Setting up AP10 - AP10

AP10 Quick Guide
Document code
M211821EN
Revision
H
Language
English
Product
AP10
Document type
User guide
This document is a quick guide for installation of the AP10 VaiNet Wireless Access Point. For the complete user guide, see AP10 Access Point User Guide (M211860EN) available at docs.vaisala.com.
1
Touchscreen.
2
Ethernet cable. Use a shielded cable to meet the rated EMC performance of the device.
3
Cable from DC power supply.

  • AP10 requires a network connection to your viewLinc Enterprise Server and a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. AP10 can also use its default NTP servers if Internet is accessible from the network.

  • It is usually easiest to configure the access point before mounting it.

  1. Connect the Ethernet cable to Ethernet port of AP10. If possible, connect to the same network where the viewLinc Enterprise Server is, so that you can verify the connection when doing the setup.
  2. If AP10 starts up at this point, the Ethernet cable provides power using Power over Ethernet (PoE) and the separate DC power supply is not needed. If the DC power supply is needed, connect it as follows:
    1. Connect the plug to the power supply connector of AP10. Make sure the plug is oriented correctly and goes in all the way. Rotate the plug to lock it in, otherwise it will not stay reliably connected.
    2. The power supply comes with multiple adapters for wall sockets. Connect the adapter you need, and plug in the power supply to a wall socket.
  3. A setup wizard starts when AP10 is first powered up. Use the touch interface to complete the wizard.

    If the setup wizard has been previously completed, the access point will start up to the home screen. Press the symbol to access the Settings screen and check the settings using the menu.

  4. Select a language for the touchscreen display. The selected language will be used after the setup wizard has been completed.
  5. Configure the network settings so that AP10 can join the network:

    • Select DHCP if you are connecting the access point to a network that assigns network configuration settings automatically.

    • Select Static to configure network settings manually. Using the information supplied by your IT administrator, enter the AP10 IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway.

    DHCP is the most common way to assign network settings. Do not use a static address unless your IT administrator has instructed you to do so.

    Note that many corporate networks require devices to be registered before they can connect. If this is the case with your network, you must provide the MAC address of the access point to your IT administrator. The MAC address is marked on the front of the access point (near the Ethernet connector) and on its type label in the back.
  6. Configure the Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers that the access point will use. If you have a local NTP server in the network, replace one of the default servers with its IP address or hostname.
  7. Select the VaiNet segment (A–D) and VaiNet channel (1–8) according to your device installation plan.
    The VaiNet segmentation feature is used to split the local VaiNet radio network into segments. Data loggers can only switch between access points in the network segment that they have originally joined.

    • In standard installations that have 1–8 access points, it is not necessary to split the network into segments. Keep all access points in the default segment (A) and assign a unique VaiNet channel for each one. This maximizes available access point capacity and communication performance.

    • In large installations of more than 8 access points, assign a unique segment ID and channel ID combination for each access point. For guidance in designing and installing a large system, see Guidelines for Large VaiNet Systems (M212596EN).

  8. Enter the IP address or hostname of the viewLinc Enterprise Server. Leave the TCP port at default 12600 unless you know it has been changed.
  9. Enable Installation mode to start connecting new data loggers to your system.
  10. Wait for the display to change to the home screen.

    There are some optional settings that are not included in the setup wizard. For example, you can change the brightness of the display and the LED, and prevent the changing of settings if the user does not know the password. The default password is ap123456.

  11. After configuring all of the settings, verify the status of the access point from the home screen. The access point should be connected to the network and the viewLinc Enterprise Server. Installation mode should be enabled if you want to connect new data loggers to your system.
    CAUTION

    The access point will not turn on its radio if it does not have accurate time. This means that data loggers cannot connect to the access point until it has synchronized its time with a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. To accomplish this, the access point must have a network connection to one of the configured NTP servers. Connecting to the default NTP servers requires Internet access, and network firewall must allow the access point to connect to UDP port 123.

    An NTP connection error continues to be shown while AP10 is synchronizing time with the listed NTP servers. With access points that have software version 4.0.0 or higher, the synchronization typically takes a minute or two.