Foundry Networks IronPoint 200, Installation Manual

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About the IronPoint 200
September 2007 © 2007 Foundry Networks, Inc. 2-3
Description of Hardware
Ethernet Port
The IronPoint 200 access point has one 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX RJ-45 Ethernet port that can be
attached directly to a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX wired network. The wired network must conform to
the IEEE 802.3 or 802.3u specifications.
The Ethernet port uses an MDI (i.e., internal straight-through) pin configuration. You can therefore
use straight-through twisted-pair cable to connect this port to most network interconnection devices,
such as a switch or router, that provide MDI-X ports. However, when connecting the access point to
a workstation or other device that does not have MDI-X ports, you must use a crossover twisted-pair
cable.
The access point appears as an Ethernet node and performs a bridging function by moving packets
from the wired network to remote workstations in the wireless infrastructure.
Note: The RJ-45 port supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) based on the IEEE 802.3af standard.
Refer to the description for the “Power Connector” for information on supplying power to the access
point’s network port from a network device, such as a switch, that provides Power over Ethernet
(PoE).
Antennas
The IronPoint 200 access point includes two integrated antennas for wireless communications. The
signal transmitted from both antennas is identical, but only the best signal received on one of the
antennas is used. The antennas transmit the outgoing signal as a toroidal sphere (doughnut
shaped), so the antennas should be adjusted to different angles to provide better coverage. For
further information, see “Installing the IronPoint Access Point” on page 4-1.
Optional External Antenna
To extend the access point’s radio coverage area, an optional 2.4 GHz high-gain antenna (for
802.11b and/or 802.11g clients) can be attached to a connection socket that is provided on one
antenna. When an external antenna is connected, the access point automatically disables the two
integrated antennas and uses only the external antenna.
Figure 2-2. An Example of an Optional External Antenna for the IronPoint 200