SF

Module06_-_deck_1

Module Overview

WLAN Architecture

  • Client Radios: Key component of WLAN, facilitates wireless communication.

  • Logical Telecommunications Planes: Divided into Management, Control, and Data planes, each serving distinct functions.

  • Types of WLAN Architecture:

    • Autonomous: Legacy standalone access points (APs) that manage all functions independently.

    • Centralized: All management and data functions occur on a central controller, simplifying network management.

    • Distributed: Combines centralized management with local data forwarding, enabling more efficient traffic management.

    • Hybrid: Merges elements from both centralized and distributed architectures to optimize performance.

  • Network Management Systems (NMS): Software tools designed for managing and monitoring network functions and performance.

  • Cloud Networking: Centralized administration allowing for scalable networking solutions using cloud services.

  • WLAN Bridging: Connects disparate networks through wireless links (point-to-point or point-to-multipoint).

  • Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi): Incorporates voice transmission over WLAN, necessitating QoS protocols for call quality.

  • Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS): Technologies enabling accurate tracking of devices and assets through WLAN infrastructures.

  • Mesh Networking: Configurations that enhance network reliability and reduce installation costs by allowing devices to interconnect seamlessly.

Client Devices

  • Wi-Fi Network Interface Card (NIC): An essential component that enables devices to connect to a WLAN, functioning through half-duplex radio transceivers.

Radio Form Factors

  • Legacy External Adapters: Include interfaces like PCMCIA and Compact Flash, with USB adapters predominating the market.

  • Internal Adapters: Mini PCI designs specific for laptops, advancing to variants like Mini PCI Express for increased performance.

  • Mobile Devices: Modern smartphones and tablets integrate Wi-Fi functionality within single-chip form factors, often combining Wi-Fi with Bluetooth capabilities.

Trends in Device Connections

  • Mobile Devices: Projected to surpass laptops in enterprise WLAN connections, with a forecast of 12 billion devices by 2025 (650 Group).

  • Wearables: Anticipated growth from 1 billion devices in 2017 to over 5 billion by 2025; includes fitness devices and smart clothing that enhance user engagement in health monitoring.

  • IoT Devices: Expected growth from human-generated data reliance to sensor-based interactions, leading to 53 billion IoT devices compared to 28 billion personal devices by 2025.

IoT Device Communication

  • Operate primarily on a 2.4 GHz frequency, but may also employ alternate communication protocols like Bluetooth and Zigbee, and some utilize Ethernet for wired connections.

Client Disparities

  • Laptops: Equipped with advanced 3x3:3 MIMO radios for high throughput.

  • Mobile Devices: Often limited to 1x1:1 radio configurations, resulting in increased airtime consumption and potential performance issues.

  • Legacy Devices: Typically lack support for the latest communication standards (802.11k, r, v) and operate mainly on the 2.4 GHz band, making them less effective in modern networks.

Chipsets

  • Chipset Overview: Integrated circuits collaborating to perform network functions; manufactured by companies like Qualcomm and Intel. Legacy chipsets frequently miss features available in contemporary designs.

Client Utilities

  • Software Interfaces: Necessary for configuring NICs effectively; work similarly to operating system drivers.

  • Types of Client Utilities:

    • Integrated Operating System Client Utilities: Built into the OS for ease of access.

    • Third-party Client Utilities: Provide additional features or enhanced performance over default offerings.

Network Planes Overview

  • Management Plane: Involves operational tasks such as configuration and monitoring of WLAN equipment like routers.

  • Control Plane: Handles protocols and control signaling essential for data transmission and network reliability.

  • Data Plane: Manages the forwarding of actual user data traffic; operates in inherent components like routers and switches.

Management Plane Functions in WLAN

  • Responsibilities include configuration settings, traffic monitoring, and firmware management of the WLAN infrastructure.

Control Plane Functions in WLAN

  • Encompasses functions like dynamic radio frequency adjustments, user roaming abilities, quality of service (QoS) management, load balancing, and application visibility control, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Data Plane in WLAN

  • User data forwarding can be executed directly at the access point or via centralized controllers, depending on the architecture employed.

WLAN Architecture Types

  • Autonomous Architecture: Consists of standalone APs managing operations independently, providing enhanced local control.

  • Centralized Architecture: Functions managed entirely by a central controller, allowing for streamlined operations and uniform policy enforcement.

  • Distributed Architecture: Facilitates localized data traffic handling while maintaining central management, allowing for efficient resource use and policy adherence.

  • Hybrid Architecture: Retains centralized management with the ability for access points to handle local data forwarding as needed, offering balanced performance.

Mesh Networking

  • Utilizes a decentralized approach to networking, minimizing installation costs while improving reliability through inter-device communication.

WLAN Bridge Links

  • Two types:

    • Point-to-Point: Links two locations directly.

    • Point-to-Multipoint: Connects multiple destinations from a central point, utilizing directional antennas for efficiency.

Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS)

  • Systems designed for precise asset and device tracking, employing Wi-Fi and comparable technologies for operational efficiency and real-time data access.

Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi)

  • Essential components include VoWiFi phones mirroring smartphone functionality while utilizing existing WLAN infrastructure. QoS must be prioritized to maintain voice communication standards.

Cloud Networking

  • As a transformative technology, cloud service management segments include IaaS (infrastructure), PaaS (platforms), and SaaS (software) solutions, broadly expanding networking capabilities.

Monitoring and Configuration APIs

  • Configuration APIs: Allow for real-time modifications of settings for access points or network devices.

  • Monitoring APIs: Provide data retrieval on device performance and network activity.

  • Notification APIs: Enable subscription alerts for response actions triggered by network events.

Summary of Tools and Data Visualization

  • Utilize dashboards and analytics to visualize client status, network health, traffic statistics, and VLAN utilization, allowing for proactive management of the WLAN environment.