ProSoft Technology ILX34-AENWG - Manual (Page 16)

Start Here ILX34-AENWG ♦ Point I/O Platform
User Manual Wireless POINT I/O Adapter
Page 16 of 177 ProSoft Technology, Inc.
August 16, 2013
1.5 Planning the Network
Before you configure and install the network, you should create a plan for it. The
following points assume that you are creating a bridge network of masters and
repeaters, but you can also set up clients to work with devices on existing
wireless LANs. For information, see Set up a Client.
The simplest way to design the physical network of radios, antennas, connectors,
cables, amplifiers and other accessories, is to use ProSoft Wireless Designer
(page 17). This application determines your hardware needs based on your
answers to a few questions, and then generates a Bill of Materials specifying all
the components you will need for your installation.
 To begin, determine where you need radios and then choose locations for
them accordingly. For example, you might decide to install your master radio
near a PC in a central plant location (You can use the PC to configure the
radios through the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic Utility). If the plant is an
oil refinery, for example, you might decide to install radios near the oil tanks.
 The next important issue is how to link the radios. Unless the radios are very
close together, you must make sure that each pair of radio antennas in the
network has a line of sight between them. In other words, you must be able to
see from one antenna to another, either with the naked eye, or with
binoculars.
 If a line of sight does not exist between antennas, you must choose a site for
installing a repeater radio, which will create a bridge between the radio
antennas.
 Choose the appropriate antennas for the network. If an antenna will be
connected to the radio by a long cable, you might need to purchase a power
amplifier, which is available from ProSoft Technology. The more distance
between an antenna and its radio, the more signal loss the radio will have.
 Consider drawing up your network plans on paper. As part of the drawing,
you should assign a logical name to each radio. You can use these names
later when configuring the radios in the Radio Configuration / Diagnostic
Utility.
 As part of your planning, you might want to conduct a site survey. ProSoft
Technology can perform this survey, you can do it yourself, or you can hire a
surveyor.
 Protect radios from direct exposure to weather, and provide an adequate,
stable power source. Make sure that your plan complies with the radio’s
power requirements and cable specifications.
Important: Radios and antennas must be located at least 8 inches (20 cm) away from personnel.
1.5.1 Installation Questions
Answer the following questions to make your installation easier, and to familiarize
yourself with your system and what you want to do.
How many radios in your network?
Master ID