Someone asked me why we named our Virtual WiFi Manager project at WLANController.com WLAN Controller instead of a wireless network management system (WNMS) or something more fancy like “ViFi Manager”.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” is a quote by William Shakespeare from his play Romeo and Juliet meant to say that the names of things do not matter, only what things are.

Wireless LAN Infrastructure Vendors

I was curious about leading wireless LAN vendors and how they marketed their products. I started with the vendors in Gartner’s 2009 Magic Quadrant for Wireless LAN Infrastructure and then visited the vendor’s web site to compile the information below (vendors listed in alphabetical order).

3Com (HP) – ” Wireless Access Controllers provide wireless networks with expanded system capacity, enhanced performance and powerful control capabilities.”

Wireless Access Controller = WLAN Controller

Aerohive Networks – “Aerohive Networks’ cooperative control WLAN architecture eliminates WLAN controllers and provides the reliability and scalability necessary for mission-critical networks and voice over wireless LAN applications.”

Cooperative Control Architecture > “Controller-less” = AP has WLAN Controller features

Aruba Networks – “Aruba’s wireless LAN products are currently deployed in some of the largest global organizations in every major industry, in a number of instances with thousands of access points and tens of thousands of users.”

Mobility Controllers = WLAN Controller

Belden-Trapeze Networks – “The Trapeze Networks™ Mobility Exchange™ (MX™) controllers powered by Smart Mobile™ intelligent switching technology, enable seamless integration of scalable and secure wireless LANs with your existing wired infrastructure.”

Mobility Exchange™ (MX™) controllers > MX Controller = WLAN Controller

Bluesocket – “Bluesocket’s 802.11n-ready BlueSecure Controller family enable users to easily transition from today’s WLAN environments to next-generation 802.11n networks and emerging mobility applications without architectural changes and the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.”

BlueSecure Controller = WLAN Controller

Cisco – “Cost-effectively manage, and secure your wireless networks with the Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller. Automated wireless configuration and management functions give you more visibility and control. Integrated CleanAir technology protects 802.11n performance by creating a self-healing, self-optimizing wireless network.”

Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) > Wireless Controller = WLAN Controller

Enterasys/Siemens – “HiPath Wireless solutions include a wide variety of access points, controllers, management capabilities, security, and planning software, as well as a unique open platform for application integration.”

Controller = WLAN Controller

HP – “Unified network management system that can manage up to 256 APs, facilitate network VLAN deployment, enforce access privileges, and control quality of service (QoS) for wireless users. Includes support for Layer-3 roaming and fast roaming to satisfy the most demanding voice service requirements.”

A-WX WLAN Controller = WLAN Controller

Meru Networks – “The controller is the core of Meru’s virtualized Wireless LANs, tightly synchronizing access points to optimize the user experience by avoiding interference and governing all traffic on the network. Where other vendors’ controllers simply manage access points, a Meru controller also manages clients and controls all air traffic on the network, achieving all this without any proprietary client-side software or compatibility extensions by giving each client a Virtual Port.”

Controller = WLAN Controller

Motorola/Symbol – “Motorola’s Wireless Next Generation (Wi-NG) architecture improves operational efficiency and reduces the cost of mobility with a powerful comprehensive feature set that includes Adaptive AP, SMART RF and Wired/Wireless Firewall for Wi-Fi, RFID locationing, providing gap-free layered security, and unmatched reliability for 802.11n with Mesh, centralized management and more”

Wireless LAN Switch = WLAN Controller

Ruckus Wireless – “ZoneDirector 3000. Capable of centrally managing up to 500 ZoneFlex 802.11g and 802.11n Smart Wi-Fi access points (APs), ZoneDirector 3000 is designed for ease of use, high performance, and low cost of ownership.

ZoneDirector > “Smart Wireless LAN Controller” = WLAN Controller

Xirrus – “The Xirrus Management System (XMS) provides centralized configuration and RF management, security control and policies (IDS/IPS), performance monitoring, and reporting for hundreds of Arrays across a Layer 3 network.”

XMS > Wireless Management System = AP has WLAN Controller features

RFC 4118 to the Rescue

Based on unscientific research above it seems that most vendors have a “WLAN Controller” but may call it something slightly different. Each vendor has slightly different AP/WLAN architecture. Luckily someone already noticed this back in 2005 and RFC 4118 exists to organize where each product/device fits in a wireless LAN.

“This document provides a taxonomy of the architectures employed in the existing IEEE 802.11 products in the market, by analyzing Wireless LAN (WLAN) functions and services and describing the different variants in distributing these functions and services among the architectural entities.”

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WLANController.com public beta is now available. If you haven’t already heard about it, WLAN Controller is a service that leverages your existing Windows based computers for WiFi networking!

We are very excited about this cloud based Wireless LAN (WLAN) controller that can manage soft access points and scanners. We eliminated the need for any new hardware or software by using the WiFi capabilities available in Windows based computers that exist in almost every organization. See the bottom of the post for some very amazing information about Windows 7**.

WLAN Controller Video

Check out video below of me using a Windows Vista computer as a remote WiFi scanner. Pretty cool stuff.

Centrally Manage Windows 7, Vista, XP Soft Access Points and Scanners

The results of our efforts are the WLAN Controller service and client. The WLANController.com dashboard can be accessed from any type of modern browser and we have clients today for Microsoft operating systems (Windows 7, Vista, and XP) and plan to release clients for other operating systems in the near future.

Use the WLANController.com service to:

• Create an infinitely scalable WiFi network for work or recreation
• Centrally configure and manage hundreds of devices
• Run remote wireless scans to discover interfering and rogue access points
• Software only solution, zero additional hardware required

Use WLAN Controller client software to:

• Convert your Windows 7 computers into WiFi access points and scanners
• Convert your Windows Vista and XP computers into WiFi scanners
• Access point operates in background with no impact to computer
• Share business or home broadband Internet

WLAN Controller Account Request

To get an account during the public beta period do the following.

1) Follow me @wlanbook on Twitter.
&
2) Request an invite using our account request form.

.

Visit http://wlancontroller.com to learn more about the software and service.

**On July 22, 2010 Microsoft reported that they have sold more than 175 million Windows 7 licenses. As of 7/22/10 – Windows 7 is now running on more than 16% of all PCs worldwide and is the fastest selling operating system in history [source].

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Some how I missed the release of this free web based WiFi Stumbler from Meraki. A very clean and well implemented scanner using Java that works on Macs and PCs.

SSID-Channel distribution graph – This graph shows how many visible SSIDs are being broadcast in each channel of the 2.4Ghz and 5GHz wireless spectrums. This information can help you plan your channel selection to utilize channels that are most clear of interference.
Search field – Search for open networks, specific manufacturers of access points, a particular SSID or MAC address or any other string in the scan results using this field. You can also use standard Google search syntax. Click on “Advanced search” to expose a variety of filters to easily customize your displayed results.
Network list – This section lists useful information about the wireless networks that are visible to WiFi Stumbler. You can sort the list by any column by clicking on the header for that column.

Description of information presented in each column in the Network list:
SSID – Name of SSID. Hidden SSIDs will appear as blank (all other columns will be filled in)
MAC Address (BSSID) – Hardware address of access point
Radio Type – Wireless protocol of network (802.11b/g, 802.11a or 802.11n)
Channel – Wireless channel that the network is operating on
Signal Strength (dB) – Signal level of network in RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication). Since RSSI outputs from different client cards can vary, these signals are best used as a relative measure of signal strength when comparing networks
Manufacturer – Name of manufacturer of access point
Security – Wireless security protocol in use (or Open if none)
Last Seen – Last time a response or beacon from this network was received

Great Time To Be In WiFi Industry

It is great to see vendors and WLAN professionals releasing so many useful tools and sharing information for building, securing, and managing wireless/WiFi networks.

Try it out here.

Seeing this tool inspires me to add more visualization to our web based based wireless access point rogue scanner.

I’ll have to update my list of Netstumbler alternatives and add this great tool.

If there are any other free tools that I seem to have missed let me know.

© 2008 Copyright WLANBook.com

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How Does Airplane WiFi Work?

Airplane WiFi works like WiFi at free WiFi at coffee shops and book stores. The main components of an airplane WiFi system are below.

1. Computer/WiFi enabled device (laptop, iPhone)
2. Airplane WiFi network (access points)
3. Air-to-ground wireless data connection (satellite or EVDO)
4. Ground Internet service provider

The technology to make the entire system work is transparent travelers. All that is required is an 802.11 WiFi enabled device and a method to pay for the service. WiFi on airplanes is available on most major airlines.

Airplane WiFi Configurations

There are two companies, GoGo Internet and Row 44, that most airlines are using to provide airplane WiFi service. GoGo Internet uses a ground based cellular data network for data communications and Row 44 uses satellite communications.

Row 44 Airplane WiFi

Satellite antenna atop of plane to communicate with satellites and other electronics inside cabin.

Row 44 Airplane WiFi Equipment

Southwest Airplane Row 44 Satellite Antenna

Row 44 Airplane WiFi Service

GoGo Inflight Airplane WiFi Configuration

GoGo’s airplane wifi configuration is similar to Row 44 except that they rely on a ground based EVDO network (like cell phone data networks) for communications to airplanes.

GoGo Aircell Airplane WiFi EVDO Network

Aircell Airplane WiFi Equipment

GoGo Internet Airplane WiFi Service

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Ever wonder which is faster, using a wireless router or plugging directly into the wired Internet? The short answer is that the wired Internet connection will always be faster because you are eliminating the “middle man” — the wireless access point.

Also, because WiFi connections half duplex (can only send or receive not both at same time) and contention based (users/devices and have to wait to transmit) you can never take advantage of the full duplex nature of wired Internet connections.

In reality, this is hard question to answer because it depends on so many factors such as:

• Wireless technology (802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11n)
• ISP connection speeds (upload/download)
• Is wireless Internet (WiFi router) used by multiple users
• Are there other WiFi devices nearby or interfering sources

Estimated throughput for 802.11 a/b/g/n

Even when connected to the access point at 54Mbps your actual throughput will be much less because the speed numbers quoted by vendors are the data rates for the various 802.11 standards/amendments (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n) and not throughput for the connected device.

Below are estimated data half duplex throughputs for various 802.11 standards for single client scenarios. For multiple client scenarios the numbers would be shared for all clients and uniformity among clients may not always occur.

802.11a – 19 Mbps
802.11g – 17 Mbps
802.11b – 5 Mbps
802.11n – > 100 Mbps

Internet Connection Bottleneck

While a wired connection will always be faster than the same connection via a wireless access point, most Internet connections are much lower in speed than the wireless router. For example, an asymmetrical cable modem high speed broadband service that is 5 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbs upload speed would most likely have same performance on any 802.11 network for uploading and downloading. While another user with a 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up Internet connection would not fully use ISP connection on an 802.11b network.

Also, while most ISPs provide download/upload data rates for service offerings, these numbers are burstable data rates. In reality, all ISPs are designed so that guaranteed data rates for all users are much less.

WiFi Speed Test

Another method to figure out if using a wired connection is faster is to test your Internet speed via wired and wireless connection and compare results.

In summary, if you have high end/low latency requirements (gaming, voice over IP, real-time collaboration) it is best to use a wired connection.

© 2008 Copyright WLANBook.com

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If you seeing the hpsetup SSID most likey two things are happening.

1. There is an HP printer nearby that has the wireless radio enabled.
2. There is a user laptop nearby that has this viral SSID as a preferred network.

Either way, don’t waste your time connecting to it because it won’t provide access to Internet.

hpsetup Is Almost Always An Ad-Hoc SSID

Hewlett Packard networked printers are usually configured to have an ad-hoc WiFi network with the SSID named “hpsetup”. The WiFi radio can be disabled via a configuration item in the printers embedded web server. It is also disabled whenever the Ethernet cable is attached.

In HP’s own words…..

When the printer is set to the Ad Hoc communication mode, the printer communicates directly with other wireless devices on the network without the use of a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

Ad Hoc networks are typically small and simple. For example, a simple Ad Hoc wireless network might consist of a laptop and printer communicating directly with each other.

Regarding wireless radio…..

An Ethernet cable may be used to configure the all-in-one wireless settings when installing in infrastructure mode, but the cable must be disconnected when directed by the installation software. The wireless radio is disabled while an Ethernet cable is connected. You cannot have a wired and wireless network connection at the same time.

© 2008 Copyright WLANBook.com

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