Stratix 5100 Wireless Access Point/Workgroup Bridge 5
Rockwell Automation Publication 1783-PC007D-EN-P - February 2017
Ethernet Cable Recommendation
While the Stratix 5100 WAP works well with the CAT-5e cable for 10/100 MB installations, we recommend that you
use CAT-6a cable for 1 GB installations.
External Antennas
The Stratix 5100 WAP is configured with up to four external dual-band dipole antennas, and 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
dual-band radios in a 3 x 4 multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) configuration with three spatial streams. The
radios and antennas support frequency bands 2400…2500 MHz and 5150…5850 MHz through a common
dual-band RF interface.
Antenna Cable Recommendation
Keep antenna cable runs as short as possible. Cisco offers low loss (LL) and ultralow loss (ULL) cables which have the
same characteristics as Times Microwave LMR-400 and LMR-600. When drilling holes for cable, allow for the size of
connector drill bit, typically15.8750 mm (5/8 in.).
Cisco cables carry the part number AIR-CAB (Aironet Cable) and then a length. For example, a 20 ft length of LL cable
with RP-TNC connector is Cisco AIR-CAB-020LL-R. These heavy black cables are not plenum rated and are primarily for
use in manufacturing areas.
Access Point Spacing Recommendation
If you have a Wi-Fi device such as a WAP and want to use another WAP in the vicinity on a different channel, space the
WAPs approximately 2 m (6 ft) apart. This recommended distance is based on the assumption that both devices
operate in the unlicensed band and do not transmit RF energy more than 23 dB, that is, 200 mW. If higher power is
used, space farther apart. Avoid clustering the WAPs or the antennas from different WAPs together because
performance can be degraded.
If you have other devices that transmit, follow these instructions.
1. Move or separate the devices as far apart as reasonable.
This is especially important if they operate in the same frequency ranges; for example, frequency hopping legacy
WAPs or other devices operate just below or above the 2.4 Ghz and 5 GHz band.
2. Check for interference.
3. Test both types of devices simultaneously under heavy use (load).
4. Characterize each system independently to see whether degradation exists.
IDF Closets (Telecommunications or Other Electrical Equipment)
When installing WAPs near other electrical or telecommunications equipment, keep all wiring and metal away from
the antennas, and avoid placing the antennas near electrical lines. Do not route electrical wiring or Ethernet cabling in
the near field 38 cm (15 in.) of the antenna, and try not to install the WAP in an electrical closet. Local fire and safety
regulations can require you to use a plenum-rated cable if your antenna cables come from an electrical closet.
Remember that the best place for the WAP is as close to its users.
Very High Altitudes
While not defined in the specification sheet for the Stratix 5100 WAPs, the units have passed functional checks after a
non-operational altitude test of 25 °C @ 4572 m (77 °F @ 15,000 ft) was performed. Additionally, the units passed a
functional test during an operational altitude test of 40 °C @ 3000 m (104 °F @ 9843 ft). All units in the test group were
connected to at least one WLAN client and were monitored for continual operation passing traffic, with constant ping
testing throughout the operational altitude test.
Common or Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
Due to the dual-band nature of the antenna system on the Stratix 5100 WAP along with key features such as ClientLink
2.0 beamforming, the Stratix 5100 WAP is not recommended for deployments on distributed antenna systems (DAS).
Rockwell Automation does not certify, endorse, or provide RF support for Wi-Fi deployments over any DAS.
The DAS vendor and systems integrator are solely responsible for the support of the DAS products, adequate RF
coverage, and any RF-related issues. This support includes, but is not exclusive to, location accuracy, RF coverage,
roaming issues related to RF, multipath issues, and scalability.
The DAS vendor and system integrators are responsible for understanding that the deployed DAS system meets the
requirements of all customer Wi-Fi devices and applications over the DAS system.
Verify Connections
Follow these instructions to verify that all devices are properly connected to the WAP.
1. Turn on all connected devices.
2. Check the status indicators.
3. Use the status indicators to verify the wireless access-point operation.
4. Use the Stratix 5100 Device Manager software to configure your device.
You can expect small variations in color intensity and hue from unit to unit. The variations are within the normal range
of the status indicator specifications and are not an anomaly.
Supported Cisco Antennas
Antenna
(Cisco part number)
Antenna Gain
(dBi)
Antenna Gain
Parameter to be
configured in CLI
interface (dBi)
Description
2.4 GHz 5 GHz 2.4 GHz 5 GHz
AIR-ANT2524DG-R
(shipped with product)
2 4 4 8 Dual-resonant gray dipole
AIR-ANT2524V4C-R 2 4 4 8 Dual-resonant, ceiling-mount omni (4 pack)
AIR-ANT2544V4M-R 4 4 8 8 Dual-resonant omni (4 pack)
AIR-ANT2566P4W-R 6 6 12 12 Dual-resonant directional antenna (4 pack)
To comply with RF exposure limits, locate the antennas at a minimum of 20 cm (7.9 in.) or more
from the body of all persons. Antennas must be mounted indoors only.
While Rockwell Automation, Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and Cisco field teams do not
provide support for RF issues that arise in a Cisco WLAN used over a DAS, they provide support for
non-RF related issues observed with the Stratix 5100 Wireless Access Point according to the
customer support agreement.
Status Indicator Descriptions
Message Type Status Indicator Description
Boot loader status
sequence
Blinking green DRAM memory test in progress
DRAM memory test OK
Board initialization in progress
Initializing FLASH file system
FLASH memory test OK
Initializing Ethernet
Ethernet OK
Starting Cisco IOS
Initialization successful
Association status Green Normal operating condition, but no wireless client
associated
Blue Normal operating condition, at least one wireless
client association
Operating status Blinking blue Software upgrade in progress
Cycling through green,
red, and off
Discovery/join process in progress
Rapidly cycling through
blue, green, and red
Access point location command invoked
Blinking red Ethernet link not operational
Boot loader warnings Blinking blue Configuration recovery in progress, MODE button
pushed for 2…3 s
Red Ethernet failure or image recovery, MODE button
pushed for 20…30 s
Blinking green Image recovery in progress, MODE button released
Boot loader errors Red DRAM memory test failure
Blinking red and blue FLASH file system failure
Blinking red and off Environment variable failure
Bad MAC address
Ethernet failure during image recovery
Boot environment failure
No Cisco image file
Boot failure
Cisco IOS errors Red Software failure; try disconnecting and reconnecting
unit power
Cycling through blue,
green, red, and off
General warning; insufficient in-line power
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