SOHO Wireless Networking SCATA Nov 2005 Dr Duncan

SOHO Wireless Networking SCATA Nov 2005 Dr Duncan Hancox

Summary • Intro to wireless networks – Types of wireless – Types of networking – Basic wireless infrastructure • • Setting up Extending the network Extras Security

Types of Wireless • • • 802. 11 b – 11 mbits/sec 802. 11 g – 54 mb/sec 802. 11 g turbo / super g – 108 or 125 802. 11 a – 5 ghz – not compatible 802. 11 n – not standard (pre-n) but backward compatible with b/g

Types of Wireless Networking • Peer to Peer – not considered here but has its uses to connect 2 machines • Infrastructure – uses 1 or more wireless access points (WAP)

Basic Infrastructure To Internet ADSL Modem Router Firewall Wired ethernet WAP DHCP server Switch

WAP Single wired ethernet

Broadband Router Switch Intranet ethernet To PCs Router Firewall Ethernet to internet / network Via broadband modem or Cable or satellite

ADSL router modem switch To Internet Wired ethernet ADSL Modem Router Firewall WAP DHCP server Typical single box solution for home Switch

Setting Up 1 WAP Single wired ethernet -Wireless card picks up the SSID automatically Or is configured manually -The WAPs DHCP server gives an IP Or is configured manually -Log into the WAP and change settings to suit

Setting Up 2 WAP wired ethernet Compters needs to be same ip address range as WAP – boot the computer After connecting and plugging in to WAP if the WAP has a DHCP server Enabled Manually change the PCs wired etherenet IP address to suit the WAP Windows assigns a random IP address to ethernet when not connected and You will not see the WAP with this address!

Extending the Range 1 • High power hardware • High gain antennas – Omnidirectional 5 -7 db – Directional 7 -12 db but expensive WAP Antenna and connector may be unique to your WAP

Extending the Range 2 • Additional WAPs wired together WAP Ethernet link Use the same SSID on both allows seamless roaming Use different radio channels for each WAP Use same security settings

Extending the Range 3 • Wireless repeater / relay ADSL Router WAP Only works with the same manufacturer! And only with some models Repeater

Network Extras • Print Servers – Wired or wireless – Slow – Poor printer feedback eg ink level • Hard drives / NAS – Slow

Wireless Security 1 • SSID – name of the wireless network – Nothing to do with the workgroup name – If you turn of SSID broadcast, windows zero configuration utility will fail • WEP – weak • WPA – slightly better • MAC control – much better but can be spoofed – Stops guests easily connecting

Wireless Security 2 • Change the SSID name to something cryptic and turn off SSID broadcasting • Disallow admin options from the broadband side of the router • Change the router login from default • Use WEP or WPA to discourages casual browsers • MAC control – best option to limit access