Manual:Interface/W60G

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Version.png

Applies to RadioOS: v6.43.4+

Summary

Package: system,wireless

CableFree radios using 60GHz V-Band Technology are designed for Point to Point (P2P) and Point to Multipoint (P2MP) Deployments.

Includes an advanced 802.11ad implementation capable of providing Gigabit Ethernet speeds over a wireless network.

These devices allow you to extend your Gigabit network over a transparent AES encrypted wireless 60GHz link.

General interface properties

Sub-menu: /interface w60g

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Warning: CableFree 60GHz Link pair bundles come in pre-configured, connected pairs. Manual configuration is optional


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Warning: In RadioOS versions older than 6.41 operating modes are called Master and Slave


Property Description
arp (disabled | enabled | proxy-arp | reply-only; Default: enabled) Read more >>
arp-timeout (auto | integer; Default: auto) ARP timeout is time how long ARP record is kept in ARP table after no packets are received from IP. Value auto equals to the value of arp-timeout in /ip settings, default is 30s
comment (string; Default: ) Short description of the interface
disabled (yes | no; Default: yes) Whether interface is disabled
frequency (58320 | 60480 | 62640 | 64800 | 66000 | auto; Default: auto) Frequency used in communication (Only active on master device)
isolate-stations (yes | no; Default: yes) Don't allow communication between connected clients (from RadioOS 6.41)
l2mtu (integer [0..7882]; Default: 1600) Layer2 Maximum transmission unit
mac-address (MAC; Default: ) MAC address of the radio interface
mode (ap-bridge | bridge | sniff | station-bridge; Default: bridge) Operation mode
mtu (integer [32..8192]; Default: 1500) Layer3 Maximum transmission unit
name (string; Default: wlan60-1) Name of the interface
password (string; Default: randomly generated) Password used for AES encryption
put-stations-in-bridge (; Default: ) Put newly created slave interfaces in this bridge
scan-list (58320,60480,62640,64800,66000; Default: 58320,60480,62640,64800) Scan list to limit connectivity over frequencies in station mode
ssid (string (0..32 chars); Default: value of System Identity) SSID (service set identifier) is a name that identifies wireless network
tx-sector (integer [0..63] | auto; Default: auto) Disables beamforming and locks to selected radiation pattern


Sub-menu: /interface w60g print stats

Provides more detailed information about Beaforming occurrences and some debug information:

/interface w60g print stats
                 name:  wlan60-1
    beamforming-event:       310
           tx-io-msdu:         0
           tx-sw-msdu:   154 663
           tx-fw-msdu:       102
              tx-ppdu:   220 147
       tx-ppdu-from-q:    40 327
          tx-mpdu-new:   154 663
        tx-mpdu-total:   184 759
        tx-mpdu-retry:    30 096
              rx-ppdu:   166 636
      rx-mpdu-crc-err:     4 817
       rx-mpdu-crc-ok:   285 649

Station interface properties

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Warning: Master device requires License level 4 (click for more information) to support more than one connected client


From RadioOS 6.41 - Point To Multi Point support is added.

There are several important changes and improvements in later versions. Please always upgrade to latest versions!

Connected clients are treated as individual interfaces, after successful connection new station interface is created.

After update default configuration still works - newly created station interface is moved to default bridge.

Sub-menu: /interface w60g station

Property Description
parent (string; Default: wlan60-*) Parent interface name
put-in-bridge (none | parent | bridge-name; Default: parent) Add slave interface to specific bridge
remote-address (MAC; Default: matches master interface MAC) MAC address of master interface, station is connecting to

Scan

/interface w60g scan wlan60-1

Scan command searches for and displays available AP(s) in the frequency range supported by the W60G interface.

Using scan command the interface operation is disabled (wireless link is disconnected during the scan operation)

Currently it is impossible to do background scans.

Monitor

/interface w60g monitor wlan60-1
       connected: yes
       frequency: 58320
  remote-address: 04:D6:AA:AA:AA:AA
             mcs: 8
        phy-rate: 2.3Gbps
          signal: 80
            rssi: -68
       tx-sector: 28
  tx-sector-info: center
        distance: 160.9m


Monitor shows current state of active connection. Distance measurement tool provides very precise distance measurements. "tx-sector-info" (feature in testing stage) provides information from currently used beamforming pattern and shows direction to center - theoretical highest power output point.

Align

/interface w60g align wlan60-1
             connected: yes
             frequency: 58320
        remote-address: 04:D6:AA:AA:AA:AB
                tx-mcs: 6
           tx-phy-rate: 1540.0Mbps
                signal: 70
                  rssi: -62
      10s-average-rssi: -63.1
             tx-sector: 62
        tx-sector-info: left 19 degrees, up 26.6 degrees
             rx-sector: 96
              distance: 220.88m
  tx-packet-error-rate: 5%

In align mode frames between two devices are exchanged more rapidly and information about signal quality is displayed more often. Use "rssi", "10s-average-rssi" and "tx-sector-info" (available from 6.44beta39) values for more precise link alignment. When devices enter align mode - link is lost for few seconds.

Point to Multi Point setup example

All CableFree devices can be interconnected. There are different versions of the CableFree V-Band 60GHz devices currently available:

  • Mesh Base Unit (with up to 4 radios of 60GHz inside)
  • Single Radio 60GHz sector with up to 60 degree beamforming antenna
  • Single Radio 60GHz sector with up to 180 degree beamforming antenna array
  • CableFree High Gain 60GHz radios - suited for Point to Point or high gain / long range CPE

Internally these devices share a common platform, but there are some software limitations -

CableFree 60G AP is designed for Access Point usage in PtMP (Point to Multi Point) setups, but can be also used as PtP (Point to Point) or as Station device. It is shipped complete with a level4 license for more than one connected client support More about Licenses

CableFree 60GHz Point to Point kit, CableFree 60GHz CPE devices devices comes with level3 license. CableFree High Gain 60GHz radios dish should be only used as Client device due to the narrow beamwidth which makes it unsuitable for Point to Multipoint operation.

License upgrade is needed to unlock more than one simultaneously connected client in Access Point mode, but devices can connect to Access Points as regular Station devices.

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Warning: Before configuration, make sure devices are running latest software versions: How to upgrade


Minimal configuration for transparent wireless link is matching SSID, correct mode (bridge || station-bridge) and Wireless and Ethernet interfaces put in same bridge.

In current example we will look at usage case where CF-60G AP is used as Access Point, CF-60G and High Gain devices are used as Station devices, forming 4 unit network.

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Warning: It's recommended to change default IP addresses to avoid connection issues to the devices


CF-60G AP units come pre-configured with WISP Bridge default configuration

SSID and bridge between Wireless and Ethernet interfaces is already configured. It's recommended to set up Wireless password and change SSID. If device has been reset, you can also set correct mode and enable interface.

One liner that does all previously mentioned steps:

/interface w60g set wlan60-1 password="put_your_safe_password_here" ssid="put_your_new_ssid_here" disabled=no mode=ap-bridge

CableFree High Gain 60GHz and CF-AP60G units come pre-configured with PTP Bridge default configuration.

CableFree High Gain 60GHz devices have already randomly generated matching SSID and Wireless password.

Bridge device (Master or Access point device with one connected client support) needs Wireless mode change to station-bridge.

One liner that can be used to set devices in client mode:

/interface w60g set wlan60-1 password="put_your_safe_password_here" ssid="put_your_new_ssid_here" disabled=no mode=station-bridge

If configuration is done from empty configuration (reset without default configuration) -

new bridge needs to be created containing Wireless and Ethernet interfaces and IP address for easy access should be added.

{
/interface bridge 
add name=bridge1
/interface bridge port
add bridge=bridge1 interface=ether1
add bridge=bridge1 interface=wlan60-1
/ip address 
add address=192.168.88.1/24 interface=bridge1
}

For Access Point add this line to ensure all connected stations will be put in same bridge.

/interface w60g set wlan60-1 put-stations-in-bridge=bridge1

After successful connection for each Client device new entry will appear on Access Point device under:

/interface w60g station print

Flags: X - disabled, R - running 
 0   name="wlan60-station-1" parent=wlan60-1 remote-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AA:AA mtu=1500 mac-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AA:AB arp=enabled arp-timeout=auto put-in-bridge=parent
 0   name="wlan60-station-2" parent=wlan60-1 remote-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AB:AA mtu=1500 mac-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AA:AC arp=enabled arp-timeout=auto put-in-bridge=parent
 0   name="wlan60-station-3" parent=wlan60-1 remote-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AC:AA mtu=1500 mac-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AA:AD arp=enabled arp-timeout=auto put-in-bridge=parent
 0   name="wlan60-station-4" parent=wlan60-1 remote-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AD:AA mtu=1500 mac-address=AA:AA:AA:AA:AA:AE arp=enabled arp-timeout=auto put-in-bridge=parent

For each client separate settings can be applied (queues, VLANS, Firewall rules, etc) providing more flexibility in configuration.

To limit client-client communication in same bridge isolate-stations option can be used on Access Point device:

/interface w60g set wlan60-1 isolate-stations=yes

Troubleshooting and Recommendations

Physical Properties

Atmospheric attenuation for the wireless frequencies used in 802.11ad standard is very high, this should be taken in account before deploying links.

The CableFree P2P 60GHz links have been tested in distances up to 200 meters.

CableFree High Gain 60GHz is tested at distances up to 2500 meters For stability and full speed availability this kit is recommended for distances up to 1500 meters.

CF-AP60G devices are equipped with phase array 60° beamforming antennas, that can help signal find the way around objects in short distances but it's still vital to keep the line of sight clear on higher distances.

CableFree High Gain 60GHz device single radiation pattern is less than 1 degree (both Horizontal and Vertical), All patterns combined provide close to 3 degree coverage in both Horizontal and Vertical planes, best one for each situation is calculated by using beamforming algorithm. Beam width and direction depends on used predefined calibrated sector.

Connection issues

In order to connect devices they need to be in direct visibility, "scan-list" on client device needs to include "frequency" used on AP device. CableFree High Gain 60GHz devices require very precise alignment in order to get best performance in higher distances.

SNMP OIDs for monitoring

From RadioOS>=6.42rc6 SNMP support for W60G interface monitoring is added

For main interfaces:
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.2.1  integer  Mode
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.3.1  string   SSID
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.4.1  integer  Connected status
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.5.1  string   Remote MAC
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.6.1  integer  Frequency
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.7.1  integer  MCS
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.8.1  integer  Signal quality
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.9.1  integer  tx-sector
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.11.1 string   Sector info
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.12.1 integer  RSSI
1.3.6.1.4.1.14988.1.1.1.8.1.13.1 gauge32  PHY rate

station interfaces will be numbered forward starting from this point
1.1.1.8(+1).1.6.1  integer  Frequency
...
etc

More information about SNMP functionality and MIB files can be found in the SNMP page

Configuration Reset For CableFree 60G V-Band Links

This procedure is normally reserved for factory configuration only An internal Reset button has same functionality as on other devices, explained in detail here

5 second button hold on startup (USR LED light starts flashing) - resets to password protected state.

10 second button hold on startup (USR LED turns solid after flashing) - completely removes configuration.

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Warning: After complete removal of configuration, only mac-telnet connection may be established



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