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WIRELESS LAN

What is Wireless-LAN?

A wireless local area network(LAN) is


a flexible data communications
system implemented as an extension
to, or as an alternative for, a wired
LAN.
Using radio frequency (RF) technology,
wireless LANs transmit and receive data
over the air, minimizing the need for
wired connections.
Thus, combining data connectivity with user
mobility.

Infrastructure Networks
Many Wlans need this network
Include forwarding functions, medium
access control with addition to access to
other networks
Design is simple as n/w functionality lies
within access point; wireless clients
remain simple
Collisions occur when medium access of
wireless nodes and access point is not
coordinated

Infrastructure Network

Ad-hoc Networks
No infrastructure
Every node communicates directly
with other; hence no access point
Complexity of nodes is high:- nodes
have to implement medium access,
mechanisms to handle hidden or
exposed terminals
Provide flexibility :- unexpected
meetings, quick replacements of
infrastructure

System Architecture
Infrastructure Based IEEE 802.11:
Nodes called stations are connected to access points
The access point(AP) controls medium access as well as a
bridge to other wireless/ wired networks
Stations are terminals with access mechanisms to wireless
medium and radio contact to AP
Stations and AP within same radio coverage form BSS(Basic
Service Set)
Distributed System: System that connects several BSSs via
the AP to form single n/w, thus extend wireless coverage
area
This n/w is called ESS(Extended Service Set) and is
identified by an ESSID

Role of APs
Support roaming(Change Access
Points)-DS handles the data transfer
b/w different APs
Provides synchronization within a
BSS
Support power management
Control medium access to support
time-bounded service

System Architecture
Ad-Hoc Based IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 allows building of ad-hoc n/w
between stations called IBSS(Independent BSS)

Protocol Architecture

Protocol Architecture
Fig showed wireless LAN connected
to switched IEEE 802.3 Ethernet via
bridge
WLAN behaves like slow wired LAN
Upper layers(LLC,IP,TCP) look same

Detailed IEEE 802.11 protocol


architecture and management
IEEE 802.3 covers only PHY and MAC
PHY is subdivided into PLCP and PMD
Role of layers(Figure 4):
LLC: covers differences of medium access
control layers needed for different media
MAC: medium access, fragmentation of user
data,encryption.
PLCP: provides carrier signal
PMD: handles modulation and
encoding/decoding of signals

Detailed IEEE 802.11 protocol


architecture and management
Role of management layers:
MAC Management:
Supports association and re-association of a
station to an access point
Supports roaming b/w different access points
Control authentication,encryption,synchronization

PHY Management: channel tunneling


Station Management:
interacts with both management layers
Responsible for additional higher layer functions

Detailed IEEE 802.11 protocol


architecture and management

Advantages of Wireless LAN

Flexibility
Planning
Design
Robustness
Cost

Disadvantages of Wireless
LAN

Quality of Service
Proprietary solutions
Restrictions
Safety and Security

Thank You

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