WavePOINT^TM-II access point

WavePOINT II is designed for next-generation enterprise LAN infrastructures in which the wireless LAN is no longer an adjunct to the corporate LAN, but a tightly integrated component. WavePOINT II achieves this goal in two ways.

WaveMANAGER Enhanced network management software, to allow for remote configuration and management, or running remote diagnostics for all WavePOINT bridges of enterpries-wide LANs
Seamless upgrade path to 802.11, which fosters interoperability among wireless products from multiple vendors.

The first available wireless LAN product with a modular architecture and a clear migration path to seamless IEEE compliance upgrades.

WavePOINT<SUP>TM</SUP>-II wireless access point

Take immediate advantage of the benefits of wireless LANs, with the security that the infrastructure installed today will be IEEE-compatible tomorrow!

WavePOINT-II Features

Compact unit (7" x 10" x 2")
Two PC-Card (PCMCIA type II) slots
Can operate with two PCMCIA-based, RF network interface modules to maximize coverage, increase capacity, enhance flexibility, and facilitate a seamless migration path to IEEE 802.11.
Fully compatible with previous generation WavePOINT products
Transparent IEEE 802.1D bridging functionality, allowing seamless transmission of data packets between wireless nodes and wired Ethernet nodes.
BOOTP/DHCP, which allows the WavePOINT IP address to be programmed remotely.
Spanning tree protocol to eliminate network loops and accompanying broadcast storms, even if two nodes are accidentally assigned the same network ID. Spanning tree support also allows users to create fault tolerant wireless links -- when one link fails, a secondary link can instantaneously take over.
Client roaming between bridges, with future upgrade to the defacto-standard, IEEE-compatible Inter Access Point Protocol (IAPP).
Access control for additional security
Multicast delay to improve performance
Dual PCMCIA interfaces maximize flexibility

Dual Band Capacity

The use of modular PCMCIA-based wireless network interfaces enables WavePOINT II bridges to simultaneously accommodate both 915-MHz and 2.4-GHz transmission by using one PCMCIA slot for each band.

This dual-band capability makes it possible for customers to leverage the greater range afforded by 915-MHz transmission, while also taking advantage of the wider spectrum available at 2.4-GHz. IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN activity, in particular, has focused on the 2.4-GHz band, where worldwide regulatory agencies have already allocated spectrum for unlicensed ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) usage.

Boost Capacity

The WavePOINT II system's dual-PCMCIA architecture also enables customers to boost capacity. By using two WaveLAN/PCMCIA Cards operating on different frequencies (i.e. 915 MHz and 2.4 GHz) the customer can double the aggregate throughput, thereby doubling the number of users that can be supported with a single bridge. No physical limit governs capacity, but, depending on the application, a single RF interface can support from 30 to more than 120 users.

The dual-PCMCIA architecture also makes it easy to construct wireless-to-wireless bridges with the WavePOINT product. For example, one PCMCIA slot can be used for communications with local wireless nodes, while the second slot communicates directly with a wireless backbone. Large open environments such as warehouses and open retail areas can greatly benefit from this wireless-to-wireless bridging capability.

Enterprise Management

The WavePOINT II bridge comes with standard windows-based configuration, diagnostic, and management software (WaveMANAGER), which enables enterprise- wide network monitoring and management from a central location. Using WaveMANAGER, an administrator can remotely monitor the status of any WavePOINT II unit on the network.

Future versions will enable initiation of a diagnostic session between any WavePOINT bridge and any wireless node within range of that bridge. The diagnostic session can provide link-quality data including signal level, signal to noise ratio, noise level, and other characteristics.

Ethernet connections

The Ethernet side of WavePOINT II bridges includes support for 10BaseT and 10Base2 connections. A 66-MHz 486DX2 microprocessor filters Ethernet packets at the full Ethernet 10-ps line rate. On the wireless side, the bridge can support a peak data rate of 2 Mbps through each PCMCIA interface. The efficient CSMA/CA medium access scheme used on the wireless side provides user throughputs comparable to that of wired Ethernet nodes.

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WaveLAN is a registered trademark and WavePOINT, WaveAROUND, WaveMONITOR and WaveMODEM are trademarks of Lucent Technologies, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.