Wireless LAN Design

Supervisor - Dr. Cyrus WekesaExaminer - Dr. G.S.O Odhiambo

Gitau Ayub MakimeiF17/10456/2003

PJ 068

Objectives

n The objective of this project was to understand the current network topology of UON and to come up with a design of a local wireless network for the University of Nairobi (UON WLAN) built upon the 802.11 wireless network standards.

Functional Specification for the UON WLAN infrastructure n Secure wireless networks shall complement rather than

replace an institution’s wired network

n Institutions should provide secure wireless access to curriculum and administration resources from a wide range of work spaces in the institution

n Wireless networking equipment shall conform to the IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards.

n Wireless networks shall be secured.

PC PC PC PC PC PC PC PCRemote workgroups Local workgroups

Campus Backbone

BuildingBackbone

Router

Switch

Core

Distribution

Access

Router

LAN Architecture

Campus LAN architecture

UON Campuses connecting to servers at the ICT center

Core servers

Lower Kabetekikuyu

Main campus

Parklands

Other remote campuses

chiromo Proposed Kenya scienceCore router

ICT center

Campus-Wide: Main Campus Backbone

AdministrationBuilding

Gandhi WingAmerican WingADD

ICT

SWAJKML

Education

JKML BACKBONE BUILDER

2KM

Digital Leased Line Inter-Campus Links

KENYA DATA NETWORKS(DIGITAL LEASED LINES)

UoN Backbone

Proposed Kenya science LAN Lower Kabete LANParklands campus LAN

University-Wide Internet Connectivity

ProxyServer

EmailServer

WebServer

DNS Server

Leased LineSatellite

FirewallRouter

INTERNET

Analyze Requirements

Develop Internetwork Structure (Topology)

Set Up Addressing and Naming Conventions

Hardware/software setup

Implement, Monitor,Maintain the Network

Design Methodology

Security measures

Overview

n Main areas of the University campus that drive the requirements of wireless access-solution;

Students

University ServicesLecturers

The Need for VLANsDue to the difference in service requirements of students, lectures and University services, they are grouped into different VLANs;This is due to the fact that, they require different authentification levels.

VLANsLibServ (L ) -Students Don (D) - LecturersMainOFc (M) –Front officesAdmin (X) –Network administrators

D

Different VLAN stations connections

D-lecturesL-Students X-AdminM- front offices

Different VLANs accessing the network via a single AP but routed to different servers

Structure of UON WLAN – main campus

Catalyst 3750G offers 24 PoE ports

A linear array of APs with coverage area

Sketch of JKML

Sketch of American Wing

2 APs positioned as shown Covers the building with wireless connection

Main campus Coverage area

BS- bookshopEB- education buildingH- hyslopGW- Gandgi wing844- 844 building

Membership

Assignment of MAC addresses to different VLANs.

MAC Address VLAN

1212354145121 L

2389234873743 X

3045834758445 L

5483573475843 M

Security Measures

Use of security switches and firewall.Example Catalyst 2948G switch (Cisco) ; can be configured to work as a VMPS

Use of RADIUS authentification.Remote Authentification Dial-In-User Service- used to manage Access to the internetor internal network.It provides a centralized authentification and accounting for stations to connect and use a network service

Mac addressing.Only stations with permission access the wireless service

Use of VLANsThis offers internal security

Reduced broadcasting strength of APs where possible

Security Measures

ConclusionWith the UONWLAN, students can have a powerful work tool that can be used to solve queries, researches, university projects and several other activities. As bigger is the use of these equipments from the students, more will be their degree of freedom and work capability.

The UON WLAN can deliver a very different user experience in the Education campus. It enables students to access information and study no matter where they are in the campus and no matter what time it is.

The experience of understanding the UON network topology and designing a WLAN has been invaluable. Through the process of this project, practical knowledge has been gained about realistic projects in industry. After having such a positive experience, the future seems promising and bright.

END