I am the author of the report "802.11n: The End of Ethernet?". There many good comments but some mis-information. Here are a couple of points:
Security: This is a broad topic so let's break it down. 802.11 networks provide authentication, data privacy, and data integrity. If you use best practice wireless security (802.1X + WPA2 + AES encryption) you can deploy a wireless network with authentication/privacy/data-integrity that is just as good as a wired network. Sure, WEP was broken (and lots of companies still have WEP) but WEP is not a best practice. If you want strong wireless security, you have to use WPA2. It is true that wireless denial of service is a vulnerability but the real question is what level of risk can you live with and how much are you willing to pay for RF monitoring/mitigation? Also, don't forget that a wired network is not perfectly secure. Eavesdropping can occur on a WIRED network too (see http://www.governmentsecurity.org/articles/articles2/AC...ble-Security.pdf_fl/
Stability: By "stability" I mean wireless connection reliability. It is certainly true that 802.11b/g/a APs can exhibit instability. 802.11n and best practice network design can alleviate a lot of the problems. Much of the instability with 802.11b/g/a networks is caused by multipath and co-channel interference. 802.11n makes use of MIMO (multi-input / multi-output) radio design that takes advantage of multipath to actually boost throughput and reliability. In addition, dense deployment of lightweight APs & controllers will improve stability through load balancing and dynamic radio management. Co-channel interference can be reduced (but not eliminated) by using 5 GHz spectrum and modern Wireless LAN systems (controller + lightweight APs). In addition, 802.11k (radio resource management) and 802.11v (station control) will be ratified by the IEEE in the next 12 - 24 months. Taken together these two new standards will make a WLAN more like the cellular network (where the network controls roaming - rather than the station) and will greatly increase wireless stability.
From the previous postings, it is clear that a lot of you have had pretty painful wireless experiences. But the technology and products are changing pretty rapidly. The state of wireless technology over the next 2 - 3 years will be very different from where it was over the last couple of years.
Paul DeBeasi, Senior Analyst, Burton Group, pdebeasi@burtongroup.com
I am the author of the report "802.11n: The End of Ethernet?"
You comment "Security: There is little or none" is simply not true. The WiF Protected Access 2 (WPA2) technology (Based upon IEEE 802.11i) has not been cracked. You are probably thinking of the much older WEP protocol that was brain-dead at birth. WEP is broken, has been discussed ad nauseum, and should not be used.
On the other hand, the combination of WPA2 + 8021.X provide rock solid authentication, encryption and message integrity. The fact is that wireless IS secure (contrary to popular opinion).
Paul DeBeasi
Senior Analyst
Burton Group
pdebeasi@burtongroup.com
I am the author of the report "802.11n - The End of Ethernet?"
Many of the security comments regarding this report are circa 2003 - when WEP was all we had for security. Now, we have WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access 2) - based on 802.11i. To my knowledge, NO ONE has broken the AES encryption standard. If you use WPA2 then you can be assured that no one is going to eavesdrop on your wireless communication. In addition, 802.1X will provide reliable access control.
Paul DeBeasi
Senior Analyst
Burton Group
pdebeasi@burtongroup.com
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I am the author of the report "802.11n: The End of Ethernet?". There many good comments but some mis-information. Here are a couple of points:
Security: This is a broad topic so let's break it down. 802.11 networks provide authentication, data privacy, and data integrity. If you use best practice wireless security (802.1X + WPA2 + AES encryption) you can deploy a wireless network with authentication/privacy/data-integrity that is just as good as a wired network. Sure, WEP was broken (and lots of companies still have WEP) but WEP is not a best practice. If you want strong wireless security, you have to use WPA2. It is true that wireless denial of service is a vulnerability but the real question is what level of risk can you live with and how much are you willing to pay for RF monitoring/mitigation? Also, don't forget that a wired network is not perfectly secure. Eavesdropping can occur on a WIRED network too (see http://www.governmentsecurity.org/articles/articles2/AC...ble-Security.pdf_fl/
Stability: By "stability" I mean wireless connection reliability. It is certainly true that 802.11b/g/a APs can exhibit instability. 802.11n and best practice network design can alleviate a lot of the problems. Much of the instability with 802.11b/g/a networks is caused by multipath and co-channel interference. 802.11n makes use of MIMO (multi-input / multi-output) radio design that takes advantage of multipath to actually boost throughput and reliability. In addition, dense deployment of lightweight APs & controllers will improve stability through load balancing and dynamic radio management. Co-channel interference can be reduced (but not eliminated) by using 5 GHz spectrum and modern Wireless LAN systems (controller + lightweight APs). In addition, 802.11k (radio resource management) and 802.11v (station control) will be ratified by the IEEE in the next 12 - 24 months. Taken together these two new standards will make a WLAN more like the cellular network (where the network controls roaming - rather than the station) and will greatly increase wireless stability.
From the previous postings, it is clear that a lot of you have had pretty painful wireless experiences. But the technology and products are changing pretty rapidly. The state of wireless technology over the next 2 - 3 years will be very different from where it was over the last couple of years.
Paul DeBeasi, Senior Analyst, Burton Group, pdebeasi@burtongroup.com
I am the author of the report "802.11n: The End of Ethernet?" You comment "Security: There is little or none" is simply not true. The WiF Protected Access 2 (WPA2) technology (Based upon IEEE 802.11i) has not been cracked. You are probably thinking of the much older WEP protocol that was brain-dead at birth. WEP is broken, has been discussed ad nauseum, and should not be used. On the other hand, the combination of WPA2 + 8021.X provide rock solid authentication, encryption and message integrity. The fact is that wireless IS secure (contrary to popular opinion). Paul DeBeasi Senior Analyst Burton Group pdebeasi@burtongroup.com
I am the author of the report "802.11n - The End of Ethernet?" Many of the security comments regarding this report are circa 2003 - when WEP was all we had for security. Now, we have WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access 2) - based on 802.11i. To my knowledge, NO ONE has broken the AES encryption standard. If you use WPA2 then you can be assured that no one is going to eavesdrop on your wireless communication. In addition, 802.1X will provide reliable access control. Paul DeBeasi Senior Analyst Burton Group pdebeasi@burtongroup.com