1. Ch. 4 – Wireless Topologies
Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1
Rick Graziani
Cabrillo College

2. Overview
This chapter is just an overview of many topics that we will discuss in much more detail in later chapters.
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3. Components

4. Devices and Operating Systems
Mobile Computing Operating Systems (OS)
It is important to use only compliant devices.
The big advantages in doing this include interoperability, speed, reliability, and real-time data communications.
Other considerations and concerns include battery life and durability.
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5. Clients and adapters
As with Ethernet, a driver is needed to communicate with the OS on the computer.
NDIS Driver Version - The version of the NDIS 3 device driver that is installed on the computer. (Network Driver Interface Specification)
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6. Access points and bridges (more later)
An access point (AP) is a WLAN device that can act as the center point of a stand-alone wireless network or be used as the connection point between wireless and wired networks.
Wireless Bridges are designed to connect two or more networks that are typically located in different buildings.
Not currently covered under
Workgroup bridge (WGB) product connects to the Ethernet port of a device that does not have a PCI or PCMCIA slot available. Will connect up to eight wired machines to an AP. It is ideal for connecting remote workgroups to a wired LAN
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7. AP Antennas
Cisco Aironet AP 2.4 GHz antennas are compatible with all Cisco RP-TNC equipped APs.
The antennas are available with different gain and range capabilities, beam widths, and form factors.
Coupling the right antenna with the right AP allows for efficient coverage in any facility, as well as better reliability at higher data rates.
A detailed coverage of antennas will be provided later in the course.
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8. Bridge Antennas
Cisco Aironet bridge 2.4 GHz antennas provide transmission between two or more buildings.
Antennas operate at Layer 1 of the OSI Model.
Remember that the physical layer defines the electrical, mechanical, procedural, and functional specifications for activating, maintaining, and deactivating the physical link between end systems.
Characteristics such as voltage levels, timing of voltage changes, physical data rates, maximum transmission distances, physical connectors, and other, similar, attributes are defined by physical layer specifications.
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9. Not all of these features are available on all APs or by all vendors.
WLAN Topologies
Many of these features depend upon the vendor and whether the AP is a consumer wireless product or business/enterprise wireless product.
Not all of these features are available on all APs or by all vendors.

10. Cisco Three-layer Model
Includes APs, wireless bridges
Be familiar with this model (see online curriculum).
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11. Local area networks (LAN)
The basic service set (BSS) is the area of RF coverage provided by one access point.
It is also referred to as a microcell.
BSS can be extended by adding another AP.
When more than one BSS is connected to a wired LAN, it is referred to as an extended service set (ESS).
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12. Local area networks (LAN)
Adding an AP is also a way to add wireless devices and extend the range of an existing wired system.
If a single cell does not provide enough coverage, any number of cells can be added to extend the range.
It is recommended that adjacent BSS cells have a 10 to 15 percent overlap.
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13. Minimal Overlap Coverage Option
SSID = Student Channel 1
SSID = Student Channel 6
By arranging the access points so that the overlap in a coverage area is minimized, a large area can be covered with minimal cost.
The total bandwidth available to each wireless client device depends on the amount of data each mobile station needs to transfer and the number of stations located in each cell.
Seamless roaming is supported as a client device moves in and out of range of each access point, thereby maintaining a constant connection to the wired LAN.
Each device in the radio network must be configured with the same SSID to provide roaming capability. (Roaming will discussed later.)
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14. Wireless repeater
50% overlap
Not covered under
A wireless repeater is simply an access point that is not connected to the wired backbone.
This setup requires a 50% overlap of the AP on the backbone and the wireless repeater. (So they can reach each other.)
The user can set up a chain of several repeater access points.
However, the throughput for client devices at the end of the repeater chain will be quite low.
This is because each repeater must receive and then re-transmit each frame on the same channel, similar to a wired repeater.
For each repeater added to the chain, throughput is cut in half.
It is recommended that not more than two hops be used.
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15. System redundancy and load balancing
Multiple Vendors Redundancy only
In a LAN where it is essential to have communications, some customers will require redundancy.
With the direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) products of a different vendor, both AP units would be set to the same frequency and data rate.
Since these units timeshare the frequency, only one unit can be talking at a time.
If that one unit goes down for some reason, the remote clients will hand off to the other active unit.
While this does provide redundancy, it does not provide any more throughput than a single AP provides.
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16. System redundancy and load balancing
Load Balancing and Redundancy
With the Cisco DS systems, the units are set to different channels.
Redundancy: If one unit goes down, remote clients will hand off to the remaining unit and continue working.
Load balancing: This can be configured based on the number of users, the bit error rate, or signal strength.
Distributes user connections across available access points
Optimizes aggregate throughput
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17. Multiple Overlapping Networks Coverage Option
SSID = Staff Channel 6
SSID = Student Channel 1
SSID = Public Channel 11
Multiple networks can operate in the same vicinity.
The architecture provides multiple channels that can exist in the same area with virtually no interference to each other.
In this mode, each system must be configured with different SSIDs and different channels, which may (depending on configurations) prevent clients from roaming to access points of a different wireless network.
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18. System redundancy and load balancing
Cisco Hot Standby Redundancy only
Another option, when fault-tolerance and availability are critical, is a hot-standby AP.
In this case, there is no load balancing.
For business-critical deployments, a Cisco Aironet AP can be configured as a redundant hot standby to another AP in the same coverage area.
The hot-standby AP continually monitors the primary AP on the same channel, and assumes its role in the rare case of a failure of the primary AP.
The standby will be ready to take over, if the primary AP becomes unavailable.
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19. Roaming
Not yet covered under
A WLAN designer must determine whether clients will require seamless roaming from access point to access point.
Not yet standardized by IEEE (working on it), most vendors use IAPP (Inter-Access Point Protocol).
Task Group F: A Standard IAPP
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20. Roaming Initial Association: Probing (Probe Request, Probe Response)
Note: does not specify how the client determines which AP to associate with , so it depends on vendor implementation.
Authentication (Authentication Request, Authentication Response)
Association (Association Request, Association Response)
does not allow associating with more than one AP.
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21. Roaming
Several factors need to be considered when designing a WLAN with seamless roaming capabilities:
Coverage must be sufficient for the entire path.
A consistent IP address should be available throughout the entire path.
Until standardized by IEEE , access points will most likely need to be from the same vendor.
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22. Roaming The client initiates the roaming (re-association) process.
IAPP: Please send buffered frames for…
IAPP: Ok!
* Packet - Source MAC of client…
* AP(B) must update MAC address tables on infrastructure switches to prevent to loss of data.
AP(B) sends an Ethernet frame to AP(A) with the source MAC address of the client so all the switches can update their SAT/MAC tables.
The client initiates the roaming (re-association) process.
As the client is moving out of range of its associated AP, the signal strength will start to drop off.
At the same time, the strength of another AP will begin to increase.
The re-association process then occurs, including authentication.
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23. Roaming
Scans for a better access point if the signal strength falls below a threshold value.
The following options define signal strength and wait thresholds that trigger a new scan.
When Adapter Has Been Associated for at Least—The number of seconds the client adapter waits after connecting before searching for a better access point. This threshold keeps the client adapter from jumping from one access point to another too quickly after the initial connection.
Signal Strength is Less Than—The signal strength threshold below which the client adapter should search for a better access point. This threshold keeps the client adapter from jumping from one access point to another when both have strong signals.
Example: When using the default values of 20 seconds and 50%, the client adapter monitors the signal level 20 seconds after connecting and every second thereafter. If the client detects that the signal strength is below 50%, it scans for a better access point. After the access point connects to a better access point, this scanning process repeats.
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24. Scalability APs are on different channels
Scalability is the ability to locate more than one access point in the same area.
This will increase the available bandwidth of that area for all users local to that access point.
The current Cisco Aironet products are frequency agile.
This means that they can look for and use the best channel.
Three non-overlapping and non-interfering channels, up to a theoretical 33 Mbps per cell.
Users still only operate at a maximum theoretical value of 11 Mbps
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25. Scalability APs are on different channels
In the case of a, there are eight non-overlapping channels, each up to a theoretical bandwidth of 54 Mbps.
This means that a maximum of eight discrete systems can reside in the same area, with no interference.
Therefore, the highest aggregate total data rate for an a system is a theoretical 432 Mbps, for a given cell area.
Remember that any connected user will still only receive up to 54 Mbps.
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26. Scalability
Specifies the channel number and frequency that the client adapter uses for communications. The channels conform to the IEEE Standard for your regulatory domain.
In infrastructure mode, this option is set automatically and cannot be changed. The client adapter listens to the entire spectrum, selects the best access point, and then uses the same channel as that access point.
In ad hoc mode, the channel of the client adapter must match the channel used by the other clients in the wireless network. If the client adapter does not find any other ad hoc client adapters, this option specifies the channel on which the client adapter broadcasts beacons.
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27. Channel Setup

28. Channel Setup There are two critical steps for a good WLAN deployment:
1. Determine placement of access points or bridges –
This includes determining where they should be placed and deciding how many are required for the desired coverage.
Very few gaps in the coverage should be left.
These gaps are essentially dead air and the client will lack connectivity in these locations.
As discussed before, bandwidth requirements have an impact on the coverage areas.
2. Map out the channel assignments –
There should be as little overlap as possible between channels that use the same frequency.
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29. Access point coverage and comparison
As a client roams away from the access point, the transmission signals between the two attenuate (weaken).
Rather than decreasing reliability, the AP shifts to a slower data rate, which gives more accurate data transfer.
This is called data rate or multi-rate shifting.
As a client moves away from an b access point, the data rate will go from 11 Mbps, to 5.5Mbps, to 2 Mbps, and, finally, to 1 Mbps.
This happens without losing the connection, and without any interaction from the user.
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30. Access point coverage and comparison
The Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz radio delivers 100 mW of output and offers a high degree of receiver sensitivity.
The 5 GHz client radio has a 20 mW transmit power and the 5 GHz access point has a 40 mW transmit power.
It is possible to adjust the power level down, to create pico-cells, or smaller coverage cells.
This would be done, for example, to prevent the coverage area of one AP from extending too far into the coverage area of another AP.
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31. Sets the transmit power level of the radio
Sets the transmit power level of the radio. Select a value for Transmit Power that is no greater than the maximum allowed by the regulatory body in your country (FCC in the United States, ETSI in Europe, and MKK in Japan). Reducing the transmit power conserves battery power, but it reduces the range of the radio. The default power level is the maximum power allowed by the regulatory agency in your country.
Note: If World Mode is enabled, the transmit power is limited to the maximum level allowed by the regulatory agency of the country where the adapter is used.
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32. Multirate implementation
Provides for seamless roaming, but not at a constant speed.
This example takes advantage of multi-rate technology, to step down in bandwidth and gain greater coverage distances, with a single access point.
If 11 Mbps is required everywhere, the access points would need to be relocated, so that only the 11-Mbps circles are touching each other, with some overlap.
This would require a greater number of APs, but consistent bandwidth would be achieved.
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33. Channel usage and interference
Remember that the standard uses the unlicensed spectrum and, therefore, anyone can use these frequencies.
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34. Bridge Topologies
More on Bridges Later

35. Root modes
Cisco Aironet access points and bridges have two different root modes, in which to operate the following:
Root = ON —
The bridge or AP is a root.
If it is a bridge, then it is called the master bridge.
Root = OFF —
The bridge or AP is not a root, non-root.
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36. Root modes
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37. Root modes on on
off
off
off
off
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38. Point-to-point configuration
When using point-to-point wireless bridges, two LANs can be located up to 40 km (25 miles) apart.
The antennas must have line-of-site with each other.
Obstacles such as buildings, trees, and hills will cause communication problems.
In this configuration, the Ethernet segments in both buildings act as if they are a single segment.
The bridge does not add to the Ethernet repeater count because this segment is viewed by the network as a cable.
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39. Point-to-point configuration
Many corporations would like to have more bandwidth between two locations, than the 11 Mbps provided by the b standard.
Currently, with Cisco IOS, it is possible to use Fast Etherchannel or multi-link trunking, to bond or aggregate up to three bridges together.
This gives the customer the potential for 33 Mbps.
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40. Point-to-multipoint configuration
root
Non-root
Non-root
For multipoint bridging, an omni directional antenna is typically used at the main site.
Directional antennas are used at the remote sites.
In this configuration, again, all the LANs appear as a single segment.
Traffic from one remote site to another will be sent to the main site and then forwarded to the other remote site.
Remote sites cannot communicate directly with one another.
Line of sight must be maintained between each remote site and the main site.
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41. Distance limitations
The standard sets a time limit for the acknowledgement of packets.
Remember that also defines a Local Area Network, which means a typical wireless range of up to 305 m (1000 ft), not several kilometers or miles.
The bridge products have a parameter that increases this timing, whereas the workgroup bridge and AP does not.
The timing is increased, by violating the standard.
This allows the Cisco devices to operate at greater distances.
Any wireless bridge that supports distances over one mile must violate
This means that radios of other vendors may not work with the Cisco bridges when the distances are greater than 1.6 km (1 mile). 
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42. Sample Topologies

43. Basic Topologies Peer-to-Peer (Ad Hoc) Topology (IBSS)
Basic Infrastructure Topology (BSS)
Extended Infrastructure Topology (ESS)
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44. Campus topologies
One of the biggest benefits of a campus WLAN is the ability for people to sit in common areas and work together, and still easily get network access.
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45. WLAN addition to AVVID
WLANs are part of Cisco’s Architecture for Voice, Video, and Integrated Data (AVVID).
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46. VLAN, QoS, and Proxy Mobile IP

47. VLAN features
The Cisco Aironet APs only support the 802.1Q Trunking protocol standard.
Switches will not allow different VLANs to talk to one another.
A router will be needed to allow different VLANs to communicate to each other.
The Cisco Aironet APs can be configured with 16 different VLANs for system design flexibility.
WLANs can now fit nicely into the larger network because VLANs have been enabled on the APs.
This allows WLAN users to roam from access point to access point maintaining connectivity to the proper VLAN.
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48. Quality of Service (QoS) feature
Time critical data traffic such as voice and video benefit from Quality of Service (QoS), which can be configured to give voice and video higher priority.
This allows for smooth voice communication, jitter free video, and reliable delivery of configured with a lower priority.
Class of Service (CoS) uses the 802.1P standard to set the priority field to network traffic.
802.11e is supplementary to the MAC layer to provide QoS support for LAN applications.
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49. Proxy mobile IP
Cisco’s Proxy Mobile IP is designed for use in even the most complex network environments.
As the wireless station leaves one area and enters the next, the new access point queries the station for its home agent.
After it has been located, packet forwarding is established automatically between the new and old access points to ensure the user can transparently exchange data.
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50. Ch. 4 – Wireless Topologies
Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1
Rick Graziani
Cabrillo College