DATA SHEET
Key Benefits Full Standards Support
With 3Com®, the freedom of wireless
networking includes the freedom of
choice. The 3Com Wireless LAN
Access Points 8200, 8500, and 8700
offer a dual-mode architecture that
supports both 802.11a and 802.11b
wireless users on a single device. This
means you can mix and match radio
bands to meet different coverage and
bandwidth needs within the same
area. Different access point models
give you the flexibility to choose to
support both radio modes immedi-
ately or choose one radio mode now
and upgrade to newer standards later
as they become available with an
easy-to-install optional Mini PCI
upgrade kit.
Security
3Com offers one of the most robust
suite of standards-based security on
the market today. To protect sensitive
data broadcast over the wireless LAN,
3Com supports Wireless Equivalent
Privacy (WEP) RC4 40/ 64-bit, 128-bit
and 154-bit shared-key encryption.
3Com strengthens this basic security
mechanism with additional security
features, including MAC address
access control lists, IEEE 802.1x
per-port user authentication with
RADIUS server authentication
support, Temporal Key Integrity
Protocol (TKIP), Wireless Protected
Access and Extensible Authentication
Protocol (EAP) support: EAP-MD5,
EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP.
Performance and Reliability
3Com wireless access point perfor-
mance features ensure reliable and
seamless connections for users
wherever they roam. Clear Channel
Select automatically finds the least
loaded channel for interference-free
communication. Auto network
connect and dynamic rate shifting
keep users connected through a wide
variety of conditions by changing to
the optimum connection speed as
they move through the network.
Manageability
3Com offers a wide range of standards-
based management support, from
SNMP to 3Com Network Supervisor
and HP OpenView for seamless inte-
gration with your wired network.
Wireless Infrastructure Device
Manager and Wireless LAN Device
Discovery tools let you configure
parameters, run diagnostics, and
monitor performance from anywhere
on the network using an embedded
web server browser. You can also repli-
cate wireless device configurations
from one access point to another using
the save and load feature to simplify
and reduce network administration.
Power over Ethernet Flexibility
With Power over Ethernet (PoE)
support, the same Category 5 cable
that connects your access point to the
data network also provides its power.
A single cable installation dramati-
cally improves your choice of
mounting configurations because you
no longer need to consider AC power
outlet locations. PoE support makes it
easier than ever to overcome installa-
tion problems with difficult-to-wire
or hard-to-reach locations.
3Com®Wireless LAN Access Points
8200/8500/8700
3COM®WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINTS 8200/8500/8700 DATA SHEET
2
With their flexibility and unfettered
access, wireless LANs are changing
the way people work. Now with
3Com’s enterprise-class wireless
access points, you can build a cost-
effective, reliable, secure wireless
network that provides users with
seamless connectivity to the Internet,
company intranet, and the wired
corporate network from anywhere
they happen to be—conference room,
cafeteria or office.
3Com’s dual-mode design supports
both 802.11a and 802.11b wireless
standards on a single access point.
This capability increases configuration
and coverage flexibility and protects
your network investment for both
existing and emerging wireless stan-
dards. Industry-leading security
features and comprehensive manage-
ment and performance features
combine to make these enterprise-
class wireless access points an ideal
choice for organizations ready to serve
their increasingly mobile workforce.
Freedom of
movement, freedom
of choice
Implementing the
right standard for
your wireless
network needs
Understanding the characteristics of
the 802.11a and 802.11b standards
can help you make the best choice for
your wireless implementation plans.
Far-Reaching 802.11b
802.11b operates in the 2.4 GHz band
at 11 Mbps. Ratified in 1999, it’s the
most widely deployed protocol in the
market today due to the Wi-Fi
Alliance’s successful certification efforts
that have ensured interoperability. It
supports the widest coverage—up to
100 meters (328 feet). However, 802.11b
is slower than 802.11a and it is subject
to a greater risk of radio interference
because it operates in the more popular
2.4 GHz band.
Consider 802.11b when you need
wider coverage and vendor compati-
bility and you are
•Implementing a complete wireless
LAN solution, including bridges,
gateways, access points and clients;
Wi-Fi certification guarantees com-
patibility among vendors
•Managing a tight budget; 802.11b is
extremely price competitive with a
wide range of vendors and price
points
•Providing access to hot spots in
public spaces such as coffee shops
or university cafeterias
•Running applications that don’t
require high bandwidth
High-Performance 802.11a
Ratified in 2002, 802.11a is IEEE’s more
recent wireless standard. It operates at
the 5 GHz band and supports data rates
at up to 54 Mbps. For those organiza-
tions demanding even higher speeds, a
“turbo mode” feature can boost
throughput rates up to 108 Mbps. And
because there are fewer devices in the
5GHz band, there’s less potential for
RF interference. However, because it is
at an entirely different radio spectrum,
it is not compatible with 802.11b.
The higher spectrum provides about
50 meters (164 feet) of coverage—about
half what 802.11b offers.
Consider 802.11a when you need high
throughput in a confined space and
you are
•Running high-bandwidth applica-
tions like voice, video, or
multimedia over a wireless network
that can benefit from a fivefold
increase in data throughput
•Transferring large files like com-
puter aided design files, preprint
publishing documents or graphics
files, such as MRI scans for medical
applications, that demand additional
bandwidth
•Supporting a dense user base
confined to a small coverage area.
Because 802.11a has a greater
number of non-overlapping
channels, you can pack more access
points in a tighter space
3COM®WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINTS 8200/8500/8700 DATA SHEET
3
Security
Authentication: Supports
802.11x with Remote Access
Dial-In Service (RADIUS) server-
based MAC address
authentication. Also supports
TKIP Wireless Protected Access,
Extensible Authentication
Protocols (EAP) EAP-MD5,
EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP.
Encryption: Supports 40/64-bit,
128-bit and 154-bit Wireless
Encryption Protocol (WEP)
shared key encryption.
Access Control: Extended
Service Set ID (ESSID) authenti-
cation, sever access control lists
support.
Performance
250 simultaneous user support
Dynamic rate shifting moves
between data rates as conditions
and distances change.
Clear channel select chooses best
available channel for conditions
and distance.
802.11a turbo mode boosts
performance from 54 Mbps to 108
Mbps over 802.11a connections.
Advanced DHCP support auto-
matically assigns valid IP
address from DHCP server on
Ethernet network or built-in
access point’s DHCP server.
Network Management
3Com Network Supervisor, a
powerful yet easy-to-use man-
agement application, provided
free of charge on CD-ROM.
Wireless Infrastructure Device
Manager and Wireless LAN
Discovery Tool let you configure
parameters, run diagnostics, and
monitor performance from any-
where on the network.
Embedded web server works with
any web browser that supports
HTML and Java Script for easy
configuration and management.
SNMP v1- or SNMP v3-compli-
ant management
HP OpenView support
Standards Conformance
Wi-Fi certified
IEEE 802.11b
IEEE 802.11a
CSMA/CA
Radio Operation
Data Rates: 802.11a: 6, 9, 12, 18,
24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps; 802.11b: 1,
2, 5.5, 11 Mbps
Frequency Band: 802.11a: 5 GHz;
802.11b: 2.4 GHz
Wireless Medium: DSSS for
802.11b and OFDM for 802.11a
Operating Channels: 802.11a: 36-
64 (8 non-overlapping total);
802.11b: 1-11 (U.S. and Canada),
1-13 (Worldwide)
Operating Range: 802.11a: up to
50 meters (164 feet) transmit and
receive; 802.11b: up to 100
meters (328 feet) transmit and
receive
Transmit Power Settings:
802.11a: 18 dBm low band, 20
dBm midband depending on the
bit rate
Receive Sensitivity:
802.11a: 6 Mbps: -84 dBm, +/-
2dBm (depending on
band)
12 Mbps: -82 dBm
36 Mbps: -73 dBm
54 Mbps: -66 dBm
802.11b:1 Mbps: -88 dBm
2 Mbps: -85 dBm
5.5 Mbps: -84 dBm
11 Mbps: -80 dBm
Antenna Options: 802.11b:
Options are available, see
“Ordering Information” for
detail; 802.11a: Integrated
antenna only
Safety & Electromagnetic
Conformance
Safety: IEC & EN 60960, UL &
CA 60950, NOM 019
EMC: FCC part 15.247, part
15.205, part 15.209, part 15.407,
RSS-210, EN 300-328-2, EN 301
893, TELEC
Immunity: EN 301 489-17, EN
301 489-3
Environmental Operating
Ranges
Temperature: 0º C to 40º C,
(32º F to 104º F)
Humidity: 5-95% non-condensing
Altitude: 0 to 2438 meters
(0 to 8,000 feet)
Physical Dimensions
Height: 32 cm (12.5 in)
Width: 20 cm (8.1 in)
Depth: 7 cm (2.8 in)
Package Contents
Access point: depending on
model, the access point ships
with either two radios or one
radio and one open radio slot.
Inline PoE power
injector/adapter with North
American ungrounded plug
Category 5 Ethernet cable
Mounting bracket and hardware
User guide
Warranty
One-year hardware warranty;
90-day software warranty
Specifications
3COM®WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINTS 8200/8500/8700 DATA SHEET
3Com Corporation, Corporate Headquarters, 5500 Great America Parkway, P.O. Box 58145, Santa Clara, CA 95052-8145
To learn more about 3Com solutions, visit www.3com.com. 3Com is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol COMS.
Copyright © 2003 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. 3Com, 3Com logo, SuperStack, and XJACK are registered trade-
marks of 3Com Corporation. Possible made practical is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. . Wi-Fi is a trademark of the
Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective
companies. While every effort is made to ensure the information given is accurate, 3Com does not accept liability for any
errors or mistakes which may arise. Specifications and other information in this document may be subject to change
without notice. 400796-001 04/03
Ordering
Information
Choose the 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 8200 for the 802.11b radio, or the 3Com 11 Mbps
Wireless LAN Access Point 8500 for the 802.11a, and add support for the second radio with an optional
Mini PCI upgrade kit. The 3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Access Point 8700 ships with both 802.11a and
802.11b radio support.
Access Points
Product Name Order Number Region
3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8200 3CRWE820096A U.S./Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific
countries, Europe
3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8500 3CRWE850075A U.S./Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific
countries, Europe
3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8700 3CRWE870075A U.S./Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific
countries, Europe
Upgrade Kits
3Com 802.11a Wireless LAN Access Point 3CRWEAMOD75A 3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8200
Upgrade Kit (3CRWE820096A)
3Com 802.11b Wireless LAN Access Point 3CRWEBMOD96A 3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8500
Upgrade Kit (3CRWE850075A)
Accessories
3Com SuperStack®3Switch 4400 PWR 3C17205-US All 3Com Wireless LAN Access Point
8200/8500/8700 products
3Com Network Jack Multiport 3CNJPSE24
Power over Ethernet Midspan Solution
3Com 4.0 dBi Omnidirectional Antenna 3CWE490 3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8200
3Com 2.5 dBi Ceiling Mount 3CWE492 (3CRWE820096A)
Omnidirectional Antenna 3Com Wireless LAN Access Point 8700
3Com 4.0 dBi Hallway Bidirectional Antenna 3CWE497 (3CRWE870075A)
3Com 8.0 dBi Panel Antenna Cable 3CWE498 3Com 802.11b Wireless LAN Access Point
3Com 6-Foot Antenna Cable 3CWE480 Upgrade Kit (3CRWEBMOD96A)
3Com 20-Foot Antenna Cable 3CWE481
Use the 3Com Wireless LAN Access Points 8200/8500/8700 with these 3Com products
3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN Outdoor Bridge Solution 3CRWEASY96A
3Com Wireless LAN Building-to-Building Bridge 3CRWE91096A
3Com 11 Mbps Wireless LAN PC Card with XJACK®Antenna 3CRWE62092B
