Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Danny Briere (Author), Pat Hurley (Author), Edward Ferris (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470258896 | ISBN-13: 978-0470258897 | Publication Date: April 7, 2008 | Edition: 3

Wireless home networks are better than ever! The emergence of new industry standards has made them easier, more convenient, less expensive to own and operate. Still, you need to know what to look for (and look out for), and the expert guidance you’ll find in Wireless Home Networks For Dummies, 3^rd Edition helps you ensure that your wire-free life is also a hassle-free life!

This user-friendly, plain-English guide delivers all of the tips, tricks, and knowledge you need to plan your wireless home network, evaluate and select the equipment that will work best for you, install and configure your wireless network, and much more. You’ll find out how to share your Internet connection over your network, as well as files, printers, and other peripherals. And, you’ll learn how to avoid the “gotchas” that can creep in when you least expect them. Discover how to:

• Choose the right networking equipment
• Install and configure your wireless network
• Integrate Bluetooth into your network
• Work with servers, gateways, routers, and switches
• Connect audiovisual equipment to your wireless network
• Play wireless, multiuser computer games
• Establish and maintain your network’s security
• Troubleshoot networking problems
• Improve network performance
• Understand 802.11n

Whether you’re working with Windows PCs, Mac OS X machines, or both Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, 3^rd Edition, makes it fast and easy to get your wireless network up and running—and keep it that way!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Covers Wi-Fi (including 802.11n) Bluetooth, ZigBee, and more

Share stuff safely and wirelessly on Windows PCs or Mac OS X machines

Why go wireless? It's easy, convenient, inexpensive, and, with the emergence of new industry standards, better than ever! These experts know what you should look for (and look out for). They'll walk you through the pros and cons of the different standards, planning and installing your network, setting up security, and getting the most from your investment.

Discover how to:

• Choose the right networking equipment

• Integrate Bluetooth® into your network

• Work with servers, gateways, routers, and switches

• Protect your network from intruders

• Understand 802.11n

About the Author

Danny Briere founded TeleChoice, Inc., a telecommunications consulting company, in 1985 and now serves as CEO of the company. Widely known throughout the telecommunications and networking industry, Danny has written more than 1,000 articles about telecommunications topics and has authored or edited eight books, including Smart Homes For Dummies, 3rd Edition, HDTV For Dummies, 2nd Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies, Wireless Network Hacks & Mods For Dummies, and Home Theater For Dummies, 2nd Edition (all published by Wiley). He is frequently quoted by leading publications on telecommunications and technology topics and can often be seen on major TV networks providing analysis on the latest communications news and breakthroughs. Danny lives in Mansfield Center, Connecticut, with his wife and four children.

Pat Hurley is director of research with TeleChoice, Inc., specializing in emerging telecommunications technologies, including all the latest access and home technologies: wireless LANs, DSL, cable modems, satellite services, and home networking services. Pat frequently consults with the leading telecommunications carriers, equipment vendors, consumer goods manufacturers, and other players in the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries. Pat is the co-author of Smart Homes For Dummies, 3rd Edition, HDTV For Dummies, 2nd Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 PC For Dummies, Wireless Network Hacks & Mods For Dummies, and Home Theater For Dummies, 2nd Edition (all published by Wiley). He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, beautiful daughter, and two smelly and unruly dogs.

Edward Ferris is a consultant and director of information systems with TeleChoice, Inc., specializing in information management, wired and wireless networking, and security technologies. He has extensive experience with all the latest VOIP technologies: SIP, vPBX, Hybrid PBX, QoS, and packet labeling and switching. Ed frequently consults with companies looking to tighten information security, develop scalable technology plans, and expand network and client support operations. He has written many training and technology manuals for corporate use and has created custom training materials and seminars for numerous applications and business processes. He lives in Norwood, Massachusetts, with his wife and three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 3 edition (April 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470258896
• ISBN-13: 978-0470258897
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad intro to home wireless networking., July 13, 2008

By 

Mathew A. Shember (Cupertino, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I read this out of curiosity and found it to be a decent little introduction to wireless for non-networking people.

Do get the second edition as it is updated and it had the router I have been using.

The first part of the book deals with an introduction to wireless home networking, 802.11a, g, b and Bluetooth networks. There is even a little explanation to where the Bluetooth name comes from.

The sections about configuring your PCs and Macs is pretty basic and it should be pretty easy to use as support material if you are trying to hook one up to the network.

There is a section about internetworking sharing but I am wondering if people even need to do that considering the price of routers these days.

There remaining sections dealt with using and securing the wireless network. The security stuff is written well for the beginner who doesn't want to become a master of security. It explains what is involved and what it needed to set up. However, it keeps it high level as to not completely bore a person who is not interested in this stuff(ie encryption theory). In particular a gaming and a home entertainment system. There was an example of a connected jacuzzi which only costs twelve thousand dollars. :)

Other examples included a phone, a refrigerator, chipping your pets and children. The last part seems like a good idea these days but I wonder the "big brother" implications it would present.

Some of the sites mentioned in the book are interesting. I never heard of netstumbler and have found it useful.

There is always the Part of Tens section and it's ok. Nothing new for me this time.

Overall; it's a decent little book for a noob wanting to grasp the concepts of wireless networking and what is involved with running one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book very helpful!, February 20, 2011

By 

Greg Dennison - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I love this book, very helpful in setting up, securing and helping me understand wireless networks. I wish there was more information on wired networks included here, but I guess I will have to buy that book also.

3.0 out of 5 stars An older edition, September 29, 2010

By 

Jim Thomas (Jackson, GA, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

This is an older edition of the "Dummies" series on wireless home networking. It was published before the "N" standard was approved and focuses on "G" standard products. I didn't pay much for this book, and it gave me the networking basics that I needed for my purposes, but it might not satisfy someone who is looking for up-to-date product information.