The Book of Wireless: A Painless Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless [Paperback]

John Ross Dr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1593271697 | ISBN-13: 978-1593271695 | Publication Date: January 25, 2008 | Edition: 2nd

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 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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Ross has worked as a consultant on wired and wireless networking for several manufacturers, including Motorola and AT&T. He is the author of Internet Power Tools (Random House), Connecting with Windows (Sybex), It's Never Done That Before (No Starch), and numerous other titles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press; 2nd edition (January 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593271697
• ISBN-13: 978-1593271695
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #475,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete coverage yet very readable, February 16, 2008

By 

Anthony Lawrence "Unix, Linux and Mac OS X" (Middleboro, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Wireless: A Painless Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless (Paperback)

I really admire authors who manage to cover their subject in great depth and yet remain readable. This is not a blithe overview of wireless networking: the author goes into the history and details everything you could ever imagine needing to know short of designing the hardware and software yourself.

I am also appreciative that he doesn't ignore Linux, Unix and Mac OS X, and it's not just lip service that they exist.

Beyond that, the network admin will find coverage of access points, advice on antennas for point to point networks.. the roaming user gets a chapter on hot spots.. as I said, complete coverage.

The author doesn't ignore the future, either. 802.11n is covered and so is broadband wireless.

Excellent and complete.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!, February 17, 2008

By 

John R. Vacca "Tech Write Independent Reviewer" (Pomeroy, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Wireless: A Painless Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless (Paperback)

Are you an avid user of the Internet? If you are, then this book is for you. Author John Ross, has done an outstanding job of writing a second edition of a book that shows you how to choose the best wireless data service for your particular needs.

Ross, begins with an explanation of how data networks operate; how wireless technology can extend data networks beyond the reach of wired connections; and, how Wi-Fi networks work. Then, the author describes the hardware needed for Wi-Fi and how to design and install your own Wi-Fi network. Next, he shows you how to use a Wi-Fi network to connect to the Internet from a computer running Microsoft Windows. The author also covers Wi-Fi clients for Linux and Unix operating systems. He continues by providing similar information for Macintosh OS X. Then, the author shows you how to install and configure Wi-Fi access points. Next, he covers long-range, point-to-point WiFi links. The author continues by covering connecting to existing Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi security. Then, he describes some alternative broadband wireless services, including EV-DO, EDGE, and WiMAX. Next, the author explains how to use Wi-Fi and broadband services with smartphones and other pocket-size computers. He also describes virtual private networks. Then, the author explains how to use wireless links to place telephone calls through the Internet. Finally, the author offers troubleshooting tips and general advice.

This most excellent book shows you how to set up your computer for wireless. But, more importantly, the book shows you how to design and install your own wireless network.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars useful resource for wireless tech, April 30, 2008

By 

D. Graham (Wakefield, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Wireless: A Painless Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless (Paperback)

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