Wireless Networks First-Step

Product Description

Your First-Step into the World of Wireless Networks

• No experience required!
• Gain an understanding of wireless networking basics with this reader friendly guide
• The first book anyone should read about wireless networks with step-by-step instruction
• Learn from an author experienced in and known for writing to a generalist wireless audience with a clear, simple-to-understand style

As a basic introduction to wireless networking, Wireless Networks First-Step assumes that readers have no previous wireless experience. The book provides an overview of wireless networking, along with details of applicable standards and technologies. Newcomers to wireless technologies will find practical information along with an abundance of examples. Case studies throughout the chapters provide real-world implementation examples, presented in a non-technical fashion. Implementation details are discussed only to the extent that readers can identify what type of wireless network may be appropriate for their needs.

Wireless Networks First-Step, written by Jim Geier, begins with a basic introduction to wireless networks and an explanation of radio wave communications. It then reviews different types of wireless networks including WPANs (wireless personal area networks), WLANs (wireless local area networks), wireless MANs (metropolitan area networks), and WWANs (wireless wide area networks). The final section covers security threats to wireless networks, and solutions to combat these threats.

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Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful It's a Start..., December 21, 2004 By  Rich Hill (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Wireless Networks First-Step (Paperback) I was recently tasked with creating a wireless network in our test lab. I managed to stumble through and ended up creating a very secure wireless network. However, throughout the process, I kept finding myself wishing I had more information on the technology. Not knowing the vocabulary made the process harder than necessary and I ended up with a lot of "what" and "why" questions that needed to be answered. Wireless networking is a growing market, and Cisco even recently added Enterprise Wireless Mobility to their new CCIE blueprint, so I figured I had better get it into my repertoire pronto. To begin filling in those gaps, I picked up Wireless Networks First-Step (ISBN 1-58720-111-9) from Cisco Press. The book itself is a bit light, at only 200 pages, and is divided into 8 short chapters. The author, Jim Geier, attempts to introduce the material without getting overly technical. He doesn't make this a riveting read, by any stretch, and will probably lose most CIO... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful A Good First Step to Wireless Networks, December 20, 2004 By  S. Scheiderer (M. Hill, CA USA) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Wireless Networks First-Step (Paperback) Wireless Networks First-Step (Your first step into the world of wireless networks) Reviewer Name: Steve Owen Scheiderer, Network Administrator Reviewer Certification: MCSE NT 4.0, CCNA ISBN: 1-58720-111-9 Even though this book is smaller than other First-Step books I've reviewed, it is "big" in the insights it provides the reader. As the saying goes: "Dynamite comes in small packages." This book by Jim Geier will assist the reader in understanding the underlying technology, compatibility and security issues associated with wireless networks. While it may be tempting to view wireless networks as a simple solution to pulling cable, Geier takes the reader through the somewhat complex considerations for a successful wireless implementation. Whether wireless PANs, LANs, MANs or WANs (Chapters Four through Seven) are needed for a productive business each category has unique variables to consider and this book treats each... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful An overview of wireless networking, along with details of applicable standards and technologies, July 5, 2005 By  Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Wireless Networks First-Step (Paperback) As a basic introduction to wireless networking, Wireless Networks First-Step assumes that readers have no previous wireless experience. Wireless network expert Jim Geier provides an overview of wireless networking, along with details of applicable standards and technologies. Newcomers to wireless technologies will find practical information along with an abundance of examples. Case studies throughout the chapters provide *real world* implementation examples, presented in a nontechnical fashion. Implementation details are discussed only to the extent that readers can identify what type of wireless network may be appropriate for their needs. An *especially* *recommended* instructional "how to" manual for the novice, Wireless Networks First-Step would make a welcome and appreciated addition to *high school* computer class reference collections and community library resources for non-specialist general readers wanting to understand the new wireless technologies. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment

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Praise For Wireless Networks First-Step

"I'm frequently asked about beginner-level books on wireless technology. Well, if you're new to wireless, this is the book to have on your reference desk. Packed with useful information, Wireless Networks First-Step will get you up to speed on the latest and greatest wireless terms and technologies. Each chapter contains easy-to-understand explanations of various aspects of wireless technology, from the difference between TKIP and WPA to how to handle rogue access points. A nice feature is that each chapter has a quiz that lets you test your knowledge. This is a must read for those new to the field."
– Mathias Thurman
Computerworld, Security Bookshelf

Wireless Networks First-Step
Reviewer Name: Steve Owen Scheiderer, Network Administrator
Reviewer Certifications: MCSE NT 4.0, CCNA
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Even though this book is smaller than other First-Step books I've reviewed, it is "big" in the insights it provides the reader. As the saying goes: "Dynamite comes in small packages." This book by Jim Geier will assist the reader in understanding the underlying technology, compatibility and security issues associated with wireless networks.

While it may be tempting to view wireless networks as a simple solution to pulling cable, Geier takes the reader through the somewhat complex considerations for a successful wireless implementation. Whether wireless PANs, LANs, MANs or WANs (chapters four through seven) are needed for a productive business each category has unique variables to consider and this book treats each in turn. An overarching theme in most chapters is security and the book ends with a strong chapter on this crucial subject. (Couple this with Network Security First-Step by Tom Thomas and one has an even bigger charge of dynamite.)

The intermediate or advanced reader may find the "Wireless Network Applications" and "Benefits" sections of chapter one to be too long, detailed and somewhat redundant. What would have been helpful to the beginning reader is more emphasis on network security up front. Chapter two not only explains "How Wireless Works," but also gives good practical advice on various levels – especially compatibility issues. (See ISA, p. 35, Mini-PCI, p. 36, 10Base-T, p. 47, and Optical Fiber, p. 48 to mention a few examples.)

After the quick-read of chapter one, the reader will have to slow down the pace to absorb technical details of chapters two and three. I found myself sketching out some of the discussion to better visualize how everything fits together. As with most technical books the "alphabet soup" of terms can get a bit overwhelming. A couple of terms I could not find definitions for in the text, glossary or index. (It would have been nice to know where a strange term like "bluetooth" comes from as this information would make one seem really smart at parties.)

Because Geier's years of experience and practical suggestions shine throughout the book, I would definitely read other titles by this author and his team of technical editors. I give Wireless Networks First-Step a 4.5 rating on a scale of 1 to 5. An online errata page would greatly assist the reader in filling in some of gaps, typos, etc. missed by the author and editors.

Index

Download - 189 KB -- Index

Table of Contents

Introduction.

1. The Wireless World: An Introduction to Concepts.

Wireless Networks Defined.

Wireless PANs.

Wireless LANs.

Wireless MANs.

Wireless WANs11.

Drawing the Line13.

Wireless Network Applications.

Basic Configurations.

Internet Access.

Voice over Wireless.

Inventory Control.

Health Care.

Education.

Real Estate.

Utilities.

Field Service.

Field Sales.

Vending.

Public Networks.

Location-Based Services.

Wireless Network Benefits.

Increasing Efficiency and Accuracy.

Improving Reliability.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

2. Wireless System Architecture: How Wireless Works.

Wireless Network System Components.

Users.

Computer Devices.

NICs.

Air Medium.

Wireless Network Infrastructures.

Management Systems.

Network Architecture.

Information Signals.

Digital Signals.

Analog Signals     .

Flow of Information Through a Wireless Network.

End Points of Information Flow.

Inputting, Storing, and Displaying Information.

Interfacing with the Air Medium.

Transferring Wireless Data Signals.

Connecting with the Wireless Network Infrastructure.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

3. Radio Frequency and Light Signal Fundamentals: The Invisible Medium.

Wireless Transceivers.

Understanding RF Signals.

RF Signal Attributes.

RF Signal Pros and Cons.

RF Signal Impairments.

Understanding Light Signals.

Light Signal Attributes.

Light Signal Pros and Cons.

Light Signal Impairments.

Modulation: Preparing Signals for Propagation.

Frequency Shift-Keying.

Phase Shift-Keying.

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation.

Spread Spectrum.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing.

Ultrawideband Modulation.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

4. Wireless PANs: Networks for Small Places.

Wireless PAN Components.

User Devices.

Radio NICs.

USB Adapters.

Routers.

Wireless PAN Systems.

Home and Small Office.

Enterprise.

Wireless PAN Technologies.

802.15.

Bluetooth.

IrDA.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

5. Wireless LANs: Networks for Buildings and Campuses.

Wireless LAN Components.

User Devices.

Radio NICs.

Access Points.

Routers.

Repeaters.

Antennae.

Wireless LAN Systems.

Home and Small Office Wireless LANs.

Enterprise Wireless LANs.

Public Wireless LANs.

Ad Hoc Wireless LANs.

Wireless LAN Technologies.

802.11.

Wi-Fi.

HiperLAN/2.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

6. Wireless MANs: Networks for Connecting Buildings and Remote Areas.

Wireless MAN Components.

Bridges.

Directional Antennae.

Wireless MAN Systems.

Point-to-Point Systems.

Point-to-Multipoint System.

Packet Radio Systems.

Wireless MAN Technologies.

802.11 and Wi-Fi.

802.16.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

7. Wireless WANs: Networks for Worldwide Connections.

Wireless WAN Components.

Wireless WAN User Devices.

Radio NICs.

Base Stations.

Antennae.

Wireless WAN Systems.

Cellular-Based Wireless WANs.

Space-Based Wireless WANs.

Wireless WAN Technologies.

Frequency Division Multiple Access.

Time Division Multiple Access.

Code Division Multiple Access.

Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA).

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

8. Wireless Network Security: Protecting Information Resources.

Security Threats.

Traffic Monitoring.

Unauthorized Access.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks.

Denial of Service.

Encryption.

WEP.

Wi-Fi Protected Access.

Virtual Private Networks.

Authentication.

802.11 Authentication Vulnerabilities.

MAC Filters.

Authentication Using Public Key Cryptography.

802.1x.

Security Policies.

Assessment Steps.

Common Security Policies.

Chapter Summary.

Chapter Review Questions.

Appendix A. Answers to Chapter Review Question.

Glossary.

Index.

Downloadable Sample Chapter

Download - 598 KB -- Chapter 2: Wireless System Architecture: How Wireless Works