Deploying Wireless LANs
Develop – Educate – Blueprint – Prepare
Wireless LANs provide mobility, eliminate cabling costs, and can form the foundation
for a mobility strategy. Nearly every laptop sold today comes equipped with a WLAN
interface. All that is needed is to install a complimentary infrastructure in the enterprise
The documents included in Stage 1 provide a foundation for
understanding the theory and operation of WLANs.
Documents
Design – Construct – Diagram
There is more to installing a WLAN than just stringing up bunch of access points
and plugging them in to a switch in an equipment closet. WLANs require knowledge
of RF dispersion and need to have the physical layer secured against interception
and modification. Further, if voice will travel over the WLAN, it must be configured
to support quality of service.
The documents in Stage 2 provide an overview of the technologies involved
and will provide the information necessary to deploy a secure, reliable WLAN.
Documents
- TP: Wireless LANs
- Securing Wireless LANs: Good, Better, AES
- Voice Over Wireless: Can You Hear Me Now?
- Wireless LAN QoS: Myth or Reality?
Assess – Evaluate – Compare As WLAN technology has
evolved, a move from autonomous access points to WLAN systems has occurred. However, that
does not mean that autonomous APs are no longer needed, and the two types of networks will
co-exist. Mesh networks are an alternative that do not require each AP to be wired,
providing flexibility in their installation. Specialized management tools are needed to detect
interference from other radio sources. WLANs can also use location as a third authentication
credential or provisioning trigger.
The documents in Stage 3 provide information on the vendor
offerings available to implement each of these technologies.
Documents
- Wireless LAN Systems: What a Difference a Year Makes
- Real-Time Location Systems: Whereware
- Wireless LAN Mesh: Wireless Wireless
- Wireless LAN Management Tools: Filling the Gaps