FLASH CARDS

6.03 Compare and contrast protocols for wireless networking

  • What do wireless networks use as their medium for transmitting data?

  • Wireless networks use radio waves as the medium for transmitting data.

  • What is the IEEE 802.11 standard commonly known as?

  • The IEEE 802.11 standard is commonly known as Wi-Fi.

  • In Wi-Fi, what does "infrastructure mode" refer to?

  • Infrastructure mode refers to Wi-Fi networks where client devices, or stations, connect to the network through an Access Point (AP).

  • What is the BSSID in a Wi-Fi network?

  • The BSSID is the MAC address of the AP's radio in a Basic Service Set (BSS).

  • What two primary functions can an access point serve?

  • An access point can: (a) Create a wireless-only network, or (b) act as a bridge to forward communications between wireless stations and a wired network.

  • What technology allows an AP to receive power and data through the same cable?

  • Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows an AP to receive power and data through the same Ethernet cable.

  • What are the two main frequency bands used in Wi-Fi?

  • The 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.

  • What are the main advantages of the 5 GHz frequency band?

  • The 5 GHz band: (a) Supports more channels, (b) has less congestion, and (c) has higher data rates but shorter range.

  • What is the maximum data rate of the 802.11a standard?

  • The maximum data rate is 54 Mbps.

  • What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?

  • DFS is a feature in 5 GHz devices that prevents interference with radar and satellite installations by disabling channels if radar signals are detected.

  • What is the nominal data rate of the 802.11b standard?

  • The nominal data rate is 11 Mbps.

  • Why is interference more common in the 2.4 GHz band?

  • Interference is common because Wi-Fi channels overlap, and the band is used by other technologies like Bluetooth and microwave ovens.

  • What data rate does 802.11g support, and what is its key benefit over 802.11b?

  • 802.11g supports a data rate of 54 Mbps and is backwards compatible with 802.11b.

  • What is channel bonding in 802.11n?

  • Channel bonding allows two adjacent 20 MHz channels to be combined into a 40 MHz channel to increase data rates.

  • What is MIMO technology, and which standard introduced it?

  • MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) uses multiple antennas to send and receive data, introduced by the 802.11n standard.

  • What is the maximum data rate per stream in Wi-Fi 6?

  • The maximum data rate per stream is 600 Mbps over an 80 MHz channel.

  • What does Wi-Fi 6e add to Wi-Fi 6?

  • Wi-Fi 6e adds support for the 6 GHz frequency band.

  • What is an SSID?

  • An SSID is the network name that clients use to identify a Wi-Fi network.

  • What does it mean to configure an access point with "non-overlapping channels"?

  • Configuring non-overlapping channels ensures multiple access points in close proximity do not interfere with each other.

  • What unit is used to measure Wi-Fi signal strength?

  • Wi-Fi signal strength is measured in dBm.

  • What is considered a good Wi-Fi signal strength?

  • A good signal strength is around -65 dBm.

  • What is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)?

  • SNR is the difference between the strength of the signal and background noise, measured in dB.

  • What type of antenna is used in long-range fixed wireless?

  • High-gain microwave antennas are used for point-to-point long-range fixed wireless.

  • What are the two types of spectrum in long-range fixed wireless?

  • The two types of spectrum are licensed and unlicensed.

  • What is the range of Bluetooth devices in early versions vs. newer versions?

  • Early versions have a range of 10 meters (30 feet), while newer versions can reach over 100 feet.

  • What does NFC stand for, and what is its typical range?

  • NFC stands for Near Field Communication, with a range of about 2 inches (6 cm).