This document summarizes wireless networking technologies including infrared, Bluetooth, HomeRF, Wi-Fi, and compares the 802.11a and 802.11b wireless standards. It provides details on the wireless equipment used at ITL including two wireless access point routers with built-in switches and 8 wireless PC cards. Performance details within and outside the range of the access points is discussed. Main internet protocols UDP and TCP are also summarized briefly.

1. Wireless Networking

2. Introduction
 What is a wireless network?
 A technology that enables two or more entities to
communicate without network cabling

3. Different Wireless Networks
 IrDA (Infrared Data Association)
 Uses beams in the infrared light spectrum
 Bluetooth
 Uses 2.45 gigahertz radio waves, but emits weak
signals
 Limits distance to 10 feet, but travels through walls
 HomeRF (SWAP) – developed by businesses
 6 voice channels and 1 data channel
 Slow, and limited range, but cheap

4. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
 Essentially, this technology is a variation of the
IEEE 802.11 specification known as 802.11b
 Focuses on Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum
(DSSS)
 High data rate (max of 11 Mbps)
 In the case of interference, speed drops in halves (11 Mbps
to 5.5 Mbps to 2 Mbps to 1 Mbps)

5. Wi-Fi
 Advantages:
 Fast (11 Mbps)
 Reliable
 Long Range (up to 1000 ft outdoors, 400 ft indoors)
 Easy integration to wired networks
 Compatible with original 802.11 DSSS standard
 Disadvantages:
 Speed may fluctuate

6. 802.11a vs. 802.11b
 Frequency
 802.11b transfers at 2.4 gigahertz
 802.11a transfers at 5 gigahertz
 Coverage Distance
 802.11b goes about 400 feet indoors
 802.11a goes about 60 feet indoors
 Need more access points to cover a location
 Compatible to each other?
 Not yet.

7. ITL Wireless Equipment
 2 Wireless Access Point Routers (with
built in 4 port switch)
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) available
 8 Wireless PCMCIA Cards
4 ORiNOCO Gold 11 Mbps PC Cards
4 3Com 11 Mbps PC Cards

8. Wireless Access Point
 LINKSYS
 Model No. BEFW11S4 ver. 2
 Supports
 IEEE 802.3 (10BaseT)
 IEEE 802.3u (100BaseTX)
 IEEE 802.11b (Wireless)
 Built-in router capability
 Obtains a Clarkson IP and uses DHCP
 Built-in 4 port switch
 Fully-configurable through simple web interface

9. Wireless Cards
 11Mbs
 802.11b compatible
 4 3Com Cards
 Model No. 3CRWE62092A
 4 ORiNOCO (Lucent) Cards
 Model No. 012352/G

10. Performance
 Inside Range
 anywhere except in bathrooms
 Usually 11 Mbps connection
 Outside Range
 To the SC lecture wing door (closest to ERC)
 Covers faculty lot next to ERC
 Half way to Rowley
 Connection slows as move away from access point

11. Summer Research
 Protocol
Method of Communication
 Spoken Language
 Networked Programs (AIM)
 HTTP, Telnet, FTP

12. Two Main Protocols (Internet)
 UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
Fast, bare-bones, not reliable or friendly
 Can lose data at any time
 TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
Slower, many features, very reliable
 All data will get to the other side

13. How Can I Secure My Wireless
Network
Here’s a complete guide to secure your
wireless network.
Check this Wireless Network Guide now.