Analysis Of A Campus Wide Wireless Network

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1                                             BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is known to be an extension of wired area networks. Wired local area network and WLAN share the same basic principle in operation. The only difference is by means of delivering data to a certain terminal or point. WLAN uses Radio Frequency (RF) to transmit and receive data over the air [14].

Minimizing the need to be wired connected. WLAN enables power of freedom so users are able to access a certain information with ease and seamlessly [14].

Wireless local-area networks (WLANs) are increasingly common, particularly on university and corporate campuses. For example, UNN LIONET network use wireless LAN network.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu state of Nigeria, through the University ICT unit has embarked on extending internet access to all parts of the campus, by deploying access points (APs) at various locations within the campus. Lionet is a campus wireless local area network (WLAN) preferred by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka governing council for her staff and students. This network is preferred due to its positive aspects which includes: flexibility when compared to wired networks, low cost when compared to other wireless systems such as cellular data services, rapid deployment, backwards compatibility with older laptop and desktop computers, and familiarity to users [1]. But its efficient performance is being affected by the trees that appear within the vicinity of both transmitting and receiving antennas.

It is a known fact that when radio wave impinges on an obstruction, some of the energy can be reflected back into the initial medium, some may be transmitted into the second medium, some may be absorbed by the medium, some may be diffracted and some may be scattered [12]. The interactions of radio waves with the obstructions reduce its received signal strength (received power level). For the fact that obstruction reduces the received signal strength of a wireless network, the obstruction of trees ought to be taken into consideration when deploying wireless communication networks in the University environment.

Lionet operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz microwave frequencies. For efficient performance of wireless network of such kind, the RF signal must reach the receiver with some minimum power (usually -75 dBm) after experiencing attenuation due to: passage through air (free space loss) and passage through or refraction around the objects in its paths. Also, the AP-to-user range varies from a theoretical maximum of 3.5 km for cell phones, to a practically-achievable outdoor maximum of less than 200 meters [1].

Although technology such as IEEE 802.11b is broadly deployed and usage is increasing dramatically, little is known about how these networks are used. A clear understanding of usage pat- terns in real WLANs is critical information for those who develop, deploy, and manage WLAN technology, and those who develop systems and application software for wireless networks.

The undesirable poor signal reception, loss of data packets, and delay in uploading and downloading of data, were frequently experienced in the University, which have been as a result of manmade infrastructures and meteorological phenomena – such as overloading of users at a time.

We took an analysis of the number of users of Lionet on the quality of signal reception. It is discovered that the signal is better when students are on vacation than when on session. This supports the notion that Lionet is being affected by the number of users per time, thus preventing it from its maximium speed.

This paper presents results from the analysis carried out to determine the number of users connected to the UNN Lionet campus network per time.

1.2                                               PROBLEM STATEMENT

Often time it is been discovered  that UNN Lionet campus network experiences Network congestion [15]. Network congestion occurs when a network is overrun with more data packet traffic than it can cope with. This backup of data traffic occurs when too many communication and data requests are made at the same time, over a network that doesn’t have enough network bandwidth to carry it. UNN Lionet campus network congestion is usually temporary, it can cause inconvenient network problems that can affect performance, such as high levels of jitter, packet loss, and latency, as well as a decrease in throughput. In other to solve this network problem, it is important to determine the number of people that is connected or to analyze the maximum expected number of devices that is connected to the campus network which will lead to solving the network congestion challenge.

1.3                                    AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to carry out an analysis of a campus Wide Wireless Network of UNN Lionet network. The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the effectiveness of
2. To determine the rate of Lionet network usage in the campus

• To carry out the analysis of the WLAN usage during student vacation and session periods

1.4                                                   RESEARCH QUESTION

At the end of this study, answer to the following questions shall be provided:

1. How much traffic does the network handle?
2. How much users can Lionet network of the campus handle?

• How does traffic vary across hours, days, weekdays?

1.5                                           SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study shall serve as a means of having clear understanding of usage patterns in wireless local-area networks (WLANs) in UNN Lionet network. The study will serve as a useful tools that will help the reader to determine the number of people the uses  UNN Lionet network , and it will also provide a clear understanding of how to develop, deploy, and manage WLAN technology, as well as those who develop systems and application soft- ware for wireless networks. This paper presents results from the largest and most comprehensive trace of network activity in a large, production wireless LAN of the institution.

1.6                                                   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Efficient performance of the Lionet in Nsukka campus of the University of Nigeria may be hindered by the some technical factors such as overloading of the network from the University users. This scope of this work covers measuring and analyzing the Lionet quality of service (QoS) in terms of received power level and speed.

1.7                                                         PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuss the introductory part of the work,   chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.