Warehouse Manager 200 Technical Bulletin: TB200-HW1
Hardware update 2014
October 2014 Release
This bulletin TB-HW1 relates to:
| Motorola RF backbones | Motorola access points: AP650, AP621, AP622 |
| Motorola switches RFS6000 series | AP6511, AP6521, AP6522, AP6532 |
| Motorola switches RFS4000 series | AP7131, AP7131N, AP7161, AP7181 |
| The above shipped prior to 31st December 2012 |
Summary: New EU standards mean that extending existing networks, or replacing an existing access point may require the switch firmware to be upgraded.
Implications: Sites running Wing 5.0 -5.3 firmware have the option for a remote upgrade to the new 5.4 version.
Sites running pre-Wing 5, we would recommend an onsite upgrade.
Risk: For a remote upgrade customers should budget 1-2 hours during which time the RF system will not be available. Sage will continue to operate BUT, without the RF, the Warehouse Manager handheld functions will not.
For an onsite upgrade, up to 4 hours without the use of the handhelds should be budgeted.
Cost: For customers on Datalinx RF support, the remote upgrade is included. Onsite upgrade will be chargeable.
Background
New stringent ETSI standard 1.6.1, for DFS at 5 GHz in the European countries.
The European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) requires more stringent DFS requirements starting on January 1st, 2013.
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) produces globally-applicable standards for Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), including fixed, monthly, radio, converged, broadcast and internet technologies.
ETSI is a not-for-profit organisation and is recognised by the European Commission.
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) was introduced along with Transmit Power Control by 802.11h in 2003. DFS came into play as regulatory domains were freeing up more channels., namely the 5.25-5.35 GHz (UNI-2) and 5.47-5.725 (UNI-2e [extended]) GHz frequencies, for WLAN usage.
The Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) function is to: Detect interference from radar systems (radar detection) and to avoid co-channel operation with these systems; Provide on aggregate a near-uniform loading of the spectrum (Uniform Spreading).
The concept of DFS is to have the unlicensed device detect the presence of a radar system on the channel they are using and, if the level of the radar is above a certain threshold, vacate that channel and select an alternate channel.
Motorola device impact: devices shipping, sold or installed after the 1st January 2013 are required to comply with the new ETSI 1.6.1 standard. Therefore Motorola launched distinct EU-specific SKUs for sale into ETSI regulated countries.
FAQ
I already have an existing installation. What do I need to do?
If you are not adding any new access points to your installed base you don't need to do anything. The new regulation is only for any access points sold after the 1st of January 2013.
If you already have access points with-WW or -WR part number suffixes and you want to add new access points to your network and you are in the countries concerned by the new ETSI Regulation, you should upgrade the already installed access point to Wing 5.4 version to ensure your network is compliant with the new installed "EU" access points.
Are the new part numbers with "EU" suffixes compatible to the WR/WW part numbers?
Yes, if the WR/WW part numbers are running Wing 5.4 they are compatible. That is why it is necessary to upgrade your installed network to Wing 5.4.
For further information please contact your account manager or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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