Module 14
Wireless basics
Networking without the wire. Explore bands and channels, join an access point, and see how devices take turns on shared air.
Start lesson 1
Which channel should an access point use? · 8 min · free, no account
PhysicalOpen now
What you'll operate
- Bands and channels
- Joining an access point
- Sharing the air: CSMA/CA
- lessons
- 6
- minutes
- 51
Lessons in this module
- 1Which channel should an access point use?Find where Wi-Fi channels sit, see which ones collide, and weigh reach against room.Free, no account8 min
- 2How does a device join a wireless network?Play a join frame by frame: find the network, become a member, agree keys, then ask for an address.Plus8 min
- 3Why does a wireless device wait before it sends?Watch devices listen, back off at random, collide, retry, and reserve the air with RTS and CTS.Plus9 min
- 4Why does the network slow down far from the access point?Follow a signal as it weakens, watch the rate fall, and see one slow device cost everyone airtime.Plus8 min
- 5Why does a wireless frame carry three addresses?Read the receiver, transmitter and destination of a frame, then follow a phone as it roams to another access point.Plus9 min
- 6Who can read your wireless traffic?See what a passphrase protects and what it does not, and watch an evil twin take over an open network.Plus9 min
Lesson 1 is open to everyone, with no account. The other lessons in this module are part of Plus.