WIRELESS
NETWORK
BY NANYONJO SHALOM RITAH
2400701114
24/U/1114
DEFINITION OF WIRELESS NETWORK
Wireless network is a type of computer network that uses wireless data
connections between network nodes.
They're commonly used in ; homes, offices and public places
ILLUSTRATION OF A WIRELESS
NETWORK
APPLICATIONS OF WIRELESS NETWORKS
• Home networks
• Business networks
• Public hotspots
• IoT( Internet of things)
TYPES OF WIRELESS NETWORK
• Wireless Local Area Network( WLAN)
• This covers a small area and it provides internet access to
devices within a specific range
• WLAN Technologies
• Bluetooth
• WIFI ( wireless fidelity)
• Infrared communication
ILLUSTRATION OF WIRELESS LOCAL
AREA NETWORK
WIRELESS WIDE AREA NETWORK
(WWAN)
• This is a wireless network that covers a large area such as country or
continent
WIRELESS METROPOLITAN AREA
NETWORK(WMAN)
Definition
This is a wireless network that covers large areas
like cities. It bridges the gap between LAN and WAN
Illustration
WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORK
(WPAN)
Definition
This is a wireless network that facilitate
communication over a short range typically within
a person's vicinity Illustration
REQUIREMENTS FOR SETTING UP A
WIRELESS NETWORK
• Selecting appropriate hardware like wireless routers and Access Points
• Network configuration to set up the network to operate according to
organisation's policies
• Deployment of Access points
• Implementing an advanced security setup
• Monitoring and optimisation
COMPONENTS OF WIRELESS NETWORK
• Access points, these act as gateways linking wireless devices to the
network
• Wireless Network Interface Card(NIC), enable devices to connect to
wireless network
• Wireless repeaters/extenders, amplify wireless signal
• Antennas, they determine the strength and range of wireless network
• Network switches and controllers, facilitate traffic management and
offer centralized control
• Wireless clients
ILLUSTRATIONS OF WIRELESS NETWORK
COMPONENTS
Access Points Wireless Antenna
ILLUSTRATIONS OF WIRELESS NETWORK
COMPONENTS CT'D
Wireless NIC Switch
WIRELESS NETWORK CONNECTION
MODES
• Infrastructure mode, devices connect to the network through an
access point or router
• Ad hoc mode, devices connect to the network without use of a router
or access point
• Mesh network mode, this is characterized by a network of nodes that
dynamically cooperate to distribute data among themselves
• Repeater mode, a device extends the range of wireless network by
receiving signals from an access point and rebroadcasting them
WIRELESS SIGNAL PROPAGATION
• Wireless signals Propagation refers to the movement of signals
through different mediums like air.
• Factors affecting Propagation include:
• Reflection: Signal bounces off surfaces like walls.
• Refraction: Signal bends when passing through different materials.
• Diffraction: Signal bends around obstacles.
• Absorption: Signal loses strength when passing through objects.
WIRELESS MODULATION
Wireless modulation is the process of encoding information onto a
carrier wave for transmission over a wireless channel. This encoding
involves
Types of Wireless Modulations
Amplitude Modulation (AM): Varies the amplitude of the carrier
signal.
Frequency Modulation (FM): Varies the frequency of the carrier
signal.
Phase Modulation (PM): Varies the phase of the carrier signal.
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM): Combines amplitude
and phase modulation to increase data rates.
FUNCTIONS OF WIRELESS MODULATION
• It enables wireless transmission
• It facilitates transmitting multiple signals
• It improves the quality of wireless signal
• It reduces noise and interference to the signals
• It enables long distance communication
4. WIRELESS TRANSMISSION MODES
• Wireless transmission modes refer to the ways data can
be sent wirelessly between devices
Types
• Simplex– One-way communication (e.g., radio broadcasting).
• Half-duplex – Two-way communication, but only one direction at a time
(e.g., walkie-talkies).
• Full-duplex – Two-way simultaneous communication (e.g., mobile
phones, Wi-Fi).
ILLUSTRATION OF WIRELESS
TRANSMISSION
NETWORK ACCESS METHODS
• Definition:
• Methods used to allow multiple devices to share
the same communication channel.
FDMA( Frequency Division Multiple Access): Divides
communication medium into frequency bands
• Polling: uses a master device to poll each device and check if it has
data to transmit.
• CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access): Uses unique codes to
differentiate between devices.
• Token passing: uses a special frame (token) to pass sequentially
between devices in a network
FACTORS CONSIDERED WHEN
CHOOSING AN ACCESS METHOD
• Cost
• Type of network
• Scalability
• Traffic patterns
• Network topology
• Performance
WIRELESS SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
• Wireless networks are prone to security
threats like eavesdropping, interference, and
hacking.
• Common security measures include:
ENCRYPTION
• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): An outdated and insecure encryption
method.
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): Improved security over WEP, using TKIP
(Temporal Key Integrity Protocol).
• WPA2: Uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for stronger security.
• WPA3: The latest security protocol, offering enhanced protection against
brute-force attacks.
AUTHENTICATION
• PSK (Pre-Shared Key): A shared password used for
authentication.
• 802.1X: A more secure authentication method that
uses a RADIUS server
• Firewalls and VPNs for secure data transmissi
CHALLENGES IN WIRELESS
TRANSMISSION
• Interference
• Caused by other wireless devices, physical obstacles, and
environmental factors.
• Co-channel Interference: Multiple devices using the same
frequency.
• Adjacent Channel Interference: Overlapping frequencies
cause distortion.
• Environmental Factors: Other electronic devices and
physical obstructions reduce signal quality.
• Attenuation: Signal strength decreases with
distance.
• Multipath Fading: Signals reflect off surfaces,
causing multiple versions of the signal to arrive at
the receiver at different times.
• Hidden Node Problem: Occurs when two devices
cannot detect each other but can interfere with
each other's transmissions.
• Doppler Effect – Frequency changes
due to movement of sender or receiver.
• Weather Conditions – Rain, fog, and
humidity can weaken signals.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
WIRELESS NETWORKS
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Convenience, provide greater • Interference, can be affected by
mobility and flexibility physical barriers
Easy installation than wired • Security risks, they're vulnerable
networks to security risks
Increased productivity, enable • Range and coverage is limited
internet accessibility anywhere which can affect connectivity
Scalability
THANK
YOU
