Inexpensive Radius Server Gives Wireless Networks The Security They Need

Home
>
Computer Hardware
>
Inexpensive Radius Server Gives Wireless Networks The Security They Need

Inexpensive Radius Server Gives Wireless Networks The Security They Need

Many small businesses have considered connecting computers and other devices to their corporate network via wireless (WiFi) connections, and a brave few have actually done so. Many of these early networks required that wireless devices be carefully placed within the building so that the wireless signal reached all intended recipients. Typically, these networks lacked adequate security features, which left them vulnerable to information and resource theft by unauthorized persons. These two problems have now been largely solved, meaning that it may be time for more small businesses to look into the potential advantages a wireless network can offer.

Wireless Networking Basics

Building a wireless network requires two distinct types of hardware components, wireless access points, and wireless access cards. The wireless access point is a device, which is attached to an existing computer network via a standard Ethernet cable. It has an antenna on it, which allows it to broadcast and receive signals from PCs and other devices. Each device wishing to communicate with the access point needs a wireless access card, which also contains an antenna. The current wireless standard, called 802.11g, allows for up to 54 megabits of data per second to be transmitted between the desired access point and the access card. While not quite as fast as wired networks, which typically run at 100 megabits to 1000 megabits per second, wireless networks offer more flexibility, and can be less expensive to install. This is especially true for older buildings where installing cable can become cost prohibitive.

Cutting Corners

Wireless networks use radio frequency waves to transmit information, and thus they are susceptible to being blocked by walls and other obstructions in a building. These obstructions can cause "dead zones" where the radio waves are unable to reach their intended recipients. Microwave ovens and other radio frequency emitting devices can also wreak havoc on wireless signals. The solution is to place your wireless access points strategically around your building so that interference is minimized. When the distance from a wireless access point to the wireless device is more than a few dozen meters, wireless repeaters can be installed to boost the signal. These repeaters can also be placed so that the wireless signals can be accessible from all corners of the building.

Wireless Network Security Solved

Installing a simple wireless network is pretty straightforward, but installing a secure wireless network can be substantially more difficult. However, an Ann Arbor company called Interlink Networks now offers their LucidLink products, which make installing comprehensive wireless network security a snap. Before LucidLink became available, an organization wishing to lock down their wireless network would need to hire expensive network security consultants to install and manage the wireless portion of the network. LucidLink packages all of this expertise into a software add-on that is so easy to use that even a small company's office manager can easily take control over who is accessing the company network via wireless. It goes above and beyond simple address authentication (standard with most wireless routers), and implements what is called a RADIUS server. RADIUS servers are what large organizations spend thousands of dollars installing and maintaining in order to secure their large (1000+ node) wireless networks. Until now, installing a RADIUS server was out of the price range for all but the largest companies. In contrast, LucidLink's product can be purchased for as little as $99 for a 3 user Home Office Edition, $449 for a 10 user version, and goes up to $3995 for a 250 user version.

Summary

While there are still issues with making sure that all areas of a building are covered, the current WiFi standard (802.11g) has a more powerful signal, meaning less emphasis needs to be placed on the locations of attached devices. However, it is still recommended that a professional site survey be done to verify that all required areas of the building can be reached by the wireless signal. Meanwhile, Interlink Networks has finally solved the security problem at a price that is affordable for small and medium sized business.

Terrence A. Weadock is the President and Founder of Dominant Systems Corporation, an Ann Arbor-based computer network solutions provider.
http://www.domsys.com

In The News:

SafeNet's Luna EFT Hardware Security Module Achieves PCI HSM Compliance
MarketWatch (press release)
BALTIMORE, May 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SafeNet, Inc., a global leader in data protection, today announced that its Luna EFT Hardware Security Module (HSM) has achieved PCI HSM compliance. SafeNet received this certification in advance of the ...

and more »

Chattanooga Times Free Press
Golf Mocs aiming for more hardware
Chattanooga Times Free Press
He didn't miss anybody handing Mocs coach Mark Guhne a plaque for winning, or somebody handing Stephan Jaeger hardware for earning medalist honors at the Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Ky. "We'll have to get that fixed," said Hart, ...

and more »

Co.Design
It's Official: Google Is Now a Hardware Company
BusinessWeek
Woodside says Google also plans to use its new hardware division to produce smartphones and tablets that set the pace of innovation in the mobile business. “This is a huge opportunity to really show what Android can do in a well-designed, well-packaged ...
Google becomes hardware company with US$12.5B Motorola buyAustralian Macworld
Google becomes hardware company with $12.5B Motorola buyComputerworld
Google delves into hardware, buys Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billionTechSpot
Co.Design -Washington Post -FierceMobileIT
all 535 news articles »

IceWEB Wins DataCentre Storage Hardware Product of the Year Award
MarketWatch (press release)
IceWEB.com , a leading provider of Unified Data Storage systems for cloud and virtual environments, announced that it has won Storage Hardware Product of the Year Award in the 2012 Data Centre Solutions Awards. In a competitive selection process ...

and more »

Jagran Post
Report reveals fake chips in US military hardware
EDN.com
LONDON -- More than a million suspect counterfeit electronic components have been used in 1800 separate cases of bogus parts affecting US military hardware, according to a report produced by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Fake millitary hardware concerns USJagran Post
Chinese counterfeit parts in US military hardwareThe Voice of Russia
Chinese counterfeit parts infiltrating US weapons systemMoneylife Personal Finance site and magazine
AllGov
all 197 news articles »

Idaho Mountain Express and Guide
Soccer teams haul hardware home from Boise
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide
Two Sawtooth United FC youth soccer teams brought first-place hardware home from the Idaho Youth Soccer Association's Director's Cup May 18-20 in Boise. The U-16 boys (3-0-0) scored 13 goals in three games led by Jose Ortiz (4 goals) and Andrew Graves ...

IceWb Wins DataCentre Storage Hardware Product Of The Year Award
Data Storage Connection (press release)
IceWEB.com, a leading provider of Unified Data Storage systems for cloud and virtual environments, announced that it has won Storage Hardware Product of the Year Award in the 2012 Data Centre Solutions Awards. In a competitive selection process ...

and more »

Seagate to acquire hardware maker LaCie
MarketWatch
Seagate has agreed to buy a controlling interest in LaCie from the European computer hardware company's chief executive, Philippe Spruch, and his affiliates for around EUR4.05 a share in cash. The offer, which would give Seagate control of 64.5% of ...

and more »

The Mary Sue
Lego for girls, this time hardware-hacker style
CNET
For Limor Fried, a hardware hacker and leader in the booming maker and do-it-yourself movements, there was never a question of waiting for someone else to jump in and do a better job of inspiring girls than Lego has done with its widely-panned Lego ...
Limor Fried, Hacker, Maker, and Owner of Adafruit Industries Designs Legos for ...The Mary Sue

all 9 news articles »

IBNLive.com
Google's 7-Inch Tablet: $199, Coming In July?
InformationWeek
The device will probably be sold directly to consumers via the new hardware section in the Google Play Store, where Google already offers the Galaxy Nexus for $399. Google launched this new hardware sales portal last week, where it will sell other ...
Google Said To Ready 7-inch Tablet For July RetailInvestor's Business Daily
Google, Asus to ship Nexus tablet in JuneIBNLive.com

all 67 news articles »

Google News