Chapter 4 Wireless Technology
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Chapter 4
Laboratory Activity
Installing a USB Network Adapter
and Confi guring a Wireless Router
After completing this laboratory activity, you will be able to:
■ Summarize the purpose of a Wireless Access Point (WAP).
■ Recall typical wireless network confi guration requirements.
■ Summarize the purpose of an SSID.
■ Summarize why wireless device default settings usually do not provide security.
■ Carry out proper procedures to install an 802.11 USB network adapter.
■ Carry out proper procedures to install an 802.11 wireless router/WAP.
Introduction
In this laboratory activity, you will install an 802.11 USB wireless network
adapter and then install and confi gure a wireless router/WAP. Wireless devices fall
into four categories as defi ned by the IEEE: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n.
Note
The chart refl ects maximum theoretical data rates as defi ned by the IEEE standard.
Some manufacturers specify data rates that exceed the data rates defi ned by IEEE.
However, the actual throughput will be considerably lower than the advertised
rate.
IEEE
Classification
802.11a
802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
Assigned
Frequency
5 GHz
2.4 GHz
2.4 GHz
5 GHz
2.4 GHz
5 GHz
Maximum Data Rate
54 Mbps
11 Mbps
11 Mbps in 802.11b mode
54 Mbps in 802.11g mode
54 Mbps in 802.11a mode
11 Mbps in 802.11b mode
54 Mbps in 802.11g mode
300 Mbps in 802.11n mode
Comments
Not compatible with
other wireless classifi-
cations. Obsolete at
this time.
Compatible with
802.11g and 802.11n.
Some manufacturers
exceed the 54 Mbps as
defined in the IEEE
standard and can
support over 100 Mbps.
A maximum data rate
as high as 600 Mbps
has been reported.