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What Is WLAN?
A Wireless local Area Network or WLAN is a technique of linking devices to wirelessly to the Internet. The process provides a connection through an access point (AP) to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network. Most modern WLANs are based on IEEE 802.11 standards, marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name.
Wireless Uses
Tablets
Notebooks Netbooks desktops E-textbooks Students Response Systems Laptops Smart phones
MiMP technology in 802.11n reduced multipath nulls by using two antenna to recover signals.
According to Dells K12 Wireless Network: A Planning Guide for K12 IT Professionals, (Nov. 2010) high speed Wi-Fi connection is significantly less expensive than the cost of wiring each device and less to power, cool, and administer.
Objectives
To improve academic achievement To ensure fiscal responsibility and effect resources stewardship Provide opportunities for students all students to master 21 st century skills Remove barriers and provide opportunities for innovative technology solutions that meet the needs of todays teachers and students. Provide teachers, administrators, and students ubiquitous access to digital content and online resources. Central management Easy to install and manage with existing IT staff
WLAN with centralized architecture move information from access points (AP) to a centralized WLAN switch or mobility controller. Some mobility controllers can be use to scale the support of hundreds of APs allowing a pilot program to grow to use by the whole school or by a growing student body.
Management of AP devices can be done from a central location. Centralized WLAN solutions can continually monitor the radio frequency environment and automatically adjust AP settings to ease management burdens. Some solutions automatically detect AP overload or failure and adjust the power of other nearby Aps to fill the gap. By consolidating and automating management, schools can administer and maintain mobility networks with minimal resources (Reckles, 2007)
Management
Authenticating Users Wireless is shared and open by default. Protection can be established by utilizing web-based authentication or captive portal. This means users must enter a username and password on a webpage before they are permitted to connect to the network. IT departments should identify captive portal solutions that allow the administrator to specify customized firewall access policies (Reckles, 2007).
Network Security-Authentication
Controlling Access Centralized controllers with an integrated policy enforcement firewalls allows network managers to create and apply unique roles for different users such as students, teacher, administrators, and guests. The parameters can be set based on group, applications, time of day and location.
Network Intrusion Networks should be able to detect an unknown AP and determine whether it is valid, interfering, or rogue and alert the IT manager or disable the AP.
Who will the network serve? (students, administrators, guests) Where will the users use the network? What type of access will be available to different users?
Will users move from place to place? Will users be confined to a certain space?
Count the number of wireless access points you need and where they should be placed.
Step 5: Estimate the number of users and devices for the next three years.
Consider school population growth Consider each student may use up to 3 devices (smart phones, laptops, tablets) so 10 students may use = 30 talking devices
Renewal fees
Each access point (AP) runs off a Cat5e cable and Ethernet or local power source
Step 7: Research
Move any APs due to previously unseen interference Test security settings
Not being able to connect Getting disconnected Not understanding how wireless networks work
Cautions
Establish Control
Who can use the network What users have access to Identify and prevent unauthorized traffic Prepare for variable traffic flow (first bell vs. lunch)
Security
Manageability Scalability Affordability
Resources
Smith, R. (2011). Setting up school wi-fi part 2: larger networks. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/setting_up_school_wifi_part_2.shtml Dell. (2010). K12 wireless network: A planning guide for k12 IT professionals. Dell Publications. Retrieved from http://content.dell.com/us/en/k-12/d/public~solutions~k12~en/Documents~k-12wireless-networking-whitepaper.pdf.aspx Peterson, T. (2009). Building a wireless future. EDTECH Focus on K12. Retrieved from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2009/12/building-a-wireless-future
Reckles, D. (2007). Lessons in wireless for k-12 schools. The Top 8 Criteria for Evaluating. Aruba Networks Inc. Retrieved from http://www.arubanetworks.com/technology/white-papers/ Savannah Chatham County Public School System. (2012). District technology plan 2012-2015: transforming the education system. Wilson, A. (2012) Three requirements for mobility on k-12 school wireless networks. IT Solutions Blog. Retrieved fromhttp://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/77375/3Requirements-for-mobility-on-k-12-school-wireless-networks