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Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
A WLAN allows access to the internet without having to connect to a physical access point. The demand for WLANs is fuelled by the growth of mobile computing, such as laptops and personal PDA’s, and a need to have a quick and easy way to get connected. Having a WLAN is now an inexpensive and reliable method of gaining internet access compared to old style networks which require numerous cables and access points.
Vision ID is partnered with Motorola Technologies the world’s leading supplier of wireless solutions. Motorola has a vast range of wireless products to suit every need ensuring that all wireless needs are catered for from personal use to large companies. VisionID Stocks an unrivaled wireless product range. See a WLAN in action
A WLAN consists of a radio connection via an access point demonstrated by the WS2000 below. These routers transmit and receive radio signals for wireless enabled devices to communicate with.
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Advantages
Gaining internet access via a wireless network has numerous advantages for both personal and business use:
- Convenience
WLAN allow a convenient method for internet access as access can be gained remotely removing the need to be directly connected to the access point. This allows free movement in the office as access can be gained simply by connecting to the wireless network. - Mobility
The development of public WLAN means that people can now connect to the internet while in public. Internet access is no longer restricted to business environments as many coffee shops, shopping centres etc. offer wireless access for little or no cost. - Productivity
Ease of access means that productivity can be increased as employees can remain connected to their business at all times. This allows increased communication to other employees and customers to occur. - Deployment
A WLAN has a great advantage of providing a simple method of gaining internet access. A WLAN means a single access point is created which people then connect to via their computer wirelessly. Previously individual access points had to be created, meaning a vast amount of cables were required to provide access. (An extremely hard task in large companies) - Expandability
WLAN can be joined instantly once password has been given allowing an ease of access for existing employees and also new ones as the wireless network can serve numerous amounts of people. - Cost
The cost of installing a wireless network is initially increased when compared with cabled networks. However, cost after installation is extremely low in comparison to the labour and costs involved in a cable environment.
Choosing a WLAN
VisionID can supply a Wireless Access Point to suit every customers’ needs. We are experts in guiding you through your needs and ensuring your every requirement is met. Each WLAN differs in coverage, context and capacity which determine your network planning. For example choosing the right antenna for your environment is extremely important as it determines your coverage strength and area.
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VisionID provide a wireless LAN site survey to determine your wireless needs. A VisionID wireless engineer consults with each client after which the specific requirements are documented. Particular emphasis is placed on the application and bandwidth needs for the wireless LAN deployment. The engineer analyses the site to determine the appropriate equipment and locations for the required coverage and networking functionality.
- Define access point locations
- Measurement of signal strength between access point devices and client locations
- Investigation of potential sources of RF interference
- Examination of host connectivity alternatives
- Evaluation of existing network connections, equipment, safety, security, cabling, power requirements and other key considerations
- Site survey report – Information gathered during the site survey is collaged in a comprehensive site survey report. This report contains a breakdown of the survey results and a network design based on desired coverage, including special requirements such as security and redundancy
Here are some examples showing how the business environment determines WLAN:
- Branch offices small businesses - AP5131 Product Page
- Small to medium sized business - WS2000 Product Page
- Medium to large deployments - RFS6000 Product Page
- Mid to large wireless enterprises - WS5100 Specification Sheet
- Campus, data centre and large deployments - RFS700 Product Page
- Outdoor access point - AP5181 Product Page
- Wireless switching Ethernet environments - ES3000 Ethernet Switch Technical Overview
- AP7131 Next Generation 802.11n access point - AP7131 Technical Overview, AP7131 Specification Sheet
- Access port AP300 - AP300 Product Page
- Embedded mobile applications - LA-5137 Specification Sheet
- Pocket PC PDA - Wireless Networker Specification Sheet
- Wireless connectivity for printers, POS and ethernet enabled devices
- CB3000 Specification Sheet, 802.11n Demystified, 80211n: Look Before You Leap
Sectors dependent on WLAN
Retail sector
The retail sector has become more and more reliant on WLAN in recent years. This is because the retail market has become extremely competitive especially in relation to customer service. With the onset of internet shopping, consumers expect good quality service and products to surpass the information that can be acquired on the internet.
To ensure that the highest standards of service are given retailers have put a number of processes in place to enable staff to look after customers properly. These include voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) in the form of mobile computing devices so that store associates carry all necessary functions required to perform their tasks, anywhere on site. As mobile workers are on the move throughout the store during their shift, they instantly become easily accessible to managers through walkie-talkie style communications and text messaging. Using VoWLAN allows sales people on the floor can easily call a store manager or product expert as needed to ensure every need of the customer is being met, without ever having to leave the customers side.
These changes to a retail environment mean worker productivity is increased, worker confidence is increased and customers have a much more enjoyable and productive experience. Another major advantage is for increased revenue as the worker no longer needs to leave the customer to get answers, as every customer is a potential sale.
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Healthcare
The use of WLAN in the healthcare industry has increased due to the need for increased mobility and WLANs provide greater efficiency and accuracy to users of critical applications such as medication administration, emergency registration, order entry and clinical documentation. As the healthcare industry is a high traffic and high stress sector of employment, methods for reducing paperwork and ensuring that accurate documentation is kept is vital to ensuring healthcare environments can run as smoothly as possible with the limitation of human errors as much as possible. WLAN does by using scanners, personal digital assistants and mobile computers in order to track patients, medicine and documentation.
Universities
Universities have increased the use of WLAN on campus to enable staff and students to have 24 hour access to the internet. As the volume of students in a university can range from a thousand to over 15000 in Ireland alone, the requirement for having access to the internet is extremely high. Students require internet access for the majority of their study especially in researching topics. WLAN in universities enable all day access to students by either using a university computer set up for the WLAN or by registering their computer as a student of that particular college.
Security
Dependency on a wired LAN system has lessened in recent years as intrusion of this system is relatively easy compared to WLAN as hackers can simply connect to an unoccupied access point.
However, having security when using a WLAN is just as important as the actual hardware you are using. Companies can come under attack from either inside or outside the company. This can be a potentially dangerous situation if the wireless network is left unprotected as sensitive information can be accessed.
Protection comes in the form of numerous defence mechanisms which restrict use of the network from unauthorised users (rogue wireless) and also protects users from each other e.g. viruses that may be present on individual computers or restrict users seeing documentation present on other computers. Solutions for Detecting Eliminating Rogue Wireless Networks.pdf
Due to the high risk of intrusion, a number of techniques have been developed to detect rogue WLANs:
- Wired-side Intrusion Detection system –This alerts IT security managers when the intruder tests wired-side security measures. Fails to detect rogue WLAN’s as it cannot identify APs attached to wired network, soft APs, accidental associations and ad-hoc networks.
- Wired-side SNMP Polling – Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is used to query information from IP devices attached to the wired network, such as router, stations and authorised AP. Not effective to detecting rogue WLANs as the IT security manager needs to know the IP address of all devices being polled.
- Wireless Scanners and Sniffers – These capture and analyse WLAN packets from the air. By monitoring the airwaves for all WLAN activity, wireless sniffers and scanners detect most APs and active wireless stations within range. They can also provide detailed information about the configuration and security employed by each device.
- Wired-side Traffic Injection – These devices inject special broadcast frames over the wired network segment. These broadcast frames are then transmitted over the air by any wireless APs present on the same network segment. By detecting these frames over the air, using wireless sniffers, and analysing the transmitter’s media access control (MAC) address, the user is able to determine if any unauthorised APs are connected to that network segment.
- Wired-side Network Scanners – These are similar to SNMP polling as they identify IP devices attached the network. Theses scan are extremely intrusive and require that an IT security manager have access to all the IP devices on the network and know all IP addresses.
- Wireless Traffic Injection – This method is similar to wired traffic injection except it relies on a wireless device to inject a special frame over the air. If a sniffer sees an unauthorised AP, it tries to connect to it wirelessly and subsequently inject a frame that can be traced on the wired-side by a server or by another sniffer connected on the wired-side.
- AirDefense 24/7 Centralised Wired and Wireless Monitoring
Protection
Three Steps for Bullet-proof WLAN Security
- Secure wireless LAN devices
- Firewalls are issued on each individual computer, passwords are changed from default settings to gain access to network. - Secure communications
- Authentication and encryption. - Monitoring for security and compliance
- This needs to be done 24/7 to ensure the WLAN is not compromised.
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Motorola RF Management Software Wireless Protection for the Mobile Workforce Wireless Security - Ensuring Enterprise Regulatory Compliance WLAN Security - Implications for Financial Service Providers |
The AirDefense Solution by Motorola combines the centralised management of wired-side scanners and radio frequency analysis of wireless scanners. AirDefense also includes a distributed arrangement of remote sensors to monitor the airwaves for all WLAN activity and report to a centrally managed server appliance. This provides 24/7 monitoring to provide 100% coverage against rogue WLANs the minute they are connected to the network or enter the coverage area. This is a scalable and cost effective solution that enables enterprise WLAN detection throughout multiple locations of an organisation.
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WLANs - Is My Enterprise At Risk? AirDefense Enterprise Brochure AirDefense TW WEP Cloaking - Maximizing ROI from Legacy WLANs |
AirDefense is an extremely important factor in WLAN and the requirement for protection has no exception in any area. These include not only retail and healthcare areas where security is at a premium but also in universities where ease of connectivity is equally important for large volumes of usage.
Magic Quadrant
The Gartner Magic Quadrant is a proprietary research tool developed by Gartner Inc., a US based research and advisory firm. It is designed to provide an unbiased qualitative analysis of a “markets” direction, maturity, and participants.
Gartner rates vendors upon two criteria: completeness of vision and ability to execute. Using different qualifiers per criteria for the varying industries, the Magic Quadrant then rates the participants into one of four quadrants:
- Leaders score higher on both criteria; the ability to execute and completeness of vision. Typically larger industry developed businesses with vision and potential for expansion
- Challengers score higher the ability to execute and lower on the completeness of vision. Typically larger, settled businesses with minimal future plans for that industry
- Visionaries score lower on the ability to execute and higher on the completeness of vision. Typically smaller companies that are unloading their planned potential
- Niche players score lower on both criteria: the ability to execute and completeness of vision. Typically market fledglings
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- Datacard
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- Honeywell
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