Computer Networking Part 2

CS 1 Worksheet
Networking Part 2

Circuit Switching versus Packet Switching

Wireless

Careers in Information Technology

WAN Link Options

Circuit Switching: A form of data communication which

_________________________________________________________________________ to carry the data

stream.

Like a conventional telephone system.

When a subscriber makes a telephone call the dialed number is used to set switches in the

exchanges along the route of the call so that there is a continuous circuit from the originating caller to
that of the called party.

Packet Switching: A form of data communications which

___________________________________________________________________________ by the best

available channels and reassembles the original data stream at its destination.

An alternative is to allocate the capacity to the traffic only when it is needed, and share the

available capacity between many users.

Wireless Access Point

A wireless access point is a device that connects __________________________

(laptops, etc.) __________________________, usually an Ethernet LAN.

Wireless Access Point

In our example the wireless access point (AP) will __________________________.

Putting it together

Exactly the same as connecting a router without an AP.

Configuring the AP and Router

Wireless Settings:

__________________________ (Service Set Identifier) Name of your network

__________________________: WPA, WEP, or none

SSID

The SSID is what will be displayed when people with wireless computers are looking for a
wireless LAN.
Router Information

IP Address from ISP

Connects to your DSL/Cable Modem

NAT (Network Address Translation)

Local Network

Switch or Hub
Connect wired computers
DHCP Server (optional)

Wireless

SSID: MyHomeNetwork
DHCP Server: (optional)
Channel: 11
Encryption Function: WPA

You choose

There are many resources to discuss the possible health risks or wireless LANs.

Wireless APs operate at:

__________________________

__________________________

2 GHZ! Thats the same as my microwave oven, isnt that dangerous?

Answer: No.

As a networking and WLAN user and instructor I have my own thoughts which I will share.
If you are concerned, then research the information and come to your own conclusions.

The following information is from my own research and experience.

Wireless Frequency

Electromagnetic waves happen naturally.

Light is an electromagnetic wave

It is not the frequency, but the wattage, the power.

Any electromagnetic wave can be dangerous with too much power.

A 25 watt light bulb is safe, but it wouldnt be safe at 250,000 watts

Wireless access points generate signals at 1/10th of a watt.

Like all electromagnetic waves, the signal does not fade in a linear manner, but inversely as

the square of the distance.

Inverse square law

Double the distance of the wireless link, we receive only of the original power.

Triple the distance of the wireless link, we receive only 1/9 the original power.

Move 5 times the distance, signal decreases by 1/25.

Putting it in some perspective

Measurements from an antenna transmitting 100mW at 1 inch

Remember a milliwatt is 1/1,000th of a Watt

Microwave oven typically operates at 1,000 watts in a confined space.

1
100 mW
1/10th watt
2
25 mW
1/40th watt
4
6.25 mW
1/166th watt
8
1.56 mW
1/1000th watt
16
0.39 mW
4/10,000th watt
32
0.097 mW
1/10,000th watt
64 (5.3 ft)
0.024 mW
2/100,000th watt
128 (10.6 ft)
0.006 mW
6/1,000,000th watt
256 (21.3 ft)
0.0015 mW
15/10,000,000th watt

Light bulbs would also be dangerous the were 10,000 to 1,000,000,000,000 stronger.

A 250,000 watt up to a 250,000,000,000,000 watt light bulb would also be dangerous.

Wireless Security Everyone can hear

Others can hear or capture your information.

Wireless signals are propagated, sent, similar to our __________________________.

Wireless Security Everyone can hear

If we dont want them to understand what they hear, we can encrypt or code the information.

As long a our wireless computer and access point are using the same encryption algorithm,

such as ____________________________________________________.
Wireless Security - WPA

WPA (WiFi Protected Access) is currently the __________________________.

The password is configured on both the wireless access point and the computer.

Wireless Security

Without any security, anyone can:

____________________________________________________ to access your network

and the Internet.

____________________________________________________ from your wireless

computer.
Wireless Security

Your web browsing or email access should already be secured.

____________________________________________________