IT285 Unit 2: Wireless Devices & Standards

 NIC Card  Access Points  Remote Wireless Bridge  Wireless Gateway CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 2

NIC (Network Interface Cards)  Connects the computer to a network allowing it to send and receive data  NICs break data down into “packets” and add additional coding necessary for routing, decoding, and reassembling data packets  Many laptops are equipped with internal 3G and 4G wireless NICs CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 3

4 Figure 2-6: An access point acts as a bridge between the wireless network and a wired network APs perform a function similar to a cellular Base Station and also serve as a Bridge between the wired and wireless network elements.

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 5 Figure 2-8: Point-to-point remote wireless bridge A bridge connects network elements. A remote wireless bridge connects two wired or wireless networks together. Remote wireless bridges use a directional antenna.

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 6 Figure 2-9: Point-to-multipoint remote wireless bridge

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 7 Figure 2-10: Root and non-root modes 4-Modes Access Point Mode: functions as a standard AP connecting wireless devices to the wired network Root Mode: connects to other bridges NOT in root mode Non-Root: communicates with bridges in root mode Repeater Mode: Used to extend the range of the network

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 8 Figure 2-11: Repeater mode

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 9 A wireless gateway is a device that combines wireless management and security Authentication Encryption Intrusion detection Manages bandwidth and traffic

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 10 Standards have been established to provide interoperability guidelines for a wide range of wireless devices manufactured by different companies. While some argue the standards stifle advances in technology, others maintain that without them consumers would be bound to single manufacturers for their wireless products.

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 11 What are your thoughts on the standards? Do you see them as a boon or burden to the industry?

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 12  Standards have been a huge benefit to wireless and telecommunication industries.  By establishing interoperability standards we ensure that wireless devices produced by “company A” will function as desired on network components designed by “company B”

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CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 14 De-facto Standards: Common industry practices, usually driven by success in the marketplace De-jure Standards: Official established standards

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 15 De-jure standards can take a very long time to be established. The n addition to (WLAN standard) was drafted in 2007 but not approved until Standards are created by a Consortia or SIG that represents numerous industry factions. Many of these organizations are in direct competition in the marketplace…

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 16 De-facto standards are self-enforced by the marketplace and consumer levels of satisfaction. De-jure standards may be enforced by an official regulatory agency

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 17 IEEE- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Wi-Fi Alliance- association of hundreds of leading companies devoted to the proliferation of Wi-Fi technology

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 18 FCC- Federal Communications Commission Charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 19 IEEE Infrared Transmissions INFRARED Advantages: Does not cause interference Not subject to interference Disadvantages: Limited range LOS Slow No mobility

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 20 RADIO WAVES - Penetrate solid objects - Travel long distances at light speed - Indoor/outdoor application - Much higher transmission speeds than possible with Infrared

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition Standard- 2mbps b Standard- 5.5mbps/11mbps 115m range a Standard- up to 54mbps 35m range

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition g Standard- 54mbps 40m n Standard- optimum speeds as high as 500mbps+ 70m

CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 23 WLAN devices share many common characteristics with their wired network counterparts. The primary difference being in a WLAN data is transmitted via over the air-interface rather than a physical connection.

An access point, or AP acts as the Base Station for the wireless network and a bridge between networks. A remote wireless bridge is a device used to connect two or more networks Wireless standards have been adopted to ensure interoperability between devices CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 24

The IEEE, the Wi-Fi Alliance, and the FCC are agencies responsible for establishing and enforcing standards. The IEEE and Wi-Fi alliance drive standards across international boarders, the FCC enforces standards here in the USA. Other countries have similar enforcement agencies and may develop other standards. CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 25

The IEEE b, a, g, n standards are all amendments to the original standard CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, Second Edition 26