Week 05

Mobile & Wireless
Technology
WLAN Terminology and
Technology
1 CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless

Technology
2
Topic & Structure of the

lesson
Wireless LAN Modes of Operation - Ad-hoc & Infrastructure
Connecting to a Wireless Network Passive Scanning &
Active Scanning
Distribution System (DS)
Data Rates, Throughput, Dynamic Rate Switching
WLAN Roaming
CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

3
Learning Outcomes
Understand the different operation modes for IEEE 802.11
wireless networks.
Be familiar with the different service sets used with wireless

networking.
Identify the terminology used with IEEE 802.11 wireless

networking. Know the process devices use to join a wireless
LAN.
Understand the differences between distribution systems as

well as data transfer.
Identify the differences as well as the function of a distribution

system and wireless distribution system and roaming between
each. CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology
Know the differences between data rate and throughput as well

4
Key Terms you must be

able to use
If you have mastered this topic, you should be able to
use the following terms correctly in your assignments
and exams:
BSS(Basic Service Set)
ESS(Extended Service Set)
IBSS(Independent Basic Service Set)
SSID(Service Set Identifier)

5
Wireless LAN Modes of

Operation
802.11 wireless LANs may be configured in one of two
modes, either ad hoc or infrastructure mode.
These two modes can be broken down into three

different configurations:
Independent basic service set (IBSS)
Basic service set (BSS)
Extended service set (ESS)

6

Operation - IBSS
This operation mode uses no access points and consists of only
wireless LAN devices or client computers. Communication occurs
only among devices that are part of the same IBSS. Unlike an access
point, this mode has no centralized control or managed security
features.

7

Operation - IBSS
Certain parameters must be set on the devices that wish
to participate in an IBSS. These parameters must be the same
on all the devices in order for them to effectively communicate
with one another. Three common parameters set on devices that
belong to the same IBSS are
Service set identifier (SSID)
Radio frequency channel
Security configuration

8

Operation - IBSS
Service set identifier (SSID) - The SSID is the name of the
service set used to identify the wireless network and for
device segmentation. The SSID is used by devices to select a
wireless network to join.
Every device that wishes to be part of the same wireless LAN IBSS,
BSS, or ESS will use a common SSID. For infrastructure devices such
as access points, the SSID parameter is manually set on the access
point.
From the client access side, the SSID is a user-configurable

parameter that can be set manually in the client software utility or
received automatically from networks that broadcast this
9

Operation - IBSS
Networks that are set to broadcast the SSIDalso known
as open networksallow other devices to connect and use
resources from the network based on the designated permissions
or rights of the resource.
The SSID is case sensitive and has a maximum limit of 32

characters or, as specified in the IEEE 802.11 standard, 32 octets.

10

Operation - IBSS
Radio frequency channel - The IBSS configuration requires a user
to set the specific RF channel that will be used by all devices that
are part of the same IBSS network.
This is accomplished in the client utility software for the network

adapter. Some client software utilities set this automatically, in
which case the IBSS will use the channel automatically specified.
It is important to understand that all devices in any common

IBSS must be communicating on the same channel. If the
client utility does allow a channel to be set, the channel chosen is
up to the user but based upon the CT090-3-2-Mobile
regulatory domain inTechnology
and Wireless which the
network is used.
11

Operation - IBSS
Security
With IBSS networks, there is no centralized control and

no security management features.
Security is left up to the individual user or device. If a

user inadvertently shares a resource it could expose sensitive
information and pose security threats.
This can be a concern for many enterprise installations

and therefore the use of an IBSS may be against
corporate policy.
12

Operation - BSS
The basic service set (BSS) is the foundation of the wireless
network. This mode consists of an access point connected
to a network infrastructure and associated devices.
This is considered the foundation because it may be one of many

access points that form a wireless network.
With a BSS setup, each access point is connected to a

network infrastructure, also known as the distribution
system (DS) and allows connected wireless LAN devices to
access network resources based on the appropriate
permissions the device or user has access to.
13

The
Operation - BSS
radio frequency area of coverage depends on several
factors such as the antenna gain and output power settings; this
area of coverage is known as the basic service area(BSA).
Any wireless device in radio range and part of the BSA with the
correct configuration parameters, including SSID and security
settings, will be able to successfully connect to the access point.
Figure 7.5 shows an example of a BSS.

14

Operation - ESS
Extended service set (ESS) is defined as a set of one or more
interconnected basic service sets (BSSs) that appears as a
single BSS to the logical link control (LLC) layer at any station (STA)
associated with one of those BSSs.
In basic terms, this can be one or more basic service sets

connected to a common distribution system. An ESS is a
common configuration in many wireless LAN deployments for small
to medium businesses as well as large enterprise organizations.
In most cases, an ESS would be used to provide consistent

and complete coverage across anCT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology
entire organization.
15

Operation - ESS
An ESS can be thought of as several basic service sets (BSSs) that
have matching parameters such as SSID and security settings.
It is the distribution system connecting these together that makes

up the ESS. In most cases, the basic service area for each BSS will
overlap to allow roaming from one BSS to another.

16
ESS - Extended Service Set
Access
Access point 1 point 2
BSS1 BSS2
Wireless clients
Wireless clients

17
Connecting to a Wireless
Network Passive Scanning
The first part of the discovery phase in IEEE 802.11 of
wireless networking is known as passive scanning. This
process allows wireless LAN devices to listen for information about
wireless networks in the radio receiving area of the wireless network
or the BSA.
During the passive scanning process, wireless LAN devices

will listen for specific information to make them aware of
networks in the area. An analogy to this process would be using
an FM radio tuner to scan through the entire band listening for a
station to tune in.
18
Network Passive Scanning
Management frames assist wireless LAN devices in finding
and connecting to a wireless network. An example of a
management frame that works in the discovery phase or passive
scanning is a beacon frame.
Beacon frame carries specific information about the basic service

set such as the SSID, RF channel, available data rates, and much
more.
During the passive scanning phase, wireless devices listen

for beacons advertising the details about the wireless
networks in the area. Wireless LAN devices are constantly
19
Network Active Scanning
Active scanning is another part of the wireless LAN discovery
phase. In active scanning, wireless LAN devices wishing to connect
to a network send out a frame known as a probe request.
The function of this management frame is to find a specific

wireless access point to connect with. Depending on the client
software used, if an SSID is specified in the client utility software
active profile, the device will join only a network with the matching
SSID.
Access points constantly listen for probe request frames. Any access
point within hearing range of the wireless device and having a
matching SSID sends out a probe response frame to the wireless
20
Network Authentication
Authentication in general is defined as verifying or
confirming an identity.
- We use a variety of authentication mechanisms in our daily lives, such as

logging onto a computer or network at home or at the office, accessing
secure sites on the Internet, using an ATM machine, or showing an
identification badge to get access to a building.
IEEE 802.11 devices must use an authentication process in order

to access network resources. This authentication process
differs from conventional authentication methods
CT090-3-2-Mobile such as
and Wireless Technology
providing a username and password to gain access to a

21
Network Authentication
The authentication discussed here is device authentication,
required in order for the device to become part of the wireless
network and participate in exchanging data frames.
The IEEE 802.11 standard addresses two types of

authentication methods:
open system and shared key.

22
Network Association
Association takes place after a device has been successfully
authenticated either by open system or by shared key
authentication.
In the association state, the authenticated device can pass traffic

across the access point to the network infrastructure or other
associated wireless devices, allowing access to resources that the
device or user has permissions to access.
After a device is authenticated and associated, it is considered to be

part of the basic
service set. A device must be authenticated before it can be
23
Distribution System
In wireless LAN technology, the distribution system (DS) is the
common infrastructure to which access points are connected and
can be wired or wireless. In most cases this would be Ethernet.
In this capacity, the access point acts like a Layer 2 translational

bridge. A translational bridge is defined as a device used to connect
two or more dissimilar types of LANs together, such as wireless
(802.11) and Ethernet (802.3).
From a receivers perspective, this allows an access point to take

information from the air (the communication medium in wireless
networking) and make a decision either to send it back out to the
wireless radio or to forward it across to the distribution system.
24
Distribution System
An access point can do this because it has enough intelligence to
determine if a data frame is destined to be sent to the distribution
system or if it should stay on the wireless side of the network. This
is possible because the access point knows whether a device is
part of the wireless LAN side through the authentication and
association methods mentioned earlier.

25
Distribution System
The distribution system is a network segment that consists of one
or more connected basic service sets. As mentioned earlier,
according to the original IEEE 802.11 standard, one or more
interconnected basic service sets make up an extended service
set.
The distribution system allows wireless LAN devices to

communicate with resources on a wired network infrastructure or
to communicate with each other through the wireless medium.
Either way, all wireless frame transmissions will traverse through

an access point.
In some cases it may be feasible and justified to use a wireless
26
Data Rates & Throughput

The speed in which wireless devices are designed to
exchange information is known as the data rate. Data rates do
not accurately represent the amount of information that is actually
being transferred between devices and a wireless network. This is
done by throughput.
Throughput is the amount of information actually being

transmitted or received.
Many variables affect the actual throughput of information being

sent. Some of these include
Spread spectrum or technology type in use

RF interference CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology
Number of users connected to an access point

27
Table 7.1 Data Rates Based on Spread Spectrum Type
Standard/Amendment Technology Data Rates
802.11 FHSS 1 2 Mbps
802.11 DSSS 1 and 2 Mbps
802.11b HR/DSSS 5.5

and 11 Mbps; 1 and
2 Mbps from DSSS
802.11a OFDM 6, 9, 12, 18,

24, 36 and
48 Mbps
802.11g ERP-OFDM 6, 9, 12, 18,

24, 36 and
48 Mbps
802.11n HT-OFDM Up to 300

28

29
Data Rates & Throughput
For example, an 802.11b wireless access point has a maximum

data rate of 11 Mbps. With one user connected to this access point,
chances are the best throughput that could be expected is about 50
percent of the maximum, or 5.5 Mbps.
If more users connect to the same access point, the throughput for
each user would be even less, because of the contention between
users sharing the same wireless medium.

30
Dynamic Rate Switching

When a wireless device moves through the BSA or as the distance
from the access point increases, the data rate will decrease.
This is called dynamic rate switching (DRS), also known as dynamic

rate selection. This process allows a device to adapt to the RF in a
particular location of the BSA.
DRS is typically accomplished through proprietary mechanisms set

by the manufacturer of the wireless devices. The main goal of
dynamic rate switching is to improve performance for the wireless
device connected to an access point.CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology
31

32
Roaming
In wireless LAN technology,
roaming is the term for what happens when a device moves from
one basic service set to another. Roaming is not addressed in the
original IEEE 802.11 standard.
This process is typically accomplished in a proprietary manner

based on how the manufacturer chooses to implement it.
Manufacturers use different criteria to initiate roaming from one
access point to another.

33
Roaming
When a wireless LAN device moves through a BSA and receives a
signal from a second access point, it needs to make a decision
whether to stay associated to the current access point or to re
associate to the new access point.

34
Roaming
This decision when to roam is proprietary and based on
specific manufacturer criteria.
Some of these criteria are
Signal strength
Signal to noise ratio
Error rate
Number of currently associated devices

35
Roaming
When a wireless LAN device chooses to re associate to the new
access point, the original access point will hand off the
association to the new access point as requested from
the new access point. This is done over the wired network or
distribution system based on how the manufacturer
implemented the roaming criteria.

36
Summary of Main Teaching Points

WLAN Mode of Operation
Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure
- three configurations IBSS,BSS & ESS
Connecting to a wireless Network
-Passive Scanning, Active Scanning, Authentication,
Association,
Distribution System
Data Rate and Throughput
Roaming
37
Q&A

38
Next Session
Topic and Structure of next session
Wireless LAN Threats and Intrusion

IEEE 802.11 Standards Security
Open System Authentication
Shared Key Authentication
Early WLAN Security Mechanisms
Service Set Identifier (SSID)
SSID Hiding
Media Access Control (MAC) Address
Overview of other WLAN Security Standards and
Technology

Week 05

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Week 05

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Week 05

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mobile & Wireless

1 CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless

Topic & Structure of the

Connecting to a Wireless Network Passive Scanning &

Distribution System (DS)

Data Rates, Throughput, Dynamic Rate Switching

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Be familiar with the different service sets used with wireless

Identify the terminology used with IEEE 802.11 wireless

Understand the differences between distribution systems as

Identify the differences as well as the function of a distribution

Know the differences between data rate and throughput as well

Key Terms you must be

BSS(Basic Service Set)

ESS(Extended Service Set)

IBSS(Independent Basic Service Set)

SSID(Service Set Identifier)

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Wireless LAN Modes of

These two modes can be broken down into three

Independent basic service set (IBSS)

Basic service set (BSS)

Extended service set (ESS)

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Wireless LAN Modes of

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Wireless LAN Modes of

Service set identifier (SSID)

Radio frequency channel

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Wireless LAN Modes of

From the client access side, the SSID is a user-configurable

Wireless LAN Modes of

The SSID is case sensitive and has a maximum limit of 32

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Wireless LAN Modes of

This is accomplished in the client utility software for the network

It is important to understand that all devices in any common

Wireless LAN Modes of

With IBSS networks, there is no centralized control and

Security is left up to the individual user or device. If a

This can be a concern for many enterprise installations

Wireless LAN Modes of

This is considered the foundation because it may be one of many

With a BSS setup, each access point is connected to a

Wireless LAN Modes of

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

Wireless LAN Modes of

In basic terms, this can be one or more basic service sets

In most cases, an ESS would be used to provide consistent

Wireless LAN Modes of

It is the distribution system connecting these together that makes

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

ESS - Extended Service Set

CT090-3-2-Mobile and Wireless Technology

During the passive scanning process, wireless LAN devices

Beacon frame carries specific information about the basic service

During the passive scanning phase, wireless devices listen

The function of this management frame is to find a specific