Wireless

>> It is a communication method without any physical media

>> Requirement of wireless --

1) For small devices - Those devices that don't have any RJ-45 connector
(EX - AC remote, TV remote, Car key, Earpods)
2) For Mobility - Those devices that can't be fixed at one place
(EX - Laptop, Smartphones, Ipad)

>> IEEE Standard --

>> For wired media - 802.3
>> For wireless media - 802.11

>> How wireless communication happens --

>> In case of wired media - wire is the medium and data travels in form of
electric signal
>> In case of wireless media - air is the medium and data travels in form of
electromagnetic wave

>> Wave - Disturbance in a medium that carries energy from one location to another
location
Types of wave --
1) Mechanical wave - wave which require any material medium for their
transmission
>> Transverse wave - a wave whose oscillation is perpendicular to
the direction of wave
EX- Light wave
>> Longitudinal wave - a wave in which particles of the medium
vibrates in the same direction as the direction of wave
EX - Sound wave
2) Electromagnetic wave - wave which does not reqiure any material
medium to travel
- wave that are created by the vibrations between
electric and magnetic field
--> Electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular
to each other
>> How Antena works ?
>> when current is applied on a conductor, it creates disturbance in
the atoms of conductor
>> Due to the rapid movement of charged particles (+ve and -ve) in an
electric field, creates magnetic field. This phenomena
leads in generation of Electromagnetic field and propagate out as wave

>> Wave components

** Wavelength - Distance travelled by the wave to complete one cycle
** Amplitude - Maximum displacement of wave from its equilibrium
position
** Time period - Time taken by the wave to complete one cycle
** Frequency - Number of cycle per second
--> measured in Hertz (HZ)

>> Units in which Frequency is measured --

Hz (Hertz) = Cycle per second
KHz (Kilohertz) = 1000 (10^3) cycle per second
MHz (Megahertz) = 1000000 (10^6) cycle per second
GHz (Gigahertz) = 1000000000 (10^9) cycle per second
THz (Terahertz) = 1000000000000 (10^12) cycle per second

Note:- >> Higher the amplitude, higher the wavelength and viceversa
 >> Higher the wavelength, lower the frequency and viceversa
>> Lower the wavelength, higher the frequency and viceversa

>> The frequency range from around 3 kHz to 300 GHz is commonly called radio
frequency (RF)
>> It includes many different types of radio communication, including low-
frequency radio, AM radio, shortwave radio, television, FM radio, microwave,
and radar
>> The micro#wave category also contains the two main frequency ranges that
are used for wireless LAN
communication: 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Note:- Under the micro wave category only these two frequency used for
wireless communication as they are unlicensed and free to use (Rest all other
frequencies are licensed and needs government permission to use)

>> Two main frequency ranges used for wireless LAN communication --
--> 2.4 GHz band lies between 2.400 and 2.4835 GHz
--> 5 GHz band lies between 5.150 and 5.825 GHz

Band - continuous range of frequency

Channel - Division of bands

>> 2.4 GHz Band

--> divided in 14 distinct channel
--> Each channel is 22 MHz wide
--> Each channel is separated by 5 MHz
--> Channel 1, 6 and 11 are considered as non-overlapping channels
--> Provides further reach in open space and better penetration of
obstacles such as walls

Note:- Overlapping channels may results in too much noise and collision
of data in network

>> 5 GHz Band

--> It consists of four separate bands
--> Each channel is 20 MHz wide
--> All channels are non-overlapping
--> commonly used channels - U-NII-1 and U-NII-3

U-NII = Unlicensed National Information infrastructure

>> Windows cmd command --> netsh wlan show interfaces

>> Devices used to form wireless network

1) Access-Point - Devices that connects multiple host [wireless
termination point (WTP)]
2) WLC (Wireless LAN Controller) - Device that is used to manage
Access-Point [access controller (AC)]

>> SERVICE SET

>> Its a group of wireless network devices
>> Types of Service set
1) Independent Service Set
2) Infrastructure Service Set
3) Mesh Service Set

>> All devices in service set share the same SSID (Service Set Identifier)
>> SSID is basically human readable name of wireless network through which
user can connect with that network
>> SSID does not have to be unique

1) Independent Service Set

>> It is a wireless network in which two or more wireless devices are
connected directly without using an Access-Point
>> Also called AD-HOC network

2) Infrastructure Service Set

>> A BSS (Basic Service Set) is a kind of infrastructure service set in
which client connects to each other via an AP but not directly with
each other

>> BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) is used to uniquely identify

the AP
>> SSID can be same on different AP's but BSSID is unique for different
AP'S
>> BSSID is the base MAC address of the AP

>> Wireless device that are connected with BSS are called clients or
stations

>> Signal range of an AP where multiple wireless clients are connected

called BSA (Basic Service Area)

>> To create larger wireless LAN's beyond the range of a single AP, we
use ESS (Extended Service Set)
>> AP's with their own BSS are connected by a wired network
>> Each BSS uses the same SSID
>> Each BSS has a unique BSSID
>> Each BSS uses a different channel to avoid interference
>> Client can easily move between different BSS without having to
reconnect providing a seamless Wi-Fi experience, called Roaming
>> Each BSA must overlap about 10% - 15%

>> Clients connect itself with an AP by recognising best received

signal strength
>> It is referred as RSSID (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
>> It helps in determining best signal strength
>> measured in dB (Decibel)
>> In windows OS it is shown in '%' (percentage)
>> Best signal strength range -40 dB to -75 dB

3) MBSS (Mesh Basic Service Set)

>> It is used where ethernet connection can not be implemented to every
AP
>> Basically it uses two radios -
>> To provide a BSS to wireless clients
>> To form ''backhaul network'' which is used to bridge traffic
from AP to AP
>> AP which is connected to the wired network called RAP (Root Access
Point)
>> Bridged AP's are called MAP (Mesh Access Point)
>> MAP's uses Cisco Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWPP) to determine
the best path through the other mesh access points to the controller

>> DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

>> Upstream wired network is called DS
>> It provides a way for wireless clients to connects to the
wired network infrastructure
>> An AP can provide multiple LAN's each with unique SSID
>> Each WLAN is mapped to a separate VLAN and connected to the
wired network via trunk
>> Each WLAN uses a unique BSSID

>> Additional AP operational mode

>> AP advertises different SSID's by generating a Beacon frame (It's a
type of management frame)
>> It is sent at every interval of 100milliseconds by Cisco AP's and
can be configured from 20 to 999 ms. This value could be different for
other vendor AP's

>> An AP as repeater can be used to extended the range of a BSS

>> Repeater AP will simply transmit and receive signal from AP

>> WORKGROUP BRIDGE

>> Used to connect the device’s (that does not have wireless
capabilities) wired network adapter to a wireless network.
>> Types of WGB
1) Universal WGB - It is an 802.11 standard that allows one
device to be bridged to the wireless network
2) WGB - Cisco proprietary version of 802.11 standard that allows
multiple wired clients to be bridged to the wireless network

>> OUTDOOR BRIDGE - Used to connect network over long distances without
any physical connection
>> AP's consists of specialized antennas that focus signals in one
direction
>> connection can be Point to Point or Point to Multipoint in which
multiple sites connected to a central site forming Hub and Spoke
topology
>> At hub omnidirectional antenna's are used such that its signal is
transmitted equally in all directions so that it can reach the other sites
simultaneously

>> TYPES OF ACCESS POINT

1) Autonomous AP
2) Cloud-based AP
3) Light-weight AP or Split-MAC architechture

1) Autonomous AP
>> Its an standalone AP
>> it has its own GUI and each AP is configured individualy
>> No roaming feature provided to client
>> Suitable for small networks

2) Cloud-based AP
>> Managed through a centralized controller located on cloud
>> Just it need to be registered on Cisco cloud
>> Mainly Meraki devices series are cloud-based

3) Light-weight AP
>> managed by a controller called WLC
>> Suitable for large enterprise network

>> Basically autonomous AP function is divided into two parts (This is called
Spilt MAC architechture) --
1) to perform only AP function
 2) Management related functions are done by WLC

>> Functions performed by AP

--> RF Transmit/Receive
--> MAC Management
--> Encryption
>> Functions performed by WLC
--> RF Management
--> Association and Roaming Management
--> Client Authentication
--> Security Management
--> QoS

>> To perform these functions AP and WLC forms a tunnel using a protocol
called Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP)
>> CAPWAP is based on the Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP), which
was a legacy Cisco proprietary solution

>> By using CAPWAP protocol both AP and WLC forms two tunnels --
1) Control Plane Tunnel - The control messages are authenticated and
encrypted, so the AP is securely controlled by only the appropriate
WLC, then transported over the control tunnel.
>> uses UDP port no - 5246
2) Data plane Tunnel - Data packets are transported over the data
tunnel but are not encrypted by
default. When data encryption is enabled for an AP, packets are
protected with Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS)
>> uses UDP port no - 5247

>> TYPES OF WLC

1) Unified WLC
2) Cloud-based WLC
3) Embedded WLC
4) Cisco Mobility Express WLC

1) Unified WLC
>> Supports 6000 AP's and 64000 Clients
>> Deployed centrally

2) Cloud-based WLC
>> A WLC can also be located inside a data center in a private cloud
>> Where WLC exists as a virtual machine rather than a physical device
>> Supports 3000 AP's and 32000 Clients

3) Embedded WLC
>> Supports 200 AP's and 4000 Clients
>> Controller (WLC) is embedded with in the switching hardware

4) Cisco Mobility Express WLC

>> WLC function co-located with an AP
>> Supports 100 AP's and 2000 Clients

>> How AP joins WLC

1) AP boots: Once an AP receives power, it boots on a small IOS image
so that it can work through the remaining states and communicate over its
network connection. The AP must also receive an IP address from either a
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server or a static configuration so
that it can communicate over the network.
 2. WLC discovery: The AP goes through a series of steps to find one or
more controllers that it might join. The steps are explained further in
the next section.

3. CAPWAP tunnel: The AP attempts to build a CAPWAP tunnel with one or

more controllers. The tunnel will provide a secure Datagram Transport Layer
Security (DTLS) channel for subsequent AP- WLC control messages. The AP
and WLC authenticate each other through an exchange of digital
certificates.

4. WLC join: The AP selects a WLC from a list of candidates and then
sends a CAPWAP Join Request message to it. The WLC replies with a CAPWAP
Join Response message. The next section explains how an AP selects a WLC to
join.

5. Download image: The WLC informs the AP of its software release. If

the AP’s own software is a different release, the AP downloads a matching
image from the controller, reboots to apply the new image, and then returns
to step 1. If the two are running identical releases, no download is needed.

6. Download config: The AP pulls configuration parameters down from the

WLC and can update existing values with those sent from the controller.
Settings include RF, service set identifier (SSID), security, and quality of
service (QoS) parameters.

7. Run state: Once the AP is fully initialized, the WLC places it in

the “run” state. The AP and WLC then begin providing a BSS and begin
accepting wireless clients.

8. Reset: If an AP is reset by the WLC, it tears down existing client

associations and any CAPWAP tunnels to WLCs. The AP then reboots and starts
through the entire state machine again

>> Functions of WLC

■ Dynamic channel assignment: The WLC can automatically choose and
configure the RF channel used by each AP, based on other
active access points in the area.
■ Transmit power optimization: The WLC can automatically set the
transmit power of each AP based on the coverage area needed.
■ Self-healing wireless coverage: If an AP radio dies, the coverage
hole can be “healed” by turning up the transmit power of surrounding APs
automatically.
■ Flexible client roaming: Clients can roam between APs with very fast
roaming times.
■ Dynamic client load balancing: If two or more APs are positioned to
cover the same geo#graphic area, the WLC can associate clients with the
least used AP. This distributes the client load across the APs.
■ RF monitoring: The WLC manages each AP so that it scans channels to
monitor the RF usage. By listening to a channel, the WLC can remotely
gather information about RF interference, noise, signals from neighboring
APs, and signals from rogue APs or ad hoc clients.
■ Security management: The WLC can authenticate clients from a central
service and can require wireless clients to obtain an IP address from a
trusted DHCP server before allow#ing them to associate and access the
WLAN.
■ Wireless intrusion protection system: Leveraging its central
location, the WLC can
monitor client data to detect and prevent malicious activity