Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals: An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks [Paperback]

Jeff Smith (Author), Jake Woodhams (Author), Robert Marg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1587058251 | ISBN-13: 978-1587058257 | Edition: 1

Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals

An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks

 

Jeff Smith
Jake Woodhams
Robert Marg

 

As wired networks are increasingly replaced with 802.11n wireless connections, enterprise users are shifting to centralized, next-generation architectures built around Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC). These networks will increasingly run business-critical voice, data, and video applications that once required wired Ethernet.

 

In Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals, three senior Cisco wireless experts bring together all the practical and conceptual knowledge professionals need to confidently design, configure, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot 802.11n networks with Cisco Unified Wireless Network (CUWN) technologies.

 

The authors first introduce the core principles, components, and advantages of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco offerings. Drawing on their pioneering experience, the authors present tips, insights, and best practices for network design and implementation as well as detailed configuration examples.

 

Next, they illuminate key technologies ranging from WLCs to Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP), Fixed Mobile Convergence to WiFi Voice. They also show how to take advantage of the CUWN’s end-to-end security, automatic configuration, self-healing, and integrated management capabilities.

 

This book serves as a practical, hands-on reference for all network administrators, designers, and engineers through the entire project lifecycle, and an authoritative learning tool for new wireless certification programs. This is the only book that

• Fully covers the principles and components of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco WLCs and Cisco 802.11n AP
• Brings together real-world tips, insights, and best practices for designing and implementing next-generation wireless networks
• Presents start-to-finish configuration examples for common deployment scenarios
• Reflects the extensive first-hand experience of Cisco experts

 

 

• Gain an operational and design-level understanding of WLAN Controller (WLC) architectures, related technologies, and the problems they solve
• Understand 802.11n, MIMO, and protocols developed to support WLC architecture
• Use Cisco technologies to enhance wireless network reliability, resilience, and scalability while reducing operating expenses
• Safeguard your assets using Cisco Unified Wireless Network’s advanced security features
• Design wireless networks capable of serving as an enterprise’s primary or only access network and supporting advanced mobility services
• Utilize Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to plan, deploy, monitor, troubleshoot, and report on wireless networks throughout their lifecycles
• Configure Cisco wireless LANs for multicasting
• Quickly troubleshoot problems with Cisco controller-based wireless LANs

 

This book is part of the Cisco Press® Fundamentals Series. Books in this series introduce networking professionals to new networking technologies, covering network topologies, sample deployment concepts, protocols, and management techniques.

 

Category: Wireless

Covers: Cisco Controller-Based Wireless LANs

 

 

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Smith is a wireless consulting systems engineer in the Cisco Systems Borderless Networking Organization. His 25 years of experience include the planning, analysis, design, implementation, installation, and support of numerous wireless network-based solutions for enterprises, municipalities, hospitals, universities, airports, warehouses, mines, and product manufacturers worldwide. He has developed and instructed dozens of training courses on wireless networking topics. Prior to joining Cisco Systems, Jeff was an early employee at several wireless and security startup companies. Jeff’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in telecommunications with emphasis on wireless communications. Jeff’s certifications include CWNE (Certified Wireless Network Expert), IEEE WCET (Wireless Communications Engineering Technology Certification), and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).

 

Jake Woodhams is a senior manager of technical marketing in the Cisco Wireless Networking Business Unit. In this role, he is responsible for technical product definition and systems architecture, focusing on Cisco Unified Wireless LAN architecture. He hass been working with wireless technology at Cisco for seven years and has an intimate knowledge of the protocols and products in the Cisco wireless portfolio. As a writer, he’s the author of numerous white papers and design and deployment guides as well as several contributed articles.

 

Robert Marg is a wireless consulting systems engineer in the Cisco Systems Borderless Networks Organization. As a technical leader in wireless, Robert is responsible for planning, designing, and supporting numerous wireless network–based solutions for enterprises, hospitals, universities, manufacturers, and K–12 customers. Prior to his role as a wireless consulting systems engineer, Robert spent time as a member of the federal, public sector, enterprise, and commercial sales organizations as a systems engineer, helping customers solve business challenges with technical solutions. Mr. Marg holds a bachelor’s degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As a writer, Robert has been the author of numerous white papers and a technical editor for the Cisco Press CCNA Exam Certification Guide.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press; 1 edition (November 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587058251
• ISBN-13: 978-1587058257
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Computers & Technology > Networking > Wireless Networks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent wireless reference., December 19, 2011

By 

Jason Westlund (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals: An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks (Paperback)

If you have an enterprise wireless network you'll benefit from this book. From spectrum and architecture to more advanced topics this book will will serve as a guide. As a CCIE with 20 years of wireless experience I've seen just how wireless has gone from a someday technology to an everyday requirement for doing business. As iPads and other mobile devices continue to explode and businesses allow bring your own device (BYOD) it's critical that you addressed the wireless fundamentals.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 802.11n and better wireless security, November 9, 2010

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals: An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks (Paperback)

There are several nice features about this book. The first is a chapter that gives a high level explanation of 802.11n, which is the latest and highest bandwidth wireless standard. The chapter refers to some 500 pages of the actual formal standard, but only hard core people in the wireless field will ever directly use the standard. Instead, we see that 802.11n can give 100Mb/s wireless bandwidth. Which is pretty fantastic, compared to the earlier 802.11a/b/g standards. So how is this possible? In short, thru the use of multiple antennas for transmission and receiving. The catchy acronym MIMO summarises this idea. The chapter has several neat diagrams that illustrate the antenna configurations. Typically, the diagrams have boxes that say DSP [digital signal processor], that are hooked to the antennas. As you might expect, even if you are not an electrical engineer, these conceal a vast amount of rapid and complex number crunching. The ongoing march of Moore's Law is what enables the building in silicon of these new DSPs that can handle multiple antennas. The chapter also refers to various antenna parameters that can be tweaked, but does not go into any details.

Perhaps only a few readers will actually need to adjust those parameters. I suspect that the typical network sysadmin does not do much or know much about antenna design. So the chapter's level of discussion is adequate for most readers.

Another chapter looks at Cisco's implementation of wireless LAN security. This is at a more detailed pace than the 802.11n chapter. The algorithms are covered in some depth, and take as their starting point and motivation the inadequacies of Wired Equivalent Privacy [WEP]. (The book cautions you to never use WEP.)

The difference between these 2 chapters is telling. As a network sysadmin, you are far more likely to be involved in maintaining security than optimising bandwidth access. So you need a strong understanding of the overall security mechanisms in Cisco's protocols and hardware. The narrative shows that Cisco has put much effort into making a formidable security apparatus.