Chapter 8

Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks

The following CompTIA A+ 220-801 Certification Exam objectives are covered in this chapter:

• 2.5 Compare and contrast wireless networking standards and encryption types.
  • Standards: 802.11 a/b/g/n; Speeds, distances, and frequencies
  • Encryption types: WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES
• 2.6 Install, configure, and deploy a SOHO wireless/wired router using appropriate settings.
  • MAC filtering
  • Channels (1–11)
  • Port forwarding, port triggering
  • SSID broadcast (on/off)
  • Wireless encryption
  • Firewall
  • DHCP (on/off)
  • DMZ
  • NAT
  • WPS
  • Basic QoS
• 2.7 Compare and contrast Internet connection types and features.
  • Cable
  • DSL
  • Dial-up
  • Fiber
  • Satellite
  • ISDN
  • Cellular (mobile hotspot)
  • Line of sight wireless internet service
  • WiMAX

Over the last two chapters we’ve talked a lot about foundational networking knowledge. We’ve discussed theoretical networking models, physical topologies, cables and connectors, and connectivity devices. We also spent an entire chapter devoted to the most common protocol of all, TCP/IP. The one critical technology we haven’t covered yet is wireless networking.

Because of the unique technology of wireless networking and its huge spike in popularity, it feels appropriate to talk about it as a separate entity. That said, it’s important to remember that wireless networking is just like wired networking only without the wires. You still need to figure out how to get resources connected to each other and give the right people access while keeping the bad people at bay. You’re now just playing the game with slightly different rules and many new challenges.

We’ll start this chapter off with the last of our key networking “theory” discussions, this one on wireless networking standards and encryption methods. From there, we’ll move on to setting up and configuring small networks. This is really where the rubber meets the road. Understanding the theory and technical specifications of networking is fine, but the true value in all of this knowledge comes in being able to make good recommendations and implement the right network for your client’s needs.