CWNP Blog

CWNP
August 04, 2010

Free Wi-Fi Stumbling and Surveying Tools

You’ve most likely heard of NetStumbler, but there are many more free Wi-Fi stumblers out there. These can come in handy whether you want to check the channels, find rogue APs, or do full RF site surveys. Here’s a review on several of these stumbling and surveying utilities.

CWNP
August 03, 2010

FCC: Laying Down the UNII Law

The word on the street is that the FCC is cracking down on wireless usage in parts of the UNII 2e band. The FCC released a memorandum last week to encourage new wireless deployment practices and vendor marketing emphasis for avoiding interference with certain kinds of radar. I’ll explain the purpose and message of the memorandum here, but if you’d like to read for yourself, here’s a link: http://www.wi-fi.org/files/FCC_Memorandum_on_UNII_Device_Operation_2010_07_27-M.pdf

CWNP
July 12, 2010

AirTightening the Bolts on Insecure Networks

WIPS vendors tell us all about the problems of ad hoc networks and the dangers of hackers, but perhaps they should remind us of the dangers of ad hoc networks and Russian spies. You may have read in recent news that the FBI detained several individuals who were suspected of being Russian spies. During the investigation, some telling evidence was collected by means of Wi-Fi sniffing. As it turns out, one of the suspects would set up shop with a laptop in a coffee shop. Another suspect would drive by in a van, transferring files with the person in the coffee shop via an ad hoc network with “amateurish” security. The FBI caught onto this and was able to sniff the traffic and recover the data. If only the Russian spies had heard marketing messages from WIPS vendors explaining that ad hoc networks are bad. Apparently they’re bad for everyone, spies included.

CWNP
July 08, 2010

First Look: Aruba Integrated Spectrum Analysis

After an initial and timely onslaught of press about integrated spectrum analysis, it looks like Aruba now has something to show. http://arubanetworks.com/products/spectrum-analyzer.php

CWNP
June 30, 2010

End of June Wi-Fi Notables

The Wi-Fi market is healthy and growing. To keep you apprised of the comings and goings you may have missed, here are five notable Wi-Fi happenings from the month of June. You might call this a newsletter blog.

CWNP
June 22, 2010

Top 5 Wireless LAN Performance Issues

As I have been working closely with wireless security over the last several years of my life, I have demonstrated a clear tendency towards blogging about security issues. However, once an enterprise starts moving towards a secure WLAN, the problems naturally shifts towards performance. This blog is dedicated to WLAN performance issues. Several dozens of WLAN performance problems are common. However, in a typical enterprise scenario, what are the Top 5 issues that bother the WLAN operations team the most? In my experience working with customers, these 5 issues are at the top of the list. Let me know if you disagree.

CWNP
June 18, 2010

So Long Insecurity

My wife has a book on her bedside stand called So Long Insecurity, by Beth Moore. I [figuratively] have a press release on my bedside stand called “So Long Insecurity,” by the Wi-Fi Alliance. You may have already read or heard that the compass of the Wi-Fi Alliance is pointed due north on a path to prevent support of insecure security solutions on Wi-Fi certified (read: any Wi-Fi device in the competitive marketplace) devices.

CWNP
June 11, 2010

Using Apple’s Lemons to Make Lemonade

This WWDC Wi-Fi fiasco has gotten far more traction in the press than I would have ever expected. So, with a modicum of jest and a modicum of sincerity, here’s more fuel for the fire.

CWNP
June 07, 2010

Where’s My Guarantee?

That may be Steve Jobs’ question after today’s WWDC mishap. I’m not an Apple fanboy, so I have to chuckle about Steve Jobs’ (actually, it was someone else’s responsibility, but he should’ve known) slightly embarrassing blunder this morning. Relying on 2.4 GHz conference Wi-Fi to do a much anticipated and incredibly important keynote speech…oy!

CWNP
May 26, 2010

Irascible Me

I’m usually a pretty level-headed guy, but today I’ve got the itch. I need to rant. Every now and again my calm and collected (ok, I’m stoic) nature undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes obnoxious and irascible. So, here’s my scattergun rant about the things that bother me.

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