RoamAbout Access Point Version V1.0.2 Release Notes (Part No. AV-Q6UCC-TE) Summary of Features The following summarizes the features of Release V1.0.2 of the RoamAbout™ Access Point: · Wireless connectivity to your LAN using a PCMCIA wireless network adapter · Support for ThinWire™ and 10BaseT · DEChub 900 and DEChub 90 support · Inter-cell roaming (roaming between the coverage area of two or more Access Points) · Local console management utility · SNMP management · Flexible filtering capabilities (source address, destination address, and protocol) for greater network control, increased security and bandwidth utilization, and reduced propagation of network problems · Configurable rate limiting for protocols and multicast addresses · Default multicast rate limiting implemented from wired- to-wireless (100 Kbps) · User-selectable enabling and disabling of default rate limiting · Redundancy through 802.1D Spanning Tree protocol · Downline-load capability (for software upgrades) using BOOTP and TFTP · Software-selectable operational modes: Þ Full Bridge Mode Þ Workgroup Bridge Mode · Power-up diagnostics Owner’s Manual Errata Correction to Step 4, in Section 3.2.2, on page 3-6: To secure the AP to the wall, use two screws (or anchor bolts, depending on the wall substrate). First, mount the screws to the wall, then hook the AP onto the screw heads through the keyholes provided on the underside of the AP (screws not included). Correction to the Show Wireless Configuration section on page 4-22: The Roaming Parameters should read as follows: Roaming Parameters: Current Fast Cell Search Threshold : 0018 Current Regular Cell Search Threshold : 0024 Current Stop Cell Search Threshold : 0030 Correction to the Set Domain ID section on page 4-25: The following prompt shown in the Set Domain ID example does not appear: Press ‘y’ to confirm [n] : y Similarly, ignore the following sentence that follows the Set Domain ID example: “To accept the new Domain ID, type ‘Y’. Otherwise, press [Return] to cancel this option.” Correction to the Set Beacon Key section on page 4-26: The following prompt shown in the Set Beacon Key example does not appear: Press ‘y’ to confirm [n] : y Similarly, ignore the following sentence that follows the Set Beacon Key example: “To accept the new Beacon Key, type ‘Y’. Otherwise, press [Return] to cancel this option.” Correction and additional Note pertaining to the Set Roaming Threshold Parameters section on page 4-27: The default values for the Roaming Threshold Parameters should read as follows: · Fast Cell Search Threshold:18 · Regular Cell Search Threshold: 24 · Stop Cell Search Threshold: 30 NOTE Valid Cell Search Thresholds are in the range of 1–100. Additional information about installing the RoamAbout Access Point in a DEChub 900 or a DEChub 90: The DEChub 900 includes a Start Redirect Mode. If you install the AP in a DEChub 900, you can attach a terminal to the DEChub 900 console port and use the DEChub 900 Start Redirect Mode option to access the AP’s console features. However, the DEChub 90 does not have a console port or a Start Redirect Mode option. If you install the AP in a DEChub 90, you must attach a console to the AP’s front panel console port, which is a PC-style, 9-pin serial D-sub (‘DB’) connector. The console can be either a terminal or a personal computer (PC) running a terminal emulation program. The console terminal must be powered on and attached to the AP when the AP is installed into the DEChub 90. The AP detects the presence of the console at power-up time, and enables the front port. The terminal or PC must also assert one of the following signals: · Data Set Ready (DSR) · Data Carrier Detect (DCD) · Clear to Send (CTS). All Digital VT terminals using standard cabling meet this criteria. Most terminals and personal computers (attached with standard cabling) also meet this criteria. If you are using “data leads only” cabling, a loopback of one of the control signals may be necessary, and can be constructed as follows: AP Terminal or PC Pin 2 RxD TxD Pin 3 TxD RxD Pin 5 GND GND Pin 4 DTR Pin 7 RTS Connect either Pin 4 or Pin 7 to any one of the following: Pin 1 DCD Pin 1, Pin 6, or Pin 8. Pin 6 DSR Pin 8 CTS In normal standalone operation, no control leads are necessary for console operation. When the AP is installed in a DEChub 90, and the AP successfully detects a console attached to its front panel, the console will display the RoamAbout Access Point Installation Menu shortly after the AP is fully powered up. The following previously undocumented option appears on the RoamAbout Access Point Module Specific Options menu: [8] Enable/Disable Default Rate Limiting Default rate limiting can be put into effect when no other protocol or address-based rate limiting is in effect. By default, rate limiting is enabled and multicast traffic received at the wired port is forwarded at a rate of up to 100 Kbps. The default value of 100 Kbps is settable via SNMP. Use caution when using the console to enable/disable default rate limiting. This change will not be reflected in SNMP GETs. Additionally, changes to default rate limiting from the console will not remain in effect across system reboots. Known Constraints The following error message in the Module-Specific Error Log is misleading: Flash address outside range of Flash This error message means that the crash dump file does not exist on the load host, or is not write-enabled on the load host. This error message has nothing to do with Flash. Do not delete the broadcast address (FF-FF-FF-FF-FF- FF). If you attempt to delete the broadcast address from the address filter database, the AP gives an error response to the delete request. However, this error response is misleading because the address can be deleted by accident. If the broadcast address is deleted, the next time the system resets, it will not be able to respond to ARP and SNMP requests. In order to restore the broadcast address, the system must be initialized to factory defaults. In order for protocol/address filter changes to properly take effect, the Access Point must be Reset with Current Settings (Option 2 from the main Installation Menu). Other Information To establish network connections when roaming is disabled, ensure that the Network IDs on the mobile end station (MES) and Access Point are the same. For optimum roaming performance, all Access Points should be running version V1.0.2 software or later. RoamAbout Access Point software upgrades are now distributed on 3.5” floppy diskettes formatted for MS-DOS. The disk contains the following files: Vxxx.bin TFTP load image, where xxx is the software version number. relnotes.ps Release notes, in PostScript format. relnotes.txt Release notes, in text format. mibs/*.mib SNMP management MIBs You can obtain the latest RoamAbout PCMCIA drivers and Access Point load image from CompuServe, the DECpc Support Bulletin Board, or the Internet. These files will be available free of charge until January 1, 1995. From CompuServe Select the DECPCI forum (GO DECPCI) and enter the LAN Controllers library. Retrieve the latest version of the RoamAbout PCMCIA Network Adapter ZIP file. Search using keyword ROAMABOUT. This disk image should be un- ZIPped with PKUNZIP version 2.04G or later using the -d option to recreate the original sub-directory structure. For information on how to obtain a CompuServe account, call (800) 848-8990. From the DECpc Bulletin Board Set your PC to 9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity, and dial (508) 496-8800. Sign on as a new user, and from the Main Menu, select [F]iles Menu. Select [S]earch to search for files, and specify the [K]eyword ROAMABOUT. Download the latest copy of the RoamAbout drivers. From the Internet The RoamAbout drivers is available via anonymous FTP from Internet node ftp.digital.com. The network adapter kit can be found in the directory: /archive/pub/DEC/RoamAbout The .ZIP file contains a disk image which should be un- ZIPped with PKUNZIP version 2.04G or later using the -d option to create sub-directories. The latest version of the RoamAbout Access Point load image (*.bin) and release notes (relnotes.ps and relnotes.txt) may also be found in this directory.