Wireless Networking

Question 1

IBSS

Answer 1

Independent Basic Service Set → Also called Ad Hoc mode; allows devices to connect directly to each other without an access point, common in IoT.

Question 2

SSID

Answer 2

Service Set Identifier → The network name broadcast by a wireless access point that identifies a Wi-Fi network.

Question 3

BSSID

Answer 3

Basic Service Set Identifier → The unique MAC address of a specific WAP (wireless access point)

Question 4

ESSID

Answer 4

Extended Service Set → Achieved using multiple access points with the same SSID across a building to extend the network.

Question 5

Captive Portal

Answer 5

Captive Portal → A web page that users must interact with before gaining network access, often used for guest Wi-Fi authentication.

Question 6

Wireless Security Modes

Answer 6

Wireless Security Modes → OWE (Open Wireless Encryption), WEP (legacy, insecure), WPA2-Personal (PSK), WPA2-Enterprise (802.1X), WPA3-Personal (PSK), WPA3-Enterprise (802.1X); each adds stronger encryption and authentication.

Question 7

Open System

Answer 7

Open System → No authentication or encryption; allows any device to connect freely to the network.

Question 8

802.1X

Answer 8

IEEE 802.1X → A standard for port-based authentication used in enterprise networks to control access via RADIUS. Checks to make sure device meets security standards before letting it in the network.

Used with WAP2-Enterprise and WPA3-Enterprise

Question 9

Omnidirectional Antennas

Answer 9

Omnidirectional Antennas → Radiate signal equally in all directions (360° horizontal pattern), ideal for general coverage areas.

Question 10

Directional Antennas

Answer 10

Directional Antennas → Focus the signal in one direction to extend range and increase gain, measured in dB.

Question 11

Yagi Antenna

Answer 11

Yagi Antenna → A directional antenna using multiple elements to focus the signal for long-distance point-to-point connections.

Question 12

Parabolic Antenna

Answer 12

Parabolic Antenna → A high-gain directional antenna shaped like a dish, used for long-range communication and satellite links.

Question 13

Autonomous Access Points

Answer 13

Autonomous Access Points → Standalone devices that operate independently without a central controller.

Question 14

Lightweight Access Points

Answer 14

Lightweight Access Points → Managed by a central Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) for configuration, updates, and monitoring.

Question 15

CAPWAP

Answer 15

Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points → A protocol that enables communication and management between wireless LAN controllers and lightweight access points.

Question 16

WLC

Answer 16

Wireless LAN Controller → A centralized device that manages multiple lightweight access points, enforcing policies and optimizing performance.