How to setup a secure WLAN

There's been a lot of news about municipal wireless network plans popping up, but not as much about public sector wireless local area networks (WLANs) that are allowing workers to work wherever, whenever in a secured network environment. But that's exactly what's happening out in Burbank, CA. It was just last year that the city developed a one square-mile wireless network for its downtown areas using 802.11b/g access points that are hooked to Proxim MP.11a system. Bandwidth, session time limits and user authentication are run through a Bluesocket WG1100 wireless gateway. According to the city's CIO, the network is a necessary element in extending the reach of LANs to areas not connected through fiber optics. The government entity uses the WLAN to run mission critical applications. The security approach is layered--there are multiple firewalls and intrusion detection devices at key network points. In addition, Media Access Control filtering is in place, as well as other common security features such as encryption and a strong password policy. Learn more about what it takes to deploy a secure but stable wireless LAN, and all the different moving pieces you need to complete the network puzzle. Article