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4.3 Testing Radio Paths
The general procedure for radio range testing a link is fairly simple. Configure two units
to form a link using automatic radio rates. Install the Access Point at a fixed location. Take
a laptop computer and the Client to each of the remote locations, and analyse the link
using the Connectivity webpage. If a beacon is heard from the Access Point, the Client
will update its Connectivity webpage with the received signal strength of beacon mes-
sages from the Access Point.
If the signal is strong enough, a link may be established, and the Connectivity webpage
of the Access Point may be opened. If the link is weak, the LINK led will go out, and the
remote Connectivity webpage of the Access Point will fail to load. Using this procedure,
the signal strengths of units at both locations may be analysed, and traffic is sent between
the units whilst remote WebPages are opened.
4.4 Utilities
4.4.1 PING
Ping is a basic Internet program that lets you verify that a particular IP address exists
and can accept requests. Ping is used diagnostically to ensure that a host computer you
are trying to reach is actually operating. If, for example, a user can’t ping a host, then the
user will be unable to send files to that host. Ping operates by sending a packet to a des-
ignated address and waiting for a response. The basic operation of Ping can be performed
by following these steps in any Windows operating system.
Click on the Start Menu and select Run. Type in “cmd” and enter, you should then see
the command screen come up. There will be a certain directory specified (unique to your
own PC) with a flashing cursor at the end. At the cursor type the word “ping” leaving a
space and the default IP address for the RM-240 at first startup.
This command would be written as Ping 192.168.123.123 then Enter to send the ping
command. The PC will reply with an acknowledgement of your command if your RM-240
is correctly configured.
It is also possible to use the “ping 192.168.123.123 –t” command.
This -t command is used to repeatedly ping the specified node in the network, to cancel
use “Ctrl – C”
A good test for the network once it is first set up is to use PING repeatedly from one
PC’s IP address to the other PC’s IP address. This gives a good example of the networks
reliability and how responsive it is from point to point. When you enter “Ctrl C” the pro-
gram reports a packet sent-received-lost percentage.