## Configure Radio Parameters

The Intel® PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point automatically configures most radio parameters, but you can use the RF Configuration screen to fine tune the radio and Wireless LAN Access Point (WLAP) functions. Only advanced users, or user trained on the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point, or Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point representatives (http://www.intel.com/network) should adjust the radio parameters.

### Web Interface

1. Under Configuration on the left side of the screen, click RF.
2. Configure the access point system settings as required.
3. After changing the settings, click Save Settings at the bottom of the screen.

###

### Management Console

1. Select Set RF Configuration from the Main Menu.
2. Configure the settings as required.
3. Verify that the values set reflect the network environment. Change them as needed.
4. Select OK or Save to save changes.
5. Select Save ALL APs-[F2] to save the RF Configuration information to all access points with the same SSID. This option saves the configuration changes for the current access point, and sends two messages to all other access points on the Known APs table to update their configuration and reset after the configuration has been modified. You can perform this option only among the same hardware platforms and same firmware versions.

### Parameter Descriptions

The descriptions in this table cover the settings highlighted on the left side of the RF Configuration screen in the Management Console. It also covers RF Preamble and Tx Power Control on the right side of the screen.

DTIM Interval | Configures DTIM packet frequency as a multiple of beacon packets. The DTIM Interval indicates how many beacons equal one cycle. Do not modify.
BC/MC Q Max | Determines the memory allocated for the queue used in the access point to temporarily hold broadcast and multicast messages. Measured in packets and corresponds to maximum-sized Ethernet packets. The default is 10.
Reassembly timeout | Sets the time in 0.5-ms units before a time-out occurs during a packet reassembly. Packet reassembly occurs when a large RF packet is fragmented into smaller wireless network packets. The default is 9000.
Max Retries (d) | The maximum number of retries allowed before terminating a single data packet transmission. The default is 15. Do not modify.
Max Retries (v) | The maximum number of retries allowed before terminating a single voice packet transmission. The default is 5. Do not modify.
Multicast Mask (d) | Supports broadcast download protocols for any client, typically point-of-sale terminals, requiring the expedited download of a new operating image over the network instead of using a local, non-volatile drive. All multicast downstream data packets that match the top 32 bits of the multicast mask are forwarded immediately instead of being queued for transmission at the next DTIM interval.
Multicast Mask (v) | Supports broadcast, or party-line, voice communications. All multicast downstream data packets that match the top 32 bits of the multicast mask are forwarded immediately instead of being queued for transmission at the next DTIM interval.
Beacon Interval | The time between beacons in kilo-microseconds. The default is 100. Avoid changing this parameter because it can adversely affect PSP-mode terminal performance.
Accept Broadcast ESSID | Allows stations to associate with the access point when they send probe packets using a broadcast SSID. If enabled, anyone can associate with the access point using a null SSID. By default, this feature is disabled and the access point responds only to stations that use the correct Network Name (SSID).
MU Inactivity Timeout | Allows interoperability for industry-standard devices by specifying how much time the access point allows for client inactivity. The access point recognizes client activity through data packet transmission and reception, and through scanning. Access point clients conduct active scanning. If other industry-standard clients conduct passive scans, the access point can classify them as inactive.
Rate Control | Defines the data transmission rate. The defaults are: 11 Mbps - Optional 5.5 Mbps - Optional 2 Mbps - Required 1 Mbps - Required. The defaults allow the access point to automatically select the best transmit rate allowed by the current conditions. These settings allow a mixture of 1 Mbps , 2 Mbps , 5.5 Mbps , and 11 Mbps radios in the same network. Any combination of the data rates can be selected as Optional, Required or Not Used , but you must set the lowest selected rate to Required. All IEEE 802.11 broadcast and management frames are sent out on the lowest required data rate.
RTS Threshold | Specifies the Request-to-send (RTS) threshold (256 - 2347). Allows the access point to RTS on frames longer than the specified length. The default is 2347 Bytes.
CCA Mode (2011B AP only) | Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) mode is the method used to detect transmissions from sources other than the access point. The default is Carrier Sense. NOTE: This parameter is not configurable.
CCA Energy Threshold (2011B AP only) | The energy threshold or level above which the airwaves are considered busy. The default is 60. NOTE: This parameter is not configurable.
Extended Range (2011 AP only) | In a wireless network, the access points are typically connected to an Ethernet network through a wired Ethernet connection. If the Ethernet connection for an access point fails, the access point can connect to the Ethernet network through another access point. To allow an access point to do this, set the Wireless LAN Access Point (WLAP) Mode to Link Required. If you want two access points, each connected to a separate Ethernet network, to communicate, set the WLAP mode to Enabled. Set the WLAP Manual BSS ID of the first access point to its own MAC address. Set the WLAP Manual BSSID of the second access point to the MAC address of the first access point. For more information on WLAP, click here.
Short RF Preamble | Determines whether the access point uses a short or long preamble. The preamble is approximately 8 bytes of the packet header generated by the access point and attached to the packet prior to transmission. The preamble length depends on the transmission data rate. The short preamble is 50 percent shorter than the long preamble. This feature is available on the Intel PRO/Wireless 2011B LAN Access Point and other high-rate DSSS hardware. Non-high rate DSSS hardware such as Nortel Networks BayStack 660* cannot enable the short preamble function and cannot see, receive, or acknowledge messages from short preamble enabled in earlier versions of the hardware. Disable this feature in a mixed hardware network and use the long preamble. Clients and access points must have the same Short RF Preamble settings for interoperability. The default is Enabled.
Tx Power Control / RF Transmit Power | Allows you to reduce the coverage area while increasing the throughput. Available settings are: Full (default), 30mW, 15mW, 5mW, and 1mW. These values are approximate.

Copyright© 2002 Intel Corporation. Legal Information