"Base Station" use "Access Point" Firmware?

[dbrazil]

I have a BSE342 currently loaded with 8.51 firmware, and I only see an *explicit* upgrade to 8.52 on the software page. But it seems as if Access Point firmware is compatible and that the terms are actually interchangeable at this point ("Base Station" is now obsolete?). Open question: does anyone know if I can load 11.0X firmware into my Base Station? Otherwise I cannot use the latest software for ACU, NDIS, and BSCU. Thanks.

[ciscomoderator]

Since there has been no response to your post, it appears to be either too complex or too rare an issue for other forum members to assist you. If you don't get a suitable response to your post, you may wish to review our resources at the online Technical Assistance Center (http://www.cisco.com/tac) or speak with a TAC engineer. You can open a TAC case online at http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen

If anyone else in the forum has some advice, please reply to this thread.

Thank you for posting.

[Abhishek Abhishek]

Configuring the Base Station By Using BSCU

Configure the base station by using the Set up Base Station dialog box in the BSCU. The base station network communications parameters, such as SSID and WEP encryption key, are automatically entered in the Cisco Aironet radio card.

To enter the parameters in the base station, do the following:

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Step 1 If it is not already running, double-click BSCU.

Step 2 Click the Base Station pull-down menu.

Step 3 Click Set up Base Station. The Set up Base Station dialog box appears.

Step 4 Click Edit Base Station Settings. The Base Station Properties dialog box appears.

Step 5 Enter the SSID in the SSID field using 1 to 32 ASCII characters (printable keyboard characters). This value identifies the base station radio network and must be used by all wireless PCs communicating with the base station.

Step 6 Verify the encryption capability of your radio card. If your radio card does not provide128-bit WEP encryption, the Enable Encryption (WEP) box is grayed out and not selectable. This means you are not able to use encryption when communicating with the base station, you should go to Step 9. If your radio card supports 128-bit WEP encryption, the Enable Encryption (WEP) box is initially selected (checked).

Encryption provides protection against unauthorized accesses by wireless devices because communication messages are encoded by using this key. The same WEP encryption key must be used by all wireless devices communicating with the base station.

Step 7 Click the WEP Encryption Key Entry Method to set the WEP key to ASCII or hexadecimal.

Step 8 Enter the WEP encryption key. For additional information on the WEP encryption key, see Chapter 2, "WEP Key Conversion," in the Cisco Aironet 340 Series Base Station Software Configuration Guide.

The WEP encryption key is visible when it is entered, but once it is saved and the BSCU is reopened, the field is blank.

a. When using the ASCII entry method, enter the WEP encryption key in the Encryption Key field, using 1 to 13 characters (printable keyboard characters).

b. When using the hexadecimal entry method, enter the WEP encryption key in the Encryption Key field, using 1 to 26 characters (0 to 9 and A to F or a to f).

Step 9 Record these settings, and click Next to display the Base Station Properties screen.

Step 10 Select the radio button that corresponds to one of the following connection options:

Use Built-in 56K Modem for Internet Connection—see the "Telephone Dial-Up (Modem) Configuration" section.

Use Cable or DSL Modem for Internet Connection—see the "Cable or DSL Modem Configuration" section.

Use PPP over Ethernet for Internet Connection—see the "PPP-over-Ethernet Configuration" section.

Use Access Point for Wireless Clients Only—see the "Access Point Configuration" section.

Step 11 Click Next, and continue with the corresponding procedure.