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This course provides a comprehensive overview of wireless networking and demonstrates practical application of these concepts through hands-on projects involving Wireless LANS (WLANs). Students will learn how to configure wireless hardware and software and explore the best techniques for creating and managing WLANs.

This class introduces the basic concepts of wireless networking and reviews the available wireless technologies. It focuses on a real-world environment -- how wireless networking is employed daily in both business and personal uses -- and the advantages and disadvantages of wireless networking. People use wireless networking everyday whether it is through the Internet or their cell phone -- no one can escape it.

Wireless technology allows people to travel almost anywhere in the world while remaining within constant communication with home and business networks. Wireless technology works without visible cables and is divided into three categories according to transmission distance: Wireless personal area networks (WPANs) extend up to 10 feet, wireless local area networks (WLANs) extend up to 375 feet and wireless wide area networks (WWANs) extend 500 feet to 75 miles.

WPANs include Bluetooth and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies. Bluetooth is a low-cost, low-power solution that enables individuals to connect all of their mobile devices -- phones, PDAs and laptops -- while RFID is an updateable microchip containing information -- usually about a product.

WWANs technologies include fixed broadband (WiMax), free space optics (FSO) and Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM). WiMax and FSO are used by larger companies because they are a higher cost and provide greater speed and transmission distances. Cellular phones are based on GSM technology, and information is sent via the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). WAP uses a microbrowser and WML (wireless markup language).

Course Objectives

• By the end of this course, students will be able to describe applications for wireless local area networks (WLANs) and explain WLAN fundamentals and standards. They will examine the hardware and software components of a WLAN, outline connectivity of wireless media to a wired network and discuss the various design options for a WLAN. They will also know how to prepare security strategies for specific WLANs.