WI- FI TECHNOLOGY
ABSTRACT
Wi-Fi, also known as 802.11b, has become the
preferred technology for wireless local area
networking in both business and home
environments. Even though it was designed
primarily for private applications Wi-Fi is also
being deployed in public places to create so
called hotspots, where Wi-Fi capable users can
obtain broadband internet access.This new
domain of application could be the major future
market opportunity for Wi-Fi, but in order to
take advantage of it,several key challenges, both
technical and business related, must be
overcome. We outline these challenges and
discuss appoaches to solutions.
INTRODUCTION
Wi-Fi, which stands for wireless fidelity, in a
play on the older term Hi-Fi is a wireless
networking technology used across the globe.
Wi-Fi refers to any system that uses the 802.11
standard, which was developed by the Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) and released in 1997. The term Wi-Fi,
first used commercially in August 1999, was
coined by a brand consulting firm called
Interbrand Corporation that had been hired by
the Alliance to determine a name that was "a
little catchier than 'IEEE 802.11b Direct
Sequence'.
The IEEE 802.11 specification is an international
standard describing the characteristics of a
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). The
name Wi-Fi (short for "Wireless Fidelity",
sometimes incorrectly shortened to WiFi)
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corresponds to the name of the certification
given by the Wi-Fi alliance, formerly WECA
(Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance), the
group which ensures compatibility between
hardware devices that use the 802.11 standard.
Today, due to misuse of the terms (and for
marketing purposes), the name of the standard is
often confused with the name of the certification.
A Wi-Fi network, in reality, is a network that
complies with the 802.11 standard.
Wi-Fi is more like traditional Ethernet networks
and requires configuration to set up shared
resources, transmit files, and to set up audio
links. it uses the same radio frequency as
Bluetooth, but with higher power output
resulting in a stronger connection. Wi-Fi requires
more set up, but it is better suited for operating
full scale networks because it enables a faster
connection, better range from the base station,
and better security than bluetooth.
With Wi-Fi, it is possible to create high-speed
wireless local area networks, provided that the
computer to be connected is not too far from the
access point. A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a
PC, video game console, mobile phone, MP3
player or PDA, can connect to the Internet when
within range of a wireless network connected to
the Internet. In practice, Wi-Fi can be used to
provide high-speed connections (11 Mbps or
greater) to laptop computers, desktop computers,
personal digital assistants (PDAs) and any other
devices located within a radius of several dozen
metres indoors (in general 20m-50m away) or
within several hundred metres outdoors.
Wi-Fi providers are starting to blanket areas that
have a high concentration of users (like train
stations, airports, and hotels) with wireless
networks. These access areas are called "Hot
Spots".
IEEE 802.11 :-
IEEE 802.11 is a standard of communication
between computers and wireless devices. The
standards were set by IEEE LAN/MAN Standard
committee in 5GHZ and 2.4 GHz public
spectrum bands.
The IEEE 802.11 is consisting of numerous
mechanism and services that interrelate to
present station mobility translucent to the higher
layers of the network mass. IEEE 802.11 is a
combination of wireless LAN. We can use IEEE
802.11 and Wi-Fi often as interchangeably
depends on market demand. It is a basic protocol
of any high speed wireless network from 1997 to
2008. There are lots of change occurred in it but
the basics “high performance" never change. The
frequency of it is from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz and
range is from 100 meter to 5000 meter. The
IEEE 802.11 starts from the need to connect
more than one computer with each other
wirelessly especially where the wire cannot go.
Depending upon the development occurred in
IEEE 802.11, there are following types.
Types of IEEE 802.11 :-
1] IEEE 802.11b :-
• It appeared in late 1999.
• It operates at 2.4GHz radio spectrum.
• Theoretical speed - 11 Mbps - within 30
m Range
• Actual speed - 4-6 Mbps
• The range is 100 -150 feet.
• It is one of the Most popular &Least
Expensive.
2] IEEE 802.11a :-
• It was introduced in 2001.
• It operates at 5 GHz .
• Theoretical speed – 54Mbps
• Actual speed – 15-20 Mbps
• The range is 50-75 feet.
• It is More expensive, so less popular.
• It is not compatible with 802.11b.
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3] IEEE 802.11g :-
• It was introduced in 2003
• I has combined features of both
standards (a,b)
• The range is 100-150 feet.
• It has 54 Mbps Speed
• It operates at 2.4 GHz radio frequencies
• It is compatible with ‘b’
Elements of a WI-FI Network :-
1. Access Point (AP) - The AP is a
wireless LAN transceiver or “base
station” that can connect one or many
wireless devices simultaneously to the
Internet.
2. Wi-Fi cards - They accept the
wireless signal and relay
information.They can be internal and
external.(e.g PCMCIA Card for Laptop
and PCI Card for Desktop PC)
3. Safeguards - Firewalls and anti-virus
software protect networks from
uninvited users and keep information
secure.
4. Hotspots - “deploys public access
WLAN networks (e.g., Wi-Fi) and
public access control gateway
functionality”
• Example locations: airports,
restaurants, hotel rooms, company lobbies,
conference rooms, apartments
How Wi – Fi networks work ?
• Basic concept is same as Walkie talkies.
• A Wi-Fi hotspot is created by installing
an access point to an internet
connection.
• An access point acts as a base station.
 • When Wi-Fi enabled device encounters
a hotspot the device can then connect to
that network wirelessly.
• A single access point can support up to
30 users and can function within a range
of 100 – 150 feet indoors and up to 300
feet outdoors.
• Many access points can be connected to
each other via Ethernet cables to create
a single large network.
Wi-Fi Modes :-
Wireless technology has change the way for us
to connect to internet, local and remote
computers, it has enabled the implementation of
imagination beyond the limits. There are two
most common modes by which we connect to
Wi-Fi for connectivity for accessing internet or
other computer for file sharing etc.
The most common modes for Wi-Fi connectivity
are as follow:
A ] Infrastructure mode
B ] Ad hoc Mode
A ] Infrastructure Mode:-
Infrastructure mode is one of the two methods
for connecting to wireless networks with Wi-Fi
enabled devices such as laptops, Pda’s I-phone
etc. These devices are connected to wireless
network with the help of Access point (AP). So,
Also known as “ AP Topology”. Wireless
Access Points are usually routers or switches
which are connected to internet by Ethernet port.
Wireless Access points are always required for
infrastructure mode of wireless networking. It is
necessary to use SSID while configuring AP, this
SSID should be known to clients for their
computers to connect WLAN. SSID is basically
security key which help prevent un authorized
access to WLAN. The Access point is then
connected to wire network (Internet) to provide
wireless internet connectivity to clients. Multiple
access points can be added in the WLAN, this
increases the reach of infrastructure for
supporting many number of wireless clients.
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Setting Up Infrastructure Mode :-
Setting up infrastructure mode for wireless
connectivity is not that hard, all we are require to
follow number of steps which will do the job.
We need to make sure that Internet cable is
plugged in Ethernet port, second step is to
configure AP (Access point). http://192.168.1.1
is usually the access panel address. Write this
URL at your Internet browser, username and
password window will appear, default settings
are usually, admin username and admin
password. We name the connection name which
will appear to all wireless devices, then we
enable infrastructure mode and also assign SSID
in the switch/router for it broadcast
Now we scan wireless adaptor to see if any
wireless network is available to connect, when
configured network is appear, click and connect
and provide SSID information, here you should
be able to connect to the network for internet
browsing and file sharing.
Advantages of Infrastructure mode :-
Infrastructure mode provide much more stability,
scalability, ease of management and improved
security. Ad hoc on the other hand does not
provide security to that level and managing can
be difficult incase of network growth.
Performance suffers as we increase devices as
well.
The only disadvantage associated with
infrastructure mode is extra cost to for Access
points (routers and switches).Compared to the
alternative, ad-hoc wireless networks,
infrastructure mode networks offer the advantage
of scalability, centralized security management
and improved reach. The disadvantage of
infrastructure wireless networks is simply the
additional cost to purchase AP hardware.
B ] Ad hoc Mode :-
There is another mode of connectivity available
for Wi-Fi connectivity. This mode is known to
be ad hoc mode. By using ad hoc mode, devices
are capable for communicating directly with
each other. No Access point (routers / switches)
is required for communication between devices
and all devices in the range connect in peer to
peer communication mode.
Setting up Ad hoc Mode :-
For setting up ad hoc mode, wireless adaptors of
all devices are required to be configured
manually at ad hoc mode instead of
infrastructure mode. It is also important to use
same channel name and configuring all wireless
adaptors using same SSID for making
connection live.
Advantages of Ad hoc network
Mode:-
Ad hoc mode networks works fine in small
environment, like building, homes etc.
No extra hardware (Access point) is required to
use ad hoc mode, therefore it reduces the cost.
If devices have wireless network adapters in
them already then that will do the job as far as
building ad hoc networks is concern.
Ad hoc can be useful as back up option for time
being if network based on infrastructure mode
and access points are malfunctioning.
Limitation of Ad hoc Mode :-
Ad hoc mode is best used for small number of
devices which are physically present in close
proximity with each other and as the number of
devices grows performance of network suffers.
Disconnections of random device may occur
time to time and managing the network can be
difficult task for administrator.
There is another limitation associated with ad
hoc mode that is, ad hoc mode networks cannot
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bridge to wire LANs and cannot access internet
without installing special gateways.
Operational advantages
Wi-Fi allows local area networks (LANs) to be
deployed without wires for client devices,
typically reducing the costs of network
deployment and expansion. Spaces where cables
cannot be run, such as outdoor areas and
historical buildings, can host wireless LANs.
Wireless network adapters are now built into
most laptops. The price of chipsets for Wi-Fi
continues to drop, making it an economical
networking option included in even more
devices. Wi-Fi has become widespread in
corporate infrastructures.
Different competitive brands of access points
and client network interfaces are inter-operable
at a basic level of service. Products designated as
"Wi-Fi Certified" by the Wi-Fi Alliance are
backwards compatible. Wi-Fi is a global set of
standards. Unlike mobile phones, any standard
Wi-Fi device will work anywhere in the world.
Wi-Fi is widely available in more than 220,000
public hotspots and tens of millions of homes
and corporate and university campuses
worldwide. The current version of Wi-Fi
Protected Access encryption (WPA2) is not
easily defeated, provided strong passwords are
used. New protocols for Quality of Service
(WMM) make Wi-Fi more suitable for latency-
sensitive applications (such as voice and video),
and power saving mechanisms (WMM Power
Save) improve battery operation.
REACH -
Wi-Fi networks have limited range. A typical
wireless router using 802.11b or 802.11g with a
stock antenna might have a range of 32 m (120
ft) indoors and 95 m (300 ft) outdoors. The new
IEEE 802.11n however, can exceed that range by
more than double.Range also varies with
frequency band. Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz frequency
block has slightly better range than Wi-Fi in the
5 GHz frequency block. Outdoor range with
improved (directional) antennas can be several
kilometres or more with line-of-sight. In general,
the maximum amount of power that a Wi-Fi
device can transmit is limited by local
regulations.
Wi-Fi performance decreases roughly
quadratically as distance increases at constant
radiation levels.
Due to reach requirements for wireless LAN
applications, power consumption is fairly high
compared to some other standards. Technologies
such as Bluetooth, which are designed to support
wireless PAN applications, provide a much
shorter propagation range of <10m (ref. e.g.
IEEE Std. 802.15.4 section 1.2 scope) and so in
general have a lower power consumption. Other
low-power technologies such as ZigBee have
fairly long range, but much lower data rate. The
high power consumption of Wi-Fi makes battery
life a concern for mobile devices.
A number of "no new wires" technologies have
been developed to provide alternatives to Wi-Fi
for applications in which Wi-Fi's indoor range is
not adequate and where installing new wires
(such as CAT-5) is not possible or cost-effective.
Due to the complex nature of radio propagation
at typical Wi-Fi frequencies, particularly the
effects of signal reflection off of trees and
buildings, Wi-Fi signal strength can only be
predicted generally for any given area in relation
to a transmitter.This effect does not apply
equally to long-range Wi-Fi, since longer links
typically operate from towers that broadcast
above the surrounding foliage
Features of “WiFi” Technology :-
1] A new aspect in networking :-
WiFi has brought a new aspect in the ground of
networking. The broadcast of data is completed
via radio waves and the cost of cables for
network lying down.Wi-Fi enable a user to get
access to internet anywhere in the given location.
Now you can make a network in Hotels,
Libraries, colleges, universities, campus, private
institutes, and coffee shops and even on a public
place to make your business more profitable and
connect with their client any time. WiFi makes
waves for business with their highly effective
cable less media.
2] Unmatched mobility and
elasticity :-
Wi-Fi, is allowing new intensity of connectivity
without giving up functions. Wi-Fi introduced
various types of utilities such music streamers
that transmit your music to speakers without any
wire you can also play music from the remote
computer or any other attached to the network.
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The most important now you can play online
radio. Wifi technology system is rather
remarkable, you can download songs, send email
and transfer files expediently at sky-scraping
speed and you can move your computer easily
because your WiFi network has no cable to
disrupt your work so we can say that it is quite
easy, helpful and most of all expedient.
3] Fortress Technology :-
WiFi providing secure wireless solutions
support the growth and release of a prototype
mobile ad hoc wireless network for use in the
wireless strategic skirmish.
4] Support an entire age bracket :-
WiFi technology has several advantages it
support an entire age bracket and create a
connection between components on the same
network and have ability to transfer data between
the devices and enable different kind of devices
such as game, MP3 player, PDA’s and much
more!
5] It's convenient and every where :-
WiFi is a convenient technology and where the
range station exists you are online during travel
you can equip with a Wi-Fi network and set up
shop anyplace. You will automatically connect
with internet if you are near hotspot. These days
WiFi exist every where with all its wonders.
6] More faster and secure :-
With WiFi you can get high speed of internet
because it is very fast than DSL and Cable
connection you can establish a Wifi network in
small space now you don’t need any professional
installation just connect to a power outlet with an
Ethernet cord, and start browsing. WiFi security
system for Threats makes it more renewable and
its tool protect your VPN and secure web page.
You can easily configure the device to take
better performance. The standard devices,
embedded systems and network security make it
more powerful.
Application :-
• Home
• Small Businesses or SOHO
• Large Corporations & Campuses
 • Health Care 2] www.google.com
• Wireless ISP (WISP)
• Travellers 3] wikipidia

Wi – Fi Security Threats - 4] www.wifitechnology.com

• Wireless technology doesn’t remove
any old security issues, but introduces 5] WI-FI Home Networking
new ones -by Raymond Smith
• Eavesdropping
• Man-in-the-middle attacks
• Denial of Service

Wi – Fi Security
The requirements for Wi-Fi network security
can be broken down into two primary
components:
• Authentication
 User Authentication
 Server Authentication
• Privacy

Authentication :-
Authentication is done with the RADIUS server,
which ”tells” the access point whether access to
controlled ports should be allowed or not
• AP forces the user into an
unauthorized state
• user send an EAP start
message
• AP return an EAP message
requesting the user’s identity
• Identity send by user is then
forwared to the authentication
server by AP
• Authentication server
authenticate user and return an
accept or reject message back
to the AP
• If accept message is return, the
AP changes the client’s state to
authorized and normal traffic
flows

Reference:

1] www.wifinotes.com