LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Introduction to Wireless Local Area Network
• Advantages of WLAN
• Types of WLAN
• IEEE 802.11 standards
• Modes of wireless networks
• Introduction to 802.11 architecture
Introduction
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)is a term used to define network of
spatially and temporally dispersed elements which transmit and receive on
air using different bands of Electromagnetic spectrum like Infrared, visible,
radio and microwaves. According to CISCO,
“A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) implements a flexible data
communication system frequently augmenting rather than replacing a
wired LAN within a building or campus”.
Every technology needs standardization. IEEE 802.11 standard was
published in 1997 for the provision of network access and resources to
different network elements on move. Since its inception, the standard is
under continuous updation and amendment for the purpose of providing
new services and capabilities and overcoming the limitations of previous
amendments. This module marks the beginning of our learning towards
IEEE 802.11. In this module, we will learn about the evolution, modes and
architecture of IEEE 802.11 and in next modules we will learn about layers
and the security mechanisms of this standard.
Advantages of WLAN
WLAN is a local area data network which provides access of information
and resources to devices without wires. It is not a replacement but is
implemented as an extension to a wired LAN. As compared to wired
infrastructure, it has many advantages listed as follows:
• Mobility: It provides “Anywhere Anytime” access of data and
information. It provides support of real time information facilitating
decision making in time critical events like Stock updates.
• Low implementation costs: As compared to wired LAN the
implementation costs in terms of manpower, time, complexity of
installation is less. It is easy to setup, relocate, change and manage a
WLAN. Initial costs for hardware may be higher than wired networks,
but overall installation expenses and life cycle costs are lower.
• Installation Speed: It does not involve setting up cables and other
components and arranging in form of required topology. Just
configure a router and connect devices. It’s that simple.
• Network Expansion: “Wireless can go where wires cannot”. It can be
laid where it is not possible to lay down a wired network like under
the sea. The transmission can penetrate through buildings and walls.
• Higher Capacity: More users can be accommodated as compared to
wired. For example in wired, a separate cable needs to be laid for each
subscriber but for a cellular WLAN the capacity is increased manifold
as per the channel availability. For eg. If a channel caters 10
subscribers and 100 channels are available, 1000 subscribers can be
accommodated.
• Reliability: No fear of downtime due to cable failure which is the
primary cause of failure in wired network,
• Scalability: It is easy to scale a WLAN to increase number of users as
configurations can be easily changed as no fixed topology exists.
• ISM band: It operates on license free band whether it is infra-red
band or ISM band.
• Robustness: The WLAN can survive disasters eg. Earthquakes. If the
devices are not damaged, network won’t be affected.
• Planning: Don’t need additional plan of wires, plugs, switches etc. The
WLANs can be adhocly setup with the use of devices following same
standard.
Types of WLAN
As per the type of EM waves used for transmission, the WLAN can
be divided into two categories:
• Infra-red WLAN: Infrared LAN uses LED, LASER, diffused bulbs as
sources of energy and the receivers are photoreceptors sensitive to
light. Operates on 900nm band. Eg. IrDA (Infrared data association)
• Radio based LAN: The antennas used in radio based LANs work on 2.4
GHz ISM band.
Eg. Bluetooth, Wi-fi etc.
The strengths and limitations of both the forms have been summarized in
the given table:
Table 1: Infra red vs Radio WLAN
INFRA RED RADIO
• Simple and Cheap technology
• Can be easily integrated to
Do not need Line-of-sight
hand-held devices providing
an interface for Infra-red data
• Covers large areas
association
• Penetrate through
• Support data rates upto
Walls and obstacles
Strengths 4Mbits/sec
• Higher data rates (~
• License free
100 Mbps)
• Electrical devices do not
interfere with it
• LOS of sight required • Interfere with the
• IrDA devices are connected to electrical appliances
a serial port hence data rates or other radio devices
are not high • Very few License free
• Cannot penetrate through bands are available
Limitations walls or obstacles • Harmful for human
• Range is limited (upto few beings so cannot be
meters) used in hospitals etc.
Flavours of WLANSome of the popular flavours of WLAN are:
• HiperLAN: “HiperLAN is a set of wireless local area network
communication standards primarily used in European countries.
There are two specifications: HiperLAN/1 and HiperLAN/2. Both
have been adopted by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI). HiperLAN/1 provides communications at up to 20
Mbps in the 5-GHz range of the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum.
HiperLAN/2 operates at up to 54 Mbps in the same RF band.
HiperLAN/2 is compatible with 3G (third-generation) WLAN systems
for sending and receiving data, images, and voice communications.
• IEEE 802.11: IEEE 802.11 is a standard for Local Area Networks using
the ISM band from 2.4-2.5 GHz.
• HomeRF: This is a standard providing interoperability between PC
and electronic devices at home.
• Bluetooth: It is standardized as a personal area network for
interconnecting devices in ad hoc fashion.
• MANET: MANET is a working group within IETF to investigate and
develop standards for Mobile ad hoc networks.
Evolution of IEEE 802.11
It all started in 1985, when Federal communications Commission (FCC)
deregulated the spectrum from 2.4-2.5 GHz for use by Industrial, Scientific
and Medical Communities which meant that Spectrum was available for
individual non-licensed applications. It was an excellent opportunity for
wireless application developer because they could develop without
investing on licensing. This triggered many developments that were
proprietary, expensive, slow and lacked widespread availability /adaption.
In the early 1990s, IEEE established an executive committee, as part of the
IEEE 802 standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks to focus on
developing a wireless LAN solution that could grow into a standard with
widespread acceptance, using the deregulated ISM band from 2.4-2.5 GHz.
The standard was aimed to provide a reliable, fast, inexpensive, robust
wireless communication. The first version of IEEE 802.11 was published in
[Link] gained success due to its compatibility with current IEEE networks
particularly 802.3 Ethernet. The maximum data rate was 2 Mbps. It included
forward error correction, direct sequence and frequency hopping as spread
spectrum methods. It also included a specification for infrared wireless
communications, still operating at up to 2 Mbps.
Since its ratification, it has been under continuous amendment and
updation many other standards were released as amendments to original
form and they were named IEEE 802.11a……to almost every letter of English.
These standards differ from each other in many aspects like bandwidth,
modulation technique, physical media, security, roaming etc. In 2007, IEEE
published standard 802.11-2007 standard which is consolidated set of
specifications for amendments published till 2007(a, b, d, e, g, h, j).They
were rolled up into one common standard. The standard was called IEEE
[Link] consolidated standard was released in March 2012 that
includes amendments (k, n, p, r, s, u, v, w, y and z). It was referred to as IEEE
[Link] release is standard including amendments ae, aa, ad, ac
and af in December 2016 . IEEE 802.11-2016 is a revision based on IEEE
802.11-2012. Most recent in process are amendments ax, ay and az. More
detailed description of standards can be found at [Link].
Modes of operation of WLAN
Wireless LANs work in two modes. They are:
• Infrastructure mode: Devices communicate with each other via
access point which is a wireless router
• Adhoc mode: No infrastructure or access point. Devices cluster
communicate with
Figure 1: Infrastructure vs. Adhoc LAN
Infrastructure LAN
It is a cellular architecture. System is divided into cells or clusters. Each
cell is called Basic service set (BSS). Each BSS is controlled by one base
station called access point. Cell consists of Stations and access points.
Stations are IEEE 802.11 compliant NICs (Network interface cards). The AP
and all local wireless clients must be configured to use the same network
name or SSID. Data packets to be transmitted from any systems (PCs)
connected with LAN to wireless station will go through AP. Topology is
similar to star network where all devices are attached to a central hub and
communicate to each other through it. Multiple BSS form extended service
set (ESS). ESS is connected to the backbone LAN or distribution system. AP
provides connectivity between wireless network and hardwired LAN
network. Backbone can be Ethernet or wireless itself. It converts protocol
from wireless 802.11 packets to 802.3 Ethernet packets and vice versa. One
802.11 LAN can be connected to another 802 LAN via a portal.
Figure 2: Infrastructure LAN
Advantages of Infrastructure LAN
• An access point allows to easily expand a wired network with wireless
capability
• Wired and wirelessly networked computers can communicate with
each other
• If there are multiple access points to the network, as in an office or
large home, users can roam between interlocking access point cells,
without ever losing a connection to the network
• If access point is with a built-in router and firewall, the router allows
to share Internet access between all computers, and the firewall hides
the network
• The design of infrastructure-based wireless networks is simpler
because most of the network functionality lies within the access
point, whereas the wireless clients can remain quite simple
Adhoc LAN
Wireless network is composed of only stations (802.11 compliant NICs).
There will not be any access point in the network. The networked systems
i.e. stations communicate directly with one another. It is also referred as
IBSS (Independent Basic Service Set) or peer to peer mode. Here
communication is directly over wireless radio waves and compliant to
802.11 packets.
Advantages of ADHOC LAN
• Ad-hoc networks are simple to set up
• Ad-hoc networks are inexpensive as the cost of purchasing an access
point is reduced
• Ad-hoc networks are fast. Throughput rates between two wireless
network adapters are twice as fast as when an access point is used.
• Adhoc mode is suitable for quick wireless connection setup in office
rooms, hotels or in places where wired infrastructure is not available
Cell design in IEEE 802.11
Neighboring cells are allocated different non-overlapping frequencies so
that wireless LAN cards of the cells do not interfere with each other while
transmitting the signal. For DSSS 13 channels have been defined whereas
for FHSS 79 channels are defined. For efficient use of Spectrum, frequency
reuse is done by allocating the same frequency to the cell which is radio
isolated. It can be seen in figure 3 that different frequencies (color coded)
have been used in neighboring cells A, B,C and D. But E has been assigned
same frequency as A. This is because A and E are far from each other. Figure
4 depicts a scenario where a WLAN has to be setup in a 3 storey building.
For each floor 3 BSS are there. Total 9 routers would be deployed. The
channel allocation is done in such a way the vertical as well as horizontal
interference can be minimized.
Figure 3: Frequency allocation to different cells
Floor1 ch11 ch1 ch6
Floor 2 ch6 Ch11 Ch1
Floor 3 Ch1 Ch6 ch11
Figure 4: Usage of different channel during setup of WLAN in a 3 storey
building
Summary
• Wireless LANs have many advantages over wired LANS as in providing
support for mobility, robustness, cost of installations, increased
capacity, scalability, expansion and above all license free
• Infrared and radio waves are commonly used for WLANs. IrDA is
simple , cheap can be easily integrated but requires line-of-sight and
has shorter range whereas radio based networks have large range,
can penetrate through walls and buildings but suffers from
interference from nearby devices.
• IEEE 802.11 was developed to provide a cheap, easy and adaptable
standard for WLANs in 1997 and has been undergoing amendments
since then.
• WLANs work in infrastructure as well as ad hoc mode. Infrastructure
LANs comprises of a central access point through which devices
communicate while ad hoc not have a access point.
• In infrastructure LAN there are cells containing access points and
devices known as BSS. Different BSS connect to form a ESS. Each
access point is connected to a backbone which may be wired or
wireless. Neighboring cells are allocated non- overlapping channels.