Voice Over WLANS: The Complete Guide (Communications Engineering) Review

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(More customer reviews)The subject of Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) is a tough one to get your mind around as it involves the convergence of two evolving technologies, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). VoIP is rapidly replacing circuit-switched voice in the public switched telephone network (PSTN), where most of the kinks have been worked out. VoIP also is making inroads into the premises. While there remain considerable kinks in this domain, LAN-based IPBXs now are gaining serious ground against conventional PBXs, hybrids and key systems, many of which are past retirement age. WLANs have become almost ubiquitous and 802.11n promises much increased bandwidth and range due in considerable measure to MIMO antenna technology. Putting it all together involves converting the most demanding stream-oriented application of all (i.e., analog voice) to a digital data format, compressing it, packetizing the resulting data stream using a connectionless network protocol (IP), switching it through an Ethernet LAN that was never intended for such nonsense and adding the uncertainty of wireless (radio) transmission links just to make it a little more challenging. This is not an endeavor for the uneducated or faint of heart, which is where Michael Finneran and this book come in.
Voice over WLANs: The Complete Guide is an apt title, for the book is a thorough treatment of the subject that will guide just about anyone through the background, underlying technologies, planning processes and managerial issues associated with VoWLANs. Finneran begins with an insightful overview on the convergence of WLANs and VoIP. He then patiently and thoroughly builds the necessary technical foundation in radio transmission, WLAN components, media access control protocols, and privacy and security issues. His explanation of the IP protocol suite and its application in voice routing and QoS management is at just the right level. Drilling deeper into the subject, he guides the reader through network design, traffic engineering, VoWLAN configuration, fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), and network management, all of which is pretty technical fare, but Finneran presents it in such a way that it goes down easily.
Finneran has a well deserved reputation as a master communicator, both in person and in print. He avoids the temptation to impress us with his considerable intellect, preferring to exercise his unique ability to translate highly technical subject matter into plain-English, absolutely understandable and even friendly terms. Those of us who know Mike Finneran or are familiar with his work have come to expect nothing but the best from him. This book does not disappoint. Voice over WLANs: The Compete Guide is absolutely essential for anyone with a need to know about VoWLANs at a practical level.


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Linux Smart Homes For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)This book helps you to define and set up a complete home automation system. It is obviously based on the Linux operating system, and presumes that you have at least some idea about getting a Linus distribution, getting it installed and have a few development tools. The applications he discusses fit into several different categories: Entertainment, X10 controller, Weather, and of course in today's world - security.
There is a CD included with the book. It does not contain a Linux distribution, but instead several shareware programs that the home automater should find useful. These applications are all designed around Linux of course. If you should choose to automate your house using that other operating system, you don't want to use this book but instead 'Smart Homes For Dummies.'
Setting up a home system like this one is just about the ultimate in geek-dom, and very educational. Have Fun!

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Optical Code Communication in Local Networks: System Design and Wireless Convergence Review

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(More customer reviews)"Optical Code Communication in Local Networks: System Design and Wireless Convergence" by dr Bas Huiszoon represents a great contribution to the field of next-generation access networks. It addresses an extremely important current issue, meaning, the never-ending hunger for bandwidth from the end-users side caused by emerging new services. As clarified by the author, by applying OCDMA one releases bottleneck-like performance of the last-mile networks and improves the users' experience.
The principles of OCDMA as well as related advanced ideas are discussed in a well-scheduled and understandable manner making it an attractive position to all those who are interested in novel technologies as well as those who look for an inspiration for further development. Besides the content itself, the scientific value of this book is confirmed by an exhaustive literature basis which also includes several top-level publications of the author.
The author, dr Bas Huiszoon, is a well-experienced and thriving researcher with application-oriented attitude. Therefore, the book is a result of an extensive work and it covers subjects from photonic integration, architecture of components and systems, up to transmission performance, revealing a complete picture from idea down to design, implementation and testing.
It is a very comprehensive and reader-friendly book from which students, researchers as well as system designers may benefit a lot in their educational and professional lives.
dr Patryk Urban

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The continuing growth in Internet services and theassociated bandwidth consumption presents manychallenges to be met at the network tiers. Thedeployment of a fiber-optic local network isimportant because as soon as it is in place, itprovides broadband access to the Internet cloud. Inthis book, such architecture is envisioned to bemoderate in costs and complexity through sharing ofresources, simplified nodes at the user-side, andcentralized network management. The provisioning ofwireless networks and, consequently, the handling ofmobile networking dynamics is considered to beessential to enable truly ubiquitous networkingpossibilities so the convergence of the optical andthe radio domains has a central position in thebook. The optical code division multiple access(OCDMA) technology serves as basis on top of whichmany networking concepts are evaluated. A uniqueinsight is given in the complete trajectory of OCDMAsystem design from modeling, to photonicintegration, until full-scale transmissionexperiments. This book is intended for (under-) graduate students and system designers in the areaof fiber-optic local networks.

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802.11 Security Review

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(More customer reviews)GEEK ALERT!
Warning Will Robinson! This small book on 802.11b wireless security (167 pages not including the comprehensive index) is not for the faint of heart. To take full advantage of the copious amount of detail that Potter and Fleck provide, you need a good working knowledge of networking, and familiarity with either the Linux, FreeBSD, or OpenBSD operating systems.
802.11 Security is aimed at people who need to configure and administer secure 802.11b wireless (popularly named Airport or WiFi) networks. 802.11 Security is NOT targeted at the casual home computer user who merely wants to keep others from poaching their wireless connection. Those users are best served by Adam Engst's and Glenn Fleishman's Wireless Internet Starter Kit.
However, if you have any interest in comprehensive and detailed knowledge of how 802.11b security works from the network administrator's viewpoint, 802.11 Security is the book for you. Potter and Fleck have years of experience with Unix security issues, and have several papers on the subject to their credit.
After setting the stage with a good discussion of the many problems with wireless security, the authors outline some of the more common types of attacks on wireless networks. Why? Their point is that understanding the nature of the "Man-in-the-middle" attack (for example) is important for knowing how to prevent it. This point shows that 802.11 Security is more than just a "cookbook" manual. It provides the "why" as well as the "how."
The bulk of the book covers how to configure FreeBSD, Linux, and OpenBSD clients, gateways, and access points (base stations for us Apple types). Plenty of examples are provided. However, with no CD included to allow copy-and-paste, you'll need to enter everything manually if you want to follow the examples verbatim. In reality, the lack of a CD is not an issue, as the typical sysadmin is going to be working on their customized installation, and will need to tweak the code examples.
802.11 Security does have ten pages on Mac OSX station configuration, as well as a smaller section on Windows setup. For those adventurous readers, the Mac setup section has plenty of examples on how to configure OSX's built-in firewall for best wireless security. The relative paucity on client computer setup is one of the few drawbacks for an end-user reader, as the book focuses on administrator issues.
802.11 Security is a good read for the Unix sysadmin who is new to wireless networks, or for the aficionados who want to roll their own home wireless network security. Again, this is not a mass-market book. But if you're not the average home user, 802.11 Security is a worthwhile book.
MacMice Rating: 4 out of 5
David Weeks
[website]

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Mention wireless networks, and the question of security will soon follow. It's not surprising that in spite of compelling business arguments for going wireless, many companies are holding back because of security concerns.But, while it's true that wireless networks create security issues that don't exist in wired networks, the issues are not insurmountable. 802.11 Security shows how you can plan for and successfully contend with security obstacles in your wireless deployment.This authoritative book not only explains the security issues, but shows you how to design and build a your own secure wireless network.

802.11 Security covers the entire process of building secure 802.11-based wireless networks, in particular, the 802.11b ("Wi-Fi") specification.The authors provide detailed coverage of security issues unique to wireless networking, such as Wireless Access Points (WAP), bandwidth stealing, and the problematic Wired Equivalent Privacy component of 802.11.You'll learn how to configure a wireless client and to set up a WAP using either Linux or Free BSD.You'll also find thorough information on controlling network access and encrypting client traffic.

Beginning with an introduction to 802.11b in general, the book gives you a broad basis in theory and practice of wireless security, dispelling some of the myths along the way.In doing so, they provide you with the technical grounding required to think about how the rest of the book applies to your specific needs and situations. Next, the book details the technical setup instructions needed for both the Linux and FreeBSD operating systems. Some of the topics covered include:

Station Security for Linux, FreeBSD, Open BSD, Mac OS X and Windows
Setting Up Access Point Security
Gateway Security, including building Gateways, firewall Rules, Auditing, etc.
Authentication and Encryption
FreeBSD IPsec client and gateway configuration
Linux IPsec client and gateway configuration
802.1x authentication
802.11 Security is a book whose time has come. If you are a network, security, or systems engineer, or anyone interested in deploying 802.11b-based systems, you'll want this book beside you every step of the way.

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Wireless LANs (2nd Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a virtual requirement for anyone attempting to take the Certified Wireless Network Professional exams. I was able to pass the Certified Wireless Network Administrator exam (cwne.com) with the information presented in the book. It covers IEEE 802.11 wireless network physical and data link layers in extensive detail. The text is written in an easy to follow format, without omitting the important technical issues. The author effectively uses real world examples, and step by step wireless LAN implementation guides. Included in this version of the book is expanded coverage of the new 802.11a standard and the OFDM physical layer. Bluetooth and 802.11b interference is also covered to some degree.

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This book provides the following benefits to readers: Ability to select the most effective wireless LAN type from a wide assortment of recent and emerging standards.Independent assessment of competing wireless LAN technologies. More efficient design and operational support of wireless LANs because of an understanding of wireless LAN protocol operations and frame structures. Definition of typical requirements and technology assessment parameters, providing a basis for evaluating wireless LANs. Vision of the future of wireless LANs. Real-world experiences through case studies and implementation tips located throughout the book. Quick overview of the features, pros, and cons of each of the wireless LAN standards located at the beginning of each chapter.

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Wireless Home Networking For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a terrific resource. I knew very little about networks or wireless accessing and just had wireless installed. We were up & running for less than a week before I lost my wireless connection. I LABORED over re-connecting for hours and then days. Pure torture. Even the ADSL guys (as well as the Linksys-router folks) couldn't help us. Finally, I found this book and read it cover to cover. Within 10 minutes of finishing it, I was reconnected, AND I now understand so much about how this system works. Reading this book prior to having wirless installed is like taking your driver's license test prior to driving alone. (And the humor is always uplifting). I definitely would recommend this book!

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Pick the right equipment, secure your network, and share files
Share your Internet connection, access hot spots, and add on cool wireless peripherals
Thinking of going wireless? It's not as scary as it sounds! This fast and fun guidebook helps you decide what you need, install it, and get the most from all its cool options. Your PCs can share printers while you groove to your favorite MP3s and the family shares quality video game time - all from anywhere!
The Dummies Way
Explanations in plain English
"Get in, get out" information
Icons and other navigational aids
Tear-out cheat sheet
Top ten lists
A dash of humor and fun

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CWNA: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Study Guide (Exam PW0-100) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm using this book as reference material in a wireless LAN course I'm teaching at a local college. I started out using the official CWNA study guide but I like this one better and have switched to it for the following reasons:
1. It is more up to date.
2. It has lots fewer typo errors.
3. The CD adds value to the book.
4. I like the end of chapter multiple choice questions (and the answers are in the book).
5. The authors explain concepts in a clear and concise manner.
I wish the authors could have done more with Security. But security is such a complex topic, it really needs a book of its own and one or two chapters in any book is not enough to really cover this topic.
The students like this book and actually like it better than the books selected by the previous instructor. All in all I think it's a great value. If you want to learn the basics of wireless networking, get this book and a wireless access point and wireless adapter card for your computer and go for it.


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One of the fastest-growing certifications on the market, CWNA is rapidly becoming the premier professional wireless certification for network administrators. It is also the foundation-level exam for the complete Certified Wireless Network Professional program. Now you can join the move to Wi-Fi and prepare for your certification with this comprehensive and targeted study guide. This value-packed book includes:
Practical information on designing, installing, and managing wireless networks, including the new 802.11 standards
Challenging practice questions and hands-on exercises
A test engine with bonus exams and over 150 electronic flashcards
A pre-assessment test
A detailed glossary

Inside, find authoritative coverage of all exam PW0-100 objectives, including:
Radio Technologies
Antenna Concepts
Wireless LAN Hardware and Software
Network Design, Installation, and Management
Wireless Standards and Organizations
802.11 Network Architecture
Wireless LAN Security
Troubleshooting
Performing Site Surveys

Featured on the CDSYBEX TEXT ENGINE:Test your knowledge with advanced testing software. Includes all chapter review questions and bonus exams.
ELECTRONIC FLASHCARDS:Reinforce your understanding with flashcards that can run on your PC, Pocket PC, or Palm handheld.
Also on CD, you'll find the entire book in searchable and printable PDF, as well as valuable tools, demo software, and white papers that will supplement your certification preparation.
Visit www.sybex.com
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

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Fundamentals of Wireless Networking Review

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(More customer reviews)For someone who knows wired networking, but is new to wireless, this book provides all of the fundamentals and basics you need to know to understand and implement a wireless network of any size. I bought it for possible use as a textbook, which I have now done, but I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know the basics of wireless networking in explained in an easy-to-read, plain language way.

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Addressing a fast emerging curriculum, Fundamentals of Wireless Networking provides a fundamental introduction to wireless networking for students who have little experience working on local area networks. Providing a straightforward survey of wireless technologies, the book is designed to also provide practical, hands-on experience that will build skills required of wireless network technicians. Key wireless topics, such as radio frequency communications, wireless hardware devices, and IEEE standards are explained in a straightforward, easy-to-read style. Ron Price is a teacher who has extensive experience designing and implementing wireless networks.

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Wireless Network Performance Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the book you've been waiting for, if you're looking for a detailed summary of how wireless networks are designed from an engineering perspective. Goes into all the details of how (and why) engineering is approached the way it is - in general - and how it relates to all the major, modern wireless technologies such as GSM, CDMA, IS-136 and iDen. This book explains - in English - the design and operations of wireless networks; how to manage problems; and differences between CDMAOne and CDMA 2000 just to name a few topics. Also covers MANY heretofore UNCOVERED topics such as billing and revenue assurance, system testing, system documentation and organization and training topics (i.e. headcount requirements). I'm a part-time faculty member at a large midwestern university, and this will likely be the selected text for a new course entitled "Wireless System Engineering and Deployment". This truly is a 5-star book !!! Hats off to the authors.....

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How to grow a service provider's wireless network and make it perform as reliably and cost-efficiently as a wired one.

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CWNA Guide to Wireless LANs (Networking (Course Technology)) Review

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(More customer reviews)am a wireless instructor at a university. This text is a 5-Star quality textbook targeted to the classroom. As such, it contains end-of-chapter exercises and labs. These are very useful if you are preparing for the CWNA exam. It is fully illustrated and covers everything on the CWNA objectives list. FYI...If you are thinking about this book for both the Wireless# and CWNA tests, please note that the Wireless# exam is different, yet similar in some ways. My only gripe about Ciampa's book is that it is very expensive for a paperback. A hardcover would have been nice to cut down on wear and tear, becuase I use it so much.
One more thing...I'd love to see a third edition with detailed updates and coverage of 802.11n and WiMAX.

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LAN Switching and Wireless, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the third book of four in the Cisco's CCNA Exploration. The book is very thorough and covers all areas needed to prepare for the CCNA exam. The quality of the material is very professional, and the writers were very knowledgeable. I recommend this book to everybody who is planning on taking the CCNA exam. The book covers in detail VLAN, VLAN Trunking, Spanning Tree Protocol, and many other important areas of Layer 2 and layer 3 switching configuration. The book also has a very low price compared to other books of the same quality.

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LAN Switching and Wireless CCNA Exploration Companion GuideWayne Lewis, Ph.D.LAN Switching and Wireless, CCNA Exploration Companion Guide is the official supplemental textbook for the LAN Switching and Wireless course in the Cisco Networking Academy CCNA® Exploration curriculum version 4. This course provides a comprehensive approach to learning the technologies and protocols needed to design and implement a converged switched network. The Companion Guide, written and edited by a Networking Academy instructor, is designed as a portable desk reference to use anytime, anywhere. The book's features reinforce the material in the course to help you focus on important concepts and organize your study time for exams. New and improved features help you study and succeed in this course:Chapter objectives: Review core concepts by answering the questions listed at the beginning of each chapter.Key terms: Refer to the updated lists of networking vocabulary introduced and turn to the highlighted terms in context in each chapter. Glossary: Consult the all-new comprehensive glossary with more than 190 terms.Check Your Understanding questions and answer key: Evaluate your readiness with the updated end-of-chapter questions that match the style of questions you see on the online course quizzes. The answer key explains each answer.Challenge questions and activities: Strive to ace more challenging review questions and activities designed to prepare you for the complex styles of questions you might see on the CCNA exam. The answer key explains each answer.Wayne Lewis is the Cisco Academy Manager for the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT), based at Honolulu Community College.How To: Look for this icon to study the steps that you need to learn to perform certain tasks.Packet Tracer Activities: Explore networking concepts in activities interspersed throughout some chapters using Packet Tracer v4.1 developed by Cisco. The files for these activities are on the accompanying CD-ROM.Also available for the LAN Switching and Wireless course:LAN Switching and Wireless, CCNA Exploration Labs and Study Guide ISBN-10: 1-58713-202-8ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-202-5Companion CD-ROMThe CD-ROM provides many useful tools and information to support your education:Packet Tracer Activity exercise filesA Guide to Using a Networker's Journal bookletTaking Notes: A .txt file of the chapter objectives More IT Career InformationTips on Lifelong Learning in Networking This book is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series support and complement the Cisco Networking online curriculum.

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The Book of Wireless: A Painless Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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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.

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