Wireless LANS - Channels

• The devices will operate on a single channel

– This will be defined at the AP, either manually or automatically
• This channel can be considered the same as the wire in the
Ethernet network
• All devices which communicate with a single AP will use this
channel and then CSMA/CA to allow multiple uses
– With proper radio planning multiple AP’s can operate in a
small area by giving each one a different channel
• This is how the university works
 Wireless LANS - Channels
• Due to the fact that the IEEE 802.11 standards use the ISM band we
always consider this as a global standard
– As discussed before just because ISM is an international standard does
NOT mean it is the same everywhere
– If we take IEEE 802.11b standard
• Europe
– 13 Channels
– Maximum 100 milliwatt (0.1 Watt)
• Japan
– 14 Channels
– Maximum 10 milliwatt (0.01 Watt)
• USA
– 11 Channels
– Maximum 1000 milliwatt (1 Watt)
• Spain
– 2 Channels
– The only channels which are available globally are 10 and 11
• This is a consideration if you are moving access point kit between countries
 Wireless LANS - Infrastructure
• What infrastructure is needed to use any of
the 802.11 standards ?
– In theory not much
• Two Laptops could communicate between
themselves
• This would be operating in an adhoc manner
– To make better use of 802.11 technology it is
connected into the wired infrastructure
• An access point is a point of hardware which
controls the communications with the portable
devices and also allows the wireless frames to be
transferred to the wired network

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Dlink_wireless_router.jpg
 Wireless LANS - Infrastructure
• The wireless access point can have additional
functionality
– Routing capability
– Firewall
– Encryption
– The transmission distance around the access point is referred to
as a Hot-spot

Wireless Access Point

 Wireless LANS - Infrastructure
• The access point though can also give access to your
company through the Internet
– Through the Internet this will give the user unlimited access, if the
company is also attached to the Internet

Web Server

Company Network

Email Server

Ethernet
 Infrastructure - Considerations
• Attaching devices to a operational network needs to be
considered
– This would be true for wireless and Mobile computing technology
• To just add wireless/mobile technology can lead to problems
• Security is a concern
– Unlike a wired LAN this can be an open access point to the network
– Can the network support the required technology i.e. Virtual Private Network
(VPN)
– Does the company have a policy in place for the use of devices i.e. passwords,
data to be stored
– Do the technical staff have the knowledge to correctly configure it all
– Is the network secure enough to allow access in from an Internet based source
– Over use of the limited frequency within a small area with a lot of users within
a company using the technology
 Wireless LANS – Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi
– Wi-Fi is not 802.11 although the term is usually used in the same
context
• http://wi-fi.org/
• IEEE 802.11 standards are agreed on and are then published
• The companies then use these standards can then adjust them as
needed
– They can adjust the standard though to a point where two 802.11b devices
could not communicate
• The Wi-Fi certified logo indicates that the devices have been
certified and they will allow communications between all Wi-Fi
devices using the agreed standards
– In reality there will be performance difference between different operators