Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks   Jeff Smith Jake Woodhams Robert Marg   As wired networks are increasingly replaced with 802.11n wireless connections, enterprise users are shifting to centralized, next-generation architectures built around Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC). These networks will increasingly run business-critical voice, data, and video applications that once required wired Ethernet.   In Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals, three senior Cisco wireless experts bring together all the practical and conceptual knowledge professionals need to confidently design, configure, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot 802.11n networks with Cisco Unified Wireless Network (CUWN) technologies.   The authors first introduce the core principles, components, and advantages of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco offerings. Drawing on their pioneering experience, the authors present tips, insights, and best practices for network design and implementation as well as detailed configuration examples.   Next, they illuminate key technologies ranging from WLCs to Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP), Fixed Mobile Convergence to WiFi Voice. They also show how to take advantage of the CUWN’s end-to-end security, automatic configuration, self-healing, and integrated management capabilities.   This book serves as a practical, hands-on reference for all network administrators, designers, and engineers through the entire project lifecycle, and an authoritative learning tool for new wireless certification programs. This is the only book that Fully covers the principles and components of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco WLCs and Cisco 802.11n AP Brings together real-world tips, insights, and best practices for designing and implementing next-generation wireless networks Presents start-to-finish configuration examples for common deployment scenarios Reflects the extensive first-hand experience of Cisco experts     Gain an operational and design-level understanding of WLAN Controller (WLC) architectures, related technologies, and the problems they solve Understand 802.11n, MIMO, and protocols developed to support WLC architecture Use Cisco technologies to enhance wireless network reliability, resilience, and scalability while reducing operating expenses Safeguard your assets using Cisco Unified Wireless Network’s advanced security features Design wireless networks capable of serving as an enterprise’s primary or only access network and supporting advanced mobility services Utilize Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to plan, deploy, monitor, troubleshoot, and report on wireless networks throughout their lifecycles Configure Cisco wireless LANs for multicasting Quickly troubleshoot problems with Cisco controller-based wireless LANs   This book is part of the Cisco Press® Fundamentals Series. Books in this series introduce networking professionals to new networking technologies, covering network topologies, sample deployment concepts, protocols, and management techniques.   Category: Wireless Covers: Cisco Controller-Based Wireless LANs    

Table of Contents:
Introduction Chapter 1 The Need for Controller-Based Wireless Networks Why Wireless LAN Controllers Were Created Why You Need to Use a Wireless LAN Controller Controller-Based WLAN Functional and Elemental Architecture Autonomous AP Issues and the WLC Remedy     Problem: WLAN APs Are Difficult to Deploy     Problem: WLANs Are Not Secure     Problem: Infrastructure Device Configuration and Scaling         Problem: Autonomous AP Costs for Configuring Each AP         Problem: Autonomous AP Costs for Keeping Each AP’s Software Up to Date         Problem: RF Expertise and Configuration Challenges Mobility Applications Enabled by Controller-Based WLANs WLANs Do Not Provide the Performance and Robustness Needed for Use as a Primary Access Network Summary Chapter 2 Wireless LAN Protocols Understanding the Relevant Standards     Wi-Fi Alliance     Cisco Compatible Extensions     IETF The Physical Layer     Physical Layer Concepts CAPWAP     CAPWAP Versus LWAPP     CAPWAP Protocol Fundamentals         CAPWAP Terminology         CAPWAP Control Messages         CAPWAP Data Messages         CAPWAP State Machine         CUWN Implementation of the CAPWAP Discovery         CAPWAP Transport     CAPWAP MAC Modes         Split MAC Mode         Local MAC Mode     Summary of CAPWAP Packet Flow in the Cisco Unified Wireless Network     CAPWAP Control     CAPWAP Data Path: Centrally Bridged Traffic     CAPWAP Data Path: Locally Bridged Traffic Summary of Packet Flow Summary References Chapter 3 802.11n IEEE 802.11n Standard     802.11n MAC     Other 802.11 Standards Used with 802.11n     Frequency Bands Supported by 802.11n Antenna Arrays     Transmit Beam Forming (TxBF)     Beam Steering     Spatial Multiplexing     Transmit Diversity Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO)     Multipath     MIMO Nomenclature     Receiver Diversity         Branch Selection Diversity         Branch-Combining Diversity         Diversity Antenna Array, Type, Orientation, and Spacing     Transmit Beam-Forming Types         Legacy Beam Forming         Implicit Beam Forming         Explicit Beam Forming     MIMO Antenna Array Coverage and Placement Coding     Binary Convolutional Coding (BCC)     Low-Density Parity Checking (LDPC) HT PHY and Operation     HT Mixed     HT-Greenfield Format Channel Bonding/40-MHz-Wide Channels     Protection Power Management Packet Aggregation     Bursting/Block ACK (BACK)     Short Guard Interval (GI)     Reduced Inter-Frame Spacing (RIFS) Reverse Direction Protocol (RDP) Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) Configuration Requirements to Obtain HT Rates Predicting 802.11 Link Performance Summary Chapter 4 Cisco Unified Wireless LAN Security Fundamentals Understanding WLAN Security Challenges     Vulnerabilities Inherent to the Radio Transmission Medium         Physical Containment Problem         Unlicensed Radio Spectrum Problem     Vulnerabilities Inherent to the Standards Definitions         Authentication and Encryption Weaknesses         Unauthenticated Management Frames     Vulnerabilities Inherent to Mobility     Misconfigured Wireless Devices and Clients     Rogue Access Points and Devices     Readily Available Profiling and Attack Tools Addressing the WLAN Security Challenges     Background on Strong Authentication and Privacy         How WEP Encryption Works         How WEP Is Broken         802.11 Authentication     Addressing the Strong Authentication and Privacy Challenges         Authentication Framework         Authentication Algorithm         Data Privacy and Integrity         Alternative Approaches to Authentication and Data Privacy     Rogue Access Point Detection and Wireless Intrusion Prevention     Secure Management and Security Policies Summary References Chapter 5 Design Considerations 100 Percent Wireless Access Layer     Client Device Power     RF Vulnerability     Volume of Network Traffic Increased and Difficult WLAN Coverage Requirements     Elevators         External Bleed-Through         Elevator Shaft Coverage         Access Point Installed in Elevator Car Continuous Availability and Outage Planning     Power Loss         Equipment Failures: APs, WLCs, and Backhaul Network     RF Interference         Denial of Service Attacks         Business Operation Continuity in the WLAN Era Power Conservation Flexibility WLAN Capacity Summary Chapter 6 Cisco Unified Wireless LAN Architectures Cisco Unified Wireless LAN Architecture Review Architectural Flexibility, Scalability, and Resiliency     Architectural Flexibility     Architectural Resiliency         N:1 WLC Redundancy         N:N WLC Redundancy         N:N:1 WLC Redundancy     Architectural Scalability         Mobility         Mobility Domains Campus Architectures     Enterprise Wiring Closet Deployment     Enterprise Distribution Layer Deployment     Data Center or Services Block Deployments     Campus HREAP Branch Architectures     Distributed Branch Controller Placement     Centralized Controller Placement with HREAP     Office Extend AP (OEAP) Summary Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Tools for Troubleshooting 802.11 Wireless Networks     Wireless LAN Controller Command-Line Interface     Wireless Control System (WCS)     Wireless Protocol Analyzer     Spectrum Analyzers Isolating Issues on the Cisco Unified Wireless Network     Protocol/Network Issues         LWAPP/CAPWAP Discovery Process         Troubleshooting the LWAPP CAPWAP Discovery Process         Network Considerations     Client Troubleshooting         Troubleshooting Client Issues Using the WLC CLI         Troubleshooting Client Issues Using WCS         Common Client Problems and Solutions The Wireless Medium: Troubleshooting Performance-Related Issues     Coverage and Interference Issues         Detecting, Isolating, and Solving Coverage Issues         Detecting, Isolating, and Solving Interference Issues Troubleshooting Advanced Wireless LAN Services     Voice over WLAN         Voice over WLAN Challenges         Troubleshooting VoWLAN     Location Troubleshooting         Troubleshooting Location Accuracy Summary Chapter 8 Introduction to WCS Designing Wireless Networks with WCS     WCS Requirements     WCS Interface     WCS Monitoring         Maps         Controllers and AP Monitor         Client Monitoring     WCS Reporting     WCS Configuration         Controller Configuration Templates         WCS Configuration and Template Auditing         AP Configuration Templates     WCS Services     WCS Administration         Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)         WCS Virtual Domains         WCS License Center Additional Benefits of WCS: Planning and Calibration Tools     WCS Planning     WCS Calibration Summary Chapter 9 Next-Generation Advanced Topics: Multicast Multicast     Multicast Definition     Multicast Addressing     Multicast Forwarding         Multicast Distribution Trees         Protocol Independent Multicasting (PIM)         IGMP Multicast Configuration in the CUWN     Access Point–to–Client Delivery     Client–to–Access Point Delivery     Enabling Multicast on a Cisco WLAN Controller         MGIDs     Multicast Mobility Messaging     Enabling Multicast on a Cisco Router or Layer 3 Switch VideoStream     Principles of VideoStream         Multicast Reliability         QoS     Configuring VideoStream on the WLC Additional Design Recommendations     Wireless Multicast Roaming     Wireless CAPWAP Fragmentation     All WLCs Have the Same CAPWAP Multicast Group Address     WLC Placement Summary     9781587058257    TOC    10/11/2010