Wireless LAN Administration COMP1241

LAB 1 Name: Ming Wai So ID# 101504709 Section: COMP1241

Section 1: Investigating Microsoft Windows WLAN AutoConfig

Introduction
The WLAN AutoConfig service in Windows is used to discover, connect to, and
disconnect from an access point. In this section you will activate the service, if
necessary, and view network connection information.
Procedure:
1. The first step is to ensure that the WLAN AutoConfig service (known as
WLANSVC) is active. In Microsoft Windows, click Start and then click Control
Panel.
2. Click Administrative Tools.
3. In the Administrative Tools window, double- click Services to display the
Services window.
4. Scroll down and then double- click WLAN AutoConfig to open the WLAN
AutoConfig Properties (Local Computer) dialog box.
5. Click the General tab, if necessary, and then, make sure Started is displayed to
the right of Service status. If it is not, click the Start button to launch the service.
6. To the right of Startup type select Automatic if it is not already selected.
7. Click OK to return to the Services window.
8. Close the Services window and then close the Administrative Tools window to
return to the Control Panel.
9. In the Control Panel window, click Network and Sharing Center.
10. Under Connect or disconnect click Wireless Network Connection. This opens the
Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box, as shown in Figure below.

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11. Click the Details button to view the information about this wireless connection.
Make a note of the value listed to the right of Description, which is the type of
wireless NIC on this computer. Also record the SSID value, which is the name of
the network. Click Close to return to the Wireless Network Connection Status
dialog box.
NIC: Intel (R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260
SSID value: The George
12. Click the Wireless Properties button to view the configuration properties of the
current WLAN to which you are connected.
Name: The George
SSID: The George
Network type: Access point
Network availability: All users
13. Click the Security tab.
14. If the Network security key box displays several black dots, security has been
configured on your computer for the WLAN. If that is the case, record the
Security type and Encryption type.

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Security type: WPA2-Personal

Encryption type: AES
15. Click the Show characters box to add a check.
16. Record the Network security key.

N36kTEgujD

17. Uncheck the Show characters box.

18. Click the Connection tab.
19. Make sure the Connect automatically when this network is in range box is
unselected. Click OK. Note that you may now be disconnected from your WLAN.
20. Close all open windows.

Section 2: Connect to a WLAN Manually and Automatically

Introduction
In this section you manually configure a connection to a WLAN, and then have Windows
configure the same connection automatically.

Procedure:
1. Right click the WLAN icon in the system tray and then click Network & Internet
settings.
2. To view all of the wireless profiles, click Wi-Fi then Show available networks.
3. All of the wireless profiles for this computer are now displayed. Click the network
name you recorded in Section 1.
4. Now you will erase this profile. Click Managed known networks> select the
network and click Forget.
5. Next you will manually recreate this profile. Click WiFI then Network and
Sharing Center, and then, click Set up a Connection or Network.
6. Click Manually connect to a wireless network.

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7. Click Next to display the dialog box shown in Figure below.

8. Enter the Network name, Security type, Encryption type, and Security key
information recorded in Section 1. Click Next.
9. Click Close.
10. To view the profile you just created, click WiFi > Managed known networks
11. All of the wireless profiles for this computer are now displayed. Double click the
profile to display its properties.

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12. Be sure that connect automatically when this network is in range is unselected.
Click OK. You will now be unconnected from this WLAN.
13. Next you will erase this manual profile you just created and have Windows
automatically create the profile for you.
14. Click the network name you recorded in Section 1.
15. Click Managed known networks> select the network and click Forget.
16. Click the WLAN icon in the system tray and locate the network name in the list of
available networks.
17. Click the network name.
18. Click the Connect automatically box to select it.
19. Click Connect.
20. Enter the security information if you are requested to do so.
21. Verify that you are connected to the wireless network by opening your Web
browser and pointing to www.course.com.

22. Close all windows.

Section 3: Installing and Using Connectify

Introduction
Another application like Virtual Router is Connectify. In this section you will download
and install the Connectify application, and then use it to set up a virtual AP.

Procedure:

1. Use your Web browser to go to www.connectify.me.

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Note: It is not unusual for Web sites to change the location of where files are stored. If the URL
above no longer functions then open a search engine and search for “ Connectify”.

2. Click Support and then click Supported Cards & Devices. Use the information
retrieved from Step 12 of Section 1 to verify sure that your NIC is supported by
Connectify.
3. Click Download. Follow the prompts to download and then install Connectify on
your computer. You may need to reboot your computer following the installation.
4. If the Connectify program does not launch after the installation is complete, click
Start and Connectify.
5. If the Connectify Hotspot Setup Wizard does not appear, click the Easy Setup
Wizard button to display the wizard shown in Figure below.

6. Accept the Network Name Connectify-me.

7. Under Password enter a password that is at least 15 characters.
8. Under Internet to Share select Wi-Fi.
9. Click Start Hotspot.

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10. Click the WLAN icon in the system tray. Connectify-me should appear in the list
of wireless network connections.
11. Click Open Network and Sharing Center.
12. Click Wireless Network Connection 2.
13. Click Details. How does this information differ from the details for the physical
NIC and Virtual Router? Now you will try to access Connectify from another
wireless device, such as another computer. (The following steps assume you are
accessing Connectify from a second computer, but you could try accessing it from
a smartphone instead. If you are using a smartphone, make a note of the wireless
network it is currently connected to, use the phone’s built in utility to connect to
Connectify, and then continue this project starting at Step 19.)
14. On the second computer, click the WLAN icon in the system tray and make a note
of the wireless network it is currently connected to.
15. Click the network name Connectify-me in the list of available networks.
16. Click the Connect automatically box to select it.
17. Click Connect.
18. Enter the security information if you are requested to do so.
19. Verify that you are connected to the wireless network by opening your Web
browser and going to www. course.com.

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20. Return to the first computer and click the Connectify icon in the system tray. The
second computer (or the smartphone) should appear on the Clients tab.
21. Which application, Virtual Router or Connectify, do you think is better? Why?

I think Virtual Router is better as it is often free and open-source, while

Connectify offers a free version with limited features and a paid version with
more capabilities.

22. From the second computer (or the smartphone) reconnect to the AP it was
connected to before you started this Section.
23. On the first device click Stop Hotspot.
24. Close all open windows.

Section 4: Assignments

1. Using the Internet, identify five different APs, each from a different manufacturer.
Create a table that lists each AP, its features, and costs. Which would you choose
for home use? Which would you choose for a SOHO of 25 employees? Why?

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AP AP Features Costs
Manufacturer
Cisco Catalyst Cisco -Wi-Fi 6E, it delivers a better experience in typical environments CAD 3499.99
9136I access with more predictable performance for advanced applications.
point -Container support enables edge computing capabilities for IoT
applications on the host access point.
-Dual 5G Multigigabit Ethernet
-Intelligent Capture probes the network and provides Cisco DNA
Center with deep analysis.
Ubiquiti UniFi Ubiquit - High‐Performance Dual Band 802.11ac 4x4 Wave 2 AP CAD 569.99
UDM Access - Managed 4-Port Gigabit Switch
Point - Advanced Security Gateway with IDS/IPS and DPI
- UniFi Network Controller with Intuitive User Interface
- Scalable Through Additional UniFi Devices Connected to LAN
- Powered by Fast 1.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Aruba AP-635 Aruba -Ensures high availability with two 2.5 Gbps HPE® Smart Rate CAD 2514.99
WiFi 6E ethernet ports for hitless failover for both data and power.
Wireless Access -Includes Wi-Fi 6E standards such as WPA3 and Enhanced Open
Point and WPA2-MPSK for stronger encryption and authentication.
NETGEAR - Netgear Faster Speeds: Extremely fast speed - up to 1Gbps. CAD 79.99
Powerline Latest Technology: Homeplug AV2 support for Gigabit speeds
AC1000 Wi-Fi through your electrical outlets for improved coverage.
Access Point Wide Coverage: Multiple data streams (MIMO) with
beamforming technology offer improved coverage throughout
the home.
Easy Set-Up: Setup in minutes, no need to configure or install
software.
Energy-saving: Automatically powers down when not in use.
Push-and-Secure: Encrypts powerline network connections with
the touch of a button.
Software-free installation
Reliable and Expandable Network: Connect multiple adapters
(up to 16) to expand your gigabit wired or WiFi network reliably.
RUCKUS R560 Ruckus -Hi-Performance 6 GHz Mesh Networking, RUCKUS Smart CA$2,153.25
Indoor Access Networks Mesh reduces complexity and cabling expenses with the ability
Point to dynamically create self-forming, self-healing mesh networks
between APs wirelessly.
-Multiple management options, manage the R560 with on
premise physical/virtual appliances, cloud, and control auto-
provisioning for faster deployment, seamless firmware upgrades
and advanced network Analytics.
-Enhanced Security, supports the latest Wi-Fi security standard,
WPA3, for enhanced protection from man-in-the-middle attacks.

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For home use, I will choose NETGEAR - Powerline AC1000 Wi-Fi Access Point as it is
easy to setup and does not require software installation. I will choose Ubiquiti's UniFi
UDM Access Point for SOHO of 25 employee as it is of a reasonable price for a small
size company and has user-friendly management interface and scalability.

2. Using the Internet, research at least three different real-world implementations of

wireless mesh networks. Why were they installed? What were their advantages?
What were their disadvantages?
First, Building Management Systems (BMS) uses wireless mesh networks to control and
monitor various building systems such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning), lighting, security, and energy management. It is installed to ensure
efficient and automated building operations.
Advantage: It is cost savings, wireless mesh networks reduce the costs associated with
cabling, making them cost-effective for building retrofits or expansions.
Disadvantage: As BMS collects tones of confidential data within the building, Security is
essential for BMS data and control. Wireless networks can be vulnerable to unauthorized
access if not properly secured.
Second, Smart Grid use wireless mesh networks to monitor and manage electricity
distribution. These networks help utilities monitor power usage in real-time, detect
outages, and optimize the distribution of electricity.
Advantage: Mesh networks are self-healing, data can be rerouted through other nodes,
ensuring data reaches its destination.
Disadvantage: There might be wireless interference from other devices or structures can
affect signal quality.

Third, Public Address System (PAS) in large outdoor areas like stadium uses wireless
mesh networks can be used to connect speakers and amplifiers in a PA system.

Advantage: Wireless mesh networks offer flexibility in speaker placement, reduced

cabling costs, and the ability to extend coverage easily.

Disadvantage: Maintaining reliable and low-latency audio quality is crucial in PA

systems, so network design and management are critical. Interference or signal
degradation can impact the quality of audio broadcasts.

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