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PLANNING AND DEPLOYING

A WIRELESS LAN
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CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs, 2e, Ciampa - © 2006 Thomson Course Technology
196 Chapter 6 Planning and Deploying a Wireless LAN
A computer network is essentially hidden from the eyes of most users; they rarely see servers,
switches, routers, or even the cabling infrastructure that supports the network. Most users
probably give little thought to the effort that it takes to deploy a LAN. And the relative ease
with which home wireless LANs can be installed sometimes reinforces the notion that
deploying a wireless LAN is always easy.
Of course, to a computer professional nothing is farther from the truth. All computer
networks, both wired and wireless, require extensive planning and preparation if they are to
seamlessly mesh with an enterprise’s existing network infrastructure. And once the prepara-
tion is done, the actual work of installing and configuring the network can take an extended
period of time. Yet the work does not end when the last device is connected. Ongoing
support and training is required to assist users and troubleshoot any problems that may occur.
In this chapter you learn how to plan for and deploy a wireless LAN. This process involves
four basic steps: planning for the network, designing the WLAN, deploying the wireless
network, and providing user training and support.
PLANNING FOR A WIRELESS NETWORK

“If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.” This familiar quotation is especially true in regard
to planning a network. Although several of the steps involved in planning a wireless network
are similar to those in planning a wired network, because of the unique characteristics of
wireless technology there are significant differences in how to plan for a WLAN. The basic
steps in planning include assessing needs, weighing the benefits, and calculating the costs.
Assessing Needs
Determining if a wireless LAN is needed in an organization and if it will improve the
business’s overall performance is an important first step in planning. Assessing needs involves
understanding the need for mobility, examining the business as a whole, and calculating the
potential return on investment.
The Need for Mobility

In order for a business to remain competitive, it must continuously work to improve
productivity while at the same time lowering operations costs to maximize profitability. In
the last 50 years the most dramatic business-process changes have been the result of advances
in automation and technology. Many industry experts believe that the greatest opportunity
for business-process improvement at the beginning of the 21st century lies with extending
network access to employees who are often away from their desks through wireless networks
and Voice over IP (VoIP).
Planning for a Wireless Network 197
Two significant changes in the business world have occurred in the last 15 years. With the
introduction of the personal computer in the 1980s and the Internet in the 1990s, today’s
“knowledge worker” has the electronic tools to access information and accomplish signifi-
cantly more than a single individual could have even dreamed of just a few years ago. An
employee’s personal networked computer has become the single most important tool in any
business. The second significant change has been a restructuring of the hierarchy in today’s
organizations. Instead of multiple layers of managers, today’s organizations are “flatter,”
meaning that employees work more closely with fellow employees in order to solve
problems and make decisions. Teamwork has become an essential element in today’s business
economy. 6
Although separately these two changes can increase productivity and efficiency, when
combined they actually can result in a decrease in productivity. Teamwork requires that
employees be involved in regular meetings both within and between departments. However,
while they are away from their desks in meetings, employees do not have access to the
information that they need on their computers in order to be productive during the
meetings. This hinders their ability to collaborate effectively and to make timely decisions.
What is needed is a “mobile office” in which employees can be at different locations but
have access to their data whenever needed.
According to a 20-year study of 1,800 corporate managers, the average pro-

fessional spends as much as 48.8 hours a month in meetings, yet as much as 50
percent of meeting time is wasted. This is because of the unavailability of proper
information to make decisions during the meetings, or meetings getting delayed
as participants try to quickly gather the data they need. When accounting for
the salaries of everyone attending, poorly run meetings cost nearly $100 million
a year.
A solution to the need for mobility is wireless LANs. As a technology enabler a WLAN can
expand the productivity zone of knowledge workers who spend a large percentage of each
day in meetings away from their wired desktop connections. Wireless access to network
resources can improve the quality and productivity of meetings: instead of spawning
additional work and follow-up meetings, more collaborative decision-making and project
completion can take place during a meeting.
In addition to meeting rooms, locations such as lobbies, lunchrooms, and other common areas
of a business campus are good environments for installing access points. Employees can take
advantage of time between meetings and can easily check e-mail throughout the workday.
Wireless LANs have been shown to add one to two hours a day of productive time per worker
while enabling them to respond to customers, partners, and colleagues more quickly.
According to a study conducted by NOP World–Technology, wireless LANs

enable users to be connected to network resources 1.75 additional hours per
day, which translates into the average user being 27 percent more productive.
Based on an average IT salary of $64,000, the annual productivity improvement
per user is estimated at $14,000.
When an organization is assessing its networking needs, it is important to consider these

advantages of a mobile office. Too often wireless LANs are viewed as an optional add-on to
computer networks, where in reality they can be a core component to help workers perform
their jobs better.
Examining the Business Entity

After it has been determined that the functionality of a mobile office is important, the next
question is to determine if there a real business case for bringing wireless networking into
a corporate environment. This involves examining the business or organization as a whole.
Some questions to be asked include:
■ What is the purpose or mission of the organization?
■ Is the current mission expected to change in the future?
■ What is the size of the organization?
■ How much growth is anticipated in the organization?
Although these questions may seem very basic, they often reveal a great deal in terms of
assessing needs. For example, a business that is rapidly losing market share and has changed
CEOs three times in the last 18 months may not be in a position to invest heavily in new
wireless networking technologies. On the other hand, a business that has captured a niche in
the marketplace and currently has no serious competitors may be poised for rapid growth
and a new network may become the backbone of that growth. Or, an organization that is
fighting a fierce battle with its competitors and needs to differentiate itself to attract more
customers may find adding wireless technology will improve its business processes to give it
that edge. Obtaining a firm conceptual grip on the organization as a whole and its current
status will reveal if an investment in wireless technology is a wise step.
Reviewing the Current Network

Once it is determined that the mobile office is a valuable asset to the organization and the
current business position is such that it can support wireless technology, the next step in
assessing the need is to look at how the organization uses its current network. For example,
questions that should be asked include:
■ How does the current network support the organization’s mission?
■ What applications run on the network?
■ How many users does it support?
■ What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current network?
■ What is the anticipated growth in network technology?
How the network supports the organization is an important consideration. Examining the
current status of the network, especially the applications that run on the network and the
number of users, can reveal much of this information. The question regarding the strengths
and weaknesses of the network can begin to identify why a new wireless network may be
needed. If the current network is weak and cannot support the current business functions
adequately, then the first step must be to strengthen it instead of adding a new technology.
This is a good time to document the current network in detail. It is sometimes surprising to
see just exactly what the current network does. Documentation of the current network may
include a table that summarizes information about the network. Some of the types of
information that should be included in the current network document include:
■ Number of clients
■ Types of clients 6
■ Number of servers
■ The topology of the network
■ What media is being used
■ Performance of the network
■ Types of devices connected to the network
A sample current network table is seen in Table 6-1. Depending on the complexity of the
network, a diagram of the network may also be necessary, as seen in Figure 6-1.
Table 6-1 Current network table

Number of clients 28
Types of clients 20 – Windows XP Professional
8 – Red Hat Linux
Number of servers 1 – Windows Server 2003
Type of network Ethernet 100 Mbps switched
Type of media being used Category 6
Types of devices connected to network 6 laser printers; 1 scanner; switch connects
to Gigabit Ethernet campus backbone
After the assessment of the needs is completed, along with an examination of the current status
of the network and technical documentation of the network, then a decision can be made
regarding upgrading the network, replacing it, or adding a new network to meet the needs.
Determining Benefits
Once it has been decided that a network expansion may be needed in the organization, the
next step is to determine the type of network to best satisfy these needs. It is at this point that
a study of the benefits of a wireless LAN can be helpful. Benefits for a wireless LAN can be
broken into two categories: hard benefits and soft benefits.
Wiring
closet
Hub
Server
Storeroom
Figure 6-1 Network diagram
Hard Benefits
Hard benefits are benefits that can be easily measured or quantified. For wireless LANs the
hard benefits can be easily measured in the decreased cost of installation. Eliminating a cable
drop to each network device provides significant cost savings from reduced materials (no
cables, patch cables, faceplates, etc.) and labor cost (cable installation).
Although the cost savings can be substantial for a LAN, using wireless technology for a
MAN or WAN can result in even higher savings. Building-to-building WLANs can be used
to connect two or more wired LANs in separate buildings. This enables organizations to
quickly and cost-effectively set up networked campuses or connect operations that are
spread across multiple buildings such as temporary office spaces, warehouses, manufacturing
plants, and college campuses. A traditional wired infrastructure, which would involve
digging a trench between the buildings and installing fiber-optic cable or leasing a connec-
tion from a telecom provider, is many times more expensive than using wireless technology.
The incremental cost required to add additional users to an existing WLAN is

also very low. Average cost per user drops dramatically as more people are
added to WLAN.
Soft Benefits
Soft benefits are those that are much more difficult, if not impossible, to quantify
accurately. An example of a soft benefit would be employee satisfaction. Although this
benefit is very important because it can reduce employee turnover and spare the organiza-
tion the expense of hiring and training new employees, nevertheless it can be hard to
6
measure. Many studies show that soft benefits actually have the greatest impact on
organization.
Soft benefits may vary significantly depending on the size of the organization
and the functions it performs.
Some of the soft benefits of WLANs include:

■ Improved productivity—With a wireless LAN, employees can have access to their
network-based applications and data from any location within the range of an
access point. Because workers can stay connected from almost anywhere, they can
be more productive.
■ Enhanced collaboration and faster responsiveness—Most information technology work-
ers require constant access to the Internet and to resources on the company
network. Wireless technology lets employees take advantage of these capabilities
throughout their day, allowing them to conduct research and communicate with
other workers, customers, and business partners through e-mail or instant
messaging.
■ Flexible mobility—Currently most wireless computing is conducted using laptop
computers. However, wireless vendors are now offering solutions that reduce the
form factor, power consumption, and cost of wireless devices. As a result, wireless
capabilities will be increasingly featured in smaller devices, such as very small
laptops (palm tops), personal digital assistants (PDAs), and phones. These devices
can still take advantage of the wireless LAN infrastructure.
■ Adherence to standards—Because all wireless LAN vendors today follow the IEEE
802.11 standard, organizations can be assured that wireless technology will be
viable years in the future. In addition, competition among vendors helps to keep
costs down.
■ Improved employee satisfaction—When business managers are able to communicate
whenever and wherever they want, mistakes can be prevented or at least
minimized. Employee satisfaction rises when they have the tools they need to work
productively anytime and anywhere. In turn, this becomes a competitive advantage
for companies because it minimizes employee turnover.
According to NOP-World Technology, 87 percent of end users said that a

WLAN improves their quality of life by increasing flexibility and productivity,
and saving time, and 43 percent indicated that this improvement was
significant.
Calculating Return on Investment (ROI)

Return on investment (ROI) is a standard measure of the profitability of a project. For
information technology, ROI is sometimes the estimated profit or cost efficiency of one
system or infrastructure compared to that of another. ROI considerations should include the
total cost of the project, such as hardware, software, implementation costs, training, opera-
tions staff, maintenance staff and services, and connectivity fees, along with less tangible costs
such as workload management and customer satisfaction.
There are several models of calculating the ROI on a project. A wireless LAN model
developed by Intel Corporation is sometimes cited as a blueprint to follow. Intel’s wireless
LAN ROI was originally developed to justify wireless LAN implementation at Intel. The
Intel IT and Finance departments worked together in linking ROI to productivity gains
from wireless networks. The Intel model measured soft benefits like increased productivity,
improved flexibility, faster decision making, higher employee satisfaction, and greater
accuracy. These were then applied to a discounted cash flow model (future cash flows
multiplied by discount factors to obtain the present value) to determine a net present value
(which compares the value of a dollar today versus the value of that same dollar in the future
after taking inflation and ROI into account) for deploying a WLAN.
The wireless LAN model developed by Intel Corporation has four steps:
1. Implement a pilot. Intel began by gathering the early adopters of wireless LANs and
then recruited enthusiasts (called “champions”) from various business units across
the company. After studying each unit’s unique business needs, a plan was
developed and presented to upper management who gave their approval to
proceed. The pilot participants were surveyed and interviewed to determine a
baseline of daily and weekly activities. All the participants were instructed how to
proceed through the pilot so they would not distort the results. Each participant
had activity logs that they filled out each day, and Intel also observed the
participants, performed usability testing in labs, and conducted formal interviews
to supplement the activity logs.
Intel recommends that two months be reserved for pilot planning and another
two to three months to actually run the pilot program.
2. Develop a report. While observing WLAN users, Intel recognized many advantages
that demonstrated the positive impact of wireless technology. For example,
participants were able to use their laptops more often while they were away from
their desks. These observations, combined with lab tests and activity logs, were
used to generate a report.
3. Assemble data. Intel chose a conservative approach in determining the time savings
from using WLANs. The participant’s hourly rate, including salary and benefits,
was multiplied by the time savings to provide an annual dollar figure for
productivity gains. The costs of the wireless project, including both startup and
sustained costs, were calculated. These included capital network expenses such as 6
switches and DHCP servers as well as the initial wireless expenses (access points,
client network interface cards, installation costs, etc.).
Intel’s approach in determining the time savings from using WLAN was very
conservative. It started by cutting the user-perceived productivity gains by half.
They then cut the time in half again to recognize that not all time savings
necessarily contribute directly to higher productivity and increased ROI.
4. Calculate ROI. After all the data was assembled, the costs were subtracted from the
productivity enhancements. Intel then took the productivity gains per year per
user and factored them into a larger equation that included depreciation and tax
consequences across several scenarios of varying size. They used a traditional
discounted cash flow model to determine the net present value (NPV) of the
pilot for a three-year period. The result for Intel was an ROI of over $4.6 million.
One of the most interesting observations was that the ROI increased as more
people were added to the WLAN. This is because the average cost per user drops
dramatically when adding users, but the benefit stays the same. This ROI increase
is depicted in Figure 6-2.
The ROI model used by Intel is a good blueprint for estimating the ROI for a wireless LAN
project. Table 6-2 illustrates the costs and benefits of three different sizes of WLANs over
three years based on the Intel model (installation and configuration costs are estimated at
$175 per hour). This model attempts to substitute hard data for subjective opinions about
the value of wireless technology.
Intel recommends that once the ROI model is complete, larger organizations
should return to step 1 and reassess the questions and decisions made for the
pilot in light of scaling the WLAN to include more units. When that is com-
pleted, the organization should conduct another larger ROI study by repeating
steps 2 through 4.
Average cost per user

Dollars per User Average benefit per user
Number of Users
Figure 6-2 Intel’s ROI model for WLANs
Table 6-2 Three-year WLAN costs and benefits

Number Network Wireless Total Cost Benefits ROI
of Users Costs Costs Costs per
User
32 $8,500 $11,300 $19,800 $620 $300,000 $280,200
150 $15,000 $57,000 $72,000 $480 $1,000,000 $928,000
800 $57,000 $351,000 $409,000 $510 $5,000,000 $4,591,000
DESIGNING THE WIRELESS LAN

If the needs of a company dictate that a wireless LAN would be useful, if the benefits a
wireless LAN are attractive, and if the return on investment is positive, then the next step is
to begin designing the layout for the wireless network. This involves determining which
deployment scenario is best, which IEEE wireless network standard should be used, the type
of access point management that should be implemented, and where the wireless devices
should be located.
Determining the Deployment Scenario

The first step in designing a WLAN is to decide upon the correct deployment scenario.
There are seven different deployment scenarios for WLANs. These include:
■ Ad hoc —An ad hoc or peer-to-peer network is an independent local area network
not connected to a wired infrastructure, in which all stations are connected directly
to one another. Ad hoc networks are useful where a wireless infrastructure does
not exist or where services to remote networks are not required, such as a trade
show or collaboration by co-workers at a remote location.
Designing the Wireless LAN 205
■ Infrastructure—WLAN devices connect to a wired corporate network through a

wireless access point. Most corporate wireless LANs operate in infrastructure
mode and access the wired network for connections to printers and file servers.
■ Hotspot—A hotspot provides wireless LAN service, for free or for a fee, from a
variety of public areas, including coffee shops, public libraries, and airport lounges.
■ Point-to-point remote wireless bridge—A bridge connects two networks. A point-to-
point bridge typically interconnects two LAN segments.
■ Point-to-multipoint remote wireless bridge—A point-to-multipoint configuration is
used to connect multiple LAN segments. When connecting three or more LANs, 6
for example LANs located on different floors in a building or across buildings, the
point-to-multipoint wireless bridge is used.
■ Ethernet to wireless bridge—An Ethernet wireless bridge connects a single device
that has an Ethernet port but not an 802.11 network interface card (NIC), such as
a network printer, to a wireless network.
■ Wireless gateway—Wireless gateways provide a single mechanism for managing and
monitoring the wireless network. They have proven to be very effective in large
enterprises that use WLANs extensively.
Determining the proper deployment scenario clearly depends on the networking problem
that is being solved or the type of new service that is being proposed. The most common
type of wireless LAN scenario is an infrastructure network with the access point(s)
connected to the wired infrastructure.
Selecting the IEEE Wireless Network Type

Once the deployment scenario has been determined, the next step is determining which
IEEE wireless network type would be best. There currently are three standards: IEEE
802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g.
Wireless devices labeled “802.11 pre-N” started to appear in 2004 from

different vendors implying that they follow the upcoming IEEE 802.11n
standard. However, the standard has not yet been determined and it could be
different from these “pre-N” devices. Many industry experts recommend
avoiding “pre-N” devices.
The decision regarding which standard to use involves several factors and often provokes
intense debate. For example, if there are other devices in the immediate area that use the 2.4
GHz wireless spectrum, such as portable telephones, microwave ovens, or other 802.11b
access points, then the 802.11a standard, which uses the 5 GHz wireless spectrum, might be
the best solution. However, because the basic service area of an 802.11a access point is
smaller, it takes more APs to cover the same area and thus is more expensive than other types.
What type of applications will be used? If the users are downloading large files and require
fast access, then a higher-speed 802.11a or 802.11g network is preferable over an 802.11b
system.
In general, if a broader area of coverage is needed, the 802.11g standard should be considered
first. It combines a good balance of coverage area with speed. However, if interference is an
issue, then the 802.11a standard should be considered. Only in areas where low bandwidth
is acceptable or an ad hoc wireless network will be used should 802.11b networks be
considered, because of their slow speed and susceptibility to interference from other devices.
The decision does not always have to be between two standards. Access points
and wireless NIC adapters are now available that support two or even three of
the standards. A dual-band 802.11a and 802.11g access point can simulta-
neously support both types of wireless networks.
Deciding upon Access Point Management

If an infrastructure wireless network is to be used, a decision must be made regarding the
type of access point management. Traditionally the management functions of a WLAN such
as user authentication, encryption, and access point configuration are included within the
AP itself. Sometimes known as a fat access point, the AP serves as the management point
of the wireless network: any configuration to the wireless LAN must be done through the
access point. (APs are generally configured through a browser interface.)
An alternative wireless network management solution was introduced in 2003 by several
vendors. Instead of managing aWLAN from individual fat access points, theWLAN is set up
with what are known as thin access points (access points that lack management functions),
and management functions are moved to an Ethernet network switch. The thin access
points act as merely a “junction box,” linking the wireless LAN with the wired network.
This arrangement has several advantages. First, wireless network management is simplified in
that access points can be managed from one central location—the switch—instead of having
to individually configure each fat access point on the network. Second, the time required for
handoff (in which authentication information is transferred from AP to AP as clients move
through a WLAN) is significantly reduced, because all authentication information is now
isolated in a single switch. Reducing the time for handoff has a positive effect on commu-
nications that benefit from uninterrupted data flow, such as Voice over IP (VoIP).
Some wireless vendors have moved the wireless intelligence to a router instead
of a switch.
However, there are disadvantages to the thin access point approach. As of 2005, all thin access
points and switches are proprietary: a switch must be mated with a specific brand of AP from
a single vendor. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Control and Provisioning of
Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) Working Group is developing a protocol that will allow
any vendor’s switch to communicate with any other vendor’s thin access point, yet there is
no timetable at present for the new standard and none of the equipment from present
vendors has demonstrated cross-vendor interoperability. Although thin access points ease
some of the management burden of WLANs, this approach still does not provide an overall
solution for managing an entire network (wired and wireless). With thin access points one
mechanism is needed to manage the wired network and a separate one is needed to manage
the wireless network.
At this writing, several vendors are working on comprehensive network management
solutions that integrate wireless networks into the same deployment, operations, and
6
management as a wired network. For example, Cisco’s Structured Wireless-Aware Network
(SWAN) establishes a network framework to integrate and manage wired and wireless
networks by extending “wireless awareness” into key elements of the wired network
infrastructure. SWAN provides similar levels of management, security, scalability, and deploy-
ment for wireless networks that organizations require from their wired LANs. Other
vendors are promoting similar products.
Determining the Location of the Wireless Devices

Although one of the advantages of wireless networking is the freedom to roam without
wires, consideration must still be given to the optimal location of the wireless devices in an
ad hoc network or the access point(s) in an infrastructure network. One consideration is the
interference of radio signals from other objects. Table 6-3 lists different types of objects and
the degree of interference that they may cause. Based on the amount of interference it may
be necessary to move the wireless devices in order to better receive the signal.
Table 6-3 Interference by objects

Object Example Type of interference
Open space Courtyard or open cafeteria None
Wood Door or floor Low
Plaster Inner wall Low
Synthetic materials Office partition Low
Cinder block Exterior wall Low
Asbestos Ceiling insulation Low
Glass Clear window Low
Wire mesh in glass Security window Medium
Human body Large group of people Medium
Water Aquarium Medium
Brick Outer wall Medium
Marble Floor Medium
Ceramic Floor High
Paper Roll or stack of paper stock High
Concrete Floor, pillar High
Table 6-3 Interference by objects (continued)

Object Example Type of interference
Bulletproof glass Security booth High
Silvering Mirror Very high
Metal Elevator shaft or filing cabinet Very high
In addition to objects that cause interference, both ad hoc and infrastructure networks have
special considerations regarding the placement of wireless devices. These are now discussed
in detail.
Ad Hoc Mode
In ad hoc or Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) mode the wireless devices communicate
directly between themselves without using an access point. Designing an ad hoc network
involves three main considerations. First, the stations must be arranged so that they are all
within the proper distance limits. Second, all stations must send and receive signals on the
same frequency. And finally, the hidden node problem must be avoided so that each station
can communicate with all other stations. In Figure 6-3, Stations B, C, and D are all within
Station A’s range. However, Stations B and D are not within the range of one another and
thus cannot send and receive messages. These two stations would have to move closer
together in order to communicate.
The hidden node problem is covered in Chapter 5.
Infrastructure Mode
Positioning the access points in the correct location for an infrastructure wireless LAN is a
critical step in ensuring that the coverage area is sufficient. Interference by objects must be
taken into consideration. In addition, it is desirable not to have the signal extend beyond the
exterior walls of the building for security reasons. This will prevent unauthorized users from
taking up the signal and attempting to access the network.
Techniques for proper access point location are covered in Chapter 7.
When setting up an Extended Service Set (ESS) infrastructure network with multiple access
points, it is important that the channel on which each access point transmits is set correctly.
Two adjacent access points that use the same channel can cause interference and lost frames.
This is illustrated in Figure 6-4. The solution is to set each access point on a separate
channel, such as channels 1 and 11.
C
C
Station
DD BB
6
Station Station
AA
Station
Figure 6-3 Ad hoc hidden node problem
Channel 1
Channel 1
AP
Laptop
Laptop
AP
Laptop Interference
Laptop
Figure 6-4 Interference from using same channel
Channels are discussed in Chapter 4.
IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g networks divide the frequency spectrum into 14 overlapping
and staggered channels of 22 MHz each. Only channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap. In an area
where two or more 802.11b or 802.11g access points are being used, a technique known as
channel reuse can be implemented. Channel reuse calls for adjacent access points to use
nonoverlapping channels (1, 6, and 11) so that the access point using one channel will not
interfere with its neighbor. Channel reuse is illustrated in Figure 6-5. Notice that no access
point basic service area touches the service area of another access point using that same
channel number. IEEE 802.11a networks have eight nonoverlapping channels, so channel
reuse is not as much as an issue.
Channel 1 Channel 1
Channel 6
AP
AP
AP Channel 11
AP
AP
Channel 11
AP
Channel 1
Figure 6-5 Channel reuse
Wireless networks that are not properly configured and use overlapping
channels will continue to function, but not as efficiently as they could with
channel reuse.
In addition to properly configuring each access point for channel reuse, another consider-
ation when positioning access points in an infrastructure network is to be sure that they
properly overlap. The coverage area of each AP should overlap with the next AP enough to
avoid gaps in coverage. However, the APs should not be too close together. This is because
wireless devices will automatically associate with the access point with the strongest signal.
If access points are too close to each other, even when using nonoverlapping channels,
wireless devices can “flip flop” back and forth between access points. This is illustrated in
Figure 6-6.
6
Channel 1
Channel 11
AP
Laptop
Tries to associate
Laptop
AP
Tries to associate
Laptop
Laptop
Figure 6-6 Flip flop between access points
A final consideration is the number of users who will be associated with the access points.
Instead of merely “counting heads,” a preferred approach is to consider not only how many
users will be associated with each AP but also what they will be doing. For example, in an
802.11b network a single access point should be able to adequately accommodate approxi-
mately 50 “nominal” users who are mostly idle and may only check text-based e-mail
occasionally, or 25 “mainstream” users who regularly checkWeb-based e-mail and download
or upload moderately sized files, or 15 “power users” who are constantly on the network and
access large files.
Security for WLANs is a critical element in designing a wireless network and is

covered in depth in Chapters 8 and 9.
DEPLOYING A WIRELESS NETWORK

Once the planning and designing phases are complete, it is time to deploy or roll out the
wireless network. If planning and designing are done correctly, then deploying can actually
be the easiest of these steps to accomplish. That is because deployment involves simply
following the blueprint that has already been established for creating the wireless LAN.
One consideration is the actual placement of the access points. In some instances there is a
temptation to “shortcut” the plans and merely position the access point in a convenient
location, such as one close to electrical power or a network wall jack. It is important that
access points be placed where they were designed to go. Because access points encounter less
interference the higher they are located, most access points are positioned high on interior
walls or attached to the ceiling.
In buildings that have a false ceiling (sometimes called a drop or suspended ceiling), there is
a temptation to simply remove a ceiling tile, place the access point in the space above the
ceiling, and then replace the tile. However, this should not be done unless you use a special
enclosure around the AP and its antennas. The air handling space above drop ceilings (and
sometimes even between the walls and under structural floors) is used to circulate and
otherwise handle air in a building. These spaces are called plenums. Placing an access point
in a plenum above a drop ceiling can be a hazard. This is because if an electrical short in the
access point were to cause a fire, it would generate smoke in the plenum that would be
quickly circulated throughout the building. If you need to place an AP in a plenum, it is
important to enclose it within a plenum-rated enclosure to meet fire safety code
requirements.
If electrical alternating current power is not available near the AP location, Power over
Ethernet (PoE) can be used instead. PoE supplies power over the unused wires in the Category
5, 5e, or 6 cable connections to the AP. However, if there are only a few connections, there are
adapters that can be used for individual cables.
When possible, access points should also be connected to uninterruptible power

supplies (UPSs).
Once the physical installation is completed, it is good to configure the WLAN on its own
network segment. An IP network subnet, which can support 254 devices, can be configured
to support up to 200 wireless users. This should provide enough free IP addresses for the
network infrastructure components.
Providing User Support 213
PROVIDING USER SUPPORT

Planning, designing, and deploying a WLAN are all of little value if the users don’t receive
the support that they need to properly and effectively use the new system. Fortunately, the
area of user support is receiving more attention today than in the past, as organizations realize
the value that it provides.
Training
Training provides all users as well as network support specialists the knowledge to effectively 6
operate and support the new WLAN system. The training component is vital to the use of
a WLAN. Users need to know how to use the new hardware and software, and the support
staff needs to know how to manage the network and diagnose problems. Training will
increase the effectiveness of the new wireless network because users will have less of a
learning curve. This, in turn, will minimize the drop in productivity that is normally
associated with the installation of a new system. Also, well-trained users will have fewer
questions and require less support as they start using the new system.
Many organizations find that setting up a group training session for all the participants is most
effective. The session should be not only friendly and relaxed but also mandatory. This training
should preferably be done at the same time users receive their wireless-enabled laptops. It is
important to set appropriate user expectations for support and how they should request it.
Participants should be encouraged to call and report any problems in order to get help.
Support
Whereas training is primarily done before the new system is turned on, support involves
continuing follow-up in answering questions and assisting users. User support functions can
be organized in a variety of ways, including:
■ Establishing informal peer-to-peer support groups
■ Creating formal user support groups
■ Maintaining a help desk
■ Assigning support to the information technology department
■ Outsourcing support to a third party
Each of these options has its strengths and weaknesses. However, establishing and staffing an
internal help desk is one of the most effective means of support. A help desk is a central
point of contact for users who need assistance using the network. The help desk manages
customer problems and requests, and then provides support services to solve the problem.
Some suggestions regarding a help desk are:
■ Have one telephone number for the help desk.
■ Plan for increased call volume after the new network is installed.
■ Create a method to effectively track problems.

■ Use surveys to determine user satisfaction.
■ Periodically rotate network personnel into the help desk.
■ Use information from the help desk to organize follow-up training.
Gathering user feedback is essential when installing a new wireless LAN. In fact, it can
sometimes be even more important than technical feedback.Many organizations use an informal
system in which IT personnel roam the wireless zones for immediate input from users. Another
approach is to schedule interviews or drop-in lunch meetings to gather comments and reactions.
It is important to immediately address any technical issues that are raised.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
Although the steps involved in planning a wireless network are similar to those in
planning a wired network, because of the unique characteristics of wireless technology
there are significant differences in how to plan for a WLAN. The basic steps in planning
include assessing needs, weighing the benefits, and calculating the costs.
Assessing needs involves understanding the need for mobility, examining the business as a
whole, and calculating the potential return on investment.
Benefits for a wireless LAN can be broken into two categories: hard benefits and soft
benefits. Hard benefits are those benefits that can be easily measured or quantified, while
soft benefits are much more difficult to quantify and measure.
Designing the layout for the wireless network first involves determining which deploy-
ment scenario is best. Next, a decision must be made regarding which IEEE wireless
network standard should be used: 802.11b, a, or g. Each has strengths and weaknesses. In
general, if a broader area of coverage is needed then the 802.11g standard should be
considered first. It combines a good balance of coverage area with speed. However, if
interference is an issue, then the 802.11a standard should be considered. Only in areas
where low bandwidth is acceptable or ad hoc wireless network is to be used should
802.11b networks be considered.
The type of access point management that should be implemented must also be
considered, whether fat access points or thin access points. Finally, consideration must be
given to the location of the wireless devices themselves.
If planning and designing was done correctly, then deploying should be straightforward,
because it basically follows the blueprint for creating the wireless LAN that has already
been established. Issues such as the location of access points, providing electrical current
to access points, and segmenting the network should all be considered.
Training provides all users as well as network support specialists with the knowledge to
effectively operate and support the new WLAN system. Whereas training is primarily
done before the new system is turned on, support involves continuing follow-up in
answering questions and assisting users.
Review Questions 215
KEY TERMS
channel reuse — A technique in which adjacent access points use non-overlapping channels
so that the access point using one channel will not interfere with another access point.
fat access point — An access point that includes management functions such as user
authentication, encryption, and access point configuration.
hard benefits — Benefits that can be easily measured or quantified.
plenum — The space above drop ceilings used to circulate and otherwise handle air in a
building.
return on investment (ROI) — A standard measure of the profitability of a project. 6
soft benefits — Benefits that are difficult to accurately quantify.
thin access point — An access point that lacks processing capabilities and acts only to link
the wireless LAN with the wired network.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Each of the following is one of the four basic steps in building a wireless net-
work except
a. planning for the network
b. providing user training and support
c. designing the wireless LAN
d. configuring the IP address of the network switch.
2. is the expression often used to describe a work environment in
which an employee can have continual access to the data that is needed for making
decisions.
a. Mobile office
b. Ad hoc range
c. Wide area network
d. Space Configuration Region (SCR)
3. Each of the following are locations in which businesses install wireless networks for
increased employee productivity except
a. lobbies
b. lunchrooms
c. common areas
d. remote parking lots
4. When examining the current state of the organization each of the following ques-
tions is valid except
a. What is the purpose or mission of our competition?
b. Is the current mission expected to change in the future?
c. What is the size of the organization?
d. How much growth is anticipated in the organization?
5. Which the following should cause an organization not to install a wireless network?
a. An existing network that is adequate
b. Lack of IEEE standards
c. Anticipated release of IEEE 802.11z network standards
d. Interference from commercial radio signals
6. When documenting the current network it is important to identify the number and
type of clients. True or False?
7. Soft benefits are those benefits that can be easily measured or quantified. True
or False?
8. Installation of a wireless LAN is significantly more expensive than a wired LAN.
True or False?
9. An example of a soft benefit would be employee satisfaction. True or False?
10. Because all wireless vendors today follow the IEEE 802.11 standard, organizations
can be assured that wireless technology will be viable years in the future. True
or False?
11. is a standard measure of the profitability of a project.
12. is the future cash flows multiplied by discount factors to obtain
the present value.
13. compares the value of a dollar today versus the value of that
same dollar in the future after taking inflation and return into account.
14. A(n) provides wireless LAN service, for free or for a fee, from a
variety of public meeting areas, including coffee shops, public libraries, and airport
lounges.
15. A wireless bridge typically interconnects two LAN segments
between buildings.
16. Explain why 802.11 pre-N should not be selected for IEEE networks today.
17. When should an 802.11a network be installed instead of an 802.11g network?
18. What is the difference between a thin access point and a fat access point?
19. What are the three considerations when installing and configuration an ad hoc
network?
20. Explain channel reuse.
Hands-On Projects 217
HANDS-ON PROJECTS
Project 6-1: Calculate WLAN Benefits
Calculating the benefits of a WLAN can be useful in determining the true costs and benefits
of wireless technology. In this activity you download and use a spreadsheet that calculates
WLAN benefits. You must have Microsoft Excel on your computer in order to use this
spreadsheet.
1. Point your browser to http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/ 6
WLAN_Calculator.asp.
2. Read the information about the WLAN benefits calculator.
3. Check the box On behalf of my company, I agree to the terms of the Wi-Fi
Alliance WLAN Benefits Calculator Disclaimer.
4. Click Download WLAN Benefits Calculator.
5. When the File Download dialog box appears click Save and select the location to
save this file on your computer.
6. After the file has downloaded start Microsoft Excel.
7. You will need to enable macros before this program will function properly. Click
Tools and Macro and then Security to display the Security dialog box. Click
Low as seen in Figure 6-7. Click OK.
Figure 6-7 Excel security dialog box
8. Click File and Open.

9. Locate the file you downloaded entitled Industry_WLAN_Calculator_v1_77.xls
and open it, as seen in Figure 6-8.
Figure 6-8 WLAN Benefits Calculator
10. Click the Welcome & Instructions tab and read the description of the program.
11. Click the Help tab and read the information that the program provides.
12. Click the Welcome & Instructions tab.
13. Click View customer example with Wi-Fi Alliance data.
14. You will be taken to the worksheet WLAN Productivity with sample data entered
for you. Scroll through the spreadsheet and observe the data. What is the estimated
payback period?
16. Click View customer example with Gartner projections.
17. You will be taken to the worksheet WLAN Productivity with sample data entered
for you. Scroll through the spreadsheet and observe the data. What is the estimated
payback period based on this data? Why the difference?
19. Click Initialize all values to zero and begin!
20. You will be taken to the worksheet WLAN Productivity where you can enter
your own data.
21. Click the button Recommend default values for me!
22. Enter values in the orange boxes for an organization with which you may be familiar
or for a fictitious organization.
23. View the values that have been entered in the yellow boxes for you. You can hover
your mouse over any box that has a red triangle in the upper left corner to receive
more information.
24. What is your estimated payback period?
25. Reset the Excel macro security level to what it was previously. Click Tools and
Macro and then Security to display the Security dialog box.
26. Close the spreadsheet without saving your values.
Project 6-2: Troubleshoot Wireless Roaming 6

A problem that occasionally occurs is that a wireless device will not associate with the desired
access point when roaming. For example, in an area where two access points are transmitting,
on channel 6 and channel 11 with proper overlap, a wireless device would normally associate
with the access point from which it receives the strongest signal. In some instances it appears
that the wireless device will remain connected to the weaker signal instead of associating with
the stronger signal. Windows Wireless Zero Configuration Service logging is a new feature
in Windows XP Service Pack 2 that enables users to view what is happening behind the
scenes for troubleshooting purposes. Microsoft also requests that users submit these files when
it is trying to troubleshoot wireless problems with customers. In this activity you activate and
view the two wireless log files. Your computer should have Windows Wireless Zero
Configuration enabled in order to complete this project.
Using Windows Wireless Zero Configuration was covered in Project 3-5.
1. First you will need to enable logging. Click Start and Run.
2. Type cmd and press Enter.
3. At the command prompt type netsh ras set tracing * enabled and press Enter.
This will turn on the logging function.
4. Next turn off your wireless adapter. Click Start and Connect To and Show all
connections.
5. Select your wireless network connection and click the right mouse button.
6. Select Disable to turn off the wireless adapter.
7. You may receive a notice that you are no longer connected to the wireless network.
You now want to enable the adapter. If the Network Connections screen is no
longer showing on your system click Start and Connect To and Show all
connections.
8. Select your wireless network connection and click the right mouse button. Select
Enable to turn on the wireless adapter. All of this activity is now recorded in log files.
9. Using Windows Explorer navigate to the folder that contains your log files. Normally
it will be C:\WINDOWS\tracing. Locate the file WZCDLG.LOG and double-
click to open it. If you cannot locate this file in the subdirectory you may need to
search for it.
10. This file displays the events that occurred when you first connected with the wireless
network, as seen in Figure 6-9.
Figure 6-9 WZCDLG.LOG file contents
11. Scroll down the file and note the information it records. Although much of it is hard
to decipher, the information is useful in troubleshooting.
12. Click Edit and then Find. Enter SSID and press Enter. You will be taken to the
line that contains the SSID of the access point with which you are currently
associated.
13. Close WZCDLG.LOG.
14. Open the file WCZTrace.LOG as seen in Figure 6-10. Unlike WZCDLG.LOG,
the WCZTrace.LOG file contains information that is continuously updated. Note
the timestamp in the second column before each line.
Figure 6-10 WZCTrace.LOG file contents
15. Click Edit and then Find. Enter SSID and press Enter. Press Enter until you
come to the lines that contain the SSID of all the access points in your area that
are detected (this will appear in the format WZCCopySelectedConfigs[0]:
SSID=<8:baypoint> From List).
16. Close this file and wait several minutes.
17. Reopen the file WCZTrace.LOG and search again for the SSID. Note how fre-
quently information is gathered regarding which access point to associate with.
The WCZTrace.Log file records the sequence of events in this fashion: the first
question that is asked is, “What SSIDs does this adapter know about?” Then the
6
next question that is asked is, “What SSIDs are being heard right now?” From
those two lists, the first items are then compared. Whenever a “known about”
SSID matches with a “heard” SSID then an association is attempted.
18. Close the WCZTrace.LOG file.

19. To disable tracing for all components, type netsh ras set tracing * disabled and
press Enter at a command prompt.
20. Close all windows.
Project 6-3: View Channel Numbers on a Cisco Access Point

Channel reuse calls for adjacent 802.11b and 802.11g access points to use nonoverlapping
channels (1, 6, and 11) so that the access point using one channel will not interfere with its
neighbor. No access point basic service area should “touch” the service area of another access
point using that same channel number. IEEE 802.11a networks have eight non-overlapping
channels, so channel reuse is not as much as an issue. In this project you view the channel
numbers on a Cisco AP.
1. Access the Cisco access point by pointing your browser to its IP address, such as
http://192.168.2.30.
2. Enter the username and password; the default is Cisco for both username and
password.
3. Click Network Interfaces on the menu on the left side.
4. Click Radio0-802.11x, where x is the letter of the IEEE standard on which the AP
is based.
Depending on the IEEE standard your Cisco AP is using your menu may be
Radio0-802.11b, Radio0-802.11a, or Radio0-802.11g.
5. Click the Detailed Status tab to display detailed information.

6. Click the Settings tab to display the radio options, as seen in Figure 6-11.
Figure 6-11 Channel frequencies
7. Note the Default Radio Channel is Least Congested Frequency. If it was neces-
sary for you to change this to another channel you would select from the list of
channels from 1-11. Because changing the channel may have an adverse affect on
your wireless network if other access points are in the same area, do not change this
setting unless instructed by your lab supervisor or instructor.
Project 6-4: View Channel Numbers on a LinkSys Access Point

In this project you view the settings on the Linksys AP for changing the channel numbers.
Because changing the number can have an adverse affect on other access points in the area
do not change this setting unless instructed by your lab supervisor or instructor.
1. Access the Linksys access point by pointing your browser to its IP address, such as
http://192.168.1.1.
2. Enter the username and password; the default is blank for username and admin for
the password.
3. Click Wireless to display the settings, as seen in Figure 6-12.
4. Note that the default setting is channel 6.
5. Click the down arrow next to Wireless Channel. There are 11 different channels
available for an 802.11g AP. The same channels are available for an IEEE 802.11b AP.
6. To select a new channel you would click on that channel number. Do not change
this setting unless instructed by your lab supervisor or instructor.
Case Projects 223
Figure 6-12 Linksys Wireless settings 6

CASE PROJECTS
Case Project 6-1: Plenum Enclosures
Using the Internet or print sources research plenum enclosures for wireless LAN access
points. How much do they cost? How should they be installed? What impact do they have
on the radio frequency signal?
Case Project 6-2: Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Cost

What equipment does it take to implement Power over Ethernet (PoE) for an access point?
How much does it cost? What dangers are associated with it? What type of cabling must be
used? Write a brief paper on what you find.
Case Project 6-3: Training

Create an outline of a training plan that you would implement for first-time wireless users.
What information should they be provided with? How should it be presented to them?
What type of feedback would you want to collect from the users? How frequently would
you need to meet with them?
Case Project 6-4: The Mobile Office

The concept of the mobile office holds great promise for teleworkers, or those individuals
who work at the office, from home, and on the road. Using the Internet and other resources,
determine what percentage of workers today are teleworkers. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of teleworking? What tools beside wireless LANs do they use? What are the
problems they typically encounter? Would you want to be a teleworker? Write a one-page
paper on your research.
Northridge Consulting Group

Northridge Consulting has been hired by Kolla Industries to help them plan for a wireless
network in their new distribution center. Northridge has turned to you to assist them.
1. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation for Kolla that outlines the four steps involved
with planning and deploying a wireless LAN. Be sure to include a summary checklist
of the steps that Kolla needs to take along with a timeline if the project were to start
immediately. Your presentation should be 8-10 slides in length.
2. Kolla is impressed with your presentation but is concerned about which IEEE stan-
dard they should select. Create another presentation that outlines the advantages and
disadvantages of each standard, and include your personal recommendations along
with your reasons for those recommendations.

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C

PLANNING AND DEPLOYING

PLANNING FOR A WIRELESS NETWORK

The Need for Mobility

According to a 20-year study of 1,800 corporate managers, the average pro-

According to a study conducted by NOP World–Technology, wireless LANs

When an organization is assessing its networking needs, it is important to consider these

Examining the Business Entity

Reviewing the Current Network

Table 6-1 Current network table

Figure 6-1 Network diagram

The incremental cost required to add additional users to an existing WLAN is

Some of the soft benefits of WLANs include:

According to NOP-World Technology, 87 percent of end users said that a

Calculating Return on Investment (ROI)

Average cost per user

Table 6-2 Three-year WLAN costs and benefits

DESIGNING THE WIRELESS LAN

Determining the Deployment Scenario

■ Infrastructure—WLAN devices connect to a wired corporate network through a

Selecting the IEEE Wireless Network Type

Wireless devices labeled “802.11 pre-N” started to appear in 2004 from

Deciding upon Access Point Management

Determining the Location of the Wireless Devices

Table 6-3 Interference by objects

Table 6-3 Interference by objects (continued)

The hidden node problem is covered in Chapter 5.

Techniques for proper access point location are covered in Chapter 7.

Figure 6-3 Ad hoc hidden node problem

Figure 6-4 Interference from using same channel

Channels are discussed in Chapter 4.

Figure 6-5 Channel reuse

Figure 6-6 Flip flop between access points

Security for WLANs is a critical element in designing a wireless network and is

DEPLOYING A WIRELESS NETWORK

When possible, access points should also be connected to uninterruptible power

PROVIDING USER SUPPORT

■ Create a method to effectively track problems.

Figure 6-7 Excel security dialog box

8. Click File and Open.

Figure 6-8 WLAN Benefits Calculator

Project 6-2: Troubleshoot Wireless Roaming 6

Using Windows Wireless Zero Configuration was covered in Project 3-5.

Figure 6-9 WZCDLG.LOG file contents

Figure 6-10 WZCTrace.LOG file contents

18. Close the WCZTrace.LOG file.

Project 6-3: View Channel Numbers on a Cisco Access Point

5. Click the Detailed Status tab to display detailed information.

Figure 6-11 Channel frequencies

Project 6-4: View Channel Numbers on a LinkSys Access Point

Figure 6-12 Linksys Wireless settings 6

Case Project 6-2: Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Cost

Case Project 6-3: Training

Case Project 6-4: The Mobile Office

Northridge Consulting Group

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