Wi-Fi (802.11) Network Handbook [Paperback]

Neil P. Reid (Author), Ron Seide (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072226234 | ISBN-13: 978-0072226232 | Publication Date: December 5, 2002 | Edition: 1

Break free with the wireless networking capabilities of 802.11. This comprehensive and well-written guide provides hardware advice, radio frequency fundamentals, performance tips, architecture requirements, and more. Provides clarity on connectivity issues for laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and peripherals.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your One-Stop 802.11 Wireless LAN Resource

Get briefed on the intricacies of wireless LANs, and learn why 802.11 is best-suited among the WLAN technologies for most wireless applications. With a comprehensive approach that's easy to understand, this resource covers the entire integration of wireless LANs into an overall network architecture, from equipment and component selection, through design and deployment. Learn site survey techniques, performance tips, architecture requirements, and best practices by reviewing the secrets of successful deployments. The authors' front-line experience with Cisco Systems gives them the unique ability to bring Wi-Fi into the comfort zone of IS professionals at any level.

• Leverage your existing hardware, including switches and routers
• Utilize tools like SNMP-compliant network management software and AAA servers
• Get pertinent, up-to-date information on the public access of wireless LANs
• Understand radio frequency fundamentals
• Select the right equipment for various indoor and outdoor deployments, including access points, client adapters, and bridges
• Learn why 802.11 technology must be viewed as a fully integrated component to existing networks
• Navigate the regulatory environment summarized--including international considerations
• Secure your wireless network with propriety or IEEE standards-based security products and architectures
• Deliver robust and interoperable Quality of Service

About the Author

Neil Reid is a Solutions Engineer for 802.11 and fixed wireless systems at Cisco Systems. He has worldwide responsibilities for Systems Engineers engaged in network solutions that use various types of wireless technologies for Cisco Systems, Inc. He is an expert in wireless hardware and software including 802.11, 3.5 GHz ETSI radios, MMDS, LMDS Millimeter wave radios and UNII broadband fixed wireless systems, optical and storage networks and general enterprise and service provider internals. Neil released Broadband Fixed Wireless Networks, (Osborne/McGraw-Hill) in December 2001.

Ron Seide is the Product Line Manager in Cisco System’s Wireless Networking Business Unit. Ron brings to this project a unique perspective on the wireless LAN industry. At Cisco Systems, his job entails daily contact with Fortune 50 commercial enterprises, government institutions and universities who are in various stages of their wireless LAN deployment. He works regularly with technology resellers, consultants and other intermediate entities. Ron has first hand knowledge of the issues faced by these individuals, their concerns and their areas of interest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 363 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (December 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072226234
• ISBN-13: 978-0072226232
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neil Reid
Principle
Neil Reid & Associates
www.nrawireless.com

Mr. Reid has been in high technology since the early 1980s' and has been in the licensed and unlicensed wireless technology industry since the early 1990's.

He is an internationally invited consultant and speaker to industry and academia on mobility subjects ranging from value propositions and success metrics for executives and graduate business schools, to complex RF propagation and project sequencing for engineers.

He has published three books on wireless technology through McGraw-Hill of New York, the second of which became a best seller, the third released in June of 2010 entitled "The Why of Wireless".

He was at Cisco Systems from 1999 to 2011 where his responsibilities ranged from top ranked wireless engineer to senior manager of business development for wireless. He founded the advanced Systems Engineering Virtual Team for mobility at Cisco in 1999, and co-wrote numerous wireless engineering certification courses for Cisco training partners including the original CCIE, CCNP, and CCNP certifications. The CCxx type certification has long been considered the world standard for network engineers.

He is the originator of detailed mobility sales analytics and smart sales targeting for a number of Cisco's top performing partners. This analytics methodology expanded to include unified communications, data center and security practices.

These analytics, along with a comprehensive tactical and strategic implementation, are now the standard practice with some of Cisco's top partners.

Mr. Reid is also the originator of Optimal Project Sequencing (OPS) which is a methodology for IT project management. This methodology was developed by him while he was assigned to recover a number of the world's most complex and largest wireless deployments. OPS is now in use by numerous Cisco partners and customers around the world and is featured in his third book published world wide by McGraw-Hill of New York.

He has successfully developed not only the network architectures, but also highly complex engagement sequences for some of the largest WLAN's in the world in the nuclear power generation industry, heavy manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail industries.

One of Mr. Reid's specialties and consulting deliverable is recovering complex projects from near failure to long term and sustainable positive outcomes for major WLAN resellers, end customers users.

Mr. Reid enjoyed nearly thirteen wonderful years at Cisco, and he elected to take a generous early retirement package in 2011.

The fire and passion for mobility and the IT industry remains with him, and in response to numerous requests from world class Cisco partners during the receipt of the retirement package, he has launched Neil Reid & Associates to continue and extend those outstanding and profitable relationships.

Mr. Reid's focal points with major wireless resellers include revenue expansion for mobility (802.11), Unified Communications, Security, and Data Center practices. How mobility leverages those practices, and monetizing cloud services are some of the most important and relevant industry subjects today.

Prior to arriving at Cisco in 1999, Neil was a co-founder of a wireless startup company that designed proprietary wireless systems for the auto-rental, military, and healthcare industries. He has also built astrophysics payloads for NASA at UC Berkeley's Space Astrophysics Group, and was one of the early adopters of computational fluid dynamics for aerodynamics use on IndyCar, NHRA, Formula 1, and hydrodynamics for an America's Cup team.

His current responsibilities with major Cisco partners include practice expansion, economic cycle resilience, and resolving complex engagement issues with major mobility customers. When not at work, Neil enjoys time with his family, Hemi Challenger, and in pursuit of the perfect BBQ'd steak.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very boring writing style, June 6, 2003

By 

Anil Gupta "anilg14" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wi-Fi (802.11) Network Handbook (Paperback)

Covers several areas which are not found in a lot of other books. However, at many places, it assumes that the reader has some basic knowledge. Completely lacks illustrations, examples, figures. The writing style is very boring - paragraph after paragraph without any structure to these. The information presented is definitely good and useful - but you gotta keep yourself awake !

All in all, I would NOT receommend this to anybody as a first book. I began with Jim Geir's book, and found that very good begin with. Actually a lot of the examples, figures in that book helped me understand many of the concepts mentioned in this book (sometimes in even greater detail). If the authors could improve upon the boring writing style and add some pictures to explain the concepts better - this book would be much better.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of wireless concepts, April 20, 2003

By 

"booksters" (Bridgewater, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wi-Fi (802.11) Network Handbook (Paperback)

Gives a good overview and helps build a good foundation in wireless concepts. Authors are from Cisco, but its good to see no bias towards Cisco products in the book. Well-written. Highly recommended as a first book for anyone starting out in Wireless technologies.