Lesson 5 - Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Wireless Networking Flashcards
How simple are wireless and wired networks to install?
Simple! They’re Plug and Play (handles the rest). Just need to install any supplies driver when prompted.
How are WAPs configured?
through browser-based setup utilities by entering the WAP’s default IP address to bring up the configuration page
What is a channel?
a narrow range of frequencies within a band that the network operates on (like 2.4 GHz)
(frequency band cut into a slice = a channel)
What can you use to find the “quietest” channel where you intend to install the WAP?
use a wireless analyzer (to find a channel that can prevent interference from other WAPs)
Channels in older WiFi networks are numbered…
1 to 13
If you are setting the 2.4 GHz channel manually (usually automatic), what’s a good rule to remember?
use only channels 1, 6, or 11 because those don’t overlap
Should you also manually choose a 5 GHz channel?
No, stick with the automated channel selections because the options are much greater than with the 2.4 GHz band
How much channel configuration does a home network need?
you can leave the channel/frequency of the WAP at the factory defaults
When would you want to manually configure channels?
when the Wi-Fi signals overlap, you’ll want to adjust either the channel or frequency or both
How do you adjust the channel?
find the “Channel” option in the WAP configuration screen (browser)
What can you enable to increase security even more?
MAC filtering
What is MAC filtering?
You add the MAC address of a wireless node you want to have access to the network (or deny access)
With MAC filtering enabled, how do you set up encryption to boost security even more?
setting the security mode on the WAP and generating a unique security key/password and configuring all connected wireless nodes with the same credentials
What are 2 ways to set up WPA/WPA2 encryption? Which is common for small/home networks?
WPA/WPA2 = small or home networks
- Personal/Pre-shared Key (PSK)`
- Enterprise
In what situations is Enterprise encryption used?
in the most serious and secure wireless networks
WPA2 Personal means the same as what other 2 things you might see under the Security Mode drop-down menu?
- PSK
- Pre-Shared Key
If you have the option, which encryption should you choose for the WAP? What’s the next-best choice?
Choose WPA3 encryption with AES for the WAP and NICs in the network
Next-best is WPA2
How does Enterprise mode enable authentication?
by using a RADIUS server
What is Mixed Mode?
allows a WPA2-encrypted WPA to also support WPA
What does a RADIUS server do?
on A+
it’s a way of identifying users in an enterprise-level network
A site survey can consist of either:
- Using a laptop to look for existing SSIDs in the area
- Hire specialists to make careful plans about where to put the WAPs and which channels to use
To make sure a wireless signal goes where you want it to go, it needs to have the right….?
antenna
What is a dipole antenna?
a stick-shaped omnidirectional antenna
What does antennas strengthen?
strengthen and focus RF output
How do we measure the ratio of increase? What’s another word for “increase”?
increase = gain
we measure the gain in decibels (dB)
Many WAPs (some NICS too) have small removable antenna with a gain of __ dB
2 dB
larger = more improvements
What is polarization?
orientation (in a physical space)
Reception is best when the signal and receiving antenna have the same?
polarization (orientation)
[45 degree angles]
What can you use to find out whether a local cafe, airport, public place has a hotspot?
use a Wi-Fi locator/analyzer (it’s the size of a car remote and lights up when in range of a Wi-Fi access point)
Can also be an app on your phone!
If you’re using Bluetooth to set up a PAN, you’ll also need to set the network connection up within…
your OS
How simple is cellular configuration?
Just plug in the card and install the software (into your computer via USB usually and launch setup program)
[the cards usually have required software/drivers built into the cards]
