Using Windows Vista on a Corporate Mobile Network

Can you remember the frustration you felt the last time you needed to work on a document but couldn’t connect to the network to use it? What about the last time you wanted to write an email or get some work done on the Internet, but you had to go to a different location where you could use a networked system? Multiply these problems and frustrations by every employee who has every experienced them and you will understand,if you don’t already, why wireless networking is becoming a requirement in many offices....
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Using Windows Vista on a Corporate Mobile NetworkExpert Reference Series of White Papers Using Windows Vista on a Corporate Mobile Network1-800-COURSES www.globalknowledge.comUsing Windows Vista on a CorporateMobile NetworkNeil Tucker, Global Knowledge Instructor, MCT, MCIPT, MCTS, MCDBA,MCSE, MCDSTIntroductionCan you remember the frustration you felt the last time you needed to work on a document but couldn’t con-nect to the network to use it? What about the last time you wanted to write an email or get some work doneon the Internet, but you had to go to a different location where you could use a networked system? Multiplythese problems and frustrations by every employee who has every experienced them and you will understand,if you don’t already, why wireless networking is becoming a requirement in many offices. When properly imple-mented and used, wireless networking acts not only as a nice convenience, but as a valid tool for increasingproductivity and efficiency.Those who resist the idea of creating a Wi-Fi network will normally acknowledge its advantages, but expressvalid concerns about expanding the network infrastructure and preventing security problems inherent in thetechnology. Can you implement this kind of change without unduly impacting the security of the existing net-work infrastructure? Can you enforce security procedures created just for the wireless network on end-usersworking with laptops? Some of your users might be allowed to use their laptops on public Wi-Fi networkswhere you have no control. Can you run system checks and prevent computers with security problems fromrejoining your network? If you are using an Active Directory domain with Windows Vista clients, the answer toall of these questions is yes.As you will see, this does not have to be a complicated process. Having a basic understanding of the encryp-tion and authentication choices available, related group policy settings, and Windows Vista features will helpyou narrow down your choices and make the decisions that are best for your environment.We will start of by walking through the process of configuring a wireless connection on a Windows Vista sys-tem manually. This will allow us to view the different features and options available during setup. We will thendiscuss how to implement configuration changes automatically through Active Directory by using 802.11 grouppolicy settings or script files. Of course, a discussion about wireless networking would not be complete withouttaking time to discuss the security issues it will raise and how to deal with them, so we will look at that aswell. First, let’s connect a Windows Vista laptop to a wireless network.Connecting to a Wireless NetworkConfiguring the client connection can easily be done from the Connect to a Network window (Figure1.1). You can get to it by clicking on the Connect to option from the Start menu or open it from the shortcutavailable in the Network and Sharing Center. The list of networks shown will include all available connec-tions including Dial-up and VPN. To limit the list to only wireless networks, choose “Wireless” from the“Show” drop down box.Copyright ©2007 Global Knowledge Training LLC. All rights reserved. Page 2 Figure 1.1: Connect to a Network WindowOne interesting option you might notice in the list of available networks is the ability to connect networks thathave the name “Unnamed Network.” These are wireless access points (APs) that do not advertise their nameor Service Set Identifier (SSID). Sometimes called a non-broadcast or hidden network, many take advantage ofthis feature on their APs in an effort to make the network more secure by “hiding it” from older operating sys-tems like Windows 2000 or XP. Obviously, they are not hidden from Vista systems, but this feature has provedto be a very ineffective security option in any case. If you decide to use it, don’t let it give you a false sense ofsecurity. It really shouldn’t be seen as a security feature, especially on a corporate network.There is also an option showing whether the connection to the AP will be secure or not. If security is enabled,Vista will automatically use the strongest encryption protocol it supports on the access point. If security is notenabled, a warning message will alert you to the dangers of connecting to such a network. You will also havethe option to connect to the AP automatically, making it your preferred network. You will also be able to dis-connect from a network or modify your preferred network settings when necessary.If you need to manually configure your network connection settings, from the Connect to a network windowuse the Set up a connection or network option in the lower left hand corner and choose to open theManually connect to a wireless network window ( ...