Chapter 59. Adding Wireless Networking to a LAN | Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition)

SOME OF THE MAIN TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER ARE

Why Go Wireless?

Choosing Locations for Access Points

Security Issues

Wireless networking is one of the fastest growing segments of the networking industry that your end users will probably be aware of. Because the IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi standard has recently helped to bring some order to the chaos of non-interoperability that has existed these past few years , the price of wireless LAN equipment has fallen dramatically and it has become much easier to implement. However, you should consider whether you really need to use wireless networking in your LAN before you decide to implement it. Wireless networking isn't a solution looking for a problem. Indeed, there are many problems that wireless networking can solve. If you have the need, you should consider using a wireless solution. If you simply have eager users that want fun new things to play with, you should reconsider and think about the management, security, and troubleshooting tasks you'll have to deal with.

One particular environment that can benefit greatly from wireless networking is the small office/home office (SOHO) network. Wireless networks are easier to install than having to run cables everywhere.

Note

In addition to the popular 802.11b standard, two newer standards were recently approved: IEEE 802.11a, which provides a faster transmission rate than 802.11b but operates in a higher frequency radio spectrum, and 802.11g, which operates in the same radio spectrum as 802.11b. Don't be confused by the letters following the 802.11. The b standard was approved before the a standard. The 802.11a standard does give you a much faster network ”up to 54Mbps as compared to 11Mbps for 802.11b. However, for most small SOHO networks, 11Mbps is more than you need at this time. The 802.11g standard also provides for a 54Mbps data transmission rate. You can read more about both of these standards in Chapters 20, "IEEE 802.11b: It's Here and It's Inexpensive," and 21,"Faster Service: IEEE 802.11a."