Ch07 Spring 2014

Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 1
Business Data Communications

and Networking
9th Edition

Jerry Fitzgerald and Alan Dennis

John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Virginia F. Kleist, Ph.D.
College of Business and Economics
West Virginia University
Chapter 7
Wireless
Local Area Networks
Chapter 7: Objectives
Understand the major WLAN Components
Be familiar with Common Wireless technologies:
1. WI-FI
2. WIMAX
3. Bluetooth
Understand the Best practice WLAN Design
Be familiar with how to Improve WLAN Performance
Be familiar with WLAN security
Management Implications
As LANS, WLAN Technologies are layer 2 protocol that
operates at the data link layer. They must have a
physical hardware at layer 1 that meet their requirements
and software at layers above them e.g. TCP/IP that
enable application software to use them.
1 - 4
Remember
Internets 5-Layer Model
Application Layer
used by application program
Transport Layer
responsible for establishing end-to-end connections,
translates domain names into numeric addresses and
segments messages
Network Layer - responsible for making routing
decisions
Data Link Layer - deals with message delineation,
error control and network medium access control
Physical Layer - defines how individual bits are
formatted to be transmitted through the network

Wireless LANs (WLANs)
Use radio or infrared frequencies to transmit
signals through the air (instead of cables)
Basic WLAN Categories
1.Use of Radio frequencies (FOCUS of this chapter)
802.1x family of standards (AKA, Wi-Fi)
2.Use of Infrared frequencies (Optical transmission)
Wi-Fi grown in popularity
Eliminates cabling
Facilitates network access from a variety of locations
Facilitates for mobile workers (as in a hospital)
Used in 90 percent of companies or more
Principal WLANs Technologies
1. WI-FI: the commercial name of IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11b
Standardization started after 802.11a, more
commonly used than 802.11a
IEEE 802.11a
First attempt to standardization of WLANs; more
complicated than 802.11b
IEEE 802.11g
2. WIMAX
3. Bluetooth
Also an IEEE standard, IEEE 802.15
Same concept as LAN. LAN consists of NIC, Cables, Hubs and/or switches

7 - 7
Components of WLANs
1. Network Interface Cards (NIC)
Available for laptops as PCMCIA cards
Available for desktops as standard cards
Many laptops come with WLAN cards built in
About 100-500 feet max transmission range
2. Access Points (APs)
Used instead of hubs in LANs; act as a repeater; It is a radio
transceiver
Must hear all computers in WLAN
Message transmitted twice
Sender to AP, then AP to receiver
3. Radio frequencies to transmit data
_ Used instead of cables in LANS
More on the APs and NICs
3 separate channels available for 802.11b
All devices using an AP must use the same channel
WLAN functions as a shared media LAN
Reduces the interference
Users can roam from AP to AP
Initially NIC selects a channel (thus an AP)
Based on strength of signal from an AP
During roaming, if NIC sees another AP with a stronger signal,
attaches itself to this AP
Usually a set of APs installed to provide geographical
coverage and meet traffic needs
NICs selects a less busy channel if its current channel becomes
busy (too many users)
WLAN Topology
A wireless Access Point (AP) connected into
an Ethernet Switch to be connected to LANs
Same as Ethernet
Physical star
Logical bus
Use and share the
same radio
frequencies, so
take turns (bus)
using the network
Uses a NIC that
transmits radio
signals to the AP
10Base-T or
100Base-T
There is a central Access
point to which all
computers direct their
transmission (star)
7 - 10
Antennas used in WLANs
Types of APs Antennas
1. Omni directional antennas (most used)
Transmit in all directions simultaneously
Used on most WLANs
Common Omni directional antenna is: Dipole antenna (called rubber
duck because of its flexibility)
Transmits in all direction (vertical, horizontal, up, down)
2. Directional antennas
Project signal only in one direction
Focused area; stronger signal; farther ranges
Most often used on inside of an exterior wall of building
Pointing to inside the building. This keeps the signal inside the building
To reduce the security issue A potential problem with WLANs
7 - 11
WLAN Radio Frequencies
WLANs use radio transmissions to send data between the
NIC and the AP
Most countries use the 2.4 GHz range and the 5 GHz
frequency range for unlicensed transmission.
Radio and TV channel frequencies should be controlled by
the gov.
the frequency range affects directly the data rates
transmission. The larger the frequency range, the greater
the bandwidth, or capacity which means faster
transmission. frequency range=width of pipe. 2.4 gigahz
slower than 5Ghz. But higher frequencies suffer more
attenuation.. Transmission in 2.4 gigahz travels further
than 5Ghz.
It is important to ensure that APs do not conflict with each
other. Therefore, each AP is set up to transmit on a
different part of the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency range
How much overlap should be provided between APs? Why?

In general, a 15 percent overlap in coverage between APs at
the desired signal strength is sufficient. If you do not use a 15
percent overlap you risk providing a lower signal strength at
extreme ranges and there may even be some dead spots in
areas.

A WLAN Using Different Channels
The figure shows a WLAN designed using 5 APs, 3 using Omni directional antennas
and 2 using directional antennas. This configuration uses 3 channels, with each AP
configured to use a channel that does not interfere with the APS around. Each AP
covers 100-500 feet.
Placing APs and selecting channels to ensure that the entire area is covered with no
interference with the antennas using same channel is an important design issue.
On potential problem with WLAN is security. Because anyone within range of a
WLAN AP can receive transmission. Eaves dropping is a serious threat. Most WLAN
encrypt transmissions so that only authorized computers can decode and read messages.

Manageme
nt focus, 7-
1 page 239
Fig 7.5
page 240
How much overlap
should be provided
between APs? Why?
In general, a 15 percent
overlap in coverage
between APs at the
desired signal strength is
sufficient. If you do not
use a 15 percent overlap
you risk providing a
lower signal strength at
extreme ranges and
there may even be some
dead spots in areas.

WI-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
WLAN Media Access Control
Topology: of Wi-Fi: Physical star and Logical bus
Media Access Control: Uses CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access with
Collision Avoidance
A station waits until another station is finished transmitting plus an
additional random period of time before sending anything.
Detecting collisions is more difficult in radio transmission than in
wired transmission so,
WLAN May use two MAC techniques approaches
simultaneously to void collision:
1. Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
Also called Physical Carrier Sense Method
2. Point Coordination Function (PCF)
Also called Virtual Carrier Sense Method
Optional: (can be set as always, never, or just for certain
frame sizes)
WI-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
The first MAC method is DCF
Also called Physical Carrier Sense Method
Relies on the ability of computers to physically listen before they
transmit
When a node wants to send a message:
First listens to make sure that the transmitting node has finished, then
Waits a period of time longer
Each frame(packet) in CSMA/CA is sent using stop-and-wait ARQ
(automatic receive request)
By waiting, the listening node can detect that the sending node has
finished and
Can then begin sending its first packet transmission then stops and waits
for receiver acknowledgement before sending second packet.
ACK/NAK sent a short time after a frame is received by the receiver,
The original sender can then send another packet, stops and wait for
acknowledgement and so on.
Message frames are sent a somewhat longer time after (ensuring that no
collision will occur)
7 - 16
WI-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
Point Coordination Function (PCF)
The second MAC method is PCF.
Also called Virtual Carrier Sense Method
Solves Hidden Node problem
Two computers can not detect each others signals
A computer at the extreme edge of the range limit from the AP on one side may
not receive transmissions from a computer on the extreme opposite edge near
the transmission limits at the of the APs range limit.
In the shown figure, all computers are within the range of AP but may not be
within the range of each other. So 2 computer at extreme edges may not sense
each others transmissions, collision will happens.
Physical carrier sense method will not work
Solution: AP guaranteed to sense all devices, AP must manage the shared circuit.
Any computer wishes to send, First must send a Request To Send (RTS) signal to
the AP
Request to reserve the circuit and duration
AP responds with a Clear To Send (CTS) signal,
Also indicates duration that the channel is reserved, All computers hear CTS
and waits for the specified duration.
Computer wishing to send begins transmitting
Virtual Carrier Sense Method is Optional: (can be set as always, never, or just for certain
large frame sizes) as set by the wireless LAN manager.

7 - 17
WI-Fi Types
IEEE 802.11a
Operates in a 5 GHz frequency range
Total bandwidth is 300 MHz
Faster data rates possible: Up to 54 Mbps
6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps
Uses the same topology as .11b
Reduced range(distance from NIC TO AP) because of
higher speed
50 meters (150 feet)
Highest speed achievable within 15 meter, the further device
from AP will have the lowest data rate.
WI-Fi Types
IEEE 802.11b
Moderate speed networking in the 2.4GHz range
Three channels for indoor use in the US, more or
less in other parts of the world
Each channel has a maximum data rate of 11
Mbps, for users close to the center of the WLAN
6-11 Mbps is the norm
Range under ideal conditions is 450 feet
802.11b suffers less attenuation than 802.11a
Designed to connect easily to Ethernet
WI-Fi Types
IEEE 802.11g
Designed to combine advantages of 802.11a and 802.11b
Offers higher data rates (up to 54 Mbps) in 2.4 GHz band (as in
.11b) with longer ranges
Backward compatible with 802.11b
.11b devices can interoperate with .11g APs
Price to pay: when an .11g AP detects an .11b device, it
prohibits .11g devices from operating at higher speeds
Uses the same topology as .11b
54 Mbps rate obtained within 450 feet range
WI-Fi Types
IEEE 802.11n
Standard under development
Goal to provide high speed wireless
networking in both the 2.4 and 5 GHz
frequency ranges simultaneously by using
multiple antennas.
Current drafts propose speeds of 100-240
Mbps
Q&A
1.Wireless LANs serve the same purpose as non wireless LANs.
True
2.Wireless LANs are never connected to a wire network.
False
5.The maximum data rate of 802.11b LANs is 12 Mbps.
False
6. An access point (AP) is required to connect a WLAN to a wired network.
True
7.An access point ensures that all computers within range of the access
point can communicate with each other,
True

Q&A
802.11b provides three separate channels that can be used for communication
between the access point and other wireless devices on the network.
True
Roaming refers to the ability to move to different locations in the building and
still remain connected to the wireless network.
True
Most access points (AP) deployed in wireless LANs use directional antennas.
False
Directional antennas signals or much stronger than omnidirectional antennas.
True
Distributed Coordination Function is a media access control method used in
wireless LANs where the sender waits for an ACK (acknowledgement) from the
receiver before transmitting any more packets.
True

7 - 23
7 - 24
WIMAX (IEEE 802.16 )
Commercial name for family of IEEE 802.16 standards

802.16 family is designed much like 802.11 family and the ethernet
family.

Designed to connect easily with Ethernet LANS

Maximum coverage distance is 30 miles with 70 Mbps theoretical
speed.

Logical and physical topology same as 802.11. Physical star and
logical bus.

There is a central AP to which all computers direct their transmissions
(star), but the radio frequencies are shared Bus), so all computers
should take turns transmissions.

Uses controlled access with a version of 802.11 point coordination
function.
Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15)
A standard for Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)
Provides networking in a very small area
Up to 10 meters (current generation), 8 devises
Up to 100 meters (next generation)
Includes small and cheap devices designed to
Replace short distance cabling between devices
Keyboards, mouse, handsets, PDAs, etc
Provides a basic data rate of 1 Mbps
Can be divided into several voice and data channels
7 - 26
Bluetooth Topology
Topology: Uses the term piconet to refer to a
Bluetooth network
Consists of no more than 8 devices. Piconets can be
linked to form larger network
A master device controlling other devices, slaves
master Acts like an AP, selects frequencies and Access
control
Salves do not communicate directly but through the master
All devices in a piconet share the same frequency range, so
network behaves in the same matter as a shared bus
topology.
7 - 27
Bluetooth Media Access Control
Uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Similar to Wi-Fi PCF Approach.
Operates in frequency range (2.4000-2.4835) divided into 79
separate channels, each channel is used in turn to transmit data.
Provides a basic data rate of 1 Mbps
A data burst transmitted using one channel, next data burst uses
the next channel, and so on.
Channels changed based on a sequence and established by the
slave and the master synchronization prior to the data transfers.
Not compatible with 802.11b
Potential interference problems (especially if many Bluetooth
devices present close to .11b devices)
Good managers has to consider at least 2 meters apart WI FI NICs
or Aps from piconet
The Best Practice WLAN Design
The recommendation of the best practice WLAN
design are based primarily on the trade offs
between Effective Data Rates and costs. WiMAX
and Bluetooth are not intended to be used for
general networking. We will examine LANs Vs
WANs looking into:
1. Effective Data Rates.
2. Data Link Protocol Efficiency
3. Media Access Protocol Efficiency
4. Costs
7 - 29
1.Effective Data Rates in WLANs
Maximum speed in bits the hardware layers can
provide
Depends on 1.Nominal data rate, 2.Error rate, 3.Efficiency
of data link layer protocol, and 4.Efficiency of MAC
protocol
Error plays a greater role in WLANs
Significant impact of interference on performance
Causes frequent retransmissions, thus lower data
rates
For WLANs, APs should be well placed so that all users
have good signal quality and able to operate at the max.
Nominal data rate provided by the WLAN : 11 Mbps for
802.11b, 54 Mbps for 802.11a and 802.11g, 200 Mbps for 802.11n
2.Data Link Protocol Efficiency
Factors involved:
Typical WI-FI overhead:
51-bytes on
Packet size:
Data packets: assume a 1500-byte for full length
Control packets: ACK/NAK packets
Transmission rates:
Overhead bits transmission speeds
Payload transmission speeds
Assuming a mix of short and full length packets
85% average efficiency for 802.11b
75% average efficiency for 802.11a and 802.11g
3.MAC Protocol Efficiency
Wi-Fi Uses a controlled approach (PCF)
Imposes more fixed delays initially when traffic is low
Users experience few response time delays as long
as the total amount of traffic remains below 85-90%
of capacity

Effective Rate Estimates
Costs
802.11g
Newer technology, will replace 802.11a and b
Costs will drop here over time.

WI-FI and Wired Ethernet
The data rates for WI-FI are similar to the effective rates for wired
Ethernet networks
Wired 100Base-T provides a good tradeoff on cost vs. performance
But, Wi-Fi may add mobility feature for less wiring cost in existing
buildings
Many traditional networks are using combination of both to meet
the needs of users
Best Practice Recommendations
Adopt 802.11g
Will replace 802.11b and .11a
Prices of .11g NICs and APs coming down
Wireless vs. Wired
Similar data rates for low traffic environment
When mobility important 802.11g
Using WLAN as an overlay network, or in
conjunction with a wired LAN
WLANs installed In addition to wired LANs
To provide mobility for laptops
To provide access in hallways, lunch rooms, other sites
7 - 35
Physical WLAN Design
More challenging than designing a traditional LAN as interference
between APs and other devices that are using radio signals should be
carefully studied.
Use a temporary AP and laptop to evaluate placement of APs
Locations are chosen to provide coverage as well as to minimize potential
interference
Begin design with a site survey, The site survey determines the feasibility of
the desired coverage, the potential source of interference, the current
locations of the wired network into which the WLAN will connect, and an
estimate of the number of APs required to provide overage.
1. Feasibility of desired coverage
Measuring the signal strength from temporary APs
2. Potential sources of interference
Most common source: Number and type of walls, microwaves,
cordless phones and other devices
3. Locations of wired LAN and power sources
4. Estimate of number of APs required

Physical WLAN Design
Begin locating APs
1. Place an AP in one corner
2. Move around measuring the signal strength
3. Place another AP to the farthest point of coverage
a. AP may be moved around to find best possible spot
b. Also depends on environment and type of antenna
4. Repeat these steps several times until the corners are covered
5. Then begin the empty coverage areas in the middle
Allow about 15% overlap in coverage between APs
To provide smooth and transparent roaming
Set each AP to transmit on a different channel
If you have to add Aps with same channels, apart them as
much as possible.
7 - 37
Types of WLAN Security
WLAN Security is important as anyone within the range can use the WLAN
Types of WLAN Security
1. Service Set Identifier (SSID), the most basic security applied to WLANs
Required by all clients to access AP to include SSID this in every packet
Included as plain text, so anyone with the right sw can listen to packets and
recognize the SSID Easy to break
2. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
Requires that user enter a key manually (to NIC and AP)
Communications encrypted using this key
Short key (40-128 bits) Easy to break by
Needs an extensive time in case of large networks.
3. Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)
One time WEP keys created dynamically after login
Requires a login (with password) to a server
4. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
Every packet is encrypted using different key, longer key, changed for every
packet

Improving WLAN Performance
Similar to improving wired LANs
1. Improving device performance
2. Improving wireless circuit capacity
3. Reducing network demand
7 - 39
Improving WLAN Performance
Similar to improving wired LANs
1. Improving device performance
If 802.11g widely deployed, replace 802.11b cards with .11g cards
Buy high-quality cards and APs
2. Improving wireless circuit capacity
Upgrade to 802.11g
Reexamine placement of APs
Check sources of interference (other wireless devices operating
in the same frequencies, bluetooth devices, wireless phones))
Use different type of antennas
3. Reducing network demand
Never place a server in a WLAN
Doubles the traffic between clients and server, once from the client to the AP, and
once from the AP to the server
Locate the server in the wired part of the network (ideally with a switched LAN)
Place wired LAN jacks in commonly used locations
If WLAN becomes a problem, users can switch to wired LAN easily

Implications for Management
WLANs becoming common place:
Access to internal data, any time, any place
Better protection of corporate networks
Public access through WLAN hotspots
Competition and overlap with cell phone technologies
Drastic price drops of WLAN devices
Widespread Internet access via multiplicity of devices (PDAs,
etc,)
Development of new Internet applications
Drastic increase in the amount of data flowing around

Ch07 Spring 2014

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

Ch07 Spring 2014

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 1

Business Data Communications

Você também pode gostar