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These are the actual labs taught in the course:
Infrastructure Mode Throughput Analysis
This lab is built around measuring WLAN throughput under various circumstances that are broken into three separate areas:
- Pure mode throughput (802.11b vs. 802.11g vs. 802.11a vs. 802.11n)
- Mixed mode throughput
- Adjacent and co-channel interference
Understanding the "speeds and feeds" of all Wi-Fi technologies is crucial to optimizing WLAN installations, applications, and good network design. This lab demonstrates the varying throughputs for Wi-Fi connectivity standards by using FTP to transfer large files from client devices to servers. You will see and compare actual throughputs of each different technology, and the impact of using mixed technologies within the same radio spectrum.
These comparisons are done using four different network architectures:
- Autonomous APs and client devices in pure mode
- Autonomous APs and client devices in mixed mode
- WLAN Controller with Lightweight APs and client devices in pure mode
- WLAN Controller with Lightweight APs and client devices in mixed mode
Co-channel and adjacent channel interference affects throughput of Wi-Fi systems dramatically. Proper network design eliminates most channel interference. The affects of channel interference are demonstrated in this exercise.
Wireless LAN Security
The Wi-Fi Alliance has standardized security mechanisms for SOHO and SMB/enterprise environments. Two distinct classes of security mechanisms exist:
- WPA compliant
- WPA2 compliant
Wi-Fi Alliance security mechanisms are only applicable at Layer 2 of the OSI model. Each of these mechanisms will be configured and tested in this lab exercise.
Other security mechanisms for WLANs exists such as VPNs (PPTP, IPSec) and secure applications (FTP/SSH, HTTPS, POP3/SSL). This lab exercise will demonstrate VPN technology using Microsoft's PPTP/MS-CHAPv2/MPPE-128 (RC4).
Site Surveying
Two specific classes of site survey methodology exist and are used in the WLAN market today:
- Manual site surveys (often called the "walkabout")
- Predictive analysis (often hailed as "the site survey method of the future")
Within each class exist two distinct categories. Manual site surveying can be categorized as either active mode or passive mode, and one or both modes can be used at any given time.
Predictive analysis software tools are based on a mathematical model of a facility blueprint and can be performed in two distinct ways. First, importing and AutoCAD (vectorized graphic) drawing allows the predictive analysis software tool to understand detailed complex layers of a facility's construction, including wall attenuation, attenuation between floors, and channel interference. Second, importing of raster graphics, such as .jpg or .bmp, allows for faster but less accurate modeling.
Neither methodology is 100% accurate, since each has its own individual weaknesses. Used together, the surveyor can create a more complete RF snapshot of any facility.
In this exercise, students will conduct both manual and predictive analysis surveying, using software and hardware tools (determined by the instructor or specific class needs).
AirMagnet Trio/Reporter - Performance and Security Analysis
AirMagnet Distributed with Hardware Sensors
Get the picture of your Wi-Fi Network
Ekahau Site Survey is a software tool for IT managers, wireless engineers, and Wi-Fi professionals who are planning , deploying , and troubleshooting 802.11 a/b/g networks.
EKAHAU ADVANCES ITS SITE SURVEY OFFERING FOR WI-FI PLANNERS
Nov. 08, 2007 - Ekahau has announced a major upgrade to the Ekahau Site Survey tool which incorporates several powerful features for network managers. These features include optimization for light-weight access points - such as Cisco LWAP, Aruba Mobile Edge, the Nortel Networks WLAN Portfolio and Siemens HiPath - and automatic location determination of nearby access points. ESS 4.0 also addresses Wi-Fi signal leakage between floors with advanced three-dimensional (3-D) prediction algorithms. Go here for more information. Customers with a current software support package are eligible for a free upgrade. |
Ekahau Site Survey Training and Certification
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easy planning, quick site surveys, state-of-the-art visual representation, and advanced analysis, optimization, and reporting features.
Wireless Tracking Finds (Federal Computer Week) http://www.fcw.com/print/13_39/technology/150705-1.html
New industries evaluate Asset tracking http://magazine1.vertmarkets.com/isminfo/index.php?option=com_jambozine&layo ut=article&view=page&aid=5262&Itemid=69
WildPackets
WildPackets iNetTools
AiroPeek NX - Performance and Security Analysis
AiroPeek NX - Distributed Analysis with RF Grabber
Network Chemistry
The following list contains the materials covered in the lecture portion of the course:
Introduction to 802.11 WLANs
- Discuss the standards organizations responsible for shaping the 802.11 Wireless LAN protocol
- Learn how standards compliance is enforced for 802.11 WLAN vendors
- Examine the 802.11 standard and various amendments
- Discuss additional networking standards that are commonly used to enhance 802.11 WLANs
Radio Frequency Fundamentals
- Physical aspects of RF propagation
- Types of losses and attenuation that affect RF communications
- Types of modulation used for wireless communications
- How channels and bandwidth are related to each other in wireless networks
- Three types of Spread Spectrum used in wireless networking
RF Math and System Operating Margin
- RF units of measure
- Basic RF mathematics
- RF signal measurements
- Understand link budgets
- Define and calculate System Operating Margin (SOM)
802.11 Service Sets
- Explain three types of service sets defined for use within 802.11 WLANs
- Roaming within a WLAN
- Load-balancing as a method to improve congestion in WLANs
RF Power Output Regulations
- Understand international, regional, and local RF spectrum management organizations
- Understand RF channels in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges
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Power over Ethernet
- Recognize the two types of devices used in Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Recognize the differences between the two types of Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE)
- Understand the two ways in which power can be delivered using PoE
- Understand the importance of planning to maximize the efficiency of Power over Ethernet
Wireless LAN Operation
- Ad Hoc networks
- Infrastructure networks
- Bridged networks
- Repeater networks
- Mesh networks
- WLAN switched networks
- Enterprise Wireless Gateway networks
- Enterprise Encryption Gateway networks
- Virtual AP networks
- Evolution of WLAN architectures
- WLAN Management
WLAN Security
- Security Policy and Procedures
- Legacy 802.11 Security Components
- 802.11i Security Components
- WPA-Personal
- WPA-Enterprise
- WPA2-Personal
- WPA2-Enterprise
- Baseline Security Practices (SOHO, SMB, Enterprise)
802.11 Analysis and Troubleshooting
- Introduction to 802.11 Protocol Analysis
- 802.11 Data Frames
- 802.11 Control Frames
- 802.11 Management Frames
- Frame Fragmentation
- Power Saving operations
- Transmission Rates
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Coordinating 802.11 Frame Transmissions
- Differences between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA
- Distributed Coordination Function (DCF)
- Quality of Service in 802.11 WLANS
Antennas
- Antenna characteristics and behaviors
- Types of antennas commonly used with WLANs
- Advanced antenna systems
- Antenna placement and mounting
- Antenna safety
- Types of antenna cables, connectors, and accessories
Site Surveying
- Understanding the need for a site survey
- Defining business requirements and justification
- Facility analysis
- Interviewing network management and users
- Identifying bandwidth requirements
- Determining contours of RF coverage
- Documenting installation problems
- Locating interference
- Reporting methodology and procedures
- Understanding specifics of each vertical market
- Understanding the customer's network topology
- Creating appropriate documentation during and after the site survey
- Understanding safety hazards
- Using appropriate hardware and software to perform the survey
- Understanding the need for spectrum analysis
- Manual RF site surveys
- Predictive site surveys
- Dense AP deployment
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