Wireless 101

Brian HeilConsultant, Ezrasoft Consulting & Design

Overview

• Why Wireless?

• Security

• Bandwidth

• Cost

Why Wireless?

• ‘Fixed’ wireless network– Dubuque County Library Epworth

Branch

• Wireless ‘HotSpot’– What are you providing?– What are the risks?– What is the cost?

Security

• Wireless networks are basically insecure

• What can we do to fix it?– Throw money at the problem– Take steps to mitigate the risks

Securely Configured WLAN

(translation $$$)

- from Internet Security Systems Wireless LAN Security Technical Whitepaper

SecurityRisk Mitigation

• Do not use default configuration options on Access Points (wireless routers) – the bad guys know all of these!

• Use as much security provided by the Access Point as possible– WEP– WPA– Hide AP as much as possible

SecurityRisk Mitigation

• Cover only areas you want to have access. Leakage and maximum transmit power widen the attack surface.

• Client protection – Personal firewalls– Up to date virus scanners

Bandwidth

• 802.11b bandwidth is 11 Mbps

• 802.11g bandwidth is 54 Mbps

• What is your bandwidth out of the building?– all LAN and WLAN nodes share

this pipe

Bandwidth

• Access points provide limited connectivity

• How many connected clients will you allow = how many Access Points you will purchase.

• More potential problems with configuration of APs

Cost

• SOHO vs Enterprise equipment

• Number of clients

• Security costs money– Hardware costs– Staff costs

Policies

• In lieu of money your WLAN policy is the key

Policies

• Before you implement WLAN consider– What you are offering and why– Security risks to your LAN– Cost of installation as well as cost

of maintaining security– Impact on current infrastructure

Questions?

• http://www.ezrasoft.com/ila– Slideshow– Links to resources– See especially the article from

WebJunction entitled: Ten Steps to Wireless Internet Access in Your Library