Author: Jim Geier
Publication date: June 2010 (Cisco Press)
ISBN: 978-1-58705-889-9
To order, click here.
In this vendor-agnostic book, Jim Geier systematically presents all the information and guidance that network architects, engineers, administrators, and managers need to maximize the performance and business value of 802.11n networks. Drawing on extensive experience with real-world 802.11n deployments with both Cisco and non-Cisco solutions, Jim Geier guides you through the entire project lifecycle: planning, design, installation, testing, monitoring, and support. Each phase of the wireless LAN deployment is organized into clearly defined steps, and multiple case studies and hands-on exercises show how to apply each technique.
Contents
Part I, “Fundamental Concepts”: This part of the book includes chapters that cover important underlying concepts that must be understood before deploying an 802.11n wireless network.
Chapter 1, “Introduction to Wireless Networks”: This chapter defines the markets and applications of WLANs and the wireless technologies that support them.
Chapter 2, “Radio Wave Fundamentals”: This chapter explains radio wave fundamentals so that you have the basis for understanding the complexities of deploying WLANs.
Chapter 3, “Wireless LAN Types and Components”: This chapter describes ad hoc, mesh, and infrastructure WLAN types and various components, such as access points, controllers, client radios, amplifiers, and others.
Chapter 4, “Wireless LAN Implications”: This chapter explains the impacts of radio signal interference, security vulnerabilities, multipath propagation, roaming, and battery limitations on WLANs.
Part II, “The 802.11 Standard”: This part of the book includes chapters that contain in-depth coverage of the most current medium access and physical layers of the IEEE 802.11 standard (including 802.11n functionality). The focus here is on the elements of the standard that readers should know to be successful at deploying and supporting 802.11n wireless networks.
Chapter 5, “Introduction to IEEE 802.11 and Related Standards”: This chapter provides a background and importance of 802.11 standards and an overview of the 802.11 standard and related standards, such as IEEE 802.2.
Chapter 6, “IEEE 802.11 Media Access Control (MAC) Layer”: This chapter explains details of the 802.11 standard that you need to know to help you best configure and troubleshoot 802.11n WLANs.
Chapter 7, “IEEE 802.11 Physical (PHY) Layers”: This chapter describes the modulation functions that are part of the 802.11n physical layer and legacy physical layers (802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g).
Part III, “Wireless Network Design”: This part of the book includes chapters that cover steps necessary to design an 802.11n wireless network for various scenarios.
Chapter 8, “Planning a Wireless LAN Deployment”: This chapter provides an overview of the steps that you should complete when deploying a WLAN and details on defining the project scope, developing a work breakdown structure, identifying staffing, creating a schedule, developing a budget, evaluating risks, and analyzing feasibility.
Chapter 9, “Defining Requirements for a Wireless LAN”: This chapter explains how to gather, analyze, and document requirements for an 802.11n WLAN.
Chapter 10, “System Architecture Considerations”: This chapter explains what to consider when designing the access network and distribution system for an 802.11n WLAN.
Chapter 11, “Range, Performance, and Roaming Considerations”: This chapter explains the various tradeoffs for enhancing the range, performance, and roaming capabilities of an 802.11n wireless LAN.
Chapter 12, “Radio Frequency Considerations”: This chapter covers important radio frequency (RF) design considerations for 802.11n WLANs, such as frequency band selection, transmission channel settings, difficult-to-cover areas, and radio signal interference reduction techniques.
Chapter 13, “Security Considerations”: This chapter explains important methods and techniques for securing a WLAN, including encryption, authentication, rogue access point detection, RF shielding, and security polices.
Part IV, “Wireless Network Installation and Testing”: This part of the book includes chapters that explain the steps necessary to install and test an 802.11n wireless network.
Chapter 14, “Test Tools”: This chapter de-scribes the tools that you need to effectively design and support an 802.11n WLAN.
Chapter 15, “Performing a Wireless Site Sur-vey”: This chapter explains the steps and techniques, such as inspecting the existing network, analyzing radio signal interference, and performing signal propagation testing, that you need to follow when determining the optimum installation locations for access points.
Chapter 16, “Installing and Configuring a Wireless LAN”: This chapter explains how to plan the installation, stage the components, install the access points, and document the installation of a WLAN.
Chapter 17, “Testing a Wireless LAN”: This chapter describes the steps and techniques necessary to test a wireless LAN, which includes signal coverage testing, performance testing, in-motion testing, security testing, acceptance testing, simulation testing, prototype testing, and pilot testing.
Part V, “Operational Support Considerations”: This part of the book includes chapters that explain what to consider when supporting an 802.11n wireless network. Readers will learn how to establish specialized support for wireless networks and perform help desk operations, network monitoring, and troubleshooting.
Chapter 18, “Managing a Wireless LAN”: This chapter describes important operations and maintenance functions that you should consider when supporting a WLAN, including help desk, network monitoring, maintenance, engineering, configuration management, security management, trouble call coordination, operational support tools, and operational support transfer preparation.
Chapter 19, “Troubleshooting Wireless Net-works”: This chapter explains how to identify problems, such as connectivity and performance issues, and determine the underlying causes.
Chapter 20, “Preparing Support Staff”: This chapter describes what you should consider when evaluating the experience and education of staff for supporting a wireless LAN.
Glossary: The glossary describes terms that this book uses.
To order, click here.