802.11 Wireless LAN Fundamentals - Hardcover

Roshan, Pejman; Leary, Jonathan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1587050773 ISBN 13: 9781587050770

Publisher: Cisco Press, 2003

Synopsis

Master the basics in designing, building, and managing a Cisco Aironet WLAN.

• Master the basics of Wireless LANs with this concise design and deployment guide
• Understand implementation issues for a variety of environments including vertical, SOHO, and enterprise networks
• Learn design and troubleshooting advice from real-world case studies

802.11 Wireless LAN Fundamentals gives networking engineers and IT professionals the knowledge they need to design, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot their own wireless local-area networks (WLANs). Starting with an overview of the technology and architecture of WLANs, the book goes on to explain services and advanced features that such applications can provide. Most importantly, it provides practical design guidance and deployment recommendations.

Wireless LANs connect computer networks via radio transmissions instead of traditional phone lines or cables. Benefits to these systems go well beyond getting rid of all the cables and wires. Campus networks can grow geographically larger while still retaining all their efficiency and speed. Additionally, cost savings can be realized when third-party phone lines are no longer necessary, saving the cost of line rental and equipment upkeep. Finally, flexibility in campus network design increases significantly for the networking professional, while the network accessibility and usefulness increases for the individual users.

802.11 Wireless LAN Fundamentals helps networking professionals realize these benefits by helping them understand how to design, build, and maintain these networks, as well as how to justify their value within organizations.

About this title

About the Author

Pejman Roshan is a product line manager with the Wireless Networking Business Unit at Cisco Systems. He manages the Cisco wireless LAN security, network management, and software products.

Jonathan Leary is a product line manager with the Wireless Networking Business Unit at Cisco Systems. His primary focus is the use of wireless LAN technology in outdoor applications.

From the Back Cover

A practical guide to understanding, designing, and operating 802.11 WLANs Review the basics of the different flavors of Ethernet technologies, from 10 Mbps to Gigabit Ethernet Evaluate radio technology fundamentals including receivers, antennas, and radio system performance Learn 802.11 WLAN foundation concepts, including wireless Media Access Control (MAC) layer functions and physical layer technologies Examine wireless security issues in-cluding authentication and encryption concepts and the 802.11i draft standard and WiFi Protected Access (WPA) Understand mobility concepts including client mobility impact and the Mobile IP standard Discover the challenges associated with delay-sensitive applications, such as voice over IP, by reviewing 802.11 QoS standards efforts Learn how to conduct successful site surveys Examine WLAN design considerations in a variety of real-world environments Catch a glimpse of what is on the WLAN horizon by reviewing evolving technologies, such as Bluetooth, ultra wideband, free space optics, and higher speed 802.11 technologies With increasing data rate speeds and decreasing costs, the benefits to be obtained by wireless LAN (WLAN) deployment are immense. It is no longer necessary for employees to be bound to their desks by Ethernet cables or for business expansion to be derailed by physical constraints. Implementation of WLANs can radically improve worker productivity and reap huge cost savings when bridging networks between buildings. However, as more and more companies evaluate how WLANs can impact their business, many questions about how to design, implement, and operate 802.11-based networks come to light. WLANs present unique challenges for administrators who are used to the world of wire-based networking technologies. A solid understanding of wireless standards, mobility concepts, and radio frequency fundamentals are required before diving into the world of wireless network deployment, as is a grasp of security, quality of service (QoS), and other design considerations, such as site surveying. 802.11 Wireless LAN Fundamentals gives you the background and practical details you need to select, design, install, and run your own WLAN. This book begins with an overview of Ethernet technologies, 802.11 standards, and physical layer technologies, providing you with a frame of reference for the rest of the book. Subsequent chapters address challenges and solutions associated with security, mobility, and QoS. Radio frequency fundamentals are reviewed in detail, as are site-surveying methods. A series of case studies that highlight WLAN design considerations in various business environments helps place all the concepts covered in this book in the context of real-world applications. Whether you are looking for a primer on the basics of WLAN operation or are seeking a practical design and implementation guide, 802.11 Wireless LAN Fundamentals offers you practical advice culled from the authors' own installation experiences to help you run and manage an efficient WLAN. Pejman Roshan is a product line manager with the Wireless Networking Business Unit at Cisco Systems(r). He manages the Cisco(r) wireless LAN security, network management, and software products. Jonathan Leary is a product line manager with the Wireless Networking Business Unit at Cisco Systems. His primary focus is the use of wireless LAN technology in outdoor applications.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cisco Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1587050773
• ISBN 13: 9781587050770
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 312