# About This Guide

The MAX 800 is a Wide Area Network (WAN) access switch for providing remote users with dial-in access to Local Area Networks (LANs).

This guide explains how to install MAX 800 hardware on an Ethernet network and establish the basic security settings required for configuring the equipment to provide the service your sites require.

After installation, the MAX 800 requires software configuration before it begins operation. MAX 800 configuration requirements are described in detail in the documents listed in Documentation set.

## What is in this guide?

Following is a chapter-by-chapter description of the topics in this guide:

- Chapter 1, Getting Acquainted with the MAX 800, is an overview of the MAX 800.

- Chapter 2, Installing the Hardware, explains how to install the hardware, connect it to the network, and insert PCMCIA cards.

- Chapter 3, Establishing MAX 800 Security, explains how to change from the factory-default security settings, which permit unlimited access to the MAX 800, to the appropriate settings for MAX 800 configuration and operation.

- Appendix A, Security Using the VT100 Interface, describes how to use the VT100 interface to configure basic security settings for the MAX 800.

- Appendix B, Troubleshooting, suggests ways to avoid problems.

- Appendix C, Hardware Specifications, lists specifications for MAX 800 hardware.

This guide also includes a glossary and index.

## What you should know

This guide is intended for the person who installs the MAX 800. You should understand the following:

- Communications hardware you intend to use, including modems, adapters, and Ethernet equipment.

- WAN and LAN concepts and terms.

- Network protocols you intend to use, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Internet Package Exchange (IPX), or AppleTalk.

## Documentation conventions

This section shows the documentation conventions used in this guide:

#### Convention | #### Meaning
--- | ---
`Monospace text` | Represents text that appears on your computer's screen, or that could appear on your computer's screen.
Boldface mono-space text | Represents characters that you enter exactly as shown (unless the characters are also in italics-see Italics, below). If you could enter the characters but are not specifically instructed to, they do not appear in boldface.
Italics | Represent variable information. Do not enter the words themselves in the command. Enter the information they represent. In ordinary text, italics are used for titles of publications, for some terms that would otherwise be in quotation marks, and to show emphasis.
[ ] | Square brackets indicate an optional argument you might add to a command. To include such an argument, type only the information inside the brackets. Do not type the brackets unless they appear in bold type.
| | Separates command choices that are mutually exclusive.
> | Points to the next level in the path to a parameter or menu item. The item that follows the angle bracket is one of the options that appears when you select the item that precedes the angle bracket.
Key1-Key2 | Represents a combination keystroke. To enter a combination keystroke, press the first key and hold it down while you press one or more other keys. Release all the keys at the same time. (For example, Ctrl-H means hold down the Control key and press the H key.)
Press Enter | Means press the Enter, or Return, key or its equivalent on your computer.
Note: | Introduces important additional information.
Caution: | Warns that a failure to follow the recommended procedure could result in loss of data or damage to equipment.
Warning: | Warns that a failure to take appropriate safety precautions could result in physical injury.

## Documentation set

The MAX 800 documentation set that you received with your MAX 800 consists of the following guides:

- Start Here card. Describes the MAX 800 documentation set and how to obtain technical support from Ascend Customer Service.

- NavisConnect User's Guide. Describes how to use NavisConnect, an application designed to simplify MAX 800 software configuration.

- Hardware Installation Guide for your MAX 800 (this manual). Describes how to physically set up and connect the MAX 800 and implement basic security.

- Network Configuration Guide for your MAX 800-describes how to configure the MAX 800 using the VT100 configuration interface.

In addition to the hardcopy manuals included with your MAX 800, you received a copy of the Ascend Documentation Library CD-ROM, which includes the following manuals in electronic format:

- Administration Guide for your MAX 800. Describes how to manage and monitor the operation of the MAX 800 using the VT100 configuration interface.

- MAX Security Supplement-describes how to set up the MAX 800 security options using the VT100 configuration interface.

- MAX RADIUS Configuration Guide-describes how to install and configure Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS), a centralized authentication and accounting service for secure networks.

- MAX Reference Guide-contains an alphabetic reference to all MAX 800 parameters.

- MAX Series Glossary-contains definitions of networking terms and concepts used in MAX 800 documentation.

You can also read Ascend documentation online through Ascend's World Wide Web site at `http://www.ascend.com/doclibrary`.

Related publications

This guide and documentation set do not provide a detailed explanation of products, architectures, or standards developed by other companies or organizations.

Following are some publications that you may find useful:

- Windows 95 Networking Secrets, Kevin Stoltz

- Data Link Protocols, Uyless Black

- The Basics Book of ISDN, Motorola University Press

- ISDN, Gary C. Kessler

- TCP/IP Illustrated, W. Richard Stevens

- Firewalls and Internet Security, William R. Cheswick and Steven M. Bellovin

Copyright © 1998, Ascend Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.