Computer Networks/Wireless

This lesson introduces wireless networking concepts.

Objectives and Skills

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Objectives and skills for the wireless networking portion of Network+ certification include:[1]

  • Given a scenario, deploy the appropriate wireless standard
    • 802.11a
    • 802.11b
    • 802.11g
    • 802.11n
    • 802.11ac
  • Install and configure wireless LAN infrastructure and implement the appropriate technologies in support of wireless capable devices
    • Small office/home office wireless router
    • Wireless access points
      • Device density
      • Roaming
      • Wireless controllers
        • VLAN pooling
        • LWAPP
    • Wireless bridge
    • Site surveys
      • Heat maps
    • Frequencies
      • 2.4 Ghz
      • 5.0 Ghz
    • Channels
    • Goodput
    • Connection types
      • 802.11a-ht
      • 802.11g-ht
    • Antenna placement
    • Antenna types
      • Omnidirectional
      • Unidirectional
    • MIMO/MUMIMO
    • Signal strength
      • Coverage
      • Differences between device antennas
    • SSID broadcast
    • Topologies
      • Adhoc
      • Mesh
      • Infrastructure
    • Mobile devices
      • Cell phones
      • Laptops
      • Tablets
      • Gaming devices
      • Media devices
  • Given a scenario, troubleshoot and resolve common wireless issues
    • Signal loss
    • Interference
    • Overlapping channels
      • Mismatched channels
    • Signal-to-noise ratio
    • Device saturation
    • Bandwidth saturation
    • Untested updates
    • Wrong SSID
    • Power levels
    • Open networks
    • Rogue access point
    • Wrong antenna type
    • Incompatibilities
    • Wrong encryption
    • Bounce
    • MIMO
    • AP placement
    • AP configurations
      • LWAPP
      • Thin vs thick
    • Environmental factors
      • Concrete walls
      • Window film
      • Metal studs
    • Wireless standard related issues
      • Throughput
      • Frequency
      • Distance
      • Channels

Readings

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  1. Wikipedia: Wireless network
  2. Wikipedia: Wi-Fi
  3. Wikipedia: Wireless router
  4. Wikipedia: Wireless access point
  5. Wikipedia: Wireless LAN controller

Multimedia

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  1. YouTube: 802.11 Wireless Standards - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.3
  2. YouTube: Wireless Network Devices - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 2.7
  3. YouTube: Wireless LAN Controllers - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 1.2
  4. YouTube: Wireless Connections - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 2.7
  5. YouTube: Wireless Antenna Technologies - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 2.7
  6. YouTube: Using Wireless Networks - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 2.7
  7. YouTube: Troubleshooting Wireless Signals - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 4.3
  8. YouTube: Troubleshooting Wireless Configurations - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 4.3

Activities

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  1. Set up and configure a basic wireless router using either a router emulator or your home router:
    • Use a SOHO router emulator to set up and configure a basic wireless router:
      • Change the default administrator password for the device.
      • Configure wireless security by setting a new SSID name and setting the security mode to WPA2 with a strong password.
      • Research current firmware releases for the device. Locate the router's firmware upgrade page and review instructions from the router's Help page on how to update the firmware.
    • Review settings for your home router:
      • Verify that the administrator password has been changed from the default.
      • Verify that the SSID security mode is set to WPA2 with a strong password.
      • Research current firmware releases for the device and determine whether a firmware update is required.
  2. Set up and configure a wireless access point using either an access point emulator or an available access point:
    • Use an Cisco: Wireless Access Point Emulator or your own device to set up and configure a wireless access point.
      • Change the default administrator password for the device.
      • Configure wireless security by setting a new SSID name and setting the security mode to WPA2 with a strong password.
      • Research current firmware releases for the device. Locate the router's firmware upgrade page and review instructions from the router's Help page on how to update the firmware.
      • Compare options and interface settings with the wireless router configuration above.
  3. Review Wikipedia: Wardriving. Use a free wireless scanner and scan your environment for wireless networks:
    • Windows:
      1. Review Archive: BitDreamers: Improve WLAN Signal Without Additional Tools on Windows.and Wikipedia: NetSpot.
      2. Use the netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid command or download and install NetSpot and scan for wireless networks.
    • macOS:
      1. Review AppStorm: How to Discover Any Network with iStumbler and Wikipedia: NetSpot.
      2. Download and install iStumbler or NetSpot and scan for wireless networks.
    • Linux:
      1. Review TuxMobil.org: Linux Wireless Sniffer.
      2. Download and install a wireless scanner and scan for wireless networks.
    • Android:
      1. Review Google: farproc Wifi Analyzer.
      2. Download and install Wifi Analyzer and scan for wireless networks.
    • iOS:
      1. Review WLANBook: Free WiFi Scanner for iPhone and iPad Without Jailbreak.
      2. Download and install the Apple AirPort Utility and scan for wireless networks.
  4. Review Wikipedia: Wireless ad hoc network. Set up a wireless ad hoc network.

Lesson Summary

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Key Terms

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See Also

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References

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