The following resources come from the 2009/10 BSc in Computer and Network Technologies (course number 2ELE0072) from the University of Hertfordshire. All the mini projects are designed as level two modules of the undergraduate programmes. The objectives of this module are to Demonstrate within a private network environment: • The implementation of a wireless local are networks (WLANs) topology with diverse physical parameters • The real-time performance evaluation of the individual WLAN transmission characteristics in the presence of standard transport protocols. This mini-project involves the implementation of an “infrastructure” wireless network, the generation and transmission of packets and the measurement of network performance for TCP transport protocols by means of the “Wireshark” benchmarking tool. Parameters most likely to affect network performance such as the transmission medium’s signal-to-noise ratio, the propagating signal’s latency and jitter and the packet loss rate will be determined.

1. Mini Project- Implementation & Evaluation of wireless
Local Area Networks
Author: University of Hertfordshire
Date created:
Date revised: 2009
Abstract
The following resources come from the 2009/10 BSc in Computer and Network Technologies (course number
2ELE0072) from the University of Hertfordshire. All the mini projects are designed as level two modules of the
undergraduate programmes.
The objectives of this module are to Demonstrate within a private network environment:
• The implementation of a wireless local are networks (WLANs) topology with diverse physical parameters
• The real-time performance evaluation of the individual WLAN transmission characteristics in the presence of
standard transport protocols.
This mini-project involves the implementation of an “infrastructure” wireless network, the generation and transmission of
packets and the measurement of network performance for TCP transport protocols by means of the “Wireshark”
benchmarking tool. Parameters most likely to affect network performance such as the transmission medium’s signal-to-
noise ratio, the propagating signal’s latency and jitter and the packet loss rate will be determined.
Contents
Mini Project- Implementation & Evaluation of wireless Local Area Networks..................................................1
Section 1. Project Specification............................................................................................................................2
Section 2. Project Day 1 Tasks Brief....................................................................................................................4
Section 3. Project Day 2 Tasks Brief....................................................................................................................5
Section 4. Preparation Session Brief.....................................................................................................................6
Credits...................................................................................................................................................................7
In addition to the resources found below there are supporting documents which should be used in combination with this
resource.
Please see:
Mini Projects - Introductory presentation.
Mini Projects - E-Log.
Mini Projects - Staff & Student Guide.
Mini Projects - Standard Grading Criteria.
Mini Projects - Reflection.
You will also need the ‘Mini Project Implementation and Evaluation of Wireless LANs’ presentation.
© University of Hertfordshire 2009 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

2. Mini-Project Implementation & Evaluation of Wireless LANs
Section 1. Project Specification.
1. Learning Outcomes assessed (as taken from the DMD)
All Learning Outcomes specified in the Definitive Module Documentation are assessed as part of this miniproject, the
specific Learning Outcomes are:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Be able to analyse and breakdown problem tasks into manageable steps.
• Integrate previous and concurrent learning and to use it to solve technology-based problems.
• Be able to describe the project life-cycle appropriately.
• Be able to select appropriate Computer and Network technologies and techniques for a given situation.
Skills and Attributes
• Produce a solution to a defined Computer and network technology problem.
• Carry out a simple critical evaluation of their solution.
• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a teams, small groups and individually.
• Demonstrate an ability to manage time and resources effectively.
2. Project Title: Implementation and Evaluation of Wireless Local Area Networks
3. Project Objectives: (technical, specific to this project)
Demonstrate within a private network environment:
• The implementation of a wireless local are networks (WLANs) topology with diverse physical parameters
• The real-time performance evaluation of the individual WLAN transmission characteristics in the presence of
standard transport protocols.
4. Project Summary: (50 words max)
This mini-project involves the implementation of an “infrastructure” wireless network, the generation and transmission
of packets and the measurement of network performance for TCP transport protocols by means of the “Wireshark”
benchmarking tool. Parameters most likely to affect network performance such as the transmission medium’s signal-to-
noise ratio, the propagating signal’s latency and jitter and the packet loss rate will be determined.
5. Introductory Lecture (2hrs) Content:
• Wireless LAN network topologies and standards.
• ISO/OSI and IEEE.802.11b reference models: Physical, data link and transport layers.
• Typical parameters that define network performance and network testing techniques.
• Benchmarking tools for the development, evaluation and display of network data.
6. Preparation Session (3hrs):
i. Real-time assessment of background material acquaintance and practical implementation by means of
preparatory problems.
ii. Familiarisation with lab network and identification of key network elements (SSID, MACs, bands, signal strength
and WEPs).
iii. Enable network analyser capture tool and connect to the desired network.
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3. Mini-Project Implementation & Evaluation of Wireless LANs
7. Day 1
Expected Outcomes for the day:
Students working individually must develop a network infrastructure based upon network testing will be performed. A
briefing of the available infrastructure by means of access points and network connections will be conducted at the start
of the day. An intermediate goal for day 1 is the design of the network topology and assembly of the appropriate
network elements.
Assessment criteria; the way in which the work has been planned and managed, the familiarisation displayed in terms
of identifying the appropriate network elements, the technical parameters considered and the network environment
developed to conduct performance evaluations.
Key Tasks:
• Configure independent wireless networks to accommodate network coverage and penetration on demand
• Establish LAN connections between users and router to avoid collisions among networks
• Identify potential channels for transmission and mode of operation to effectively monitor network performance
8. Day 2
Expected Outcomes for the day:
Students must programme a benchmarking tool to produce propagating data and consequently display the capability to
control the transmission parameters. Working always individually students must coordinate the propagating sequence of
their networks to avoid interference between concurrent transmissions within the working environment.
Assessment criteria; the way in which the work has been managed, the preparation put in designing the testing
process and gathering of the results, the knowledge displayed in performing real-time evaluation of the acquired data
based on the protocols and testing conditions demonstrated.
Key Tasks:
• Reconfigure the benchmarking tool to monitor standard parameters defining network performance.
• Data creation and control of transmission parameters; length of packets, transmission rate
• Investigate mean value, standard deviation, signal-to-noise ratio, packet throughput and latency for TCP
connections
• Measure and contrast system performance at high network load conditions.
9. Facilitator guidance (key ideas to draw out from students):
Day 1: Design and configuration of independent IEEE.802.11b WLAN topologies with no collision.
Day 2: Real-time performance evaluation of critical network parameters at low and high network load.
10. Required Resources: Laboratory Facilities and Teaching Support.
Laboratory Resources:
Day 1
1. One PC per student with one Wireless PCI Adapter Card each and a running Benchmarking Tool for
performance evaluation and transmission of packets.
2. Access Points to serve as Routers.
Day 2: As Day 1
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4. Mini-Project Implementation & Evaluation of Wireless LANs
Section 2. Project Day 1 Tasks Brief
• Measure data throughput, frame error and signal strength vs. different locations or transmission powers.
NOTE This is done by using file sharing application to send and receive a file and consequently to observe the
throughput derived from the file size and the time to download.
• Ping other client with different packet sizes to estimate link delay and packet loss rate and observe points where
ping times out.
• Repeat for different signal strengths or locations and compare the breaking points.
• Plot the relationship between loss rate and packet size.
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5. Mini-Project Implementation & Evaluation of Wireless LANs
Section 3. Project Day 2 Tasks Brief
• Setup an Ad-Hoc network using all the clients in your group.
NOTE You will have to switch the wireless network adapter from Infrastructure to Ad-Hoc mode, using the windows
wireless properties. Also since DHCP server does not exist in the LAN you will have to assign a unique IP
address to each client in your group. The network IP address should be 10.0.0.X for group 1 and 11.0.0.X for
group 2 and so on. Also do not forget to use the subnet mask address to setup a class A network.
• Once this is done, check your connectivity to the network by pinging to any other client in your LAN.
• Ping other client with different packet sizes to estimate link delay and packet loss rate and observe points where
ping times out. Comment on the differences in data rates achieved as opposed to the Infrastructure mode
connectivity due to the availability in the lab of transmission channels.
• Measure data throughput, frame error and signal strength.
NOTE This is done by using the sharing application to send and receive the 10 MB file and subsequently to observe
the throughput derived from the file size and the time to download.
• Comment on the differences in data rates to infrastructure mode.
• Once completed all tasks, for the purpose of the final report think and comment on the difference between
Infrastructure mode and Ad-Hoc connectivity from the point of view of achievable capacity, implementation
issues and cost.
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6. Mini-Project Implementation & Evaluation of Wireless LANs
Section 4. Preparation Session Brief
• Perform a basic scan of available wireless networks by listing down all available networks in a table with SSID,
MACs, bands, WEPs and signal strengths.
• Enable network analyser capture tool and connect to the desired network.
• Observe the steps taken by the computer and the various management/control frames involved in the entire
process to achieve a connection with the AP.
Find how many clients are connected to the wireless LAN.
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7. Mini-Project Implementation & Evaluation of Wireless LANs
Credits
© University of Hertfordshire 2009
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
The name of the University of Hertfordshire, UH and the UH logo are the name and registered marks of the University of Hertfordshire. To the fullest
extent permitted by law the University of Hertfordshire reserves all its rights in its name and marks which may not be used except with its written
permission.
The JISC logo is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales
Licence. All reproductions must comply with the terms of that licence.
The HEA logo is owned by the Higher Education Academy Limited may be freely distributed and copied for educational purposes only, provided that
appropriate acknowledgement is given to the Higher Education Academy as the copyright holder and original publisher.
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