Todd Lammle's CCNA IOS Commands Survival Guide Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Lammle's stated objective is to help the reader prepare for and pass the difficult CCNA exam. This book expands a bit on that objective. He states in the introduction that this is supplementary material. It's written to assist the student in understanding the line of thought behind the technology.
I found that quite useful. The CCNA is a rigorous exam; those who pass it have a pretty good understanding of the concepts and protocols. But "real world" practice is a trickier thing, especially NAT, and Lammle's book concisely tackles those issues of keeping a network running. He clearly discusses the "why". I'm keeping the book on my desk as a reference work beyond just exam prep. It's money well-spent.



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To become a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), you must learn the hundreds of IOS commands used by Cisco routers and switches. This handy reference from Cisco networking authority Todd Lammle is just what you need to master those commands. From a thorough introduction to Cisco's basic operating system to making the transition to IPv6, Todd Lammle walks you through hundreds of commands with short, to-the-point explanations and plenty of figures and real-world examples.

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Home Networking: The Missing Manual Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wish I had read this book about three months ago. I bought a wireless router and a card for my laptop. I set up the network. I could get on the internet now from the laptop -- I was thrilled.
Then I tried to print. Nothing.
Then I tried file sharing. Nothing.
If I had a new laptop, it would have been no problem, but I have an ancient laptop -- a Pentium 1, 166Mhz machine running Windows 98. And I had no clue what to do.
I'm still not really sure how I got everything to work right. I messed with settings and finally got it working. I can print, and share files. But it took me a lot of mucking around with things that I really didn't feel qualified to muck around with.As I read this book, I kept saying "I should have done THAT!! Why didn't I do THAT? So THAT'S what that does!" Slapped myself on the forehead a few times, too. It was bad -- my head still hurts.
This book breaks the process of setting up a home network down into managable steps. It talks about both Windows and Mac OS setup, and shows easy ways to get the two operating systems talking to each other. It shows how to set up wireless AND regular networks -- it even mentions Powerline networking, and shows how it can be used to extend an existing network. Everything you need to start networking at home is right here, in one volume.
I learned several things that I'm planning on using in the near future. One problem with my home systems is the lack of storage space. This book shows how to set up networked storage using USB hard drives and a Linksys Network Storage Link. I've also been introduced to Apple's AirPort Express, which I would already own if I had seen it before.
This book is essential for anyone who is going to set up a home network. If you've done that already, read the book anyway. You might get some ideas for things that you can do with your network that you hadn't thought of before.

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Millions of computers around the world today are connected by the Internet, so why is it still so hard to hook up a few PCs in you own home? Whether you want to share an Internet connection, install WiFi, or maybe just cut down on the number of printers you own, home networks are supposed to help make your life easier. Instead, most aspiring home networkers get lost in a confusing maze of terms and technologies: 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Cat 5 cable (or was it Cat 5e?), Powerline, and on and confusingly on.

That's where Home Networking: The Missing Manual comes in. Using clear language, straightforward explanations, and a dash of humor, this book shows you how to do everything you need to set up a home network. Coverage includes:

WiFi, Ethernet, or Powerline? There are several kinds of digital pipes that you can use to create your network, and none of them have friendly names. This book tells you what they are, explains the pros and cons of each, and helps you figure out what you need to buy, and how to install it.

Windows and Mac info included. Half the battle in home networking takes place after you've bought your gear and plugged it in. That's because the routers, network adapters, and cables that you need get you only part way towards networking nirvana. Whether you've got PCs or Macs or both, you'll need help tweaking your computers' settings if you want to get all your machines talking to each other. This book covers most known operating system flavors, including Windows XP, 2000, Me, and 98, and Mac OS X and OS 9.

Fun things to do with your network. The real fun starts once your network is up andrunning. This book shows you how to do much more than simply share an Internet connection and a printer. You'll learn how to stream music from your PCs to your stereo, how to display pictures on your TV, how to hook up game consoles to your network, and more!

Most important, this book helps you understand the difference between what you need to know to create and use your home network and what's best left to those looking for a career as a system administrator. In Home Networking: The Missing Manual you'll find everything you need to get your network running-and nothing more.

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Linux Networking Cookbook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Linux networking cookbook is a book for both a seasoned and new Linux network administrator. It includes valuable time saving recipes, tools and related resources. The book is written in clear and concise style with tons of examples and working code.
Sure you can dig out all info presented here with the help of man pages, web, forums and chat rooms, but not in one handy guide. (remember time is an important factor in Enterprise computing).

Overall it is a great book that touches all important Linux networking aspects. This book is highly recommended to all RHCEs/ Geeks / MCESs / UNIX admin and small business owner who manges their own Linux boxes.

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This soup-to-nuts collection of recipes covers everything you need to know to perform your job as a Linux network administrator, whether you're new to the job or have years of experience. With Linux Networking Cookbook, you'll dive straight into the gnarly hands-on work of building and maintaining a computer network. Running a network doesn't mean you have all the answers. Networking is a complex subject with reams of reference material that's difficult to keep straight, much less remember. If you want a book that lays out the steps for specific tasks, that clearly explains the commands and configurations, and does not tax your patience with endless ramblings and meanderings into theory and obscure RFCs, this is the book for you. You will find recipes for:

Building a gateway, firewall, and wireless access point on a Linux network
Building a VoIP server with Asterisk
Secure remote administration with SSH
Building secure VPNs with OpenVPN, and a Linux PPTP VPN server
Single sign-on with Samba for mixed Linux/Windows LANs
Centralized network directory with OpenLDAP
Network monitoring with Nagios or MRTG
Getting acquainted with IPv6
Setting up hands-free networks installations of new systems
Linux system administration via serial console
And a lot more. Each recipe includes a clear, hands-on solution with tested code, plus a discussion on why it works. When you need to solve a network problem without delay, and don't have the time or patience to comb through reference books or the Web for answers, Linux Networking Cookbook gives you exactly what you need.

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Linux Unwired Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)While Windows users have no problem using all the wireless gear out there, not everything is supported in Linux. Add to this the command line tools for dealing with wireless, and you have a recipe for confusion. "Linux Unwired" demystifies the Linux Wireless system, and provides guidance for purchasers to make sure that they buy the most supported equipment possible.
It should be noted early on that 802.11b is not the only thing covered in the book. The other variants (a and g) are there, in addition to IRDA (infrared), Bluetooth, and Data over Cellular. On the latter point, much of the content deals with US based providers, but it still provides a good backing on the subject for those of us outside the country.
802.11b is the main focus, taking up around half the book. It starts with a discussion of the chipsets behind the cards, and how the map to Linux support. Here is where the reader gets advice on which card to buy, or at least what to look out for when buying a card. One thing I found interesting was the WLAN driver loader, which is an inexpensive product that lets Linux load binary WLAN modules. Some cards are not supported enough in Linux to do things like WEP security, which is where this product comes in. Again, the book leads the reader around the situations when this is necessary and when it isn't.
In addition to WEP, other methods of authentication are covered such as 802.1x authentication and 802.11i, the successor to WEP. It's also a good example of the broad scope of the book and a focus on interoperability with existing systems, rather than assuming the reader is building everything from the ground up.
Access points take up two chapters, the first looking at how to use them with Linux. Before reading this book, I was under the impression that access points all used web browsers or telnet for configuration, but apparently some need Windows software. There are situations where people have developed software to emulate this functionality, and pointers are provided. The second of the two chapters is on building your own access point, which is a fascinating look at using micro-linux distributions and mini-x86 hardware to build access points with rich functionality (for those less adventurous or well funded, the same can be done with any old hardware). There is also a look at soldering on a serial port to a popular Linksys router to allow command line access to the underlying Linux OS.
Bluetooth and IRDA are less common uses of wireless that let computers speak to phones and PDAs. I was completely unaware of the level of support that existed in Linux until after I read these chapters. While the Bluetooth coverage was comprehensive, it went to a deeper level of detail than I thought necessary, such as a detailed breakdown of the Bluetooth stack of protocols. However, at the end, it is possible to use Bluetooth and IRDA to pull data from devices, and to connect to their resources (ie modems and databases) over the air.
I should also mention the chapter on GPS. It is fairly thin on its own, but as an addition to the 802.11b section (ie wardriving), it does well.
A couple of things stood out about this book. The first is that the target audience isn't necessarily Linux geeks, but Linux users. You don't have to be a Linux guru to get this stuff running, the level of detail is sufficient to get anyone who isn't scared of a command line up and running. The second is that the authors spent a lot of time testing various hardware. Many wireless cards and Linux distributions were tested in the early chapters. Where several options for software existed, they were all looked at (such as the source vs binary drivers mentioned above). This all adds to the book's value not only as a howto manual for wireless, but also as a guide for navigating through product and software selection.
"Linux Unwired" is perfect for anyone who wants to use wireless on Linux, be it connecting to an 802.11b network, or trying to use a cell phone to send a fax. Those looking to purchase equipment will want to go through the book first to make use of the product advice and compatibility testing.
More information is available from the O'Reilly website at http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/lnxunwired/index.html which includes a sample of chapter 3, "Getting on the network"

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Wi-Fi (802.11) Network Handbook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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.

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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.

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Cisco Networking Simplified (2nd Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Everything about Cisco Networking Simplified screams accessibility: the landscape layout, the softback cover, the illustrations drawn without a ruler that literally take the sharp edges off of computers, servers, and switches (router icons, fortunately, are already round). A note on the cover indicates for the curious that the book is in full color. Each short chapter is broken into "at-a-glance" subsections on each topic, headed "Why Should I Care?" and "What Are the Problems to Solve?"
This book is clearly written for two types of people: executives from a non-technical background who get flustered when speaking to network engineers, and networking novices looking for a friendly introduction to the subject before they begin serious study for, say, the CCNA.
When I first opened Cisco Networking Simplified, I was a bit put off by the intensity with which I felt the authors and illustrator were trying to convince me just how down-to-Earth they are. The organization of the book is such that it's so easy to flip through, the pithy explanations so easy to digest, that one might grow quickly suspicious that here is a book designed more to make the reader feel at ease than to actually teach her anything.
But one would be wrong. CNS is a good basic reference book. It's short because it sticks to the essentials. It's weirdly-inked illustrations do make the concepts clearer. And the friendly tone never gets smarmy. On the contrary, Maggiora and Doherty anticipate a newcomer's reaction to the material well enough to know when to be terse, and when to insert whimsical asides. The unofficial eighth (political) and ninth (technical religion) layers of the OSI model and the use of ISDN to mean It Still Does Nothing are fun tidbits, well-placed, and perhaps even useful as mnemonic devices. The paragraph explaining that "routers switch and switches route," is appropriately illustrated with two people scratching their heads. That the authors make room for "Algorhyme," Radia Perlman's poem describing the Spanning Tree Algorhythm (which she also wrote), shows that they know the difference between cute and distracting, and cute and relevant.
There are some problems, though. For example, the discussion of classful addresses is outdated. The class A, B, and C system is presented as the solution to a problem caused by unanticipated Internet growth. That may have once been true, but now the time when the class system was itself perceived as the next wave of that problem has already come and gone (gone, because outside isolated or masqueraded networks, class addressing has been replaced with CIDR). An executive who reads this book and then asks his engineers whether the company has been assigned a class A, B, or C address isn't going to get a lot of respect. A more serious problem is the confusing definition of the term DCE. On page 209, it's "data circuit-terminating device." On page 210, it's "data communications equipment." The first definition is more popular according to a google search, but makes less sense (where does the "E" come from?). Perhaps both definitions are somehow valid, but in a book like this, it shouldn't be the reader's job to figure out which one. And IDSN gets two detailed pages with illustrations, while the more popular (in the U.S.) DSL gets little more than a paragraph.
Also, to call this book Cisco Networking Simplified is not really accurate. A better title might have been: Cisco Presents: Networking Simplified. Cisco has no special claim to, say, IP addressing, which is discussed in some detail. Of course, to write a basic networking book without discussing IP would be silly, and Cisco makes a lot of products that deal with IP addressing. But so do a lot of other companies.
In short, I recommend this book (three of five stars), but with caveats. Technically-minded people who already have some experience in the networking field will probably be put off by the coloring book look and feel (but then, it wasn't written for them). Novices who are reading this book as the first step on their way to certification may find that, ironically, it provides much more information on certain subjects (voice-over IP, for example) than may be sought. It's hard to imagine anyone reading this book straight through of their own volition. It's a beginner's reference. If you're confused by a topic as it's dealt with in another networking book, you can be fairly sure that if CNS covers it, then CNS contains the simplest explanation of that topic that you're likely to find.

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Cisco Networking Simplified Second EditionMaster today's world of Cisco networking with this book's completely updated, fully illustrated visual approach Easy enough for novices, substantive enough for networking professionalsCovers the latest networking topics—from network architecture to secure wireless, unified communications to telepresenceIn Full ColorJim Doherty•Neil Anderson•Paul Della MaggioraNow 100 percent updated for the latest technologies, this is today's easiest, most visual guide to Cisco® networking. Even if you've never set up or managed a network, Cisco Networking Simplified, Second Edition, helps you quickly master the concepts you need to understand. Its full-color diagrams and clear explanations give you the big picture: how each important networking technology works, what it can do for you, and how they all fit together. The authors illuminate networking from the smallest LANs to the largest enterprise infrastructures, offering practical introductions to key issues ranging from security to availability, mobility to virtualization. What you always wanted to know about networking but were afraid to ask!How networks and the Internet workHow to build coherent, cost-effective network infrastructuresHow to design networks for maximum reliability and availabilityWhat you need to know about data center and application networkingHow to secure networks against today's threats and attacksHow to take advantage of the latest mobility technologiesHow virtualizing networks can help businesses leverage their network investments even furtherHow to combine messaging, calendaring, telephony, audio, video, and web conferencing into a unified communications architectureThis book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press®, the only authorized publisher for Cisco®.Category: CiscoCovers: General Networking

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802.11 Security Review

Average Reviews:

(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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3G Wireless with 802.16 and 802.11: WiMAX and WiFi (McGraw-Hill Professional Engineering) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I concurr with the previous 1-star review - I was expecting serious technical insights on the important (forward-looking) issue of WiFi/WiMAX Fixed-Mobile-Convergence. Instead, even though this text is dated 2005, it portrays 802.20 in the same light as 802.16, even though 802.20 is nearly irrelevant.
I would put this book in the same league as the paperback series from "Sams" and other survey texts costing around $50..........
Fairly useful, but hardly worth $99.00, and certainly not published in a "Professional Engineering" series.
I gave it 2 stars for clear and concise presentation, if you are in technical marketing or sales, this would be an excellent book.

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The integration of 802.11 (Wi-Fi) and 802.16 (Wi-Max) into wireless networks is a major new potential revenue stream for service providers.This rigorous tutorial shows communications engineers how to re-engineer existing networks to integrate the new standards.
Contents: Introduction * Radio Engineering * Network Engineering * Digital Wireless Systems * 802.11 * 802.16 * 802.20 * Convergence Wireless Mobility (20041001)

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Guide to Wireless Network Security Review

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(More customer reviews)John's book Guide to Wireless Network Security provides a step-by-step approach to everything you'll need to know about wireless network security. The book also has information about many topics relevant to wireless network planning, design, and implementation of intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems. It also shows you how to conduct information warfare. The book is organized into eight parts as well as an outstanding and usable glossary of security, wireless network and Internet networking terms and acronyms.

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

Average Reviews:

(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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Wi-Fi Handbook : Building 802.11b Wireless Networks Review

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(More customer reviews)Complaints or concerns against the 802.11 family of networking standards can usually be broken down to quality of service (QoS), security and range of service and bandwidth. The authors of this great book tackle these subjects head on and show you how this is not the case and how they can be over come. In this book, each is highlighted independently (after a good overview of 802.11) and the information presented there is wonderful. They wrap everything up with some real life scenarios that are also worth a detailed read. If you are in the business of setting up WLANs in a corporate environment, then you will want this book to occupy a place on your reference shelf. But more importantly, if you are on the technical sales side of the house, this book could be a real life saver and deal closer for you. Highly recommended!

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Independent of 2.5G, 3G, or any other G, WiFi gives organizations a chance to selectively deploy the converged services not yet available from their carriers. This book, written for network engineers by highly experienced wireless and Ethernet experts, is one of the very first to provide the know-how for enterprise implementations. It drills down to the nuts and bolts of designing and building WiFi networks of scale. It covers all wireless environments that can be built with today's technology. It includes in-depth explanations of regulatory, security, and economic issues, and extended case studies to illustrate implementation advice.

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Wireless and Mobile Network Architectures Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The reviewer was in search of a book that could provide the basis for a course on mobile communications at the graduate level for students from a mixed (EE and CS) background. The new book by Lin and Chlamtac fits the bill perfectly. It assumes neither knowledge of wireless physical layer, nor knowledge of higher layer applications and application interfaces. In fact, it is a book with an original approach, being the first to present mobile networks by emphasizing the services that can be provided and the mobility management schemes needed to support such services. Because of its particular focus, the book is also an excellent text for systems and systems software developers as well as the senior undergrad or grad level science and engineering reader who is curious about the particular subject. Certain decisions were necessary to keep the book focused. For example, it stays clear of elaborating on modulation, coding and modeling for wireless communication (presenting just the essential info). It also avoids being IP-centric, although, naturally, it cannot escape discussing data services, such as SMS, GPRS, WAP etc.
An aspect that weighs in favor of the book is the inclusion of research results from the research of its two world renowned authors. The included research results can help the graduate level reader appreciate the available research opportunities, and the context in which solutions can be developed. The researcher will also find the collection of references (as recent as 2000) extremely helpful in studying the area. The teacher can use the material to develop simulation and analytical models for students to gain better insight to the workings of mobile services.
Another objective of the book, is to function as reference material. Its authors have done the hard work of distilling the essence of a large collection of standards documents related to mobility management. >From this point of view, the book will be of value in the longer term as well, making it an a perfectly sound investment.
A challenge dealt with successfully in this book is that in order to present mobility management, it ultimately needs to discuss about signaling protocols, and SS7 in particular. The book takes an approach of presenting background material on signaling on "as needed" basis. A reader not familiar with signaling, will likely progress slowly when signalling is first introduced, but, at the end, will have the double benefit of being exposed to signaling's central role in advanced communication services, and gain understanding on how mobile networks really work. Certainly, there are parts of the text where the density of acronyms calls for careful parsing of the sentences, but such is the case for any technical book that maintains a formal presentation style. It still beats reading standards documents.
After a short review and classification of the systems covered in the text, the book introduces the need and nature of mobility management followed by the most important aspect of mobility management, that of handoff management (detection, assignment and radio link transfer). Following the introduction, extensive attention is given to IS-41 (where, in a way, AMPS, IS-136 and IS-95 "meet" together) and to the GSM counterpart, the Mobile Application Part (MAP). Covered GSM services include the Short Message Service (SMS), International Roaming, and Operations, Administration and Maintenance. In this, first part of the book, what may appear odd at first is the inclusion of low-tier systems with few mobility management capabilities (such as CT 2, DECT etc.) but it serves as a reminder that little gems of protocols can be found in places one may not think looking at. Certainly the point is justified by the discussion of PACS signalling in a separate chapter. Another topic placed in this first part of the book (due to its relation with AMPS and IS-136) is CDPD's architecture and its radio resource allocation and roaming management.
The remaining half of the book is service-oriented. It covers how different types of services can be supported. The services include mobile number portability, VoIP service for mobile networks, GPRS, prepaid mobile phone services, and WAP. Following are two chapters covering the topic of heterogeneous PCS systems integration and the new (3rd) generation mobile services. The final three chapters cover three addition services that follow their own evolution path. Namely, paging systems, the wireless local loop and wireless enterprise networks.
Overall, this book is worth having. Whether you approach it as a student, as an instructor, as an engineer or just as interested to expand your knowledge, it has something to give you. It is unique in its approach and future books on the topic will be measured against it.

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A comprehensive guide to building wireless and mobile networks and services. Based on advanced wireless and mobile network architectures, Personal Communication Services (PCS) offersthe enterprise freedom of communication through mobility. This book gives network engineers and managers a window on the world of wireless and mobile networks, from the enabling technologies and protocols to creating and managing mobile services. Lin and Chlamtac use a unique sustained example approach to teach you how PCS concepts apply to real network operation. For example, they use location update to illustrate concepts in chapters on network signaling,- Mobility management for different systems- Wireless Application ProtocolNetwork signaling for IS-41-based systems, PACS, and GSM- Roaming procedures and international roaming- Operational management- VoIP service for mobile networks- Mobile number portability- GPRS- Third generation (3G) mobile systems- Wireless enterprise networks- Wireless Local Loop- And much more

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Deploying License-Free Wireless Wide-Area Networks Review

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(More customer reviews)Mr. Unger has taken a topic not often discussed and almost never written about and has done an absolutely wonderful job with it! Even if you are not interested in becoming a WISP or needing that technology, you should have this book as a reference. The material that he covers in regards to the 802.11x standard is literally worth its weight in gold. His information on antennas, different LOS types and trooubleshooting could be a book itself. And for any of you looking to obtain any of the various WLAN certifications (Planet3, GlobalNet, Cisco, etc.), this book is a "keeper". Keep up the good work Mr. Unger!

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A real-world guide to designing and implementing license-free wireless WANs. Master "real-world" wireless design and installation principles, avoiding design and installation pitfalls. Save money by avoiding the high recurring monthly costs of leasing traditional broadband links. Learn to evaluate and select wireless networking equipment. Understand how to provide reliable and profitable broadband wireless Internet access service

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CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide (Exam PW0-100), Fourth Edition (Certification Press) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was a great tool for helping me pass the CWNA! Tom has covered the material in enough detail that it gives you a foundation of wireless knowledge to build on to pass the CWNA test. As Tom states in the book, you need to use other reference material, in addition to this book, to prepare for the test.
thanks Tom!
Bruce

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The only official study guide for CWNA Exam PW0-100

Fully authorized by the exam developers at the CWNP program, this comprehensive study guide thoroughly covers all the topics on the CWNA certification exam. Work at your own pace through a system of lessons, scenarios, and review questions to learn the material quickly and easily.

CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide will help you prepare for the exam by showing you, step-by-step, how to implement, troubleshoot, and maintain wireless LANs. Get the only study guide endorsed by the creators of the CWNA exam and start your career as an expert wireless network administrator.

Maximize your performance on the exam by learning:

Wireless Standards, Organizations, and Applications

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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 Home Networking For Dummies, 4th Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)My title may be misleading in that it may depict too much information. This is far from the truth. This book covers all aspect of a wireless network that's available. After reading this book, you'll walk away with a complete knowledge of how to create a wireless network. The contents is written in a manner most readers can understand. Technical terms are used but are explained using common terminology.
Having years of computer technical background, I found this book complete in it's information. This is the ideal book for anyone in the computer field. The only drawback in this book becomes clear if all you want to do is a simple task such as creating a wireless network to access the internet. In such a case, to a non technical reader, you would have to dig through countless pages to find what is needed.
I guess it comes down to if you want a book that shows you all aspects of a wireless network or a specific task. This book covers all of it.


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The perennial bestseller shows you how share your files and Internet connection across a wireless network
Fully updated for Windows 7 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard, this new edition of this bestseller returns with all the latest in wireless standards and security. This fun and friendly guide shows you how to integrate your iPhone, iPod touch, smartphone, or gaming system into your home network. Veteran authors escort you through the various financial and logisitical considerations that you need to take into account before building a wireless network at home.
Covers the basics of planning, installing, and using wireless LANs
Reviews essential information on the latest security issues
Delivers valuable tips on how to stay current with fast-moving technology
Discusses how to share resources such as printers, scanners, an Internet connection, files, and more with multiple computers on one network

Wireless Home Networking For Dummies, 4th Edition skips the technical jargon and gets you connected with need-to-know information on building a wireless home network.

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802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Recently I've been designing a system to run atop 802.11b radios and this book has served as an excellent introduction to the 802.11b standard. For example, Gast's description of spread-spectrum radios, chipping, and OFDMA radio systems is a broad overview without going into excessive mathematical formulas and it gives a non-RF engineer a basic understanding of what are the issues underlying each of the 802.11 radios of today.
I found myself reading a chapter of this book, and then looking at the 802.11b standard itself (now available free on the website ieee.org) for more detailed information. I found only a couple of minor errors in this book. This book serves as an outstanding introduction to the protocol standard, which is large and which contains little or no practical information for the practitioner. However, I did also use Radia Perlman's book on Routing in conjunction with this book to help me understand IEEE 802.1 issues.
Gast attempts to be a be-all and end-all book for everyone. For example, he attempts to describe all 802.11 RF modulation schemes. He attempts to give a full description of all the packet formats. He attempts to describe which cards are based on which baseband (Intersil or Orinoco). This stuff is changing very fast but he gave it his best shot, and its very important to people installing *NIX drivers. He attempts to tell you how to set up an 802.11 Ethereal packet sniffer. All of his information is invaluable to anyone setting up 802.11b on any flavor of UNIX or Linux. Anyway, he makes a really valiant effort and I've never seen a networking book try to play in all 4 spaces at once - RF Theory, Network Protocols, Hardware Selection, and Practicum - all at the same time. He should be applauded for this attempt.
I have not found a book that is nearly as comprehensive (6/2003) and I've lent this book to at least 5 other people, most of them PhD's or VP's in EE or CS and/or wireless communications.

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