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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:
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.
Probably the best introductory book out there on wirelessReviewed by Fry Boy, 2009-08-25
I broke down and bought this book because the information I found
on the Internet regarding wireless security never seemed to put
together a comprehensive explanation of everything I wanted to
know. This book will tell you all about wireless connection at home
and elsewhere. The dangers, risks and ways to protect yourself. It
even recommends various software applications (most of them free)
that you can use to check out all the wireless packets streaming
through the air. WireShark was one such application. I was shocked
to see Outlook transmit my webmail username and password pop up!
Now I just check my mail through my webmail online (i.e. via an
https:// address).
Taught me how to secure my wireless router. Now I have a secured
network with an ultralong password. No neighbors will be hopping
onto my home network any longer.
This book also tells you how you can prevent your network from
being broadcast. Also discusses the pros and cons of that.
Remember, if your cable company showed up, gave you a wireless
router and made sure you could check your e-mail and surf the 'net,
you probably don't have a secure network. Also, in order to change
your wireless router's username and password, you've got to connect
a CAT5 cable from the back of your computer to the back of the
wireless router (which is connected to your cable modem [i.e. that
thing with the coaxial cable jack in it]). The back of the wireless
router most likely has the router's default username and password
on it. Once you're jacked in to the router, go to your computer's
"Start" menu, select "Programs," "Accessories," "Command Prompt."
When the window pops up, type in "ipconfig" followed by . Copy down
all that info, 'cause you'll need it to change your wireless
router's username and password. Now, open an internet browser and
type in the Internet link on the back of the router to get things
started. Just one of the things you can learn if you look hard
enough or buy this book.
"The Book of Wireless" is definitely worth the money if you want to
become a lot wireless savvy. Highly recommended. Also covers
wireless devices such as PDAs and smartphones.
Superb book considering the intended audienceReviewed by Tom Carpenter, 2009-03-12
In my opinion, this book is the best single book for non-techies
who want to setup wireless networks, connect to wireless networks,
or simply understand them better. The book does cover many
technical aspects of Wi-Fi and broadband wireless, but not at the
levels of depth required by the technical professional; however,
that is not the target audience, so that is no a weakness.
I really wanted to give the book five stars, but I could not
because of one errant phrase with huge implications. On page 152,
when giving a high-level overview of wireless security options, the
author says, "TKIP is the stronger of the two, so it's usually the
better choice." This would be accurate if TKIP was being compared
to the original WEP in 802.11-1997; however, the author compares
TKIP with AES and then makes this statement. There is no debate
over the fact that AES is stronger, when used with WPA
(proprietary) or WPA2. I'm sure this is a remnant of the first
edition when TKIP was likely compared with WEP, but this single
statement can certainly lead to a lot of unnecessary less secure
installations.
That statement aside, the book is very well written, easy to
understand, and it provides the depth of coverage needed for the
average user or the technical user who doesn't want to master
everything there is to know about wireless.
Decent intro to wirelessReviewed by Andrew, 2008-05-23
This is not a book for professionals by any stretch. The book is
for novices to intermediate-level users. There are several
inaccuracies and omissions. For example, the author cites EDGE as
the only alternative to EV-DO. This is false, and EDGE is an aging
technology that is being used less and less. GSM has its own 3G,
HSDPA. The book doesn't mention this, and confuses it with EDGE. As
for omissions, the book doesn't mention WPA2, the most secure
wireless encryption technology available. The book mentions WPA,
and talks about its pitfalls. It doesn't even mention WPA2, which
has been available for a few years now. It should have been
mentioned in the 1st edition, but it didn't even make it into the
2nd edition.
This is a decent book for beginners, but be wary of the
inaccuracies. Don't go into a cellphone store and ask for the
'fancy top-of-the-line' EDGE cellphones when there are much faster
alternatives. I've seen these mistakes with only a cursory glance
over the book, so take the whole book with a grain of salt.
The book should also be called 'The Book of Wi-fi'. The majority of
the book is about Wi-fi. There are only a few short chapters at the
end about cellular wireless (which aren't even accurate as I've
said earlier). If you're looking for a complete book of wireless
(Bluetooth and such) this is not the book for you.
useful resource for wireless techReviewed by D. Graham, 2008-04-30
An excellent guide to the mysteries of broadband wireless networks.
It's pretty comprehensive, covering everything from the basics of
networking, how wi-fi actually works, the various types of hardware
you'll need and encounter, through to chapters on the hot topics of
wireless security and wireless on your smartphone.
The text itself is friendly and clear, with great examples strewn
throughout. There's a lot of depth to the explanations too -
everyone from a techie to a wifi novice will find useful
information in this book. There's a great chapter on installing and
configuring your wifi access points, which covers everything you'll
need to know. Other chapters are slightly more specialised, for
example the one on long-range point-to-point links - interesting
stuff, but aimed at the more advanced level. There are detailed
chapters on setting up wifi for Windows, Mac and Linux - nice to
see all three covered in detail.
The book moves onto with a look at the alternatives to wifi - EDGE,
EV-DO, WiMax and so on, before finishing off with chapters on
smartphones/PDAs and VPNs. Rounded off with a short but useful
troubleshooting section, this book really does cover everything
you'd need to know about wireless technology
For any Wireless UserReviewed by William G. Keys Jr., 2008-04-26
"The Book of Wireless" by John Ross is an answer to the problem of
learning about wireless networking. With the wide spread use of
Wireless networks today anyone with a computer should at least know
the basics of wireless. Also, with the wireless networking, users
need to know how to protect themselves from wireless networking
attacks.
Ross's book provides a general but detailed look at all parts of
wireless on all different platforms and environment. The reader
will gain an understanding of all parts of wireless networking,
from physical layer to the application layer of networking with
examples of setting up their own wireless network. The author
explains why users need to take measures in securing their wireless
networks. This book is intended for reader's who want to learn more
about wireless networking. Those who are thinking about using
wireless to the user who has already setup a home wireless network
will find this book useful.
The first three chapters in the "The Book of Wireless" provides the
reader with an introduction to networking and wireless. The author
talks about the OSI Model, physical, data link, network, transport,
session, presentation, and application layers. These chapters would
be a good introduction to any computer networking class. It gives
the reader the background information of how wireless networking
works.
Chapters four and five look at the hardware used in networking and
how-to setup a home or office WI-FI network. If you need to quickly
setup a wireless network theses are the chapters for you. The
author does a good job at explaining the different configuration
options which the user has to choose from. This allows the user to
choose which networking setup will work best for that particular
user. Chapters six through eight focuses on ways of connecting to
an access point with Windows, Mac, Linux or Unix. The author
teaches the user how to use the different wireless tools out there
no matter which operating system you use. I am happy to see a
chapter on Linux where the author explains everything to the Linux
user everything, which they need to connect to any wireless
network. The author even explains the wireless device drive Linux
users will need.
Chapter 9 brings to light all the details of setting up a wireless
network. The reader will learn how to setup an access point and
have a greater understanding of the different technologies used
here. The author even goes into detail on how the user can setup a
neighborhood network. An important step in setting up any wireless
is security and the author states some of the different methods of
increasing your wireless security when setting up a wireless access
point.
Chapter 12 which I believe is the most important chapter in
wireless networking is wireless network security. The author
explains the differences between the different methods of
increasing a wireless network. I liked how the author explains why
users should use one method over another. This chapter is for any
user that is wondering what are the differences between WEP and WPA
and which one they should use. The author even goes into detail
about how to use the firewall on your router to increase your
network security and health. This chapter is a must read for anyone
who has a wireless network.
Chapter 17 is for the user that is in charge of setting up their
wireless network and has found a problem with it. The author goes
into detail some of the common problems the user may come
across.
In conclusion, if you or anyone you know has a wireless network or
is planning on setting up one, "The Book of Wireless" is a valuable
resource to read. You will gain a better understanding of wireless
networking. No matter which operating system you are using, you
will be able to connect and setup a secure wireless network in no
time.
