Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals: An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks

By Jeff Smith, Jake Woodhams, Robert Marg
Published Oct 29, 2010 by Cisco Press. Part of the Fundamentals series.

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Description

Sample Content

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Copyright 2011
Edition: 1st

EPUB (Watermarked)
ISBN-10: 1-58714-035-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-58714-035-8

Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals

An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks

As wired networks are increasingly replaced with 802.11n wireless connections, enterprise users are shifting to centralized, next-generation architectures built around Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC). These networks will increasingly run business-critical voice, data, and video applications that once required wired Ethernet.

In Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals, three senior Cisco wireless experts bring together all the practical and conceptual knowledge professionals need to confidently design, configure, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot 802.11n networks with Cisco Unified Wireless Network (CUWN) technologies.

The authors first introduce the core principles, components, and advantages of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco offerings. Drawing on their pioneering experience, the authors present tips, insights, and best practices for network design and implementation as well as detailed configuration examples.

Next, they illuminate key technologies ranging from WLCs to Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP), Fixed Mobile Convergence to WiFi Voice. They also show how to take advantage of the CUWN’s end-to-end security, automatic configuration, self-healing, and integrated management capabilities.

This book serves as a practical, hands-on reference for all network administrators, designers, and engineers through the entire project lifecycle, and an authoritative learning tool for new wireless certification programs. This is the only book that

Fully covers the principles and components of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco WLCs and Cisco 802.11n AP
Brings together real-world tips, insights, and best practices for designing and implementing next-generation wireless networks
Presents start-to-finish configuration examples for common deployment scenarios
Reflects the extensive first-hand experience of Cisco experts
Gain an operational and design-level understanding of WLAN Controller (WLC) architectures, related technologies, and the problems they solve
Understand 802.11n, MIMO, and protocols developed to support WLC architecture
Use Cisco technologies to enhance wireless network reliability, resilience, and scalability while reducing operating expenses
Safeguard your assets using Cisco Unified Wireless Network’s advanced security features
Design wireless networks capable of serving as an enterprise’s primary or only access network and supporting advanced mobility services
Utilize Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to plan, deploy, monitor, troubleshoot, and report on wireless networks throughout their lifecycles
Configure Cisco wireless LANs for multicasting
Quickly troubleshoot problems with Cisco controller-based wireless LANs

This book is part of the Cisco Press® Fundamentals Series. Books in this series introduce networking professionals to new networking technologies, covering network topologies, sample deployment concepts, protocols, and management techniques.

Category: Wireless

Covers: Cisco Controller-Based Wireless LANs

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Need for Controller-Based Wireless Networks

Why Wireless LAN Controllers Were Created

Why You Need to Use a Wireless LAN Controller

Controller-Based WLAN Functional and Elemental Architecture

Autonomous AP Issues and the WLC Remedy

Problem: WLAN APs Are Difficult to Deploy

Problem: WLANs Are Not Secure

Problem: Infrastructure Device Configuration and Scaling

Problem: Autonomous AP Costs for Configuring Each AP

Problem: Autonomous AP Costs for Keeping Each AP’s Software Up to Date

Problem: RF Expertise and Configuration Challenges

Mobility Applications Enabled by Controller-Based WLANs

WLANs Do Not Provide the Performance and Robustness Needed for Use as a Primary Access Network

Summary

Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Protocols

Understanding the Relevant Standards

Wi-Fi Alliance

Cisco Compatible Extensions

IETF

The Physical Layer

Physical Layer Concepts

CAPWAP

CAPWAP Versus LWAPP

CAPWAP Protocol Fundamentals

CAPWAP Terminology

CAPWAP Control Messages

CAPWAP Data Messages

CAPWAP State Machine

CUWN Implementation of the CAPWAP Discovery

CAPWAP Transport

CAPWAP MAC Modes

Split MAC Mode

Local MAC Mode

Summary of CAPWAP

Packet Flow in the Cisco Unified Wireless Network

CAPWAP Control

CAPWAP Data Path: Centrally Bridged Traffic

CAPWAP Data Path: Locally Bridged Traffic

Summary of Packet Flow

Summary

References

Chapter 3 802.11n

IEEE 802.11n Standard

802.11n MAC

Other 802.11 Standards Used with 802.11n

Frequency Bands Supported by 802.11n

Antenna Arrays

Transmit Beam Forming (TxBF)

Beam Steering

Spatial Multiplexing

Transmit Diversity

Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO)

Multipath

MIMO Nomenclature

Receiver Diversity

Branch Selection Diversity

Branch-Combining Diversity

Diversity Antenna Array, Type, Orientation, and Spacing

Transmit Beam-Forming Types

Legacy Beam Forming

Implicit Beam Forming

Explicit Beam Forming

MIMO Antenna Array Coverage and Placement

Coding

Binary Convolutional Coding (BCC)

Low-Density Parity Checking (LDPC)

HT PHY and Operation

HT Mixed

HT-Greenfield Format

Channel Bonding/40-MHz-Wide Channels

Protection

Power Management

Packet Aggregation

Bursting/Block ACK (BACK)

Short Guard Interval (GI)

Reduced Inter-Frame Spacing (RIFS)

Reverse Direction Protocol (RDP)

Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS)

Configuration Requirements to Obtain HT Rates

Predicting 802.11 Link Performance

Summary

Chapter 4 Cisco Unified Wireless LAN Security Fundamentals

Understanding WLAN Security Challenges

Vulnerabilities Inherent to the Radio Transmission Medium

Physical Containment Problem

Unlicensed Radio Spectrum Problem

Vulnerabilities Inherent to the Standards Definitions

Authentication and Encryption Weaknesses

Unauthenticated Management Frames

Vulnerabilities Inherent to Mobility

Misconfigured Wireless Devices and Clients

Rogue Access Points and Devices

Readily Available Profiling and Attack Tools

Addressing the WLAN Security Challenges

Background on Strong Authentication and Privacy

How WEP Encryption Works

How WEP Is Broken

802.11 Authentication

Addressing the Strong Authentication and Privacy Challenges

Authentication Framework

Authentication Algorithm

Data Privacy and Integrity

Alternative Approaches to Authentication and Data Privacy

Rogue Access Point Detection and Wireless Intrusion Prevention

Secure Management and Security Policies

Summary

References

Chapter 5 Design Considerations

100 Percent Wireless Access Layer

Client Device Power

RF Vulnerability

Volume of Network Traffic

Increased and Difficult WLAN Coverage Requirements

Elevators

External Bleed-Through

Elevator Shaft Coverage

Access Point Installed in Elevator Car

Continuous Availability and Outage Planning

Power Loss

Equipment Failures: APs, WLCs, and Backhaul Network

RF Interference

Denial of Service Attacks

Business Operation Continuity in the WLAN Era

Power Conservation

Flexibility

WLAN Capacity

Summary

Chapter 6 Cisco Unified Wireless LAN Architectures

Cisco Unified Wireless LAN Architecture Review

Architectural Flexibility, Scalability, and Resiliency

Architectural Flexibility

Architectural Resiliency

N:1 WLC Redundancy

N:N WLC Redundancy

N:N:1 WLC Redundancy

Architectural Scalability

Mobility

Mobility Domains

Campus Architectures

Enterprise Wiring Closet Deployment

Enterprise Distribution Layer Deployment

Data Center or Services Block Deployments

Campus HREAP

Branch Architectures

Distributed Branch Controller Placement

Centralized Controller Placement with HREAP

Office Extend AP (OEAP)

Summary

Chapter 7 Troubleshooting

Tools for Troubleshooting 802.11 Wireless Networks

Wireless LAN Controller Command-Line Interface

Wireless Control System (WCS)

Wireless Protocol Analyzer

Spectrum Analyzers

Isolating Issues on the Cisco Unified Wireless Network

Protocol/Network Issues

LWAPP/CAPWAP Discovery Process

Troubleshooting the LWAPP CAPWAP Discovery Process

Network Considerations

Client Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Client Issues Using the WLC CLI

Troubleshooting Client Issues Using WCS

Common Client Problems and Solutions

The Wireless Medium: Troubleshooting Performance-Related Issues

Coverage and Interference Issues

Detecting, Isolating, and Solving Coverage Issues

Detecting, Isolating, and Solving Interference Issues

Troubleshooting Advanced Wireless LAN Services

Voice over WLAN

Voice over WLAN Challenges

Troubleshooting VoWLAN

Location Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Location Accuracy

Summary

Chapter 8 Introduction to WCS

Designing Wireless Networks with WCS

WCS Requirements

WCS Interface

WCS Monitoring

Maps

Controllers and AP Monitor

Client Monitoring

WCS Reporting

WCS Configuration

Controller Configuration Templates

WCS Configuration and Template Auditing

AP Configuration Templates

WCS Services

WCS Administration

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

WCS Virtual Domains

WCS License Center

Additional Benefits of WCS: Planning and Calibration Tools

WCS Planning

WCS Calibration

Summary

Chapter 9 Next-Generation Advanced Topics: Multicast

Multicast

Multicast Definition

Multicast Addressing

Multicast Forwarding

Multicast Distribution Trees

Protocol Independent Multicasting (PIM)

IGMP

Multicast Configuration in the CUWN

Access Point–to–Client Delivery

Client–to–Access Point Delivery

Enabling Multicast on a Cisco WLAN Controller

MGIDs

Multicast Mobility Messaging

Enabling Multicast on a Cisco Router or Layer 3 Switch

VideoStream

Principles of VideoStream

Multicast Reliability

QoS

Configuring VideoStream on the WLC

Additional Design Recommendations

Wireless Multicast Roaming

Wireless CAPWAP Fragmentation

All WLCs Have the Same CAPWAP Multicast Group Address

WLC Placement

Summary

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