Blog

• CWNP
• September 12, 2012
• 

Wireless Field Day 3 - WildPackets

The WildPackets staff began the presentation with a very brief overview of their history. This introduction provided an overview of the company and insights into their organizational culture. Then we quickly moved onto the good stuff - announcements and technical information. Continue reading...

• CWNP
• September 07, 2012
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Shared Key Authentication - WLAN Foundations

Shared Key authentication was thought to be more secure than Open System authentication at the time of their joint specification in the IEEE 802.11-1997 standard. This was due to the fact that Shared Key authentication verified the requestor using a real authentication method whereas Open System authentication simply authenticated the requestor regardless of identity. However, Open System authentication leaves the door open for the use of advanced and evolving security technologies that run across the association created using null authentication.

• CWNP
• August 23, 2012
• 

802.11 Commentary Part 4 - WLAN Basic Architecture

This video introduces initial concepts in 802.11-2012 Clause 4.3. These include BSS, IBSS, ESS, DS, DSM and Portals. Continue reading...

• CWNP
• August 16, 2012
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Carrier Waves – WLAN Foundations

While the exact phrase carrier wave may not be referenced on the CWNP exams and training materials (though carrier signal is), it is an important concept in wireless communications. Wireless engineers and technicians must deal with many different wireless technologies. In the 802.11 standard (as amended) alone, you are dealing with multiple modulation techniques, which are methods used to impose information onto carrier waves to create a carrier signal. Therefore, a brief summary of carrier waves and why they are important is in order. Continue reading...

• CWNP
• August 01, 2012
• 

Bluetooth Devices and AFH - WLAN Foundations

In the WLAN Foundations series, I will be covering the foundational concepts that longtime WLAN engineers have placed in the deepest recesses of their minds and think little about these days. The WLAN Foundation series blog posts will be short and to the point. In this post, I explain Bluetooth AFH. Continue reading...

• CWNP
• July 20, 2012
• 

Improving Marital Relationships (On the CWNP Blog?)

It dawned on me the other day, “If I can learn to use the knowledge I have of 802.11 communications and apply it to my communications with my wife, maybe I can succeed in implementing a collision-free zone.” OK. It might be hard to remove all “collisions,” but we can certainly learn some important things about marital communications from the 802.11 standards. In this post, I will explain the first lesson I learned about married life from the 802.11 standard. Continue reading...

• CWNP
• July 10, 2012
• 

802.11 Commentary Part 3 – How WLANs Are Different

This video covers 802.11-2012 clause 4.2, which focuses on the differences between WLANs and wired LANs. Continue reading...

• Tom Carpenter
• July 05, 2012
• 

802.11ac (VHT) - Just the Facts

When a new development comes along, related to any technology, the proper foundation must exist if we are to understand it well. Today, I want to present the basic facts related to the new 802.11ac draft amendment of the 802.11-2012 standard. The purpose is to answer the five most common questions asked about 802.11ac:

• Why create a new physical layer (PHY)?
• In what frequency band will the PHY operate?
• What new capabilities or technologies are introduced?
• Who will benefit from it?
• When will we see it?

• CWNP
• June 20, 2012
• 

802.11 Commentary Part 2 - Front Matter

This video covers the 802.11 Front Matter and provides you with an overview of the important early pages in the 802.11 standard. You will learn why they are there and how they help you understand all of the remaining clauses within the standard.

• CWNP
• June 12, 2012
• 

802.11 Commentary Series Launches

The first video in the new 802.11 Commentary series is live on YouTube. We will be adding to this series each week until we have worked out way through the entire 802.11-2012 standard roll-up. Continue reading...