How to set up a Moxa AWK-3121 access point (AP)

by Brent Raynor

• Wi-Fi signals from a router in a house range from 75 to 150 feet, depending on obstacles and their density. Range extenders or wireless repeaters can be effective, but run at much slower speeds. The Moxa AWK-3121 is designed to connect a remote computer to a wireless LAN over a TCP/IP network. It supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards.  Included are two 1 dbi dipole antennas, with a range up to 300′.  The range can be increased by using omni-directional (Dipole) or directional (Yagi) antennas.  Omni-directional antennas spread the signal throughout the house; whereas, directional focus the signal to a specific location.

• In order to connect the Moxa AWK-3121 to an existing wireless router, make sure the encryption method is WPA2-PSK and the wireless key is a match.  Avoid using WEP since it is vulnerable to attack.

Industrial Gigabit Firewall/VPN secure router

• Configure the Moxa AWK-3121 as an access point (AP or WAP).
• Apply 12-48VDC power or use PoE (Power over Ethernet). The Moxa AWK-3121 takes 20 seconds to run through its diagnostic state.
• The state light will go from red to green and the red fault light will turn off.

• If the fault light does not go out, this could be a caused by an IP address conflict. Check the Moxa AWK-3121’s configuration. You can also reset the Moxa AWK-3121 to the default configuration, by inserting a paperclip into the reset hole, located above the Moxa logo. Apply gentle pressure to the inside pin and hold it down for five seconds. Release and the AWK-3121 will recycle to its ready state.

• Computer Hardware Setup
• Connect the Moxa AWK-3121 toto a notebook or PC using an Ethernet cable.
• The Moxa AWK-3121 supports MDI/MDI-X auto sensing. This means you can use a straight-through or crossover cable. Once it is connected to the computer, the led indicator on the AWK-3121’s LAN port will illuminate.

• Computer Wireless Setup
• Go to Start, Settings and Network Connections.

• Select Wireless Network Connection

• Right click on the Wireless Network Connection icon and select View Wireless Networks.  

• MOXA (default name) will appear as the SSID. This is the WLAN (wireless network LAN) identification name.

• http://www.moxa.com/doc/man/AWK-3121_UM_6e.pdf   (AWK-3121 manual  –> recommend reading)

         Moxa AWK-3121 Configuration

• Open the Moxa AWK Search Utility.
• Search AWK only

• The AWK Search Utility will appear.
• Click on the Search tab.

• Double click on the Moxa AWK-3121 that is going to be configured.

• The computer’s web browser will open.
• The Moxa default username is admin and the password is root. For security reasons, we strongly recommend changing the default password.                                                            Select Maintenance  -> Password, and then follow the on-screen instructions to change the password.

• Select Wireless Settings.

• In the Basic Wireless Settings, the standard default is Channel 6.  Recommend doing a site survey and trying channels 1, 6, or 11.
• If you experience any interference, simply change the channel.