Showing posts with label craptacular. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craptacular. Show all posts

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator's Companion Review

Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator's Companion
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Charlie Russel and Sharon Crawford have been putting out the gold standard in Small Business Server books since the first version of SBS shipped in the late 1990's. This latest effort is as comprehensive and accurate as their previous SBS titles, including not only direct information about installing and operating SBS, but also topics such as planning, security, migration, Hyper-V, data protection, and many others.
This book will save many SBS users from having to buy other books for related functions. For example, there are chapters on subjects like Group Policy, customizing SharePoint, and adding a Terminal Server. The authors' real world, hands-on experience in planning, implementing, and managing Small Business Server networks is clear in every chapter. Not limited to just the Small Business Server itself, this book gives the knowledge needed to manage every part of the small business's back office infrastructure.
This book is a valuable reference for anyone deploying Small Business Server Standard 2011, with or without the Premium Add-On, which is also covered in depth. I wouldn't be without it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator's Companion



Buy NowGet 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Windows Small Business Server 2011 Administrator's Companion

Read More...

Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network (Build Your Own...(McGraw)) Review

Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network (Build Your Own...(McGraw))
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The popularity of the wireless networking of personal computers is rapidly growing, especially for laptop users. Wireless networking goes by several monikers; Apple calls it AirPort, many PC manufacturers call it Wi-Fi, and techies refer to its official name of 802.11b. Most business oriented hotels, and airport frequent-flyer lounges now provide Wi-Fi access, and boutique coffee shops are adding wireless networking to attract and keep customers.
If you want to share your Internet access at home between several computers, be they Macs or Windows machines, wireless networking is becoming more and more affordable. But there is often more to this technology than meets the eye. I have a Mac; do I have to buy Apple-branded equipment? What access point (the Base Station, in Apple-speak) do you buy? What wireless card do you buy? What about security?
Shelley Brisbin's Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network is aimed at end users wanting to learn more than just the basics of how to get your Wi-Fi up and running. Brisbin's extensive experience authoring computer books and articles (nine books and many articles) helps her to thoroughly cover the subject.
Will this book be useful to the average Macintosh owner who wants to go wireless, be it with Apple's AirPort equipment, or third-party hardware? At first glance, the distinctly Windows orientation of the book appeared to make it less-than-useful to Mac users. But Brisbin is careful to be fairly platform agnostic; each section includes Mac information. Since many wireless routers are configured via a web browser, the screen shots are perfectly useful to Mac users. Ironically, Apple's own AirPort Base Station is one of the few wireless access points not configured via a web browser!
If all you want is a quick and dirty overview of wireless networking, Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network may be a bit much. But if you want a basic grasp of the fundamentals of how 802.11b works, without being overwhelmed with too much information, Brisbin provides it. She is able to walk that fine line between too much and not enough detail. All aspects of wireless are covered, including sections on antennas, multiple access points, wireless-to-wired networking issues, and many more.
Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network covers what to look for in both access points, and wireless cards. Several brands are discussed. This kind of information is platform agnostic, so don't let the Windows screenshots and references dissuade you.
Brisbin devotes plenty of time to discuss wireless networking security in detail. Many wireless users are not aware of how exposed their networks can be. Even if they do, they don't know how to decide how much security to implement. The chapters on security are very valuable, and every purchaser of this book should read this section carefully. You may be more exposed than you think! Again, the information Brisbin provides is fully applicable to Macintosh users.
If you want a thorough grounding in wireless networking fundamentals, this book should be high on your list.
MacMice Rating: 4 out of 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Weeks

Click Here to see more reviews about: Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network (Build Your Own...(McGraw))

This guide explains how professional and home users can take advantage of Wi-Fi to achieve their mobility goals around the house or in the office. It features step-by-step processes, tips, sidebars, illustrations and screenshots to convey information visually. Readers will learn about the components of a wireless network including access points, and network cards. Plus how to choose, install and configure them for use in a new or existing network.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network (Build Your Own...(McGraw))

Read More...

The Book of Wi-Fi: Install, Configure, and Use 802.11B Wireless Networking Review

The Book of Wi-Fi: Install, Configure, and Use 802.11B Wireless Networking
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
What I liked a lot about this book besides the wealth of information presented in a concise form was also its (at times) informal approach to the topic. The author places himself in the shoes of the average person struggling to set up their own wireless network in either a business or home situation.
The book's first chapter describes how "wi-fi" works, and the next chapter explains the "materials" you need to set up a wireless network. The next couple of chapters describe how to install network access points and interfaces. Since I have some knowledge of LAN's, I was able to see the "comparisons" between conventional networks and wireless. I'm assuming that was what the author had in mind while writing the book.
He also talks about extending your wireless network, guerilla (ie "illegal") networking. and security for wireless networks. I was glad to see that chapter, as I had heard it could be relatively easy to "interrupt" network traffic, as well as breaking into a wireless network illegally. While the author points out no wi-fi network will ever be 100% safe, better to be safe than sorry. And last but not least, the book's final chapter is on troubleshooting your network.
I found this book to be a great introduction to wireless networks.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Book of Wi-Fi: Install, Configure, and Use 802.11B Wireless Networking


A comprehensive and conversational guide to using wireless networking.

Wireless networking is a fun and versatile technology, but it can be difficult to use. This practical and plain English guide to wireless networking shows how to build and use wireless networks at home, at work, or around your neighborhood. It includes detailed information on setting up and configuring access points, network interface cards, cables and antennas, wireless software, as well as how to secure wireless access point with encryption, password protection, and virtual private networks (VPNs). Covers Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Unix, and PDAs. For users at all levels.


Buy Now

Click here for more information about The Book of Wi-Fi: Install, Configure, and Use 802.11B Wireless Networking

Read More...

GPRS and 3G Wireless Applications: Professional Developer's Guide Review

GPRS and 3G Wireless Applications: Professional Developer's Guide
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Generally a good overview of technologies available to wireless developers today, including WAP, Bluetooth, GPRS and 3G. As other reviewers have stated, the scope of the book is rather broad, so there is surface coverage of lots of issues.
However, there is a hidden gem in this book, Chapter 8. This chapter delves into the theory of wireless application development and presents some good foundational strategy for dealing with packet loss, discontinuous service, security holes, and so on. It also provides a good overview of the proper use of caching, compression, and reducing overhead. There is a discussion on the right way to keep the user engaged through a difficult airlink connection, and that's information which is usually ignored in most texts.
Add it to your library!
Konny Zsigo, President; ...

Click Here to see more reviews about: GPRS and 3G Wireless Applications: Professional Developer's Guide

To ensure competitive advantage for their companies in wireless product development, developers need to understand how wireless technologies work, what impact they have on applications being developed, and how to use them to optimize products for success in the marketplace. Designed to answer these and other wireless development questions, this unique handbook explores how a host of relevant technologies work together with the new worldwide standards for wireless technologies--General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Third Generation (3G). Leading expert Christoffer Andersson clearly explains how GPRS and 3G control the mobile environment, then goes on to describe how the emerging radio technology of Bluetooth fits in with WAP and Java, how wireless applications work with HTTP and TCP/IP on the Internet, and how to create "always-on" wireless applications.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about GPRS and 3G Wireless Applications: Professional Developer's Guide

Read More...

Practical RF Circuit Design for Modern Wireless Systems, Volume I : Passive Circuits and Systems Review

Practical RF Circuit Design for Modern Wireless Systems, Volume I : Passive Circuits and Systems
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
These books were written by two well-known lectures in the RF/MW field with many years of teaching experience. Their goal was to provide a practical exposition of circuit design in the RF/MW field that appealed to students, academicians, and design engineers. They certainly succeeded. The reader will find that fundamental and advanced principles are properly explained with emphasis in CAD techniques. While the mathematical manipulations are kept to a minimum, the associated results are well referenced and extensively discussed.
Volume I:
This volume focuses mainly on passive circuits and systems. The first two chapters provide a review of RF/MW circuit fundamentals. The emphasis is placed on topics related to RF/MW circuits, such a resonance, series and parallel conversions, quality factor, power transfer, transmission lines, reflection coefficients, and mismatch loss. Chapter 3 describes several radio systems and illustrates how the system's specifications relate to the various individual components. Receiver's characteristics are discussed, such as receiver noise and sensitivity, nonlinearities and dynamic range, and automatic control. The chapter includes the analysis of a CDMA handset from a system point of view. Chapters 4 and 5 describe the use of S parameters, the Smith chart, impedance matching networks, and bandwidth considerations.Many impedance matching design examples are provided with their associated frequency responses. Both lumped and microstrip matching circuits are considered. Chapter 6 shows the use of CAD programs for RF/MW circuit design. This chapter underlines the major key areas in CAD, such as linear circuit analysis, electromagnetic simulation, tuning, synthesis, optimization, non-linear simulations, and statistical techniques. Passive component models are discussed in Chapter 7, which include RLC components, distributed components, transformers, crystals, dielectric resonators, and surface acoustic wave resonators. The authors show how actual parts affect the behavior of a design, and how to account for them in the final product. Chapter 8 gives an overview of passive filters and the techniques used for their design in the RF/MW area. Such topics as the Richards' transformation, Norton transformations, and Kuroda identities are discussed. Chapter 9 is an overview of the major differences and similarities between RF and high-speed digital systems.
Volume II:
This volume focuses mainly on active circuits and systems. The volume begins with a discussion of linear RF/MW amplifier design techniques. The first two chapters deal with stability conditions, stability circles and the various design techniques for transducer gain, operating power gain, and associated gain. Material in low-noise amplifier design and broadband techniques is included, as well as dc considerations. Chapter 3 discusses the modeling of the actual devices (such as BJT, GaAs, HETM, etc). Chapter 4 deals with nonlinear CAD simulations techniques, and their uses. Time and frequency domain methods are discussed and compared. A good discussion of the harmonic balance method is given, including a section on harmonic balance simulation of oscillators. Chapter 5 considers the topic of power transistor amplifiers. The categories of amplifiers are presented and the topics of bias considerations, distortion reduction and predistortion are included. The chapter includes a detailed power amplifier design. Oscillators are discussed in Chapter 6, with emphasis on the negative resistance design approach and CAD simulations. A section is devoted to the description of phase noise. Several design examples are included. An interesting example uses a ceramic resonator, another example involves a crystal resonator, and one example deals with a Colpitts VCO using a varactor diode. Chapter 7 deals with mixers and frequency multipliers. The authors discuss diodes and transistor mixers and their effect on the overall system. The final chapter gives an overview of several wireless systems.
The material covered in these two volumes extends from the basic to the advance. The texts are suitable for short courses in RF/MW circuits, since they provide a comprehensive description of the RF/MW circuit design field. They are also suitable for a course (or courses) at the senior/graduate level in the RF/MW field. The books strongly emphasize design and the use of CAD techniques. Enough information is provided in their CAD examples that the simulations can easily be implemented with one of the major CAD programs available for RF/MW circuits.
These texts contain a tremendous amount of information for RF/MW circuit designers. Especially, for those working in wireless communications. Discrete design is covered in detail-from the individual component specification to the overall system performance. The presentation is clear and well organized. It certainly makes for a good addition to the designer's library.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Practical RF Circuit Design for Modern Wireless Systems, Volume I : Passive Circuits and Systems

The first of a two-volume set, this leading-edge book takes a practical approach to RF circuit design, offering a complete understanding of the fundamental concepts you need to know and use for your work in this industry. The book lays the ground work for efficient RF circuit design in a step-by-step approach, by defining important principles and parameters and progressively introducing critical analytical tools. It helps you distinguish between RF and low frequency circuits, and offers a detailed look at a typical RF system. This is a tested and insightful book that contains answers to most of the questions practical engineers are asking. The first volume reviews various computer-aided simulation, synthesis, and optimization techniques used in modern RF and microwave design, and discusses the practical use of the graphical design tools, such as the Smith Chart.

Buy NowGet 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Practical RF Circuit Design for Modern Wireless Systems, Volume I : Passive Circuits and Systems

Read More...

Wireless Networks First-Step Review

Wireless Networks First-Step
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was recently tasked with creating a wireless network in our test lab. I managed to stumble through and ended up creating a very secure wireless network. However, throughout the process, I kept finding myself wishing I had more information on the technology. Not knowing the vocabulary made the process harder than necessary and I ended up with a lot of "what" and "why" questions that needed to be answered. Wireless networking is a growing market, and Cisco even recently added Enterprise Wireless Mobility to their new CCIE blueprint, so I figured I had better get it into my repertoire pronto. To begin filling in those gaps, I picked up Wireless Networks First-Step (ISBN 1-58720-111-9) from Cisco Press.
The book itself is a bit light, at only 200 pages, and is divided into 8 short chapters. The author, Jim Geier, attempts to introduce the material without getting overly technical. He doesn't make this a riveting read, by any stretch, and will probably lose most CIO types by the middle of the second chapter. The book claims to be for everyone interested in wireless networking, but I don't see it working for anyone above the "manager of engineers" level. This is primarily due to the presence of the unavoidable chapter on radio frequencies and modulation. I found it very interesting, but I know that the average non-technical manager is going to glaze right over and shut down. The chapters on the individual technologies (PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN) are interesting. I'd like to have seen a lot more material on Wireless LANs, since that is the area most engineers are going to actually deal with in their own networks. The final chapter, covering wireless security, is probably the best in the entire book. It answered many of the questions I had about the various security protocols I was implementing. For instance, I knew WEP was weak, but didn't know why precisely. The security chapter really brought the reasoning home.
My overall feeling on this book is that it is a little light to be list priced at $29.95. The sister books in the series are all around 400 pages for this price. Maybe the newness of the technology makes this book so light, or perhaps the mission can be accomplished in 200 pages, but you shouldn't charge the same for half the material. I felt that the author offered all the necessary information about wireless technologies, but virtually none about the actual implementation of those technologies. Perhaps that is where the other 200 pages went. I also would have like to have seen more references to other sources of information on these wireless technologies. The aim of these first-step books should be to whet your appetite for more, and this book doesn't really do that.
I give this book a score of 3 pings on my 5 ping rating scale. I'd give it 4 if it was $19.95.
!.!.!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Wireless Networks First-Step



Buy NowGet 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Wireless Networks First-Step

Read More...