CHAPTER 2

802.11 and Network Interface Cards

(Mapped to CLO2-> Classify wireless
component, hardware and software)

Learning Objectives
Identify

the IEEE 802. standards.

Identify the IEEE 802.11 standards.
Understand the MAC and PHY layers of
802.11
Identify which client operating systems
are supported.
Type of wireless technologies.

Overview *OBE

What is Standard?
Who is IEEE?
What is OSI layer?
In which OSI layer WLAN operates?
What is WNIC?
In which OSI layer WNIC located?

Global Wireless Standards

PAN (Personal Area Network)

is a computer network used for communication

among computer devices (including telephones and
personal digital assistants) close to one person.
Distance= few meters
Can be in 2 forms:
Wired: USB or firewire
Wireless: IrDA or Bluetooth

IEEE 802.11 Standards Activities

802.11a:
802.11b:
802.11d:
802.11e:
802.11f:
802.11g:
802.11h:
and
802.11i:
802.11j:
802.11k:
802.11m:
802.11n:

5GHz, 54Mbps
2.4GHz, 11Mbps
Multiple regulatory domains
Quality of Service (QoS)
Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP)
2.4GHz, 54Mbps
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
Transmit Power Control (TPC)
Security
Japan 5GHz Channels (4.9-5.1 GHz)
Measurement
Maintenance
High-Speed

802.11a-5GHz VS 802.11b/g-2.4GHz
1) Data rates supported: 54, 48, 36, 24, 12, and 6 Mbps

Client will automatically downshift to lower data rate when it gets

further from AP

2) 23 Countries have approved the use of 802.11a products:

U.S.
Australia
Zealand
Ireland
Argentina
U.K.
Germany
NetherlandsFinland

Austria
Japan

Denmark France
Singapore

Sweden
Taiwan

Norway
Poland

Portugal Canada
Switzerland

Belgium
Mexico

New

3) 5 GHz band has more channels than 2.4 GHz band

UNII-1 + UNII-2 = 8 channels (plus 11 future channels) vs. 3

channels for 2.4 GHz
However, depending on distance between APs, you may only be able
to use half of the 5 GHz channels due to adjacent channel interference

4) 5 GHz band subject to less interference than 2.4 GHz band

However, 2.4 GHz interference not a major problem in most business

environments

IEEE 802.11 Standard

IEEE 802.11 became a standard in July 1997

802.11a 5 GHz at 54 Mbps OFDM

802.11b 2.4 GHz at 11 Mbps DSSS

IEEE 802.11g is scheduled to be ratified in 2003

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)

IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b became standards in September 1999

2.4 GHz at 2 Mbps Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and

802.11g 2.4 GHz at 54 Mbps OFDM

IEEE 802.11n became standards- when?

802.11n 2.4 GHz/5GHz, 300Mbps (

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless/f/80211n-300-mb
ps.htm
)

802.11 promises true vendor interoperability

Three Wireless Technologies

802.11b

802.11a

802.11g

Frequency
Band

2.4 GHz

5 GHz

2.4 GHz

Availability

Worldwide

US/AP

Worldwide

Maximum
Data rate

11 Mbps

54 Mbps

54 Mbps

HyperLAN
Devices

Cordless Phones
Microwave Ovens
Wireless Video
Bluetooth Devices

Other
Services
(Interference)

Cordless Phones
Microwave Ovens
Wireless Video
Bluetooth Devices

The Laws of Radio Dynamics:

Higher Data Rates
= Shorter Transmission Range
Higher Power Output
= Increased Range, but Lower Battery Life
Higher Frequency Radios
= Higher Data Rates Shorter Ranges

What Is WLAN RF Technology?

Data sent over the air waves

Two-way radio communications
(half duplex)
Same radio frequency for
sending & receiving (transceiver)
No licensing required for Cisco
Aironet Wireless products (in most
countries)

802.11 Architecture

The media access control (MAC) and physical

(PHY) layers are organized into a set of
standards separate from the logical link control
(LLC)
WLAN operated at Layer 1 (PHY) and Layer 2
(MAC).

IEEE 802.11 PHY vs 802.3 PHY

802.3 -> MAC address equates to a

physical location.
IEEE 802.11 -> The addressable
unit=Station(STA). STA is a
message destination, but not a fixed
physical location.

IEEE 802.11 PHY characteristics

Use a medium that has no

boundaries
Unprotected from outside signals
Communicate over a medium that is
significantly less reliable than wired
cable
Have dynamic topologies
Lack of full connectivity

Operating System for wireless

clients

List 5 for each students

Android
Ios
Windows

mobile
Symbians
ubuntu-edge
blackberryOS

Type of wireless technologies

List 5 available wireless

technologies in the market.
Bluetooth
IrDA
*NFC
RFID
Wimax
GPS

exercise

Lets try this