Topic 3: Wireless Network (cn)
Identify the advantages of wireless network
Wireless Networking is relatively cheaper than wired Networks since they require no cables between the computers as well as lower long term costs due to less maintenance since there is less equipment.
Wireless network equipment is plug-and-play, which helps reduce the total cost such as vendor installation and eliminates redundancy is case of a system crash.
Wireless Networking is also very mobile and versatile; it is adaptable to most situations and requirements.
Wireless networks can easily be set up and dissembled, which is perfect for many people who are on temporary worksites/homes or leased space.
Wireless networks provide networking in places where regular wire cannot reach such as the backyard in a home situation.
Access points can be used to boost the wireless signal range if required. Since portable workstations such as laptops have become popular, wireless networks can provide quick and easy access to the internet and workspaces for students and teachers in universities etc.
It is also extremely easy to add other components onto this type of network such as easy installation of VoIP and printers etc without the need to configure ones computer.
List all of the wireless devices in your home and college. Briefly explain the purpose of the each device
Phone - To be able to make and receive telephone calls.
Laptop - Designed for portability and enable people to work on their projects from virtually anywhere.
Printer - Device that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers the information to paper, usually to standard size sheets of paper.
PC - Perform calculations, store information, retrieve data and process information.
Research the IEEE 802.11g and 802.11n standards. Explain the key points of each standard including the data rates & make comparison between the two standards.
The 802.11g specification is a standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs) that offers transmission over relatively short distances at up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps), compared with the 11 Mbps theoretical maximum with the earlier 802.11b standard.
802.11g attempts to combine the best of both 802.11a and 802.11b.
802.11g supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps, and it uses the 2.4 GHz frequency for greater range. 802.11g is backward compatible with 802.11b, meaning that 802.11g access points will work with 802.11b wireless network adapters and vice versa.
Pros of 802.11g - Fast maximum speed; signal range is good and not easily obstructed.
Cons of 802.11g - Costs more than 802.11b; appliances may interfere on the unregulated signal frequency.
802.11n is a specification for wireless LAN (WLAN) communications. 802.11n, an addition to the 802.11 family of standards, will increase wireless local area network(WLAN) speed, improve reliability and extend the range of wireless transmissions.
802.11n (also sometimes known as "Wireless N") was designed to improve on 802.11g in the amount of bandwidth supported by utilizing multiple wireless signals and antennas (called MIMO technology) instead of one.802.11n also offers somewhat better range over earlier Wi-Fi standards due to its increased signal intensity, and it is backward-compatible with 802.11b/g gear.
Pros of 802.11n - Fastest maximum speed and best signal range; more resistant to signal interference from outside sources.
Cons of 802.11n - Standard is not yet finalized; costs more than 802.11g; the use of multiple signals may greatly interfere with nearby 802.11b/g based networks.
Explain the different wireless network security risks and give the possible solution in order to avoid these risks.
1. Rogue Access Points - A method that is often used by attackers targeting wireless LANS is to setup a rogue access point that is within the range of the existing wireless. These are solutions to prevent the risk:
Build a policy prohibiting introducing network equipment into the network which is not owned by or approved by the company IT department.
Enforce port security so that unknown mac addresses cannot connect to your network.
Set up a separate wireless network. These access points should be secured with PEAP.
Regular security scans using tools like netstumbler to detect and track rogue access points in your network.
Perform IPsec over your network so that in case someone does set up a rogue AP, the exposed "waves" will not be plain readable in case of someone sniffing the wireless network.
2. Denial of Service - This can be done by simply sending a large amount of traffic at a specific target.These are solutions to prevent the risk:
Easy installation on Apache and IIS server.
Strong security against known and emerging hacking attacks
Best-of-breed predefined security rules for instant protection
Interface and API for managing multiple servers with ease
Requires no additional hardware, and easily scales with your business
3. Passive Capturing - Passive capturing is performed by simply getting within range of a target wireless LAN and then listening and capturing data.To avoid this is by implement high security standards using complex parameters.
List at least FOUR (4) wireless networking protocols and explain each protocols.
3G was the first “high speed” cellular network, and is a name that refers to a number of technologies that meet IMT-2000 standards. 4G is the generation of cellular standards that followed 3G, and is what most people use today for mobile cellular data. It needs a constant power source or must be able to be recharged regularly.
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless connectivity standard (Ecma-340, ISO/IEC 18092) that uses magnetic field induction to enable communication between devices when they're touched together, or brought within a few centimeters of each other.
A media access control (MAC) protocol for wide area networks. It is designed to allow low-powered devices to communicate with Internet-connected applications over long range wireless connections. LoRaWAN can be mapped to the second and third layer of the OSI model.
EnOcean is a protocol designed specifically for energy harvesting applications that are extremely low power. Thus, its applications are centered around building automation, smart homes, and wireless lighting control.
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