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A DEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR
PRESENTED BY
kadiritoyin2007@yahoo.com
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Abstract
This seminar paper extensively discusses Wireless Local Area Network as an alternative to
Cabled Local Area network (LAN). The paper classifies networking into three major parts (i.e
Local Area Network-LAN, Metropolitan Area Network-MAN, Wide Area Network-WAN). It
also presents Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN),
Personal Area Network (PAN), Home Area Network (HAN), Storage Area Network (SAN),
Enterprise Area Network (EAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN) and lastly, Campus Area
Network (CAN) as further classification of networks based on the initial three major
classifications. It also describes the implementation of WLAN by using one of the computer
laboratories of Dr. Olagunju’s Computer Centre of Federal Polytechnic Offa as a case study. The
standard WLAN is carried out using 15 personal computers and other network devices. The
circuitry structure and cost analysis are also presented.
Keywords: Computer, Network, Access Point, PC Cards, IEEE 802.11.
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Introduction
This seminar paper is on Wireless Local Area Network, it starts by looking at the basics of
networking since WLAN is an extension of, or alternative to, LAN which is one of the major
categories of network classifications. There is also Wireless Wide Area Network which is an
extension of or alternative to WAN but this paper limits its discussion to WLAN.
advanced, the issue of networking came into existence. The Engineers later thought of
connecting two or more computers together to share resources which gave birth to networking.
The Computer Engineers brought in computer network which makes it easier for two or more
computers to be connected together and communicate with a view to sharing resources such as
printers, telephone lines, fax machine, scanner, drives etc. So, Network is interconnectivity of
Computer Network
Computer network is a connection of two or more computer systems together in order to share
resources such as printers, drives, internet, telephone lines, fax machine, applications etc
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Metropolitan Area Network
connection of two or more LANs within the metropolis. . MAN can be wired, wireless or both
like LAN.
This is a connection of two or more computers within a large geographical area such as country
to country, city to city, state to state etc. e.g. Nigeria to Ghana, and Nigeria to India etc. WAN
Access Point
The access point is a device that links a wireless network to a wired LAN. It increases the
effective range of a wireless network and provides additional network management and security
features. Wireless networks of three or fewer PCs do not require an access point for ad-hoc
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networking. Access points are useful for larger networks, and they are particularly well-suited
Router
A router is a device used for sharing a single Internet connection across multiple computers. This
is ideal in the home or office where multiple computers and devices can be online at the same
PC Card
The main objective of this paper is to equip IT support staff, students, instructors, network users
of any establishment, and anybody who is interested in WLAN with the first hand information on
wireless LAN, and what it takes to implement a standard wireless LAN environment. Also, it is
to enhance learning and teaching on Wireless LAN Networking with a view to providing a
conducive environment for teaching, learning and research. This paper will be useful to both
students and instructors of computer science who want to know more about wireless LAN
because the paper has been prepared to be a source of knowledge for IT managers, Engineers,
staff, students and network users, and anyone who is interested in knowing the technologies
behind wireless LAN and how it can be used to enhance performance. The readers will not only
have ideas of technical issues involved in implementing a standard WLAN, but they will also
appreciate the ways in which a wireless LAN can enhance educational process for students, staff
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Wireless LAN Technology
Wired LAN is implemented using networking cables to connect two or more computers and
other networking devices together to share resources such as internet, printers, telephone,
scanner etc. This is achieved by using cables as a networking media; Wireless LAN is easy way
of extending or replacing a wired Local Area Network simply called LAN. Wireless LAN
enables users to connect wireless devices without using cables. This seminar paper, therefore,
Method of Research
Technical Standards
Technical standards are one of the main concerns of users of wireless LAN products. Users
would like to buy wireless products from different manufacturers and be able to use them on one
network. The IEEE Project 802.11 has set up universal standards for wireless LAN. Some of
Requirements
In March 1992, the IEEE Project 802.11 established a set of requirements for wireless LAN. The
minimum bandwidth needed for operations such as file transfer and program loading is 1Mbps.
Operations which need real-time data transmission such as digital voice and process control,
The Project 802.11 committee distinguished between two types of wireless LAN :
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"ad-hoc" and "infrastructred" networks [4] [7].
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Figure 2 : (a) Infrastructred Wireless LAN; (b) Ad-hoc Wireless LAN. [4] [7]
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Ad-hoc Networks
Figure 2b shows an ad-hoc network. This network can be set up by a number of mobile users
meeting in a small room. It does not need any support from a wired/wireless backbone. There are
Broadcasting/Flooding
This aspect explains a situation in which a mobile user A wants to send data to another user B in
the same area. When the packets containing the data are ready, user A broadcasts the packets. On
receiving the packets, the receiver checks the identification on the packet. If that receiver is not
the correct destination, then it rebroadcasts the packets. This process is repeated until user B gets
the data. In this method, the mobile users set up a temporary infrastructure. But this method is
complicated and it introduces overheads. It is useful only when there is small number of mobile
users.
Infrastructure Networks
Figure 2a shows an infrastructure-based network. This type of network allows users to move in a
building while they are connected to computer resources. The IEEE Project 802.11 specified the
Temporary Infrastructure
In infrastructure network, a cell is also known as a Basic Service Area (BSA). It contains a
number of wireless stations. The size of a BSA depends on the power of the transmitter and
receiver units, it also depends on the environment. A number of BSAs are connected to each
other and to a distribution system by Access Points (APs). A group of stations belonging to an
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AP is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). Figure 3 shows the basic architecture for wireless LANs.
WLAN topologies
IEEE 802.11 supports three basic topologies for WLANs [2][3]: the Independent Basic Service
Set (IBSS), the Basic Service Set (BSS), and the Extended Service Set (ESS). All three
configurations are supported by the MAC layer implementation. The 802.11 standard defines
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two modes: ad-hoc/IBSS and infrastructure mode. Logically, an ad-hoc configuration is
server [2]. IBSS WLANs include a number of nodes or wireless stations that communicate
directly with one another on an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer basis, building a full-mesh or partial-mesh
topology. Generally, ad-hoc implementations cover a limited area and are not connected to any
larger network.
Using infrastructure mode, the wireless network consists of at least one access point connected to
the wired network infrastructure and a set of wireless end stations. This configuration is called a
Basic Service Set (BSS). Since most corporate WLANs require access to the wired LAN for
services (file servers, printers, Internet links), they will operate in infrastructure mode and rely
on an Access Point (AP) that acts as the logical server for a single WLAN cell or channel.
Communications between two nodes, A and B, actually flow from node A to the AP and then
from the AP to node B. The AP is necessary to perform a bridging function and connect multiple
WLAN cells or channels, and to connect WLAN cells to a wired enterprise LAN.
This section discusses design and implementation of a standard wireless LAN using Dr.
The Table 1 through 5 below show the list of equipment used in designing Wireless LAN in
LAB 1 of Dr. Olagunju Computer Centre, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State.
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TABLE 1 COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND ACCESSORIES
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S/N ITEMS QTY
WIRELESS ROUTER/AP:
IEEE802.11 B/G/N DRAFT 2.0, N10,000 N10,000
14 1
2T3R MODES, SUPPORT
64/128-BIT WEP
2.4GHZ (IEEE 802.11G/B) N2,000 N32,000
15 WIRELESS, 108MBPS PCI 16
CARD
16HP/7.5KVA ELECTRIC N120,000 N120,000
16 GENERATOR (FIREMAN OR 1
SANDY BRAND)
APC SOCKETS EXTENSION N2,000 N20,000
17 10
WITH SURGE ARREST
13
100AH DEEP CYCLE N15,000 N225,000
4 15
BATTERIES
STEEL BATTERY RACK AND N5,000 N5,000
5 LOT
ACCESSORIES
STEEL FRAME AND SUNDRY N4,500 N4,500
6 1
ITEMS
CHARGE CONTROLLER N5,500 N5,500
7 LOT
(MINIMUM OF 30A/180V/5KW)
COST
The overall estimation of the implementation is N2, 681,800 (Two million, six hundred and
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Discussion
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Figure 4: The Design of a Standard WLAN for LAB1 of Dr. Olagunju Computer Centre Fed
Poly Offa
Figure 4 demonstrates the design of a standard Wireless LAN in Lab 1 of Dr. Olagunju
Computer Centre Fed Poly Offa, Kwara state. The centre has four(4 ) laboratories with wired
LAN structure. It is a storey building with 2 laboratories downstairs and two upstairs. Laboratory
1 is by the left hand side while entering the centre and with this new design, it is the only
Laboratory that is having complete wireless LAN deployment and above is the simulated design
diagram. The network was simulated using Packet Tracer 4.11; the design was later printed to
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jpeg file and pasted within this paper for demonstration. The laboratory1 is partitioned into three
rows apart from the server room, each part consists of 5 personal computers with wireless
capacity. A wireless router is placed in the server room which is connected to an i-direct modem
that gives access to the cloud through a satellite dish connected to the cloud. There are: a server,
2 Printers (1 colour and 1 black laser Jet printer connected to the wireless through their
individual wireless cards), one photocopy machine, 1.5 horse power Air Conditioned, and one
ceiling fan. Outside the server room, there are 2 pieces of 1.5 horse power Air Conditioned, 2
industrial standing fans. The key beside the diagram shows the descriptions.
Recommendation
Corporations and businesses are now moving towards wireless technology which is now gaining
more popularity than the wired LAN. Technology is advancing and due to many of its
advantages that are more than the disadvantages. It is strongly recommended that the network
user should deploy wireless LAN instead of wired LAN in order to give room for mobility,
convenience, easy set up, wiring cost reduction, productivity and scalability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the initial cost of installation of a wireless LAN might be expensive than a wired
LAN, but as time goes on, the benefits of wireless LAN would show up. For example, a
company with wired network that want to relocate to another business area would spend higher
than a company running a wireless LAN. Most especially, when there is need for constant
relocation.
REFERENCES
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[1] Cox D. (1994) ‘Wireless Personal Communications : What is it?’ IEEE Personal
[2] Plamen Nedeltchev (2001) Wireless Local Area Networks and the 802.11 Standard.
MAC.pdf
[4] http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~nd/surprise_95/journal/vol2/mjf/article2.html
[5] Anderson D. and J. Molyneaux ‘Three Technical Hurdles on the Road to a Wireless office-
integration, integration, integration’. 1992 IEEE International Conference on Selected Topics
in Wireless Communications. 387-390.
[6] Links C. , W. Diepstraten W. and V.Hayes (1994) ‘Universal Wireless LANs’. Byte. 19 (5):
99-108.
[7] Chen K. (1994) ‘Medium Access Control of Wireless LANs for Mobile Computing’. IEEE
Network. 50-63.
[8 ] Government of Alberta (2011) ‘Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Best Practices
Guide’.
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