The ComNet NetWave is a series of industrially hardened wireless Ethernet transmission links designed for robust outdoor point-to-point and point-to-multipoint applications. These devices serve as either an Ethernet User Interface or an Access Point, capable of supporting multiple Ethernet endpoints and connecting to a central Access Point. The NetWave Radios are designed to provide up to 500Mbps with fast radio using MIMO Technology, ensuring optimal installation and operation. The NW1, NW2, and NW9 family of radios support 802.3af/at PoE, while the NWK11/M Kit only accepts Passive PoE. The devices operate on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz NetWave Radios.
Technical Specifications:
The NetWave series includes various models, each with specific datasheets:
- NW1[IC] Datasheet
- NW2 Datasheet
- NW1DR[IC] Datasheet
- NW9[IC,E] Datasheet
- NWK1[IC] Datasheet
- NWK2 Datasheet
- NWK1DR[IC] Datasheet
- NWK9[IC,E] Datasheet
- NWK11/M[IC] Datasheet
The devices are powered via PoE, with Passive PoE (24 - 48 VDC) for the NWK11/M Radios and 802.3af/at PoE for other models. The maximum length of the RJ-45 CAT5 cable is 90 meters. The radio output power can be up to 20dBm for higher power radio upgrade to higher rating power adapter.
Operating System:
The NetWave devices run on a Linux kernel, providing a full-featured, easily modifiable operating system. It offers a user-friendly LuCI web interface for configuration.
Web Browser Compatibility:
The web interface is accessible via Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 or above.
Wireless Specifications:
The devices support 802.11n radio. The wireless parameters include:
- SSID: Configurable (e.g., Netwave-R&D)
- Encryption: WPA2 PSK (CCMP)
- Mode: Master-WDS (for AP Mode), Client-WDS (for Client Mode)
- Channel: Configurable (e.g., 36 (5.180 GHz))
- Bitrate: Up to 300 Mbit/s
- MAC-Address: Unique identifier
- BSSID: Unique identifier
- ACK Timeout: Configurable in microseconds
- DFS Status: Enabled/Disabled (for AP mode, automatically switches channel if radar is detected)
- TX-CCQ: Displays transmission quality in %.
- RX Rate: Shows the receive bit rate of this station.
- TX Rate: Shows the transmit bit rate of this station.
Network Configuration:
- IP Address: Default 192.168.10.101.
- Subnet Mask: Default 255.255.255.0.
- Gateway: Default 192.168.10.1.
- DNS Servers: Configurable (e.g., 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS server).
- DHCP: Supports DHCP client and server. Static leases can be configured.
- Interfaces: Supports LAN and WAN interfaces.
- Protocols: Supports DHCP, PPTP, PPPoE, L2TP.
- Advanced Settings: Includes MAC address override, MTU override, gateway metric, broadcast flag, default gateway, DNS servers, client ID, and vendor class.
- Physical Settings: Enable Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).
Usage Features:
Installation and Configuration:
The NetWave devices are designed for easy installation and configuration through a web-based graphical user interface (GUI).
- Physical Connection: Connect an Ethernet cable from the port labeled as IN on the Power Injection Module to either a laptop or a PC LAN port. For the OUT port, connect a second Ethernet cable to the NetWave LAN port.
- Power Supply: Apply 48 VDC to the Power Injection Module. The green LED on the Power Injection Module and the power LED on the NetWave unit will illuminate.
- IP Address Setup: Set the IP address of the laptop to be used to configure NetWave to static and the subnet to 192.168.10.x/24 subnet.
- Browser Access: Point the browser to 192.168.10.101. This is the default address. For preconfigured kits (NWKX_AP and NWKX_CL), point the browser to 192.168.10.100 for the Access Point or 192.168.10.101 for the Client.
- Login: A login prompt will pop up. Default username is "admin" and password is "admin".
- Network Settings: Select the NETWORK > WIFI tab and set the desired network settings.
- Save and Apply: Click "Save & Apply" to save the configuration.
Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Topologies:
The devices can be configured for either multipoint access point or client operation. A MAC address lock feature can be enabled through the user interface but is not enabled by default. The NW(1,2) includes a 19dBi 17° internal antenna. Preconfigured NWK kits do not support point-to-multipoint topologies.
Cabling Requirements:
Shielded CAT 5 or better Ethernet cable is recommended for all outdoor installations. Industrial grade shielded Ethernet cable is recommended to help prevent ESD damage.
Outdoor Ethernet Gland Installation:
The device includes an outdoor enclosure. The Ethernet cable is routed through the gland, and a pre-terminated Ethernet cable is used. The gland is tightened to ensure a watertight seal.
LED Indicators:
The device features LED indicators for Power, LAN, and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication).
- Power LED: Solid Green indicates power is supplied; OFF indicates no power.
- LAN LED: Solid Green indicates LAN connected; OFF indicates no connectivity.
- RSSI LEDs (RSSI1, RSSI2, RSSI3, RSSI4):
- RSSI1 (Solid Red): Weak Connection
- RSSI2 (Solid Orange): Moderate Connection
- RSSI3 (Solid Green): Solid Connection
- RSSI4 (Solid Green): Excellent Connection (Advisable to check Status Page to confirm RSSI is > -55)
Outdoor Standard Mounting Hardware:
The mounting hardware supports pole diameters up to 2 inches (5.8 cm). The parts are contained in the standard mounting hardware. The mounting hardware is assembled to position the NW1/M in a +30° and -30° vertical position.
Key Default Configurations:
- IP Address of Web Server: 192.168.10.100 (NWKX_AP), 192.168.10.101 for all others.
- LAN Mode for Web Server: Static Addressing.
- Web Server User ID: admin.
- Web Server Password: admin.
- SSID: NetWave-1.
- WPA Pre-shared Key: 12345678.
- Channel-Frequency (AP): Auto.
- Channel Spectrum Width: 20/40M.
- Long Range Parameters: Enabled and defaulted to 1000m.
Operating Modes:
The NetWave Radio can operate in Access Point WDS and Client WDS modes.
- Reset Button: A physical button on the underside of the radio. Pressing it for 0-3 seconds reboots the device; pressing it for 4-30 seconds resets to factory default.
- Save & Apply Button: Saves and applies configuration changes.
- Logout Button: Logs out of the device's web page.
- Indicating LEDs: Light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the board indicate signal strength.
- Buzzer: Provides audible information:
- Power up: Beep once.
- End of Firmware Loading: Beep twice.
- Alignment: Beep according to signal thresholds defined in "Link Status (for Station Mode)".
Status Tab:
The Status tab provides an overview of Link Status, Wireless, Associated Stations, System, Memory, Network, and DHCP Leases. Displays the duration of time since the NetWave device was turned on or rebooted.
Network Tab:
The Network tab allows viewing and configuring the interfaces of the local area network (LAN) zone and the wide area network (WAN) zone. Network address translation (NAT) occurs between these two network zones. The router performs NAT, and a gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network.
Quality of Service (QoS):
The Network » QoS page configures the quality of service (QoS). QoS can prioritize network traffic that passes through the WAN port. Download and upload speeds can be limited. Network QoS is disabled by default.
AP Controller Tab:
The NetWave OpenWRT firmware can be managed by an Access Point Controller (APC). The APC sends and receives information from Comnet OpenWRT APs using the SNMPv3 protocol.
- Remote Server: Configures the IP address of the APC (e.g., 192.168.3.178).
- Chap-username: Sets the username for the Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP).
- Chap-secret: Sets the password for the Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP).
Maintenance Features:
Backup/Flash Firmware:
- Download backup: Generates an archive of the current configuration files. The backup archive file should be stored in a safe place because it contains the wireless password in clear text.
- Reset to defaults: Resets the firmware to its initial state.
- Restore backup: Uploads a previously generated backup archive to restore configuration files.
- Flash new firmware: Uploads a new firmware to replace the currently running firmware.
- Keep settings: Retains the current configuration.
- Firmware: Shows the current version of the firmware and allows uploading a new firmware.
Reboot:
Reboots the operating system of your device. This is similar to the power-off and power-on cycle. The system configuration remains the same. Any changes that are not applied are lost.
Troubleshooting:
- PC cannot connect to the NetWave device: Verify network configuration, IP addresses, cables, and DNS server settings.
- Wireless network not detected: Check for similar network issues and re-inserting the LAN cable.
- IP addresses on the same network: Ensure unique IP addresses for devices.
- Ping issues: Ping 192.168.3.77 (if your computer's IP address is 192.168.3.77 for example) to check connectivity.
- IP address conflict: Resolve any IP address conflicts.
- Ping conflicting address: Switch to another address and ping the conflicting address to check.
- Windows computer, you should run the command arp -d: If the network configuration has changed, this will delete the address resolution protocol (ARP) table in Windows.
- Firewall on your Windows computer: Disable the firewall or allow a security risk.
- Ethernet and Wifi adapters: Ensure correct network configuration for both Ethernet and Wifi adapters.
- Resetting to factory default: To reset the router to the factory default settings, hold down the reset button for 8 seconds and then release.
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol):
SNMP is an Internet-standard protocol for managing devices on IP networks. It consists of a set of standards for network management, including an application layer protocol, a database schema, and a set of data objects. SNMP exposes management data in the form of variables on the managed systems, which describe the system configuration. These variables can then be queried (and sometimes set) by managing applications.
- SNMPv2c Read/Write Password: Configurable (default: private).
- SNMPv3 Username/Auth Algorithm/Auth Password/Privacy Algorithm/Privacy Password: Configurable for enhanced security.
- SNMP Trap: Allows the SNMP agent to notify the SNMP manager of events. Configurable IP address and port.
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