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Version 3.

MNL-500121-001

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EtherAnt II Users Manual

LIMITED WARRANTY
YDI Wireless (YDI) warrants that your device is free of defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year after initial purchase. YDI will, in this period of time,
repair or replace, any YDI product returned to the factory, freight prepaid.
The YDI warranty covers repairs or replacement (at YDIs option) of the product only. YDI
is not responsible for the cost of removal, reinstallation, or shipping to the place of repair.
YDI does not extend or modify its warranty period as a result of repair or replacement.
YDI reserves the right to void a warranty and/or make reasonable charges for repair of a
unit if the warranty seal is broken or the unit displays evidence of misuse, abuse, or
tampering.
YDI is not responsible for damage to any other equipment or property, or any other
consequential or incidental damages of any kind, whether based on contract, negligence,
or strict liability. Maximum liability shall not in any case exceed the purchase price of the
unit.
Warranties give you (the buyer) specific legal rights. You may also have other rights that
vary from state to state. This warranty is only extended to purchases made in the United
States of America or its possessions.
SPECIAL WARRANTY NOTICE
The antenna warranty is null and void if any of the following occurs:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The product enclosure is opened.


The antenna connections are not properly waterproofed.
The device is installed improperly or with incorrect connectors.
The round connector of the outdoor Ethernet cable provided is improperly plugged
into the rear jack of the antenna.
5. The antenna or DC Power Injector are physically damaged.
6. The device is operated outside the recommended DC power specifications.
7. The device is damaged by extreme forces of nature, lightning, or Acts of God.
FCC NOTICE
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment when installed as directed. This equipment should be installed and operated with fixmounted antennas that are installed such that these antennas will have a minimum of 2 meters of
separation distance between the antenna and all persons during normal operation.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
* Note:

The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by


unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.

These products are labeled with one of the following FCC ID numbers:
FCC ID: NM5-ETH-ANT, NM5-ETH-ANT-LR
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1
1.1
1.2
1.3

Section 2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6

Installation

Locating the EtherAnt II................................................................................................................. 4


Aiming Antenna and Checking Signal Strength ............................................................................ 4
Mounting the EtherAnt II ............................................................................................................... 4
DC Power Injector ......................................................................................................................... 6
Power Supply ................................................................................................................................ 6
Hardware Installation .................................................................................................................... 6

Section 3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

Overview

Description .................................................................................................................................... 1
EtherAnt II Client Adapter Features .............................................................................................. 2
EtherAnt II Client Adapter Kit ........................................................................................................ 3

The Client Manager

Installation ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Using the Client Manager.............................................................................................................. 9
General Information Screen ........................................................................................................ 11
Configuration Screen .................................................................................................................. 17
Utilities Screen ............................................................................................................................ 21
Removing the Program ............................................................................................................... 23

Appendix A - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

24

2004 YDI Wireless. All Rights Reserved. No part or parts of this document may be reproduced,
translated, stored in any electronic retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written permission of YDI
Wireless.

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Section 1
Overview
1.1

Description

The EtherAnt II is a flat panel directional antenna with a built-in wireless Ethernet adapter. The
equipment is 802.11b WiFi compliant, operates at up to 11 Mbps and features 128-bit WEP (Wired
Equivalent Privacy) and the new Agere WEP-Plus. The EtherAnt II provides efficient outdoor high-speed
wireless connectivity for desktop PCs, laptop computers and routers equipped with an Ethernet port.
The EtherAnt II offers the simplest, most efficient 2.4 GHz Wireless Internet access solution for an
Ethernet-enabled desktop PC. It will communicate with any Access Point or other wireless client that is
100% WiFi compatible. It is ideal for use as a client station device for Wireless Internet applications.
With the wireless client adapter built right into the antenna, there are no complicated hardware
configurations or radio frequency (RF) cables. Because the EtherAnt II has the radio built-in, professional
antenna installation is not required. Once the EtherAnt II is connected, simply install the Client Manager
from the CD-ROM included in the kit and configure the network settings.
Two variations of the EtherAnt II are available: the standard series EtherAnt II with an integral 18 dBi gain
flat panel antenna, and the EtherAnt II LR with the addition of an integrated bi-directional fixed amplifier
to boost range and improve reception. The antenna housing is waterproof and intended to be a pole or
wall-mounted outdoor installation.
For those customers that have multiple PCs on a LAN, a low-cost Cable/DSL router can be used to
provide a firewall and NAT for their PCs. Access to the internet can be provided with the reassurance of
having the customer's LAN behind a firewall. If a router/firewall is not desired, the EtherAnt II can also be
1
plugged directly into a customer's LAN. The built-in Micro-routing feature automatically routes IP packets
for up to 253 MAC addresses on the LAN, no special configuration is necessary!
The Micro-routing algorithm maintains an auto-indexed IP-to-MAC address table by inspecting each
received 802.3 Ethernet frame. Thereafter, the EtherAnt's local MAC address is superimposed as the
source address field within the frame prior to transmitting it on the wireless (802.11b) network.
Reciprocally, whenever a wireless (802.11b) frame is received, the algorithm inspects the destination IP
address and remaps the associated MAC address into the destination field of the Ethernet frame. The
source address field within the frame is then replaced with the EtherAnt's local MAC address prior to
transmitting it on the Ethernet network.
The EtherAnt II does not require that a PC be opened in order to install an interface card provided that the
PC has an Ethernet Network Interface card (NIC). Attach the outdoor Ethernet cable included in the kit
(plus any optional extension cables) to the EtherAnt II. Plug the Ethernet cable into the DC Power
Injector. Connect the built-in Ethernet cable from the DC Power Injector into your computers
10/100Base-T port, plug in the AC adapter, and your hardware installation is complete. Because the
EtherAnt II uses the PCs existing Ethernet interface, there are no drivers to install for this device.
The Windows-based Client Manager provides configuration and diagnostic utilities that allow you to see
vital information regarding the link between the antenna and the base station. Information such as signalto-noise ratio, signal strength, and noise level all in dB, provides for efficient installation and aiming of the
antenna, as well as troubleshooting link problems.
The EtherAnt II kit includes a 50 foot outdoor-rated Ethernet cable with a weatherproof connector (longer
cables are available as an option). By using RJ-45 in-line couplers, you can extend the cable up to 300

1.

Firmware 2.01 and higher

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feet to connect the EtherAnt II to your network. The WLAN device located in the antenna gets its power
from the DC Power Injector which puts DC power onto the Ethernet cable.
NOTE:

The EtherAnt II LR can operate only with an Ethernet cable up to a maximum length of 100
feet between the DC Power Injector and the antenna. This is due to the electrical resistance
of the thin Ethernet cable which drops the DC voltage to the antenna.

Both the EtherAnt II and the EtherAnt II LR version use a 110 VAC to 15 VDC power supply. A 110/220
VAC adapter can be purchased separately as an option.

1.2

EtherAnt II Client Adapter Features

Key Features

802.11b radio and Ethernet Converter built into the antenna (-LR models feature also a built-in
amplifier that extends the maximum covered range)
WiFi compatible
Ideal solution for providing Wireless Internet access to distant clients
Communicates with any WiFi compatible Access Point
Weatherproof: designed and rated for outdoor use
Connects directly into PCs without installing device drivers
Supports direct connection to LANs via built-in Micro-routing
Provides extended range coverage by focusing the radio signal
Antenna is lightweight and thin, just one inch thick and 14 inches square
Can be mounted in either vertical or horizontal polarization
Mounts either to a wall or antenna mast of up to 1 3/4 inches in diameter
Flat panel antenna offers 18 dbi gain and 15 beamwidth
Transmit power of 2 Watts EIRP and 16 Watts EIRP on LR model
Up to 4.5 Mbps actual throughput
FCC Part 15 Certified for license-free operation (11 channels in USA)
Professional installation is not required by FCC Part 15 rules
Easy-to-run outdoor-rated Ethernet cable provided (50 feet standard, can be optionally extended
up to 300 feet for standard series and up to 100 feet for LR models)
DC power for electronics in the antenna are carried up the Ethernet cable (Power Over Ethernet,
POE)
Windows-based Configuration Software
Client Manager shows signal, noise and SNR levels in dB
Remotely configurable and Manageable based on IP address
o
o
Operating temperature range: -20 C to +50 C

Ethernet interface The EtherAnt II connects to an existing Ethernet port on the PC, so new
driver installation is not required as long as a compatible Ethernet port driver is loaded. Once the
EtherAnt II is connected, simply install the Client Manager from the CD-ROM and configure the
network settings.

18 dBi Gain Antenna This high-gain directional antenna provides long-range wireless
connectivity.

Installation Part 15 FCC Certification does not require professional installation. However,
someone who is experienced in installing devices outdoors should do the installation.

Ideal for Cable/DSL Routers The EtherAnt II plugs into the WAN port on a client router to
service a LAN.

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802.11b compliant The EtherAnt II is WiFi compatible and will work with any certified
802.11b compatible Access Point (AP) or Client Station. This includes ORiNOCO Access Points
such as the AP-500, AP-1000, AP-2000, YDI AP-Ant, and WLAN devices such as the YDI
Diamond WLAN Card and YDI USB Antenna.

FCC Part 15 certified For license-free operation.

1.3

EtherAnt II Client Adapter Kit

Each EtherAnt II Client Adapter kit includes the following (refer to Figure 1.1a):

Flat panel 18 dBi gain directional antenna with built-in radio and Ethernet adapter (-LR models
feature an integrated bi-directional amplifier for increased transmit power and receive signal
sensitivity for longer range)
Sturdy steel wall/mast tilt-bracket mount
50 foot outdoor Ethernet cable with weatherproof antenna connector (can be optionally extended
up to 300 feet for standard series and up to 100 feet for LR models)
Cat 5 DC Power Injector
110 VAC to 15 VDC wall adapter (220 VAC power supplies available as an option)
CD-ROM with Windows-based Client Manager software and documentation

The latest software and Users Manuals can also be found at:
http://www.ydi.com/support/downloads.php, and
http://www.ydi.com/support/documents.php.
Figure 1.1b shows a typical application of the EtherAnt II.
Figure 1.1a EtherAnt II, 50-ft Ethernet cable,
DC Injector, and AC Adapter

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Figure 1.1b Typical Application

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Section 2
Installation
Safety Warning

CAUTION

2.1

This antenna/transmitter device must be fixed-mounted on outdoor


permanent structures with a separation distance of at least 2 meters
(6.56 feet) from all persons. Users and installers must adhere to the
antenna installation instructions and transmitter operating conditions in
order to comply with the FCCs RF exposure requirements.

Locating the EtherAnt II

The most important aspect of setting up the EtherAnt II is its location and aiming. For maximum range
(up to several miles), it must have clear, unobstructed line of site (LOS) and Fresnel Zone between it and
the base station antenna or the other wireless device it is talking to. The EtherAnt II should be installed
outdoors, but can be located in a window if necessary. However, for maximum range and the strongest
signal, the EtherAnt II must see the base station antenna in order to be connected. If they do not have
this clear line of sight, you will likely not get a reliable, long-range wireless connection. For indoor
applications, the range will depend on the walls and other obstacles between the EtherAnt II and the base
station. The only way to accurately determine your coverage area is to put up the EtherAnt II in the best
locations available and run some tests (see Section 2.2, Aiming Antenna and Checking Signal Strength).
NOTE:

2.2

It is strongly recommended that you configure and test the unit prior to deploying it in the
field. Set up a mini-network that resembles your actual configuration as close as possible.
By using such a mock-up, troubleshooting potential problems will be much easier than if you
already installed the equipment in the field. Read through this entire Section 2 to understand
how to install the hardware. To configure the EtherAnt II, read Section 3.

Aiming Antenna and Checking Signal Strength

The EtherAnt II has a built-in signal strength indicator which can be monitored by the YDI Client Manager
software to help optimize the aiming of the antenna. If you are using an ORiNOCO or YDI Access Point
in your wireless network, you can also use the Link Test capability of the AP Manager software to monitor
the signal strength of the EtherAnt II into the base unit.
Another test that can be performed involves using a laptop computer, a YDI Sapphire or Diamond WLAN
card, and the Wireless Client Manager program that comes with it. Insert the WLAN card in the laptop
computer, install the program and run it. The Advanced -> Link Test screen of the Wireless Client
Manager program shows signal strength levels. Walk around the desired coverage areas with the laptop
computer and record the signal levels. This way you can build a map of the areas that have good
coverage.
For details about how to set up, configure, and use the Wireless Client Manager program, please refer to
the User Manual of the product.

2.3

Mounting the EtherAnt II

The antenna can be mounted either vertically or horizontally polarized using the hardware included with
the unit. The label located on the back of the antenna contains an arrow indicating the antennas

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polarization. Please note that both ends of the link must use the same polarization. It can be mounted to
a mast or pipe as shown in Figure 2.1 or to a flat surface such as a wall as shown in Figure 2.2. Note that
most omni antennas are vertically polarized and if the EtherAnt II is aimed at one, it must be installed
vertically polarized, i.e., with the polarization arrow up and down.
When installed outdoors, it is very important that the round connector plugged on the antenna be properly
waterproofed. Ensure that a high quality all-weather resistant electrical tape and/or other water sealant
method, such as Permagum or equivalent, is utilized. Silicon sealants are not recommended since
they are hard to work with, do not ensure a 100% waterproofing of the connectors and are difficult to
remove, if ever necessary.
The antenna itself or the mast where it is bolted to should be connected to an Earth ground. Fig. 2.1
shows the possible grounding points that you can use.
Possible Grounding Points

Figure 2.1 shows the antenna in a typical


horizontally polarized installation. It must be
carefully aimed at the base antenna and be
mounted with the same polarization. The
housing is sealed to prevent water build-up in
the antenna. The round connector must also
be sealed after it is plugged into the antenna.
Be sure to provide strain relief for the Ethernet
cable as well.
If this EtherAnt II antenna is aimed at a
vertically polarized omni-directional or sector
base station antenna, it must be mounted
vertically polarized using the other mounting
stud on the back.
Figure 2.1. Outdoor Pole Mount Installation

Figure 2.2 shows the antenna in a typical


indoors wall mount installation. For indoor
applications, the range will depend on the
walls and other obstacles between the
EtherAnt II and the base station. The only way
to accurately determine your coverage area is
to put up the EtherAnt II in the best locations
available and run some tests.

Figure 2.2 Indoor Wall Mount Installation

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2.4

DC Power Injector

The Cat 5 DC Power Injector is not in a waterproof enclosure and must be protected from the weather. It
can be permanently mounted to a surface using the double stick tape found on the back of it.

2.5

Power Supply

The EtherAnt II and EtherAnt II-LR antenna kit come with a 110 VAC to 15 VDC power supply that has a
standard barrel plug [center pin positive (+) tip and outer ring negative (-)]. 110/220 VAC power supplies
are available as an option. Although normally provided with a power supply, any power source meeting
the following specifications can be used:
EtherAnt II

12-24 VDC @ 500 mA

maximum cable length: 300 feet

EtherAnt II-LR

15 VDC @ 1 A

maximum cable length: 100 feet

CAUTION: Operating the EtherAnt II-LR version with more than 15 VDC will damage it. Operating it with
less than 15 VDC will cause improper operation.

2.6

Hardware Installation

Perform the following procedures once you have determined the optimal location for the antenna:
1. If you are going to install the antenna on a mast or pipe, use the brackets and screws to mount the
flat panel antenna to a pole with a maximum diameter of up to 1 3/4 inches.
2. Ensuring that there is no DC power applied to the DC Power Injector, plug the 6-pin N-male round
connector of the outdoor Ethernet cable provided into the rear jack of the flat panel antenna, aligning
the notch on the connector with the tab on the jack as shown on Figure 2.3. Then turn the round
locking nut clockwise as you push in until it securely fastens onto the jack. Please verify that the
round connector is properly plugged into the rear jack of the antenna prior to connecting DC
power because it is possible to push it in the wrong way if enough force is used. If DC power is
applied and the connector is not properly plugged, damage to the electronics of the unit or the
connector itself may occur which will not be covered by the factory warranty.
Figure 2.3 Plugging the Outdoor Ethernet Cable

3. Attach the other end of the outdoor Ethernet cable provided to the Cat 5 DC Power Injector at port
RJ-45 labeled To Antenna.

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WARNING

If DC Power is applied while you are attempting to insert the round


connector into the jack, it is possible that, as you rotate the plug in an
effort to find the key, DC power pins will momentarily touch the Ethernet
pins. If this happens the Ethernet circuitry on the board will blow.
Also, do not apply excessive pressure when you insert the round
connector or the pins will pop out. Any damage caused by this action will
not be covered by the factory warranty and will be a billable repair.

4. Connect the Ethernet cable labeled To PC or Router from the Cat 5 DC Power Injector to your
computer or PC. If you connect to a router, switch or hub, make sure you plug the cable into the
Uplink/WAN port, otherwise a cross-over cable or adapter will be needed.
5. Perform an Earth ground connection to any of the rear bolts of the antenna, the mounting brackets, or
the mast if mounted outdoors (refer to Fig. 2.1). For maximum protection, YDI also recommends the
use of its optional surge protected DC Injector available from your YDI dealer (part No. 304-800620002). This DC Injector has an additional wire to be connected to ground as shown on Fig. 2.4.
6. Plug the Power Supply into an AC outlet and connect it to the DC Power jack on the Cat 5 DC
Power Injector.
7. Check that the Power and Ethernet LEDs are lit. For LR models, check that the RX / Power amplifier
LED (green) is also lit.
8. Configure the EtherAnt II Client Adapter using the Client Manager software. (See Section 3 for
detailed information.)
Figure 2.4 Installation of the Optional YDI Surge Protected DC Injector
for Maximum Grounding Protection
AC Power

Ground Wire
Power Supply

RJ-45 Ethernet Connector


To Switch, Router or PC

NOTE: The regular DC


injector supplied with
your kit is connected the
same way but it does not
have a ground wire

To Antenna
YDI Surge Protected
DC Injector

Figure 2.5 shows the EtherAnt II label located


on the back of the flat panel. Six green LEDs
appear to the right that indicate the status of the
Radio TX, Radio RX, Wireless Link, LAN
Activity, Ethernet Link and Power. LR models
have two additional amplifier LEDs. The green
LED is for Receive and Power: it glows steady
on when DC power is applied and flashes when
the unit is in receive mode. The red LED is for
Transmit and flashes when the unit is in
transmit mode.

Figure 2.5 EtherAnt II Label and LEDs


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The arrow to the left indicates the polarization


of the antenna. Based upon the direction of the
arrow, the antenna in this example is vertically
polarized.

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Section 3
The Client Manager
3.1

Installation

The Windows-based Client Manager software can be installed on a PC or workstation running Windows
98, ME, 2000, NT, or XP. This software has a GUI (Graphical User Interface), which makes it easy to
use. The program allows you to locally or remotely perform the following procedures:

NOTE:

Display a list of EtherAnt II units running on the local network


Display and edit the current configuration of the EtherAnt II
Save and load configurations
Update the EtherAnt II firmware
Prior to installing a newer version of the Client Manager program, you will need to remove
any older versions. (See Section 3.6, Removing the Program).

Windows Installation To install the Client Manager in Windows, perform the following steps:
1. Insert the YDI CD-ROM included in the EtherAnt II kit into the appropriate drive of your computer.
Using your Windows Explorer open the contents of the CD-ROM drive and select the following
directory: \Management Software\YDI Client Manager. Run the Set Up program.
2. The Splash screen will appear first. Choose Next to continue the installation or Cancel to terminate.
3. The Welcome screen will appear. Choose Next to continue the installation or Cancel to terminate.
4. The License Agreement screen will appear. Read the Agreement and click on I accept the terms in
the license agreement button, then choose Next to continue the installation. Choosing Cancel will
terminate the installation.
5. The Destination Folder screen will appear next. You can use the default location or press the
Change button to specify a different install location. Choose Next to continue the installation or
Cancel to terminate.
6. The Ready to Install the Program screen will appear displaying the current settings. If you want to
review or change any of your installation settings, click Back. Once you are satisfied with the
settings, click Install to begin the installation. You may also click Cancel to exit the wizard.
7. The InstallShield Wizard Completed screen will appear to indicate successful installation of the
Client Manager. Click Finish to complete the installation.
The latest software and Users Manuals can also be found at:
http://www.ydi.com/support/downloads.php, and
http://www.ydi.com/support/documents.php.

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3.2

Using the Client Manager

After completing the Client Manager installation, you are ready to configure your EtherAnt II system
(commonly referred to as EC). Begin at the Windows Start menu and choose Programs. You should
see a folder called YDI. Select this folder and click on Client Manager.
3.2.1

Select EC

The first screen to appear is the Select EC screen shown in Figure 3.1. This screen lists information
about any devices associated in your network. If there are no devices listed in the table, then you are not
connected. Click on the device you wish to configure. Press the Select button and you will be taken to
the General Information window for that device. The window will automatically update as an EC is
discovered. If an EC has been disconnected, the status for the EC will be changed to Offline. If any
user is logged in to an EC with the Client Manager, the status will change to Busy and no other user will
be given access to that EC. Once the logged in user logs out, the status will then reflect whether it is
online or offline.
A number of other functions can be performed using the buttons found at the bottom of the screen, as
described below.
Clear List This command will clear all ECs from the list. The program will automatically start scanning
for devices again.
Sort By A dropdown menu that allows you to list devices by Status, Direction, IP Address, MAC
Address, EC Name, Network Type, Network Name, Firmware, Password, or Serial Number. The default
setting for this function is Do Not Sort.
Advanced/Simple This button toggles between showing or hiding the advanced options for the
selected device.
Select Click this button after highlighting the EC you would like to select (you may do this, or doubleclick the desired EC). This will automatically take you to the General Information window for that device.
Cancel Click to exit this screen without selecting an EC.
Figure 3.1 Select EC Screen

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3.2.2

Select EC (Advanced Options)

If you click the Advanced button, the screen shown in Figure 3.2 appears and the Advanced button
toggles to Simple. The options on this screen perform the following functions:
All EC Selection Allows you to detect all ECs on both the local and wireless network.
Local EC Selection Allows you to detect only those devices within your local network. If un-checked,
the program will extend its search to include all ECs on the network.
Manual IP Selection Allows you to input an IP Address for a specific EC that may not have been
discovered in the scanning process.
Bulk Firmware Selection Allows you to select ECs to automatically update their firmware without user
intervention.
Use Grid for Selection This option allows you to select ECs for the Bulk Firmware Utility by way of the
selection Grid. All ECs selected will have their firmware updated to the desired firmware version.
Use IP Range for Selection This option allows you to select ECs for the Bulk Firmware Utility by way
of selecting a start and stop IP address. All ECs that have an IP address in this range will have their
firmware updated to the selected firmware version.
Firmware File This field will display all available firmware images that are located in the ImageData
folder, which can be found in the Install directory of the Client Manager. The most recent firmware image
will be automatically selected.
Common Password This field allows you to enter a password in the Bulk Firmware Utility that will be
used when logging in onto all of the ECs that you are updating. If a login fails due to a different password
or an internal error in communication, the unit will be skipped and a log entry will be entered into the log
file for that update.
Update When you press this button you start the bulk firmware upgrading process according to the
options selected.
Select EC Options This adjustable indicator allows to select up to five different choices for how the
Selection Window will search for ECs on the wired and wireless network. By default, the new selection will
be less aggressive than previous versions of the Client Manager.
NOTE:

Having an aggressive scan can cause units to continuously cycle between online and offline.

Show Extended Select EC Window If you check this box, the next time you scan for ECs the window
will enlarge to show all possible fields. If the box is unchecked, a reduced view of the window is shown.
This option is useful for small size screens.

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Figure 3.2 Select EC Screen (Advanced)

3.3

General Information Screen

The General Information screen is shown in Figure 3.3. Notice that there are two other buttons at the top
of this window, Configuration and Utilities. These buttons will be discussed later in this manual.
At the top of your screen there is a tool bar with several drop-down menu items available. They are: File,
Edit, View, Commands, Tools, and Help. The three buttons on the left (Scan, Save Settings, and Reload
Settings) are explained below. The four fields at the bottom of the screen, Host Computer Name, Host
Computer IP, Ethernet Converter Name, and Ethernet Converter IP, will also be discussed.
Scan Pressing this button will display the Select EC screen again, listing all of the devices that are
available to configure.
Save Settings Pressing this button will load all changed parameters into the associated EC.
Reload Settings Pressing this button will restore the parameters that are currently saved in the
associated EC.
3.3.1

General Information

The General Information screen automatically displays information about the connection with the device
you selected. The Status Bar at the bottom of the window should indicate Connected if you have a
connection. If the Status Bar reads Not Connected, then you are not connected with the device. Other
information displayed in this window includes:

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Figure 3.3 General Information Screen

Current EC Connection This read-only property displays whether the EC is currently associated with a
network. It will read either Not Associated, or Associated.
Network Name This read-only property displays the name of the network that the EC is currently
associated with.
Channel ID This read-only property displays the Channel ID of the network that the EC is currently
associated with.
Encryption This read-only property displays whether the EC currently has Encryption disabled or
enabled.
Network Type This read-only property displays the type of network that the EC is currently associated
with.
AP Name/Partner Name This read-only property displays the name of the 802.11b device that the EC
is currently associated with. If the attached EC is configured for Infrastructure Mode the field will show
the AP Name. If configured for Wireless Bridge Mode the field will show the Partner Name. If configured
for Peer-to-Peer Mode this field will not be visible.
Signal Strength This indicator appears as a horizontal bar that changes color depending on the
strength of your signal. Green means an excellent signal; yellow means a good signal; and red means a
poor signal. If configured for Peer-to-Peer Mode, this field will not be visible.
Immediately beneath this information appear the Serial Number, Model Name, Firmware Version and
Manufacturing Date for the device.
The bottom of the screen shows four fields that will contain information only if you have a connection.
These fields appear on every window in the software and include:
Host Computer Name This read-only property displays the name of the computer you are using.
Host Computer IP This read-only property displays the IP address of the computer you are using.

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Ethernet Converter Name This read-only property displays the name of the EC you are currently
connected to.
Ethernet Converter IP This read-only property displays the IP address of the EC you are currently
connected to.
3.3.2

Client Manager Tool Bar

Located at the top of every screen is the Client Manager Tool Bar. Described below are the commands
located on the tool bar and the drop-down menus found under each.
File Menu
Scan for ECs The Select EC screen will reappear listing all of the devices you are associated with
(same function as the Scan button to the left of the screen).
Write Configuration to File This command writes the EC configuration to a text file in your computer.
Print Configuration This command prints the active logged-in EC configuration.
Exit This command will shut down the Client Manager application.
Edit Menu
Several standard editor commands are available for your use. They are Cut, Copy and Paste.
View Menu
The drop-down menu under View lists all of the screens available in the Client Manager. Select the
screen you wish to go to and click. You can also switch easily between screens using the different
buttons available on your main window.
Commands Menu
Reset EC This command will request the attached EC to reset itself.
Get System Details This command will open a dialog box that allows you to view certain information
pertaining to the EC and PC Card inside the EC (Figure 3.4). The System Up Time is the length of time
that the EC has been running since the last reboot: the format is days:hours:minutes:seconds.
Figure 3.4 System Details

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Tools Menu
This screen contains two functions, Security Features and Options, described below in detail.
Security Features In this screen (Figure 3.5) you are able to set a new password, enable password
protection and control login dialog. There are two possible passwords that you can define: the
Read/Write Password gives users full rights to change the firmware or any configuration parameters. The
Read-Only Password allows a user to perform range testing without having permissions to change the
configuration, useful for operators or technicians who are not in charge of configuration tasks.
The two options for Login Dialog Control are Local Configuration and Wireless Configuration. If Local
Configuration is checked, the EC can be logged into directly through the Ethernet connection. If Wireless
Configuration is checked, the EC can be accessed via a Wireless Connection. At least one of these two
boxes must be checked. Click OK to save your entries.
Figure 3.5 Security Features

Figure 3.6 Options General

Options On this screen there are several tabs available:


Options General (Figure 3.6)
MAC Address Selection This allows you to determine which MAC Address the EC will use for
communication. The Current Setting is displayed on the window box. You may choose to Keep the
Current Setting.
If Use Dynamic MAC Address is clicked, the MAC Address of the most recently received Ethernet frame
from the Ethernet port will be used. Note: this setting disables Micro-routing.
If Use EC MAC Address is clicked, the internal MAC Address of the unit will be used (this is the default
setting). Note: this setting automatically enables Micro-routing in Infrastructure and Peer to Peer modes.
If Use PC Card MAC Address is clicked, the internal MAC Address of the 802.11b PCMCIA Card will be
used.
Show Disconnect Message If clicked, this option will display a message box when the attached EC
has been disconnected.
Show 128-bit Warning If clicked, this option will display a message box warning you, when configuring
the EC, to use a 128-bit WEP Encryption key.
Show IP Address Warning If clicked, this option will display a message box when a user tries to
configure an EC for an IP address that is out of the subnet of the Host computer running the Client

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Manager. The message will be telling the user of this difference in subnets. There are plenty of instances
where this is a legal configuration, so the warning message can be turned off by clearing this button.
Show Smoothed Link Test Results If clicked, this option will average the Link Test result information
over 5 sample periods (i.e., a smoother response).
Use Sound During Link Test If clicked, this option will produce different beeps at different frequencies
depending on the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the Station. This will allow the user to listen for changes
while adjusting the antenna position for maximum SNR.
Restore Options to Default Pressing this button will restore all options back to their programmed
defaults.
Options Ethernet (Figure 3.7)
Ethernet Mode This option allows you to change the data rate of the local Ethernet port (10 Mbps, Half
Duplex is the default setting).
Options PC Card (Figure 3.8)
PC Card Connection Speed This option allows you to change the data rate of the ECs internal
802.11b PCMCIA Card. The rates available will change according to the distance selected. Automatic
will change the speed of the card on the fly as different communication characteristics change (up to 11
Mbps).
Antenna Selection This option (only available for the Design-In model) allows the user to select which
antenna port on the 802.11b PCMCIA Card to use.
Figure 3.7 Options Ethernet

Figure 3.8 Options PC Card

Options Serial (Figure 3.9)


NOTE:
Although there is a tab for Serial port settings, the EtherAnt does not use a serial interface.
All screens for Serial settings should be ignored since they are not applicable. The Client
Manager grays this option out.

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Options Color (Figure 3.10)


Use Background Graphic If checked, the Background of the Client Manager will be set to the default
color. If un-checked, you may press the Background button to choose a custom color.
Restore Default Colors Press this button to return to the default color setting.
Help Menu
An HTML help file system is part of the Client Manager. This can be invoked following normal Windows
standards (F1 or Help->Contents menu item).
Figure 3.9 Options Serial
(Not Applicable, Ignore)

3.3.3

Figure 3.10 Options Color

Wizard Manager

The Wizard Manager screen (Figure 3.11) allows you to select a specific Wizard that will help you
configure and display specific information pertaining to the EC and the network the EC is currently
associated with.
Universal Configuration Wizard This Wizard is available in Release 3.0 and above of the Client
Manager. It is designed to help you configure one or two ECs from the default configuration to the
configuration that matches your needs. This includes the wireless and Ethernet settings.
Serial Configuration Wizard Although there is a Wizard for Serial configuration, the EtherAnt does not
use a serial interface. All screens for Serial settings should be ignored since they are not applicable. The
Client Manager grays this option out.
Wireless Bridge Wizard This Wizard is designed to help you configure a pair of Ethernet Converters
as a Wireless Bridge (Bridged) Network. This includes the wireless and Ethernet settings.
For detailed information about how to use each wizard to configure your EC(s) and the meaning of each
parameter on the different screens, Click F1 or the Help->Contents menu item. Under the Contents tab,
select Using the Wizard Manager. Many of the parameters used by the wizard are covered in the next
section (Configuration).

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Figure 3.11 Wizard Manager Screen

3.4

Configuration Screen

The Configuration screen features three buttons: Ethernet Configuration, Serial Configuration, and
Wireless Configuration.
3.4.1

Ethernet Configuration

This screen allows you to specify the parameters associated with the ECs local Ethernet connection
(refer to Figure 3.12).
Controller Name This field sets a user-friendly name you wish to assign to the EC (up to 32
characters).
MAC Address This read-only property displays the MAC Address of the EC you are currently
connected to.
IP Configuration This read-only field displays the type of IP configuration the EC is using. This will
show whether the EC is configured to use DHCP through the wireless interface (default value), DHCP
through the Ethernet interface, or a static IP address that is configured with the Client Manager.
Static IP Address This read-only field displays the IP address used for both local and wireless Ethernet
communication when the EC is configured to use a static IP address or a DHCP server can not be found.
Subnet Mask This read-only field displays the Subnet Mask used for both local and wireless Ethernet
communication when the EC is configured to use a static IP address or a DHCP server can not be found.
Gateway This read-only field displays the gateway used for both local and wireless Ethernet
communication when the EC is configured to use a static IP address or a DHCP server can not be found.
Change IP Information This button opens up a dialog box used to configure the IP information (see
Fig. 3.13). The dialog box allows you to choose your IP configuration. You need to choose an IP address,
subnet mask, and gateway even if you are using DHCP for the case in which a DHCP server can not be

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found. You will only need to enter the IP address of your gateway for very specific configurations that are
not yet supported by the EC. Therefore, you can leave this field blank or set to 0.0.0.0.
Figure 3.12 Ethernet Configuration

Figure 3.13 IP Configuration

Automatically Search for Unknown Ethernet Addresses (ARP) If this checkbox is checked, any IP
packets that are received on the wireless side that have MAC addresses unknown to the EC will cause
the EC to first send an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) message out the Ethernet side to find the
correct route for that packet. If the checkbox is unchecked, you will need to tell the EC what the default
route is by filling in a MAC address in the Default Address textbox.
Default Address This field sets the default MAC address that the EC uses to forward any IP packets
that are received on the wireless side having MAC addresses unknown to the EC (only if the previous
checkbox is unchecked).
3.4.2

Serial Configuration

Although there is an option for Serial configuration, the EtherAnt does not use a serial interface. All
screens for Serial settings should be ignored since they are not applicable. The Client Manager grays this
option out.
3.4.3

Wireless Configuration

This screen allows you to specify the parameters associated with the ECs wireless connection (refer to
Figure 3.14).
Current Profile This field allows you to select the profile name that identifies the settings for your
network. You can add, edit, or delete profiles. A profile is a combination of settings that you can define
and then use over and over.
Profile Name This field represents an arbitrary identifier for each configuration profile you create (up to
32 characters). The value in this field is for convenience in identifying multiple configuration profiles in the
Client Manager. You should use a descriptive name that has relevance to your particular network
environment. Up to 1000 profiles may be stored within the Client Manager database. This database is
preserved when the Client Manager is upgraded.

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Figure 3.14 Wireless Configuration

Network Type This field allows you to select the type of network that you will be connecting to. The
options from the drop-down menu are: Infrastructure if you are connecting to an Access Point, Peer-toPeer if you are setting up an Ad Hoc group, or Wireless Bridge if you are setting up a wireless (bridged)
network. Note: Wireless Bridge mode disables Micro-routing.
Network Name This field allows you to enter the Network Name (or Extended Service Set Identifier,
ESSID) that is set in your AP or the one that you will use to establish an Ad Hoc group. The Network
Name is used to specify a unique IEEE 802.11 wireless network. Wireless stations use the Network
Name to associate. Only devices with the same Network Name will associate with each other.
Alphanumeric values may be used in this field (up to 32 characters). A Network Name of Any may be
used in Infrastructure mode to associate with any open AP.
Encryption Enabled If checked, this allows you to define the encryption keys that the EC should use to
encrypt and decrypt data that will be transmitted via the wireless interface as shown in Figure 3.15. If not
checked, the Encryption function will be disabled.
Channel ID This field allows you to set the Channel to use for wireless communication. This field only
applies to Peer-to-Peer and Wireless Bridge modes. When in Infrastructure mode, the EC will
automatically scan each channel for the AP.
Partner Name This field allows you to specify which EC you will be creating a wireless bridge with.
This field only applies to Wireless Bridge mode.
Distance This field allows you to set the range of communication between two ECs in a Wireless Bridge
environment only. Select Normal Range for links less than 12 miles, or Extended Range for links greater
than 12 miles.

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Figure 3.15 Encryption Enabled Screen

Encryption Keys 1 through 4 These buttons will bring up a configuration window that allows you to set
up an encryption key (see Figure 3.16).
Use Key This field allows you to choose which key to use for encryption.
Encryption Type This field allows you to specify whether to use a 64-bit or a 128-bit encryption key.
For a 128-bit encryption key use a 26-character hex key or a 13-character alphanumeric key. For 64-bit
encryption key, use a 10 character hex key or a 5 character alphanumeric key.
Encryption Formats The two formats used to develop encryption keys include hexadecimal or
alphanumeric. Whichever format you choose, the key that you enter is used in an encryption algorithm to
encode the data that you send. Only another wireless card using the same key can decode and receive
the data. Hexadecimal values are composed of the NULL character (0x00), 0-9, A-F and a-f.
Alphanumeric values are composed of all printable ASCII characters.
Figure 3.16 Configure Encryption Key

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CAUTION

NOTE:

Encryption keys must be the same for all wireless stations. If you dont
use the right key, you can establish a radio connection with another station
on your network, but you will not be able to send/receive data. All units
must conform to the least common denominator within the entire network.

Any updated configuration settings will be retained even when the EC is powered off. You
can then attach the EC unit to another device using the parameters you have already set.
That device will not need to have the Client Manager installed because the settings are
stored in the non-volatile memory of the EC.

3.5

Utilities Screen

3.5.1

Diagnostic Utility

The Diagnostic Utility Screen is invaluable for checking the reliability of the radio link. If you are
associated with an YDI or ORiNOCO compatible WLAN card in an Access Point or EC, you will also see
the signal levels of your Partner, typically the Access Point (refer to Figure 3.17).
Station Name The name of the EC that you are connected to.
SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) The ratio measuring the difference between the signal level and the noise
level.
Signal Level This bar-field displays the amount of signal (in dB) communicated from the Partner EC.
Noise Level This bar-field displays the amount of ambient interference (in dB) in the wireless
environment.
Figure 3.17 Diagnostic Utility Screen

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Partner Name The name of the EC that you are communicating with.
SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) The ratio measuring the difference between the signal level and the noise
level.
Signal Level This bar-field displays the amount of signal (in dB) communicated from the EC you are
connected to.
Noise Level This bar-field displays the amount of ambient interference (in dB) in the wireless
environment.
Sample Time This field sets the time interval between diagnostic readings.
Clear Clicking this button will clear the statistics displayed on the screen.
As diagnostic packets are received, the diagnostic utility screen will update the number of successfully
received packets at each specified rate.
These signal levels are also very useful for aiming the antenna. Adjust the aim such that you get the best
signal strength with the highest possible SNR. The signal levels appear as horizontal bars that change
colors depending on the strength of your signal. Green means an excellent signal; yellow means a good
signal; and red means a poor signal.
If the Partner is an amplified base station, the weakest link will be the SNR of your signal into it.
3.5.2

Flash Utility Screen

This screen allows you to control the update process of the flash memory of your EC (see Figure 3.18).
Firmware Image File This field will display all available firmware images that are located in the
ImageData folder, which can be found in the Install directory of the Client Manager. The most recent
firmware image will be automatically selected.
Update Firmware When you press this button you start the firmware upgrading process. A Flash
Update Progress Screen (Figure 3.19) will appear showing the different steps as they take place. After
the update process ends successfully, the CM will issue a reset command to the EC that will cause the
new program image to be loaded into RAM, and return to the Flash Utility Screen. The Firmware Image
File should reflect the latest version that has been just upgraded.
If the update process fails, the CM displays a warning message clearly stating that the update has failed.
The user should then attempt to log back in via the CM and re-run the update process. After the process
is done and verified, the CM will issue a reset command to the EC that will cause the new program image
to be loaded into RAM, and return to the Select EC Screen. The Firmware Image File should reflect the
latest version that has been just upgraded.
Restore Factory Defaults If checked, this box will replace any changes made by the user with the
defaults programmed from the factory.
Periodically, new firmware will be available for this device. When it is available, the Flash Utility Screen is
used to load the new firmware. Simply follow the instructions in the center of the screen, and they will
guide you through this process.
The latest firmware can be found at: www.ydi.com/support/downloads.php . (Firmware and Client
Manager software are distributed together to ensure synchronized capability and features for smoother
operation.

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CAUTION

Do not ignore a warning message if the update process fails: this will cause
the firmware to load a faulty image into RAM.
If you power-cycle or turn the unit off after a faulty update, it will cause
the EC to fail and require the unit to be sent back to factory for repair.
Always log back in via the CM and re-run the update process as many times
as needed until it is successful before removing power or power-cycling the
unit.

Figure 3.18 Flash Utility Screen

Figure 3.19 Flash Update Progress Screen

3.6

Removing the Program

Prior to installing a newer version of the Client Manager program you will need to remove any older
versions. Follow these steps:
1. Under the Start button on your desktop, go to Settings.
2. Click on Control Panel.
3. Choose Add/Remove Programs.
4. Select Client Manager.
5. The software will uninstall itself.

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Appendix A - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


1. My EC keeps locking up and I need to cycle the DC power to it to bring it back. What is wrong?
There were a number of bugs discovered that would cause behavior such as this under certain
circumstances. To solve this problem, you need to upgrade your firmware to Version 3.06 or greater.
These issues have been resolved in this release. You can download the firmware from our Web site:
http://www.ydi.com/support/downloads.php
2. What is the Micro-routing feature built into the EC?
The EC can support up to 253 Class "C" IP devices through a process called micro-routing. The algorithm
maintains an auto-indexed IP to MAC address table by inspecting each received 802.3 Ethernet frame.
Thereafter, the EC's local MAC address is superimposed as the source address field within the frame
prior to transmitting it on the wireless (802.11b) network. Whenever a wireless (802.11b) frame is
received, the algorithm inspects the IP address and re-maps the associated MAC address into the
destination field of the frame. Finally, the source address field within the frame is replaced with the ECs
local MAC address prior to transmitting it on the Ethernet network.
3. What do I need to do to flash upgrade the EC?
First off, check your current version. If it is 2.3 and earlier, then you will need to make sure the IP subnet
of your computer matches the IP subnet assigned to the EC, and you will also need to have a direct
Ethernet connection to it. (i.e., you are not trying to flash it wirelessly or on a heavily loaded network.)
To flash upgrade, download and install the latest Bridge/Client Manager (be sure to uninstall any previous
versions before installing the new one). Select your EC in the scan window. Once it is connected and
initialized go to Utilities, and then go to Flash Utility. Make sure the latest version of firmware is displayed
in the box, then click the Upgrade Firmware button. A dialogue box should appear displaying progress.
NOTE: If you get a failure message, do not power cycle the EC. Instead just keep trying the upgrade until
it goes through. Change the IP address on your PC if necessary. If the power to the EC is removed
before the update is completed successfully, then it will reboot with trashed ROM image, which can only
be fixed at our facilities.
4. Why can I not log on Bridge/Client Manager?
Only one Bridge/Client Manager Login is allowed at a time. The manager program will not allow two users
to log on simultaneously.
5. Why does my EC seem to reduce its transfer speed sometimes?
Transfer Speed is reduced when the Bridge/Client Manager is logged into an EC (approx. 25%). You
should not leave the manager program logged in continually. The program was designed to configure
and test the EC. It is not recommended that you leave it logged in during normal operations: a substantial
reduction in data transfer performance approx. 25% will be experienced when the Bridge/Client
Manager is logged into an EC.
6. The settings of a Profile do not match what I previously entered.
If multiple ECs contain the same Profile Name, but different Profile settings, the Bridge/Client Manager
will inherit the settings of the last EC to which it was connected.
7. Why do I lose my WEP keys?
Previously stored WEP keys will be lost when re-configuring an EC (via any wizard).
8. Im entering information in a field of the Bridge/Client Manager and the program does not
recognize it. Whats wrong?
When entering information into the various fields of the Bridge/Client Manager, be aware that those fields
are case-sensitive (upper/lower-case).

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9. The changes I implemented to my EC configuration do not show.


Any changes made to the configuration of an EC will not be stored in the EC until you save the changes
using the Save Settings button.
10. How long does it take to an EC to re-associate with a new Access Point (or Wireless Link)?
The EC may take up to 15 seconds to automatically scan and re-associate with a new Access Point (or
Wireless Link) when the primary association has been lost due to marginal link conditions.
11. What happens if a targeted AP (or Partner) is not discovered?
When configured for Infrastructure mode (or Wireless Bridge mode), if the targeted AP (or Partner) is not
discovered the EC will revert to Peer Group mode after approximately 15 seconds. Thereafter, the EC will
re-scan for the target every 4 seconds.
12. How many devices can be attached to the EC if I use the Dynamic MAC Address selection?
When configuring an EC to use Dynamic MAC Address, make sure that only one device is attached to the
Ethernet port (RJ45). There are very few instances where you will ever want to use Dynamic MAC. This
mode disables the Micro-routing feature.
13. Why do my client devices keep wandering off for Access Points?
When configuring your APs with the Orinoco AP Manager, under the "Wireless Interface -> Advanced"
tab there is a parameter called "Distance Between APs". This parameter needs to be set to the default
value of "Large", meaning there are not many APs covering the area. This keeps client devices from
easily wandering off looking for other APs if there is any kind of transient interference.
The settings Medium or Small distance between access points require an excellent quality of radio
communications throughout the entire wireless coverage area. In environments where the actual
placement of access points was designed to obtain maximum wireless coverage with a minimum number
of APs, changing the distance between access points from Large to Medium or Small will not yield better
results. Adversely, doing so might seriously affect the roaming performance of your wireless stations,
risking network communication errors caused by out-of-range situations.
Be also aware that the setting for distance between access points must be the same for all APs in your
wireless network. A mismatch in the configuration setting for this parameter may have unpredictable
performance results for wireless (mobile) stations in your network.
14. Bridge/Client Manager scans for ECs and when it finds one and I select it, by using the Select
button or double-clicking on it, instead of opening the main window it starts scanning for ECs
again repeating this cycle indefinitely. Whats wrong?
There are several possible causes for this. First, the Bridge/Client Manager uses both UDP and TCP to
connect to the EA, so if there is anything on the computer that is blocking either of them then there will be
a problem. Typically if the EA does show up in the scan this is not the case, however there are
exceptions. Firewall software is the primary culprit in these cases so make sure there is none running on
your computer, including XP's built-in firewall which could be on without you knowing.
The Bridge/Client Manager will manipulate your routing table in order to allow you to connect to the EC no
matter what IP subnet it is on. If this mechanism fails for any reason you can run into this problem.
Specifying an IP on your computer within the same IP subnet as the EC will often solve this (test your
connection by pinging it).
In a couple of rare cases, problems with the drivers of the Ethernet interface on the computer caused
problems. Updating the drivers fixes the problem.
If it is only one EC that is causing the problem, see if you can get it to associate to an AP, then you could
probably get into it from a remote connection. Perhaps a restore to defaults would bring it back to life.
Also, make sure that you are running the latest version of Bridge/Client Manager.

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15. When I log in on my system management station under Windows 2000 (or XP) and I start
Bridge/Client Manager v3.09 I get the error message: Failed to log on. This didnt happen
with previous versions of the program. Whats wrong?
The latest version of the Bridge/Client Manager (v3.09) incorporates an automatic ARP Table Entry
kernel system call to speed-up the connection process and minimize ARP request traffic. Since this
interacts with operating system resources in ways that previous versions did not, the computer you are
using to run the program must have appropriate permissions. Specifically, if you log in on a Windows
2000 or XP station you must do so with power-user or higher privileges, otherwise you will get the error
mentioned above when you try to run the Bridge/Client Manager from that station.
16. Im running Bridge/Client Manager on a Windows XP computer. Initially it has been working
fine but with time it stops scanning for ECs. Whats the problem?
Check if you have a third-party application add-on called Deterministic Network Enhancer installed
under Windows XP. Its purpose is to filter Ethernet packets. This may lead to some unwanted filtering
since the service will eventually remove the EC replies to the Bridge/Client Manager. If this is the case,
uninstalling the application and rebooting the PC afterwards will solve the problem.
17. I have an EtherAnt-II mounted on the same mast as a TV antenna. When I operate the unit,
lines appear in my TV set. How can I fix this?
The only way is to move the EtherAnt-II away from the TV antenna since the electronics in the device are
emitting weak spurious signals that the TV antenna is picking up because they are so close. Experiment
with distance until you get a better reception.

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