Managing and Securing a Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network (SWAN)

RF Basics
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| Radio signals are basically the propagation of energy using EM waves. |
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| Modulating your radio signal allows signals at the same frequency to transmit simultaneously on different channels. |
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| To ensure a good wireless connection, your signal-to-noise ratio must be minimal. |
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| Attenuation is the weakening of a radio signal and can be caused by many natural phenomena. |
Laws, Regulations, and Environmental Considerations
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| In the U.S., the FCC regulates all frequency spectrums for radio communication. |
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| Except for a few unlicensed bands, all radio transmitters require an FCC license. |
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| Low power, unlicensed transmitters can be used without a license, but there are several rules that must be adhered to. |
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| EM radiation can cause health problem in high doses. |
IEEE 802.11 Standards
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| The IEEE 802.x standards have been developed as a common set of standards to design network communications. |
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| The IEEE 802.11x standard covers the data-link and physical layers of the OSI model. |
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| Each of the IEEE 802.11x standards has a specific number and frequency of channels that can be used. |
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| IEEE 802.11 defines the use of FHSS, 802.11a uses OFDM, and 802.11b uses DSSS. |
Planning for RF Deployment
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| When planning your wireless coverage, always plan for overlapping areas of coverage. |
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| Carefully choose your 802.11x standard based on the needs for your environment and the benefits of each standard. |
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| Choosing the antennas that you will implement is very important. |
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| It is critical to perform... |