80211 the end of wireles or is it
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802.11n: The End of Wires? Or is it?
Wireless LAN Trends
Preparing for 802.11n
Research
• InformationWeek Analytics survey & paper published Dec, 2009
• 779 tech pros responded
• A peek into what IT is thinking when it comes to wireless networks
Main Research Goals
• Discover if, and when, wireless might replace wired networks
• Examine preferences in architectures
• Explore issues relating to regulatory compliance and security
• Determine if 802.11n ratification has influenced IT’s plans
Device Trends
• Growing mobile & portable percentages:
– Smartphones
– Netbooks
– iPads and iPad-like devices
– Tablets
• Fewer PC & Workstation purchases
Growing mobility is pushing the adoption of better, faster wireless
Source: Nothing but Air: Why 802.11n Will Revolutionize Connectivity. InformationWeek Analytics, 12/2009
Main WLAN Worries
• We’re buying mobile devices but are worried about the network to which they connect!
– Reliability—53% “It’s gotta work all the time”
– Performance—50% “It’s not fast enough”
– Data Security—48% “I don’t trust it”
– Consistency—41% “Same experience always”
• Other: Cost, Maturity, “It’s different”
• 11% think it’s good to go now!
Source: Nothing but Air: Why 802.11n Will Revolutionize Connectivity. InformationWeek Analytics, 12/2009
Source: Nothing but Air: Why 802.11n Will Revolutionize Connectivity. InformationWeek Analytics, 12/2009
Standards & Specifications
• IEEE defines technology through standards
• Wi-Fi Alliance publishes specs based on the standard to aid vendor interoperability
– 802.11a/b/g & “CERTIFIED n”
– WMM, WPA/WPA2
– And others
• Spells out a device’s capabilities
• Helps you understand what you’re buying
Decentralized
• Autonomous AP
• Each forwards data onto or off of wired net
• Essentially dumb individual APs
Fully Centralized
• Controller/Light AP
• Controller is “the brain” and forwards, firewalls, does QoS
• APs are aware of each other for roaming, channel assignment.
• Controller is the bottleneck!
Hybrid/Modern Decentralized
• Controller
• Or no controller
• Smarter APs can forward, firewall, QoS
• Or controller does it
• APs are aware of each other for roaming, channel assignment.
• Smarter edge alleviates the bottleneck. Key for 802.11n!
Architecture Evolution
WLAN Security
• WLAN security is a big concern but numerous 802.11i-based WPA2 approaches are indeed highly secure.
• Encryption—Data privacy – WEP (bad, very bad)
– WPA (“auto WEP”) / WPA2 (AES strong crypto)
• Authentication—Who are you?– Pre-shared keys or…
– 802.1X/EAP strong authentication
• Firewall policy—Dictates what you can touch
• WLAN intrusion detection & prevention
Regulatory Compliance
• Do These:
– Maintain a written WLAN policy governing use
– Use strong encryption & authentication
– Firewall nodes processing or containing sensitive data
– Monitor unauthorized use
– Log general use
• Good Practice Includes:
– Know who’s using
– Make sure it’s them
– Maintain confidentiality
• Regulations:
– PCI DSS
– HIPAA & HITECH
– Sarbanes-Oxley
– And more
Source: Nothing but Air: Why 802.11n Will Revolutionize Connectivity. InformationWeek Analytics, 12/2009
Key 802.11n Features
• ~5x throughput & ~2x the range than before. 300 Mbps with more to come
• More efficient transmission
– Uses UNII or ISM bands & 20 or 40 mhz channels
– Frame aggregation & guard interval tweaks
• MIMO signaling
– Multipath is now our friend
– Multiple simultaneous data streams
Top Considerations: Application
• Thoroughly analyze the applications that are driving the need for Wi-Fi
– Latency & QoS
– Signal strength & Throughput
• Design accordingly
– VoWiFi requires clean, strong signals
– Employee LANs vary by apps riding them
– Guest networking is far more forgiving
Green means OK for VoWiFi
Same Floorplan…Green means OK for General
Data Networking
Top Considerations: Architecture
• Avoid wired-side bottlenecks prevalent at high rates
• Avoid single points of failure
• Can your older 802.3af PoE switches power the new gear? Or is 802.3at required?
• What are the coverage and capacity requirements?
• Consider reserving the 5 Ghz UNII bands for n-only and the 2.4 Ghz ISM bands for legacy b/g/a + n
Top Considerations: Environment
• Construction materials…
– affect signal strength which affects…
– cell sizes which in turn affects…
– data throughput at different points in the coverage area
• LOS was best for b/g/a. Multipath best for n.
• Consider investing in good site survey planning tools & WLAN troubleshooting tools
Top Considerations: Security
• Design to be as secure as resources will allow
• Understand the available security options and their impact on the network. Ex: RADIUS
• Define the authentication and encryption schemes
• Understand regulatory compliance requirements
• Work the WLAN into your security policy framework
• Understand reporting requirements
Top Considerations: Client devices
• Understand client-side capabilities to avoid a Porsche network accessed by Edsel laptops.
• When looking at your current equipment…
– Are they “n” capable?
– What type of MIMO do they support?
– How old are the drivers?
– Do the supplicants support the 802.1X/EAP authentication types you plan to use?
Top Considerations: Product Choice
• When shopping for gear, Caveat Emptor
• Do your product research. See what others are saying.
• Get to know WLANs if you don’t already.
• Wrap your head around new terms such as…
– spatial multiplexing
– channel bonding
– frame aggregation
– beamforming
Top Considerations: Management
• Consider how you will manage the gear
• Will it be a self-contained system or will it integrate with another management platform?
• How will you get alerts out of the system?
• Who in the organization will manage it and be the wireless specialist(s)?
Top Considerations: Education
• Start with vendor-neutral Wi-Fi education. CWNP is a great start.
• Understand your organization’s wireless mission. How will it be used and for what?
• Study up on your vendors’ design guides
• Next hit the vendor-specific training
• Have a test lab if possible
Future WLAN Publications
• Here’ what we’re thinking…
– Best Practices: WLAN Management. Ten Mistakes to Avoid
– Research: Wireless Nation 2011. 4G vs. Wi-Fi
– Strategy: Voice over Wi-Fi
• Please email us ideas: [email protected]