What Is 802.11 Wireless?

Updated: March 28, 2003

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003
with SP2

What Is 802.11 Wireless?

The wireless local area network WLAN protocol, IEEE802.11, and associated technologies, such as the 802.1X
protocol and WiFi Protected Access WPA, allow secure highspeed wireless network access and mobile access to
a network infrastructure. Until the recent development and wide adoption of IEEE802.11b, also known as WiFi, in
order to obtain highspeed network access to your local area network LAN your network client needed to be
physically connected to the LAN with some type of wiring.

Benefits
Some of the specific benefits of implementing a WLAN are included in the following:

Wireless connections can extend or replace a wired infrastructure

In situations where it is costly, inconvenient, or impossible to lay cables, wireless connections can extend or replace
a wired infrastructure. This benefit includes the following:

To connect the networks in two buildings separated by a physical, legal, or financial obstacle, you can either
use a link provided by a telecommunications vendor for a fixed installation cost and ongoing recurring
costs or you can create a pointtopoint wireless link using wireless LAN technology for a fixed installation
cost, but no recurring costs. Eliminating recurring telecommunications charges can provide significant cost
savings.

Wireless LAN technologies can be used to create a temporary network, which is in place for only a specific
amount of time. For example, the network needed at a convention or trade show can be a wireless network,
rather than deploying the physical cabling required for a traditional Ethernet network.

Some types of buildings, such as historical buildings, might be governed by building codes that prohibit the
use of wiring, making wireless networking an important alternative.

The wiringfree aspect of wireless LAN networking is also very attractive to homeowners who want to
connect the various computers in their home together without having to drill holes and pull network cables
through walls and ceilings.

Increased productivity for the mobile employee

This benefit includes the following:

The mobile user whose primary computer is a portable computer can change location and always remain
connected to the network. This enables the mobile user to travel to various places meeting rooms,
hallways, lobbies, cafeterias, classrooms, and so forth yet retain access to networked data. Without
wireless access, the user has to carry cabling and is restricted to working near a network jack.

Wireless LAN networking is a perfect technology for environments where movement is required. For
example, retail environments can benefit when employees use a wireless portable computer or handheld
device to enter inventory information directly into the store database from the sales floor.
 Even if no wireless infrastructure is present, wireless portable computers can still form their own ad hoc
networks to communicate and share data with each other.

Easy access to the Internet in public places

Beyond the corporate workplace, access to the Internet and even corporate sites can be made available through
public wireless hot spot networks. For example, many airports, conference centers, and hotels provide wireless
access to the Internet for their visitors. When a traveling worker reaches his or her destination, perhaps meeting a
client at a corporate office, limited access can be provided to the traveling worker through the local wireless
network. The network can recognize the traveling worker from another corporation and create a connection that
provides Internet access to the visiting user, but is isolated from the local corporate network.

Note

In all these wireless LAN scenarios, it is worth noting that todays standardsbased wireless LANs operate at
the same speeds that were considered state of the art for wired networks just a few years ago. For example,
IEEE802.11b, a prevalent wireless LAN technology, operates at a maximum of 11megabits per second
Mbps, or about 30 to 100 times faster than standard dialup technologies. This data transfer rate is
adequate for running a number of applications or services. In addition, ongoing advancements of wireless
standards continue to increase the data transfer rate, with speeds of up to 54Mbps for IEEE802.11g.

Dependencies and Associated Technologies

In a enterprise environment, secure 802.11 wireless technology has specific dependencies and other technologies
with which it is typically associated.

Dependencies for a secure WLAN

The dependencies of a secure WLAN include the following:

A standard TCP/IP network environment.

Active Directory, to store account properties and validate passwordbased credentials.

Remote Authentication DialIn User Service RADIUS support, to provide centralized connection
authentication, authorization, and accounting.

A certificate infrastructure, also known as a public key infrastructure PKI, to issue and validate the
certificates required for Extensible Authentication ProtocolTransport Layer Security EAPTLS and Protected
EAP PEAPTLS authentication. TLS can use either computer certificates for authenticating the wireless client
computer or smart cards or registrybased user certificates for authenticating the user of a wireless client
computer.

For PEAPMicrosoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol version2 MSCHAPv2 authentication,

computer certificates for the RADIUS servers and root CA certificates of the issuing CAs on the wireless
clients if needed.

Associated Technologies
The associated technologies of a secure WLAN include the following:

WPA, as agreed upon by wireless vendors, is an interoperable interim standard until the IEEE802.11i
standard is being ratified. WPA requires secure wireless networking, addresses the issues with WEP through
a software upgrade, provides a secure wireless networking solution for small office/home office SOHO
wireless users, and provides compatibility with the upcoming IEEE802.11i standard.
 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol DHCP services, to provide automatic Internet Protocol IP
configuration to wireless clients.

Domain Name System DNS and Windows Internet Name Service WINS services, to provide name
resolution.

Note

For information about IEEE802.11b wireless networks for the home and small business, see the Microsoft
WiFi Web page.

802.11 Wireless Network Infrastructure

The following figure shows a simple example of a WLAN using a wireless access point and some of the Windows
Server2003 technologies on which a secure WLAN is dependent.

Example Wireless Network Infrastructure

Community Additions

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