Lecture 8

Network Settings and Wireless LAN Troubleshooting

Objectives
Explain the wired network settings that can be modified in a wireless network List troubleshooting techniques for solving RF transmission problems Describe how to solve access point problems Describe the types of wireless device problems and explain how to solve them

Troubleshooting Wireless Networks

Troubleshooting can be difficult with WLANs
Many factors can impact wireless transmissions
Many of them are non-technical

Technology is relatively new Problems can be result of anything from overlooking check box on a dialog box to metal objects in path of RF signal

Categorized into identifying and solving problems with RF transmissions, APs, and wireless devices

Solving RF Transmission Problems: Near/Far

Figure 11-6: Near/far transmission problem

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Solving RF Transmission Problems: Near/Far (continued)

Two steps to identify device that is a victim of near/far transmission problem
Wireless protocol analyzer running on a device displays signal strength
Low signal strength may indicate problem May not indicate near/far problem Also determine signal strength on nearby devices

Review placement of wireless devices

Solving RF Transmission Problems: Near/Far (continued)

Figure 11-7: Signal strength

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Solving RF Transmission Problems: Near/Far (continued)

Several solutions to near/far transmission problems:
Move device with stronger transmission power farther away from AP Reduce transmission power of devices closer to AP Increase transmission power of devices farther away from AP

Solving RF Transmission Problems: All-Band Interference

FHSS uses range of frequencies that change during transmission
Bluetooth, for example, is a close-range, frequency hopping technology that operates in same 2.4 GHz ISM band as IEEE 802.11b/gWLANs
Can create all-band interference

IEEE 802.11b/g and Bluetooth devices do not peacefully coexist in same environment

Solving RF Transmission Problems: All-Band Interference (continued)

Several options have been proposed for 802.11b/g and Bluetooth to work together:
Change the RF spectrum used Modify power levels Add switching software

Best solutions is to not use the two devices together or migrate to 802.11a wireless technology

Solving RF Transmission Problems: System Throughput

Many factors influence WLAN transmission speed:
AP processor speed Distance from AP Implementing security solutions Number of users associated with an AP Packet size RTS/CTS protocol Types of RF interference Using PCF protocol

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Solving RF Transmission Problems: System Throughput (continued)

To troubleshoot:
Determine if all devices experiencing problem or only a single device Identify potential causes that may have least impact on system if changed

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Solving RF Transmission Problems: Co-Location Throughput

When a mobile wireless user enters into range of more than one AP, wireless device will choose an AP based on signal strength or packet error rates
For 802.11b and 802.11g wireless LANs only channels 1, 6, and 11 can be used to co-locate multiple APs in same area

Small amount of overlap between channels 1 and 6, as well as between channels 6 and 11
Co-location throughput Can affect wireless network performance
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Solving RF Transmission Problems: Co-Location Throughput (continued)

Figure 11-8: Adjacent Channels 1 and 6

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Solving RF Transmission Problems: Co-Location Throughput (continued)

Possible solutions:
Change channels to Channels 1 and 11 Migrate to 802.11a
8 non-overlapping channels

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Solving RF Transmission Problems: Co-Location Throughput (continued)

Figure 11-9: Separate channels

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Solving Access Point Problems

All APs have external light emitting diodes
Ethernet indicator: Signals traffic on wired LAN
Green when Ethernet cable is connected Blinks green when packet received or transmitted Off when Ethernet cable not connected

Status indicator: Signals operational status

Green indicates AP associated with at least one wireless device, Blinking green means AP operating normally but is not associated with any wireless devices

Radio indicator: Blinks green to indicate RF activity

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Solving Access Point Problems (continued)

Table 11-4: Cisco Aironet LED information

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Solving Access Point Problems (continued)

Table 11-4 (continued): Cisco Aironet LED information

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Solving Access Point Problems (continued)

If AP does not communicate with devices, check:
SSID WEP keys Security settings

In extreme circumstances, may be necessary to delete current AP configuration and return all settings to factory defaults

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Solving Wireless Device Problems: Wireless Device Connection Process

Five-step connection process:
Scan for access points
Wireless network adapter sends series of Probe Request frames APs within range respond with Beacon frame that contains the capabilities of the wireless AP

Choose an access point

Decision based on: Wireless AP capabilities SSID matches a preferred network Signal strength
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Solving Wireless Device Problems: Wireless Device Connection Process (continued)

Five-step connection process (continued):
Authenticate with the access point
Type of authentication depends on security capabilities of AP and how wireless device has configured to authenticate with AP

Associate with the access point Obtain an IP address

Manual addressing DHCP addressing APIPA addressing
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Solving Wireless Device Problems: Troubleshooting Wireless Devices

Possible causes if problems makings connection:
Incompatible IEEE 802.11 standards Mismatched authentication methods Different WEP keys
Will not prevent association, but will prevent successful communication

Mismatched pre-shared key Conflict between Windows Wireless Auto Configuration and a third-party configuration tool Incorrect MAC address
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Solving Wireless Device Problems: Troubleshooting Wireless Devices (continued)

Possible causes if wireless device intermittently disconnects from AP:
Incompatible 802.1x authentication
For computers running Windows XP with SP1, clear Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network check box in Authentication tab

Duplicate SSID
Generally result of default SSID being used on APs

Infection by computer virus

Run antivirus software
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Solving Wireless Device Problems: Troubleshooting Wireless Devices (continued)

Possible causes if wireless device intermittently disconnects from AP (continued):
Faulty hardware
Run diagnostic tests for AP or wireless network adapter Use current drivers

Wireless attacks
May require special scanners to pinpoint attacker

Device misconfiguration
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Summary (continued)
A device that is transmitting at higher signal strength and is located closer to the access point will drown out a weaker signal from a device that is farther away and is using less power Technologies such as Bluetooth which use the entire 2.4 GHz spectrum can impact IEEE 802.11 WLANs that use the same frequency spectrum Co-location throughput can affect the performance of access points that use 802.11b/g technology because of channel overlap on channels 1, 6, 11
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Summary (continued)
Solving access point problems often starts with observing the LED lights that provide information regarding Ethernet and RF activity along with operational status Wireless device problems fall into two broad categories: the inability to make a successful wireless connection and intermittently disconnecting from the access point

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LAB
LAB E LAB F

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