Broadband wireless networks bring us closer to the Internet's ultimate destiny of interconnecting everyone, everywhere. But wireless networking can be a bit geeky and nerve-wracking without a proper guide. Let's face it: Networking can be hard.
If you're one of the last holdouts still connected to the Internet by a wire, The Book of Wireless, 2nd Edition is the book for you. You'll learn how to set up your own home (or small office) wireless network and how to use public wireless networks, safely and securely. This plain-English guide demystifies configuring and using wireless networks-everything from shopping for parts to securing your network. Learn how to:
- Select and configure hardware and software for your Wi-Fi network and configure access points to minimize interference
- Secure your network using WPA encryption or a virtual private network (VPN)
- Discover open networks and maintain your privacy while surfing in public
- Use VoIP over a wireless connection to talk on the phone for next to nothing
- Evaluate wireless data services based on cost, speed, and coverage
- Extend your network to give your neighbors free wireless Internet access
You'll also learn about new and forthcoming broadband wireless standards and how to choose the right service provider and equipment. With up-to-date information on wireless routers, network interface cards, antennas, security, and software, The Book of Wireless, 2nd Edition will help you navigate the confusing wireless landscape to find the perfect solution.
Author(s): John Ross Dr
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: No Starch Press
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 356
Tags: Связь и телекоммуникации;Мобильная связь;
THE BOOK OF WIRELESS, 2ND EDITION......Page 1
Acknowledgments......Page 19
Introduction......Page 21
1: Introduction to Networking......Page 25
Bits and Bytes......Page 26
Handshaking......Page 27
Finding the Destination......Page 28
The Physical Layer......Page 31
The Transport Layer......Page 32
Summary......Page 33
2: Introduction to Wireless Networks......Page 35
How Wireless Networks Work......Page 36
Radio......Page 37
Wireless Data Networks......Page 39
Benefits of Wireless......Page 43
Wi-Fi......Page 44
Cellular Mobile Wireless Services......Page 47
WiMAX......Page 49
Frequency Allocations......Page 50
Choosing a Service......Page 51
Wi-Fi Network Controls......Page 53
The Physical Layer......Page 54
The MAC Layer......Page 55
Wi-Fi Network Protocols......Page 56
Wireless Channels......Page 57
Reducing Interference......Page 58
Network Adapters......Page 60
Access Points......Page 62
Building a Network......Page 63
Public and Private Networks......Page 64
Putting It All Together......Page 65
4: The Hardware You Need for Wi-Fi......Page 67
Everybody Speaks the Same Language (More or Less)......Page 68
Network Adapters......Page 69
Form Factor......Page 70
Internal vs. External Antennas......Page 74
Interoperability......Page 75
Finding Drivers for Your Adapter......Page 76
Ease of Use......Page 78
Documentation and Technical Support......Page 80
Reputation......Page 81
Dual-Purpose Adapters......Page 82
Access Points......Page 83
Pure Wireless LANs......Page 84
Wireless Access to a Wired LAN......Page 85
Combining the Access Point with a Wired Hub......Page 86
Multiple Access Points......Page 87
External Antennas......Page 89
Antenna Characteristics......Page 91
How to Choose an Antenna......Page 92
Where to Use a Directional Antenna......Page 93
It’s Time to Buy......Page 95
5: Managing Your Wi-Fi Connections......Page 97
Installing USB Adapters......Page 98
Installing an Internal Adapter in a Laptop Computer......Page 99
Loading the Driver Software......Page 100
Choosing a Control Program......Page 101
The Microsoft Wireless Network Connection Utility......Page 102
The Intel PROSet/Wireless Program......Page 110
Other Wi-Fi Adapters and Control Programs......Page 112
Status Information......Page 114
Changing Your Adapter’s Configuration Settings......Page 115
The Mobile Life: Moving from One Network to Another......Page 116
Beyond Windows......Page 117
Signal Strength vs. Signal Quality......Page 118
6: Wi-Fi for Windows......Page 121
IP Addresses......Page 123
Domain Name Servers......Page 125
Naming Your Computer......Page 126
Do You Have the Latest Firmware?......Page 128
Using the Windows Wireless Tools......Page 129
Network Interface Adapter Options......Page 134
Naming Your Computer......Page 135
Troubleshooting the Connection......Page 137
7: Wi-Fi for Linux and Unix......Page 139
Drivers, Back Seat and Otherwise......Page 140
Linux Drivers......Page 142
Unix Drivers......Page 144
Using Built-in Software......Page 145
Add-on Wi-Fi Programs......Page 147
Looking Under the Hood......Page 149
Wireless Tools......Page 150
Status Display Programs......Page 151
Configuring an Access Point......Page 152
wiconfig and wicontrol......Page 153
8: Wi-Fi for Mac......Page 157
AirPort Components......Page 158
Installing the Hardware......Page 159
Running the AirPort Setup Assistant......Page 160
Using an AirPort Network......Page 161
Using Non-Apple Adapters with a Mac......Page 162
Connecting an AirPort Card to a Non-AirPort Access Point......Page 163
Network Properties......Page 164
Is AirPort the Answer?......Page 165
9: Installing and Configuring Wi-Fi Access Points......Page 167
Installing Access Points......Page 168
Configuring the Access Point Through a Browser......Page 170
DNS Addresses......Page 172
Configuration Commands and Settings......Page 173
How Many Access Points?......Page 176
Using Multiple Access Points......Page 178
Make a Site Plan . . .......Page 180
Testing , Testing . . .......Page 184
Interference Problems......Page 187
Advantages of Mixed Networks......Page 189
Access Points Combined with Hubs and Gateway Routers......Page 190
Legal Issues......Page 191
Outdoor Antennas and Access Points......Page 194
Campus Networks......Page 199
Connecting the Access Points to a LAN and the Internet......Page 200
Networking Your Neighborhood......Page 201
Keeping Your ISP Happy......Page 202
Network Security: Everybody Is Your Neighbor......Page 203
10: Long Range Point-to-Point Links......Page 205
Extending the LAN......Page 206
Bridge Routers......Page 208
Installing a Point-to-Point Link......Page 209
Reaching the Boondocks: Long-Range Links......Page 210
Aligning the Antennas......Page 211
Obstructions and Relays......Page 213
Alternatives to Wi-Fi for Point-to-Point......Page 214
Build Your Own Antenna?......Page 215
11: Connecting to an Existing Wi-Fi Network......Page 219
Public Wi-Fi Is Not Secure......Page 220
Finding a Wi-Fi Hot Spot......Page 221
Keeping Your Data Secure......Page 223
NetStumbler and Other Sniffer Tools......Page 224
Public Hot Spots......Page 226
Municipal Wi-Fi Networks......Page 228
“Free Public WiFi”......Page 229
Unprotected Private Access Points......Page 232
12: Wireless Network Security......Page 235
Protecting Your Network and Your Data......Page 238
Protecting Your Computer......Page 240
Network Name (SSID)......Page 241
WEP Encryption......Page 243
WPA Encryption......Page 246
Access Control (MAC Authentication)......Page 248
Authentication: The 802.1x Standard......Page 249
Firewalls......Page 250
Keep Wireless Intruders at Bay......Page 251
Isolate Your Network from the Internet......Page 252
Access Points with Firewalls......Page 253
Firewall Software......Page 255
Turn Off DHCP......Page 256
Physical Security......Page 257
Sharing Your Network with the World......Page 259
Some Final Thoughts About Wi-Fi Security......Page 261
13: Alternatives to Wi-Fi: Wireless Broadband Data......Page 263
Broadband Data Services......Page 264
Comparing Technologies......Page 266
Choosing a Service Provider......Page 268
Coverage......Page 269
Cost......Page 270
Service and Support......Page 271
Connecting to a Wireless Broadband Network......Page 272
Using More Than One Computer......Page 273
Clearwire, Sprint, and Other Pre-WiMAX Services......Page 274
Broadband Wireless in Automobiles and Other Vehicles......Page 275
TracNet......Page 277
Safety Issues......Page 278
14: Smartphones and PDAs......Page 279
Connecting to the Internet Through PDAs and Other Handheld Devices......Page 280
Choosing a Smartphone......Page 281
Smartphone Operating Systems......Page 282
Which Is Best?......Page 287
15: Virtual Private Networks......Page 289
VPN Servers......Page 292
Configuring a Windows Server for a Wireless VPN......Page 293
VPN Servers for Unix......Page 294
Network Hardware with Built-in VPN Support......Page 295
Configuring Windows for VPN......Page 296
Making the Connection in Windows......Page 300
Windows XP Options......Page 301
VPN Clients for Unix......Page 303
Using a Wireless VPN......Page 304
Making the Connection......Page 306
Using a VPN Through a Public Network......Page 307
16: Using Broadband for Telephone Calls......Page 309
VoIP over Broadband Wireless and WiMAX......Page 311
Voice over Wi-Fi......Page 313
My computer doesn’t detect my network adapter.......Page 317
The wireless control program tries to run, even if I’m not using my adapter.......Page 319
My computer connects to the wrong network.......Page 320
The signal strength is weak or signal quality is low.......Page 321
The network is slow.......Page 322
My Wi-Fi network has crashed.......Page 323
What else can I do to improve performance?......Page 324
How can I find out who made my network adapter?......Page 325
Is the software that came with my network adapter or access point up to date?......Page 326
I’m having trouble connecting to my VPN.......Page 327
Can I use my access point as a network bridge?......Page 328
I’ve heard that radio signals from cellular phones might be dangerous. What about Wi-Fi?......Page 329
Index......Page 331
Updates......Page 354
