The advantage of wireless is simply the freedom to roam without losing a connection and the savings in not having to install cables. Securing wireless connectivity is key to protecting your business in a wireless environment.

Notes

• The new standard will be 802.11n (due to be ratified in the second half of 2008). It operates in the same 2.4-GHz radio band as the current 802.11b and 802.11g and is therefore backward compatible with these older standards. However, 802.11n allows for much higher speeds, a larger range of coverage, much fewer drops, and enhanced reliability than the previous leading standard of 802.11g. 802.11n products actually maintain the highest speeds and enhance coverage of these previous standards when devices are used in a mixed environment.
  
   
• A wireless network’s throughput depends on many factors, such as building construction, interference from other electronic devices (microwave ovens and cordless phones) operating in the same frequencies as the wireless networking components, and the distance between the wireless client (such as a wireless notebook PC or Pocket PC) and the wireless access point or router (the base station of a wireless network). An 802.11b product can achieve between 4 – 6 Mbps within 20 to 60 feet. An 802.11g can usually achieve a throughput of 15 to 20 Mbps within the same distance range. However, newer 802.11b and 802.11g products have enhancements that essentially double their respective standard speeds. A less commonly used standard 802.11a performs similarly in throughput to 802.11g but at shorter distances. Some products offer multimode 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g allowing devices using any of the three standards to communicate. 802.11n will offer 600% higher speeds and 800% more range of coverage than 802.11g.
  
   
• 802.11a operates in the 5-GHz spectrum and has a greater number of channels making it valuable for large-scale enterprise installations that need the higher density of users per access point in a given space.
  
   
• The latest wireless equipment allows for management of multiple Wireless Access Points from a single console. “Rogue” (unauthorized)consumer grade, low priced Wireless Access Points are frequently installed - ad-hoc - on corporate networks; exposing the entire network to security threats. In addition to the ability for these devices to increase the signal power on Wireless Access Points to cover for failed Wireless Access Points, a managed wireless network can “sniff out” and alert to the installation of rogue, unauthorized Wireless Access Points.
  
   
• Captive portals can now be easily integrated into wireless networks to provide guest access directly to a company’s Internet connection while keeping guests out of the company’s internal network. This has always been an issue with trying to give clients or customers access to a company’s wireless network in a conference or board room without complex logistical issues.

Glossary

• WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network
  
   
• Wireless Access point (WAP) – A device that acts as a bridge between a wired and a wireless network (can be stand alone or have a built-in router).
  
   
• Repeater – A range extender (not connected to a wired network) that can be used to “fill in” dead spots in a wireless network by enhancing transfer rates and extending the signal range.
  
   
• 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n – There are three current standards, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and one proposed standard, 802.11n. 802.11b products operate in the 2.4 Ghz radio spectrum and support data rates of 1, 2, 5.5, 11, and now 22* Mbps at a maximum range of 150 feet indoors. 802.11g operates in the 2.4 Ghz radio spectrum and support data rates normally up to 54 Mbps and now 108* Mbps also at a maximum range of 150 feet indoors. 802.11n also operates in the 2.4 Ghz radio spectrum and support much higher data rates and much broader range coverage. 802.11a products operate in the 5-Ghz radio spectrum and offer speeds at similar rates as that of 802.11g but at much shorter distances – generally a maximum of 75 feet indoors. Due to its different operating frequency, 802.11a can coexist with the other standards in a mixed environment without interference.
  
   
• UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) - Using this technology, a device can automatically acquire a network address and announce its presence to other devices on the network.
  
   
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) – A specification of standards-based, interoperable security enhancements that strongly increase the level of data protection and access control for existing and future wireless LAN systems. WPA is designed for consumer, home based wireless networks.
  
   
• WPA2, based on the 802.11i standard, allows for much stronger levels of data protection. WPA2 is the network standard for corporate use.
  
   
• WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy – the original security protocol that provided security equal to that which is inherent with a wired network connection. It was quickly discovered that WEP was not as secure as originally believed and does not provide true end to end security. ** WEP should not be used on any WLAN since it can be very easily cracked by even the most novice of hackers.
  
   
• MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) – Currently only found in the 802.11n products, is a smart radio technology which uses multiple antennas and chip set designs that increase speed, coverage, and reliability for wireless systems. The design assists in combating distortion and interference so the 802.11n devices can transmit data farther, faster, and more reliably.

*component, radio, and compression enhancements allow for double the transfer rates