CECS 474 COMPUTER NETWORKING INTEROPERABILITY
Netlab 6: IEEE 802.11 Wireless Experiment Design
Purpose: In this lab, you will design an experiment to study some aspect of IEEE 802.11. You will
work with your Team to create a proposal for your experiment and answer some general questions
relating to your topic.
Instructions: As a team, you will select one of the Four Options provided for your wireless network
experiment. You will need to: (1) answer the specified questions about your option, and (2) write a
proposal for your experiment.
(1) When you answer the specified questions, be sure to:
a. Cite any references you use.
b. Explain your answers in your own words. Do not simply quote answers from your source.
(2) The proposal for your experiment must include the following sections:
a. Statement of the objective(s) of the experiment.
b. Equipment to be used in the experiment.
c. Procedure you will follow for the experiment.
d. Data to be collected.
e. Results expected.
Your Team may use the equipment available in NetLab or other equipment you have access to at
home. Turn in only one copy of this assignment for your entire group via BeachBoard.
Remember: in Assignment 8, you will be performing your experiment and presenting the results. Be
sure that you have access to all the tools you will require.
Note: Dr. Maples must approve your experimental design before you begin your experiment.
Option I: IEEE 802.11 Wireless Security
Answer the questions in (1) and then (2) write a proposal for your experiment.
(1) Answer the following questions about 802.11 wireless security:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Can data be intercepted when it is transmitted on a wireless network?
If yes, how can this be prevented?
What security features are included with the equipment you used in the ECS 305 NetLab?
What security features are “state-of-the-art” for wireless networks?
In early versions of IEEE 802.11, wireless LAN security was considered very poor. Provide
at least two reasons for this. (You may ask for a hint.)
(2) Design an experiment that can be performed in lab which examines or verifies the information you
learned about 802.11 wireless security.
Dr. Tracy Bradley Maples (Fall 2013)
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CECS 474 COMPUTER NETWORKING INTEROPERABILITY
Option II: IEEE 802.11 Distance Limitations
Answer the questions in (1) and then (2) write a proposal for your experiment.
(1) Answer the following questions about 802.11 wireless networks distance limitations:
a. What are the theoretical distance limitations for each type of wireless network standard
(802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac)?
b. Why are there different distance limitations for different 802.11 standards?
c. What factors will affect the actual distance limitations of a network?
(2) Design an experiment that can be performed in lab (or near lab) which will test or verify the
information you learned about 802.11 wireless distance limitations.
Option III: IEEE 802.11n Wireless Standard
Answer the questions in (1) and then (2) write a proposal for your experiment.
(1) Answer the following questions about the new 802.11n wireless standards:
a. What makes the 802.11n standard different from privious 802.11 standards?
b. What are the performance specifications of the 802.11 standard?
c. What was the timeline for standardizing the 802.11n standard? Why did it take so long?
(2) Design an experiment that can be performed in lab which will test or verify the information you
learned about the 802.11n wireless standard.
Option IV: Design Your Own IEEE 802.11 Wireless Experiment
You may select another topic for your experiment, but you must get it pre-approved by Dr. Maples.
Once your topic is approved, she will assign you questions to answer for part (1) and then (2) you
may write a proposal for your experiment.
Some other possibilities:
• Compare the speed differences between traditional NIC based and USB based WiFi cards.
• Compare the performance of two IEEE 802.11 standards. For example, compare 802.11g and
802.11n.
• Examine how Bluetooth operates and look at its performance.
• Use one of the Linksys Routers running Linux and modify the firmware.
• Anything else you might think of…and can get approved.
Dr. Tracy Bradley Maples (Fall 2013)
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