WLAN basics

Context

• Wireless technologies

• Wired Ethernet

WiFi

• Overview

• Ad hoc and Infrastructure modes

• Physical transmission

• MAC layer

• Reference - probably not for the lecture:

  • Frames

  • Services

• Security

  • Some risks

  • WEP/WPA

  • Securing a WiFi network

Notes

Wireless LANs (WLANs)

Main learning outcome:

to be able to explain the essential issues surrounding and operational characteristics of wireless networks, especially those using the 802.11 standards (A.K.A. WiFi or Wireless Ethernet)

Process

This lecture

Further reading - selected links below:

http://www.3com.com/other/pdfs/infra/corpinfo/en_US/50307201.pdf - good overview of WiFi

http://www.free2air.org/ organisation promoting widespread use of WiFi for Internet infrastructure

http://www.80211-planet.com/tutorials/article.php/1499151 WLAN security article

http://www.warchalking.org/index.html - the home of warchalking