Wireless LAN Components

Wireless LANs consist of components similar to traditional Ethernet-wired LANs. In fact, wireless
LAN protocols are similar to Ethernet and comply with the same form factors. The big difference,
however, is that wireless LANs don't require wires.

User Devices

Users of wireless LANs operate a multitude of devices, such as PCs, laptops, and PDAs. The use
of wireless LANs to network stationary PCs is beneficial because of limited needs for wiring.
Laptops and PDAs, however, are commonly equipped with wireless LAN connectivity because of
their portable nature. User devices might consist of specialized hardware as well. For example, bar
code scanners and patient monitoring devices often have wireless LAN connectivity.

Radio NICs

A major part of a wireless LAN includes a radio NIC that operates within the computer device and
provides wireless connectivity. A wireless LAN radio NIC, sometimes referred to as a radio card,
often implements the 802.11 standard. The cards generally implement one particular physical
layer, such as 802.11a or 802.11b/g. As a result, the radio card must utilize a version of the standard
that is compatible with the wireless LAN. Wireless LAN radio cards that implement multiple
versions of the standard and provide better interoperability are becoming more common.

Radio cards come in a variety of form factors, including: ISA, PCI, PC card, mini-PCI, and CF.
PCs generally utilize ISA and PCI cards; but PDAs and laptops use PC cards, mini-PCI, and CF
adapters.

Access Points

An access point contains a radio card that communicates with individual user devices on the
wireless LAN, as well as a wired NIC that interfaces to a distribution system, such as Ethernet.
System software within the access point bridges together the wireless LAN and distribution sides
of the access point. The system software differentiates access points by providing varying degrees
of management, installation, and security functions. Figure 5-1 shows an example of access-point
hardware.
Figure 5-1. Wireless LAN Access Points Connect Wireless LANs to Wired Networks (Photo
Courtesy of Linksys)

In most cases, the access point provides an http interface that enables configuration changes to the
access point through an end-user device that is equipped with a network interface and a web
browser. Some access points also have a serial RS-232 interface for configuring the access point
through a serial cable as well as a user device running terminal emulation and Telnet software,
such as hyper terminal.

Configuring an Access Point

Look at the basic radio configuration settings for a Cisco 350 access point. These types
of settings are common for other access points as well.

One parameter that you should set is the service set identifier (SSID). The SSID provides
a name for the specific wireless LAN that users will associate with. For security
purposes, it's a good idea to set the SSID to something other than the default value.

For most applications, set the transmit power of the access point to the highest value,
which is typically 100 milliwatt (mW) in the United States. This will maximize the range
of the wireless LAN. The actual maximum effective power output is 1 watt, but the lower
transmit power allows enough margin to allow the use of a higher-gain antenna and still
remain within limitations.
In the United States, set the access point to operate on any one of the channels in the
range from 1 through 11. When installing only one access point, it doesn't matter which
channel you choose. If you install multiple access points, or you know of a nearby
wireless LAN within range of yours, you need to select different non-overlapping
channels (such as channels 1, 6, and 11) for each access point within range of one
another.

As a minimum, activate wired equivalent privacy (WEP) encryption as a minimum level

Routers

By definition, a router transfers packets between networks. The router chooses the next best link
to send packets on to get closer to the destination. Routers use Internet Protocol (IP) packet headers
and routing tables, as well as internal protocols, to determine the best path for each packet.

A wireless LAN router adds a built-in access point function to a multiport Ethernet router. This
combines multiple Ethernet networks with wireless connections. A typical wireless LAN router
includes four Ethernet ports, an 802.11 access point, and sometimes a parallel port so it can be a
print server. This gives wireless users the same ability as wired users to send and receive packets
over multiple networks.

Routers implement the Network Address Translation (NAT) protocol that enables multiple
network devices to share a single IP address provided by an Internet service provider (ISP). Figure
5-2 illustrates this concept. Routers also implement Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
(DHCP) services for all devices. DHCP assigns private IP addresses to devices. Together, NAT and
DHCP make it possible for several network devices, such as PCs, laptops, and printers to share a
common Internet IP address.

Figure 5-2. NAT and DHCP Are Essential Protocols That Routers Implement

Wireless LAN routers offer strong benefits in the home and small office setting. For example, you
can subscribe to a cable modem service that provides a single IP address through DHCP to the
router, and the router then provides IP addresses through DHCP to clients on your local network.
NAT then maps a particular client on the local network to the ISP-assigned IP address whenever
that client needs to access the Internet. As a result, you need a router if you plan to have more than
one networked device on a local network sharing a single ISP-assigned address. Instead of having
one box for the router and another box for the access point, a wireless LAN router provides both
in the same box. Routers, however, are seldom used in larger implementations, such as hospitals
and company headquarters. In these cases, access points are best because the network will have
existing wired components that deal with IP addresses.

Repeaters

Access points, which require interconnecting cabling, generally play a dominant role for providing
coverage in most wireless LAN deployments. Wireless repeaters, however, are a way to extend the
range of an existing wireless LAN instead of adding more access points. There are few standalone
wireless LAN repeaters on the market, but some access points have a built-in repeater mode.

A repeater simply regenerates a network signal to extend the range of the existing network
infrastructure. (See Figure 5-3.) A wireless LAN repeater does not physically connect by wire to
any part of the network. Instead, it receives radio signals from an access point, end-user device, or
another repeater; it retransmits the frames. This makes it possible for a repeater located between
an access point and distant user to act as a relay for frames traveling back and forth between the
user and the access point.

Figure 5-3. Wireless LAN Repeaters Are Simple Devices That Require No Cabling

As a result, wireless repeaters are an effective solution to overcome signal impairments such as
RF attenuation. For example, repeaters provide connectivity to remote areas that normally would
not have wireless network access. An access point in a home or small office might not quite cover
the entire area where users need connectivity, such as a basement or patio. The placement of a
repeater between the covered and uncovered areas, however, will provide connectivity throughout
the entire space. The wireless repeater fills holes in coverage, enabling seamless roaming.

A downside of wireless repeaters, however, is that they reduce performance of a wireless LAN. A
repeater must receive and retransmit each frame on the same radio channel, which effectively
doubles the amount of traffic on the network. This problem compounds when using multiple
repeaters, because each repeater will duplicate the data sent. Therefore, be sure to plan the use of
repeaters sparingly.

Antennae

Most antennae for wireless LANs are omnidirectional and have low gain. Nearly all access points,
routers, and repeaters come standard with omnidirectional antennae. Omnidirectional antennae
satisfy most coverage requirements; however, consider the use of optional directive antennae to
cover a long, narrow area. In some cases, the antenna is integrated within a radio card or access
point and there is no choice to make. If a need exists to use a directive antenna (higher gain), ensure
that the radio card or access point has an external antenna connector.