802.11 Wireless Networks: The Defenitive Guide 2nd Edition

Description

As we all know by now, wireless networks offer many advantages over fixed (or wired) networks. Foremost on that list is mobility, since going wireless frees you from the tether of an Ethernet cable at a desk. But that's just the tip of the cable-free iceberg. Wireless networks are also more flexible, faster and easier for you to use, and more affordable to deploy and maintain.

The de facto standard for wireless networking is the 802.11 protocol, which includes Wi-Fi (the wireless standard known as 802.11b) and its faster cousin, 802.11g. With easy-to-install 802.11 network hardware available everywhere you turn, the choice seems simple, and many people dive into wireless computing with less thought and planning than they'd give to a wired network. But it's wise to be familiar with both the capabilities and risks associated with the 802.11 protocols. And 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition is the perfect place to start.

This updated edition covers everything you'll ever need to know about wireless technology. Designed with the system administrator or serious home user in mind, it's a no-nonsense guide for setting up 802.11 on Windows and Linux. Among the wide range of topics covered are discussions on:

* deployment considerations
* network monitoring and performance tuning
* wireless security issues
* how to use and select access points
* network monitoring essentials
* wireless card configuration
* security issues unique to wireless networks With wireless technology, the advantages to its users are indeed plentiful. Companies no longer have to deal with the hassle and expense of wiring buildings, and households with several computers can avoid fights over who's online. And now, with 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition, you can integrate wireless technology into your current infrastructure with the utmost confidence.

CONTENTS:

ForewordPrefaceChapter 1: Introduction to Wireless NetworkingChapter 2: Overview of 802.11 NetworksChapter 3: 802.11 MAC FundamentalsChapter 4: 802.11 Framing in DetailChapter 5: Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)Chapter 6: User Authentication with 802.1XChapter 7: 802.11i: Robust Security Networks, TKIP, and CCMPChapter 8: Management OperationsChapter 9: Contention-Free Service with the PCFChapter 10: Physical Layer OverviewChapter 11: The Frequency-Hopping (FH) PHYChapter 12: The Direct Sequence PHYs: DSSS and HR/DSSS (802.11b)Chapter 13: 802.11a and 802.11j: 5-GHz OFDM PHYChapter 14: 802.11g: The Extended-Rate PHY (ERP)Chapter 15: A Peek Ahead at 802.11n: MIMO-OFDMChapter 16: 802.11 HardwareChapter 17: Using 802.11 on WindowsChapter 18: 802.11 on the MacintoshChapter 19: Using 802.11 on LinuxChapter 20: Using 802.11 Access PointsChapter 21: Logical Wireless Network ArchitectureChapter 22: Security ArchitectureChapter 23: Site Planning and Project ManagementChapter 24: 802.11 Network AnalysisChapter 25: 802.11 Performance TuningChapter 26: Conclusions and Predictionsglossary