Week of March 16, 2005  

// Network Computing Mobile Observer #2.96
\\ Your Mobile and Wireless Resource
// Powered by CENT and Wireless-Nets Ltd.
\\ http://www.networkcomputing.com/mobile/
// Wednesday, March 16, 2005
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In This Issue:
1) Net Waves: Net Waves: Getting Prepared for VoWLAN
2) In Focus: Mobile Security Remains Elusive
3) Mobile & Wireless News & Opinion
4) E-Poll: Wireless Security
5) White Paper Pick: Mobile Broadcasting: Extending the Mobile
Experience with Efficient Content Delivery
6) Product Watch
7) Resource Tools
8) Subscription Information
Look for the next Network Computing Mobile Observer newsletter on
Wednesday, March 23, 2005!
Until next time,
--The Mobile Observer Team
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1) Net Waves: Net Waves: Getting Prepared for VoWLAN
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By Jim Geier (mailto:jimgeier@wireless-nets.com)
I remember when you could blindly throw a few 915-MHz access points in a
warehouse to support half a dozen barcode scanners. Coverage was okay,
and even with 1 Mbps data rates, there were no problems with
performance. In fact, this was blazing speed for barcode applications,
which include relatively small packet transfers over the wireless
network.
Newer wireless LAN applications, however, are driving the need to
sustain higher performance. For instance, VoWLAN (voice-over-WLAN)
applications are definitely coming. Nokia recently made an announcement
that all its enterprise-grade smartphones will support dual cellar and
Wi-Fi capability within the next two years. Consumer phones will follow
soon after that with both wireless modes. Moves by Nokia and other key
players in the industry are taking place frequently now, and it has a
significant impact on the proliferation of VoWLAN applications. Once
Wi-Fi phones are in users' hands, they'll want to use them. As a result,
enterprises must start preparing wireless access infrastructures to
support VoWLAN applications.
An issue is that VoWLAN traffic consumes a great deal of wireless LAN
throughput. For example, it's generally possible to support only a few
active calls at the same time over 802.11b networks. 802.11g can handle
more, possibly up to 10 or so, but this assumes that the network doesn't
allow any 802.11b associations. A single 802.11b user connecting to an
802.11g network significantly lowers capacity because protection
mechanisms are used. 802.11b and 802.11g users can't hear each other
because they utilize a different modulation, so there's a need for
overhead packets that control access to the medium.
VoWLAN traffic will also hit public Wi-Fi networks in the near future.
Net2Phone recently said that it is upgrading firmware in its Wi-Fi phone
to facilitate use at public hotspots. The new phones will become
available very soon. This scares me a bit. The number of users active on
public networks at most airports and hotels is relatively low, and there
seems to be plenty of bandwidth available for VoWLAN. This assumes,
however, that you have good signal strength.
The signal strength at most public hotspots is low, which forces lower
data rates and a greater number of retransmissions. This in turn causes
low performance, and the use of VoWLAN applications generally becomes
impossible. Thus, I see a significant problem coming about as people
begin using existing public wireless LANs to make phone calls. The
majority of public Wi-Fi networks are simply poorly designed and don't
have enough capacity.
To compensate for higher performance applications such as VoWLAN,
companies and public hotpots need to carefully design their Wi-Fi
networks. One approach is to use the "micro cell" approach by installing
a greater number of access points, with each having a smaller radio
cell. This is possible by turning down the transmit power on the access
points and radio cards. The result is a great number of radio cells,
with fewer users in each cell competing for bandwidth. This can work in
an enterprise environment because you have control over the client radio
cards, but it's not really feasible in a public network.
The use of 802.11a, which operates in the higher 5-GHz frequency band,
is a better choice for VoWLAN applications from a performance
perspective mainly because of its greater capacity. And the range of
802.11a really isn't as bad as most people think. The 5-GHz band has
very little noise, which allows signals to be heard over greater
distances. In many cases, I've seen the range of 802.11a be equivalent
to or even better than 802.11g.
802.11n will likely do a remarkable job of supporting higher performance
applications such as VoWLAN. With built-in smart antenna technology and
higher data rates, 802.11n will deliver very high throughput directly to
users who need it. The 802.11n standard will not get through
ratification for another couple years, but proprietary versions of smart
antenna technology (MIMO) are already available in some access points.
When deploying high-performance wireless LANs, regardless of which
technology you choose, be certain to perform an RF site survey that pays
close attention to the radio cell range boundaries of the access points.
The goal is to offer high enough performance throughout the network
while avoiding interference between access points set to the same
channel. This is more difficult than it sounds, and it means a much
greater need for RF survey test tools from vendors such as Airmagnet,
Ekahau and Helium, which create coverage maps and perform valuable
analysis.
The bottom line is that, today--and especially going forward--you can't
just throw a few access points in a facility as we once did. Capacity
and coverage is much more important, which means you must carefully
weigh technology alternatives and proceed with refined installation
methods and tools.
Jim Geier is the principal of Wireless-Nets Ltd.
( http://www.wireless-nets.com/ ), a consulting firm assisting companies
with the implementation of wireless mobile solutions and training.
Read more analysis from Jim on his Wireless LAN Blog.
http://www.wireless-nets.com/blogger/index.htm
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2) In Focus: Mobile Security Remains Elusive
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By David Haskin (nwc.mobilepipeline.com)
Enterprises have been deploying wireless networks, to varying degrees,
for at least four years. However, until recently, security was often
cited as a major obstacle preventing many enterprises from broadly
building out their wireless networks. Last year, the 802.11i standard
was ratified, which should have ended such concerns, right? Not exactly,
if a survey commissioned by security vendor RSA is to be believed. More
than a third of wireless networks remain vulnerable, the survey
concluded.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=159400794
But help is available, at least to enterprises that want it. One
important element is 802.1X authentication, which is part of the broader
802.1li specification. Here's the detailed low-down on 802.1X.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=159400601
Here's a run-down on the entire 802.11i spec.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60403131
802.1X has previously been so complex and expensive to deploy that it
was appropriate only for large enterprises. That's not true any more,
however, with the availability of four products that provide strong
network authentication for small and midsize businesses.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=159401276
Note: Subscribe to the Mobile Pipeline Newsletter. The Mobile Pipeline
newsletter is an excellent way to keep up with the rapidly changing
wireless world.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/newsletter.jhtml
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3) Mobile & Wireless News & Opinion
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a) Vendors Pushing Beyond 3G for Faster Speeds
Even as 3G is being rolled out, vendors are demonstrating
next-generation cellular data systems with speeds approaching 6 Mbps.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159900179
b) D-Link, Trapeze Show Off High-Wireless Act
The lure of symbiosis has drawn D-Link Systems and Trapeze Networks into
a relationship that could intimidate the competition.
http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159401541&flatPage=true
c) Ultra-Wideband Proposal Gets Government Green Light
FCC action will speed the way for release of devices using OFDM-based
ultra-wideband.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=159401301
d) Belair Releases All-In-One Wireless Architecture for Voice, Video and
Data
Wireless Multi-Service Architecture is designed to scale up from local
Wi-Fi, wide-area WiMAX and 3G cellular networks without requiring the
deployment of a new network backbone.
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159900402
e) Top Trend: Wireless Content Hype Hides Dark Clouds
The loudest buzz at this year's CTIA Wireless show is, as the organizing
trade organization puts it, "Wireless Content Is King." As was the case
just before the last wireless bust, though, this claim is little more
than the wireless industry whistling past the graveyard.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=159900191
f) Top Trend: One Convergence Problem Down, One to Go
Smartphones are rapidly becoming popular, but true device convergence
won't occur until displays and input improve dramatically. The good
news: It looks like the display problem is being solved.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159401881
More Mobile and Wireless News.
http://nwc.mobilepipeline.com/
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4) E-Poll: Wireless Security
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Network Computing is developing a cover story on WLAN (wireless LAN)
security for our June 23, 2005, issue. We would like to get input from
you, our readers, concerning the technical and organizational issues
surrounding WLAN security. Your perspectives on this important topic are
important to Network Computing and its readers and can influence vendors
to provide better products. We would like to request five to seven
minutes of your valuable time to answer the following questions. We will
keep your answers anonymous and confidential. Please take our survey at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=64533922905
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5) White Paper Pick: Mobile Broadcasting: Extending the Mobile
Experience with Efficient Content Delivery
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Mobile broadcast is more than the simple extension of broadcasting
television to mobile terminals. It ranges from the delivery of live
video content to customized information services in push and store mode
and ease of interactivity. Thanks to their technical expertise and their
cellular user experience, mobile operators are ideally placed to
cooperate with media companies and make the most of the potential of
this new market. This paper explains the business and technical
intricacies of the different solutions, by taking into account their
technical capabilities, their scope of application, their maturity and
the regulatory situations.
http://techlibrary.networkcomputing.com/detail/RES/1106928795_961.html
Access more wireless white papers, Webcasts, case studies and product
information in the Network Computing White Paper Library.
http://techlibrary.networkcomputing.com/rlist/term/Wireless.html?src=emailhl
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6) Product Watch
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a) Philips Platform Aims at Seamless Cell, Wi-Fi Handoffs
The platform creates a reference design for phone vendors that uses
unlicensed mobile access technology to seamlessly switch between
cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
http://www.internetweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159402922
b) BlackBerry to Get Yahoo Messenger
Yahoo is working with Research in Motion to pre-install Yahoo's instant
messaging software into RIM's popular BlackBerry wireless devices.
http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159402900
c) Inmarsat Satellite Launched 'Beautifully'
Inmarsat Group has successfully launched the first of three satellites
that will make up a global broadband wireless network.
http://www.internetweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159402904
d) Microsoft, Brightpoint to Launch Windows Mobile Solutions for SMB
VARs
Microsoft and mobile phone distributor Brightpoint on Monday unveiled a
joint marketing pact to provide VARs with an integrated wireless
solution that combines Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 and
Windows Mobile for small and midsize business customers.
http://www.crn.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159402434&flatPage=true
e) Centrino Makes Whitebook Play
Beyond plain-vanilla whitebooks, wireless laptops with enhanced video
and audio capabilities could be the next big thing.
http://www.varbusiness.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=60402838
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7) Resource Tools
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a) Mobile and Wireless Channel
Find mobile and wireless news and commentary by industry experts Dave
Molta and Jim Geier on our Mobile and Wireless Channel.
http://www.nwc.com/channels/wireless.jhtml
b) Read more Network Computing articles on mobile and wireless
technology.
http://www.nwc.com/core/core3.html
c) Download wireless white papers.
http://techlibrary.networkcomputing.com/data/advsearch
d) Research wireless products and vendors.
http://networkcomputing.telezoo.com/asp/sc/sc.asp?history=^709&idcats=722
e) Read more mobile and wireless stories on TechWeb.
http://www.techweb.com/tech/mobile/
f) For in-depth market research and analyst reports, look no further
than the Network Computing Market Research Library. Here you'll find
thousands of reports from the leading research firms.
http://networkcomputing.bitpipe.com/
g) Missed an issue of NWC's Mobile Observer newsletter? Have no fear.
We've created an archive of back issues for your reading pleasure.
http://www.nwc.com/mobile/index.jhtml
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