Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking

Note: Supplemental materials are not guaranteed with Rental or Used book purchases.

ISBN: 9780789731159 | 0789731150
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 4/27/2004

Sorry, this item is currently not available.

WiFi is one of the fastest growing technologies of all time and everyone is interested in learning how to use it. This book makes all the information about WiFi, including the standards and protocols, and how they relate easy to understand. This book covers everything about WiFi, from what to look for how to set up a users computer with WiFi to finding hotspots and access points. Users will be able to configure a home network and share internet connections quickly and easily. And all important security issues are covered so that a user is less exposed to threats.

Introduction	p. 1
Why Wi-Fi?	p. 5
Entering a World Without Wires	p. 7
What Is Wi-Fi?	p. 8
Wireless Spectrums	p. 9
Using Wi-Fi	p. 10
Why Wi-Fi Is Important	p. 11
Understanding Wi-Fi Networks	p. 11
Using Wi-Fi on the Road	p. 12
Connecting	p. 13
Paying for It	p. 13
Finding Access Points	p. 14
Understanding Wi-Fi	p. 15
The Free Spectrums	p. 16
The 802.11 Standard and Its Variations	p. 18
The 802.11b Standard	p. 18
The 802.11a and 802.11g Standards	p. 19
The 802.11i Standard	p. 19
Related Wireless Standards	p. 20
Transmission Speeds	p. 21
The Future of Wi-Fi	p. 21
Hitting the Road with Wi-Fi	p. 23
The Equipment You Need	p. 24
Finding Hotspots	p. 26
Searching a Chain	p. 26
Searching a Wi-Fi Service Provider	p. 28
Using a Wi-Fi Directory	p. 29
Paying for Your Fun	p. 31
Surfing While You Sip	p. 32
Networking Without Wires	p. 35
Understanding Home and SOHO Networks	p. 36
In the Beginning There Was the Connection	p. 36
To Serve or Not to Serve	p. 37
Hubs	p. 38
Switches	p. 38
Routers	p. 39
What Is the Network?	p. 41
Different Ways to Use Wi-Fi in a Network	p. 42
The Equipment You'll Need	p. 44
What's It Going to Cost?	p. 44
Setting Up Your Computer for Wi-Fi	p. 47
Buying a Wi-Fi Laptop	p. 49
Getting to Know Your Future Wi-Fi Laptop	p. 50
Trade-Offs	p. 54
To Mac or Not To Mac?	p. 55
Buying a Mac with Wi-Fi	p. 56
Buying a Windows Notebook with Integrated Wi-Fi	p. 59
Where to Buy	p. 59
Buying a Wi-Fi PDA	p. 65
Understanding Handheld Computers	p. 66
Comparing Operating Systems	p. 67
The Right Handheld for You	p. 68
Handhelds and Wi-Fi	p. 68
Accessing Wi-Fi	p. 71
Playing with Wi-Fi Gadgets	p. 73
The Future of Wi-Fi	p. 74
Transmitting Photos with Wi-Fi	p. 75
Camera, Wi-Fi, and PDA All-In-One	p. 76
Streaming Video with Wi-Fi	p. 77
Framing Pictures with Wi-Fi	p. 78
Other Nifty Gadgets	p. 78
Home Entertainment	p. 78
Wi-Fi in the Kitchen	p. 79
Voice Badges and More	p. 80
Playing Games and Having Fun with Wi-Fi	p. 82
Adding Wi-Fi to a Mobile Computer	p. 85
Choosing a Wi-Fi PC Card	p. 86
Wi-Fi and the PowerBook	p. 86
Differences Between Cards	p. 87
Where to Buy	p. 90
Installing the Card	p. 90
Connections to Mr. Laptop	p. 90
Putting the Wi-Fi Card in the Slot	p. 92
Installation Software	p. 93
Configuring Your Card for a Wi-Fi Network	p. 94
Making Sure the Card Works	p. 100
Other Options	p. 102
Wi-Fi on Your Desktop	p. 103
Buying a New Computer	p. 104
Adding AirPort to an Apple Desktop	p. 105
Adding Wi-Fi to a Windows Desktop	p. 111
Using a USB Wi-Fi Adapter	p. 118
USB Wi-Fi and a Mac	p. 119
USB Wi-Fi Adapter Does Windows	p. 122
Going Mobile with Wi-Fi	p. 125
Tools for the Perfect Road Warrior	p. 127
Loading Software Before You Go	p. 128
Taking Hotspot Info with You	p. 128
The Best of the Best	p. 130
Apple	p. 130
Windows	p. 130
PDA	p. 131
To Laptop or to PDA?	p. 132
Keyboards, Mice, and Other Devices	p. 132
Where Can You Wi-Fi?	p. 135
Where Is Wi-Fi Likely to Be?	p. 136
Using Wi-Fi Directories	p. 137
Where to Find the Directories	p. 138
Which Directory to Use	p. 138
Getting Around the "You Have to Be Connected" Barrier	p. 139
Tricks and Techniques	p. 139
Using the HotSpotList Directory	p. 140
Using the WiFi411 Directory	p. 143
I Want to Be a Hotspot	p. 146
Working with a Wi-Fi Finder	p. 147
War Driving and War Chalking	p. 148
Working with National Wi-Fi Networks	p. 153
Wi-Fi Networks	p. 154
Special Pricing, Good and Bad	p. 155
What the Networks Charge	p. 155
AT&T Wireless	p. 155
Boingo Wireless	p. 156
Sprint PCS	p. 156
SurfHere	p. 157
T-Mobile Hotspot	p. 158
Verizon	p. 158
Wayport	p. 158
Comparison Shopping	p. 159
Creating a Wi-Fi Network	p. 161
Buying a Wi-Fi Access Point or Router	p. 163
Understanding the Different Pieces of Hardware	p. 164
Ad-Hoc Versus Infrastructure Modes	p. 164
Wi-Fi Access Points	p. 166
Wireless Bridges	p. 169
Wireless Networking Kits	p. 170
Choosing a Wi-Fi Access Point	p. 170
The Best of the Best	p. 171
The AirPort Extreme Base Station	p. 171
Buying a Combo Wire Line-Wi-Fi Router	p. 173
Setting Up Your Access Point	p. 175
Preliminaries	p. 176
You Need a Working Internet Connection	p. 177
Collect Your Settings	p. 178
Plugging in the Hardware	p. 182
Configuring Your Access Point	p. 184
Linksys Wireless-Broadband Router	p. 185
Connecting to the Wi-Fi Network	p. 187
AirPort Extreme	p. 192
Configuring Your Wi-Fi Network	p. 195
Ad-Hoc Networking	p. 196
Ad-Hoc Apple	p. 197
Ad-Hoc Mode on Windows	p. 197
Troubleshooting a Network Using Ipconfig	p. 203
Advanced Networks: Topologies for Larger Networks	p. 205
Setting Up a Hotspot with a DMZ	p. 208
Connecting Pitcairn Island to the Internet with Wi-Fi	p. 209
Sharing an Internet Connection	p. 211
Sharing a Connection through a Computer	p. 212
Sharing an Internet Connection on an Apple	p. 212
Sharing an Internet Connection on Windows XP	p. 213
Connecting to a Cable or DSL Modem	p. 214
Dynamic IP Addressing Versus Fixed IP Assignment	p. 214
Other Settings That May Be Needed	p. 217
Understanding Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)	p. 218
DNS	p. 219
More About Mixed Wired-Wireless Networks	p. 219
Adding Wi-Fi Antennas to Your Network	p. 225
Why Use an Antenna with Wi-Fi?	p. 226
Antenna Basics	p. 226
Frequency	p. 226
Power	p. 227
Radiation Pattern	p. 227
Gain	p. 227
Different Kinds of Antennas	p. 227
Omnidirectional Antennas	p. 227
Directional Antennas	p. 229
Multipolarized Antennas	p. 230
Using an Antenna with a Wi-Fi Card	p. 231
Adding an Antenna to an Access Point	p. 232
What the Antenna Should Cost	p. 232
The Antenna in a Can	p. 233
Where to Buy Your Wi-Fi Antenna	p. 234
Securing Your Wi-Fi Computer and Network	p. 235
Protecting Your Mobile Wi-Fi Computer	p. 237
"Social" Engineering	p. 238
Physical Lockdown	p. 239
Using Password Protection	p. 240
Creating a Password in Windows XP	p. 241
File Sharing	p. 241
Windows XP	p. 241
MacOS	p. 243
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)	p. 244
Personal Software for Protection	p. 247
Securing Your Wi-Fi Network	p. 249
How Real Is the Threat?	p. 250
What Steps Should You Take?	p. 252
No-Brainer Security	p. 253
Middling Security	p. 255
Red-Alert Security	p. 255
Understanding Firewalls	p. 256
Setting Up a VPN	p. 257
Using MAC Filtering	p. 260
Appendixes	p. 265
Wireless Standards	p. 267
Understanding 802.11 Wireless Standards	p. 268
The Flavors of 802.11	p. 269
802.11b	p. 269
802.11g	p. 270
802.11a	p. 270
802.11n	p. 270
802.11i	p. 271
Finding Wi-Fi Hotspots	p. 273
Online Directories	p. 274
Wi-Fi Networks	p. 275
Retail Locations	p. 277
Hotels	p. 278
Airports	p. 278
Free Public Networks	p. 279
Glossary	p. 281
Index	p. 287
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Please wait while the item is added to your bag...

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License