The Business Case for Enterprise-Class Wireless LANs

A comprehensive guide to analyzing the business rationale for WLANs

• Evaluate the business rationale behind the deployment of WLANs, including return on investment (ROI), net present value, payback period, and total cost of ownership
• Develop a robust execution plan to deploy and operate the WLAN
• Understand the high-level technical issues of deploying and managing your WLAN from a business decision-maker’s perspective
• Maximize the positive impact of supplementary and complementary services such as voice, video, and guest WLAN access
• Identify potential security threats and develop strategies to mitigate attacks
• Learn methodological and technical best practices from WLAN deployment case studies featuring real-world, enterprise-class businesses and institutions
• Gather information easily by referring to quick reference sheets and appendixes covering an antenna overview, a high-level sample project plan, checklists, and flowcharts   

Businesses today are increasingly adopting wireless LANs (WLANs) as a primary data transport mechanism. To determine when and how to effectively deploy WLANs, business managers, project managers, and IT executives need a clear, holistic evaluation of the business benefits and risks behind this complex technology solution.

 

The Business Case for Enterprise-Class Wireless LANs helps you make the right decisions by explaining the business value and cost of investing in a WLAN—from security and architecture to deployment and application. Using a lifecycle perspective, this guide covers the value proposition, cost justification, and alignment of security, design, and operational components within the business.

 

Written in an approachable style, The Business Case for Enterprise-Class Wireless LANs provides a baseline analysis of WLAN technologies for a large-scale deployment and includes concise real-world case studies with checklists and flowcharts that you can adapt for your needs. By recognizing the obstacles and advantages of implementing a WLAN from a strategic and justified business perspective, you can apply the economic benefits to your organization and ensure a timely and efficient deployment of your organization’s WLAN.

 

This volume is in the Network Business Series offered by Cisco Press®. Books in this series provide IT executives, decision makers, and networking professionals with pertinent information about today’s most important technologies and business strategies.

 

 

 

Table of contents

Part I_                The Fundamentals of Wireless LAN Strategic Planning

Chapter 1   Introduction to Wireless LAN Technologies

Value of Mobility

OSI Layers and WLANs

    Layer 1: Physical Layer

   Layer 2: Data Link Layer

    Layer 3: Network Layer

    Layer 4: Transport Layer

    Layer 5: Session Layer

    Layer 6: Presentation Layer

    Layer 7: Application Layer

A Brief History of WLANs

How Wireless Networks Function

    WLAN Modes

    WLAN Technologies

    WLAN Radio Communications

    Different WLAN Standards

Summary

Endnotes

Chapter 2   Business Considerations

Aligning Technology Solutions with Business Considerations

Economic Considerations

   Step 1: Understand Your Organizational Ecosystem

   Step 2: Define the Problem That You Are Trying to Solve

   Step 3: Break the Problem Down

   Step 4: Define WLAN-Enabled Solution

The Role of Infrastructure

   Pros and Cons of the Wired Versus Wireless World

    Effect on Cost and Spending

    Security

Measuring the Business Value of Deploying Wireless

    Total Cost of Ownership

    Value of Ownership

    Cost-Justification Analysis

Summary

Chapter 3   Preparation and Planning

Solutions Lifecycle

Preparation

    Breadth and Scope of Deployment

    Deployment Funding Strategies

Planning

    Project Stakeholders

    Users

    Impact on Application Portfolio

    Scalable Architecture

    Security Strategy

    Define High-Level Program Plan

Summary

Chapter 4   Supplementary and Complementary Services

Voice

    WLAN Voice Devices

    WLAN Voice Implementation Challenges

Video

    Types of Video Traffic

    WLAN Video Implementation Challenges

Guest Networking

    Business Rationale for Enabling Guest Networking

    Components of Guest Networking

    Guest Networking Implementation Considerations

WLAN Location Services

    Business Rationale for WLAN Location Services

    Components of WLAN Location Services

    WLAN Location Services Implementation Considerations

Summary

Additional Resources

Part II     Wireless LAN Architecture, Design, and Deploym

Chapter 5   Guidelines for a Successful Architecture and Design

Architectural Considerations

    WLAN Expectations

    Key Components for an Effective WLAN Architecture

Design Considerations

    Client-to-AP Ratio

    Roaming

Environmental Considerations

    Physical Attributes of the Surroundings

    RF Environment

    Local Governmental Regulations

Summary

Chapter 6   Wireless LAN Deployment Considerations

In-House Deployment Versus Outsourced Deployment

    Internal Staff

    Outsourced Resources

Architectural Milestones

    Solutions Architecture

    Security Posture

Deployment Dependencies

    Change Management Process

    Put the Supporting Infrastructure in Place

    Provision AAA Capabilities

    Define Security Standards and Policies

    Put the Support Plan in Place

    Put the Communication Plan in Place

    Address Regulatory Issues

Management

    Managing the Infrastructure

    Managing the Clients

Support

Deploying the WLAN

    Pre-Deployment Tasks

    Managing the Deployment

WLAN Controller Configuration

WLAN Controller Installation

Deployment Checklist

    Architecture

    Deployment Methodology and Project Planning

    Clients

    Infrastructure

    Deployment

Summary

Chapter 7   Security and Wireless LANs

Wireless Security in Your Enterprise

    Thinking Securely

    Different Security Models

WLAN Security Threats

    Interception

    Rogue APs

    Denial of Service Attack

Wireless Security Mitigation Techniques

    Encryption

    Hashing

   Authentication

    EAP Types

Building a Secure WLAN

    Trusted Versus Untrusted Wireless Networks

    Define a Clear Security Posture

    Define a Clear WLAN Security Policy

    Secure Your APs

    Use AAA

    Physically Secure the Office Space

    Communicate with Your Users

    Secure Wireless at Home

    Determine How to Support and Secure Mobile Devices

    Determine How to Support and Secure Clients

    Detect Rogue APs

    Respond to Detected Rogue APs

    Consider Using Intrusion Detection Systems

      Summary

Chapter 8   Management Strategies for Wireless LANs

Solutions Lifecycle

Management Strategies

    In-House WLAN Management

    Outsource WLAN Management

FCAPS

    Fault Management

    Configuration Management

    Accounting Management

    Performance Management

    Security Management

    Where FCAPS Fails

Comparing Centralized and Distributed Management

WLAN Management

    RF Management

    Host Management

    Client Management

Challenges Unique to WLAN Management

    Dynamic Nature of the Transport Medium

    Mobility of Endpoints

    Intermittent Connectivity of Mobile Endpoints

    Diverse Nature of Wireless Endpoints

Security Settings Management

    Third-Party Wireless Software

    Centralized Self-Service Model

    Standardization

    Manual Process

WLAN Reporting and Alerting

    Standard/Systematic Reports

    Trending

    Alerts

Management Tools

    Vendor-Specific WLAN Management Tools

    Third-Party WLAN Management Tools

    Common Network Management Platforms

    Common Network Management Protocols

    Internally Developed Tools

Summary

Part III    Wireless LAN Deployment Case Stud

Chapter 9   Enterprise Case Study

Business Model

    Defining the Business Case

    The Strategic Value

Technology Considerations

    Architecture Principles

    Network Management

    Client Management

    Service and Support

Enhanced Services

    Wireless Voice Services

    Wireless Guest Networking

Security

Deployment and Implementation

    Site Survey

    Cabling

    Access Point Configuration

    Testing

    Distribution of Wireless Network Cards and Instructions

Ongoing Project Management and Process

Business Benefits of the Solution

What the Future Holds

    Modular Architecture: Centralized and Autonomous APs

    Enhanced Security

    Location-Based Services

    Outdoor Wireless

Summary

Endnotes

Chapter 10Healthcare Case Study

Business Model

    Defining the Business Case

   The Strategic Value

Technology Considerations

    Architectural Principles

    WLAN Design

    Network Management

    Security

Project Management and Process

    Deployment and Implementation

    Site Survey

What the Future Holds

    Tracking and Telemetry

    Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Summary

Chapter 11  Manufacturing Case Study

Business Model

Technology Considerations

    Security

    Coverage

    Throughput

Deployment

What the Future Holds

    Guest Access

    Voice over IP

    Rogue Access Point Detection

Summary

Chapter 12  Education Case Study

Business Model

Architectural Principles

    Topology

    802.11 Wireless Networking Standards

    Access Point Settings

    Signal Strength, Antennas, and Outdoor Coverage

    Radio Cell Architecture

    Global Naming Standards

    Wireless Equipment

Network Management

Service and Support

    Tier 1: Information Services

    Tier 2: Element IT and Learning and Environment Department

    Tier 3: Network and Communication Services

Client Management

Security and Rogue AP Detection

Deployment and Implementation

    Deployment Phases

    Site Survey

    Cabling

    Access Point Configuration

    Testing

Ongoing Project Management and Process

Challenges

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

    Sort Out Support Up Front

    Build a Solid and Well-Tested Architecture

    Understand Your Users

    Establish a Web Portal

    Integrate the Solution into Existing Business Processes

Measuring the Benefits

What the Future Holds

Summary

Part IV     Appendi

Appendix A  Wireless LAN Standards Reference

Appendix B  Wireless LAN Security References

Appendix C  Example Project Plan for an Enterprise-Class WLAN Deployment

Glossary