Analysing Wireless Networks

It’s not that the security is beyond the ability of serious hackers to break, for most users it’s enough to make the casual criminal look somewhere else for an easier target.

Apart from security there are other issues. Will the network reach all corners of the office? Are there any conflicts with nearby networks that might reduce the throughput? Have I enabled the security on all my Access Points?

Installing Wireless Networks

Wireless networks are cheap to buy, easy to install and very convenient. They are also potentially insecure. Early attempts to secure them were doomed to failure, hackers soon devised ways of breaking the encryption. The industry fought back with better and stronger encryption so that today it is possible to provide a reasonably secure wireless network. So the problem has gone away then? Well no.

In order to make configuration really easy the manufacturers leave the security switched off. Many users just accept all the default settings. The result is a completely unsecured network and networks using the same channels and SSIDs. And yet security is easy to set up.

It’s not just home users either. Many companies who should (and probably do) know better do just the same. I’ll bet there’s a network near you using all the default settings.

Detecting Wireless Networks

So how are you going to find out if your network is secure? Are you using the same wireless channel as next door? Are you using the same network SSID? Are your devices connecting to the correct Access Point and Router?

A device such as the Wi-Net WP150 helps you identify and configure your network. It shows conflicts with neighboring networks, signal strength, encryption being used and if you can gain Internet access.

You should check that the signal strength is sufficient in all the areas where you require the wireless network. Bear in mind that as signal strength weakens the network speed will reduce. So your nice 54Mbit network well degrade to the point where it becomes useless.

If you find that a nearby network is using the same settings then change yours to avoid conflicts, radio interference and the possibility of connecting to the wrong Router or Access Point.

Securing a Network

Turn on WEP encryption. It’s no effort and although a determined hacker can crack it, it’s a lot better than nothing. WEP will put off casual wardrivers just trying their luck and the risk of you allowing unauthorized users access to the Internet is much reduced. Remember that if someone does share your Internet connection you will be responsible for the spamming or illegal activities that they get up to!

If you can use the much stronger WPA encryption then do so, but make sure that all the equipment you intend to use can support it.

Maintaining a Network

Now that the security is sorted out not all your problems have disappeared. How are you going to maintain the network? How are you going to extend the network? Has a new network appeared that is using the same settings as yours?

The chances are that a week or two from now something will have changed, new networks will have appeared, someone will want to use the network somewhere else inn the building. You might need to add a new Access Point, what will be the range of the useful signal be? It’s probably better to check that now rather than wait for users to let you know!

You could use a PC with a wireless card and various bits of software to detect network settings, but it’s so much more convenient to use a small hand-held device like the WP150. Just switch it on and check that things are as you expect.

Wi-Net WP150

The Wi-Net WP150 from Test-UM is a new device designed to make the whole process of detecting, managing and maintaining wireless networks a lot easier.

It’s instructive to take a Wi-Net for a walk down any street. I guarantee you will be surprised what you find.

Related Articles & Links

What is WiFi? An Introduction to Wireless Networks for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)

WiFi LAN - Planning and Deploying your Wireless Network

Why is WEP Crackable?

WPA vs WEP: Why is WPA better than WEP?

WPA versus WPA2

Open all Hours - Wardriving in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

About the Author

Denis Laverty possesses more than 17 years experience in network management and communications, Denis has been involved with network management applications from the early DOS days; as product trainer, technical author and QA Director. In 2003 he co-founded OPENXTRA together with Jack Hughes and serves as its Managing Director.