NETGEAR AirBridge WBC502 Manual

Hardware Installation Guide

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502

NETGEAR, Inc.

350 E. Plumeria DriveFebruary 2020

San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-12059-01

Support and Community

Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest

downloads.

You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at

community.netgear.com.

Regulatory and Legal

Si ce produit est vendu au Canada, vous pouvez accéder à ce document en français

canadien à https://downloadcenter.netgear.com/other/.

(If this product is sold in Canada, you can access this document in Canadian French at

https://downloadcenter.netgear.com/other/.)

For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit

https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy/.

By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at

https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions/. If you do not agree, return the

device to your place of purchase within your return period.

Trademarks

Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.

Revision History

CommentsPublish DatePublication Part

Number

First publication.February 2020202-12059-01

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

Overview................................................................................................6

Features.................................................................................................7

Safety instructions and warnings........................................................8

Chapter 2 Hardware Overview

Front panel..........................................................................................12

Back panel with status LEDs..............................................................13

Bottom panel with Ethernet ports....................................................15

Power adapter.....................................................................................16

RJ-45 ports for 10/100/1000M BASE-T Ethernet connectivity.....17

Reset button........................................................................................18

Chapter 3 Applications

Applications overview........................................................................20

Extend your network to a detached site..........................................21

Provide a WiFi Internet connection to a detached, independent

network................................................................................................23

Centrally manage video surveillance networks located at different

sites.......................................................................................................25

Provide long-range WiFi service to outdoor clients......................27

Provide a WiFi connection to an outdoor device that is not

WiFi-capable.......................................................................................29

Chapter 4 Installation

Step 1: Determine the site-to-site distance or required coverage

area.......................................................................................................32

Step 2: Prepare the site......................................................................34

Step 3: Unpack the AirBridge...........................................................35

Step 4: Set up the WiFi connection between a master and a

satellite.................................................................................................36

Step 4a: Set up the WiFi connection on the master at the main

site....................................................................................................36

Step 4b: Set up and establish the WiFi connection on the satellite

at the main site...............................................................................37

Step 4c: Reestablish the WiFi connection on the satellite at the

detached site..................................................................................39

Step 5: Mount the AirBridge.............................................................40

Mount the AirBridge to a wall......................................................40

Mount the AirBridge to a pole.....................................................41

Step 6: Manage the AirBridge and WiFi network...........................42

Chapter 5 Hardware troubleshooting

Hardware troubleshooting chart......................................................44

The satellite at a detached site does not reestablish a WiFi

connection with the master...............................................................45

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

Introduction

This hardware installation guide is for the NETGEAR Insight Instant Wireless AirBridge

WBC502.

The AirBridge can provide an outdoor, long-distance, WiFi connection in a

master–satellite configuration that lets you extend your main network to a detached

site. You can also use the AirBridge as a long-range, outdoor access point or client

bridge.

This hardware installation guide complements the installation guide that came with your

AirBridge. This chapter serves as an introduction to the AirBridge and includes the

following sections:

• Overview

• Features

• Safety instructions and warnings

Note: This device must be professionally installed. It is the installer’s responsibility to

follow local country regulations, including operations within legal frequency channels,

output power, and DFS requirements. The vendor, reseller, or distributor is not

responsible for illegal wireless operations. For more details, see the device’s terms and

conditions.

Note: For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the

support website at netgear.com/support/.

Note: For technical specifications, see the data sheet at

netgear.com/business/products/wireless/premium-wireless. For AirBridge

documentation, visit netgear.com/support/download/.

Overview

The AirBridge is intended for environments where you need to extend your network to

another building or across a large outdoor campus or field when no wired network

infrastructure is available.

The AirBridge can provide a long distance, high performance, IEEE 802.11ac WiFi

connection in the following setups:

•Single master to single satellite. Point-to-point setup between two AirBridges in

a configuration with a single master and single satellite with a long-distance reach

of up to 1.8 miles (3 km). This setup requires a line of sight between the main and

detached sites.

•Single master to multiple satellites. Point-to-multipoint setup between multiple

AirBridges in a configuration with a single master and up to four satellites with a

long-distance reach of up to 1.8 miles (3 km). This setup requires a line of sight

between the main and detached sites.

•Outdoor access point. A setup that allows for a long-range WiFi reach in which an

AirBridge functions as an access point that provides connections to WiFi clients,

client bridges, or both.

•Outdoor client bridge. A setup in which an AirBridge functions as a client bridge,

providing a network connection to a wired device, such as an IP surveillance camera.

The client bridge connects to the main network through a backhaul WiFi connection

to a WiFi access point.

Note: For information about application samples, see Applications on page 19.

You can mount the AirBridge outside to a wall or pole and provide power to the

AirBridge through an Ethernet cable that is connected to the provided power adapter,

which must be installed indoors. The AirBridge integrates a high-gain directional antenna

for a line of sight connection to other AirBridges or WiFi clients.

The AirBridge provides two 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 LAN ports for network

connections (see Bottom panel with Ethernet ports on page 15). One LAN port must

be connected to the provided power adapter (see Power adapter on page 16). Use

Category 5e (Cat 5e) or higher-rated Ethernet cables terminated with RJ-45 connectors

to make Gigabit connections.

The AirBridge provides administrative management options that let you configure,

monitor, and control the AirBridge and the WiFi network:

•Using the local browser user interface (UI) you can configure the AirBridge and set

up a WiFi connection between two or more units in any of the supported operation

modes.

Hardware Installation Guide6Introduction

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

For more information, see the user manual, which you can download from

netgear.com/support/download/.

•Using NETGEAR Insight, you can set up a pair or a group of AirBridges, with one

AirBridge functioning as the master and one or more other AirBridges functioning

as satellites.

For more information about NETGEAR Insight, visit netgear.com/insight and see the

NETGEAR knowledge base articles at netgear.com/support.

Features

The AirBridge supports the following key features:

•2.4 GHz dedicated radio for the management SSID

•5 GHz radio with 2x2 MU-MIMO for the support of 802.11ac/a/n WiFi clients

•WPA-PSK and WPA2-Enterprise WiFi security

•Advanced features such as WiFi output power level control, traffic shaping, and

realtime RSSI indication

•Automatic site survey to detect BSSIDs and SSIDs

•2 Gigabit Ethernet ports for network connections

(For more information, see Bottom panel with Ethernet ports on page 15 and Power

adapter on page 16.)

•Includes the following mounting hardware:

- Wall mounting screws and anchors

- Pole mounting strap

(For more information, see Step 5: Mount the AirBridge on page 40.)

•Full compatibility with IEEE switching standards:

- IEEE 802.3 Ethernet

- IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-T

- IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T

- IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging

-IEEE 802.3x Full-duplex flow control

-IEEE 802.1p Class of Service (QoS)

- IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

- IEEE 802.1x RADIUS network access control

Hardware Installation Guide7Introduction

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

•AutoSensing, autonegotiating capabilities, and Auto Uplink technology for the LAN2

Ethernet port.

(For more information, see Bottom panel with Ethernet ports on page 15 and RJ-45

ports for 10/100/1000M BASE-T Ethernet connectivity on page 17.)

Safety instructions and warnings

Note: This device must be professionally installed. It is the installer’s responsibility to

follow local country regulations, including operations within legal frequency channels,

output power, and DFS requirements. The vendor, reseller, or distributor is not

responsible for illegal wireless operations. For more details, see the device’s terms and

conditions.

Use the following safety guidelines to ensure your own personal safety and to help

protect your system from potential damage.

To reduce the risk of bodily injury, electrical shock, fire, and damage to the equipment,

observe the following precautions:

•This product is designed for outdoor use but can be used indoors too. However,

the power adapter must be installed indoors. For more information, see the

environmental specifications in the user manual or the data sheet.

•Power the product only with an Ethernet cable that is connected from the LAN1 port

to the PoE port on the supplied power adapter. Do not use any other power source

such as a PoE switch. The LAN1 port is not a standard PoE port. Using any other

power source could damage the device.

•Do not service the product except as explained in your system documentation. Some

devices should never be opened.

•If any of the following conditions occur, unplug the product from the electrical outlet

and replace the part or contact your trained service provider:

- Depending on your device, the power adapter, power adapter cable, power

cable, extension cable, or plug is damaged.

-An object fell into the product.

- The product was dropped or damaged.

-The product does not operate correctly when you follow the operating

instructions.

•Do not push any objects into the openings of your system. Doing so can cause fire

or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

•Use the product only with approved equipment.

Hardware Installation Guide8Introduction

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

•If applicable to your device, allow the product to cool before removing covers or

touching internal components.

•Operate the product only from the type of external power source indicated on the

electrical ratings label. If you are not sure of the type of power source required,

consult your service provider or local power company.

•To avoid damaging your system, if your device uses a power supply with a voltage

selector, be sure that the selector is set to match the power at your location:

-115V, 60 Hz in most of North and South America and some Far Eastern countries

such as South Korea and Taiwan

- 100V, 50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100V, 60 Hz in western Japan

-230V, 50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East

•Be sure that attached devices are electrically rated to operate with the power available

in your location.

•Depending on your device, use only a supplied power adapter or approved power

cable:

If your device uses a power adapter:

-If you were not provided with a power adapter, contact your local NETGEAR

reseller.

-The power adapter must be rated for the product and for the voltage and current

marked on the product electrical ratings label.

If your device uses a power cable:

-If you were not provided with a power cable for your system or for any

AC-powered option intended for your system, purchase a power cable approved

for your country.

-The power cable must be rated for the product and for the voltage and current

marked on the product electrical ratings label. The voltage and current rating of

the cable must be greater than the ratings marked on the product.

•To help prevent electric shock, plug the system and peripheral power cables into

properly grounded electrical outlets.

•If applicable to your device, the peripheral power cables are equipped with

three-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or

remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use

a three-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.

•Observe extension cable and power strip ratings. Make sure that the total ampere

rating of all products plugged into the extension cable or power strip does not

exceed 80 percent of the ampere ratings limit for the extension cable or power strip.

Hardware Installation Guide9Introduction

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

•To help protect your system from sudden, transient increases and decreases in

electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power

supply (UPS).

•Position system cables, power adapter cables, or power cables carefully. Route

cables so that they cannot be stepped on or tripped over. Be sure that nothing rests

on any cables.

•Do not modify power adapters, power adapter cables, power cables or plugs. Consult

a licensed electrician or your power company for site modifications.

•Always follow your local and national wiring rules.

Failure to follow these guidelines can result in damage to your NETGEAR product, which

might not be covered by NETGEAR’s warranty, to the extent permissible by applicable

law.

Hardware Installation Guide10Introduction

Insight Instant AirBridge WBC502 Hardware Installation Guide

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