Synopsis

Wireless networks are becoming commonplace, but choosing and configuring the right equipment and services for the home, small offices, and the business traveler can prove frustrating. That’s where you need the wide-ranging expertise of wireless mavens Adam Engst and Glenn Fleishman.

Using illustrated step-by-step instructions, in-depth discussions, and tons of tips, they help you decide what to buy, show you how to configure wireless hardware and software, and explain the best techniques for managing your connections.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced network administrator, you’ll find the practical information you need about wireless networking.

Each book also has three coupons worth a total of $125 in discounts off regular subscriptions from three major wireless ISPs: Boingo Wireless, FatPort (Canada), and Wayport.

A one-chapter excerpt from this edition is available on the Excerpts page.

Read reviews here

What's New in the Second Edition

In its first edition, The Wireless Networking Starter Kit covered every angle of Wi-Fi and the 802.11a and b standards. In this second edition, we expanded to cover 802.11g, the latest, fastest Wi-Fi flavor, as well as these additional topics:

• Bluetooth (background and configuring)
• Cellular data (background and configuring)
• Centrino laptops
• Ultrawideband (UWB)
• Working with software from wireless ISPs
• Setting up Palm and Pocket PC handhelds with Wi-Fi
• Small-office networking
• Cameras, displays, and other unique Wi-Fi-connected gadgets

If you own the first edition, you'll want the second edition to get up to speed with the latest developments.

Overview of the Second Edition

• Practical advice and instructions for dozens of common wireless tasks
• Thorough grounding in wireless networking basics
• Coverage of 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, Bluetooth, cell data, and more
• Details tailored to Windows, Macintosh, Palm, PocketPC, and Linux users
• Suggestions for extending your network and linking multiple locations
• Real-world discussions on protecting home wireless networks from snoops
• Advice about how to make a small office wireless network as secure as a large corporate network
• Hard-won tips on finding and using wireless networks while traveling
• Troubleshooting advice to help you fi gure out sticky situations

Table of Contents [download as PDF]

Section I: Wireless Basics
1. How Wireless Works
2. Wireless Standards
3. Wireless Hardware
4. Other Wireless Standards
5. Wireless of the (Near) Future

Section II: Connecting Your Computer
6. Connecting Your Windows XP
7. Configuring Your Centrino Laptop
8. Connecting Your Macintosh
9. Connecting with Linux and FreeBSD
10. Connecting Your Handheld
11. Connecting via Bluetooth
12. Creating an Ad Hoc Wireless Network
13. Sharing Files and Printers
14. Troubleshooting Your Connection

Section III: Building Your Wireless Network
15. Planning Your Wireless Network
16. Buying a Wireless Gateway
17. Setting up a Gateway
       Download Chapter 17 as a PDF!
18. Wireless Gadgets
19. Creating a Software Access Point
20. Bridging Wireless Networks
21. Indoor Antenna Basics
22. Small Office Wi-Fi Networking
23. Troubleshooting Your Wireless Network

Section IV: Wireless Security
24. Wireless Worries
25. Preventing Access to Your Network
26. Securing Data in Transit
27. Protecting Your Systems

Section V: Taking It on the Road
28. Finding Wi-Fi on the Road
29. Configuring WISP Software
30. Using Cellular Data Networks
31. Prepping for the Road
32. Working on the Road

Section VI: Going the Distance
33. Long-Range Wi-Fi Connections
34. Long-Range Anntena Basics

Appendix A. Networking Basics
Appendix B. Configuring Your Network Settings
Appendix C. How to Troubleshoot

Glossary [Download as a PDF]

You can also download the table of contents in Acrobat PDF format (requires the free Acrobat Reader).

Index [download as PDF]

If you'd like to know the range of topics we cover, you can download our full index in Acrobat PDF format (requires the free Acrobat Reader).

Bibliographic Details

ISBN: 032122468X
560 pages (536 plus front matter and index)
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Publication date: November 2003