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

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

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. “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

9. Benefits of WLANs

10. WiFi

11. Unlicensed Frequency Bands

12. 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

13. 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

14. Icons

15. Icons

16. Icons

17. Wireless Technologies

18. 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 Begins Drafting
Ratified
802.11a,b Ratified
802.11g Drafted
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002

19. 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

20. Components and Topologies

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

22. 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

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

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

25. 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)

26. 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

27. 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 b radio
Innovative antenna design to fit deployment needs
Enterprise-class management and security

28. Cisco Aironet 1100 Series Access Point
Single b radio
Time-tested technology
Supports installed client-base
Upgradable
Migration path to g 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

29. 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

30. 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 b radio (upgradable to g with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES))
Dual-mode a and b support (upgradable to g 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

31. 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

32. 350 Series Bridge (WB)
Flexibility: 2.4 GHz/ b 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

33. 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

34. 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 b radio with data rates up to 11 Mbps
Single a 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

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

36. Cable and Accessories

37. 802.11-Enabled Phones A cordless phone for the workplace
Cisco 7920 Wireless VoIP phone

38. 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

39. WLAN Market

40. In Building WLAN

41. Site to Site WLAN

42. WLAN Markets

43. Challenges and Issues

44. Radio Signal Interference

45. Power Consumption

46. Interoperability

47. 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)

48. Reliability and Connectivity

49. Installation and Site Design Issues—Bridging

50. Installation and Site Design Issues—WLAN

51. Health Issues

52. 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 ( GHz)
802.11k: Measurement

53. 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 a/b Ratified
Jan’99
Jan’00
Jan’01
Jan’02
Jan’03
Jan’04

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