John Wiley & Sons, Inc Virginia F. Kleist, Ph.D. College of Business and Economics West Virginia University Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 2 Chapter 7 Wireless Local Area Networks Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 3 Chapter 7: Objectives Understand the major WLAN Components Be familiar with Common Wireless technologies: 1. WI-FI 2. WIMAX 3. Bluetooth Understand the Best practice WLAN Design Be familiar with how to Improve WLAN Performance Be familiar with WLAN security Management Implications As LANS, WLAN Technologies are layer 2 protocol that operates at the data link layer. They must have a physical hardware at layer 1 that meet their requirements and software at layers above them e.g. TCP/IP that enable application software to use them. 1 - 4 Remember Internets 5-Layer Model Application Layer used by application program Transport Layer responsible for establishing end-to-end connections, translates domain names into numeric addresses and segments messages Network Layer - responsible for making routing decisions Data Link Layer - deals with message delineation, error control and network medium access control Physical Layer - defines how individual bits are formatted to be transmitted through the network
Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 5 Wireless LANs (WLANs) Use radio or infrared frequencies to transmit signals through the air (instead of cables) Basic WLAN Categories 1.Use of Radio frequencies (FOCUS of this chapter) 802.1x family of standards (AKA, Wi-Fi) 2.Use of Infrared frequencies (Optical transmission) Wi-Fi grown in popularity Eliminates cabling Facilitates network access from a variety of locations Facilitates for mobile workers (as in a hospital) Used in 90 percent of companies or more Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 6 Principal WLANs Technologies 1. WI-FI: the commercial name of IEEE 802.11 IEEE 802.11b Standardization started after 802.11a, more commonly used than 802.11a IEEE 802.11a First attempt to standardization of WLANs; more complicated than 802.11b IEEE 802.11g 2. WIMAX 3. Bluetooth Also an IEEE standard, IEEE 802.15 Same concept as LAN. LAN consists of NIC, Cables, Hubs and/or switches
7 - 7 Components of WLANs 1. Network Interface Cards (NIC) Available for laptops as PCMCIA cards Available for desktops as standard cards Many laptops come with WLAN cards built in About 100-500 feet max transmission range 2. Access Points (APs) Used instead of hubs in LANs; act as a repeater; It is a radio transceiver Must hear all computers in WLAN Message transmitted twice Sender to AP, then AP to receiver 3. Radio frequencies to transmit data _ Used instead of cables in LANS Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 8 More on the APs and NICs 3 separate channels available for 802.11b All devices using an AP must use the same channel WLAN functions as a shared media LAN Reduces the interference Users can roam from AP to AP Initially NIC selects a channel (thus an AP) Based on strength of signal from an AP During roaming, if NIC sees another AP with a stronger signal, attaches itself to this AP Usually a set of APs installed to provide geographical coverage and meet traffic needs NICs selects a less busy channel if its current channel becomes busy (too many users) Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 9 WLAN Topology A wireless Access Point (AP) connected into an Ethernet Switch to be connected to LANs Same as Ethernet Physical star Logical bus Use and share the same radio frequencies, so take turns (bus) using the network Uses a NIC that transmits radio signals to the AP 10Base-T or 100Base-T There is a central Access point to which all computers direct their transmission (star) 7 - 10 Antennas used in WLANs Types of APs Antennas 1. Omni directional antennas (most used) Transmit in all directions simultaneously Used on most WLANs Common Omni directional antenna is: Dipole antenna (called rubber duck because of its flexibility) Transmits in all direction (vertical, horizontal, up, down) 2. Directional antennas Project signal only in one direction Focused area; stronger signal; farther ranges Most often used on inside of an exterior wall of building Pointing to inside the building. This keeps the signal inside the building To reduce the security issue A potential problem with WLANs 7 - 11 WLAN Radio Frequencies WLANs use radio transmissions to send data between the NIC and the AP Most countries use the 2.4 GHz range and the 5 GHz frequency range for unlicensed transmission. Radio and TV channel frequencies should be controlled by the gov. the frequency range affects directly the data rates transmission. The larger the frequency range, the greater the bandwidth, or capacity which means faster transmission. frequency range=width of pipe. 2.4 gigahz slower than 5Ghz. But higher frequencies suffer more attenuation.. Transmission in 2.4 gigahz travels further than 5Ghz. It is important to ensure that APs do not conflict with each other. Therefore, each AP is set up to transmit on a different part of the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency range How much overlap should be provided between APs? Why?
In general, a 15 percent overlap in coverage between APs at the desired signal strength is sufficient. If you do not use a 15 percent overlap you risk providing a lower signal strength at extreme ranges and there may even be some dead spots in areas.
A WLAN Using Different Channels The figure shows a WLAN designed using 5 APs, 3 using Omni directional antennas and 2 using directional antennas. This configuration uses 3 channels, with each AP configured to use a channel that does not interfere with the APS around. Each AP covers 100-500 feet. Placing APs and selecting channels to ensure that the entire area is covered with no interference with the antennas using same channel is an important design issue. On potential problem with WLAN is security. Because anyone within range of a WLAN AP can receive transmission. Eaves dropping is a serious threat. Most WLAN encrypt transmissions so that only authorized computers can decode and read messages.
Manageme nt focus, 7- 1 page 239 Fig 7.5 page 240 How much overlap should be provided between APs? Why? In general, a 15 percent overlap in coverage between APs at the desired signal strength is sufficient. If you do not use a 15 percent overlap you risk providing a lower signal strength at extreme ranges and there may even be some dead spots in areas.
WI-Fi (IEEE 802.11) WLAN Media Access Control Topology: of Wi-Fi: Physical star and Logical bus Media Access Control: Uses CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance A station waits until another station is finished transmitting plus an additional random period of time before sending anything. Detecting collisions is more difficult in radio transmission than in wired transmission so, WLAN May use two MAC techniques approaches simultaneously to void collision: 1. Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) Also called Physical Carrier Sense Method 2. Point Coordination Function (PCF) Also called Virtual Carrier Sense Method Optional: (can be set as always, never, or just for certain frame sizes) WI-Fi (IEEE 802.11) Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) The first MAC method is DCF Also called Physical Carrier Sense Method Relies on the ability of computers to physically listen before they transmit When a node wants to send a message: First listens to make sure that the transmitting node has finished, then Waits a period of time longer Each frame(packet) in CSMA/CA is sent using stop-and-wait ARQ (automatic receive request) By waiting, the listening node can detect that the sending node has finished and Can then begin sending its first packet transmission then stops and waits for receiver acknowledgement before sending second packet. ACK/NAK sent a short time after a frame is received by the receiver, The original sender can then send another packet, stops and wait for acknowledgement and so on. Message frames are sent a somewhat longer time after (ensuring that no collision will occur) 7 - 16 WI-Fi (IEEE 802.11) Point Coordination Function (PCF) The second MAC method is PCF. Also called Virtual Carrier Sense Method Solves Hidden Node problem Two computers can not detect each others signals A computer at the extreme edge of the range limit from the AP on one side may not receive transmissions from a computer on the extreme opposite edge near the transmission limits at the of the APs range limit. In the shown figure, all computers are within the range of AP but may not be within the range of each other. So 2 computer at extreme edges may not sense each others transmissions, collision will happens. Physical carrier sense method will not work Solution: AP guaranteed to sense all devices, AP must manage the shared circuit. Any computer wishes to send, First must send a Request To Send (RTS) signal to the AP Request to reserve the circuit and duration AP responds with a Clear To Send (CTS) signal, Also indicates duration that the channel is reserved, All computers hear CTS and waits for the specified duration. Computer wishing to send begins transmitting Virtual Carrier Sense Method is Optional: (can be set as always, never, or just for certain large frame sizes) as set by the wireless LAN manager.
7 - 17 WI-Fi Types IEEE 802.11a Operates in a 5 GHz frequency range Total bandwidth is 300 MHz Faster data rates possible: Up to 54 Mbps 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps Uses the same topology as .11b Reduced range(distance from NIC TO AP) because of higher speed 50 meters (150 feet) Highest speed achievable within 15 meter, the further device from AP will have the lowest data rate. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 18 WI-Fi Types IEEE 802.11b Moderate speed networking in the 2.4GHz range Three channels for indoor use in the US, more or less in other parts of the world Each channel has a maximum data rate of 11 Mbps, for users close to the center of the WLAN 6-11 Mbps is the norm Range under ideal conditions is 450 feet 802.11b suffers less attenuation than 802.11a Designed to connect easily to Ethernet Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 19 WI-Fi Types IEEE 802.11g Designed to combine advantages of 802.11a and 802.11b Offers higher data rates (up to 54 Mbps) in 2.4 GHz band (as in .11b) with longer ranges Backward compatible with 802.11b .11b devices can interoperate with .11g APs Price to pay: when an .11g AP detects an .11b device, it prohibits .11g devices from operating at higher speeds Uses the same topology as .11b 54 Mbps rate obtained within 450 feet range Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 20 WI-Fi Types IEEE 802.11n Standard under development Goal to provide high speed wireless networking in both the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency ranges simultaneously by using multiple antennas. Current drafts propose speeds of 100-240 Mbps Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 21 Q&A 1.Wireless LANs serve the same purpose as non wireless LANs. True 2.Wireless LANs are never connected to a wire network. False 5.The maximum data rate of 802.11b LANs is 12 Mbps. False 6. An access point (AP) is required to connect a WLAN to a wired network. True 7.An access point ensures that all computers within range of the access point can communicate with each other, True
Q&A 802.11b provides three separate channels that can be used for communication between the access point and other wireless devices on the network. True Roaming refers to the ability to move to different locations in the building and still remain connected to the wireless network. True Most access points (AP) deployed in wireless LANs use directional antennas. False Directional antennas signals or much stronger than omnidirectional antennas. True Distributed Coordination Function is a media access control method used in wireless LANs where the sender waits for an ACK (acknowledgement) from the receiver before transmitting any more packets. True
7 - 23 7 - 24 WIMAX (IEEE 802.16 ) Commercial name for family of IEEE 802.16 standards
802.16 family is designed much like 802.11 family and the ethernet family.
Designed to connect easily with Ethernet LANS
Maximum coverage distance is 30 miles with 70 Mbps theoretical speed.
Logical and physical topology same as 802.11. Physical star and logical bus.
There is a central AP to which all computers direct their transmissions (star), but the radio frequencies are shared Bus), so all computers should take turns transmissions.
Uses controlled access with a version of 802.11 point coordination function. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 25 Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15) A standard for Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) Provides networking in a very small area Up to 10 meters (current generation), 8 devises Up to 100 meters (next generation) Includes small and cheap devices designed to Replace short distance cabling between devices Keyboards, mouse, handsets, PDAs, etc Provides a basic data rate of 1 Mbps Can be divided into several voice and data channels 7 - 26 Bluetooth Topology Topology: Uses the term piconet to refer to a Bluetooth network Consists of no more than 8 devices. Piconets can be linked to form larger network A master device controlling other devices, slaves master Acts like an AP, selects frequencies and Access control Salves do not communicate directly but through the master All devices in a piconet share the same frequency range, so network behaves in the same matter as a shared bus topology. 7 - 27 Bluetooth Media Access Control Uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Similar to Wi-Fi PCF Approach. Operates in frequency range (2.4000-2.4835) divided into 79 separate channels, each channel is used in turn to transmit data. Provides a basic data rate of 1 Mbps A data burst transmitted using one channel, next data burst uses the next channel, and so on. Channels changed based on a sequence and established by the slave and the master synchronization prior to the data transfers. Not compatible with 802.11b Potential interference problems (especially if many Bluetooth devices present close to .11b devices) Good managers has to consider at least 2 meters apart WI FI NICs or Aps from piconet The Best Practice WLAN Design The recommendation of the best practice WLAN design are based primarily on the trade offs between Effective Data Rates and costs. WiMAX and Bluetooth are not intended to be used for general networking. We will examine LANs Vs WANs looking into: 1. Effective Data Rates. 2. Data Link Protocol Efficiency 3. Media Access Protocol Efficiency 4. Costs Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 28 7 - 29 1.Effective Data Rates in WLANs Maximum speed in bits the hardware layers can provide Depends on 1.Nominal data rate, 2.Error rate, 3.Efficiency of data link layer protocol, and 4.Efficiency of MAC protocol Error plays a greater role in WLANs Significant impact of interference on performance Causes frequent retransmissions, thus lower data rates For WLANs, APs should be well placed so that all users have good signal quality and able to operate at the max. Nominal data rate provided by the WLAN : 11 Mbps for 802.11b, 54 Mbps for 802.11a and 802.11g, 200 Mbps for 802.11n Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 30 2.Data Link Protocol Efficiency Factors involved: Typical WI-FI overhead: 51-bytes on Packet size: Data packets: assume a 1500-byte for full length Control packets: ACK/NAK packets Transmission rates: Overhead bits transmission speeds Payload transmission speeds Assuming a mix of short and full length packets 85% average efficiency for 802.11b 75% average efficiency for 802.11a and 802.11g Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 31 3.MAC Protocol Efficiency Wi-Fi Uses a controlled approach (PCF) Imposes more fixed delays initially when traffic is low Users experience few response time delays as long as the total amount of traffic remains below 85-90% of capacity
Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 32 Effective Rate Estimates Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 33 Costs 802.11g Newer technology, will replace 802.11a and b Costs will drop here over time.
WI-FI and Wired Ethernet The data rates for WI-FI are similar to the effective rates for wired Ethernet networks Wired 100Base-T provides a good tradeoff on cost vs. performance But, Wi-Fi may add mobility feature for less wiring cost in existing buildings Many traditional networks are using combination of both to meet the needs of users Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 34 Best Practice Recommendations Adopt 802.11g Will replace 802.11b and .11a Prices of .11g NICs and APs coming down Wireless vs. Wired Similar data rates for low traffic environment When mobility important 802.11g Using WLAN as an overlay network, or in conjunction with a wired LAN WLANs installed In addition to wired LANs To provide mobility for laptops To provide access in hallways, lunch rooms, other sites 7 - 35 Physical WLAN Design More challenging than designing a traditional LAN as interference between APs and other devices that are using radio signals should be carefully studied. Use a temporary AP and laptop to evaluate placement of APs Locations are chosen to provide coverage as well as to minimize potential interference Begin design with a site survey, The site survey determines the feasibility of the desired coverage, the potential source of interference, the current locations of the wired network into which the WLAN will connect, and an estimate of the number of APs required to provide overage. 1. Feasibility of desired coverage Measuring the signal strength from temporary APs 2. Potential sources of interference Most common source: Number and type of walls, microwaves, cordless phones and other devices 3. Locations of wired LAN and power sources 4. Estimate of number of APs required
Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 36 Physical WLAN Design Begin locating APs 1. Place an AP in one corner 2. Move around measuring the signal strength 3. Place another AP to the farthest point of coverage a. AP may be moved around to find best possible spot b. Also depends on environment and type of antenna 4. Repeat these steps several times until the corners are covered 5. Then begin the empty coverage areas in the middle Allow about 15% overlap in coverage between APs To provide smooth and transparent roaming Set each AP to transmit on a different channel If you have to add Aps with same channels, apart them as much as possible. 7 - 37 Types of WLAN Security WLAN Security is important as anyone within the range can use the WLAN Types of WLAN Security 1. Service Set Identifier (SSID), the most basic security applied to WLANs Required by all clients to access AP to include SSID this in every packet Included as plain text, so anyone with the right sw can listen to packets and recognize the SSID Easy to break 2. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Requires that user enter a key manually (to NIC and AP) Communications encrypted using this key Short key (40-128 bits) Easy to break by Needs an extensive time in case of large networks. 3. Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) One time WEP keys created dynamically after login Requires a login (with password) to a server 4. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Every packet is encrypted using different key, longer key, changed for every packet
Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 38 Improving WLAN Performance Similar to improving wired LANs 1. Improving device performance 2. Improving wireless circuit capacity 3. Reducing network demand 7 - 39 Improving WLAN Performance Similar to improving wired LANs 1. Improving device performance If 802.11g widely deployed, replace 802.11b cards with .11g cards Buy high-quality cards and APs 2. Improving wireless circuit capacity Upgrade to 802.11g Reexamine placement of APs Check sources of interference (other wireless devices operating in the same frequencies, bluetooth devices, wireless phones)) Use different type of antennas 3. Reducing network demand Never place a server in a WLAN Doubles the traffic between clients and server, once from the client to the AP, and once from the AP to the server Locate the server in the wired part of the network (ideally with a switched LAN) Place wired LAN jacks in commonly used locations If WLAN becomes a problem, users can switch to wired LAN easily
Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc 7 - 40 Implications for Management WLANs becoming common place: Access to internal data, any time, any place Better protection of corporate networks Public access through WLAN hotspots Competition and overlap with cell phone technologies Drastic price drops of WLAN devices Widespread Internet access via multiplicity of devices (PDAs, etc,) Development of new Internet applications Drastic increase in the amount of data flowing around