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manual abstract
To protect sensitive data broadcast over the wireless LAN, 3Com supports Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) RC4 40/ 64-bit, 128-bit and 152-bit shared-key encryption. 3Com strengthens this basic security mechanism with additional security features, including MAC address access control lists, IEEE 802.1x per-port user authentication with RADIUS server authentication support, Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Wireless Protected Access (WPA) and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) support: EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP. In addition to standards-based security, 3Com 128-bit Dynamic Security Link offers a high level of security, requiring a user name and password to access the wireless LAN. 4 Performance and Reliability 3Com wireless access point performance features ensure reliable and seamless connections for users wherever they roam. Automatic channel selection automatically finds the least loaded channel for interference-free communication. Auto network connect and dynamic rate shifting keep users connected through a wide variety of conditions by changing to the optimum connection speed as they move through the network. Manageability 3Com offers a wide range of standards-based management support, from SNMP to 3Com Network Supervisor and HP OpenView for seamless integration with your wired network. Wireless Infrastructure Device Manager and Wireless LAN Device Discovery tools let you configure parameters, run diagnostics, backup and restore configurations, and monitor performance from anywhere on the network using an embedded web server browser. You can also update wireless device software on multiple devices using 3Com Network Supervisor to simplify bulk updates. With Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, the same Category 5 cable that connects your access point to the data network also provides its power. A single cable installation dramatically improves your choice of mounting configurations because you no longer need to consider AC power outlet locations. PoE support makes it easier than ever to overcome installation problems with difficult-to-wire or hard-to-reach locations. Wireless Network Standard Far-Reaching 802.11g 802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz band at up to 54Mbps. Ratified in 2003, it supports the widest coverage—up to 100 meters (328 feet). 802.11g shares the 2.4 GHz band with other popular 802.11b devices that use this unlicensed radio spectrum. Use of other devices in this frequency band can cause interference with 802.11g signals. Consider 802.11g when you need wider coverage and vendor compatibility and you are: • Maintaining support for existing 802.11b users and the existing wireless investment while providing for expansion into 802.11g. 5 • Implementing a complete wireless LAN solution, including bridges, gateways, access points and clients; Wi-Fi certification guarantees compatibility among vendors. • Providing access to hot spots in public spaces, such as coffee shops or university cafeterias. Network Configuration and Planning The wireless solution supports a stand-alone wireless network configuration as well as an integrated configuration with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LANs. The wireless network cards, adapters, and access point can be configured as: • Ad hoc for departmental or SOHO LAN • Infrastructure for wireless LAN • Infrastructure wireless LAN for roaming wireless PCs Ad Hoc Wireless LAN An ad hoc wireless LAN consists of a group of computers, each equipped with a wireless adapter, connected via radio signals as an independent wireless LAN. Computers in a specific ad hoc wireless LAN must therefore be configured to the same radio channel. An ad hoc wireless LAN can be used for a branch office or SOHO operation. Notebook with Wireless USB Adapter u, \ Notebook with Wireless PC Card 6 Infrastructure Wireless LAN The access point can also provide access to a wired LAN for wireless workstations. An integrated wired/wireless LAN is called an infrastructure configuration. A Basic Service Set (BSS) consists of a group of wireless PC users, and an access point that is directly connected to the wired LAN. Each wireless PC in this BSS can talk to any computer in its wireless group via a radio link, or access other computers or network resources in the wired LAN infrastructure via the access point. The infrastructure configuration not only extends the accessibility of wireless PCs to the wired LAN, but also increases the effective wireless transmission range for wireless PCs by passing their signal through one or more access points. A wireless infrastructure can be used for access to a central database, or for connection between mobile workers, as shown in the following figure. INFRASTRUCTURE WIRELESS LAN FOR ROAMING WIRELESS The Basic Service Set (BSS) is the communications domain for each access point. For wireless PCs that do not need to support roaming, set the domain identifier (SSID) for the wireless ca...