Skip to Content

July 2007

Understanding Cisco Wireless Antennas

Fri, 2007-07-06 14:50

I've installed and configured a few Cisco wireless access points over the last couple years, but never really had a grasp of the different antenna options available. I just used the normal internal antennas and everything seemed to work fine... So, I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I have now mastered my wireless antenna knowledge by setting up Cisco access points on an alien space ship. Seriously. On Cisco's CCNA Prep Center, they have an online game called "Wireless Explorer" - it seemed cheesy at first, but I got seriously addicted to it and spent over an hour learning about all sorts of wireless information. So, if you'd rather not play the game, here's the most valuable info I got:
Omni-Directional Antenna: Provides even spread of wireless signal in a radius around the access point
omni.jpg

Simple Article on Configuring 802.1X

Wed, 2007-07-18 09:50

802.1X is a powerful technology forcing people to authenticate before they are able to access Layer 2 services (such as a switchport or wireless access point). I recently stumbled on a step-by-step article showing an end-to-end configuration for the Windows RADIUS server, the Windows XP client, and the Cisco wireless access point - the link is below; just click the Server, Client, and Access Point links at the bottom of the page to get the configurations.
http://www.cs.umd.edu/~mvanopst/8021x/howto/

Cisco Networkers 2007

Mon, 2007-07-23 21:28

Well, I've found myself up here in California for yet another year of Cisco Networkers. I've been presenting at Networkers for 6 years in a row now and every year I'm amazed at how this conference all comes together. If you are at Networkers this year, I'll be presenting the following sessions:
July 24th: IP Telephony Essentials (2pm-4pm)
July 25th: Gateway/Gatekeeper Exam Prep (4:30pm - 6:30pm)
July 26th: Gateway/Gatekeeper Exam Prep (10am - 12pm)
July 26th: IP Telephony Essentials (1pm-3pm)
Stop by and say hi! I'm a little amused to find out that the yearly "Customer Appreciation Event" will feature the band KISS (these guys are still alive?!?)...I'm more interested in what funky hat they'll be giving out.



Dr. Radut