Wireless Internet

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Wireless Internet

• An technology overview and guide to effective use
  at home, work, and in the classroom.

Larry MacPhee e-Learning Center Northern Arizona
University
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Infrared

• Found on older PDAs, Laptops, Printers
• Requires Line-of-sight
• Short range
• Flaky
• Not widely adopted
• Now used mostly for remotes

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GPRS and Cell Phones

• Discussion for another day

But consider how these devices can be used in the
classroom by studentswith or without instructor
encouragement!
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• Bluetooth http//www.bluetooth.com
• Named after Danish King Harald Bluetooth
  Blaatand (910-985 AD), credited with uniting
  Denmark and Norway.
• Radio waves
• Short range (30 ft.)
• Computer to Mouse, Keyboard, Cell Phone, PDA
• Data rate 1 Mbps (megabits per second)

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Wi-Fi

• Wi-Fi wireless fidelity
• http//www.wi-fi.org
• IEEE 802.11 protocol
• Long range (150 ft)
• Uses Radio Frequency (RF)

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What we mean by wireless

• An extension of an existing Internet connection
• Not a stand-alone connection
• Allows computers to connect to
• other computers (directly)
• local networks and devices
• the Internet

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Ways to Connect

• PC to PC
• (Ad Hoc)

• PC to Wireless Access Point
• (Infrastructure) Hot Spot

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What do I need?

• Computer
• Wi-Fi card
• Built-in wireless
• Wireless Access Point (WAP)
• Public or Private?
• Open or Secure?
• Free or Paid?

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Does my PC have Wi-Fi?

• Start / Control Panel / Network Connections

• If you see Wireless Network Connection youre
  all set!
• Double-click to see available networks

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Joining a Wi-Fi Network Win XP
Open
Secure
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Joining a Wi-Fi Network Mac

• On the Mac, Wi-Fi is called AirPort

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Adding Wireless Capabilities

• Where to buy?
• NAU bookstore
• Computer store
• Office supply store

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Setting up a WAP at home

• High Speed Internet Connection
• Cable Modem
• DSL Modem
• Instructions vary, but are usually poor!
• Apple, Linksys, Belkin, D-Link are good brands
• Take the time to set up the security!
• Skill Level Required Intermediate to High

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Finding a Hot Spot

• Search the web
• http//www.wifi411.com
• http//www.jiwire.com
• Scan your locale
• stumbler software
• hotspot finder gizmo.

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Public Hot Spots in Flagstaff

• Free (Usually Open)
• Late For the Train
• Macys
• Uptown Billiards
• Pay n Take
• NAU (Guest access)
• Know of Others?

• Paid (Usually Secure)
• Kinkos
• Barnes and Noble
• Campus Coffee Bean
• Starbucks
• Embassy Suites
• UPS Store
• Varsity Espresso
• McDonalds
• Days Inn

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Access Points at NAU
WAPs at NAU
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Connecting at NAU

• http//www.nau.edu/wireless
• VPN for security
• vpn.nau.edu
• Solution Center at 3-1511 (faculty/staff)

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Current Wi-Fi Protocols
Protocol Data Rate Range Compatibility
802.11b 11 Mbps Long First out
802.11a 54 Mbps Short No
802.11g 54 Mbps Long With b

• Detailed Comparisons of a, b, and g
• Performance degrades on mixed b/g networks

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Future Wi-Fi Protocols
Protocol Data Rate Range Compatibility
802.11n 100 Mbps Longer(250 ft) b and g
Wi-Max 70 Mbps Longest (5 - 30 mi) 802.16

• Pre-802.11n is being sold now
• Wi-Max promises very long distance
• (ideal when Cable and DSL are not practical)

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Wireless Speed Range

• A g base station can transmit at maximum data
  rate (54 Mbps) up to about 50 ft, but declines to
  11 Mbps by 150 ft.
• Max range 500 ft. outdoors
• Physical site conditions vary
• Antennas can help
• Signal is omni-directional

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Roaming Wirelessly
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Wi-Fi Interference

• b and g use RF in 2.4 GHz range
• 11 channels, but
• Interference from
• Microwave Ovens
• Cordless Phones
• Bluetooth Devices
• Baby Monitors
• More reading

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Wireless Security

• Hide your SSID
• Restrict MAC Addresses
• Use Data Encryption
• 40 Bit WEP
• 128 Bit WEP
• WPA
• Use a VPN
• Look for https

• Why Use Security?
• To Control Access to WAP
• To Protect Confidential Data

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Geek fun Build a Cantenna

• Extend the range by shaping the signal
• Point-to-point
• Line of sight
• 10 miles?
• Buy it
• Build it!

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Geek Fun II Wi-Fi Printing
Make your old laser printer wireless! Skill
Level High Cost 100
Instructions
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Classroom Uses of Wi-Fi

• Advantages of a Mobile Laptop Lab
• Saves space
• Multi-use room
• Equipment sharing
• Wireless Access Point
• Charging
• Printing
• Security
• Accountability

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A Wired Classroom
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A Wireless Meeting Place
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Outdoor Roaming Wireless
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A Wireless Lecture Hall
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Tablet PCs and PDAs?

• How can they be used?
• What advantages?
• What disadvantages?

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Final Thoughts

• What if you dont want Wireless?
• IM during tests?
• Bootleg WAPs
• Unwelcome surfing?
• WiFi free zone?
• Enforcement? PDAs, Cell Phones, etc.

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Acknowledgements

• Stephanie McCarthy - Graphics
• Don Carter - Additional Content
• Kevin Mackett - Additional Content