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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Fundamentals of Wireless Communication Review

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(More customer reviews)I had purchased the digital edition of this book to strengthen my fundamentals in wireless communication theory as I am preparing to enrol for graduate study. While going through the book, I found that, the author has rightly focussed on the most fundamental aspect of wireless communications i.e. maximizing the capacity and at the same time getting rid of effects of radio propagation channels. Not only the author presents the text superbly supported with mathematical explanations but also uses felicitously chosen examples from the gamut of wireless technology to put forth the concepts. Moreover, plenteous problems at each chapter's end strenthened my understanding of the subject matter. I am yet to go over MIMO which has also been explicitly presented in the book.

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Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals: An end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networks Review

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(More customer reviews)There are several nice features about this book. The first is a chapter that gives a high level explanation of 802.11n, which is the latest and highest bandwidth wireless standard. The chapter refers to some 500 pages of the actual formal standard, but only hard core people in the wireless field will ever directly use the standard. Instead, we see that 802.11n can give 100Mb/s wireless bandwidth. Which is pretty fantastic, compared to the earlier 802.11a/b/g standards. So how is this possible? In short, thru the use of multiple antennas for transmission and receiving. The catchy acronym MIMO summarises this idea. The chapter has several neat diagrams that illustrate the antenna configurations. Typically, the diagrams have boxes that say DSP [digital signal processor], that are hooked to the antennas. As you might expect, even if you are not an electrical engineer, these conceal a vast amount of rapid and complex number crunching. The ongoing march of Moore's Law is what enables the building in silicon of these new DSPs that can handle multiple antennas. The chapter also refers to various antenna parameters that can be tweaked, but does not go into any details.
Perhaps only a few readers will actually need to adjust those parameters. I suspect that the typical network sysadmin does not do much or know much about antenna design. So the chapter's level of discussion is adequate for most readers.
Another chapter looks at Cisco's implementation of wireless LAN security. This is at a more detailed pace than the 802.11n chapter. The algorithms are covered in some depth, and take as their starting point and motivation the inadequacies of Wired Equivalent Privacy [WEP]. (The book cautions you to never use WEP.)
The difference between these 2 chapters is telling. As a network sysadmin, you are far more likely to be involved in maintaining security than optimising bandwidth access. So you need a strong understanding of the overall security mechanisms in Cisco's protocols and hardware. The narrative shows that Cisco has put much effort into making a formidable security apparatus.

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Controller-Based Wireless LAN FundamentalsAn end-to-end reference guide to design, deploy, manage, and secure 802.11 wireless networksJeff SmithJake WoodhamsRobert MargAs wired networks are increasingly replaced with 802.11n wireless connections, enterprise users are shifting to centralized, next-generation architectures built around Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC). These networks will increasingly run business-critical voice, data, and video applications that once required wired Ethernet. In Controller-Based Wireless LAN Fundamentals, three senior Cisco wireless experts bring together all the practical and conceptual knowledge professionals need to confidently design, configure, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot 802.11n networks with Cisco Unified Wireless Network (CUWN) technologies.The authors first introduce the core principles, components, and advantages of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco offerings. Drawing on their pioneering experience, the authors present tips, insights, and best practices for network design and implementation as well as detailed configuration examples. Next, they illuminate key technologies ranging from WLCs to Lightweight Access Point Protocol (LWAPP) and Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP), Fixed Mobile Convergence to WiFi Voice. They also show how to take advantage of the CUWN's end-to-end security, automatic configuration, self-healing, and integrated management capabilities. This book serves as a practical, hands-on reference for all network administrators, designers, and engineers through the entire project lifecycle, and an authoritative learning tool for new wireless certification programs. This is the only book thatFully covers the principles and components of next-generation wireless networks built with Cisco WLCs and Cisco 802.11n APBrings together real-world tips, insights, and best practices for designing and implementing next-generation wireless networksPresents start-to-finish configuration examples for common deployment scenariosReflects the extensive first-hand experience of Cisco expertsGain an operational and design-level understanding of WLAN Controller (WLC) architectures, related technologies, and the problems they solveUnderstand 802.11n, MIMO, and protocols developed to support WLC architectureUse Cisco technologies to enhance wireless network reliability, resilience, and scalability while reducing operating expensesSafeguard your assets using Cisco Unified Wireless Network's advanced security featuresDesign wireless networks capable of serving as an enterprise's primary or only access network and supporting advanced mobility servicesUtilize Cisco Wireless Control System (WCS) to plan, deploy, monitor, troubleshoot, and report on wireless networks throughout their lifecyclesConfigure Cisco wireless LANs for multicastingQuickly troubleshoot problems with Cisco controller-based wireless LANsThis book is part of the Cisco Press® Fundamentals Series. Books in this series introduce networking professionals to new networking technologies, covering network topologies, sample deployment concepts, protocols, and management techniques.Category: WirelessCovers: Cisco Controller-Based Wireless LANs

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Building Wireless Sensor Networks: with ZigBee, XBee, Arduino, and Processing Review

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(More customer reviews)Faludi is kind to the reader by using simple language in the old school of: tell-them-what-you're-going-to-say, tell-them and then tell-them-what-you-said.
I bought the book because although I am not a beginner to electronics, I am to ZigBee, and I am lazy and want a quick start to what to get and why and which "start-bugs" to avoid. Faludi does a good job here and tries to please everybody by including non-Windows based (Mac and Linux) examples where he can (this market is clearly biased towards Windows).
Evidently you could simply download the free ZigBee spec' and read it - it is not too boring and took me about four days to scan through it, but for the cheap price, I would recommend that even a professional would recover the cost in time saved from this book but evidently he will not be interested in the simplistic treatment of how to connect A to B, just the tips and hints and as a quick broad outline for both the spec and the parts range.
For the beginner this book is excellent with both diagrams and photographs of how to wire up the half dozen-or-so connections between one module and another plus very full descriptions + screen shots of how to drive the (mainly Windows based) software.
The firmware example-code is consistently of the simplest-only-to-do-the-principle (there is no cheating by padding with large amounts of code) and gradually the reader is taken into more and more detail about protocols and networking in a painless manner.
A huge amount of work has gone into this book to make it look simple. It is also up to date (late 2010). I highly recommend it to anyone.

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Get ready to create distributed sensor systems and intelligent interactive devices using the ZigBee wireless networking protocol and Series 2 XBee radios. By the time you're halfway through this fast-paced, hands-on guide, you'll have built a series of useful projects, including a complete ZigBee wireless network that delivers remotely sensed data.

Radio networking is creating revolutions in volcano monitoring, performance art, clean energy, and consumer electronics. As you follow the examples in each chapter, you'll learn how to tackle inspiring projects of your own. This practical guide is ideal for inventors, hackers, crafters, students, hobbyists, and scientists.

Investigate an assortment of practical and intriguing project ideas
Prep your ZigBee toolbox with an extensive shopping list of parts and programs
Create a simple, working ZigBee network with XBee radios in less than two hours -- for under $100
Use the Arduino open source electronics prototyping platform to build a series of increasingly complex projects
Get familiar with XBee's API mode for creating sensor networks
Build fully scalable sensing and actuation systems with inexpensive components
Learn about power management, source routing, and other XBee technical nuances
Make gateways that connect with neighboring networks, including the Internet

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CWNA Certified Wireless Network Administrator Official Study Guide: Exam PW0-104 (CWNP Official Study Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)Having just taken (and passed) the CWNA exam with this as my primary reference, I applaud the authors, both for their thorough coverage and readable style. This is one of the best exam prep books I've used. My advice: read it cover to cover, then read the last chapter (802.11n) at least one more time... there were more questions about HT than I was expecting. The test is quite up-to-date.

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Complete Wireless Design Review

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(More customer reviews)The free wireless circuit design and simulation software that comes with this book have proven extremely valuable to me, unlike many such programs that come with other electronics books. I am able to build a complete amplifier, filter, or oscillator and simulate it with one of the enclosed programs, Puff. This ups my confidence level that the design will function in real life. The other program, AppCad, will actually automatically design FET and bipolar amplifier bias circuits, detectors, microstrip, systems design calcs, etc. I hav'nt tried the EasyPLL phased locked loop design program or the Sonnet microwave simulation software.
Mr. Sayre's book has become one of the more popular ones on rf circuit design for a very good reason: It presents its material in such a way that even a software engineer such as myself can design many of the various bit and pieces of a voice or data radio by just using this one book. As far as I am concerned this is really an achievement, and is valuable to all who are interested in radio design from the low MHz to the high GHz regions. It covers a very large range of information needed on RF engineering, and not only discrete level circuit design, but also systems design, digital and analog modulation, testing and troubleshooting, PCB layout, propagation, EMI, prototyping, etc. It is a great rf book with a large variety of indispensable designs and formulas.

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Wireless All In One For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a terrific book. I am not a rookie at the wireless stuff, but I am certainly not an expert. This book is for EVERYONE, pro or no, that wants to find out about wireless stuff and ways to set that stuff up. The author(s) have written a book which is enjoyable to read, at a relaxing level with a little humor thrown in. It certainly is not a book to put you to sleep. I found that for everything I learned, I just wanted to learn more. I am an avid reader (of many genres) and I know that a "good writer" can make anything fun and enjoyable to read. I cannot wait to go shopping to set up my wireless network in my home; because of this book I feel confident that I can walk into the store and know exactly what I will need.

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Link up, connect, or create a network-with no wires attached!
With such an amazing abundance of electronic devices available in our daily lives, wouldn't it be nice to eliminate getting wrangled by all those wires? With this guide by your side, a team of technical authors walks you through creating a network in your home or office-without the expense and hassle of stringing cable or paying a network administrator.
Eight self-contained minibooks answer your questions about wireless devices and wireless networks and address everything from hardware security to wireless hobbies and GPS. Clear, step-by-step instructions show you how to link your TV, computers, PDAs, laptops, TiVo, and sound systems to your wireless network.
Discover how to configure networks and create a completely wireless environment
Incorporate various hardware into your wireless network, such as notebook computers, handheld devices, sound systems, and printers
Tackle common security issues and best troubleshooting practices
Learn all the basics of wireless computing and how to make it work for you

With this book, it's easier than ever to to create an office or home network on a Windows platform. Don't be a bird on a wire-become a part of a wireless world!

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