WIRELESS STRATEGIES Cutting Through the Confusion

1
WIRELESS STRATEGIESCutting Through the Confusion

• Presented By
• Robert Gaby, CPA, MCP
• Information Technology Group, Inc.

2
Agenda

• Introduction
• Why Wireless
• Wireless challenges
• Planning the Wireless Network
• Application Selection
• Getting Connected / Wi-Fi Standards
• Device Selection
• Network and Security Considerations

3
Where We Are

• Employees are mobile not at there desks
• In meetings
• On the road
• In front of customers or vendors
• There is an overload of great applications/content
  
  
• Millions of Internet/Intranet data sources
• Applications are formatted for desktops they
  dont look right on small screen devices
  
• Cant access applications unless youre plugged
  in
  

4
Where We Want To Be

• Employees need information to get their jobs
  done
  
• They want
• Access to information anywhere
• Access to information on any device
• Access to information in the right format

5
So Why Wireless?

• Potential real time access to information
• Anytime
• Anywhere
• Increases productivity
• Always connected
• 60 minutes plus of additional productivity per
  day
  
• Increases accuracy
• Access to any information
• Ability to respond immediately

6
So Why Wireless (continued)?

• Bottom line cost savings!
• Increased productivity
• Improved accuracy
• Infrastructure

7
Wireless ChallengesIT Perspective

• Incompatible with existing infrastructure
• Roaming across network boundaries
• May require rewiring or reconfiguring existing
  network
  
• Security Issues
• Other technologies must be introduced to ensure
  authentication and privacy
  
• Multiple authentication schemes required

8
Wireless ChallengesIT Perspective (continued)

• Potential incompatibility with existing
  applications
  
• Address changes
• May require rewriting existing applications or
  purchasing new applications
  
• Difficult to manage and troubleshoot
• First generation management tools
• Transient network problems

9
Wireless ChallengesUser Perspective

• Unstable connections
• User frustration
• Loss or corruption of data
• Can be cumbersome to use
• Requires additional intervention
• Can decrease productivity

10
Wireless Challenges In Review

• What devices to support (PDAs, phones, laptops,
  handhelds, etc.)?
  
• What networks to use?
• Should it be integrated with the current network
  infrastructure?
  
• What about authentication?
• What about privacy and confidentiality

11
Wireless Challenges In Review

• What about using existing applications?
• Unstable connectivity
• Roaming
• Limited bandwidth
• What about central management / administration?

12
Before you begin.

• Have a plan!

13
Planning the Wireless Network

• Existing infrastructure considerations
• Will you need to upgrade network components?
• Will you need to rewire or add cable runs?
• Will the network need to be reconfigured?
• Can it be co-located with existing network
  services?
  
• Is it compatible with existing policy enforcement
  equipment such as firewalls, routers, network
  address translators?
  
• What is required? PAN, LAN, or WAN?

14
Planning the Wireless Network

• Environmental considerations
• Are there physical barriers to consider?
• Multiple buildings
• Multiple floors
• Walls, doors, etc.
• Is there the possibility of interference from
  other wireless devices?
  
• Cordless phones
• Microwaves
• Other
• Has access to hardware been considered?

15
Planning the Wireless Network

• Connectivity issues
• Is unencumbered network roaming required?
• How will applications deal with out of coverage
  conditions or suspended operations?
  
• Loss of data
• Potential loss of productivity
• What is the cost when a mobile device is not
  connected?
  
• Will bandwidth be an issue?

16
Planning the Wireless Network

• Application considerations
• Are the applications suited for a wireless
  environment?
  
• Device considerations
• Displays
• Touch screens - no keyboards
• Performance reduced because of lower bandwidth
• Security highly sensitive application data
• Persistent able to function without a
  connection
  
• Will applications needed to be rewritten,
  reconfigured or purchased?

17
Planning the Wireless Network

• Security considerations
• Will authentication be integrated with existing
  authentication systems?
  
• Is there a requirement to encrypt data?
• Will temporary or outside users have access to
  the system via a wireless connection?
  
• Will any wireless access points (WAPs) be a part
  of a VPN?
  
• Is physical security an issue?

18
Implementing a Wireless Network

• Define the application(s)
• Plan the infrastructure
• Select appropriate devices
• Implement security

19
Define the Application(s)

• PIM
• Email / Text Messaging / Notification
• Document creation and management
• Executive information / company portal
• Voice mail / voice over IP
• Sale force automation or field services
• CRM
• Warehouse management
• Operating system

20
Operating System Selection

• Palm OS 60 market share
• Thousands of applications
• Easy to use
• Pocket PC / Windows CE
• Great for running PC applications on a handheld
  or PDA
  
• Familiar Interface
• Symbian Designed for cellular phones

21
Operating System Selection

• Application will define the operating system!
• Select the right tool for the job!

22
Plan the Infrastructure
PAN (Personal Area Network)
23
Getting Connected
24
LAN TechnologiesCutting through Confusion802.??
25
The 802.11 Maze
26
Laws of Radio Dynamics

• Higher data rates shorter transmission range
• Higher power output increased range, but lower
  battery life
  
• Higher frequency ratios high data rates,
  shorter ranges

27
Bluetooth 802.15

• For the personal area network (PAN)
• Eliminates wires at the desktop
• Best utilized for
• Local printer connectivity
• Connectivity to PDAs, handhelds and cellular
  phones
  
• Wireless headsets

28
802.11b (aka Wi-Fi)

• Pros
• Modest price
• Mature technology
• Adequate for most home office applications
• Minimal fluctuation in throughput out to maximum
  range
  
• Cons
• Lowest overall throughput of 802.11x
  technologies
  
• Small spectrum only three channels in 2.4GHz
  band (maximum of three networks operating in a
  2.4 GHz environment)
  

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802.11b Users

• Transaction intensive
• Have an existing based of 802.11b
• Need roaming to other 802.11b sites
• Require lowest cost of acquisition

30
802.11a What is it?

• 5 GHz WLAN is
• Next generation, indoor WLAN opportunity
• Supports migration to higher speeds
• Supports new WLAN applications
• What it is not
• Broadband wireless access
• Broadcast TV
• Cellular

31
802.11a Advantages

• Large spectrum band supports 12 simultaneously
  operating networks
  
• High speed
• Up to 54Mbps
• Enables real-time media applications
• Video streaming
• Audio voice
• Gaming
• Allows for high density user environments
• Provides high speed links for LAN-LAN bridging

32
802.11a Advantages

• Less congestion fewer products use this
  frequency
  
• Can co-exist with 2.4 GHz systems
• License free band

33
802.11a Challenges

• Competing evolving standards
• HiperLAN2 (Europe)
• NMAC
• Regulatory 5Mhz band is not available
  worldwide
  
• Market will be slow to evolve to 5 GHz
• Cost
• Limited range raises infrastructure cost (4x
  number of 802.11b WAPs to cover same area)
  
• Device cost is high demand required to reduce
  cost
  

34
802.11a Challenges

• 30 50 less range
• Certain environments may significantly reduce
  signal strength
  
• Signal fluctuations can occur at ranges beyond 20
  feet
  
• Higher power consumption requirements become a
  hurdle for
  
• Handhelds
• PDAs
• Laptops

35
802.11a Users

• High bandwidth requirement
• Have a nonexistent or small base of 802.11b
  devices
  
• Require greater capacity more channels
• Are concerned about Bluetooth interference

36
802.11g - What is it?

• Likely to become the next standard
• High speed extension of 802.11b
• Compatible with 802.11b
• Adds an inner ring of high speed performance to
  Wi-Fi networks
  
• 2.4 GHz range
• Adaptive rate shifting 54,22,11,5.5,2,1 Mbps rates

37
802.11g Advantages

• Addresses higher speed and capacity requirements
  for key applications
  
• Compatible with existing 802.11b standard
• Costs less than 802.11a alternatives
• Provides easy migration for 802.11b users
• Backward compatibility with 802.11b
• Leverages existing 2.4GHz design

38
802.11g Challenges

• Customer confusion almost too many choices
  given compatibility with 802.11b
  
• 54 Mbps coverage will be limited to devices in
  close proximity to access points
  
• 2.4 GHz limits number of simultaneous networks to
  3
  
• 802.11g products just now becoming available

39
WAN TechnologiesWhich network is best for
me?2G, 3G, ???
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What are the choices?

• 2G (Second Generation)
• CDMA (Code-division multiple access)
• TDMA (Time division multiple access)
• CDPD (Cellular digital packet data)
• GSM (Global system for mobile communications)

41
What are the choices?

• 3G (Third Generation)
• GPRS (General packet radio service)
• CDMA 2000 1x
• WCDMA (Wideband code-division multiple access)
• CDMA 1xEV

42
Network Choices
Verizon Wireless Sprint PCS
CDMA 1xRTT 56-144 Kbps
GPRS 20-40Kbps
CDPD 19.9 Kbps
CDMA 14.4 Kbps
ATT Wireless
GSM 9.6 Kbps
43
Which 3G Technology is Best
44
3G Cost
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The Final Analysis

• 2G Networks
• The Pros
• Low cost
• Good solution for email, instant messaging,
  transmitting small documents
  
• Available in most metropolitan areas
• The Cons
• Slow
• Technology will be obsolete in 1 2 years

46
The Final Analysis

• 3G Networks
• The Pros
• Performance begins to approach low end DSL
  speeds
  
• Once deployed will offer better stability
• The Cons
• New technology
• Expensive difficult to cost justify at current
  pricing levels

47
The Final AnalysisWhats Best?
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End User DevicesThe Easy Part!

• Mobility is behavior Wireless is technology
• Choose the device best suited for
• End user behavior
• The Environment
• The applications
• The infrastructure
• Hundreds of choices
• OS Pocket PC, CE, Palm, Symbian
• Types Handheld, PDA, Tablet, phone, etc.
• The Final Decision!

49
Cool Wireless Devices

• Kyocera 7135 (coming soon)
• MP3 Player
• Palm OS 4.1
• GPS Locator
• Tri-mode (PCS CDMA, CDMA, Analog
• CDMA2000 1x (153kbs)
• USB / Desktop synchronization
• Voice activated dialing

50
Cool Wireless Devices

• Toshiba e740 (599)
• Intel PXA250 processor 400MHz
• 3.5 TFT color reflective display (240 x 320
  portrait resolution w/64K colors)
  
• 64MB SDRAM
• 1-SD (Secure Digital) card slot (3.3V)
• 1-Type II CF Card Slot (3.3V)
• Integrated Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b)
• 1-RGB (Monitor) port

51
Cool Wireless Devices

• Handspring Treo 300
• CDMA2000 1x (153kbs)
• 33 MHz Dragonball Z processor
• 16 MB RAM
• Palm OS 3.5
• 12 bit color backlit display
• No memory expansion

52
Cool Wireless Devices

• Intermec 6650 Pen Tablet
• Windows 98/2000 OS
• Pentium II 333 MHz
• Up to 128 MB RAM
• 800x600 Resolution
• 802.11x with PC Card

53
Cool Wireless Devices

• HP 450 CBI Printer
• Bluetooth connectivity with Anycom Bluetooth
  CF-2001 card
  
• 9 PPM Black / 8PPM Color
• 1200 x 1200 resolution

54
Cool DevicesWireless Access Points (WAPs)

• Enterprise
• Cisco Aironet 350 (760 street price)
• Intermec MobileLAN 2101 (795)
• Midrange
• Agere Orinoco AP-500 (350)
• Small Office / Home Office
• Linksys WAP11 (170)
• D-Link DWL-900AP (169)

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Some Access Point Guidelines

• How many access points do I need?
• 1 access point for every 40,000 sq. ft. plus 1
• Density of APs needs to be increased if you are
  working with office space that has lots of walls
  or is on multiple floors
  
• Consider a site plan radio signals should
  overlap
  
• Where should the access point be located?
• Unobstructed by walls, metal cabinets, or other
  large objects
  
• Away from microwaves, Bluetooth devices and 2.4
  GHz cordless phones
  
• It should be relatively easy to get to if a hard
  reset is required

56

• Security
• Issues

57
WLAN Vulnerabilities

• Radio signal is easy to intercept
• Unencrypted information can be seen by virtually
  anyone
  
• Potential for a security hole in the entire
  network
  
• Security is difficult to configure
• Low cost products are insecure and unsafe for the
  enterprise

58
My WAP only broadcast to 100 meters, not to worry
NOT!!
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So who is playing it safe?War drivers know!
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Scary!
-------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
This is a list of all networks I have
found, this list is updates regularly
-------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
SSID MAC Address Channel
Network Type Vendor WEP Date
-----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------
mxinternet.net 00045AED1EB3 10
Managed Linksys Yes 05/20/02 1
linksys 0006255C4535 6
Managed unknown No 05/20/02 2
JayWest 00904B080105 6
Managed unknown No 05/20/02 3
LIFE Airspace 00022D094CDB 1
Managed Agere-Lucent Yes 05/20/02 4
linksys 00045A0E5693 6 Mana
ged Linksys No 05/20/02 5
airpseg 00409654D805 6
Managed Cisco-Aironet Yes 05/21/02 6
TJGOSSE WIRELE 32036F021402 6 Ad-h
oc unknown Yes 05/21/02 7
Inland Marine 00022D0AB361 1
Managed Agere-Lucent No 05/21/02 8
WLAN 000124F09CCD 11 Mana
ged Acer No 05/21/02 9
tsunami 00409632AB62 6
Managed Cisco-Aironet No 05/21/02 10
-----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
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Make it Secure!

• General Tips
• Enable WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
• Data encryption for 802.11 networks
• Client to AP
• Deploy EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)
• User authentication for 802.11 networks
• Client to AP to RADIUS (Remote Authentication
  Dial In User Service)

62
Make it Secure!

• General tips (continued)
• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
• Secure connections over public networks
• Outside of the office
• SSL/WTLS
• Encryption and data integrity
• End to end

63
Securing the Wireless LAN

• Change the default network name ESSID
• Disable ESSID broadcast
• Enable WEP
• Change your encryption keys periodically WEP is
  easily cracked
  
• Enable Media Access Control (MAC) filtering on
  your APs
  
• CHANGE the APs administrative the password!!!

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Securing the Wireless LANGoing Beyond the Minimum

• Place APs in the Firewall DMZ
• Utilize VPNs in conjunction with APs
• Authenticate users
• Purchase devices that utilize dynamic WEP
• Use directional antennas (note high gain antenna
  can pick up WAP signals from 3 miles away)
  
• Carefully select location of access points

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Conclusion

• Wireless is not synonymous with mobility
• Think beyond the device consider applications,
  networks, and users first!
  
• Security is an issue! You are always vulnerable
• You will never have 100 wireless coverage
• Have a plan wireless will be the next
  disruptive technology

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Wireless StrategiesCutting Through The Confusion

• Questions?

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Wireless StrategiesPresented byBob Gaby, MCP,
CPA

• Thank you!