Deck 10 - Wireless Networking

Channel (WiFi)

A subdivision of the frequency band used for wireless communication, allowing multiple networks to operate simultaneously without interference.

Regulatory Impacts (Wireless)

Rules and regulations set by governmental or international bodies that govern the use of wireless frequencies and channels to prevent interference between communication systems, varying by country.

Channel Width

The frequency span of a wireless channel; wider channels (e.g., 40 MHz, 80 MHz) offer more bandwidth and faster data transmission but increase the likelihood of interference in congested areas.

2.4 GHz Band

A WiFi frequency band offering long range and good wall penetration but slower data rates and higher interference than 5 GHz; channels 1, 6, and 11 are the non-overlapping channels commonly used in the US.

5 GHz Band

A WiFi frequency band offering faster data rates and less interference than 2.4 GHz, at the cost of shorter range and worse penetration through barriers.

6 GHz Band

A WiFi frequency band that doubles the spectrum available compared to 5 GHz, supporting higher data rates, lower latency, and more simultaneous connections; used by next-generation Wi-Fi 6E devices.

Non-Overlapping Channels

Channels that do not interfere with each other, crucial in environments with multiple wireless access points; in 2.4 GHz, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the standard non-overlapping set in the US.

Band Steering

A network management technology that automatically detects dual-band-capable wireless devices and steers them to the less congested 5 GHz or 6 GHz band to balance network load and improve performance.

802.11h

A standard that enhances 802.11 by adding support for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC) to comply with European regulations for 5 GHz WLANs.

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)

A feature that helps avoid interference with radar systems and other devices operating in the 5 GHz band by dynamically selecting available frequencies.

Transmit Power Control (TPC)

A feature that manages the power output of wireless devices to reduce interference and ensure efficient use of the frequency spectrum.

Basic Service Set (BSS)

A group of wireless devices operating with the same physical Access Point (AP), identified by the AP's BSSID.

BSSID

A unique identifier that serves as the MAC address for a wireless access point, used to differentiate one AP from another within a network.

SSID (Service Set Identifier)

A unique character string, also known as the network name, used to identify a wireless network to users.

Extended Service Set (ESS)

Created by adding more than one AP to a single Basic Service Set, sharing the same SSID, allowing all APs in the extended set to broadcast the same network name.

ESSID

The network name shared among all APs in an Extended Service Set, allowing client devices to move seamlessly between APs while maintaining continuous connectivity.

Wireless Network Interface Card (WNIC)

A card required to connect a device to a wireless network, defining support for 802.11 standards and wireless encryption.

Wireless Access Point (WAP/AP)

A Layer 2 device that uses RF to provide wireless connections to hosts, creating a wireless star topology, a single collision domain, and a single broadcast domain; uses CSMA/CA to manage collisions.

Autonomous Access Point

An access point that operates independently, managing all aspects of networking (security, data routing, etc.) on its own, without a centralized controller; ideal for small, straightforward environments.

Lightweight Access Point (LAP)

An access point that is centrally managed via a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) and cannot be managed directly on its own; used to increase coverage, availability, and performance in larger deployments.

Wireless LAN Controller (WLC)

A centralized device that manages and configures multiple lightweight access points (LAPs) on a network.

Omni-directional Antenna

A wireless antenna that transmits a signal in all directions; the most common antenna type in consumer and business wireless devices, with shorter range than directional antennas.

Directional Antenna

A wireless antenna that transmits a signal in one direction, offering longer range than an omni-directional antenna.

Yagi Antenna

A directional antenna that focuses a wireless signal for up to a mile.

Parabolic Antenna

A directional antenna that focuses a wireless signal for up to 8 miles.

Point-to-Point Network

A wireless network that establishes a direct connection between two devices, commonly used for linking two locations in a WAN, providing a dedicated pathway for data transmission.

Mesh Network

A wireless network consisting of nodes that connect directly and dynamically to as many other nodes as possible, creating multiple pathways for data and making the network self-healing and scalable.

Ad Hoc Network

A decentralized wireless network that does not rely on pre-existing infrastructure such as a router or network server; nodes communicate directly with each other, useful for temporary setups.

Infrastructure Network (Wireless)

A wireless network type that relies on fixed routers or access points to manage traffic to and from wireless devices; the most common setup for residential and commercial connectivity.

Encryption (Wireless)

The process of converting wireless data into a coded format that can only be accessed and read by devices with the correct decryption key, securing transmissions against unauthorized access.

WPA2

A wireless security protocol that authenticates users with a pre-shared key (PSK) via CCMP and encrypts with AES; vulnerable to the KRACK attack.

WPA3

The latest wireless security protocol, addressing vulnerabilities found in WPA2; authenticates using Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) via GCMP and encrypts with AES; vulnerable to the Dragonblood attack.

Guest Network

A separate access network provided by businesses or institutions to allow visitors limited internet access without exposing the main network, isolating guest traffic from internal resources.

Captive Portal

A web page that appears automatically when a user connects to a public or semi-public WiFi network, requiring interaction (authentication, terms of service, or payment) before granting network access.

Authentication (Wireless Networks)

A security process that verifies the identities of devices attempting to connect to a wireless network, using various methods to prevent unauthorized access.

Pre-Shared Key (PSK)

An authentication method using a simple, shared key known to all users of the network; offers ease of setup but lower security, commonly used in home and small office environments.

Enterprise Authentication

An authentication method that uses a RADIUS server to manage each user's credentials individually, providing stronger security and more control over network access; suited for larger organizations.

802.11a (Wi-Fi 1)

A wireless standard released in 1999 operating on the 5 GHz band, with a max data rate of 54 Mbps.

802.11b (Wi-Fi 2)

A wireless standard released in 1999 operating on the 2.4 GHz band, with a max data rate of 11 Mbps.

802.11g (Wi-Fi 3)

A wireless standard released in 2003 operating on the 2.4 GHz band, with a max data rate of 54 Mbps.

802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)

A wireless standard released in 2009 operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with a max data rate of 600 Mbps.

802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)

A wireless standard released in 2012 operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with a max data rate of 3.5 Gbps.

802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)

A wireless standard released in 2019 operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with a max data rate of 9.6 Gbps.