CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition

Chapter Two
Wireless LAN Devices and Standards

Objectives
List WLAN devices and describe their basic functions Explain the different types of communication standards and why standards are important List the three major wireless standards and regulatory agencies and their functions Describe the different IEEE WLAN standards

WLAN Devices: Wireless Network Interface Card

Network interface card (NIC): Connects computer to network so that it can send and receive data Wireless NICs perform same function, but without wires When wireless NICs transmit:
Change computers internal data from parallel to serial transmission Divide data into packets and attach sending and receiving computers address Determine when to send packet Transmit packet

WLAN Devices: Wireless Network Interface Card (continued)

Network interface card for a wired network

WLAN Devices: Wireless Network Interface Card (continued)

Wireless NICs for desktop computers: (a) PCI network interface card, (b) standalone USB device, (c) USB key

WLAN Devices: Wireless Network Interface Card (continued)

Wireless NICs for laptop computers: (a) CardBus card; (b) Mini PCI card

WLAN Devices: Wireless Network Interface Card (continued)

For smaller devices, several options:
CardBus or Type II PC Card
May require a sled

CompactFlash (CF) card: Consists of small circuit board containing flash memory chips and dedicated controller chip
Small and consume little power

SDIO (Secure Digital I/O) or SDIO NOW! Card: Provides high-speed data input/output with low power consumption

WLAN Devices: Wireless Network Interface Card (continued)

A movement towards integrating wireless NICs
Would eliminate need for external wireless NICs

Software drivers necessary to allow wireless NIC and operating system (OS) to interface
Windows XP and PDA OSs have built-in drivers

WLAN Devices: Access Point

Three major parts:
Antenna and radio transmitter/receiver RJ-45 wired network interface Special bridging software
To interface wireless devices to other devices

Two basic function:

Base station for wireless network Bridge between wireless and wired networks

WLAN Devices: Access Point (continued)

An access point acts as a bridge between the wireless network and a wired network

WLAN Devices: Access Point (continued)

Range depends on several factors:
Type of wireless network supported Walls, doors, and other solid objects

Number of wireless clients that single AP can support varies:

Theoretically over 100 clients No more than 50 for light network use No more than 20 for heavy network use

Power over Ethernet (PoE): Power delivered to AP through unused wires in standard unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable

WLAN Devices: Remote Wireless Bridge

Bridge: Connects two network segments together
Even if they use different types of physical media

Remote wireless bridge: Connects two or more wired or wireless networks together
Transmit at higher power than WLAN APs Use directional antennas to focus transmission in single direction Delay spread: Minimize spread of signal so that it can reach farther distances Have software enabling selection of clearest transmission channel and avoidance of noise and interference

WLAN Devices: Remote Wireless Bridge (continued)

Point-to-point remote wireless bridge

WLAN Devices: Remote Wireless Bridge (continued)

Point-to-multipoint remote wireless bridge

WLAN Devices: Remote Wireless Bridge (continued)

Four modes:
Access point mode: Functions as standard AP Root mode: Root bridge can only communicate with other bridges not in root mode Non-root mode: Can only transmit to another bridge in root mode Repeater mode: Extend distance between LAN segments
Placed between two other bridges

Distance between buildings using remote wireless bridges can be up to 18 miles at 11 Mbps or 25 miles transmitting 2 Mbps

WLAN Devices: Remote Wireless Bridge (continued)

Root and non-root modes

WLAN Devices: Remote Wireless Bridge (continued)

Repeater mode

WLAN Devices: Wireless Gateway

Combines wireless management and security in single appliance
Authentication Encryption Intrusion detection and malicious program protection Bandwidth management Centralized network management

Wireless Standards Organizations and Regulatory Agencies

Three primary standard-setting and regulatory bodies that play major role in wireless LAN technology
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Wi-Fi Alliance U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Establishes standards for telecommunications
Also covers wide range of IT standards

Worlds largest technical professional society

37 Societies and Councils Publish technically focused journals, magazines, and proceedings Work on over 800 standards

Best known for its work in establishing standards for computer networks
Project 802

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (continued)

Current IEEE 802 committees

Wi-Fi Alliance
Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA): Consortium of wireless equipment manufacturers and software providers formed to promote wireless network technology
Three goals:
Encourage wireless manufacturers to use IEEE 802.11 technologies Promote and market these technologies to consumers at home, and in small and large organizations Test and certify that wireless products adhere to the IEEE 802.11 standards

Wi-Fi Alliance (continued)

WECA changed name to Wi-Fi Alliance in 2002
Reflected name of certification that it uses (Wi-Fi) to verify that products follow IEEE standards Only products that pass Wi-Fi Alliance tests may be referred to as Wi-Fi Certified

Wi-Fi Alliance now allows businesses to apply to be registered as a Wi-Fi ZONE

Qualifies them to be placed in online database of wireless hotspot locations
Can be accessed through Alliances Web site

Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Responsibilities

Primary regulatory agency for wireless communications in U.S. and territorial possessions
Independent government agency Directly responsible to Congress

Broad range of responsibilities

Develop and implement regulatory programs Process applications for licenses and other filings Analyze complaints Conduct investigations Take part in congressional hearings

FCC: Regulating the Radio Frequency Spectrum

FCC regulates radio frequency spectrum
Entire range of all radio frequencies Spectrum divided into 450 different bands U.S. obligated to comply with international spectrum allocations

FCC license normally required to send and receive on a specific frequency

License-exempt spectrum or unregulated bands: Bands that are available nationwide to all users Created to foster development of new devices

FCC: Regulating the Radio Frequency Spectrum (continued)

Common radio frequency bands

FCC: Regulating the Radio Frequency Spectrum (continued)

Two unregulated bands used for WLANs Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band: Intended for devices that provide short-range, high-speed wireless digital communications Negative features of unregulated bands:
Devices from different vendors may attempt to use same frequency
Can cause interference and unpredictability

FCC: Regulating the Radio Frequency Spectrum (continued)

Unlicensed bands

Types of Wireless LANs

Since late 1990s, IEEE has approved four standards for wireless LANs:
IEEE 802.11 IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11g

IEEE 802.11n expected to be approved by 2006

IEEE 802.11
Specified that wireless transmission could take place via infrared (IR) or radio signals Infrared Transmissions:
Can send data by the intensity of the infrared light wave Light spectrum: All types of light Infrared light: Can be used for wireless transmissions
Invisible

Emitter: Device that transmits a signal Detector: Device that receives a signal

IEEE 802.11 (continued)

Radio Wave Transmissions:
Radio waves can penetrate through objects
Provides mobility

Radio waves travel longer distances Can be used indoors and outdoors Radio waves can travel at much higher speeds than infrared transmissions IEEE 802.11 standard outlining radio wave transmissions has become preferred method for wireless LANs

IEEE 802.11b
802.11 standards 2 Mbps bandwidth not sufficient for most network applications 802.11b amendment added two higher speeds (5.5 Mbps and 11 Mbps) to original 802.11 standard
Uses ISM band

Supports wireless devices up to 115 meters (375 feet) apart

Radio waves decrease in power over distance 802.11b standard specifies that, when devices out of range to transmit at 11 Mbps, devices drop transmission speed to 5.5 Mbps

IEEE 802.11a
IEEE 802.11a standard specifies maximum rated speed of 54 Mbps
Also supports 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9,and 6 Mbps transmissions using U-NII band

802.11a and 802.11b published at same time

802.11a came to market later due to technical issues and high production cost

Range of 802.11a is less than that of 802.11b

IEEE 802.11g
Effort to combine best features of 802.11a and 802.11b
Data transfer rates to 54 Mbps Support devices up to 115 meters apart

802.11g standard specifies that devices operate entirely in ISM frequency

Projected IEEE 802.11n

Currently in evaluation stage Top speed of 802.11n standard will be anywhere from 100 Mbps to 500 Mbps Ratification may not occur until 2006
Devices based on standard may appear prior to that
802.11 pre-N