Wireless 101

1
Wireless 101

• Brian Heil
• Consultant, Ezrasoft Consulting Design

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Overview

• Why Wireless?
• Security
• Bandwidth
• Cost

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Why Wireless?

• Fixed wireless network
• Dubuque County Library Epworth Branch
• Wireless HotSpot
• What are you providing?
• What are the risks?
• What is the cost?

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Security

• Wireless networks are basically insecure
• What can we do to fix it?
• Throw money at the problem
• Take steps to mitigate the risks

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Securely Configured WLAN(translation )
- from Internet Security Systems Wireless LAN
Security Technical Whitepaper
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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

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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

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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

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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

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Cost

• SOHO vs Enterprise equipment
• Number of clients
• Security costs money
• Hardware costs
• Staff costs

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Policies

• In lieu of money your WLAN policy is the key

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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

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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