Bandwidth Control Unit

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Description

The Terabeam Wireless Bandwidth Control Unit (BCU) is a powerful, full-featured IP Bandwidth Manager. It has been optimized for use at WIPOPs (Wireless Internet Point of Presence) and goes between the wireless access points and the Internet Router. The device limits Internet bandwidth to wireless clients in both directions asymmetrically based on an IP or MAC address as well as keeping detailed throughput usage. Any data rate from 8 Kbps to 4096 Kbps can be set. The BCU can easily manage thousands of subscribers with the only practical limit being how many users you want to load on your available Internet backbone.

The BCU is a requirement for point-to-multipoint Wireless Internet. It works well with any point-to-multipoint system, including 802.11b, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), and Motorola Canopy systems. Specifically for 802.11b, proper configuration of the BCU resolves the “Hidden Node” collision issue enabling the built-in RTS/CTS mecanism to work properly in an outdoor environment.

How it Works

The standard BCU has three Ethernet ports: two for the Wireless Access Points and one for the Internet Router. It acts like a transparent bridge managing and throttling packets through it. The BCU has 250 usable queues each of which can have one or more wireless clients IP or MAC address assigned to it. The collective packet transfer rate for the members of that queue is set to the desired rate. Up and down rates can be set independently for each queue to any data rate with 1 Kbps resolution. When the upload rate from a wireless client is throttled back, it will actually cut his "on-the-air" time proportionately. This frees up the available air-time on that channel, making it available to others as well, minimizing collisions.

Automatic Discovering of Users

The device will automatically discover any client MAC addresses, either through direct connection, or connection via another bridge (access point). Client MAC addresses are recorded in the list of MAC users. All you need to do is give them a description, and assign them to the traffic shaping queue you want. The BCU can hold up to 2048 MAC addresses and 64 IP addresses.

Throttling Based on IP Address

Clients that are beyond a standard router (i.e., no NAT taking place) can be throttled back by their IP address. This allows you to manage users that are not on the same broadcast network, while still managing their bandwidth and air-time usage. It is ideal for Hot Spots when a block of fixed IP addresses will be automatically assigned to new customers as they enter the area. This will distribute the available bandwidth evenly among up to 64 concurrent IP users logged in at any one time.

Management

The BCU comes with Network Management Software. It is a 32-bit, Windows-based program that can be installed on any computer in your network. With it you can access, monitor, or configure bandwidth management of all the devices on your network in a single session. You can also monitor advanced port statistics and system usage (information, load, and packet distribution).

Time Synchronization

Special software allows you to assign one device as the Time Synchronization Master. All other bandwidth management devices on your network will synchronize their system time with that master, allowing for easier comparison on bandwidth utilization versus time of day across the network.

Adminssion List

The BCU has its own admission list capability. All wireless clients that it discovers on the wireless network can be either prohibited or permitted to have access through it. When the unit is configured to block new MAC address it discovers, they will not get Internet access until you verify that that it is a bona fide client and you assign that client to a queue. Thus you do not need to set up separate admissions lists on all the access points at the WIPOP. They can be kept open since the BCU takes care of this function for all APs it's controlling.

Event Logging

Operation status of the BCU is logged and archived by date, allowing you to keep track of events and problems that may occur.

Documentation

All of the documents below are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF Document) format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you can download it for free from Adobe.

• Specifications for the Bandwidth Control Unit
• Manual for the Bandwidth Control Unit

Purchasing Information

Part Number: 653-900000-001

Toll Free Number: (888) 297-9090

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