| BWI and Registered Users | ||
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The Belden® Wireless Solution is extremely easy to plan, configure, deploy and manage since it does not require expertise in RF cell planning. The centrally-located Belden Switch automatically handles all the RF-related considerations, while also taking care of all management and operations functions. Instead of having to struggle with RF issues, your IT personnel and network installers are free to focus on meeting end-user needs.
Additional reasons why the Belden Wireless Solution is easier to set up and maintain include:
The table below shows how the Belden Wireless Solution saves time, cost and effort when compared to conventional cell-based WLAN systems.
| Implementation: Cell-based Systems vs. the Belden Wireless Solution |
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| Cell-based WLANS | Belden's Wireless Solution | ||||||||
| Design Parameters | |||||||||
| Capacity, coverage, and roaming are competing design criteria | Capacity is the only design criteria | ||||||||
Need to consider number of locations for APs:
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Consider only the number and location of APs | ||||||||
| Deployment Activities | |||||||||
| Configure each AP and switch | Configure switch only | ||||||||
| Assign IP address to each AP and switch | One IP for switch only | ||||||||
| Validation of Design | |||||||||
| Measures performance for each AP | Measure performance of each channel in one pass | ||||||||
| Find coverage gaps and overlap zones – measure hand-off effectiveness | |||||||||
| Identify collision domain sharing: aggregate throughout | |||||||||
| Adjustment of Design | |||||||||
| Re-channelize and re-model. Continuous tweaking | Add one or more AP – no configuration or re-planning needed | ||||||||
A Typical Belden Wireless Network Topology
The Belden Switch is connected to the wired LAN, and the APs spread through the enterprise. The figure below displays a typical Belden enterprise topology, consisting of a Belden Switch and eight APs.
Belden uses Standard WLAN protocols (IEEE 802.11). As a result, any 802.11a/b/g standard wireless device can work seamlessly with the Belden system.
Belden uses standard Ethernet connections to the wired LAN network. APs are connected to the Belden Switch using standard Cat 5e Ethernet cabling and are powered by the standards compliant IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet.
Placement of the Switch and Access Points
Before installing the Switch and Access Points, plan the placement of the APs. Before permanently mounting the APs, it is recommended to test the network (using a laptop client) to identify potential problems such as coverage holes. If such a problem exists, Belden's advanced technology enables you to easily add or relocate the APs without any need for frequency or cell planning. The APs should be placed in a stable, secure location, such as on top of a closet or bookshelf, or mounted on a wall. The Switch should be placed near the distribution point of the wired LAN. This is usually in a cabinet within the telecommunications closet of your enterprise.
Connecting the Switch and Access Points
After connecting the Switch and AP, configure the Belden WLAN system through Belden's web configuration GUI using a terminal or PC connected to the same LAN as the Switch.
Web Configuration Tool
Belden's step-by-step GUI pages, walk you through the following configuration procedures:
After the configuration is complete, a summary page and about page are provided which overviews the current configuration; information about the firmware versions currently installed in the Belden WLAN system can also be viewed.
And, that's it. No other system available today is as easy to install and maintain.
*Belden's 4-radio AP and 12-port Switch are set for future release.
