Wireless Networks First-Step

by Geier, Jim

• ISBN13: 9781587201110
• ISBN10: 1587201119
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-08-03
• Publisher: Cisco Press

Summary

Your First-Step into the World of Wireless NetworksNo experience required! Gain an understanding of wireless networking basics with this reader friendly guide The first book anyone should read about wireless networks with step-by-step instruction Learn from an author experienced in and known for writing to a generalist wireless audience with a clear, simple-to-understand styleAs a basic introduction to wireless networking,Wireless Networks First-Stepassumes that readers have no previous wireless experience. The book provides an overview of wireless networking, along with details of applicable standards and technologies. Newcomers to wireless technologies will find practical information along with an abundance of examples. Case studies throughout the chapters provide real-world implementation examples, presented in a non-technical fashion. Implementation details are discussed only to the extent that readers can identify what type of wireless network may be appropriate for their needs.Wireless Networks First-Step, written by Jim Geier, begins with a basic introduction to wireless networks and an explanation of radio wave communications. It then reviews different types of wireless networks including WPANs (wireless personal area networks), WLANs (wireless local area networks), wireless MANs (metropolitan area networks), and WWANs (wireless wide area networks). The final section covers security threats to wireless networks, and solutions to combat these threats.158720111903232004

Author Biography

Jim Geier is the founder and principal consultant of Wireless Nets, Ltd., a consulting firm that assists with the development and deployment of wireless networks.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xvii
The Wireless World: An Introduction to Concepts	3	(28)
Wireless Networks Defined	3	(11)
Wireless PANs	5	(2)
Wireless LANs	7	(2)
Wireless MANs	9	(2)
Wireless WANs	11	(2)
Drawing the Line	13	(1)
Wireless Network Applications	14	(10)
Basic Configurations	14	(1)
Internet Access	15	(1)
Voice over Wireless	16	(1)
Inventory Control	17	(1)
Health Care	17	(1)
Education	18	(1)
Real Estate	19	(1)
Utilities	20	(1)
Field Service	20	(1)
Field Sales	21	(1)
Vending	21	(1)
Public Networks	21	(2)
Location-Based Services	23	(1)
Wireless Network Benefits	24	(3)
Increasing Efficiency and Accuracy	24	(1)
Office Example	24	(1)
Warehouse Example	25	(1)
Hospital Example	26	(1)
Improving Reliability	26	(1)
Chapter Summary	27	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	28	(3)
Wireless System Architecture: How Wireless Works	31	(38)
Wireless Network System Components	31	(1)
Users	32	(1)
Computer Devices	33	(1)
NICs	34	(3)
Air Medium	37	(1)
Wireless Network Infrastructures	38	(10)
Base Stations	38	(2)
Access Controllers	40	(2)
Application Connectivity Software	42	(4)
Distribution System	46	(2)
Management Systems	48	(4)
Security	48	(1)
Help Desk	49	(1)
Configuration Management	49	(1)
Network Monitoring	50	(1)
Reporting	50	(1)
Engineering	51	(1)
Maintenance	51	(1)
Network Architecture	52	(2)
Information Signals	54	(3)
Digital Signals	54	(2)
Analog Signals	56	(1)
Flow of Information Through a Wireless Network	57	(9)
End Points of Information Flow	57	(1)
Inputting, Storing, and Displaying Information	58	(1)
Interfacing with the Air Medium	59	(1)
Medium Access	59	(2)
Error Control	61	(4)
Transferring Wireless Data Signals	65	(1)
Connecting with the Wireless Network Infrastructure	65	(1)
Chapter Summary	66	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	67	(2)
Radio Frequency and Light Signal Fundamentals: The Invisible Medium	69	(20)
Wireless Transceivers	69	(1)
Understanding RF Signals	70	(6)
RF Signal Attributes	70	(2)
RF Signal Pros and Cons	72	(1)
RF Signal Impairments	73	(1)
Interference	73	(1)
Multipath	74	(2)
Understanding Light Signals	76	(4)
Light Signal Attributes	76	(2)
Light Signal Pros and Cons	78	(1)
Light Signal Impairments	78	(1)
Interference	79	(1)
Attenuation Because of Obstructions and Weather	79	(1)
Modulation: Preparing Signals for Propagation	80	(7)
Frequency Shift-Keying	81	(1)
Phase Shift-Keying	82	(1)
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation	82	(1)
Spread Spectrum	83	(2)
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing	85	(1)
Ultrawideband Modulation	86	(1)
Chapter Summary	87	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	87	(2)
Wireless PANs: Networks for Small Places	89	(16)
Wireless PAN Components	89	(2)
User Devices	89	(1)
Radio NICs	90	(1)
USB Adapters	90	(1)
Routers	91	(1)
Wireless PAN Systems	91	(4)
Home and Small Office	92	(1)
Synchronization	92	(1)
Streaming Multimedia	92	(1)
Control	93	(1)
Printing	93	(1)
Internet Connections	94	(1)
Enterprise	94	(1)
Wireless PAN Technologies	95	(7)
802.15	95	(1)
Bluetooth	96	(1)
Basic Features	96	(1)
Could Bluetooth Replace Wireless LANs?	97	(1)
Could Wireless LANs Replace Bluetooth?	97	(1)
Minimizing Bluetooth Interference	98	(3)
IrDA	101	(1)
Basic Features	101	(1)
Chapter Summary	102	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	103	(2)
Wireless LANs: Networks for Buildings and Campuses	105	(32)
Wireless LAN Components	105	(5)
User Devices	105	(1)
Radio NICs	106	(1)
Access Points	106	(2)
Routers	108	(1)
Repeaters	109	(1)
Antennae	110	(1)
Wireless LAN Systems	110	(7)
Home and Small Office Wireless LANs	111	(1)
Enterprise Wireless LANs	112	(2)
Public Wireless LANs	114	(3)
Ad Hoc Wireless LANs	117	(1)
Wireless LAN Technologies	117	(17)
802.11	118	(1)
802.11 MAC Layer	118	(6)
802.11 Physical Layers	124	(6)
Wi-Fi	130	(1)
What Wi-Fi Means	130	(1)
Wi-Fi Protected Access	131	(1)
HiperLAN/2	131	(1)
HiperLAN/2 Enhancements	132	(1)
Is HiperLAN/2 a Threat to 802.11?	133	(1)
Chapter Summary	134	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	134	(3)
Wireless MANs: Networks for Connecting Buildings and Remote Areas	137	(14)
Wireless MAN Components	138	(4)
Bridges	138	(1)
Bridges Versus Access Points	139	(1)
Basic Ethernet-to-Wireless Bridges	139	(1)
Workgroup Bridges	140	(1)
Directional Antennae	140	(1)
Semidirectional Antennae	141	(1)
Highly Directional Antennae	141	(1)
Effect of Polarization	142	(1)
Wireless MAN Systems	142	(3)
Point-to-Point Systems	142	(1)
Point-to-Multipoint System	143	(1)
Packet Radio Systems	144	(1)
Wireless MAN Technologies	145	(2)
802.11 and Wi-Fi	145	(1)
802.16	146	(1)
Chapter Summary	147	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	148	(3)
Wireless WANs: Networks for Worldwide Connections	151	(20)
Wireless WAN Components	152	(4)
Wireless WAN User Devices	152	(1)
Radio NICs	153	(1)
Base Stations	154	(1)
Antennae	155	(1)
Wireless WAN Systems	156	(9)
Cellular-Based Wireless WANs	157	(1)
First-Generation Cellular	158	(1)
Second-Generation Cellular	158	(1)
Third-Generation Cellular	159	(2)
Space-Based Wireless WANs	161	(1)
Satellites	161	(3)
Meteor Burst Communications	164	(1)
Wireless WAN Technologies	165	(2)
Frequency Division Multiple Access	165	(1)
Time Division Multiple Access	166	(1)
Code Division Multiple Access	166	(1)
Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA)	167	(1)
Chapter Summary	167	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	168	(3)
Wireless Network Security: Protecting Information Resources	171	(32)
Security Threats	171	(7)
Traffic Monitoring	172	(1)
Unauthorized Access	172	(2)
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks	174	(2)
Denial of Service	176	(2)
Encryption	178	(7)
WEP	181	(1)
WEP Operation	181	(1)
WEP Issues	182	(1)
When to Use WEP	183	(1)
Temporal Key Integrity Protocol	183	(1)
Wi-Fi Protected Access	184	(1)
Virtual Private Networks	185	(1)
Authentication	185	(5)
802.11 Authentication Vulnerabilities	185	(2)
MAC Filters	187	(1)
Authentication Using Public Key Cryptography	187	(1)
802.1x	188	(1)
802.1x Operation	188	(2)
Authentication Types	190	(1)
Security Policies	190	(1)
Assessment Steps	191	(4)
Review Existing Security Policies	191	(1)
Review the Existing System	192	(1)
Interview Users	192	(1)
Verify Configurations of Wireless Devices	192	(1)
Identify Rogue Base Stations	193	(1)
Perform Penetration Tests	194	(1)
Analyze Security Gaps	194	(1)
Recommend Improvements	194	(1)
Common Security Policies	195	(4)
Place Wireless Users Outside a Firewall	195	(1)
Use Effective Encryption	195	(1)
Ensure Firmware Is Up-to-Date	196	(1)
Physically Secure Base Stations	196	(1)
Assign Strong Passwords to Base Stations	197	(1)
Don't Broadcast SSIDs	197	(1)
Reduce Propagation of Radio Waves	197	(1)
Implement Personal Firewalls	198	(1)
Monitor Base Station Configuration	198	(1)
Control Deployments	198	(1)
Chapter Summary	199	(1)
Chapter Review Questions	199	(4)
Appendix A Answers to Chapter Review Questions	203	(12)
Glossary	215	(10)
Index	225