AIM: Case Study on Wireless access point

THEORY:
DEFINITION: In computer networking, a wireless Access Point (AP) is a device that
allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, or related
standards. The AP usually connects to a router (via a wired network) as a
standalone device, but it can also be an integral component of the router itself. An
AP is differentiated from a hotspot, which is the physical space where the wireless
service is provided.

Introduction:
Prior to wireless networks, setting up a computer network in a business, home or
school often required running many cables through walls and ceilings in order to
deliver network access to all of the network-enabled devices in the building. With
the creation of the wireless Access Point (AP), network users are now able to add
devices that access the network with few or no cables. An AP normally connects
directly to a wired Ethernet connection and the AP then provides wireless
connections using radio frequency links for other devices to utilize that wired
connection. Most APs support the connection of multiple wireless devices to one
wired connection. Modern APs are built to support a standard for sending and
receiving data using these radio frequencies. Those standards, and the frequencies
they use are defined by the IEEE. Most APs use IEEE 802.11 standards.

Linksys "WAP54G" 802.11g Wireless Access Point

As illustrated by the Linksys WAP54G shown above, wireless access points appear
physically similar to wireless routers. Wireless routers actually contain a wireless
access point as part of their overall package. Like wireless routers, access points are
available with support for 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or combinations.

Types and features of wireless Access Points:

This article gives a small brief about the various types of Wireless Access Points
available in the market Single radio, dual radio, external antennas, internal
antennas, a, b/g, b/g/n technologies, support for mesh networking, stand alone,
controller based access points and support for multiple services.

Single Radio/ Dual Radio Access Points:

Some Access Points come with a single radio They work in either IEEE 802.11a or
b/g This can be selected. Most of them work in the b/g standard as most of the
network adaptors follow that standard. Dual radio Access Points are useful for mesh
networking, giving access to laptops containing only 802.11a network adaptors and
also for wireless intrusion scanning/ prevention.

External Antennas/ In-built Antennas:

Most of the Access Points come with built-in antennas with a certain gain specified
by the manufacturer. While they give a decent coverage, there may be certain
applications where the no. of users may be small but the area to be covered may be
large like a lawn/ park. In these circumstances it is better to use Access Points with
external antenna provisions as the external antennas come with a higher gain and
can boost the signal strength to a higher distance.

IEEE Standard supported: 802.11a, b,g,n:

IEEE has standardized the wireless access protocols so that multi-vendor systems
can connect and talk to each other through Wi-Fi. IEEE 802.11b supports up to 11
Mbps but IEEE 802.11a and g support up to 54 Mbps on a shared platform. IEEE
802.11n currently (in draft) supports up to 300 Mbps and in future would support
600 Mbps per Access Point (Please note: As the number of PCs that connect to the
APs increase, the bandwidth gets shared between them and the numbers are under
ideal conditions, and practically achieved bandwidth may be half of what is
specified per AP).

Support for Mesh Networking:

Certain vendors support mesh networking in certain dual radio Access Points. While
one radio of the AP connects to the clients, say in 802.11b/g, the other radio
establishes a point to point back end connectivity to the neighboring

Controller based Access Points and Stand-Alone Access

Points:.
If the wireless network is to be established over a small distance single floor and
15 devices kind of an application, standalone Access Points could suffice. But higher

the distance and more the area to be covered, it makes more sense to go for the
controller based Access Points as the management of the APs is easier through the
controller and from a central point.

Support for Multiple Services:

Certain services like Wireless Intrusion Prevention (A method of scanning the whole
area to locate for wireless threats and intrusions) can be performed simultaneously
by the Access Point while giving network access (Dual Radio types). But certain
vendors have a separate specialized Access Point to scan the network for identifying
intrusions.

Security:
Wireless access has special security considerations. Many wired networks base the
security on physical access control, trusting all the users on the local network, but if
wireless access points are connected to the network, anybody within range of the
AP (which typically extends farther than the intended area) can attach to the
network.
The most common solution is wireless traffic encryption. Modern access points
come with built-in encryption. The first generation encryption scheme 'WEP' proved
easy to crack; the second and third generation schemes, WPA and WPA2, are
considered secure if a strong enough password or passphrase is used.
Some APs support hotspot style authentication using RADIUS and other
authentication servers.

APPLICATION:
A hotspot is a common public application of APs, where wireless clients can connect
to the Internet without regard for the particular networks to which they have
attached for the moment. The concept has become common in large cities, where a
combination of coffeehouses, libraries, as well as privately owned open access
points, allow clients to stay more or less continuously connected to the Internet,
while moving around. A collection of connected hotspots can be referred to as a lily
pad network.
APs are commonly used in home wireless networks. Home networks generally have
only one AP to connect all the computers in a home. Most are wireless routers,
meaning converged devices that include the AP, a router, and, often, an Ethernet
switch. Many also include a broadband modem. In places where most homes have
their own AP within range of the neighbors AP, it's possible for technically savvy
people to turn off their encryption and set up a wireless community network,

creating an intra-city communication network although this does not negate the
requirement for a wired network.

CONCLUSION:
From this case study we have successfully studied wireless access point types,
features and their Applications.