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Wireless LAN Security
Uses
 Key drivers are mobility and accessibility
 Easily change work locations in the office
 Internet access at airports, cafes, conferences, etc.
Benefits
 Increased productivity
– Improved collaboration
– No need to reconnect to the network
– Ability to work in more areas
 Reduced costs
– No need to wire hard-to-reach areas
Standards
 IEEE 802.11
 IEEE 802.11b
 IEEE 802.11a
 IEEE 802.11e
 HiperLAN/2
 Interoperability
802.11
 Published in June 1997
 2.4GHz operating frequency
 1 to 2 Mbps throughput
 Can choose between frequency hopping or direct sequence spread modulation
802.11b
 Published in late 1999 as supplement to 802.11
 Still operates in 2.4GHz band
 Data rates can be as high as 11 Mbps
 Only direct sequence modulation is specified
 Most widely deployed today
802.11a
 Also published in late 1999 as a supplement to 802.11
 Operates in 5GHz band (less RF interference than 2.4GHz range)
 Users Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
 Supports data rates up to 54 Mbps
 Currently no products available, expected in fourth quarter
802.11e
 Currently under development
 Working to improve security issues
 Extensions to MAC layer, longer keys, and key management systems
 Adds 128-bit AES encryption
HiperLAN/2
 Development led by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
 Operates in the 5 GHz range, uses OFDM technology, and support data rates over 50Mbps like 802.11a
Interoperability
 802.11a and 802.11b work on different frequencies, so little chance for interoperability
 Can coexist in one network
 HiperLAN/2 is not interoperable with 802.11a or 802.11b