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Forced Reload Procedure: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1150 Series AP1000 User's Guide

	Introduction
	Performing a Forced Reload

Introduction

A forced reload allows you to recover from a situation where:

• The TrueMobile access point has stopped responding to the system
  
  
• You have misplaced the unique identifiers, such as the IP address, SNMP read/write password, or other parameters that prevent communication with the access point.
  
  
• The TrueMobile access point has been configured with incorrect TrueMobile parameters, preventing you from accessing the access point via the TrueMobile network interface.
  
  

When you need to perform a forced reload, consider that:

• The access points equipped with TrueMobile network interfaces that are set to Forced Reload mode can not be accessed via the TrueMobile network interface.
  
  
• You must not perform a Forced Reload procedure for more than one access point simultaneously. You might cause administrative problems due to configuring multiple units with an identical configuration image and IP address.
  
  

When in Forced Reload mode, the access point stops bridging operation. The access point is only capable of accepting a new software image to be programmed into the FlashROM.

To access the TrueMobile access point in Forced Reload mode, you may need to reconfigure your LAN administrator station.

When using AP500s, or if your AP1000s are equipped with TrueMobile PC Cards only, you may want to perform the forced reload using a configuration scenario as described in "Setting Up your LAN Administrator Station" (see the "Wired Access via a Network Connection" figure and the "Wireless Access via an Indirect Connection" figure).

Performing a Forced Reload

A forced reload procedure consists of three steps:

Step 1 - Preparations

Step 2 - Set to "Forced Reload" Mode

Step 3 - Configuring and Uploading files

One additional step is optional, but recommended:

Creating a backup file

Step 1 - Preparations

A forced reload procedure can only be performed when you have physical access to the TrueMobile access point.

• Familiarize yourself with the location of the access point:
  Do you need special equipment to access the access point, such as a ladder or keys to get into the room where the access point is located?
  
  
• Do you have a backup copy of the access point's current configuration file ( with a .cnf extension)?
  
  
• If Yes, you can use the backup copy to restore the original configuration.
  
  
• If No, you will need to set all the user-defined parameters for the access point that apply in your network.
  
  

Backup copies may have been created upon initial installation using the Download Config File option of the TrueMobile AP Manager program.

• If you have access to the TrueMobile website, you can download the latest software (with a .bin extension) available for your access point.
  
  
• Dell recommends that you specify a temporary IP address for the access point. To enter this temporary IP address:
  
  
• Open the AP Manager program.
  
  
• From the Tools menu, click Options.
  
  
• Enter the temporary IP address in the Temporary IP address field.
  
  

The temporary IP address is assigned to the access point in Forced Reload mode. This is done to enable configuring and uploading of the software file before the access point has its definite IP address.

Two configurations of your LAN administrator station can enable you to logically access the TrueMobile access point:

• Your LAN administrator station is the TrueMobile station.
  
  
• Your LAN administrator station is a wired (Ethernet) station.
  
  

Your LAN Administrator Station is a Wired Station

Your LAN administrator station is connected to the TrueMobile access point via the Ethernet interface of the access point. Make sure that the LAN administrator station and the access point are connected to the same LAN segment (subnet).

To communicate with the access point in Forced Reload mode, no routers are allowed between the target access point and the LAN administrator station. When using IP addressing, write down the IP address that the access point should use.

Your LAN Administrator Station is a Wireless Station

You can use a wireless LAN administrator station to access the TrueMobile access point in Force Reload mode only if the station has indirect access to the access point, as described in "Wireless Access via an Indirect Connection".

Make sure that your LAN administrator station matches the settings of the access point that you will use to establish the connection to in Forced Reload mode.

• Make sure that the LAN administrator station is within range of the access point.
  
  

When using IP addressing, write down the (new) IP address that you would like to assign to the access point once in Forced Reload mode.

Step 2 - Set to Forced Reload Mode

1. Remove the cover of the TrueMobile access point.
   
   
2. Locate the two small holes on the long-edge side of the processor module, marked Reset and Reload (see the "Reset and Reload Buttons" figure).
   
   

Reset and Reload Buttons

3. Use a small pointed object, such as the tip of a ballpoint pen, to press the Reset button.
   
   
4. Release the Reset button and wait 5 seconds.
   
   The access point will perform startup diagnostics, characterized by LED activity, where the LEDs change color from amber to red to green.
   
   

5. After approximately 5 seconds, use the small pointed object again to press the Reload button for approximately 30 seconds.
   
   The LEDs change color from amber to red to green again.
   
   

6. When all LEDs turn amber, release the Reload button.
   
   

The Power LED turns to amber. Other LEDs will be off, or may flicker green to indicate LAN activity on the associated interface.

7. Click the Start button, point to Programs—> Dell TrueMobile 1150, click AP Manager, and select the access point.
   
   
8. Go to "Step 3 - Configuring and Uploading Files"
   
   

Step 3 - Configuring and Uploading Files

The complete configuration and upload procedure of the forced reload procedure is pictured in the "Configuration and Upload in Forced Reload Mode" figure.

Configuration and Upload in Forced Reload Mode

To configure the access point in Forced Reload mode and to upload the configuration:

1. Select the access point which is in Forced Reload mode.
   
   

The access point in Forced Reload mode is displayed in the AP Manager window at the top of the list with the following information (see the "Access Point in Forced Reload" figure):

• the access point is marked with the Forced Reload icon
  
  
• the access point is marked with the status Forced Reload
  
  
• the access point has the IP address 153.69.254.254
  
  

Access Point in Forced Reload

2. Click Upload Software in the Access Point menu to start the configuration and upload procedure.
   
   If you click the Edit or Monitor button before uploading the software, you will be prompted to upload the software first.
   
   
3. In the Open window, move to the directory where you have installed the AP Manager program. If you downloaded the latest TrueMobile access point software from the TrueMobile website, select the directory where you saved the downloaded file.
   
   
4. From the list of displayed files, select the file wpntxxx.bin, (where xxx identifies the version of the access point software).
   
   
5. Click Open to open the software file.
   
   
6. You now have the possibility to upload a backup configuration file to the access point.
   
   

   NOTE: When you import a configuration file, make sure that you import the correct backup file. Configuring the TrueMobile access point with a configuration file that is identical to the configuration of another access point may lead to unpredictable behavior of your TrueMobile network.

   
   If you do have a backup configuration file and if you do want to use this file to configure the access point, click Yes. Select the backup configuration file (with the .cnf extension) and click Open to open the backup configuration settings.
   
   

Dell recommends that you check the configuration settings. Click OK to continue.

If you do not have a backup configuration file, or if you do have a file but do not want to use this file to configure the access point, click No.

Manually modify/verify the configuration settings of the access point (i.e. assign a unique IP address, set up the TrueMobile parameters and, [if applicable] the other access point identifiers such as the IP Address and SNMP passwords).

The Edit Configuration window is displayed. Note that the Edit Configuration window does not contain an OK button but instead has an Upload button to upload the configuration settings to the access point. This means that you are editing a local configuration file and that you are not yet connected to the access point.

7. View (and modify) the configuration settings in all tabs.
   
   See "Basic Network Configuration" for changing the configuration settings.
   
   
8. Click the Upload button to upload the new configuration settings to the access point in Forced Reload mode.
   
   The following message appears: Please wait while trying to connect to the access point. While trying to connect to the access point, the IP address in the configuration settings is pinged.
   
   If the IP address specified in the configuration already exists, you are prompted to enter a new IP address. If the IP address does not yet exists, the uploading continues.
   
   Because the password of the access point in Forced Reload mode is always public, you do not have to enter this password before uploading information to the access point.
   
   
9. When prompted to confirm the "Reload of the Remote System", click Yes to continue.
   
   The local software file wpntxxx.bin (where xxx identifies the version of the access point software) now imports the configuration settings and saves these to the software (binary) file. The software file is overwritten by the new software file. This does not influence the functionality of the software file. For more information, see "Upload Software, A Look Under the Hood".
   
   When you want to preserve the original software file, make a backup copy of this file.
   
   
10. When you are prompted to confirm the Reload of the Remote System, check the list of parameters displayed thoroughly to make sure that all settings are correct.
    
    
    • If the popup window does not display the correct IP address and/or SNMP passwords, click No to cancel.
      
      
    • If the IP address and/or SNMP passwords are correct, click Yes to proceed.
      
      

11. The AP Manager program uploads the new (restored) configuration to your access point and loads it into the FlashROM. The access point reboots and starts bridging operation in approximately 60 seconds.

Creating a Backup File

Dell recommends that you are advised to save the configuration parameters of the TrueMobile access point to a backup file (with the .cnf extension). To create a backup file, use the Download Config File option from the Access Point menu.

Creating a backup file safeguards you from possible network errors that might force you to perform a forced reload in the future.

Save the backup file under a name that allows for easy identification in the future.

Startup Diagnostics

When you reboot, the access point performs startup diagnostics characterized by a LED sequence, where the LEDs change color from amber to red to green.

The startup diagnostics take approximately 15 seconds. When finished the access point starts bridge operation characterized by the LED activity. See " Troubleshooting" for more information.

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