The Book of Wireless, 2nd Edition: A Painless Guide to Wi-Fi and Broadband Wireless

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 - Secure your network using WPA encryption or a virtual private network (VPN) - 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. This plain-English guide to popular wireless networking standards shows readers how to connect to wireless networks anywhere they go. After an introduction to networking in general and wireless networking in particular, the book explains all available standards, including all flavors of wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi), along with new standards like WiMAX and 3G networks. Readers will learn how to use wireless software to connect to the Internet wherever they are, rather than waiting until they're in range of a public Wi-Fi hot spot. The Book of Wireless offers information about all of the currently available wireless services for Internet access, with advice about how to understand the important differences between them such as cost, speed, and coverage areas. For readers setting up home networks, the book contains practical advice about choosing and setting up hardware and software, securing networks using WEP and WPA, and setting up a wireless connection for VOIP. "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." "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."--Jacket Content: Intro to networking -- Intro to wireless networking -- How Wi-Fi works -- What you need for Wi-Fi -- Setting up your computer for Wi-Fi -- How-to Windows -- How-to NIX -- How-to Mac -- Configuring and installing WAPS -- Long range point-to-point -- Public surfing -- Wi-Fi security -- Alternatives to Wi-Fi -- Phones/PDAs -- VPNs -- VOIP telephone service -- Troubleshooting & tips. Discusses The Process Of Setting Up And Using A Home Or Office Wireless Network, Covering Topics Such As Point-to-point Networking, Sniffer Tools, And Security. Solutions and advice for wireless computing anywhere you go