wilamowski-b-m-irwin-j-d-industrial-communication-systems-2011

Industrial Wireless Communications Security (IWCS)/C42 28-7
When PAN devices first appeared in the marketplace the typical configuration of these devices were
with mode 1 or no security. Although most PAN devices today ship with some level of security enabled
for various profiles/services, users have a tendency to turn PAN security off for ease of use and convenience.
“Passkeys” are typically used as an authentication tool. Default or preset passkeys that are well
known are standard on some devices and should be changed to protect confidentiality of information.
802.15.4 is also the basis for wireless sensor networks and mesh networking. An example of a mesh
network for a factory environment is shown in Figure 28.5. Mesh APs are wirelessly networked with
one of the APs possibly providing access to the Internet. Other applications include building automation
where electrical devices that need to be controlled and monitored could interface to a mesh AP. A wireless
mesh network (WMN) would enable maintenance workers using mobile handheld devices such as
smartphones or personal digital assistants to gather data from wherever they are in a building.
Wireless mesh networks are an effective solution for building automation and control. The mesh APs
in Figure 28.5 communicate only with their adjacent routers. In larger mesh network deployments,
some of the APs would act as intermediate routers or relays between APs (multi-hopping) not within
wireless range (non-line-of-sight) of one another. When an intermediate router becomes faulty, other
routers/APs adapt and pick up the routing; i.e., the mesh network is self-healing, ensuring constant
availability of information.
Mesh AP
Mesh AP
Office
Mesh
AP
Mesh AP
Mesh AP
Mesh
AP
c
Mesh AP
FIGURE 28.5
Large industrial mesh network environment.
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC