7.2.2 Wireless

• 4 main benefits of witeless are:

  Access

  Updates

  Installation

  Scalability
• 4 main drawbacks of wirless are:

  Security

  Device management

  Interference

  Range
• Access is a benefit of wireless as wireless allows users access a networks resources without a cable. This is especially useful for areas where cables might not be as usable such as in a large room.
• Scalabilty is a benefit of wireless as it easy to configure software to make it suit specific needs
• Updates are a benefit of wireless as it is easier to update a device over wifi as no physical connection is needed
• Installation is a benefit of wireless as it can be installed quicker, and easier. It iis often far easier to remove afterwards
• Security is one of the main drawbacks of wireless as wireless introduces multiple vulnerabilities such as:

  Password cracking

  Virus spreading on unchecked devices

  Man-in-the-middle attacks
• Device management is another drawback of wireless as wireless is unable to manage devices in the same way as wired networks. This is because devices in a wireless network are able to leave and connect to other networks, meaning it is hard to permenanently format devices to organisation policies
• Interference is a drawback of wireless as wireless networks are spread through EM waves, which means they can interact with other EM waves and things that can interact with EM waves. This can lead to reduced speed, cutting out, and inconsistent connections
• Range is an issue with wireless as depending on the band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz) range can be anywhere from upto 100m with 2.4 to around 5m with 6GHz. This is because it follows the inverse square law, and the denser the signal needs to be the more distance effects it.
• A good wireless network should be scalable, with load balancing to handle changing demands, and performance measurement. Additionally they will often have filtering, content prioritasation and network access control to handle access to the network by a user
• A wireless device and access point must have the SSID (service set identifier), which is used to identify the wireless network with it's name