WLAN basics

Lesson One
The Must Knows
Presented by Keith Charles.
Corporate Trainer.

What is a WLAN?

A WLAN is a network where clients connect to the network using

the atmosphere (RF) as the transmission media.

Define transmission media.

In simple terms, the transmission media is the path along which

data travels. Unlike in a wired network where we use wire or
bounded transmission media, the WLAN client receives and
transmits data across the atmosphere.

The client.

Similar to wired environments, the client is a receiver of services.

A WLAN client is sometimes described as a mobile client.

When you plug in your internet cable or hardwire a PC for internet

access you are creating a wired interface. The interface must be
present in your client for wireless connectivity.e.g. centrino or a
radio card (antenna).

Most users are aware of Linksys; Netgear; Apple etc.

WLAN transmissions.

Today most laptops are sold with wireless capability, meaning

that they are equipped with the interface, a radio, that allows
them to send and receive data through the air.

Question: how do you think your laptop finds your neighbors

network as soon as it is powered up?

Answer: They scan or search. More on this later.

WLAN designs.

Two very basic designs are available:-

1. peer to peer OR adhoc. In this design also called an

independent basic service set (IBSS), there is no central provider
of network services i.e. an access point or AP.

WLAN Designs

2. The infrastructure network in which there is at least 1 access

point (AP) which acts like a server in a wired network.

Therefore in an infrastructure design you have an access point

with at least one client. In the case where there is 1 AP it is called
a Basic Service Set or BSS.

EBSS

IBSS

WLAN Design

3. In an infrastructure design where there is more than one AP

you now have an Extended Basic Service Set.

Each AP has a coverage area or cell or RF footprint. The

reception degrades as you move out of the cell. This is normally
shown with bars at the right bottom of your PC.

Think Verizon, the ad can you hear me now?

The Access Point

An access point is a powerful little device. Remember it is

connected to the wired network. That means it has to take data
from the wired side and convert them to something
transmittable on the air.

At this time let us remember the term frame.

An access point receives frames from the wired side and spits
out frames on the wireless side.

IEEE 802.3 frames>>>>>>>>IEEE 802.11 frames.

Ethernet frames>>>>>>>>>>WLAN frames.

Question.

If I have one AP I will therefore have one cell or footprint. 1.How

many footprints/cells would I have with 2 APs ?

2. If I have two APs and I want to be able to have a noninterrupted connection when moving from cell to cell, what do you
think I must do?

Note cell overlap

Scanning.

A client finds a network using a scan. A scan can be active or passive.

Think of the times when you heard about a search for a black box after a
plane crash. That box sends out a beacon that can be picked up by the
searcher.
Note:- beacons are also sent from client to client in a design with no AP.
Can you remember the name of that design?

An access point sends out a similar beacon, more or less exclaiming I

am here. In an active scan, the client sends out a probe looking for an
AP.

The client sends a probe request and the AP may or may not send a
probe response.

Scanning

A passive scan is not really directed, if you will. The client just
listens for beacons on every channel.

Note: these explanations are very basic. There is a lot more but
this is enough for building an understanding.

Finding An AP.

If you have ever set up a wireless network you will recall setting
up an SSID. Or if you have never, you may recall the name of
your neighbors wireless. That is the SSID or Service Set
Identifier.

Ive seen some funny SSIDs in my searches. This is basically a

network name and is helpful for WLAN management. Some APs
allow us to hide or not broadcast our SSIDs.

Note: this provides very little security, since the SSID can be
found elsewhere. More on that later.

Notice SSIDs &signal strength

Terminology to remember

Client
Access point
Infrastructure mode
Peer to peer
IBSS
Extended BSS
Scanning
Passive scan
Active scan
SSID
Beacon
Frame
802.11
802.3
Radio frequency

Looking Ahead.Lesson Two

Associate
Reassociate
Disassociate
Authenticate
Deauthenticate
Probe
Data rate
Modulation
Encoding

Info.

I am very much interested in continuing this once weekly lesson

on wireless technology. If you are in favor of this please send
your vote of support to

kc.ittrainer@gmail.com

Note: I propose to cover all topics. It will get tougher as we move

along so I intend to develop a few podcasts and video tutorials

Questions and suggestions are welcomed!