Wireless LANs: End to End^TM

by Walter Bruce; Series Editor: Ron Gilster (Liberty Lake, Washington)

• ISBN13: 9780764548888
• ISBN10: 0764548883
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Get the definitive, real-world professional's guide to the hottest wireless LAN technologies available! "Wireless LANs End to End" is a comprehensive look at the technology from the standpoint of the IT Professional. The book goes above and beyond a simple re-hashing of the specification to provide practical implementation information on WLAN technology with special coverage of 802.11b and WLAN planning, configuration, implementation, troubleshooting and security considerations. Special sections on a WLAN site survey (industry leaders state the key to implementing an effective, efficient WLAN that performs the same as wired LAN is a site survey) and WLAN security are also included. This book is part of the End to End series, a new series dedicated to cutting-edge technologies designed to provide proven solutions, real-world tips and best practices. The End to End series takes a no "techno-babble" modular approach in explaining cutting edge wireless technology. Special features include case studies, real-life implementations and wireless decision tree.

Author Biography

WALTER R. BRUCE III installed his first network in the Pentagon while working for the Judge Advocate General of the USAF. Since then, Bruce has worked in a variety of technological fields. For more than a dozen years he has been consulting and training computer users, and writing and publishing books about computer technology. <p> LSTER, A+, Network+, Server+, i-Net+, CCNA, is the author of more than a dozen bestselling computer books. He has over 35 years of IT experienceûmost recently at a large regional wireless communications company.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Part I: Planning a Wireless Network	1	(120)
How Wireless Networks Work	3	(22)
LANs and WLANs	3	(1)
Network Components	4	(5)
Workstations	5	(1)
Servers	5	(1)
Network Infrastructure	6	(1)
Bridges	7	(1)
Switches	8	(1)
Routers	9	(1)
Cutting the Wires---WLAN Components	9	(7)
WLAN Stations---It Takes Two	10	(1)
Access Points	11	(3)
Station-to-Station: Ad Hoc Networks	14	(1)
Station-to-AP: Infrastructure Mode	15	(1)
How Wireless LANs Work	16	(7)
The ISM Band	17	(1)
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum	18	(1)
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum	19	(2)
High Rate Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum	21	(1)
Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing	21	(2)
New Physical Layers	23	(1)
802.11b, WECA, and the Wi-Fi Standard	23	(1)
Summary	24	(1)
A Short Course in IEEE 802	25	(18)
The ISO/OSI Reference Model	25	(7)
The OSI 7-Layer Reference Model	26	(2)
The Physical Layer	28	(1)
Data Link Layer	29	(1)
Network Layer	30	(1)
Transport Layer	31	(1)
Session Layer	31	(1)
Presentation Layer	31	(1)
Application Layer	32	(1)
Introducing IEEE 802	32	(10)
The IEEE 802 Reference Model	33	(2)
IEEE 802.1---Glossary, Network Management, and Internetworking	35	(1)
IEEE 802.2---Logical Link Control	36	(1)
IEEE 802.3---Ethernet	36	(1)
IEEE 802.4---Token Bus	37	(1)
IEEE 802.5---Token Ring	37	(1)
IEEE 802.6---Metropolitan Area Network	37	(1)
IEEE 802.7---Broadband LANs	37	(1)
IEEE 802.9---Integrated Services LAN	38	(1)
IEEE 802.10---Security	38	(1)
IEEE 802.11---Wireless	38	(4)
IEEE 802.12---Demand-Priority Access	42	(1)
Summary	42	(1)
Bluetooth, HomeRF, and HiperLAN/2	43	(16)
The Bluetooth Standard	44	(11)
IEEE 802.15 and Bluetooth 3.0	44	(1)
Wireless Cables and More	45	(1)
Piconets, Masters, and Slaves	46	(3)
The Bluetooth Reference Model	49	(5)
Bluetooth Examples	54	(1)
HomeRF	55	(3)
The HomeRF Physical Layer	56	(1)
HomeRF MAC Layer	57	(1)
Comparison of HomeRF and IEEE 802.11b	57	(1)
ETSI HIPERLAN/2	58	(1)
Summary	58	(1)
Performing a Site Survey	59	(22)
Why Do a Site Survey?	59	(1)
Survey Focus	60	(7)
Signal Coverage	60	(2)
Network Capacity	62	(2)
RF Interference Immunity	64	(1)
Power Requirements	65	(1)
Gathering Requirements	66	(1)
Site Survey Documentation	67	(6)
Pre Site Survey Form	68	(4)
Interview Forms	72	(1)
Site Maps	72	(1)
Conducting a Walk-Through	73	(1)
Drafting the Design	74	(2)
Testing	76	(3)
Site Survey Training	79	(1)
Contracting for the Site Survey	79	(1)
Summary	79	(2)
Selecting the Wireless Network Equipment	81	(24)
Wi-Fi-Certified Hardware	81	(6)
The Wi-Fi Interoperability Test Plan	83	(1)
It's All in the Chips	84	(3)
Access Points	87	(9)
Industrial-Strength	87	(6)
Small Business/Home Gateways	93	(1)
Software-Based Access Points	94	(2)
Network Interface Adapters for Client Stations	96	(5)
PC Cards	97	(1)
PCI Adapters	98	(1)
USB Adapters	99	(1)
CF Cards	100	(1)
External Antennas	100	(1)
Planning Ahead	101	(2)
Planning for 802.11a	101	(2)
Planning for 802.11g	103	(1)
Summary	103	(2)
Planning a Home Wireless Network	105	(16)
Budgeting for a WLAN	106	(1)
Performing a Site Survey	107	(3)
Signal Coverage and Range	108	(1)
RF Interference	109	(1)
Power Requirements	109	(1)
Ethernet Connection	110	(1)
Ensuring Interoperability with Office WLANs	110	(1)
The Alternatives to Wi-Fi	110	(2)
Sharing Internet Connections over Residential Gateways	112	(3)
Adding Security	115	(2)
Adding Printers	117	(1)
Connecting to the Office LAN	118	(1)
Point-to-point Wireless	118	(1)
Virtual Private Network	119	(1)
Sharing with the Neighbors	119	(1)
Summary	120	(1)
Part II: Installing a Wireless Network	121	(76)
Installing Access Points	123	(16)
Implementing the Plan	123	(1)
Network Wiring	124	(4)
Cat 5 Cable	124	(1)
RJ-45 Connectors	125	(3)
Mounting the AP	128	(3)
Power Considerations	131	(1)
Configuring an AP in Infrastructure Mode	132	(5)
Summary	137	(2)
Setting Up Client Stations	139	(20)
Read the Docs First!	139	(1)
Hardware and Software	140	(1)
Before You Start	141	(3)
PC Cards	144	(2)
PCI and ISA Cards	146	(2)
USB Adapters	148	(1)
Windows XP Stations	149	(5)
Wireless Zero Configuration	150	(2)
Configuring Automatic Network Connections	152	(2)
Macintosh Stations	154	(2)
The AirPort Card	154	(2)
Power Macs	156	(1)
Linux Stations	156	(1)
Summary	157	(2)
Analyzing the Network	159	(12)
Signal Strength Testing	160	(3)
Walk-Around Testing	161	(1)
Using Testing Equipment	162	(1)
Protocol Analyzers	163	(1)
How Protocol Analyzers Work	164	(2)
Checking WLAN Health with a Protocol Analyzer	166	(4)
Finding Rogue WLANs	169	(1)
Summary	170	(1)
Installing a Home WLAN	171	(14)
Network Wiring---Do You Need Any?	171	(2)
Mounting the AP	173	(1)
Antennas	174	(1)
Power Considerations	175	(1)
Configuration	175	(3)
Sharing the Internet	178	(5)
Using an Internet Gateway	178	(4)
Using Windows Internet Connection Sharing	182	(1)
Summary	183	(2)
Planning and Installing a Campus WLAN	185	(12)
The Appeal of Wireless LANs on Campus	185	(2)
The Benefits of College WLANs	186	(1)
The Risks of College WLANs	186	(1)
The Years Have It	187	(1)
Planning and Implementing the Campus WLAN	187	(8)
Access Point Location	188	(4)
Wiring	192	(2)
Security Considerations	194	(1)
Interoperability with Student Equipment	195	(1)
Summary	195	(2)
Part III: Managing a Wireless Network	197	(68)
Ensuring Basic Wireless Security	199	(12)
The Risks	199	(3)
Remembering to Pull the Blinds---Always Use WEP	200	(2)
Wi-Fi Standard Security---Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP)	202	(6)
How WEP Works	203	(2)
Entering WEP Keys	205	(2)
WEP Vulnerabilities	207	(1)
WEP Fixes	207	(1)
Summary	208	(3)
Implementing Enhanced Wireless Security	211	(20)
The Risks	211	(1)
Rouge WLANs	212	(1)
No Security at All!	212	(1)
The Response	212	(2)
Think of Your WLAN as a Public Medium	213	(1)
Follow Best Practices	213	(1)
Implementing a Wireless Demilitarized Zone	214	(11)
Segregating the Wireless Stations	215	(1)
Controlling LAN Access	216	(1)
Keeping Data Confidential	217	(1)
Controlling Resource Access	218	(1)
Managing Bandwidth	219	(1)
Using IPSec to Create a VPN	220	(3)
Securing Against Intrusion Detection	223	(1)
Facilitating Roaming	224	(1)
Maintaining Multisite Consistency	224	(1)
Managing Access Points and Access Point Security	224	(1)
WDMZ Weaknesses	224	(1)
Secure the WLAN with Network Access Authentication	225	(5)
IEEE 802.1x: Network Port Authentication	226	(2)
Setting up Windows XP Workstations for 802.1x Authentication	228	(1)
RADIUS---Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service	229	(1)
Summary	230	(1)
A Short Course in Public Key Infrastructure	231	(22)
Public Key Infrastructure Terminology	231	(2)
End Users	232	(1)
The Digital Certificate	232	(1)
Certification Authorities	232	(1)
Registration Authorities	232	(1)
Public Key Infrastructure Concepts	233	(4)
Electronic Threats	233	(1)
Electronic Solutions	234	(3)
Ensuring Confidentiality	237	(9)
Symmetric Cryptography---Single Key	238	(2)
Asymmetric Cryptography	240	(3)
Public Key Cryptography	243	(1)
Dealing with Authentication and Non-Repudiation	244	(2)
Authentication---Certification Authorities	246	(4)
A Sample Certificate	248	(1)
Root Certification Authorities	249	(1)
X.509 Certificates	250	(1)
PKI Protocols	250	(1)
SSL Certificates	250	(1)
IPsec	251	(1)
S/MIME	251	(1)
Summary	251	(2)
Upgrading a Wireless Network	253	(12)
Keeping Up with IEEE 802.11 Updates	253	(10)
High-Speed Wireless WLANs in the 5 GHz Band---IEEE 802.11a	254	(2)
Higher-Rate Extensions in the 2.4 GHz Band---802.11g	256	(1)
Choosing Between 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g	257	(2)
Quality of Service---802.11e	259	(1)
Enhanced MAC Layer Security---IEEE 802.11i	260	(1)
Port-Based Network Access Control---IEEE 802.1x	260	(2)
Power over Ethernet---IEEE 802.3af	262	(1)
Plan for Change	263	(1)
Implementing Firmware Updates	263	(1)
New Site Survey	264	(1)
Summary	264	(1)
Part IV: Using Wi-Fi	265	(42)
Using Wi-Fi at Work	267	(14)
The Big Picture	267	(2)
Wi-Fi Basics	269	(3)
The Wireless Station	269	(2)
Access Points	271	(1)
Connecting to the WLAN	272	(7)
A Tale of Two Chipsets	273	(1)
Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, and 2000 Users	274	(2)
Windows XP Users	276	(1)
Macintosh Users	277	(2)
Summary	279	(2)
Using Wi-Fi at Home	281	(12)
So What's the Big Deal?	281	(2)
All You Really Need to Know About Wi-Fi	283	(1)
Making Your PC a Wireless Radio Station	283	(2)
Getting Connected over the WLAN	285	(6)
Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, and 2000 Users	286	(2)
Windows XP Users	288	(1)
Macintosh Users	289	(2)
Connecting to the Internet	291	(1)
Summary	291	(2)
Using Wi-Fi on the Go	293	(14)
Public Wireless LANs	293	(1)
Commercial Wireless LANs	293	(5)
Wayport	294	(2)
MobileStar	296	(1)
Aggregators	297	(1)
Wi-Fi Security on the Go	298	(1)
Accessing a Public WLAN	298	(6)
Nonfat Latte and a Wireless Internet Connection, Please!---Using Wi-Fi at Starbucks	298	(3)
Using Wi-Fi at the Airport and Hotel	301	(3)
Community Wireless LANs	304	(1)
Summary	305	(2)
Part V: Connecting Sites with Wireless Technology	307	(32)
Planning a Multisite Wireless Network	309	(14)
Wireless Bridges	309	(5)
How Wireless Bridges Work	311	(1)
Wireless-to-Wireless Bridges	312	(2)
Planning the Path	314	(8)
Line-of-Sight	315	(1)
Fresnel Zones	316	(3)
Computing Link Budgets	319	(2)
Multipath	321	(1)
Towers	322	(1)
Amplifiers	322	(1)
Summary	322	(1)
Installing Site-to-Site Bridges and Antennas	323	(16)
Choosing Wireless Bridging Equipment	323	(7)
Selecting Wireless Bridges	324	(4)
Software-Based Bridges	328	(2)
Security	330	(1)
Choosing the Optimal Antenna	330	(2)
Omnidirectional Antennas	331	(1)
Directional Antennas	331	(1)
Installing a Wireless Bridge	332	(5)
Power over Ethernet	333	(1)
Mounting Antennas	333	(1)
Aiming Antennas	334	(3)
Summary	337	(2)
Glossary	339	(26)
Index	365