Overview of Wireless LANs: Need, Benefits, and Cisco Aironet Products

1. IFIP-UNU ADVANCED COURSE ON NETWORKING AND SECURITYModule II-Wireless CommunicationsSection 1 Overview of Wireless LANs

2. Learning Objectives • Define and describe WLANs • Describe the need and benefits of WLANs. • Identify characteristics of Cisco Aironet 802.11a products. • Identify characteristics of Cisco Aironet 802.11b products.

3. Overview This module provides an introduction to the rapidly evolving technology of wireless LANs (WLANs). WLANs redefine the way the industry views LANs. Connectivity no longer implies attachment. Wireless networking provides all the features and benefits of traditional LAN technologies without the limitations of wires or cables. The freedom to roam while still maintaining connectivity has helped launch wireless networking to new heights.

4. Key terms • WLAN • Bridging • Access Point • Bridge • Antenna • Wi-Fi™

5. Major Factors • There are four major factors to consider before implementing a wireless network: • High availability • Scalability • Manageability • Open architecture

6. Momentum is Building in Wireless LANs • Wireless LANs are an “addictive” technology • Strong commitment to Wireless LANs by technology heavy-weights • Cisco, IBM, Intel, Microsoft • Embedded market is growing • Laptop PC’s with “wireless inside” • PDA’s are next • The WLAN market is expanding from Industry-Specific Applications, to Universities, Homes, & Offices • Professional installers and technicians will be in demand

7. Wireless LANs Are Taking Off Future Growth Due To: • Standards • High Bandwidth Needs • Low Cost • Embedded in Laptops • Variety of Devices • Voice + Data • Multiple Applications • Security Issues Solved • Ease of Deployment • Network Mgmt. Tools • Enterprise Adoption Worldwide WLAN Market *includes embedded clients, add-on client cards, & infrastructure equipment for both the business and consumer segments ($ Billions) CAGR = 43% Source: Forward Concepts, 2003

8. “Business-Class”vs Consumer WLAN • Industry has segmented: consumer vs. business Cisco offers only “business-class” products: • Security • Upgradeability • Network management • Advanced features • Choice of antennas • Highest throughput • Scalability

9. Benefits of WLANs

10. WiFi

11. Unlicensed Frequency Bands

12. 2.5 GHz Service Circuit and Packet Data Cellular, CDPD, Mobitex, DataTac Broadband PCS Narrowband PCS Wireless Data Networks 50 Mbps Spread Spectrum Wireless LANs 10 Mbps Infrared Wireless LANs 2 Mbps 1 Mbps Data Rates 56 Kbps 19.6 Kbps Narrow Band Wireless LANs Satellite 9.6 Kbps Local Wide Coverage Area

13. PAN LAN MAN WAN 802.11a, 11b, 11g HiperLAN2 802.11 MMDS, LMDS GSM, GPRS, CDMA, 2.5–3G Standards Bluetooth Speed <1 Mbps 2–54+ Mbps 22+ Mbps 10–384 Kbps Range Short Medium Medium–Long Long PDAs, Mobile Phones, Cellular Access Peer-to-Peer Device-to-Device Enterprise Networks Fixed, Last Mile Access Applications Wireless Technologies WAN (Wide Area Network) MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) LAN (Local Area Network) PAN (Personal Area Network)

14. Icons

15. Icons

16. Icons

17. Wireless Technologies

18. 54 Mbps Speed 860 Kbps 1 and 2 Mbps 1 and 2 Mbps 11 Mbps Standards-based Network Proprietary 5 GHz Radio 900 MHz 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz 1986 1998 2000 2002 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 WLAN Evolution: 2000–Present • Warehousing • Retail • Healthcare • Education Businesses Home 802.11 Ratified 802.11a,b Ratified 802.11g Drafted • IEEE 802.11Begins Drafting

19. Wi-Fi™ • Wi-Fi™ Alliance • Wireless Fidelity Alliance • 170+ members • Over 350 products certified • Wi-Fi’s™ Mission • Certify interoperability of WLAN products (802.11) • Wi-Fi™ is the “stamp of approval” • Promote Wi-Fi™ as the global standard

20. Components and Topologies

21. WLAN Devices Bridging • 350 Series (802.11b) • BR350 • WGB350 • 1400 Series (802.11a) In-building Infrastructure • 1200 Series (802.11a and 802.11b) • 1100 Series (802.11b) • 350 Series (802.11b) not shown

22. WLAN Devices Clients • 350 Series (802.11b) • 5 GHz client adapter (802.11a) • Workgroup bridge (802.11b) Antenna • 2.4GHz • 5 GHz Antennas

23. Cable, Accessories, Wireless IP Phone Cable and Accessories • Low Loss Cable • Antenna Mounts • Lightening Arrestor • Wireless IP Phone

24. Cisco Aironet 802.11b Client Adapters • 2.4 GHz • 802.11b • 11 Mbps • Include • PC Card • PCI Card • LMC Card • Mini PCI

25. Cisco Aironet 350 Series Mini PCI Adapter • 2.4 GHz/802.11b embedded wireless for notebooks • 100 mW transmit power • Must order through PC manufactures (not orderable directly through Cisco)

26. Cisco Aironet 802.11a Client Adapter • 5 GHz/802.11a • 54 Mbps • Rate Shifting • 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 54 • Fixed data rates • User configurable option • 5 dBi Patch Antenna • CardBus interface • Transmit power settings: • 20 mW, 10 mW, and 5 mW

27. 1200 Series Access Point • Dual radio design Field upgradable radio and software • 802.11b radio • 100 mW radio • Built-in RP-TNC connectors for diversity • Wide range of Cisco 2.4 GHz antennas offered • 802.11a radio • Delivers up to 54 Mbps, the next generation of performance • Can run in dual mode capacity with the 802.11b radio • Innovative antenna design to fit deployment needs Enterprise-class management and security

28. Cisco Aironet 1100 Series Access Point • Single 802.11b radio • Time-tested technology • Supports installed client-base • Upgradable • Migration path to 802.11g for further investment return • Scalable • Fully functional access point ideal for all enterprise deployments without expensive controllers • Affordable • Lowest priced upgradable Cisco Aironet access point • Enterprise-class features • End-to-end intelligent networking and security extended to WLAN

29. Enterprise-Class Features on all Cisco Aironet Access Points • Cisco IOS (1100 and 1200 Series) • End-to-end intelligent network services • Familiar service configuration and network behavior • VxWorks (350 Series) • Easy web-based GUI interface • VLANs • Network segmentation for flexible policy and service application • QoS • End-to-end prioritization for applications such as voice and video • Proxy Mobile IP • Seamless inter-subnet roaming

30. Cisco Aironet WLAN Solutions for the Enterprise

31. 350 Series Workgroup Bridge (WGB) • 2.4 GHz/802.11b • Supports 8 MAC addresses • Acts as client to Cisco Aironet access point or bridge when in access point mode

32. 350 Series Bridge (WB) • Flexibility: 2.4 GHz/802.11b point-to-point and multi-point • Management capabilities: • SNMP, Telnet, FTP, HTML • 802.1D spanning tree • Breadth of product line: • 11, 5.5, 2, 1 Mbps • Antenna/range options

33. Cisco Aironet 1400 Series • High Performance • Industry leading throughput and range • Easy-to-Use • Out of the box installation in outdoor environment • Flexible • Point to point and point to multi-point bridging • Multiple mounting and antenna options • Secure • Enterprise-class security • Feature Rich • Intelligent Network Services via IOS

34. Cisco Aironet Wireless Bridging Solutions

35. Antennas • Indoor and Outdoor • WLAN and Bridging • Outdoor • Bridging • 2.4 GHz • 5 GHz

36. Cable and Accessories

37. 802.11-Enabled Phones • A cordless phone for the workplace • Cisco 7920 Wireless VoIP phone

38. Beyond Laptops:Other 802.11-Enabled Devices Epson Printer HP iPAQ 5450 PDA • PDA’s • Phones • Printers • Projectors • Tablet PC’s • Security Cameras • Barcode scanners • Custom devices for vertical markets: • Healthcare • Manufacturing • Retail • Restaurants Compaq Tablet PC SpectraLink Phone HHP Barcode Scanner Sharp M25X Projector

39. WLAN Market

40. In Building WLAN

41. Site to Site WLAN

42. WLAN Markets

43. Challenges and Issues

44. Radio Signal Interference

45. Power Consumption

46. Interoperability

47. Wireless LAN Security:Lessons “War Driving” Hacking into WEP Lessons: • Security must be turned on (part of the installation process) • Employees will install WLAN equipment on their own (compromises security of your entire network) • WEP keys can be easily broken (businesses need better security)

48. Reliability and Connectivity

49. Installation and Site Design Issues—Bridging

50. Installation and Site Design Issues—WLAN