1.1 Introduction
A wireless network is a communication system that allows devices such as computers, smartphones, and other network-enabled equipment to exchange information through radio signals without requiring physical network cables. A wireless local area network (WLAN), for example, connects devices within a limited geographical area through wireless communication. Wireless networks provide flexibility, mobility, and convenient access to shared resources, making them useful in homes, schools, offices, businesses, and other organizations (Souppaya & Scarfone, 2012). However, the use of wireless communication also creates security concerns because information is transmitted through the air and may be exposed to unauthorized users within communication range. Wireless networks may face threats such as unauthorized access, eavesdropping, data interception, denial-of-service attacks, and other forms of network abuse. Effective security therefore requires appropriate authentication, encryption, access control, configuration, and continuous monitoring (Frankel et al., 2007).
Designing a secured wireless network involves selecting suitable network devices, establishing an appropriate topology, configuring access controls, and applying security mechanisms that protect information and network resources. Simulation is useful in this process because it allows a proposed network to be created and tested in a controlled environment before physical deployment (Sanguino et al., 2014).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The history of wireless networking can be traced to the period when manufacturers began developing wireless local area network solutions to provide computer communication without physical cables. Souppaya and Scarfone (2012) reported that early WLAN products appeared in the late 1990s, initially using proprietary technologies and relatively low data rates. The development of common standards became necessary because different manufacturers used systems that were not always compatible (Souppaya and Scarfone, 2012).
Wireless networking refers to the use of radio communication to connect computers, mobile devices, servers, and other network-enabled equipment without depending entirely on physical cables. According to Karygiannis and Owens (2002), wireless local area networks provide flexible communication and allow users to access network resources while moving within a coverage area. The growth of wireless technology has made network connectivity easier to deploy in homes, schools, offices, hospitals, businesses, and public institutions.
Similarly, Scarfone et al. (2008) reported that wireless networks provide important advantages such as mobility, flexibility, and reduced dependence on physical cabling. These benefits have made wireless communication an important part of modern computer networking. However, the same openness that makes wireless communication convenient also creates security concerns because signals travel through the air and may be received by devices that are not authorized to participate in the network. The development of wireless networking has therefore been closely connected with the development of wireless security. According to Wong (2003), the early security approach used in IEEE 802.11 wireless networks was Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which was designed to provide confidentiality and access control. However, weaknesses in its design made WEP unsuitable for providing strong long-term protection. Furthermore, Frankel et al. (2007) stated that the weaknesses associated with WEP contributed to the development of stronger security approaches based on IEEE 802.11i. The movement from WEP toward stronger authentication and encryption methods demonstrates the continuing effort to protect wireless communication against unauthorized access and data interception.
Karygiannis and Owens (2002) asserted that wireless security requires attention to the protection of network devices, communication channels, and users. These concerns show that simply installing an access point and connecting devices does not constitute a secured wireless network. A network requires appropriate security policies and technical controls to ensure that only authorized users gain access and that transmitted information is adequately protected (Karygiannis and Owens, 2002). The emergence of stronger wireless security standards represents an important stage in the history of secured wireless networking. According to Frankel et al. (2007), IEEE 802.11i introduced a more robust security architecture designed to overcome important weaknesses associated with earlier wireless protection mechanisms.
Similarly, the development of WPA and later WPA2 provided stronger alternatives for protecting wireless communication. These developments changed wireless security from a relatively simple password-based arrangement into a more structured system involving authentication, encryption, key management, and access control. Moreover, enterprise wireless environments increasingly adopted mechanisms such as IEEE 802.1X and authentication servers to provide identity-based network access.
The need for proper network design has also increased as wireless networks have become larger and more complex. According to Stallings (2017), network security should be considered as part of the overall network architecture rather than treated as an additional feature after implementation. Likewise, a secured wireless network requires careful planning of its topology, access points, addressing scheme, authentication procedures, encryption settings, and user access. Furthermore, the design must consider factors such as coverage, network capacity, interference, performance, scalability, and security. Simulation has consequently become an important approach to network design and evaluation. As cited by Henderson et al. (2006), the development of ns-3 was motivated by the need for a modern network simulation platform capable of supporting research and experimentation. Network simulation allows researchers and designers to create virtual network environments and observe how different devices, protocols, configurations, and traffic conditions behave. Similarly, Rile et al. (2011) explained that ns-2 and ns-3 provide environments for studying networking systems without requiring every experiment to be conducted using physical equipment.
The study is consequently concerned with the design and simulation of a secured wireless network that demonstrates how security measures can be incorporated into a wireless network architecture and evaluated before practical deployment. This study is set against the backdrop of the increasing dependence on wireless communication, the security weaknesses associated with poorly protected wireless networks, and the need for practical simulation-based approaches to designing and evaluating secure wireless network infrastructures.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that wireless networks have become widely used for sharing information and accessing online services, but their open communication medium makes them exposed to unauthorized access, eavesdropping, weak authentication, and other security threats. Unlike wired networks, wireless signals travel through the air, making it possible for unauthorized users within range to attempt to access or intercept network traffic (Karygiannis & Owens, 2002). On the other hand, poor security configurations, weak passwords, and outdated protection methods may further increase the risk of data loss and unauthorized network use.
Furthermore, many wireless network designs focus more on connectivity and performance than on security (Jindal & Singh, 2017). Simulation provides a practical way to design and test different wireless security configurations before actual implementation, thereby reducing the cost and risk associated with repeated physical testing. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to design and simulate a secured wireless network.
1.4 Aim of Study
The aim of this study is to design and simulate a secured wireless network with appropriate security configurations for reliable and protected communication.
1.5 Objectives of the Study
The specific objectives of this research are to:
- Design a suitable wireless network topology for secure communication.
- Configure appropriate authentication and access control mechanisms.
- Apply suitable encryption and security settings to the wireless network.
- Simulate and evaluate the performance of the proposed secured wireless network.
- Identify possible security weaknesses and recommend suitable improvements.
1.6 Significance of Study
The deployment of the proposed system will hold significant relevance in the following ways:
- The project will provide students with a practical example of wireless network design, configuration, security, and simulation.
- The designed system will support practical teaching of computer networking and cyber security using a simulated wireless environment.
- Lastly, the study will provide a reference for further studies involving wireless security, network simulation, performance evaluation, and secure network architecture.
1.7 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the design and simulation of a secured wireless network with reference to Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study covers wireless network topology, access points, connected devices, IP addressing, authentication, encryption, access control, and basic network security configuration.
The proposed network is developed and tested in a simulation environment rather than through a full physical deployment. The study also examines basic connectivity and security performance of the simulated network.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- The simulation environment was not a complete replacement for testing the network under all real-world conditions.
- Some security conditions were difficult to reproduce exactly as they would occur on a fully deployed institutional network.
- Financial constraints limited access to some networking equipment, software resources, and other materials required for extensive testing.
- Time constraints affected the period available for designing, simulating, testing, and documenting the proposed secured wireless network.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Wireless Network:
A wireless network is a computer network that allows devices to communicate without a direct physical cable connection, usually through radio signals.
Secured Wireless Network:
A secured wireless network is a wireless network protected with measures that control access and protect transmitted information. These measures include authentication, encryption, access control, and appropriate configuration.
Network Security:
Network security refers to the measures used to protect network devices, communication, data, and services against unauthorized access, misuse, disruption, or other threats.
Wireless Access Point:
A wireless access point is a networking device that provides wireless devices with access to a wired or wireless network. It serves as an important connection point between wireless users and other network resources.
Authentication:
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device before access to a network is granted.
Encryption:
Encryption is the process of converting readable information into an encoded form so that unauthorized persons cannot easily understand the transmitted information. It is commonly used in wireless networks to protect data during communication.
Access Control:
Access control refers to rules and mechanisms used to determine who or what is allowed to access a network resource. In a wireless environment, it helps prevent unauthorized devices and users from gaining network access.
Wireless Local Area Network:
A Wireless Local Area Network, commonly called WLAN, is a local network that connects devices through wireless communication within a limited geographical area. It is commonly used in homes, offices, schools, and other institutions.
Network Topology:
Network topology refers to the arrangement of network devices and their communication relationships. It shows how computers, access points, routers, switches, and other devices are organized within a network.
Network Simulation:
Network simulation is the process of creating a virtual representation of a computer network to study its operation and performance. It allows different configurations to be tested without requiring the complete physical network.
Network Simulator:
A network simulator is software used to create and test network models in a virtual environment. It provides facilities for configuring devices, connections, traffic, and other network conditions.
Wireless Security:
Wireless security refers to the practices and technologies used to protect wireless communication and network resources.
WPA:
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a wireless security protocol developed to provide stronger protection than the earlier Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) mechanism. It uses security mechanisms designed to improve wireless authentication and data protection.
WPA2:
WPA2 is a wireless security standard based on the IEEE 802.11i security architecture. It provides stronger protection through authentication and encryption mechanisms and became widely used for securing wireless networks.
IEEE 802.11:
IEEE 802.11 is a family of standards that defines technologies and communication procedures for wireless local area networks. The standards provide the technical foundation for many commonly used Wi-Fi networks.
Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi refers to wireless networking technology based on IEEE 802.11 standards. It allows compatible devices to connect and exchange information over a wireless network.
Firewall:
A firewall is a security mechanism that controls network traffic according to defined rules. It helps restrict unwanted communication between trusted and untrusted network environments.
IP Address:
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identifier assigned to a device connected to a network. It enables devices to identify and communicate with one another.
Router:
A router is a networking device that directs data packets between different networks. It determines where network traffic should be sent based on available routing information.
Network Performance:
Network performance refers to how effectively a network carries out communication tasks. It may be evaluated using factors such as throughput, delay, packet loss, reliability, and connectivity.
Unauthorized Access:
Unauthorized access occurs when a person or device gains entry to a network or resource without proper permission. It is one of the major security problems addressed by secured wireless network design.
Simulation Environment:
A simulation environment is a software-based setting in which a network is created, configured, tested, and evaluated without requiring the complete physical infrastructure.
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