1. 1.

Wireless Networking
2. 2. Wireless Networking Basics Wireless networking allows you to establish:
Communication using standard network protocols and use radio frequency
Communication without the use of cables Technologies used for wireless access based
on Wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) Home Radio Frequency (HomeRF)
3. 3. Types of Wireless Network I Peer-to-Peer(P2P) or Ad-Hoc Connected wirelessly
with the use of wireless Network Interface Card (NIC) Computers can access printers
and share files Wired LAN can be accessed using bridging
4. 4. Types of Wireless Network II Access point or Infrastructure wireless LAN
Wireless device connects to the access point to connect to the network Access point
acts as a hub to connect two wireless devices Wireless bridge used to connect wireless
network to wired network
5. 5. Wireless Standards Variety of standards accepted worldwide and offer different levels
of security Wireless Standards IEEE 802.11 Bluetooth IrDA HomeRF WiMAX
6. 6. IEEE 802.11 I Developed by Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
for defining different aspects of Radio Frequency Wireless networking IEEE 802.11
Standards 802.11 802.11a 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n
7. 7. IEEE 802.11 IIStandard Data Max Frequency Compatibility Rate range 802.11
2Mbps 46 2.4 GHz 802.11 meter802.11a 54Mbps 46 5 GHz 802.11a meter802.11b
11Mbps 91 2.4 GHz 802.11b meter802.11g 54Mbps 91 2.4 GHz 802.11b, meter
802.11g802.11n 540 2.4/5 GHz Mbps
8. 8. IEEE 802.11 III Security Four methods of wireless network security: Data
encryption (WEP and WPA) Port based access control Service Set Identifier (SSID)
Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering
9. 9. Security - I WEP suitable for small network Uses 64/128 encryption algorithm
Encryption key is static and shared No mechanism for user authentication WPA uses
dynamic encryption key user authentication through Extensible Authentication Protocol
(EAP) SSID is a 32 character unique identifier inserted into header of each packet to
secure your network configure your AP with unique SSID name
10. 10. Security - II MAC address filtering preferred for smaller network MAC address
listed in the list can access other devices in the network If any NIC is failed then you
have to reconfigure the AP Port Based Access control (802.1x) uses EAP hardware
used such as supplicant, authenticator, and authenticating server must be 802.1x enabled
to use the network
11. 11. Components Requirements The important components required for setting up a
wireless network are: Medium Access point and Extension point Wireless bridges
and Power line bridges Antennas Wireless adapters Wireless Station and Server
Software
12. 12. Medium Wireless medium is an unguided form of networking medium Wireless
transmission involves use of technologies such as Bluetooth, Infrared, Lasers, Radio
signals and Microwave technologies Lasers, infrared and Bluetooth are used mainly in
LAN environment whereas microwave and other radio frequencies are used to connect
vast geographical locations Mobile computing allows users to do their work at any
location
13. 13. Access Point and Extension Point Access Point Device that bridges a wireless
connection and a wired connection Two types of access points: Hardware access points
 and Software access points Generally acts as a hub and operates at layer 1 Extension
Point Used if single access point is not able to cover entire area Acts as wireless relay
extending the range of wireless network
14. 14. Hardware Access Points Hardware access point is a physical device that is used to
establish a connection between a wired network and a wireless network
15. 15. Software Access Points Software Access Points are computer which includes a
wireless network interface card.
16. 16. Extension Point Extension points are used if a single access point is not able to cover
the entire area.
17. 17. Wireless and Power-line bridges Wireless bridge Power-line bridge Used to
connect two or Used to penetrate a more wireless networks wireless network that is
otherwise difficult to penetrate
18. 18. Antennas and Adapters Antennas are used to increase the range of wireless network
Antennas should be compatible with the router, AP or the adapter i.e. installed in the
network Types of antennas used: Omnidirectional antennas - Used indoors and small
in size Directional antennas - High gain and used for long range outdoor use Wireless
adapters help to connect computer or PDA to a network Wireless adapters are available
as PC cards, PCI and mini PCI, USB, and CompactFlash.
19. 19. Wireless Station and Server Wireless Local Area Network consists of wireless
station and wireless server Wireless station - Connects wireless network into a wireless
medium Wireless Stations Wireless Clients Access Points Wireless server The main
server connected to the wired network which controls all devices within the wireless
network
20. 20. Software Wireless network adapter requires two types of software so as to function
properly: Driver Configuration Utility Windows XP has built-in tools for
configuring network adapter settings It is better to use the drivers and configuration
utilities provided by the vendor along with the wireless adapter
21. 21. Application Common applications of wireless technologies: Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN) Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) Wireless Personal Area
Network (WPAN) Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN) Mobile
Computing
22. 22. Problem Solving Wire and Wireless Adapter Software Troubleshooting - Wireless
adapter configuration utility and wireless APs firmware version Driver Compatibility
Low signal strength Can be solved with: Interference Installing repeater Changing
Antenna Installing Window XP Service Pack 2
23. 23. Problem Solving Network settings Common network setting problems are: SSID
setting DHCP Addresses Encryption Keys MAC Address Filters