SOHO Wireless Networking SCATA Nov 2005 Dr Duncan Hancox

Summary Intro to wireless networks –Types of wireless –Types of networking –Basic wireless infrastructure Setting up Extending the network Extras Security

Types of Wireless b – 11mbits/sec g – 54mb/sec g turbo / super g – 108 or a – 5ghz – not compatible n – not standard (pre-n) but backward compatible with b/g

Types of Wireless Networking Peer to Peer – not considered here but has its uses to connect 2 machines Infrastructure – uses 1 or more wireless access points (WAP)

Basic Infrastructure ADSL Modem Router Firewall WAP DHCP server Switch To Internet Wired ethernet

WAP Single wired ethernet

Broadband Router Switch Router Firewall Ethernet to internet / network Via broadband modem or Cable or satellite Intranet ethernet To PCs

ADSL router modem switch ADSL Modem Router Firewall WAP DHCP server Switch To Internet Wired ethernet Typical single box solution for home

Setting Up 1 WAP Single wired ethernet -Wireless card picks up the SSID automatically Or is configured manually -The WAPs DHCP server gives an IP Or is configured manually -Log into the WAP and change settings to suit

Setting Up 2 WAP wired ethernet Compters needs to be same ip address range as WAP – boot the computer After connecting and plugging in to WAP if the WAP has a DHCP server Enabled Manually change the PCs wired etherenet IP address to suit the WAP Windows assigns a random IP address to ethernet when not connected and You will not see the WAP with this address!

Extending the Range 1 High power hardware High gain antennas –Omnidirectional 5-7db –Directional 7-12db but expensive WAP Antenna and connector may be unique to your WAP

Extending the Range 2 Additional WAPs wired together WAP Use the same SSID on both allows seamless roaming Use different radio channels for each WAP Use same security settings Ethernet link

Extending the Range 3 Wireless repeater / relay ADSL Router WAP Repeater Only works with the same manufacturer! And only with some models

Network Extras Print Servers –Wired or wireless –Slow –Poor printer feedback eg ink level Hard drives / NAS –Slow

Wireless Security 1 SSID – name of the wireless network –Nothing to do with the workgroup name –If you turn of SSID broadcast, windows zero configuration utility will fail WEP – weak WPA – slightly better MAC control –much better but can be spoofed –Stops guests easily connecting

Wireless Security 2 Change the SSID name to something cryptic and turn off SSID broadcasting Disallow admin options from the broadband side of the router Change the router login from default Use WEP or WPA to discourages casual browsers MAC control – best option to limit access