INTEROPERABILITY REPORT

Alcatel-Lucent OT8118/8128
Extricom MultiSeries 500/1000 WLAN Controllers & EXRP-30n/-40En
Access Points
Extricom version 4.5.09
Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 version 2.6.6

8AL90478USAA Ed.01
April 2013

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

TABLE OF CONTENT:

INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................3
About Alcatel-Lucent................................................................................................................. 3
Extricom .................................................................................................................................... 3
SITE INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................4
Test Topology ........................................................................................................................... 4
SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................5
Known issues............................................................................................................................ 6
Compatibility information .......................................................................................................... 6
General conclusion ................................................................................................................... 6
TEST RESULTS............................................................................................................................7
Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 WLAN Infrastructure Verification VoWiFi ......................................... 7
Test Areas ................................................................................................................................ 8
APPENDIX A: TEST CONFIGURATIONS ....................................................................................9
Extricom MultiSeries 500/1000 WLAN Controllers & EXRP-30n/-40En Access Points ............ 9
ESS, Radio and QoS settings ............................................................................................... 9
Setting up WPA2-Enterprise/802.1X ................................................................................... 13
Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 ........................................................................................................... 15
802.11b/g/n ......................................................................................................................... 15
802.11a/n ............................................................................................................................ 16
APPENDIX B: DETAILED TEST RECORDS ..............................................................................17

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

INTRODUCTION
This interoperability report describes test results and optimal configuration of the Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8
in an Extricom WLAN environment.
The document should be used in conjunction with configuration guide(s) from Extricom and AlcatelLucent.

About Alcatel-Lucent
The Alcatel-Lucent OmniTouch 8118/8128 WLAN handsets offer a sleeker design, high-resolution color
TFT display (OT8128), IP44 compliant construction, and longer battery time. OT 8118/8128 handsets
can be managed over-the-air (OTA) and are designed to interoperate within a Wi-Fi network. With the
OT 8118/8128 WLAN handsets, users get a mobile device for voice conversations, text messaging and
alarms from Alcatel-Lucent Call Servers and third party Alarm servers.

Extricom
a
About Extricom:
Extricom is a manufacturer of 4th generation enterprise wireless LAN solutions, based on its Channel
Blanket technology. While adhering to the 802.11 a/b/g/n standard, Extricoms patented, InterferenceFree architecture takes a completely new approach to the way the infrastructure is deployed. The
Channel Blanket topology provides wire-like reliability, high throughput, seamless mobility, unparalleled
noise immunity, and is easy to install and maintain. In an era of intensive wireless usage powered by the
market explosion of smart phones, iPads, iPods, tablets and other communication devices, voice, data,
video, and location services are delivered with an always-on, robust and mobile Wi-Fi connection to any
client, in any environment. Extricom Interference-Free WLAN is purpose-built to slash wireless
complexity and future-proof your network for tomorrows multi-service demands.
Extricom solutions are in use by customers operating in numerous industries worldwide, including
Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Logistics and Warehousing, Retail and public venues. They have
discovered the uncompromising performance, reliability and ease of ownership that are the hallmark of
the Extricom WLAN.
Extricom serves its growing global customer base through offices in the USA, Europe and Japan, and by
working with a global network of distributors and partners.
For more information, visit us at www.extricom.com.

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2013-04-24

SITE INFORMATION
Test Site(s):

Ascom HQ
Gothenburg
Sweden
Extricom Ltd.
Tel-Aviv
Israel

Participant(s):
Matthew Williams (Ascom HQ, SE)
Toni Freger (Extricom, IL)

Roaming scenarios between channel blankets were carried out by Toni Freger (Extricom, IL)

Test Topology

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SUMMARY

Extricom MultiSeries 500/1000 WLAN Controllers & EXRP-30n/-40En Access Points

WLAN Controller Features
High Level Functionality

Result

Association, Open with No Encryption

OK

Association, WPA-PSK, TKIP

OK

Association, WPA2-PSK, TKIP / AES Encryption

OK

Association, PEAP-MSCHAPv2 Auth., AES Encryption

OK

Association with EAP-TLS authentication

OK

Association, Multiple ESSIDs

OK

Beacon Interval and DTIM Period

OK*

Preauthentication

OK**

PMKSA Caching

OK**

WPA2-opportunistic/proactive Key Caching

OK**

WMM Prioritization

OK

802.11 Power-save

OK

802.11e U-APSD

OK

Active Mode (load test)

OK

802.11e U-APSD (load test)

OK

*) Beacon interval cannot be changed through the web GUI (default: 100ms)
**) Tested by Extricom (enabled by default)

Roaming
High Level Functionality
Roaming, Open with No Encryption

Result
OK*

Roaming, WPA-PSK, TKIP Encryption

OK*

Roaming, WPA2-PSK, AES Encryption

OK*

Roaming, PEAP-MSCHAPv2 Auth, AES Encryption

OK*

*) Roaming within channel blankets is handled entirely by controller, hence the absence of handover times.

Roaming between channel blankets is supported as successful tests have been carried out by Extricom.
Approximate handover times: OPEN 35-70ms and WPA2-PSK/AES 100-140ms

Refer to Appendix B for detailed records concerning this interoperability validation.

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

Known issues

In comparison with traditional multiple channel deployments, battery lifetime of the Alcatel-Lucent
OT81x8 is shorter than normal (up to 30% less)

In 802.11g/n mode, b-rates are still advertised in beacons. In a future release, Extricom will
introduce the possibility to enable/disable b-rates on an 802.11g/n radio/blanket as a user option
in the web GUI. Until then, Alcatel-Lucent recommends 802.11b/g/n mode where the basic rate is
set to 11Mbps and lower data rates are disabled.

For additional information regarding the known issues please contact Alcatel-Lucent support.

Compatibility information
Validation at Ascom HQ in Gothenburg was carried out in an environment involving an Extricom
MultiSeries 1000 (EXSW-400G) WLAN controller that ran software version 4.5.09 and EXRP-30n access
points. As a result, this report is applicable to controllers on the same software version and access points
incorporating the same radio chip.
The following Extricom hardware is supported:
Compatible controllers
MultiSeries 500
MultiSeries 1000
Compatible access points
EXRP-30n
EXRP-40En

General conclusion
With the exception of battery lifetime, verified test areas, such as authentication, association, handover
and load tests, all produced good results. The roaming experience, no matter whether employing PSK
and 802.1X, was fully acceptable. Please note that roaming within a single channel blanket is handled
entirely by the WLAN controller.
As mentioned, the outcome of load tests was very good. In both active and U-APSD modes, it was
possible to maintain twelve simultaneous calls per AP without any noticeable deterioration of voice
quality. This number was not imposed by a limitation of capacity, but rather phones available at the time
of testing. Keep in mind that a baseline of ten calls per AP is quite adequate for most deployments.

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

TEST RESULTS

Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 WLAN Infrastructure Verification VoWiFi

Software Versions:
Extricom software v 4.5.09
Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 v 2.6.6

Configuration of WLAN System:

Beacon Interval: 100ms
Beacon Rate Control: normal (default)
DTIM Period: 5
802.11b/g/n: Channel 1
802.11a/n: Channel 36
WMM/ U-APSD Enabled
802.11d Regulatory Domain: SE

Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 Configuration:

World Mode Regulatory Domain set to World mode (802.11d).
IP DSCP for Voice: 0x30 (48) Class Selector 6
IP DSCP for Signaling: 0x1A (26) Assured Forwarding 31
Transmit Gratuitous ARP: Enable
De-authenticate on Roam: Enable
Roaming Methodology: System-aided roaming

Note: Security options, RF and power save modes were adjusted according to requirements in individual
test cases.
Please refer to Appendix A for information regarding device configuration.

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Test Areas
Association and Authentication: 100% pass (7/7)

WPA-AES not configurable via web GUI

WPA-TKIP possible when selecting TKIP without WPA2 only
Controller with this particular software only supports non-DFS channels in 802.11 a/n mode,
avoid channel bonding when available non-DFS channels are scarce
802.11g/n (or n/g) mode will still advertise b-rates in beacons, Alcatel-Lucent recommends
b/g/n mode instead
FreeRadius used in the test cases where an authentication server was needed

Power Save and QoS: 100 % pass (4/4)

DSCP for voice set to CS6 (default on controller, can be modified)

WMM and U-APSD cannot be disabled in any 802.11n mode

Performance: 100% pass (3/3)

12 active calls per single radio verified in active and U-APSD mode
Load tests done with iPerf and actual FTP file transfers, no noticeable deterioration of voice
quality

Roaming and Handover Times: 100% pass (4/4)

Pre-Authentication is supported but not applicable in a single controller environment (tested

by Extricom)
PMKSA and opportunistic/proactive key caching are supported, but could not be tested.
(roaming between channel blankets tested by Extricom)

Battery Lifetime: 100% pass (3/3)

>60hrs in idle mode

>3hrs in-call in active mode
>9hrs in-call in U-APSD mode

Stability: 100% pass (2/2)

Stable call for the duration of >60hrs in active mode

Stable call for the duration of >60hrs in U-APSD mode

802.11n features: 802.11a/n 100% Pass (2/2), 802.11b/g/n 100% Pass (1/1)

Channel bonding in 802.11b/g/n mode is not recommended by Alcatel-Lucent

Virtually all tests were performed in both 802.11b/g/n and 802.11a/n mode.
Please keep in mind that metrics do NOT account for see comments and untested cases.

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

APPENDIX A: TEST CONFIGURATIONS

Extricom MultiSeries 500/1000 WLAN Controllers & EXRP-30n/-40En Access Points

In the following appendix, you will find screenshots and explanations of basic settings in order to get the
Extricom solution operational with Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8.
Configuration files are found at the end of each section.

ESS, Radio and QoS settings

WLAN Settings > ESSID Definition

-

The screen shot above serves as a baseline for ESSID settings

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

WLAN Settings > Radios

-

Dont forget to select the 802.11d Regulatory Domain (or Country).

Click on More Options to configure basic rates

WLAN Settings > Radios > More Options

-

The screen shot above serves as a baseline for 802.11a/n (left) and 802.11b/g/n (right) radio
settings. Please note the lowest basic rate for respective radio bands.
At the time of validation, the controller only supported non-DFS channels 36,40,44,48 in the
5GHz band, avoid channel bonding (20/40MHz) when available non-DFS channels are scarce
(see red box)

Note: Alcatel-Lucent does not recommend 802.11g/n mode at this moment in time (see Known Issues,
p.6).

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WLAN Settings > ESSID Assignments.

-

Make sure that the ESSID is assigned to the appropriate radio

WLAN Settings > Radios > WMM > DiffServ to WMM.

-

Voice packets should be prioritized in the network. Per default, Class Selector 6 is mapped to the
high priority queue Voice, while Expedited Forwarding isnt.

Note: Whenever in 802.11n mode, WMM/U-APSD is enabled by default on the controller.

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WLAN Settings > Radios > WMM > WMM to DiffServ.

-

Leave mapping from WMM to DiffServ at its defaults. Ideally DSCP markings should be trusted in
order to facilitate appropriate mapping to WMM at the other end.

Note: U-APSD is strongly recommended since it will boost the battery performance dramatically.

System Tools > Apply

-

Finally, dont forget to apply configuration changes.

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Setting up WPA2-Enterprise/802.1X

WLAN Settings > ESSID Definition > RADIUS

-

Add details of the RADIUS server to the profile.

Type in the secret that corresponds to the secret configured on the server-side.

Note: Both root and client certificates are required for TLS. Otherwise, only the root certificate will suffice.

WLAN Settings > ESSID Definition > ESSID Settings

-

Select WPA/WPA2Enterprise with the options WPA2 Only and AES Only to ensure AESCCMP encryption.
Make sure that the corresponding RADIUS profile also is selected (Radius).

Note: Proactive/Opportunistic Key caching must be active when roaming between channel blankets.
Without key caching, a full EAP exchange is executed every time the handset roams, which may degrade
the user experience during an active call.

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Please refer to Extricoms documentation for explanations of various settings in the web GUI.

MultiSeries 1000 configuration:

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Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8
802.11b/g/n

Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 Network configuration (802.11b/g/n).

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802.11a/n

Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 Network configuration (802.11a/n).

General guidelines when deploying Alcatel-Lucent OT81x8 handsets (SW version 2.5.7 or later) in
802.11a/n environments:
1. Enabling more than 8 channels will degrade roaming performance. Alcatel-lucent strongly
recommends against going above this limit.
2. Using 40 MHz channels (or channel-bonding) will reduce the number of non-DFS*
channels to two in ETSI regions (Europe). In FCC regions (North America), 40MHz is a
more viable option because of the availability of additional non-DFS channels. The
handset can co-exist with 40MHz stations in the same ESS.
3. Make sure that all non-DFS channel are taken before resorting to DFS channels. The
handset can cope in mixed non-DFS and DFS environments; however, due to
unpredictability introduced by radar detection protocols, voice quality may become
distorted and roaming delayed. Hence Alcatel-Lucent recommends avoiding the use of
DFS channels in VoWIFI deployments.
*) Dynamic Frequency Selection (radar detection)

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APPENDIX B: DETAILED TEST RECORDS

Alcatel_lucent VoWIFI
Pass
25(24)*
Fail
0
Comments
5(6)*
Untested
4
Total
34
*) an(bgn)

Raw VoWIFI Test

Results

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

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Document History
Rev
R1

Date
2013-04-24

Author
SEKMO

Interoperability Report Alcatel-Lucent, v1.0

2013-04-24

Description
ALE revision R1

18