INTRODUCTION

1. Wireless Terminology :-

These are the key terms used in wireless communication:

• Access Point (AP): Device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network.

• Station (STA): Any wireless device (laptop, phone, IoT device).

• BSSID: The unique identifier (MAC address) of an AP.

• SSID: The name of the wireless network (e.g., “Home_WiFi”).

• Channel: Specific frequency band used for communication.

• Bandwidth: The range of frequencies available for communication (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz).

• Throughput: Actual data transfer speed users get (often less than maximum speed).

• Encryption: Method of securing data over wireless (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3).

• Roaming: Moving between APs while staying connected.

2. Wireless Networks :-

Types of wireless network setups:

• WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network): Most common, e.g., Wi-Fi at home, offices.

• WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network): Short range (Bluetooth, ZigBee).

• WMAN (Wireless Metropolitan Area Network): Larger coverage, e.g., WiMAX.

• WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network): Covers huge areas, e.g., 4G, 5G cellular networks.

• Ad-hoc Network: Peer-to-peer connection without AP.

• Infrastructure Network: Uses APs to connect devices.

3. Wireless Standards :-

These are defined by IEEE 802.11 standards:

• 802.11a: Introduced in 1999, operates at 5 GHz with a data rate of 54 Mbps and a range up to 35m indoors.

• 802.11b: Launched in 1999, uses 2.4 GHz, offers up to 11 Mbps, and is effective within 35m indoors.

• 802.11g: Released in 2003, utilizing 2.4 GHz, it reaches 54 Mbps speeds for 38m indoors.

• 802.11n: Arrived in 2009, supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, boosts speeds up to 600 Mbps, and extends range up to 70m indoors.

• 802.11ac (WiFi 5): Debuted in 2013, runs on 5 GHz, delivers up to 6.93 Gbps, and can cover 35m indoors.

• 802.11ax (WiFi 6): Introduced in 2019, works on 2.4 and 5 GHz, providing up to 9.6 Gbps and range up to 37m indoors.

• 802.11ad: Brought in 2012, operates at 60 GHz with ultra-fast speeds up to 7 Gbps, but has a short indoor range of 10m.

• 802.11ah (WiFi HaLow): Launched in 2017, uses sub-1 GHz frequency, offers 347 Mbps speed, and can reach up to 1 km.

• 802.11af (White-Fi): Introduced in 2014, leverages TV white spaces around 470–710 MHz, up to 568 Mbps, and 1 km range.

• 802.11ax (WiFi 6E): Enhanced version from 2020, adds 6 GHz support with speeds up to 9.6 Gbps for 30m indoors.

• 802.11be (WiFi 7): Projected for 2024, will operate on 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands, targeting 46.1 Gbps and up to 30m range indoors.

4. Wireless Encryptions :-

Types of wireless encryptions are as follows :

1. Open (No Encryption)

No password or encryption; anyone can connect — highly insecure.

2. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

First Wi-Fi encryption using RC4; weak and easily cracked.

3. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)

Temporary fix for WEP; uses TKIP for better key management but still weak today.  

• WPA-Personal (WPA-PSK) : Uses a shared password for authentication.

  • WPA-Enterprise (WPA-802.1X) : Uses a RADIUS server for centralized user authentication.

4. WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II)

Uses strong AES-CCMP encryption; still widely used and secure.

  • WPA2-Personal (WPA2-PSK) : Protects home/small networks with a shared password.

  • WPA2-Enterprise (WPA2-802.1X) : Uses RADIUS and EAP for authentication in organizations.

5. WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access III)

Latest and most secure; uses SAE handshake and AES-GCMP encryption.

  • WPA3-Personal (SAE) : Protects against password-guessing attacks with forward secrecy.

  • WPA3-Enterprise (192-bit Security) : Highest-grade encryption for government and corporate networks.

6. WPA2/WPA3 Mixed Mode (Transition Mode)

Allows WPA2 and WPA3 devices to connect on the same network.

7. OWE (Opportunistic Wireless Encryption)

Encrypts traffic even on open Wi-Fi networks without a password.

8. 802.1X / EAP Methods (Enterprise Auth)

Framework for secure user authentication in enterprise Wi-Fi.

  • EAP-TLS : Uses digital certificates for mutual authentication (most secure).

  • EAP-TTLS : Server-side certificate only; client authenticates inside secure tunnel.

  • PEAP : Encapsulates EAP within a TLS tunnel (commonly used in Windows).

  • EAP-FAST : Cisco proprietary protocol for fast, secure authentication.

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