WLAN Deployment and Vertical MarketsChapter-11Module-8B

Jerry BernardiniCommunity College of Rhode Island

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Presentation Reference Material

• CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administration Official Study Guide

(PWO-104), David Coleman, David Westcott, 2009, Chapter-11

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Corporate Data Access

• Network access and Mobility– Reason for wireless network in corporations

• Wireless network is not always a replacement fro a wired network

• Pro/Con• Pro:

– Mobility, difficult locations, cheaper ($200/port wired)

• Con:– Slower, reliability

• For Access not Distribution and Core

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Network Extension

• As 802.11 became affordable it was used for network extension

• Extent home networks• Extend to warehouses• Extent offices• Fewer cables• Cheaper than wiring

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Bridging Networks

• Used to connect two or more buildings• Cheaper than copper, fiber and leased line• Slower than Fiber• Possible leap over other private property• Must have a clear line of sight• Point-to-point (PTP)• Point-to-multipoint (PTMP)• Hub and spoke network-single point of failure• Use multiple PTP bridges for reliabilite

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Wireless Internet Service Provider

• WISP or Last –Mile network• Last-mile is the connection between the end-user

and the service provider (central office)• Last-mile < 18,000 feet puts a limit on DSL• WISP provides wireless network connection to the

Internet• WISP’s do not use 802.11 technology• WISP’s could use WiMax

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Small Office/Home Office (SOHO)

• For many home-based businesses• Inexpensive way to set up a home-based business• Uses inexpensive AP-routers, ¼ cost of corporate AP-

routers• Easy to setup• Location flexible

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Mobile Office Network• Allows for setting up a network as needed and then

removing• No running wires, just unplug and remove• Temporary offices• Office extensions (with a bridge)• Military maneuvers• Disaster relief• Concerts• Flea markets• Construction sites

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Education Networks

• Safe and easy way of connecting students to a school network

• More cost effective than installing Ethernet jacks all over the building– Jacks would ware out with multiple-day connects and disconnects

• Flexible seating arrangement possible• Students can work anywhere in the building• Students can use their own computer

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Warehousing and Manufacturing Networks

• One of the first applications of wireless networks– Even before 802.11 standards

• Vast space coverage required• Mobility required• Networks designed for coverage and not capacity• Often specially designed hand-held wireless devices• In warehouses, wireless barcode scanners have been

used for some time

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Healthcare Networks

• Require quick, secure and accurate to data• Require mobile computing• Wireless medical carts are common• Wireless patience monitoring for vitals• VoWiFi is a common application• Real-time location systems (RTLS) using RFID for

inventory control• Potential RF interference important in hospitals• Must track frequency spectrum and use in hospitals

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Municipal Networks

• Many announcements but few implementations• Communities have underestimated the cost of

providing the service• Tax dollars have not found its way to compleating the

networks• Many projects canceled• Some projects scaled back to smaller area• Some projects are supported by a business group

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Hotspots

• Free or pay-for-use Internet access• Available in cafes, bookstores, hospitality locations ,

airports and hotels• To attract and service customers• Up to $40/month for a subscription not working• Authentication using a Captive Portal

– A browser page is used for authentication and use-agreement

• Hotspots are not secure• Must use VPN for security

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Transportation Networks

• Wireless networks for trains, planes, ships and ferries• A mobile uplink service is necessary• WiMAX , cellular telephone or satellite is used• WiMAX is being more and more as it is deployed• Airlines are starting to provide WiFi in flight using

cellular to ground stations– Airlines must use bandwidth metering to prevent monopolizing the

connection

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Law-Enforcement Networks

• WiFi is a supplement to public-safety wireless networks

• WiFi inside police stations is common• Outside WiFi signals highly encrypted• Many use Supervisory control and data acquisition

(SCADA) – non-WiFi• Police car equipped with video surveillance

automatically download file when in WiFi range (upon return to station)

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First-Responder Networks

• Upon arriving on a scene a mobile 802.11 network can be setup

• Can cover the entire scene area• A WiFi bridge can be used to connect to an

emergency network• During a disaster the network can be used for tagging

and triage

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Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC)

• Currently convergence of WiFi and cellular technology (WiMAX soon)

• A single wireless device will switch between networks, always using the lowest cost

• In the office WiFi is used for communications• Outside the office cellular is used• FMC roaming allows start a call on WiFi and

seamlessly switching to cellular• IEEE 802.11u could standardize FMC communications

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WLAN and Health

• Is it safe to use WiFi and Cellular?• World Health Organizations says its safe• WiFi signals are lower power than other devices• No know adverse health effects• But concerns still exist – especially for cellular

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WLAN Vendors• Vendors provided varied products and services• WLAN Categories• Infrastructure- Aruba, Cisco, Motorola, Xirrus, …• Mesh Infrastructure- BelAir, Firetide, Meraki, Tropos, …• Troubleshooting and Design- Airmagnet, Wildpackets, …• Management- Airwave, Wavelink, ..• Security Solutions-AirDefense, AirTight, Juniper, …• VoWiFi Solutions-Acom, Polycom, Vocera, …• Fixed Mobile Convergence- Agito, DiVitas• RTLS Solutions-AeroScout, Newbury, …• SOHO-Apple, Buffalo, Belkin, Linksys, SMC, …• Refer to Pages 378-380 for vendor links04/19/23 Wireless Networking J. Bernardini 19