Chapter 10
Exploring Wireless Standards
and Technologies
Wireless Network
• A wireless network is a type of network that allows devices to
connect and communicate without the use of physical cables, using
radio waves or other wireless technologies.
• It enables devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, printers,
and IoT devices to share data and resources over a common network.
Examples of Wireless Networking
• Wireless routers are common wireless networking devices that are
commonly found within Small Office Home Office (SOHO) networks.
• This type of wireless networking device is simply a router, switch, and
access point within a single unified device.
• A wireless router is suitable for small wireless networks such as those
within homes and small office environments.
• The wireless router has one or more ethernet ports that operate like a typical network switch, allowing to
interconnect clients with each other using a wired connection.
• All devices that are connected to the wireless router, whether on the wireless or wired network, will be able
to communicate and exchange messages with each other.
• The router feature allows network professionals to create a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
server within the wireless router to provide IP addresses, subnet mask, default gateway, and Domain Name
System (DNS) server addresses to all connected clients.
Components in a Wireless Network
• Access Point: Devices that broadcast wireless signals for connectivity.
• Wireless Router: Manages traffic within the network and provides
internet access. Forwards packets between these different IP subnets
and to the internet.
• Client
• Signal Channels: Frequencies (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz) used for
communication.
Access Point
• Access points are commonly implemented to provide wireless coverage to all areas within a
building.
• Access points generate a radio frequency that is supported by wireless devices, allowing
wireless clients, such as mobile devices, to establish a connection to the access point and
access the resources on the wired network.
• Access points perform network communication between wired network and wireless
network.
• Access points do not have any routing or switching functionality; they are simply used to
create a wireless network and forward frames to the wired network and vice versa. This is a
thin-client access point, one that has no configuration capability.
• APs are connected to a wireless controller.
• Clients that are connected to access points receive an IP address that is provided to the
clients on the wired network.
Wireless Routers
• Wireless routers generate a radio frequency that is supported by wireless devices, allowing
wireless clients, such as mobile devices, to establish a connection to the access point and
access the resources on the wired network.
• Wireless Routers are not connected to a wireless controller and perform network
configuration individually.
Advantages of Wireless Networks
• Flexibility
• Scalability
• Convenience of operation
Use of DHCP in a Wireless Router
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network protocol used to automate the process of
assigning IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices (such as
computers, smartphones, and printers) on a network.
• Instead of manually configuring each device with an IP address, DHCP allows devices to
connect to a network and receive all necessary network information, like IP address, subnet
mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses, automatically from a DHCP server.
• This makes managing and maintaining large networks easier, ensuring devices can
communicate effectively without conflicts in their network settings.
• DHCP plays a crucial role in modern networks by simplifying the process of connecting
devices and managing network resources efficiently.
Beacons and SSIDs
• The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name of the wireless network that allows wireless clients to identify
one wireless network from another. Wireless networks are configured with SSIDs that are easily identifiable.
• Wireless routers and access points continuously broadcast beacons that contain specific information about
themselves such as the SSID, wireless encryption standard, operating channel, and even their Media Access
Control (MAC) address.
• Beacon frames are transmitted periodically; they serve to announce the presence of a wireless LAN and to
provide a timing signal to synchronize communications with the devices using the network (the members of
a service set). A beacon frame is a management frame in IEEE 802.11 WLANs.
• The beacons are detected and inspected by any device that has a supported wireless network adapter such as
smartphones, tablets, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and laptops, therefore allowing a user to identify
wireless networks within the vicinity.
• As wireless clients move into the range of the wireless signal
that’s generated by the wireless router or access points, they
will be able to capture the beacons and inspect them to
determine the wireless network that’s close by.
• If an IT professional chose to disable the SSID broadcast
feature, the wireless router will not insert the SSID but still
include all other information within each beacon that will be
broadcasted.
Probes and Stations
• When a wireless client (station) establishes a connection to a wireless router or access point,
it’s referred to as an association.
• When a client joins a wireless network, the client saves both the SSID and password into a
Preferred Network List (PNL) that allows the user to easily re-join the same wireless
network in the future.
• This enables the wireless network adapter on a client to begin sending probes for each entry
within the PNL on the device.
• The probes allow the client to seek any of the wireless networks via their SSIDs that are
stored within the PNL.
• Once a wireless network is found within the signal range, the client will attempt to create an
association with the wireless network.
• Wireless clients, such as laptops, smart TVs, and IoT devices, are examples of stations on a
wireless network.
• The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is simply the name of the wireless network that allows
wireless clients to identify one wireless network from another.
• SSID stands for "Service Set Identifier" and is the name used for a wireless network, the
name you see when connecting to Wi-Fi.
• SSIDs must be unique for identification, can be up to 32 characters long, and are case-
sensitive.
• To find your router's SSID, look for a label on it or check what network your phone or
computer is connected to. Access your router's settings to change it.