Introduction

The convergence of two highly disruptive technologies, VoIP and WLAN, is set to drastically alter the way we communicate, do business, and play. VoWLAN represents both an opportunity and a threat to traditional business and communications. This report provides the foundation knowledge and understanding necessary to capitalize on this evolution from wireline to wireless and from circuit to packet.

Purpose of VoWLAN Network Planning and Operations

An excellent complement to the Mind Commerce report, VoWLAN Fundamentals, this report is the only publication of its type to provide an in-depth analysis of the technical and business challenges associated with planning and design, implementation and ongoing operations of a VoWLAN network. This report will answer critical questions including:

• Why deploy VoWLAN? What are the right circumstances? What market segments will use VoWLAN? What are the market drivers for VoWLAN?
• What are the planning and engineering issues? How to deal with RF issues, QoS issues, traffic engineering and capacity planning?
• What are the bandwidth management techniques that may be employed?
• What are the security and privacy issues? How does one detect and deal with hackers and bandwidth stealers?
• What is the future of VoWLAN? What is the future of Voice over packet in general?

Target Audience for the Report

While this report will be of interest to anyone involved in the business, engineering, planning, and/or operation of a VoWLAN network or service offering, This report will be of particular value to the following groups:

• Investors in the VoIP, WLAN, and VoWLAN space
• Suppliers of VoIP, WLAN, WiMax, MMDS, and VoWLAN equipment and software
• Hotspot WLAN (WiFi and HiperLAN) service providers
• Traditional circuit-switched and next generation VoIP service providers
• Cellular and broadband wireless service providers
• Consultants, analysts and systems integration companies
• Corporations, VoIP and unlicensed spectrum regulatory agencies, and governmental organizations such as the US Department of Homeland Security

VoWLAN Network Planning and Operation is a must-have for anyone that has a stake in building and/or maintaining a wireless voice over packet network.

Executive Summary

VoIP Standards & Protocols - A Brief Review

Signaling Protocols

ITU-T, H.323

Session Initiation Protocol

Cisco Client Control Protocol

Media Gateway Control Protocols

VoIP Media Transport Protocols

Section Summary

Wireless Systems & Standards Overview

802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g

Emerging 802.11 Specifications & Feature Enhancements

HiperLAN and HiperMAN

802.16, WiMax

MMDS, 2.5 GHz Super-Cells

Wireless Local Loop, 3.5 GHz Multi-Cells

Section Summary

Why VoIP and Wireless?

Disruptive Technologies in Action

The VoWLAN Global Market Power

The Hunters

Cellular Carriers

Fixed Wireless Broadband Access (FWBA) Service Providers

Economic Assessment - Is It Profitable?

Mesh Networks

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)

Cable TV Service Providers

Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILECs)

The Hunted

Corporate Enterprises

Economic Assessment - Will It Pay?

Hot Spots and Hot Zones

The Insurance Industry

Medical Industry Opportunity

Radio Frequency Identification Systems (RFID)

Third World Nations

Rural America/Urban America

IP Enabled Call Centers

Section Summary

VoWLAN Implementation - Issues and Answers

RF Bandwidth - The Critical Resource

Network Audits

Identify Your Network Technologies

Test for VoIP Suitability

Voice Quality Metrics

Identify Your Traffic

The V Challenge

Television Broadcast Video

Digitized Broadcast Video

Video Conferencing

Internet Streaming Video & MPEG Files

Security/Surveillance Video

Digital Collaborative Video

JPEG Files

Traffic Engineering

VoIP Coding Algorithms and Bandwidth Usage

Engineering Voice Traffic in an IP World - Erlangs

Lines and IP Bandwidth Calculator

Erlangs and Bandwidth Calculator

Minutes and Lines Calculator

Erlangs and Lines Calculator

Traffic Loading - The Active User

Generic WLAN Cost Structure

Sub-Section Summary

The RF Channel - Characteristics and Planning

Bandwidth

Modulation Format

Raw Data Rate

Channel Plan

Adjacent Channel Interference

RF Interference Anecdote

Planning WLAN Capacity

High Capacity Networks

Design Methodology

Deploying the Right WLAN Standard

Other Networks and Overheads

Protocol Overheads

A Technology Overhead

System Management Overhead

RF Coverage Requirements - Who’s On Net

Coverage Analysis

Other Calculation Tools

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)

Mesh Networking

Single Radio Mesh

Dual Radio Mesh

Multi-Radio Mesh

FDD versus TDD

RF Site Surveys

Network Analyzer - Site Survey & Network Planning Tool

Generalities on Indoor Propagation

Site Survey Work Sheets

Sub-Section Summary

Bandwidth Management Techniques

Managing the RF Bandwidth for QoS

Data Grams - MIR and CIR

Dynamic Adaptive Modulation (DAM)

Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA)

Smart Antenna Systems

Networking Protocols & Techniques for Bandwidth Management

Policing and Shaping

Congestion Avoidance

IP Class and Marking

A Simple Marking Scheme

A Better Marking Scheme

Traffic Queuing

Performance Monitoring

VoIP Performance Benchmarking

Active Monitoring

Hardware and Software Tools

Sub-Section Summary

Network Security - More Issues and Answers

Wireless Network Security Issues

Radio Frequency Interception and Hacking

802.11 Vulnerability

Bluetooth: A Silent Killer

Wireless Network Security Techniques

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

IEEE 802.11i, aka: WPA2

Upgrading To 802.11i

Wireless Security Mindset for Small Businesses

Security Recommendations for Hot Spot Users

Encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) & Security

IPSec

SSL

A WLAN View of VPNs

Authentication

Data Encryption

Management and Security Policy Enforcement

User and Device Management

The Thin WLAN Alternative

Standardization to the Rescue - Maybe

Security Issues Related To VoIP

A Briefing on Dos Attacks

Other Bad News

Intrusion Detection and Counter Measures

A Proactive Defense Approach

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

Securing VoIP (SIP) Networks

How to Spot and Manage WLAN Intrusion

Step 1: Capture Traffic

Step 2: Analyze Results

Step 3: Take Action

Section Summary

Emerging Technology - Signs of the Future

Emerging Technology

It’s In the Chips

Advancements in VoIP QoE

MIMO

About the Author

About the Publisher