Wireless LAN Topologies

Chapter 7

Wireless Data Technologies (Cont.)

(Wide Area Network) (Metropolitan Area Network) (Local Area Network) (Personal Area Network)

WAN MAN LAN

PAN
LAN

PAN
Standards Speed Range Applications
BCMSN 6 1 & 2

MAN

WAN
GSM, GPRS, CDMA, 2.53G 10384 kbps Long PDAs, mobile phones, cellular access
2

Bluetooth <1 Mbps Short Peer to peer, device to device

IEEE 802.11a, 802.16 802.11b, 802.11g MMDS, LMDS 154+ Mbps Medium Enterprise networks 22+ Mbps Mediumlong Fixed, lastmile access

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wireless LAN Topologies

Wireless client access Wireless bridging
Mobile user connectivity LAN-to-LAN connectivity

Wireless mesh networking

Combination of bridging and user connectivity

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

WLAN and LAN

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wireless LAN (WLAN)

A WLAN is a shared network. An access point is a shared device and functions like a shared Ethernet hub. Data is transmitted over radio waves. Two-way radio communications (half-duplex) are used. The same radio frequency is used for sending and receiving (transceiver).
BCMSN 6 1 & 2 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.11 Topologies

Access Point is a half-duplex device with

switchlike intelligence.

Client Station is a radio card that is not used in an

access point

Integration Service (IS) is the bringing together of

the component of subsystems into one system and ensuring that the subsystems function together as a system

802.11 Topologies

Distribution System (DS) is used to interconnect

a set of basic sets (BSS) via integrated LANs to create an extended service set (ESS)

Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a

system enabling the wireless interconnection of access points in an IEEE 802,11network. Ex bridging, repeaters etc

Service Set Identifier (SSID)

SSID is used to logically separate WLANs. The SSID must match on client and access point. Access point can broadcast SSID in beacon. Client can be configured without SSID. SSID is a 32-Character unique identifier

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Service Sets & Modes

Ad hoc mode
Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) Mobile clients connect directly without an intermediate AP.

Infrastructure mode
Basic Service Set (BSS) Mobile clients use a single AP for connecting to each other or to wired network resources. Extended Services Set (ESS) Two or more Basic Service Sets are connected by a common distribution system (DS).

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ad Hoc Topology
Peer-to-Peer (Ad Hoc) Topology (IBSS) Can consist of 2 or more PCs with wireless network adapters. Sometimes called an Independent BSS. Limited range.

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

FWL 1.04-10

Basic Infrastructure Topology (BSS)

Building block of an 802.11 LAN that covers a single cell When a device moves out of its BSS, it can no longer communicate with other members of the BSS. Uses infrastructure mode, requires an access point (AP). All stations communicate through the AP, not directly with peers. A BSS has one service set ID (SSID).
2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.04-

Extended Infrastructure Topology (ESS)

2 or more BSSs that are connected by a common distribution system Allows the creation of a wireless network of arbitrary size and complexity. All packets in an ESS must go through one of the APs.

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

FWL 1.04-12

WLAN Access Topology

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

13

Wireless Repeater Topology

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

14

Workgroup Bridge Topology

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

15

Alternative Peer-to-Peer Topology

Peer-to-Peer Configuration (Ad Hoc Mode)

BCMSN 6 1 & 2

2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

16

Campus Topologies
Serves as an access system that incorporates complete mobility. Allows users to access information from unwired places outdoors, in dining halls or informal study spaces, from classroom seats and, even, the athletic fields Not a replacement for the wired LAN. Provides networking in hard-to-reach and/or temporary locations. Allows users to work together in common areas will maintaining network access.
2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.04-17

Campus topologies

2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

FWL 1.04-18