Wireless Networks First-Step
Published on 12. August 2004
Book
Hardback
264 pages
978-1-58720-111-0 (ISBN)
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.
158720111903232004
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.
158720111903232004
More details
Person
Jim Geier is the founder and principal consultant of Wireless-Nets, Ltd. He has authored several books including Wireless LANs, Wireless Networking Handbook, and Network Reengineering. The author's residence is Yellow Springs, OH.
Content
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.
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.