Wireless LAN Infrastructure DevicesWireless LAN Infrastructure Devices

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Wireless LAN DevicesWireless LAN Devices

Access PointsWireless BridgesWireless LAN Client Devices

Access PointsAccess Points

Is a half-duplex device with intelligence equivalent to that of a sophisticated ethernet switch.

Access Point ModesAccess Point Modes

Root ModeRepeater ModeBridge Mode

Root ModeRoot Mode

Bridge ModeBridge Mode

Repeater ModeRepeater Mode

Common OptionsCommon Options

Fixed or Detachable Antennas.Advanced Filtering Capabilities.Removable (Modular) Radio Cards.Variable Output Power.Varied Types of Wired Connectivity.

Configuration and ManagementConfiguration and Management

Small Office, Home Office (SOHO)MAC filtersWEP (64- or 128-bit)USB or console configuration interfaceSimple built-in web server configuration interfaceSimple custom configuration application

EnterpriseAdvanced custom configuration applicationAdvanced built-in web server configuration interfaceTelnet accessSNMP management802.1x/EAPRADIUS clientVPN client and serverRouting (static/dynamic)Repeater functionsBridging functions

Wireless BridgesWireless Bridges

A wireless bridge provides connectivity between two wired LAN segments.

A wireless bridge is a half-duplex device capable of layer 2 wireless connectivity only.

Wireless Bridge ModesWireless Bridge Modes

Root ModeNon-root ModeAccess Point ModeRepeater Mode

Root ModeRoot Mode

A root bridge can only communicate with non-root bridges and other client devices and cannot associate with another root bridge.

NonNon--root Moderoot Mode

Wireless bridges in non-root mode attach, wirelessly, to wireless bridges that are in root mode.

Access Point ModeAccess Point Mode

Actually just giving the bridge access point functionality.

Repeater ModeRepeater Mode

Wireless LAN Client DevicesWireless LAN Client Devices

PCMCIA & Compact Flash Cards Wireless Ethernet & Serial ConvertersUSB AdaptersPCI & ISA Adapters

PCMCIA & Compact Flash CardsPCMCIA & Compact Flash Cards

Wireless Ethernet & Serial ConvertersWireless Ethernet & Serial Converters

USB AdaptersUSB Adapters

PCI & ISA PCI & ISA AdaptersAdapters

Configuration and ManagementConfiguration and Management

There are two steps to installing wireless LAN client devices:

Install the driversInstall manufacturer’s wireless utilities

Common FunctionalityCommon Functionality

SSID (a.k.a. Network Name)Channel (if in ad hoc mode)WEP KeysAuthentication type (Open System, Shared Key)