
Mode
This Utility
Displayed for this instance of the IH Browser.
Utility
Displayed for other instances of IH Browsers running on
tother systems on the same network.
Local Interface
A network interface detected on the host computer running
this instance of the IH Browser.
Master
A radio on the network in Master mode.
Ethernet Client
A radio on the network in Client mode.
Repeater
A radio in the network in Repeater mode.
MAC
Physical Media Access Control (MAC) address of the device.
All ProSoft devices have a MAC address of the form
00:0D:8D:XX:YY:ZZ
IP
IP address assigned to the device.
Mask
Netmask of the device.
Gateway
IP address of the network gateway for the device.
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SSID
Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a name assigned to a wireless
network. Repeaters and Clients must be configured with the
same SSID to connect. Note that Master radios typically
advertise their presence by broadcasting their SSID.
However, SSID announcements can be disabled so that other
wireless devices do not detect such Masters, If a Master is
not transmitting its SSID, this field will indicate Hidden along
with the SSID, for example ProSoft/hidden.
Connection
A Connection state is only shown for repeaters. Scanning is
shown while the radio is searching for a master. Connected is
shown for repeaters that have linked to a master.
Signal (dBm)
The signal strength, in dBm of a Repeater or Client device’s
link to a Master. Master devices do not report signal
strength.
Hops
The number of wireless connections a device is away from
the wired connection of a Master. This value is always 1 for a
Master radio. For Repeater devices is it a minimum of 2, but
can be higher if there are additional hops to the Master.
Client devices do not display a hop value.
Parent
The MAC address of the Parent radio to which this Repeater
or Client is linked. Not shown for Master devices.
Associations
The number of network elements to which a radio has a
wireless connection.
Bridges
The number of device to which this device has a wireless
connection. For example, if one Repeater and one Client are
linked to a Master, the Master shows 2 in this field, and the
other devices show 1.
Tx (kbits/sec)
This is a moving average of transmit throughput in
kilobits/second. It does not count packet overhead, only
payload data.
Rx (kbits/sec)
This is a moving average of receive throughput in
kilobits/second. It does not count packet overhead, only
payload data.
FW Ver
Firmware version number. For Network interfaces, this is the
version of the communication engine in the IH Browser. For
radios, this is the version of the firmware code in the radio.
This is not the version of the image file installed into the
radio (for that information see Image Ver described below). .
Boot Ver
For wired network interfaces, this is the version of the
network communication engine in the IH Browser (e.g.
WinXP, WinVista.) For radios, this is the version of the
bootloader code in the radio.
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Image
Compression
This is the version of the firmware image that the radio
is currently running. It can be primary or secondary.
Each radio has two copies of operating firmware
installed, and the radio will automatically transition from
one to the other if one of them becomes corrupted.
Firmware images in the radio can be either compressed or
uncompressed.
Ethernet
The Ethernet status is Attached for a radio connected to a
wired Ethernet network, otherwise Detached.
Channel/Width
The operating channel and channel width. The width value
will always be 20MHz except on 802.11n devices where it
can be 20MHz or 40MHz. Example: 48, 20 for channel 48
with a 20 MHz channel width.
Security
This indicates the encryption setting for the radio. Valid
setting are WPA/WPA2-AES; WPA/WPA2-TKIP;
WPA/WPA2-AES&TKIP; WPA-TKIP+WEP128;
WEP128; WEP64; and none.
This is the number of times the IH Browser has
unsuccessfully attempted to contact the device. Ideally this
number should always be zero.
Misses
RSTP
This is the setting for RSTP in the radio. Allowed states are
Enabled, Disabled, and STP. The STP state is a legacy “non‐
rapid” Spanning Tree option. All radios on a network must
have the same RSTP state to link properly.
Link Time
The link time of the device, for example 24d,13h,10m, 32s.
TX Rate
This is the current effective data rate of the device. This may
be slower than the configured nominal rate because of
retries or other environmental factors. For 802.11a/b/g
devices, the data rate is expressed in kilobits or megabits per
second (e.g. 54Mb/s.) For 802.11n devices, the data is
expressed in MCS rates from 0 to 31 (e.g. MCS16.)
Temperature
The internal temperature of the radio as measured on the
circuit board in degrees Celsius. Note that internal
measured temperature may in some cases exceed ambient
temperature rating.
Retries(%)
This value is the percentage of packets transmitted
more than once during the last five-second interval.
The amount of time the device has been running since the
last power cycle or reset. For example 1d,4h,13m,25s.
Uptime
Product
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The type of RLX2 radio. The values can be RLX2‐IHA, RLX2‐
IHG, RLX2‐IHFN, or RLX2‐IHW.
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Image Ver
This is the name the image file loaded into the radio. It
matches the Firmware label displayed on the main radio
webpage. For example, RLX2_v0016_M.
P State
Topology View
To see how radios are connected together in the network, select Topology View from
the View menu. The Topology view shows a diagram of the network’s wireless
connections. If a radio does not appear in the view, it is not connected to the network.
To change the way a radio is linked to the network, connect to it and make changes
through its Web page. For information on these settings, see Parent Link settings (page
80).
In the topology view, double‐click a radio to log in to the Radio Configuration /
Diagnostic Utility and change the radio’s settings. To view a radio’s properties, right‐click
on a radio representation in the topology view and then select Properties from the
resulting menu.
Refer to Topology View key (page 143) for an explanation of the symbols that appear in
this view.
Topology View Key
For information on the options when right‐clicking a radio icon, see IH Browser options.
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Master; always shown at the top
Radio linked to the network
Radio not linked; no parent
An Ethernet connection exists to the radio; does not indicate
the number of devices on the connection
Wireless clients (PCMCIA cards) are linked to this radio; the
number of clients linked is indicated by the number of boxes
Signal strength; the width of the line is not calibrated
Alternate parents.
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Zoom In
Use the ZOOM IN command in Topology View to enlarge the size of the items in the IH
Browser window.
Zoom Out
Use the ZOOM OUT command in Topology View to reduce the size of the items in the IH‐
Browser window.
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Zoom to Fit
Use the ZOOM TO FIT command in Topology View to change the size of the items so that
the entire network fits within the IH Browser window.
Show Ping Stations
Ping Stations are other computers running an instance of IH Browser. To test latency
between points on the network, select a ping station, open the Operations menu, and
then choose Start Ping Session.
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Show Parents ‐ All
The Show Parents function displays the possible alternate parents for a repeater
graphically in the topology view. The link from the repeater to its current parent will be
shown in red. If the repeater can hear other radios in the network, links to those radios
will be shown in blue. This gives a graphical representation of the number of alternate
paths available to a radio should its parent link go down. A detailed list of each of the
alternates can be seen by right‐clicking and selecting ‘Scan List'. This list, though, shows
not only radios in the same network but also 802.11 radios on other networks.
By selecting All, alternate paths for all repeaters in the network will be shown. By
selecting One, alternate paths will be shown only for the one repeater that is currently
selected.
Show Parents – All is only available in the Topology View.
Show Parents ‐ One
This is similar to Show Parents – All except that only the current parent is shown.
Print Area
Use the Print Area command to show the border around the area of the IH Browser
window. To print, use the Print command on the File menu.
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Reset Columns
Use the Reset Columns command to restore the column size and order to their default
values. A prompt will appear to confirm this action.
Select Columns
Use the Select Columns command to display the data fields shown in List View.
Help Menu
The Help menu contains the following commands:
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Help Topics (page 149)
Help Index
About the IH Browser (page 153)
Help Topics
Most of the information needed to help use the IH Browser is provided in an online help
system. It is available whenever the application is running.
To view the online help, start the IH Browser, open the Help menu, and choose Help
Topics.
The IH Browser Help System
The IH Browser has an online help system that works like a web browser. Each dialog
box has its own page in the help system, which explains each item on the dialog box.
To view the online help, open the Help menu and choose Help Topics.
Many help pages have links that are underlined. Click the underlined text to "follow a
link" and open a help page.
The Search tab is used to search for words or phrases inside a help file. Click a topic from
the list to view the help page.
The Index button shows an index of keywords. Type the first few letters of a keyword to
jump directly to a topic. Each keyword is linked to one or more help topics.
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About RLX IH Browser
Use this command to view version information about the IH Browser. This information
may be needed when contacting ProSoft Technical Services.
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RLX2 VIRTUAL LAN (VLAN)
FUNCTIONALITY
Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) are typically used for segmentation of core network
components and network access rules. A VLAN provides the equivalent of a wired patch
panel through software (packet filtering) rather than hardware (physical wires).
Moving data over multiple subnets and routers requires a process of VLAN Tagging.
VLAN Tagging simply adds extra information in the packet header of Ethernet frames so
routers know how to pass along the data.
The RLX2 (v34) provides:
Transparent support of VLAN tags (802.1Q)
Port/Radio‐based VLAN tagging with Managed Switches
Port/Radio‐based VLAN tagging without Managed Switches
Transparent Support of VLAN Tags (802.1Q)
The following provides an example of transparent communication between Managed
Switches using VLAN trunking.
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1,
2,
RLX2
Repeater/
Bridge
1,
RLX2
,3
VLAN
Trunk
Port
Master
Managed
Switch
(VLAN)
Managed
Switch
(VLAN)
VLAN
Trunk
Port
RLX2
Repeater/
Bridge
VLAN
Trunk
Port
Managed
Switch
(VLAN)
Port/Radio‐based VLAN Tagging with Managed
Switches
In this example, the network has three VLANs (capacity for 8). Each VLAN has access to
a Managed Switch pre‐configured to assign each VLAN to a specific port. Radio’s
supporting the Managed Switch passes on the 802.1Q frames.
This scenario shows support for Radio to Radio VLANs using one or more Trunk Links.
PLC, Drive, and HMI communicate on VLAN 1 and with the Control Network
(same subnet)
Mobile worker communicates to the SCADA network only (VLAN 2). The laptop
communicates to Internet/Business Network only (VLAN 3)
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4 8
5 9
6 10
7 11
23 0 VA C
A lle n -Br a dle y
QU ALITY
MicroLogix
4 8 12
5 9 13
6 10 14
7 11 15
4 8 12
5 9 13
6 10 14
7 11 15
2 4 VDC SOUR CE
RELAY
D C IN PUT S
15 00
4 8 12
5 9 13
6 10 14
7 11 15
24 V SINK /SOURCE
DC / RELAYOUT
POWER
RUN
FAULT
FORCE
BAT.LO
4 8
5 9
6 10
7 11
24V SOURCE
CONN 0
DCOMM
LSP
10
11
10
11
12
13
10
11
12
13
14
15
14
15
28 BXB
D C P OW E R
2 4V
Control Network 1
2 4 VDC SIN K / S OUR CE
AC /D C OU T
AC I NPUT
DC I NPUTS
RLX2
Repeater/
Bridge
DC OU TPUT
1,2
RLX2
2,
SCADA Network 2
Unmanaged
Switch
Drive
Master
Internet/Business3
Managed
Switch
(VLAN)
VLAN
Trunk
Port
(1,2,3)
Laptop
RLX2
Repeater/
Bridge
PC
Port/Radio‐based VLAN Tagging without Managed
Switches
In the following scenario, the network has three VLANs (capacity for 8). Each VLAN has
access to a specific Radio port. The Radio supporting the Managed Switch passes on the
802.1Q frames. The wireless network also supports Radio to Radio VLANs using one or
more Trunk Links.
PLC, Drive & HMI communicate on one VLAN on the same subnet
Mobile Worker/Laptop communicate with a fixed server on VLAN 2 (separate subnet).
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Internet
Router/
Business
Server
Q U AL T
I Y
Al le n- Brad ley
MicroLog ix
4 8
5 9
6 10
7 11
230 VA C
8 12
9 13
10 14
11 15
4 8 12
5 9 13
6 10 14
7 11 15
2 4 VDC SOU RCE
RELAY
DC I NP UTS
1500
4 8 12
5 9 13
6 10 14
7 11 15
24 V SINK / SOURCE
DC/ RELAY OUT
POWER
RUN
FAULT
FORCE
BAT. LO
4 8
5 9
6 10
7 11
24 V SOURCE
CONN 0
DCOMM
LSP
10
11
10
11
12
13
10
11
12
13
14
15
14
15
28BX B
DC P O W E R
24V
24 VD C SIN K / SOU RCE
A C/DC OUT
D C O UT PUT
RLX2
Repeater/
Bridge
D C IN PUT S
A C IN PUT
1,
1,
RLX2
Unmanaged
Switch
Drive
Master
Unmanaged
Switch
Laptop
RLX2
Repeater/
Bridge
HMI
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REFERENCE
Product Overview
The RLX2 radio is an industrial high‐speed Ethernet radio. Use it in place of Ethernet
cables to save money, extend range, and make connections that may not otherwise be
feasible. The radio operates as a wireless Ethernet switch. Any data that can be sent
over a wired network can also be sent over the radio.
The RLX2 radio series is certified for unlicensed operation in the United States, Canada
and Europe at 2.4 and 5 GHz. With approved high‐gain antennas, the radios can achieve
distances of over 5 miles line‐of‐sight between them. Multiple repeaters can be used to
extend this range to far greater distances.
A highly reliable wireless network can be developed by creating redundant (page 93)
wireless paths. Multiple master (page 76) radios can be installed without any special
programming or control. Repeater (page 76) radios can connect to any master at any
time; if one master goes down, the repeater connects to another. Likewise, if a repeater
goes down, any repeater that was connected to it can reconnect to a different repeater,
keeping the network intact. Create large, self‐healing tree‐like networks can be done in
this fashion. Fully redundant paths are possible because the Spanning Tree (page 93)
protocol in the radios disables and enables paths as necessary to avoid Ethernet loops,
which would otherwise halt communications.
In addition to acting as a switch, every master or repeater radio in an RLX2 wireless
network can simultaneously act as an 802.11 a, b or g access point. This allows 802.11
WiFi clients to connect and roam between radios for monitoring of the wireless network
or general network access. The RLX2 has a special client mode (page 52) that allows
connection of any Ethernet device to any existing 802.11 a, b or g access point,
regardless of the brand (An example of an 802.11 client is a laptop with a WLAN card).
Note: Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance, used to describe the underlying technology of
wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications.
A high level of security is inherent with AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption.
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) is also available. If necessary, adding WEP128 or
WEP64 (Wired Equivalent Protocol) encryption in addition to AES or TKIP for clients that
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do not support AES can be done. A simple Media Access Control (MAC) filter table
restricts the radios or clients that can link to a selected radio according to the MAC IDs
entered in the table.
The radio is designed for industrial applications with a metal enclosure, DIN‐rail
mounting, and shock and vibration tested to IEC 60068.
The RLX2 radio series is easy to use. Use the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility,
which runs in a web browser, to configure the radio. Also, an SNMP manager can be
used for configuration. The radio comes with a Windows‐based utility called IH Browser.
It finds all the radios on the network and lists information about them. A topology view
in the IH Browser shows how the wireless network is linked together at any point in
time. Firmware updates can be done at anytime from anywhere on the network. This
includes over the wireless link or over the Internet.
ProSoft Technology radios can easily be installed into new or existing systems. The
software and manuals can be downloaded from the DVD or ProSoft Technology’s web
site at www.prosoft‐technology.com.
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Compatibility with ProSoft RLXIB Series Radios
The RLX2 series radios are 100% functionally compatible with ProSoft’s legacy RLXIB‐IHA,
RLXIB‐IHG, and RLXIB‐IHW radio models. This allows customers with RLXIB series radios to
add RLX2 radios to their existing networks without any reconfiguration of existing assets or
obsolescence issues. The main differences in the RLX2 series radios are the following
improvements:
Different enclosure size for more efficient heat dissipation.
Faster, more efficient electronics that consume less power.
Gigabit Ethernet.
MicroSD memory cards for configuration data storage.
Internal temperature sensor.
The RLX2 series radios will acquire additional functionality as new firmware features are
added. These new features will not be ported to the RLXIB radios, but the RLX2 radios will
continue to work with RLXIB radios using their existing functionality.
The RLX2‐IHNF is an 802.11n device that does not have an RLXIB series equivalent. It cannot
function as a repeater to ProSoft’s RLXIB‐IHxN series radio products. Specific differences by
product are noted in the following table. Specifications that have not changed between the
RLXIB and RLX2 series products are not listed.
RLXIB‐
IHA
RLX2‐
IHA
RLXIB‐IHG
RLX2‐IHG
RLXIB‐IHW
RLX2‐IHW
RLX2‐IHNF
4.5/115
Wx
4.6/117
Hx
1.75/45
(inches/
mm)
5.82/14
8W x
4.64/11
8H x
1.48/38
(inches/
mm)
4.5/115W x
4.6/117H x
1.75/45 D
(inches/
5.82/148W
4.64/118H
x 1.48/38D
(inches/
4.5/115W x
4.6/117H x
1.75/45 D
(inches/
5.82/148W
4.64/118H
x 1.48/38D
(inches/
5.82/148W x
4.64/118H x
1.48/38D
(inches/mm)
Weight
1.1 lbs
(499g)
1.1 lbs
(499g)
1.1 lbs
(499g)
1.1 lbs
(499g)
1.06 lbs
(479g)
1.06 lbs
(479g)
1.1 lbs (499g)
Typical Power
Consumption
< 9W
5.7W
< 9W
4.5W
<6W
4.5W
7.1W
Max Power
Consumption
9W
10W
9W
8W
6W
8W
9W
Dimensions
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
mm)
mm)
mm)
mm)
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RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Active antenna
ports
1 Tx/Rx, 1
optional Rx
only
1 Tx/Rx, 1
optional Rx
only
1, 2, or 3,
MIMO or
independent
antennas
Ethernet Speeds
10/100
MBit
10/100/
1000
MBit
10/100
MBit
10/100/
10/100
MBit
10/100/
10/100/
1000 MBit
1000 MBit
1000 MBit
NET and MOD
Status LEDs
Fast Roaming
microSD card
Onboard
temperature sensor
5 GHz band DFS
channels
Use RLXIB
Firmware Image
Use RLX2 Firmware
Image
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Dimensional Drawings
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 159 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Page 160 of 208
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Master Channel‐Frequency Table
The following table shows the channels/frequencies available in each RLX2 radio. Note
that radios configured for FCC and ETSI regulatory domains do not have the same
channels available. Also, some channels may have usage or power restrictions (e.g.
indoor versus outdoor) in some locations. The RLX2‐IHNF, ‐IHNF‐W and RLX2‐IHNF‐WC
DFS bands are disabled for models being sold/shipped in the U.S.
Channel
Number
Center Frequency
(MHz)
FCC
ETSI
RLX2‐XXX‐A versions
RLX2‐XXX‐E versions
IHG
IHNF
IHW
IHNF
IHW
2412
2417
2422
2427
2432
2437
2442
2447
2452
10
2457
11
2462
12
2467
13
2472
36
5180
40
5200
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
IHA
IHA
IHG
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RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
44
5220
48
5240
52 (DFS)
5260
56 (DFS)
5280
60 (DFS)
5300
64 (DFS)
5320
100 (DFS)
5500
104 (DFS)
5520
108 (DFS)
5540
112 (DFS)
5560
116 (DFS)
5580
120 (DFS)
5600
124 (DFS)
5620
128 (DFS)
5640
132 (DFS)
5660
136 (DFS)
5680
140 (DFS)
5700
149
5745
153
5765
157
5785
161
5805
165
5825
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
FCC Emission Regulations
The following charts show the maximum emissions allowed for the FCC in the United
States. These data should only be considered guidelines. Consult official FCC documents
for the latest official regulations.
Radio Hardware
Radio Power Requirements (RLX2‐IHNF‐W)
These cables are available for purchase from ProSoft Technology:
Description
ProSoft Part Number
Power Cable, 3m (7 ft), M12 to un‐
terminated leads
CULPWR‐M12‐010
Power Cable, 10m (33 ft), M12 to un‐
terminated leads
CULPWR‐M12‐033
The RLX2‐IHNF‐W and WC radios accept PoE configuration. However, the RLX2‐IHNF
radio is equipped with a power M12 port (IEC 61076‐2‐101). The RLX2‐IHNF‐WC
Ethernet and PoE cable protrudes from the module. There is no M12 port.
Contact Assignment of the M12 Socket
BK (Black) and BU (Blue) wires are tied together and connect to “+”.
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 163 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
BN (Brown) and WH (White) wires are tied together and connected to “‐“.
Pin Assignment M12 Socket, 4‐pos, A‐coded, View Female Side
Radio Power Requirements (All other radios)
Note: The following instructions do not pertain to the RLX2‐IHNF‐W radio.
The RLX2 radios accept voltages between 10 and 24 VDC, with an average power draw
of less than 8 Watts. A detachable power connector comes with the radio, as shown
below. The connector terminals are labeled + (positive DC connection) and ‐ (DC ground
connection).
The AC‐to‐DC power supply adapter supplied with the optional RLX‐IHBTK Bench Test Kit
can be used. The DC power wires must be less than 3 meters in length to meet
regulatory requirements.
Important: When wiring the power connector supplied with the radio, be sure to
observe the proper polarity markings on the power connector. Wiring the connector
incorrectly can cause serious damage to the radio which will not be covered under the
ProSoft warranty.
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
The Power Connector (ProSoft part number 002‐0116) is shown on the left in the photo
above. Note the + and – polarity markings. The wire installation tool (ProSoft part
number 357‐0061) shown on the right is helpful for installing wires into the spring‐
loaded contacts inside power connector.
To use the installation tool, insert it into the connector as shown:
Press down on the installation tool to use it as a level which will open the connector’s
contacts to insert a wire. A properly‐wired power connector is shown:
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 165 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
The RLX2 radios accept power from 802.3af Mode B or passive Power over Ethernet
sources supplying 48VDC, with an average power draw of less than 8 watts. ProSoft
offers the following passive PoE injectors for use with the RLX2 radios:
POE‐48I‐AC
Power over Ethernet Injector, AC input
POE‐48I‐DC‐DC
Power over Ethernet Injector, 9 to 36 VDC input voltage
The radio shall be installed by trained personnel only, as outlined in the installation
instructions provided with each radio.
The equipment shall be installed by a qualified installer/electrician. The
installer/electrician is responsible for obtaining a secured ground connection between
the lug terminal on the surge protector to a verified common ground point using a
minimum 6 AWG gauge wire. This must be done when attaching power lines to the
radio during installation.
A solid ground connection should be verified using a meter prior to applying power to
the radio. Failing to secure a proper ground could result in serious injury or death as a
result of a lightning strike.
Using Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power remote devices has several advantages
including:
"Carrier Class" Power Over Ethernet System.
Power can be supplied over long distances, up to 300 feet.
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Power can be available wherever network access is available.
The power supply can be centrally located where it can be attached to an
uninterruptible power supply.
The user has the ability to easily power on reset the attached equipment from a
remote location.
There is no need to run additional power cabling to the device as power can be
supplied over the CAT5, CAT5E, or CAT6 Ethernet cable.
Used for remote mounted radios to save on cost of coax and reduce RF losses.
Built‐in Ethernet Surge protection to prevent equipment damage.
Overload and Short Circuit protection.
Ethernet Cable Specifications
The recommended cable is Category 5 or better. A Category 5 cable has four twisted
pairs of wires, which are color‐coded and cannot be swapped. The module uses only
two of the four pairs when running at 10 MBit or 100 MBit speeds. All eight wires are
used when running at 1000 MBit speeds.
Category 5e or better cable is recommended for 1000 MBit speeds.
The Ethernet port on the module is Auto‐Sensing. Use either a standard Ethernet
straight‐through cable or a crossover cable when connecting the module to an Ethernet
hub, a 10/100/1000 Base‐T Ethernet switch, or directly to a PC. The module will detect
the cable type and use the appropriate pins to send and receive Ethernet signals.
Ethernet cabling is like U.S. telephone cables, except that it has eight conductors. Some
hubs have one input that can accept either a straight‐through or crossover cable,
depending on a switch position. In this case, ensure the switch position and cable type
agree.
Refer to Ethernet cable configuration (page 169) for a diagram of how to configure
Ethernet cable.
Ethernet Cable Configuration (RLX2‐IHNF‐W)
The RLX2‐IHNF‐W weatherproof radio uses cables with M12 connectors on one end and
RJ45 connectors on the other. These are PoE cables and you can purchase directly from
ProSoft Technology:
Description
ProSoft Part Number
Network Cable, 2m (7 ft) M12 to RJ45
CURJ45‐M12‐007
Network Cable, 10m (33 ft) M12 to RJ45
CURJ45‐M12‐033
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February 5, 2015
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RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
This PoE cable contains an M12 (IP65, IP67) connector on one end that attaches to the
radio. The other end contains an RJ45 connector for a network connection or power
injector.
Pin Assignments
M12 socket, 8‐pos, A‐coded, female
RJ45 pin assignment
Circuit Diagram
Page 168 of 208
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Ethernet Cable Configuration (all other radios)
Straight‐Though Cable
RJ‐45 Pin
RJ‐45 Pin
1 Rx+
1 Tx+
2 Rx‐
2 Tx‐
3 Tx+
3 Rx+
6 Tx‐
6 Rx‐
Crossover Cable
RJ‐45 Pin
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
RJ‐45 Pin
1 Rx+
3 Tx+
2 Rx‐
6 Tx‐
3 Tx+
1 Rx+
6 Tx‐
2 Rx‐
Page 169 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
RLX2‐IHA Detailed Specifications
Radio
Frequency Band
(Varies by country)
802.11a
5.150 GHz to 5.250 GHz (FCC/ETSI)
5.725 GHz to 5.850 GHz (FCC)
Wireless Standards
802.11a, 802.11i
Transmit Power (Programmable)
(varies by country)
24 dBm (250 mW) @ 6 Mbps
24 dBm (250 mW) @ 24 Mbps
21 dBm (125 mW) @ 54 Mbps
Channel data rates (Modulation)
802.11a: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps (OFDM)
Receiver Sensitivity (Typical)
‐92 dBm @ 6 Mbps
‐84 dBm @ 24 Mbps
‐72 dBm @ 54 Mbps
Channel Selection
36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
Security
WPA2 ‐ 802.11i with 128 bit AES‐CCM
Legacy WPA TKIP, WEP support
MAC ID filter
Admin password
Physical
Enclosure
Extruded aluminum with DIN and panel mount
Size
14.8 x 11.8 x 3.8 cm (H x W x D)
5.82 x 4.64 x 1.48 in (H x W x D)
Shock
IEC 60068 2‐6 (20g, 3‐Axis)
Vibration
IEC 60068 2‐27 (5g, 10Hz to 150Hz)
Ethernet Ports
One 10/100/1000 Base‐T connector, shielded RJ45
Antenna Port
(1) RP‐SMA connector
Weight
1.1 lbs (499g)
Environmental
Operating Temperature
-40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F)
Humidity
Up to 100% RH, with no condensation
External Power
PoE Injector
Power over Ethernet
10 Vdc to 24 Vdc
48 Vdc
802.3af Compliant
Average Power
Less than 7 Watts
Page 170 of 208
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Agency Approvals & Certifications
Wireless Approvals
Visit www.prosoft‐technology.com for current wireless approval information.
Hazardous Locations
Regulatory
UL/cUL; Class1, Div 2
CSA/CB Safety
Ex Certificate (ATEX Directive, Zone 2)
CE Mark
FCC/IC
ETSI
RLX2‐IHG Detailed Specifications
Radio
Frequency Band
(Varies by country)
802.11g:
2.412 GHz to 2.462 GHz (FCC)
2.412 GHz to 2.472 GHz (ETSI)
Wireless Standards
802.11g, 802.11i
Transmit Power (Programmable)
(varies by country)
24 dBm (250 mW) at 11 Mbps
24 dBm (250 mW) at 24 Mbps
21 dBm (125 mW) at 54 Mbps
Channel data rates (Modulation)
802.11g: (OFDM) Mbps
54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, and 6
802.11b: (DSS) Mbps
11, 5.5, 2, and 1
Receiver Sensitivity (Typical)
‐94 dBm @ 1 Mbps
‐92 dBm @ 11 Mbps
‐84 dBm @ 24 Mbps
‐72 dBm @ 54 Mbps
Channel Selection
802.11g:
1 to 11 (FCC)
1 to 13 (ETSI)
Security
WPA2 ‐ 802.11i with 128 bit AES‐CCM
Legacy WPA TKIP, WEP support
MAC ID filter
Admin password
Physical
Enclosure
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Extruded aluminum with DIN and panel mount
Page 171 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Shock
14.8 x 11.8 x 3.8 cm (H x W x D)
5.82 x 4.64 x 1.48 in (H x W x D)
IEC 60068 2‐6 (20 g, 3‐Axis)
Vibration
IEC 60068 2‐27 (5 g, 10 Hz to 150 Hz)
Ethernet Ports
One 10/100/1000 Base‐T connector, shielded RJ45
Antenna Port
(1) RP‐SMA connector
Weight
1.1 lbs (499g)
Size
Environmental
Operating Temperature
-40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F)
Humidity
Up to 100% RH, with no condensation
External Power
PoE Injector
Power over Ethernet
10 Vdc to 24 Vdc
48 Vdc
802.3af Compliant
Average Power Consumption
Less than 7 Watts
Agency Approvals & Certifications
Wireless Approvals
Visit www.prosoft‐technology.com for current wireless approval information.
Hazardous Locations
UL/cUL; Class1, Div 2
Regulatory
CSA/CB Safety
Ex Certificate (ATEX Directive, Zone 2)
CE Mark
FCC/IC
ETSI
RLX2‐IHNF, ‐W, ‐WC Detailed Specifications
Radio
Frequency Band
(Varies by country)
Frequency
2.412 GHz to 2.462 GHz (FCC)
2.412 GHz to 2.472 GHz (ETSI)
Channel
1 to 11
1 to 13
5.150 GHz to 5.250 GHz (FCC/ETSI)
5.250 GHz to 5.350 GHz (FCC/ETSI)
5.470 GHz to 5.725 GHz (FCC/ETSI)
36, 40, 44, 48
52, 56, 60, 64
100, 104, 108, 112,
116*, 132, 136,
140*
149, 153, 157, 161,
165
5.725 GHz to 5.850 GHz (FCC)
*DFS channels with RADAR detection
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Frequency Band
Wireless Standards
Frequency
Channel
802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11g,
802.11h (DFS), 802.11i (Security), 802.11e (QoS), 802.1Q (VLAN),
802.3af (PoE) IGMPv2
Transmit Power
(Programmable)
*Subject to Regional
Regulatory Limits
22 dBm @ MCS0, MCS8 (802.11a/g/n)
17 dBm @ MCS7, MCS15 (802.11a/g/n)
22 dBm @ 6 Mbps (802.11a/g)
17 dBm @ 54 Mbps (802.11a/g)
Antenna Impact:
3 Antennas/ MIMO: Use values above
2 Antennas: Subtract 3 dB from values above
1 Antenna: Subtract 5 dB from values above
Channel data rates
(802.11n)
MCS0 through MCS15,
1 Channel or 2 Channels with 1 Stream or 2 Streams
1 Channel
2 Channels
Rate
Streams
6.5 Mbps
15 Mbps
MCS0
1 Stream
65 Mbps
150 Mbps
MCS7
13 Mbps
30 Mbps
MCS8
130 Mbps
300 Mbps
MCS15
2 Streams
Channel data rates
(802.11a/b/g)
802.11a/b/g:
54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 11, 9, 6, 5.5, 2.1 Mbps
Receiver Sensitivity
(Typical)
‐92 dBm @ MCS0, MCS8 (802.11an/gn)
‐70 dBm @ MCS7, MCS15 (802.11an)
‐74 dBm @ MCS7, MCS15 (802.11gn)
‐92 dBm @ 6 Mbps (802.11an/gn)
‐74 dBm @ 54 Mbps (802.11a)
‐78 dBm @ 54 Mbps (802.11g)
Security
WPA2 Enterprise – 802.11i AES w/RADIUS [PEAP, TTLS, TLS, EAP]
WPA2 Personal – 802.11i AES w/Passphrase
Legacy WPA TKIP, WEP support
MAC ID filter
Physical
Enclosure
Extruded aluminum with DIN rail mount (RLX2‐IHNF)
Die‐cast Aluminum with Pole Mount (RLX2‐IHNF‐W and RLX2‐
IHNF‐WC)
Size
14.8 x 11.8 x 3.8 cm (H x W x D) (RLX2-IHNF)
5.82 x 4.64 x 1.48 in (H x W x D)
29.2 x 17.8 x 7 cm (H x W x D) (RLX2‐IHNF‐W and WC)
11.5 x 7 x 2.75 in (H x W x D)
Shock
IEC 60068 2‐6 (20g, 3‐Axis)
Vibration
IEC 60068 2‐27 (5g, 10Hz to 150Hz)
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 173 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Ethernet Port
One 10/100 Base‐T connector, shielded RJ45
IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3x
Water/Dust Tight M12 Connector (RLX2‐IHNF‐W)
10/100/1000Mbps IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3x, 802.3af
Water/Dust Tight (RLX2‐IHNF‐WC)
10/100/1000 Base‐T connector, shielded RJ45
IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3x, 802.3af
Antenna Port
(3) RP‐SMA connector
(3) N‐Type Connectors (RLX2‐IHNF‐W and WC)
Personality Module
Industrial SD Memory Module
No Personality Module on RLX2‐IHNF‐W or WC
Weight
1.1 lbs (499 g) ‐ RLX2‐IHNF
3 lb 9 oz (1.6Kg – less cables and pole mounting bracket)
Environmental
Operating Temperature
-40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F)
Humidity
Up to 100% RH, with no condensation
External Power
PoE Injector
10 Vdc to 24 Vdc
802.3af PoE Powered Device
The RLX2‐IHNF‐WC has a 6‐foot attached cable and a 6‐foot
attached CAT6 cable for PoE applications
Average Power
Consumption
Less than 8 Watts
Agency Approvals & Certifications
Wireless Approvals
Visit www.prosoft‐technology.com for current wireless approval information.
Hazardous Locations
UL/cUL; Class I, Div 2
Regulatory
CSA/CB Safety
Ex Certificate (ATEX Directive, Zone 2)
CE Mark
FCC: OQ7SR71A
IC: 5265A‐SR71A
ETSI
Page 174 of 208
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
RLX2‐IHW Detailed Specifications
Radio
Frequency Band
(Varies by country)
802.11b/g:
2.412 GHz to 2.462 GHz (FCC)
2.412 GHz to 2.472 GHz (ETSI)
802.11a:
5.150 GHz to 5.250 GHz (FCC/ETSI)
5.725 GHz to 5.850 GHz (FCC)
Wireless Standards
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11i
Transmit Power (Programmable)
(varies by country)
Up to 50 mW without amplifier
Up to 500 mW with optional amplifier. (not applicable
for hazardous locations)
Channel data rates (Modulation)
802.11b: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps
(DSSS ‐ BPSK, QPSK, CCK)
802.11g: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps (OFDM)
802.11a: 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6 Mbps (OFDM)
Receiver Sensitivity (Typical)
‐90 dBm @ 1 Mbps
‐85 dBm @ 11 Mbps
‐82 dBm @ 24 Mbps
‐75 dBm @ 54 Mbps
Channels Selection
1 to 13 (802.11b/g)
36, 40, 44, 48, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165 (802.11a)
Security
WPA2 ‐ 802.11i with 128 bit AES‐CCM
Legacy WPA TKIP, WEP support
MAC ID filter
Admin password
Physical
Enclosure
Extruded aluminum with DIN and panel mount
Size
Vibration
14.8 x 11.8 x 3.8 cm (H x W x D)
5.82 x 4.64 x 1.48 in (H x W x D)
IEC 60068 2‐6 (20g, 3‐Axis)
Shock
IEC 60068 2‐27 (5g, 10 Hz to 150 Hz)
Ethernet Ports
One 10/100/1000 Base‐T connector, shielded RJ45
Antenna Ports
(2) RP‐SMA connectors
Weight
1.06 lbs (479g)
Environmental
Operating Temperature
‐40°C to +75°C (‐40°F to +167°F)
Humidity
Up to 100% RH, with no condensation
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 175 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
External Power
PoE Injector
Power over Ethernet
10 Vdc to 24 Vdc
48 Vdc
802.3af Compliant
Average Power
Less than 6 Watts
Agency Approvals & Certifications
Wireless Approvals
Visit www.prosoft‐technology.com for current wireless approval information.
Hazardous Locations
UL/cUL; Class1, Div 2
Regulatory
CSA/CB Safety
Ex Certificate (ATEX Directive, Zone 2)
CE Mark
FCC/IC
ETSI
Page 176 of 208
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February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
ANTENNA CONFIGURATION
Antennas
Connecting antennas to the radio, see Connecting Antennas
Consider important electrical characteristics when selecting antennas:
Antenna pattern
Antenna gain
Antenna polarity
Antenna location, spacing, and mounting
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 177 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Control Drawing
Page 178 of 208
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
Antenna Pattern
Information between two wireless devices is transferred via electromagnetic energy
radiated by one antenna and received by another. The radiated power of most antennas
is not uniform in all directions and has varying intensities. The radiated power in various
directions is called the pattern of the antenna. Each antenna should be mounted so that
its direction of strongest radiation intensity points toward the other antenna or
antennas with which it will exchange signals.
Complete antenna patterns are three‐dimensional, although often only a two‐
dimensional slice of the pattern is shown when all the antennas of interest are located
in roughly the same horizontal plane, along the ground rather than above or below one
another.
A slice taken in a horizontal plane through the center (or looking down on the pattern) is
called the azimuth pattern. A view from the side reveals a vertical plane slice called the
elevation pattern.
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
February 5, 2015
Page 179 of 208
RLX2 Industrial Hotspot Series
An antenna pattern with equal or nearly equal intensity in all directions is
omnidirectional. In two dimensions, an omnidirectional pattern appears as a circle (in
three dimensions, an omnidirectional antenna pattern would be a sphere, but no
antenna has true omnidirectional pattern in three dimensions). An antenna is
considered omnidirectional if one of its two dimensional patterns, either azimuth or
elevation pattern, is omnidirectional.
Beamwidth is an angular measurement of how strongly the power is concentrated in a
particular direction. Beamwidth is a three dimensional quantity but can be broken into
two‐dimensional slices just like the antenna pattern. The beamwidth of an
omnidirectional pattern is 360 degrees because the power is equal in all directions.
Antenna Gain
Antenna gain is a measure of how strongly an antenna radiates in its direction of
maximum radiation intensity compared to how strong the radiation would be if the
same power were applied to an antenna that radiated all of its power equally in all
directions. Using the antenna pattern, the gain is the distance to the furthest point on
the pattern from the origin. For an omnidirectional pattern, the gain is 1, or equivalently
0 dB. The higher the antenna gain is, the narrower the beamwidth, and vice versa.
The amount of power received by the receiving antenna is proportional to the
transmitter power multiplied by the transmit antenna gain, multiplied by the receiving
antenna gain. Therefore, the antenna gains and transmitting power can be traded off.
For example, doubling one antenna gain has the same effect as doubling the
transmitting power. Doubling both antenna gains has the same effect as quadrupling
the transmitting power.
Antenna Polarity
Antenna polarization refers to the direction in which the electromagnetic field lines
point as energy radiates away from the antenna. In general, the polarization is elliptical.
The simplest and most common form of this elliptical polarization is a straight line, or
linear polarization. Of the transmitted power that reaches the receiving antenna, only
the portion that has the same polarization as the receiving antenna polarization is
actually received. For example, if the transmitting antenna polarization is pointed in the
vertical direction (vertical polarization, for short), and the receiving antenna also has
vertical polarization, the maximum amount of power possible will be received. On the
other hand, if the transmit antenna has vertical polarization and the receiving antenna
has horizontal polarization, no power should be received. If the two antennas have
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linear polarizations oriented at 45° to each other, half of the possible maximum power
will be received.
Whip Antennas
Use a 1/2 wave straight whip or 1/2 wave articulating whip (2 dBi) antenna with RLX2
radios. These antennas are the most common type in use today. Such antennas are
approximately 5 inches long, and are likely to be connected to a client radio (connected
directly to the radio enclosure). These antennas do not require a ground plane.
Articulating antennas and non‐articulating antennas work in the same way. An
articulating antenna bends at the connection.
Collinear Array Antennas
A collinear array antenna is typically composed of several linear antennas stacked on
top of each other. The more stacked elements it has, the longer it is, and the more gain
it has. It is fed in on one end.
The antenna pattern is torroidal. Its azimuthal beamwidth is 360° (omnidirectional). Its
vertical beamwidth depends on the number of elements/length, where more elements
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equal narrower beamwidth. The antenna gain also depends on the number of
elements/length, where more elements produce higher gain. Typical gain is 5 to 10 dBi.
The antenna polarity is linear, or parallel to the length of the antenna.
Yagi Array Antenna
A yagi antenna is composed of an array of linear elements, each parallel to one another
and attached perpendicular to and along the length of a metal boom. The feed is
attached to only one of the elements. Elements on one side of the fed element are
longer and act as reflectors; elements on the other side are shorter and act as directors.
This causes the antenna to radiate in a beam out of the end with the shorter elements.
The pattern depends on the overall geometry, including the number of elements,
element spacing, element length, and so on. Sometimes the antenna is enclosed in a
protective tube hiding the actual antenna geometry.
The antenna pattern (page 178) is a beam pointed along the boom toward the end with
the shorter elements. The beamwidth varies with antenna geometry but generally is
proportional to the length (where longer length produces a narrower beam).
The antenna gain (page 180) varies with antenna geometry but generally is proportional
to the length (where longer length produces higher gain). Typical values are 6 to 15dBi.
The antenna polarity is Linear (parallel to the elements, perpendicular to the boom).
Refer to the Antenna Types overview section for other types of approved antennas
(page 183).
Parabolic Reflector Antennas
A parabolic reflector antenna consists of a parabolic shaped dish and a feed antenna
located in front of the dish. Power is radiated from the feed antenna toward the
reflector. Due to the parabolic shape, the reflector concentrates the radiation into a
narrow pattern, resulting in a high‐ gain beam.
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The antenna pattern is a beam pointed away from the concave side of the dish.
Beamwidth and antenna gain vary with the size of the reflector and the antenna
construction. Typical gain values are 15 to 30 dBi.
The antenna polarity depends on the feed antenna polarization.
RLX2 Approved Antennas
In the U.S. and Canada, use antennas that are specifically approved by the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada for use with the RLX2 radios.
Contact ProSoft Technology or visit www.prosoft‐technology.com for a current list of
approved antennas.
Whip
Collinear array
Yagi array
Parabolic reflector
Antenna selection depends on whether the bi‐directional amplifier is being used or not.
For each approved antenna, there is a specified minimum distance the antennas must
be separated from users for safe exposure limits, according to FCC part 2.1091.
Approved antennas in Europe and other countries accepting CE
Approved antennas in Mexico
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Approved Antenna Table
Use the following approved antennas when the radio module is connected directly to an
antenna. Refer to Approved antennas with power amp for a table of approved antennas
with bi‐directional power amplifiers.
Type
Pattern
Gain
Connector
Size (cm)
1/2 Wave
Omni
2 dB
SMA‐RP
7H x 1.5
Min. distance
from Body
20 cm
1/2 Wave art.
Omni
2 dB
SMA‐RP
10H x 1.0
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
3 dB
SMA‐RP
6H x 3.0
20 cm
Collinear Array, art.
Omni
5 dB
SMA‐RP
19H x 1.0
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
5 dB
SMA‐RP
19H x 1.0
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
8 dB
N‐RP
43H x 1.6
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
9 dB
N‐RP
43H x 1.6
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
12 dB
N‐RP
106H x 4.0
25 cm
Patch
Directional
8 dB
SMA‐RP
15.0H x 15.0
20 cm
Patch
Directional
11 dB
SMA‐RP
22H x 12.7
22 cm
Patch
Directional
13 dB
N‐RP
22H x 22
28 cm
Patch*
Directional
19 dB
N‐RP
15.5 x 15.5
57 cm
Yagi
Directional
14 dB
N‐RP
81L x 9.0
28 cm
Parabolic*
Directional
15 dB
N‐RP
40H x 51W x 25D
36 cm
Parabolic*
Directional
19 dB
N‐RP
58H x 66W x 26D
57 cm
Parabolic*
Directional
24 dB
N‐RP
78H x 96W x 29D
100 cm
* Only allowed in a point‐to‐point network.
Approved Antennas in Europe/CE
The gain of the antenna connected to the main antenna port, minus the antenna cable
loss, must be less than 4 dB to stay below the 100‐mW EIRP transmit power limit.
The AUX port is only used to receive; it never transmits.
Note: In France, the user is responsible for ensuring that the selected frequency channels comply
with French regulatory standards. At the time of this printing, only channels 10 through 13 can be
used in France.
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Approved Antennas in Mexico
The gain of the antenna connected to the main antenna port, minus the antenna cable
loss, must be less than 12 dB to stay below the 650‐mW EIRP transmit power limit.
Note: In Mexico, the user is responsible for ensuring that the selected frequency channels comply
with Mexican regulatory standards. At the time of this printing, only channels 9 through 11 can be
used outdoors (1 through 8 cannot); however, channels 1 through 11 can all be used indoors.
Approved Antennas with Power Amp
When the radio is used in conjunction with the amplifier, the antennas are limited to
antennas listed in the following table.
Type
Pattern
Gain
Connector
Size (cm)
1/2 Wave
Omni
2 dB
SMA‐RP
7H x 1.5
Min. distance from
Body
20 cm
1/2 Wave art.
Omni
2 dB
SMA‐RP
10H x 1.0
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
3 dB
SMA‐RP
6H x 3.0
20 cm
Collinear Array, art.
Omni
5 dB
SMA‐RP
19H x 1.0
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
5 dB
SMA‐RP
19H x 1.0
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
8 dB
N‐RP
43H x 1.6
20 cm
Collinear Array
Omni
9 dB
N‐RP
43H x 1.6
20 cm
Collinear Array*
Omni
12 dB
N‐RP
106H x 4.0
25 cm
Patch
Directional
8 dB
SMA‐RP
15.0H x 15.0
20 cm
Patch*
Directional
11 dB
SMA‐RP
22H x 12.7
20 cm
Patch*
Directional
13 dB
N‐RP
22H x 22
28 cm
Yagi*
Directional
14 dB
N‐RP
81L x 9.0
28 cm
* Only allowed in a point‐to‐point network.
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Antenna Location, Spacing, and Mounting
Consider the following points regarding antenna location, spacing, and mounting:
When placing antennas, ensure a clear line of sight between the master radio's
antenna and all of the other radio antennas.
If the site base contains obstructing terrain or structures, mount the antenna on a
tower or rooftop to provide a line‐of‐sight path. The line‐of‐sight consideration
becomes more important as the transmission path becomes longer.
Mount the antennas as high off the ground as is practical. The higher an antenna is
above the ground, the greater its range.
Mount the antennas away from massive structures. Radio signals bounce off metal
walls, for example, which can compromise a clear signal.
Mount antennas to minimize the amount of nearby metal structures in the antenna
pattern.
Mount the antennas and install radios away from sources of RF interference.
Use the shortest possible antenna cable length. Signals lose power over the cable's
distance.
Choose antennas that are appropriate for the network's intended function.
If antennas are on radios on the same network, mount them so they have the same
polarity. If the antennas are on separate networks, mount them so they have a
different antenna polarity—for example, mount one antenna vertically and the
other horizontally.
Space radios at least three feet (one meter) apart so they do not overload each
other. If antennas must be near each other:
Mount omnidirectional antennas directly above each other.
Position directional antennas so they do not point at nearby antennas. Place
antennas side by side if they point in the same direction. Place antennas back to
back if they point in opposite directions.
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SUPPORT, SERVICE & WARRANTY
Contacting Technical Support
ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft) is committed to providing the most efficient and
effective support possible. Before calling, please gather the following information to
assist in expediting this process:
Product Version Number
System architecture
Network details
If the issue is hardware related, we will also need information regarding:
Module configuration and associated ladder files, if any
Module operation and any unusual behavior
Configuration/Debug status information
LED patterns
Details about the serial, Ethernet or fieldbus devices interfaced to the module, if
any.
Note: For technical support calls within the United States, an emergency after-hours answering
system allows 24-hour/7-days-a-week pager access to one of our qualified Technical and/or
Application Support Engineers.
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Internet
Web Site: www.prosoft‐technology.com/support
E‐mail address: support@prosoft‐technology.com
Asia Pacific
(located in Malaysia)
Tel: +603.7724.2080, E‐mail: asiapc@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: Chinese, English
Asia Pacific
(located in China)
Tel: +86.21.5187.7337 x888, E‐mail: asiapc@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: Chinese, English
Europe
(located in Toulouse, France)
Tel: +33 (0) 5.34.36.87.20,
E‐mail: support.EMEA@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: French, English
Europe
(located in Dubai, UAE)
Tel: +971‐4‐214‐6911,
E‐mail: mea@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: English, Hindi
North America
(located in California)
Tel: +1.661.716.5100,
E‐mail: support@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: English, Spanish
Latin America
(Oficina Regional)
Tel: +1‐281‐2989109,
E‐Mail: latinam@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: Spanish, English
Latin America
(located in Puebla, Mexico)
Tel: +52‐222‐3‐99‐6565,
E‐mail: soporte@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: Spanish
Brasil
(located in Sao Paulo)
Tel: +55‐11‐5083‐3776,
E‐mail: brasil@prosoft‐technology.com
Languages spoken include: Portuguese, English
Warranty Information
For complete details regarding ProSoft Technology’s TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE,
WARRANTY, SUPPORT, SERVICE AND RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION
INSTRUCTIONS please see the documents on the Product DVD or go to www.prosoft‐
technology.com/warranty
Warranties are null and void if unit is opened.
Documentation is subject to change without notice.
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Symbols & Numeric
802.11
A group of wireless specifications developed by the IEEE. It details a wireless interface
between devices to manage packet traffic.
802.11a
Operates in the 5 GHz frequency range with a maximum 54 Mbit/sec signaling rate.
802.11b
Operates in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Measurement (ISM) band. Provides
signaling rates of up to 11 Mbit/sec and is the most commonly used frequency.
802.11g
Similar to 802.11b but supports signaling rates of up to 54 Mbit/sec. Operates in the
heavily used 2.4 GHz ISM band but uses a different radio technology to boost
throughput.
802.11i
Sometimes Wi‐Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA 2). WPA 2 supports the 128‐bit and above
advanced encryption Standard, along with 802.1x authentication and key management
features.
802.11n
Designed to raise effective WLAN throughput to more than 100 Mbit/sec.
Access Point
A generic term for an 802.11 radio that "attaches" other 802.11 radios (clients) to a
wired network. Some APs can also bridge to one another.
Ad hoc Mode
Wireless network framework in which devices can communicate directly with one
another without using an AP or a connection to a regular network. RLX2 radio products
do not support Ad hoc mode.
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AES
Advanced Encryption Standard. New standard for encryption adopted by the U.S.
government for secure communications.
Amplifier
A device connected to an antenna used to increase the signal strength and amplify weak
incoming signals.
Antenna
A device connected to a wireless transceiver that concentrates transmitted and received
radio waves to increase signal strength and thus the effective range of a wireless
network.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A communication mode in which
each eight‐bit byte in a message contains one ASCII character code. ASCII characters (or
hexadecimal characters) are sometimes used as a key to encrypt data and ensure its
secure transmission.
Association
Process whereby two 802.11 radios establish communications with each other.
Requirements for communication include common SSID (network names) and
encryption settings.
Authenticate
The process of confirming the identity of someone connecting to a network.
Authentication Server
A back‐end database server that confirms the identity of a supplicant to an
authenticator in an 802.1x‐authenticated network.
Band
Another term for spectrum used to indicate a particular set of frequencies. Wireless
networking protocols work in either the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz bands.
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Bandwidth
(See Throughput)
Base Station
See Wireless Gateway
Baud Rate
The speed of communication between devices on the network. All devices must
communicate at the same rate.
bps
Bits per Second. A measure of data transmission speed across a network or
communications channel; bps is the number of bits that can be sent or received per
second.
CACT
CACT is an acronym for Channel Availability Check Time, a parameter used in DFS
channel selection. During DFS when a radio changes channels, it must listen for the
CACT on the new channel before beginning operations. For most channels the CACT is
60 seconds.
Channel
One portion of the available radio spectrum that all devices on a wireless network use to
communicate. Changing the channel on the access point/router can help reduce
interference.
Channel Move Time
The maximum time a radio can take to transition to another channel when radar is
detected. Typically 10 seconds.
Client, Radio Mode
A radio in Client mode can connect to any Access Point, but can only support one
Ethernet device. See also Repeater, Radio Mode.
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Client, Software
A client is a software program, or the device on which that program runs, that makes
requests for information from a software program, or the device on which that program
runs, in a client‐server relationship.
A Client on an Ethernet network is equivalent to a Master on a serial network.
Configuration PC
A Computer that contains the configuration tools for the RLX2 radio series.
dBi
Decibels referenced to an "ideal" isotropic radiator in free space; frequently used to
express antenna gain
dBm
Decibels referenced to one milliwatt (mW); an "absolute" unit used to measure signal
power (transmit power output or received signal strength)
DCE
Data communications equipment. A modem, for example.
Decibel (dB)
A measure of the ratio between two signal levels; used to express gain (or loss) in a
system.
Default Gateway
The IP address of a network router where data is sent if the destination IP address is
outside the local subnet. The gateway is the device that routes the traffic from the local
area network to other networks such as the Internet.
Device-to-Device Network (Peer-to-Peer Network)
Two or more devices that connect using wireless network devices without the use of a
centralized wireless access point. Also known as a peer‐to‐peer network.
DFS
DFS stands for Dynamic Frequency Selection, a requirement for operation on certain
frequencies in the 5 GHz band in many countries. When a radio operates on a DFS
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frequency, it must sense the presence of radar and automatically change to another
channel if radar is detected.
DHCP
The dynamic host configuration protocol is an Internet protocol, similar to BootP, for
automating the configuration of computers that use TCP/IP. DHCP can be used to
automatically assign IP addresses, to deliver IP stack configuration parameters, such as
the subnet mask and default router, and to provide other configuration information,
such as the addresses for printer, time, and news servers.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
One of two approaches (with frequency hopping spread spectrum) for sorting out
overlapping data signals transmitted via radio waves. 802.11b uses DSSS
Directional Antenna
Transmits and receives radio waves off the front of the antenna.
Diversity Antenna
An antenna system that uses multiple antennas to reduce interference and maximize
reception and transmission quality.
DTE
Data Terminal Equipment, for example, a computer or terminal.
Dual Band
A device that is capable of operating in two frequencies. On a wireless network, dual‐
band devices are capable of operating in both the 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g) and 5 GHz
(802.11a) bands.
EAP
Extensible Authentication Protocol. A protocol that provides an authentication
framework for both wireless and wired Ethernet enterprise networks.
EIRP
Equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is the amount of power that would have
to be emitted by an isotropic antenna (that evenly distributes power in all directions and
is a theoretical construct) to produce the peak power density observed in the direction
of maximum antenna gain.
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Encryption
Method of scrambling data so that only the intended viewers can decipher and
understand it.
ESD
Electrostatic Discharge. Can cause internal circuit damage to the coprocessor.
ESSID
Extended Service Set Identifier. A name used to identify a wireless network.
Firmware
Firmware is the embedded software code that that runs in the module to direct module
function (similar to the BIOS in a personal computer). This is distinguished from the
Setup/Diagnostic Application software that is installed on the Configuration PC.
Frequency Hopping
A radio that rapidly changes its operating frequency several times per second following
a pre‐determined sequence of frequencies. The transmitting and receiving radios are
programmed to follow the same frequency hopping sequence.
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
Changes or hops frequencies in pattern known to both sender and receiver. FHSS is little
influenced by radio stations, reflections, or other environmental factors. However, it is
much slower than DSSS.
Fresnel Zone
An elliptical area on either side of the straight line of sight that must also be clear for a
long‐range wireless network to work.
Full-Duplex
A communications circuit or system designed to simultaneously transmit and receive
two different streams of data. Telephones are an example of a full‐duplex
communication system. Both parties on a telephone conversation can talk and listen at
the same time. If both talk at the same time, their two signals are not corrupted.
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Gain
The amount by which an antenna concentrates signal strength in a wireless network.
Gateway
In wireless terms, a gateway is an access point with additional software capabilities such
as providing NAT and DHCP.
Guard Interval (GI)
An interval of time between data packet transmissions. The guard interval time for
802.11a/b/g systems is fixed at 800 microseconds. 802.11n devices can also use a 400
microsecond guard interval, falling back to 800 microseconds if excessive data
corruption is detected.
Half-Duplex
A communications circuit or system designed to transmit and receive data, but not both
simultaneously. CB or walkie‐talkie radios are an example of a half‐duplex
communication system. Either parties on a radio conversation may talk or listen; but
both cannot talk at the same time without corrupting each other's signal. If one
operator is "talking", the other must be "listening" to have successful communication.
Hz
Hertz. The international unit for measuring frequency equivalent to the older unit of
cycles per second. One megahertz (MHz) is one million hertz. One gigahertz (GHz) is one
billion hertz. The standard US electrical power frequency is 60 Hz. 802.11a devices
operate in the 5 GHz band; 802.11b and g devices operate in the 2.4 GHz band.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. IEEE is a professional organization
with members in over 175 countries and is an authority in technical areas such as
computer engineering and telecommunications. IEEE developed the 802.11
specifications.
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IP Address
A 32‐bit identification number for each node on an Internet Protocol network. These
addresses are represented as four sets of 8‐bit numbers (numbers from 0 to 255),
separated by periods ("dots").
Networks using the TCP/IP Protocol route messages based on the IP address of the
destination. Each number can be 0 to 255. For example, 192.168.0.100 could be an IP
address. Each node on the network must have a unique IP address.
Key
A set of information (often 40 to as much as 256 bits) that is used as a seed to an
encryption algorithm to encrypt (scramble) data. Ideally, the key must also be known by
the receiver to decrypt the data.
LAN
A system of connecting PCs and other devices within the same physical proximity for
sharing resources such as internet connections, printers, files, and drives. When Wi‐Fi is
used to connect the devices, the system is known as a wireless LAN or WLAN.
LED
Light‐emitting diode.
Line of Sight (LoS)
A clear line from one antenna to another in a long‐range wireless network.
Link point
The graphical point next to a radio icon that represents the connection point for RF
communications between radios. An RF connection between two radios is called an RF
Link and is represented as a graphical black line between the radio’s link points.
MAC ID
Media Access Control address. Every 802.11 device has its own MAC address. This is a
unique identifier used to provide security for wireless networks. When a network uses a
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MAC table, only the 802.11 radios that have had their MAC addresses added to the
network’s MAC table are able to get on the network.
Master device
Device that is connected to the Master radio.
Mbps
Megabits per second, or millions of bits per second. A measure of bandwidth.
Megahertz
A measure of electromagnetic wave frequency equal to one million hertz. Often
abbreviated as MHz and used to specify the radio frequency used by wireless devices.
MIC
Message Integrity Check. One of the elements added to the TKIP standard. A "signature"
is added by each radio on each packet it transmits. The signature is based on the data in
the packet, a 64‐bit value (key) and the MAC address of the sender. The MIC allows the
receiving radio to verify (check) that the data is not forged.
MIMO
Multiple Input Multiple Output refers to using multiple antennas in a Wi‐Fi device to
improve performance and throughput. MIMO technology takes advantage of a
characteristic called multipath, which occurs when a radio transmission starts out at
Point A and the reflects off or passes through surfaces or objects before arriving, via
multiple paths, at Point B. MIMO technology uses multiple antennas to collect and
organize signals arriving via these paths.
Modbus
The Modbus protocol provides the internal standard that the MODICON® controllers use
for parsing messages. During communications on a Modbus network, the protocol
determines how each controller will know its device address, recognize a message
addressed to it, determine the kind of action to be taken, and extract any data or other
information contained in the message. If a reply is required, the controller will construct
the reply message and send it using Modbus protocol.
Modem
Stands for MODulator‐DEModulator, a device that converts digital signals to analog
signals and vice‐versa. Analog signals can be transmitted over communications links
such as telephone lines.
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Network
A series of stations or nodes connected by some type of communication medium. A
network may consist of a single link or multiple links.
Node
An address or software location on the network.
Non-Occupancy Period
The time during which a radio cannot return to a frequency where radar was detected.
This time is typically 30 minutes. Typically a radio will not return to a channel where
radar was previously detected unless absolutely necessary.
Null Modem Cable
A specialty cross‐communication cable with female connectors on each end used for
direct connection between devices when no modems are present. Commonly used as a
quick and inexpensive way to transfer files between two PCs without installing a
dedicated network card in each PC.
Panel Antenna
An antenna type that radiates in only a specific direction. Panel antennas are commonly
used for point‐to‐point situations. Sometimes called Patch antennas.
Parabolic Antenna
An antenna type that radiates a very narrow beam in a specific direction. Parabolic
antennas offer the highest gain for long‐range point‐to‐point situations.
Peer-to-Peer Network
Each radio in a Peer‐to‐Peer network has the ability to receive data from ‐ and transmit
data to ‐ any other radio in the network.
Point-Multipoint (Broadcast) Network
A network type where a single master radio sends data to every remote radio in the
network. This is done repeatedly until every remote radio individually receives and
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acknowledges the data. Each remote radio sends pending data to the master radio that
receives and acknowledges data sent from each remote. In this configuration, there are
multiple remote radios referenced to a single master radio.
Point-Multipoint (Modbus) Network
A network with a single Master radio and multiple Remote radios. The devices cabled to
the radios communicate through the Modbus standard protocol. The Master radio
sends data to a Remote radio based on the Modbus address of the Modbus device. The
data is only sent to the single Remote device based on its address. Each Remote radio
sends its data only to the Master radio. The Master and Remote radios acknowledge
that data was received correctly.
Point-to-Multipoint
A wireless network in which one point (the access point) serves multiple other points
around it. Indoor wireless networks are all point‐to‐multipoint, and long‐range wireless
networks that serve multiple clients usually employ either a single omnidirectional
antenna or multiple sector antennas.
Point-to-Point Network
A network consisting of a single Master radio and a single Remote radio. All data from
the Master is received and acknowledged by one Remote. All data from the single
Remote is received and acknowledged by the Master radio.
Poll
A method of electronic communication.
Power Supply
Device that supplies electrical power to the I/O chassis containing the processor,
coprocessor, or other modules.
Protocol
The language or packaging of information that is transmitted between nodes on a
network.
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QoS
Quality of Service. Required to support wireless multimedia applications and advanced
traffic management. QoS enables Wi‐Fi access points to prioritize traffic and optimize
the way shared network resources are allocated among different applications.
Range
The distance covered by a wireless network radio device. Depending on the
environment and the type of antenna used, Wi‐Fi signals can have a range of up to a
mile.
Remote Access Point
One of a number of secondary access points in a wireless network that uses WDS to
extend its range. Remote access points (sometimes called relay access points) connect
to a master access point.
Remote device
Devices connected remote radios
Repeater
A Repeater is a device used to extend the range of a Wi‐Fi signal. Placed at the edge of
signal reception, a repeater simply receives and re‐transmits the signal.
Repeater, Radio Mode
A RLX2 radio in Repeater mode can only connect to other ProSoft radios, but any
number of Ethernet network devices can be attached to it. See also Client, Radio Mode.
RS-232
Recommended Standard 232; the standard for serial binary signals between DTE and
DCE devices.
RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)
Modbus transmission mode where each eight‐bit byte in a message contains two four‐
bit hexadecimal characters. There are two transmission modes (ASCII or RTU). The main
advantage of the RTU mode is that its greater character density allows better data
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throughput than ASCII mode for the same baud rate; each message is transmitted in a
continuous stream (See also ASCII, above).
Sector Antenna
An antenna type that radiates in only a specific direction. Multiple sector antennas are
commonly used in point‐to‐multipoint situations.
Signal Diversity
A process by which two small dipole antennas are used to send and receive, combining
their results for better effect.
Signal Loss
The amount of signal strength that’s lost in antenna cable, connectors, and free space.
Signal loss is measured in decibels. Also referred to as gain loss.
Signal Strength
The strength of the radio waves in a wireless network.
Simplex
A communications circuit or system designed to either transmit data or receive data,
but not both. Broadcast television is an example of simplex communication system. A
television station sends a TV signal but cannot receive responses back from the
television sets to which it is transmitting. The TV sets can receive the signal from the TV
station but cannot transmit back to the station.
Site Survey
A comprehensive facility study performed by network managers to ensure that planned
service levels will be met when a new wireless LAN, or additional WLAN segments to an
existing network are deployed. Site surveys are usually performed by a radio frequency
engineer and used by systems integrators to identify the optimum placement of access
points to ensure that planned levels of service are met. Site surveys are sometimes
conducted following the deployment to ensure that the WLAN is achieving the
necessary level of coverage. Site surveys can also be used to detect rogue access points.
Spectrum
A range of electromagnetic frequencies.
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Spread Spectrum
A form of wireless communication in which a signal’s frequency is deliberately varied.
This increases bandwidth and lessens the chances of interruption or interception of the
transmitted signal.
SSI
Service Set Identifier is a sequence of characters unique to a specific network or
network segment that’s used by the network and all attached devices to identify
themselves and allow devices to connect to the correct network when one or more than
one independent network is operating in nearby areas.
Subnet Mask
A mask used to determine what subnet an IP address belongs to. An IP address has two
components: the network address, and the host (node or device) address. For example,
consider the IP address 150.215.017.009. Assuming this is part of a Class B network
(with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0), the first two numbers (150.215) represent the
Class B network address, and the second two numbers (017.009) identify a particular
host on this network.
TKIP
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol. The wireless security encryption mechanism in Wi‐Fi
Protected Access. TKIP uses a key hierarchy and key management methodology that
removes the predictability that intruders relied upon to exploit the WEP key. In
increases the size of the key from 40 to 128 bits and replaces WEP’s single static key
with keys that are dynamically generated and distributed by an authentication server,
providing some 500 trillion possible keys that can be used on a given data packet. If also
includes a Message Integrity Check (MIC), designed to prevent the attacker from
capturing data packets, altering them, and resending them. By greatly expanding the
size of keys, the number of keys in use, and by creating an integrity checking
mechanism, TKIP magnifies the complexity and difficulty involved in decoding data on a
Wi‐Fi network. TKIP greatly increases the strength and complexity of wireless
encryption, making it far more difficult (if not impossible) for a would‐be intruder to
break into a Wi‐Fi network.
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UART
Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol. A set of standards to enable wireless devices to access
internet services, such as the World Wide Web and email.
WDS
Wireless Distribution System. Enables access points to communicate with one another
in order to extend the range of a wireless networks. Used in 802.11g based access
points.
WEP
Wired‐Equivalent Privacy protocol was specified in the IEEE 802.11 standard to provide
a WLAN with a minimal level of security and privacy comparable to a typical wired LAN,
using data encryption.
Wi-Fi
A certification mark managed by a trade group called the Wi‐Fi Alliance. Wi‐Fi
certification encompasses numerous standards including 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g,
WPA, and more. Equipment must pass compatibility testing to receive the Wi‐Fi mark.
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™
The certification standard designating IEEE 802.11‐based wireless local area network
(WLAN) products that have passed interoperability testing requirements developed and
governed by the Wi‐Fi alliance.
Wi-Fi Interoperability Certificate
A statement that a product has passed interoperability testing and will work with other
Wi‐Fi CERTIFIED products.
Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Wi‐Fi Protected Setup™ (previously called Wi‐Fi Simple Config) is an optional
certification program developed by the Wi‐Fi alliance designed to ease set up of security
enabled Wi‐Fi networks in the home and small office environment. Wi‐Fi Protected
Setup supports methods (pushing a button or entering a PIN into a wizard‐type
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application) that are familiar to most consumers to configure a network and enable
security.
Wireless Gateway
Term used to differentiate between an access point and a more‐capable device that can
share an internet connection, serve DHCP, and bridge between wired and wireless
networks.
Wireless Network
Devices connected to a network using a centralized wireless access point.
WLAN
Wireless Local Area Network. A type of local area network in which data is sent and
received via high‐frequency radio waves rather than cables or wires.
WPA
Wi‐Fi Protected Access is a data encryption specification for 802.11 wireless networks
that replaces the weaker WEP. It improves on WEP by using dynamic keys, Extensible
Authentication Protocol to secure network access, and an encryption method called
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to secure data transmissions.
WPA2
An enhanced version of WPA. It is the official 802.11i standard. It uses Advanced
Encryption Standard instead of TKIP. AES supports 128‐bit, 192‐bit, and 256‐bit
encryption keys.
Yagi Antenna
An antenna type that radiates in only a specific direction. Yagi antennas are used in
point‐to‐point situations.
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INDEX
Assign IP • 124, 127, 129
Association • 192
Authenticate • 192
Authentication Server • 192
Available Parents • 70
2.4 GHz Band, Point-To-Multipoint • 163
2.4 GHz Band, Point-To-Point • 163
5 GHz Bands, Point-To-Multipoint • 164
5 GHz Bands, Point-To-Point • 164
802.11 • 191
802.11 Access Point Detector • 135
802.11a • 191
802.11b • 191
802.11g • 191
802.11i • 191
802.11n • 191
About RLX IH Browser • 150
About the IH Browser • 149
About the RadioLinx® RLX2 Industrial Hotspot™
products • 14
About this manual • 13
Access Point • 191
Ad hoc Mode • 192
Address table • 58, 72
Advanced Settings • 95
AES • 192
All 4 Dialogs • 136
Amplifier • 192
Antenna • 192
Antenna Configuration • 179
Antenna Gain • 182, 184
Antenna location, spacing, and mounting • 188
Antenna Pattern • 181, 184
Antenna Polarity • 182
Antenna spacing requirements for user safety • 6
Antennas • 179
Apply Changes • 120
Approved antenna table • 186
Approved antennas in Europe/CE • 186
Approved antennas in Mexico • 187
Approved antennas with power amp • 187
ASCII • 192
Assign a Temporary IP Address • 124, 127
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Band • 193
Bandwidth • 193
Base Station • 193
Baud Rate • 193
bps • 193
CACT • 193
Cancel Changes • 120
Change password • 119
Channel • 193
Channel Move Time • 193
Check the Ethernet cable • 57, 58, 59
Clear • 125, 126
Client, Radio Mode • 194
Client, Software • 194
Close All • 136
Collinear array antennas • 183
Compatibility with ProSoft RLXIB Series Radios • 157
Configuration PC • 194
Configuring the Radios • 76
Connect • 124, 127, 128
Connecting antennas • 55
Contacting Technical Support • 189
dBi • 194
dBm • 194
DCE • 194
Decibel (dB) • 194
Default Gateway • 194
Default Password • 57, 58, 61, 113, 119
Detailed Radio Configuration / Diagnostics • 65
Device-to-Device Network (Peer-to-Peer Network) •
195
DFS • 195
DFS Auto Select) • 122
DFS Support (RLX2-IHNF) • 121
DFS, Master Radio Operations) • 121
DHCP • 195
Diagnostics • 58
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting • 57
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Dialogs Menu • 132
Dimensional Drawing • 159
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum • 195
Directional Antenna • 195
Diversity Antenna • 195
DTE • 195
Dual Band • 195
EAP • 196
EIRP • 196
Encryption • 196
Encryption type • 105, 106
ESD • 196
ESSID • 196
Ethernet Cable Configuration • 169, 171
Ethernet Cable Specifications • 169
Ethernet Nodes • 124, 132, 133
Event Filter • 137
Event Log • 124, 132, 136
Exit • 125, 127
Export • 125, 126
IEEE • 198
IGMP Settings • 86
IH Browser Configuration Tool • 22
Import • 125, 126
Important Safety Information • 3
Improve signal quality • 54, 64
Installation Questions • 47
Installing the Radios • 53
IP Address • 198
Key • 198
LAN • 198
LED • 198
LED display • 60
Line of Sight (LoS) • 198
Link point • 199
List View • 138, 139
Factory Defaults • 120
FCC Emission Regulations • 163
File Menu • 125
Firmware • 196
Freeze • 125, 126
Frequency Hopping • 196
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum • 196
Fresnel Zone • 197
Full-Duplex • 197
MAC filter • 105, 112
MAC ID • 199
Master Channel-Frequency Table • 161
Master device • 199
Mbps • 199
Megahertz • 199
MIC • 199
MIMO • 199
Modbus • 200
Modem • 200
Gain • 197
Gateway • 197
Guard Interval (GI) • 197
Half-Duplex • 197
Help Menu • 148
Help Topics • 149
Hide Network SSID • 105, 112
How to Contact Us • 2
Hz • 197
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Network • 200
Node • 200
Non-Occupancy Period • 200
Null Modem Cable • 200
Operations Menu • 127
Package Contents • 19
Panel Antenna • 200
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Parabolic Antenna • 201
Parabolic reflector antennas • 184
Parent Link Settings • 54, 79, 143
Password, default • 57, 58, 61, 113, 119
Peer-to-Peer Network • 201
Ping Device • 130
Ping Options dialog box • 131
Pinouts • 169, 171
Planning the Physical Installation • 47
Planning Your Network • 45
Point-Multipoint (Broadcast) Network • 201
Point-Multipoint (Modbus) Network • 201
Point-to-Multipoint • 201
Point-to-Point Network • 201
Poll • 201
Port status • 58, 73, 135
Port Table • 124, 132, 135
Power Supply • 202
Primary radio functions • 124
Print • 125, 126
Print Area • 138, 147
Print Preview • 125, 127
Print Setup • 125, 127
Prioritized Parent Selection • 83
Product Overview • 155
Properties • 124, 132, 137
ProSoft Wireless Designer • 45, 47
ProSoft Wireless Designer Installation • 50
Protocol • 202
QoS • 202
Radio access settings • 113, 129
Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility • 129, 130
Radio hardware • 165
Radio Network Settings • 75, 155
Radio power requirements • 166
Radio Status • 58, 69
RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot Browser • 74, 123
Range • 202
Rapid Spanning Tree Functionality • 90
Reference • 155
Remote Access Point • 202
Remote device • 202
Repeater • 202
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Repeater, Radio Mode • 202
Reset Columns • 138, 148
Retrieve the default password • 57, 58, 61
RLX2 Approved antennas • 184, 185
RLX2 Quick Setup • 27
RLX2-IHA Specifications • 172
RLX2-IHG Detailed Specifications • 173
RLX2-IHNF Detailed Specifications • 174
RLX2-IHW Detailed Specifications • 177
RS-232 • 203
RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) • 203
Scan • 125, 126
Scan List • 124, 132, 134
Scan Setup • 125
Sector Antenna • 203
Security settings • 103
Select Columns • 138, 148
Serial Port Settings • 116
Set Up a Client • 155
Setup Client Radio • 42, 45
Setup Master Radio • 28
Setup Repeater Radio • 40
Show Parents • 138
Show Parents - All • 147
Show Parents - One • 147
Show Ping Stations • 138, 146
Signal Diversity • 203
Signal Loss • 203
Signal Strength • 203
Simplex • 203
Site Survey • 203
SNMP Agent settings • 115
Spanning Tree Settings • 93, 155
Spectrum • 204
Spread Spectrum • 204
SSI • 204
Start Here • 13
Start Ping Session • 124, 127, 131
Status Bar • 138, 139
Subnet Mask • 204
Support, Service & Warranty • 189
System Requirements • 22
Test the Network Installation Plan • 47, 55
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The IH Browser Help System • 149
TKIP • 204
Tool Bar • 138
Toolbar • 138
Topology View • 123, 138, 143
Topology View key • 143
Troubleshoot IH Browser error messages • 58, 63
Troubleshoot missing radios • 58, 63, 123
UART • 205
Update Firmware • 69, 124, 127, 130
View Menu • 138
WAP • 205
WDS • 205
WEP • 205
WEP key • 105, 110
Whip antennas • 183
Wi-Fi • 205
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ • 205
Wi-Fi Interoperability Certificate • 205
Wi-Fi Protected Setup • 206
Wireless Clients • 124, 132
Wireless Gateway • 206
Wireless Network • 206
WLAN • 206
WPA • 206
WPA phrase • 105, 106
WPA2 • 206
Yagi Antenna • 206
Yagi Array Antenna • 184
Your Feedback Please • 2
Zoom In • 138, 145
Zoom Out • 138, 145
Zoom to Fit • 138, 146
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