Wireless and Mobile Communications

Lecture 5

Chapter 6

Bridges

1
 Overview
• Bridge Models and Connections
• Basic Configuration (BR350)
• Configuring the Network ports (Radio and Ethernet)
• Configuring Services
• 1400 Series Bridge (IEEE 802.11a standard)

2
 Bridge:
Models and Connection

3
 Overview
• Designed to connect two or more
networks, typically located in
different buildings, wireless
bridges deliver high data rates and
superior throughput for data-
intensive, line-of-sight
applications.

• The bridges connect hard-to-wire

sites, noncontiguous floors, school
or corporate campus settings,
temporary networks, and
warehouses to create one large
LAN.

4
 Technology Comparisons
• The high-speed links between the wireless bridges deliver throughput many
times faster than E1/T1 lines for a fraction of the cost, thus eliminating the
need for expensive leased lines or difficult-to-install fiber-optic cable.

Technology
Technology Installation
Installation Monthly
Monthly Barriers
Barriers to
to
Cost
Cost Cost
Cost (USD)
(USD) Implement
Implement
Dialup or Remote
56K $0 to $250 $25 to $50 locations

Cable/DSL $0 to $250+ $25 to $150 Reliability

E1, T1 $250 to $1,000+ $400 to $1000+ Availability

Recurring
Recurring Cost
Cost

$5,000 to Physical
Fiber $0
$200,000+ obstructions

Microwave $15,000+ $0 Licensing,

Weather

802.11 $2,000 to
$15,000 $0 Interference
5
Traditional WAN Connectivity
Monthly Leased Line OpEx
2 DS1: $600
RBOC
DS1 1 DS3: $5000
TOTAL: $5600
DS1
DS3

RBOC provides guaranteed

level of service via a
Service Level Agreement
(SLA)

New remote office

No DS1 connection available
6
 802.11b Connectivity
Monthly Line Cost
2 DS1: $600
RBOC
1 Fractional DS3: $5000
2 Mbps TOTAL: $5600

2 Mbps

Wireless Installation Cost

22 Mbps
7 350 Series Bridges Installed: $12,500
USD
Pay Back Period: 3 months
5 Mbps New building connected
Self managed
7
 802.11a Connectivity
Monthly Line Cost
2 DS1: $600
RBOC
1 DS3: $5000
14 Mbps TOTAL: $5600

14 Mbps

Wireless Installation Cost

50 Mbps
7 1400 Series Bridges Installed: $40,000
USD
Pay Back Period: 8 months
27 Mbps New building connected
Self managed
8
 Bridges
• There are 3 basic models of Cisco
bridges; the BR350, the WGB350
and the 1400.
• The BR350 and 1400 can be used to 1400 Series Bridges
create a site-to-site wireless link.
• WGB350 can be used to provide
wireless infrastructure connections for
up to 8 Ethernet-enabled devices.

• Cisco bridges can be controlled

and configured through command
line and Web interfaces.

• Management can also be done

through traditional protocols like
SNMP.
9
Three Basic Models

10
 Parent-Child Relationship:
Root Bridge vs. Non-Root Bridge
• Root Bridge (parent):
• Accepts associations and communicates
with Non-Root Bridge (child) devices.
• Will not communicate with other Root
Bridges.
• Communicates with multiple Non-Root
Bridges.

• Non Root (Child)

• Can associate and communicate with
root devices or Clients.
• Will not communicate with other Non-
Root devices, Unless other Non-Root
device is communicating with a parent.

11
 Non-Root Modes: AP vs. Bridge
• AP in Non-Root mode
• Management traffic only
through Ethernet port

• Bridge set to Root or

Non-Root
• Able to send traffic
through Ethernet and
radio ports

12
 Bridge Roles in the Network
• The BR350, or multifunction bridge, has the same receiver
sensitivity, power levels, and capabilities, as the Cisco
Aironet APs with .11b radio chips.
• The Cisco bridges can be configured to operate in 6 different
modes:
1. Root bridge
2. Non-root bridge
a. with clients
b. without clients
3. Operating as an AP
a. Root access point
b. Repeater access point
4. Site survey client
13
 Role in Radio Network
File
Server Bridge
• Role in Radio
Network
Workgroup
• Determines Bridge
Bridge

functionality within
WLAN Access Point

• Determines which PCI PC Card

Card
type of devices will be
supported

14
 Bridge Role 1:
Root Bridge
• This bridge provides
connectivity to the main LAN
for other wireless clients.
• Only one bridge in each
group of bridges must be set
as the root bridge.
• This is the default setting for
Cisco Aironet bridges.
• It can communicate with
• Non-root bridges

• Workgroup bridges
• Repeater APs

• Wireless clients
15
 Bridge Role 2:
Non-Root Bridge with Clients
• This setting is used for bridges
that will connect to a root
bridge; either directly or
through a repeater bridge or
AP.
• In this role, the bridge
Non-Root Bridge
communicates with with Clients

• Root bridge
• Non-root repeater bridges
• WGB
• Repeater APs
• Wireless clients
16
 Bridge Role 3:
Non-Root Bridge without Clients
• This is used for a bridge
that connects remote wired
LAN. Root
Bridge
• In this mode, the bridge
refuses associations from
wireless clients.

• The bridge communicates

with the root bridge only.

17
 Bridge Role 4:
Root Access Point
• In this mode, the Cisco
350 bridge functionality
is the same as the
Cisco AP.
Root AP
• The bridge passes
traffic between the
wired LAN and wireless
clients.
• It supports all wireless
clients.

18
 Bridge Role 5:
Repeater Access Point
• The bridge operates with the same
functionality as an AP in repeater mode.
• A repeater access point is not connected to
the wired LAN; it is placed within radio
range of an access point connected to the
wired LAN to extend the range of your
infrastructure or to overcome an obstacle Repeater
that blocks radio communication. AP

• The bridge connects to

• Root bridges
• Non-root bridges
• Root APs
• Other repeater APs
• Repeaters are not covered by 802.11
standards.
19
 Bridge Role 6:
Site Survey Client
• The bridge can be
configured as a site
survey client for
surveying a repeater
AP.
• Will not accept
associations from
wireless clients.

20
Distances Limited by 802.11 Specification

21
Power Options

22
 BR350—Front Cover LED’s

Ethernet Activity
Association Status
Radio Activity

• When the bridge is powering on, all three LEDs normally blink.
• After bootup, the colors of the LEDs represent the following:
• Green LEDs indicate normal activity.
• Amber LEDs indicate errors or warnings.
• Red LEDs mean the unit is not operating correctly or is being upgraded.
23
 802.11b Bridge
Data Max. Distance Optional Standard Cable
Bridge Model Rate Antenna (6.7 dB/100 ft. loss)
Miles Km (6.7 dB/30.5 m)

11 Mbps 20.5 33.0 21 dBi Dish 50 ft (15.2m)/side

11 Mbps 32.7 52.5 21 dBi Dish 20 ft (6.1m)/side

BR350
5.5 Mbps 32.6 52.4 21 dBi Dish 50 ft (15.2m)/side

2 Mbps 41.0 66.0 21 dBi Dish 50 ft (15.2m)/side

1 Mbps 51.7 83.2 21 dBi Dish 50 ft (15.2m)/side

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

24
 802.11b Common Questions
Cisco Aironet Bridge How Fast?
Max data rate 11 Mbps 2 Mbps

Typical throughput 5.5 Mbps 1.4 Mbps

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

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

25
 Optional 2.4GHz Antennas for
Long Range

• 13.5 dBi Yagi • 21 dBi Solid Dish

Distances over For distances up to
7.3 miles @ 2 Mbps 25+ miles @ 2 Mbps
11.7 Km @ 2 Mbps 40+ Km @ 2 Mbps
3.6 miles @ 11 Mbps 20.5 miles @ 11 Mbps
5.8 Km @ 11 Mbps 33 Km @ 11 Mbps

Note: Distances include 50 feet of low loss cable and 10 dB fade margin
26
 802.11b Bridge Application:
School District
Richardson Weaver-
Roberts
Elementary Special
Middle School
Yagi Education
Dish
Dish

UNIVERSITY

Bode High School 2

Elementary Bridges
Yagi One 12 dBi omni Lincoln
One Dish Administration Elementary
2 Bridges Yagi
Channel #1 One 12 dBi omni
Channel #6 One Yagi
Bolich
Channel #11 Price
Dewitt Elementary Middle
Elementary School
Yagi
Yagi Yagi
27
 Connecting to the Bridge

• There are 3 basic GUI interfaces depending on the bridge

model:
• 1400: IOS GUI
• BR350: VxWorks
• WGB350: SOS
28
1400 with IOS GUI

29
BR350 with VxWorks GUI

30
WGB350 with SOS GUI ad SOS
Menu

31
 Resetting the Bridge

• Resetting the Cisco bridges depends on the model.

• The BR350, can be reset via the console, telnet, or browser connection.
• If the password is unknown, then the console reset method is required.
• The console port on the BR350.
• The :resetall command can be used after rebooting the bridge, however
the command must be entered within 2 minutes of rebooting.
• The 350 Series Workgroup Bridge or the 1400 series bridge can be
reset to default values via the Reset button, telnet, or browser
connection.
32
Default Settings for BR350
and 1400

33
Default Settings for WGB 350

34
Basic Configuration

35
BR350 Home Page (Summary Status)

36
 BR350 Map Link

• The Map link opens the Map window, which contains links to every
management page.
• The Map window can be used to jump quickly to any system management
page, or to a map of the entire wireless network
37
BR350 Network Link

38
BR350 Associations Link

39
 BR350 Setup Link

• The Setup link displays the Setup page, which contains links to the
management pages with configuration settings.
40
 BR350 - Basic Configuration

• Connect just like an AP, suggest wired GUI.

• Remember to set the IP address on your Ethernet NIC.
41
BR350 Logs Link

42