Overview of Wireless LANs IFIP-UNU ADVANCED COURSE ON NETWORKING AND SECURITY Module II-Wireless Communications Section 1 Overview of Wireless LANs

Learning Objectives Define and describe WLANs Describe the need and benefits of WLANs. Identify characteristics of Cisco Aironet 802.11a products. Identify characteristics of Cisco Aironet 802.11b products.

Overview This module provides an introduction to the rapidly evolving technology of wireless LANs (WLANs). WLANs redefine the way the industry views LANs. Connectivity no longer implies attachment. Wireless networking provides all the features and benefits of traditional LAN technologies without the limitations of wires or cables. The freedom to roam while still maintaining connectivity has helped launch wireless networking to new heights.

Key terms WLAN Bridging Access Point Bridge Antenna Wi-Fi™

Major Factors There are four major factors to consider before implementing a wireless network: High availability Scalability Manageability Open architecture

Momentum is Building in Wireless LANs Wireless LANs are an “addictive” technology Strong commitment to Wireless LANs by technology heavy-weights Cisco, IBM, Intel, Microsoft Embedded market is growing Laptop PC’s with “wireless inside” PDA’s are next The WLAN market is expanding from Industry-Specific Applications, to Universities, Homes, & Offices Professional installers and technicians will be in demand

Wireless LANs Are Taking Off Worldwide WLAN Market Future Growth Due To: Standards High Bandwidth Needs Low Cost Embedded in Laptops Variety of Devices Voice + Data Multiple Applications Security Issues Solved Ease of Deployment Network Mgmt. Tools Enterprise Adoption *includes embedded clients, add-on client cards, & infrastructure equipment for both the business and consumer segments ($ Billions) CAGR = 43% Source: Forward Concepts, 2003

“Business-Class”vs Consumer WLAN Industry has segmented: consumer vs. business Cisco offers only “business- class” products: Security Upgradeability Network management Advanced features Choice of antennas Highest throughput Scalability

Benefits of WLANs

WiFi

Unlicensed Frequency Bands

Wireless Data Networks 50 Mbps Spread Spectrum Wireless LANs 10 Mbps Infrared Wireless LANs 2 Mbps 1 Mbps Data Rates 2.5 GHz Service Broadband PCS 56 Kbps Circuit and Packet Data Cellular, CDPD, Mobitex, DataTac 19.6 Kbps Narrow Band Wireless LANs 9.6 Kbps Narrowband PCS Satellite Local Wide Coverage Area

Wireless Technologies WAN (Wide Area Network) MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) LAN (Local Area Network) PAN (Personal Area Network) PAN LAN MAN WAN Bluetooth Peer-to-Peer Device-to-Device Short <1 Mbps 802.11a, 11b, 11g HiperLAN2 Enterprise Networks Medium 2–54+ Mbps 802.11 MMDS, LMDS Fixed, Last Mile Access Medium–Long 22+ Mbps GSM, GPRS, CDMA, 2.5–3G PDAs, Mobile Phones, Cellular Access Long 10–384 Kbps Standards Speed Range Applications

Icons

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Wireless Technologies

WLAN Evolution: 2000–Present Warehousing Retail Healthcare Education Businesses Home Radio Network Speed 860 Kbps 900 MHz 1 and 2 Mbps 2.4 GHz Proprietary 1 and 2 Mbps 11 Mbps 54 Mbps Standards-based 2.4 GHz 5 GHz IEEE 802.11Begins Drafting 802.11 Ratified 802.11a,b Ratified 802.11g Drafted 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Wi-Fi™ Wi-Fi™ Alliance Wi-Fi’s™ Mission Wireless Fidelity Alliance 170+ members Over 350 products certified Wi-Fi’s™ Mission Certify interoperability of WLAN products (802.11) Wi-Fi™ is the “stamp of approval” Promote Wi-Fi™ as the global standard

Components and Topologies

WLAN Devices Bridging In-building Infrastructure 350 Series (802.11b) WGB350 1400 Series (802.11a) In-building Infrastructure 1200 Series (802.11a and 802.11b) 1100 Series (802.11b) 350 Series (802.11b) not shown

WLAN Devices Clients 350 Series (802.11b) Antenna 2.4GHz 5 GHz client adapter (802.11a) Workgroup bridge (802.11b) Antenna 2.4GHz 5 GHz Antennas

Cable, Accessories, Wireless IP Phone Cable and Accessories Low Loss Cable Antenna Mounts Lightening Arrestor Wireless IP Phone

Cisco Aironet 802.11b Client Adapters 2.4 GHz 802.11b 11 Mbps Include PC Card PCI Card LMC Card Mini PCI

Cisco Aironet 350 Series Mini PCI Adapter 2.4 GHz/802.11b embedded wireless for notebooks 100 mW transmit power Must order through PC manufactures (not orderable directly through Cisco)

Cisco Aironet 802.11a Client Adapter 5 GHz/802.11a 54 Mbps Rate Shifting 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 Fixed data rates User configurable option 5 dBi Patch Antenna CardBus interface Transmit power settings: 20 mW, 10 mW, and 5 mW

1200 Series Access Point Dual radio design Field upgradable radio and software 802.11b radio 100 mW radio Built-in RP-TNC connectors for diversity Wide range of Cisco 2.4 GHz antennas offered 802.11a radio Delivers up to 54 Mbps, the next generation of performance Can run in dual mode capacity with the 802.11b radio Innovative antenna design to fit deployment needs Enterprise-class management and security

Cisco Aironet 1100 Series Access Point Single 802.11b radio Time-tested technology Supports installed client-base Upgradable Migration path to 802.11g for further investment return Scalable Fully functional access point ideal for all enterprise deployments without expensive controllers Affordable Lowest priced upgradable Cisco Aironet access point Enterprise-class features End-to-end intelligent networking and security extended to WLAN

Enterprise-Class Features on all Cisco Aironet Access Points Cisco IOS (1100 and 1200 Series) End-to-end intelligent network services Familiar service configuration and network behavior VxWorks (350 Series) Easy web-based GUI interface VLANs Network segmentation for flexible policy and service application QoS End-to-end prioritization for applications such as voice and video Proxy Mobile IP Seamless inter-subnet roaming

Cisco Aironet WLAN Solutions for the Enterprise Cisco Aironet 1100 Series Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Intelligent Enterprise Services at a Lower Total Cost Outstanding Enterprise Performance and Greatest Flexibility Single 802.11b radio (upgradable to 802.11g with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)) Dual-mode 802.11a and 802.11b support (upgradable to 802.11g with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)) Integrated diversity dipole antennas for simplified deployment Two 2.4 GHz antenna connectors for high gain diversity antennas; integrated 5 GHz antennas Indoor environmental specifications, durable plastic case Industrial environmental specifications, rugged metal case Extra memory and system capacity for future releases Inline and Local Power Cisco IOS-based operating system Cisco IOS operating system QOS, VLANs, and Proxy Mobile IP

350 Series Workgroup Bridge (WGB) 2.4 GHz/802.11b Supports 8 MAC addresses Acts as client to Cisco Aironet access point or bridge when in access point mode

350 Series Bridge (WB) Flexibility: 2.4 GHz/ 802.11b point-to-point and multi-point Management capabilities: SNMP, Telnet, FTP, HTML 802.1D spanning tree Breadth of product line: 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps Antenna/range options

Cisco Aironet 1400 Series High Performance Easy-to-Use Flexible Secure Industry leading throughput and range Easy-to-Use Out of the box installation in outdoor environment Flexible Point to point and point to multi-point bridging Multiple mounting and antenna options Secure Enterprise-class security Feature Rich Intelligent Network Services via IOS

Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridging Solutions Cisco Aironet 350 Series Cisco Aironet 1400 Series Wireless Bridging at a Lower Total Cost Wireless Bridging with high performance Single 802.11b radio with data rates up to 11 Mbps Single 802.11a radio with data rates up to 54 Mbps 3 miles typical point to point range with directional antennas at 11 Mbps 7.5 miles typical point to point range with directional antennas at 54 Mbps Two 2.4 GHz antenna connectors for high gain diversity antennas Single 5.8 GHz integrated patch array antenna or antenna connector for remote antennas Indoor industrial environmental specifications, rugged metal case Outdoor environmental specifications, tested to NEMA 4 Inline and Local Power Inline Power via Power Injector LR VxWorks based operating system Cisco IOS operating system QOS, VLANs, and Proxy Mobile IP Statistics via telnet Antenna Alignment feedback via LEDs and RSSI port and statistics via telnet

Antennas 2.4 GHz 5 GHz Indoor and Outdoor WLAN and Bridging Outdoor

Cable and Accessories

802.11-Enabled Phones A cordless phone for the workplace Cisco 7920 Wireless VoIP phone

Beyond Laptops: Other 802.11-Enabled Devices HP iPAQ 5450 PDA Epson Printer PDA’s Phones Printers Projectors Tablet PC’s Security Cameras Barcode scanners Custom devices for vertical markets: Healthcare Manufacturing Retail Restaurants Compaq Tablet PC SpectraLink Phone HHP Barcode Scanner Sharp M25X Projector

WLAN Market

In Building WLAN

Site to Site WLAN

WLAN Markets

Challenges and Issues

Radio Signal Interference

Power Consumption

Interoperability

Wireless LAN Security: Lessons “War Driving” Hacking into WEP Lessons: Security must be turned on (part of the installation process) Employees will install WLAN equipment on their own (compromises security of your entire network) WEP keys can be easily broken (businesses need better security)

Reliability and Connectivity

Installation and Site Design Issues—Bridging

Installation and Site Design Issues—WLAN

Health Issues

IEEE 802.11 Standards Activities 802.11a: 5GHz, 54Mbps 802.11b: 2.4GHz, 11Mbps 802.11d: Multiple regulatory domains 802.11e: Quality of Service (QoS) 802.11f: Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP) 802.11g: 2.4GHz, 54Mbps 802.11h: Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) 802.11i: Security 802.11j: Japan 5GHz Channels (4.9-5.1 GHz) 802.11k: Measurement

WLAN Speeds & Frequencies 802.11g 2.4 GHz – OFDM/CCK 54 Mbps 802.11a 5 GHz – OFDM 54 Mbps 802.11b 2.4 GHz – CCK 11 Mbps Proprietary IEEE 802.11a/b Ratified Jan’99 Jan’00 Jan’01 Jan’02 Jan’03 Jan’04

Summary Identify characteristics of Cisco Aironet 802.11a products. Identify characteristics of Cisco Aironet 802.11b products.