Month: June 2015

Capturing WLAN Packets using WireShark

If you are studying for CCNP Wireless or CWNP Certification, an essential part of the study process is actually getting to lab it all out so as to understand the concepts. I noticed that my Wireshark output lacked the 802.11 management or control packets while trying to capture Open System Authentication process. This blog will explain … Continue reading Capturing WLAN Packets using WireShark →

CWNP’s CWSP-205 Official Study Guide Book Review | Part 1

When I think of the CWNP Program, I think of actual Wireless knowledge that Vendor oriented programs have failed to deliver. I have always used CWNP books to complement information that was missing during my past CCNP Wireless exams (2 more to go). It was therefore only logical that I would turn to their CWSP book … Continue reading CWNP’s CWSP-205 Official Study Guide Book Review | Part 1 →

CWNA Summary Notes: Legacy 802.11 Security | MAC Filters

MAC Filtering MAC Filtering referes to the use of MAC addresses to client devices that can authenticate to a WLAN. MAC Filtering is not defined by 802.11 Standard and any implementation of it is Vendor specific. Here is an example from my ASUS home router. Weakness: MAC addresses can easily be spoofed. Where used: Protect … Continue reading CWNA Summary Notes: Legacy 802.11 Security | MAC Filters →

CWNA Summary Notes: Legacy 802.11 Security | Static WEP Encryption

Static WEP Encryption This is a layer 2 encryption method using RC4 streaming cipher. Main goals of WEP Encryption were: Confidentiality (Data privacy through encryption) Access Control ( Authorization if static WEP keys match) Data Integrity ( Data Integrity Check-sum is computed before encryption to ensure that the data has not been tampered with) Can … Continue reading CWNA Summary Notes: Legacy 802.11 Security | Static WEP Encryption →

CWNA Summary Notes: Legacy 802.11 Security | Legacy Authentication

Legacy Authentication Legacy authentication methods were more of an authentication of capability (verification between two devices that they were valid 802.11 devices) and not so much an authentication of user identity. They are of two types: Open System Authentication It provides authentication without performing any form of user verification Involved a 2 way exchange between … Continue reading CWNA Summary Notes: Legacy 802.11 Security | Legacy Authentication →

CWNA Summary Notes: 802.11 Network Security Architecture

Components of a Secure Network Required components when securing a network are: Data Privacy and Integrity Access to Wireless medium is unrestricted hence the use of cipher encryption technologies is needed for proper data privacy. A cipher is an algorithm that is used to perform encryption: RC4 algorithm ( Ron's Code / Rivest Cipher) It encrypts … Continue reading CWNA Summary Notes: 802.11 Network Security Architecture →

CCIE version 3.0 Wireless Summary Notes 1 : IEEE 802.11 Primary MAC Layer Functions Part 2

Connectivity To connect, the client must go through the following: Scanning for networks Includes passive or active scanning mode (or both). Many vendors use both. Passive scanning: Client tunes to each channel, listens for a period of time, and monitors 802.11 beacon frames (AP transmits beacons by default every 100 milliseconds on a specific RF) Client records the RSS … Continue reading CCIE version 3.0 Wireless Summary Notes 1 : IEEE 802.11 Primary MAC Layer Functions Part 2 →