Business Data Communications and Networking

Chapter 7. WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS

ALTHOUGH TRADITIONAL wired Ethernet LANs dominate today's network environment, wireless LANs (WLANs) are common. This chapter describes the basic components of a WLAN and then examines three common wireless technologies: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), and Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15). The chapter ends with a discussion of best practice WLAN design, including security, and how to improve performance.

OBJECTIVES ▾

• Understand the major components of WLANs

• Understand Wi-Fi

• Be familiar with Wi-Max

• Be familiar with Bluetooth WLANs

• Be familiar with how to improve WLAN performance

• Be familiar with WLAN security

• Understand the best practice recommendations for WLAN design

CHAPTER OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

WLAN COMPONENTS

• Network Interface Cards

• Access Points

• Radio Frequencies

WI-FI

• Topology

• Media Access Control

• Types of Wi-Fi

• Wi-Fi as Public Internet Access

WIMAX

• Topology

• Media Access Control

• Types of WiMAX

BLUETOOTH

• Topology

• Media Access Control

THE BEST PRACTICE WLAN DESIGN

• Recommendations

• Physical WLAN Design

• WLAN Security

IMPROVING WLAN PERFORMANCE

• Improving Device Performance

• Improving Circuit Capacity

• Reducing Network Demand

IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

The use of Wireless LANs (WLANs) is growing rapidly. A recent survey of network managers indicated that more than 90 percent of companies are using wireless LANs, usually in addition to traditional wired LANs. Wireless ...