The Book of Wireless by Ross, John -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

The Book of Wireless

THE BOOK OF WIRELESS, 2ND EDITION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION 1. INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKING

Moving Data Around

Bits and Bytes Error Checking Handshaking Finding the Destination

The ISO OSI Model

The Physical Layer The Data Link Layer The Network Layer The Transport Layer The Session Layer The Presentation Layer The Application Layer

Summary

2. INTRODUCTION TO WIRELESS NETWORKS

How Wireless Networks Work

Radio Wireless Data Networks

Unlicensed Radio Services Point-to-Point Spread Spectrum Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Why This Matters

Benefits of Wireless Wireless Data Services

Wi-Fi

Metropolitan Wi-Fi Services

Cellular Mobile Wireless Services WiMAX What About Bluetooth? Frequency Allocations

Wi-Fi Services Other Broadband Services

Choosing a Service

3. HOW WI-FI WORKS

Wi-Fi Network Controls

The Physical Layer The MAC Layer Other Control Layers

Wi-Fi Network Protocols Wi-Fi Radio Frequencies

Wireless Channels Reducing Interference

Wireless Network Devices

Network Adapters

Adapters for Multiple Network Types

Access Points Building a Network Public and Private Networks

Putting It All Together

4. THE HARDWARE YOU NEED FOR WI-FI

Everybody Speaks the Same Language (More or Less) Network Adapters

Form Factor

Internal Adapters PC Cards USB Adapters Expansion Cards for Desktop Computers

Internal vs. External Antennas Interoperability Finding Drivers for Your Adapter Ease of Use Securing Your Network Documentation and Technical Support Reputation

Adapters for Ad Hoc Networks Dual-Purpose Adapters Access Points

Operating Standards Pure Wireless LANs Wireless Access to a Wired LAN Combining the Access Point with a Wired Hub Broadband Gateways Multiple Access Points Enhanced-Performance Access Points

External Antennas

Antenna Characteristics

Coverage Pattern Gain Form Factor Weatherproofing

How to Choose an Antenna Rolling Your Own Where to Use a Directional Antenna

On an Access Point On a Network Adapter On Both an Access Point and a Network Adapter

Antennas Are a Whole Other World

It's Time to Buy

5. MANAGING YOUR WI-FI CONNECTIONS

Installing PC Card Adapters Installing USB Adapters Installing an Internal Adapter in a Laptop Computer Installing an Internal Adapter in a Desktop System Loading the Driver Software Choosing a Control Program

The Microsoft Wireless Network Connection Utility

Connecting to an Access Point in Windows XP Connecting to an Access Point in Windows Vista Making an Automatic Connection

Setting Up a Preferred Network in Windows XP Setting Up a Preferred Network in Windows Vista

Disconnecting from an Access Point Viewing Technical Details

The Intel PROSet/Wireless Program Other Wi-Fi Adapters and Control Programs

Status Information Changing Your Adapter's Configuration Settings Configuring a Network Connection

The Mobile Life: Moving from One Network to Another

Beyond Windows Signal Strength vs. Signal Quality

6. WI-FI FOR WINDOWS

Windows Network Configuration in General

IP Addresses

Assigning Addresses

The Subnet Mask Gateways Domain Name Servers File and Printer Sharing Network Interface Adapter Options Naming Your Computer

Configuring Windows

Do You Have the Latest Firmware? Using the Windows Wireless Tools

Making a Connection Network Configuration Settings File and Printer Sharing

Network Interface Adapter Options Naming Your Computer

Selecting a Network Connecting to an Encrypted Network

Troubleshooting the Connection

7. WI-FI FOR LINUX AND UNIX

Drivers, Back Seat and Otherwise

Where to Find Drivers Linux Drivers Unix Drivers

Wi-Fi Control Programs

Using Built-in Software Add-on Wi-Fi Programs Looking Under the Hood Wireless Tools

/proc/net/wireless iwconfig iwspy iwpriv

Programs Based on the Wireless Tools

netcfg wavemon

Status Display Programs

WMWave GKrellMwireless xwipower Remote Monitoring

Configuring an Access Point Wi-Fi for Unix

Configuration Tools wiconfig and wicontrol

8. WI-FI FOR MAC

AirPort Components Setting Up an AirPort Network

Installing the Hardware Running the AirPort Setup Assistant The AirPort Utility The AirPort Status Icon Using an AirPort Network

Connecting Macintosh Clients to Other Networks Using Non-Apple Adapters with a Mac Connecting an AirPort Card to a Non-AirPort Access Point Connecting Other Wi-Fi Clients to an AirPort Network

Network Properties

Configuring an AirPort Extreme from Windows Is AirPort the Answer?

9. INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING WI-FI ACCESS POINTS

Installing Access Points

Configuring the Access Point Through a Browser DHCP and Other Distractions DNS Addresses Configuration Commands and Settings

Passwords LAN IP Address Subnet Mask Wireless Network ID (SSID) Channel Mode Security

WEP Encryption WPA Encryption

DHCP Other Settings

How Many Access Points?

Using Multiple Access Points

Performing a Site Survey

Make a Site Plan … Testing, Testing …

Interference Problems Advantages of Mixed Networks

Access Points Combined with Hubs and Gateway Routers

Extending the Network

Legal Issues Outdoor Antennas and Access Points

Antenna Characteristics Power Antenna Height Cable Attenuation

Campus Networks

Setting Up a Campus Network

Connecting the Access Points to a LAN and the Internet Networking Your Neighborhood

Keeping Your ISP Happy Network Security: Everybody Is Your Neighbor

10. LONG RANGE POINT-TO-POINT LINKS

Extending the LAN Bridge Routers Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Installing a Point-to-Point Link

Choose a Signal Path Reaching the Boondocks: Long-Range Links Aligning the Antennas Obstructions and Relays

Alternatives to Wi-Fi for Point-to-Point Antennas for Network Adapters

Build Your Own Antenna?

11. CONNECTING TO AN EXISTING WI-FI NETWORK

Public Wi-Fi Is Not Secure Finding a Wi-Fi Hot Spot Keeping Your Data Secure NetStumbler and Other Sniffer Tools

Public Hot Spots

Airports and Conference Centers Hotels Aboard Planes, Trains, Buses, and Other Moving Targets

Municipal Wi-Fi Networks "Free Public WiFi" Unprotected Private Access Points

12. WIRELESS NETWORK SECURITY

Protecting Your Network and Your Data

Protecting Your Computer

Wi-Fi Security Tools

Network Name (SSID) WEP Encryption

How Many Bits in Your Encryption Key? Is Your Key ASCII or Hex? What Are the Options? Mixing Hex and ASCII Keys Is WEP Secure Enough To Use?

WPA Encryption

PSK Passphrases Using WPA Encryption WPA Security

Access Control (MAC Authentication) Virtual Private Networks Authentication: The 802.1x Standard

Firewalls

Keep Wireless Intruders at Bay Isolate Your Network from the Internet Access Points with Firewalls Firewall Software

Turn Off DHCP Turn Off the Power Physical Security Sharing Your Network with the World Some Final Thoughts About Wi-Fi Security

13. ALTERNATIVES TO WI-FI: WIRELESS BROADBAND DATA

What's Wrong with Wi-Fi? Broadband Data Services Comparing Technologies Choosing a Service Provider

Coverage Data Speed Cost Choosing a Network Adapter Service and Support Broadband Wireless Services Around the World

Connecting to a Wireless Broadband Network Using More Than One Computer Broadband Security Clearwire, Sprint, and Other Pre-WiMAX Services Broadband Wireless in Automobiles and Other Vehicles

TracNet External Antennas Safety Issues

14. SMARTPHONES AND PDAs

Connecting to the Internet Through PDAs and Other Handheld Devices Choosing a Smartphone

Smartphone Operating Systems

Windows Mobile BlackBerry Palm Apple iPhone Symbian Linux

Which Is Best?

15. VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS

VPN Methods VPN Servers

Configuring a Windows Server for a Wireless VPN

Configure the Connection to the Wired Network Configure the VPN Connection Configure the Remote Access Server as a Router Enable and Configure the Server for L2TP Clients Configure L2TP Ports Configure Network Filters Configure Remote Access Policies

VPN Servers for Unix Network Hardware with Built-in VPN Support

VPN Client Software

Configuring Windows for VPN The Microsoft L2TP/IPsec VPN Client Making the Connection in Windows Windows XP Options VPN Clients for Unix

IPsec Clients

Using a Wireless VPN

Making the Connection Bypassing the VPN Using a VPN Through a Public Network

16. USING BROADBAND FOR TELEPHONE CALLS

VoIP over Broadband Wireless and WiMAX Voice over Wi-Fi

17. TIPS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

My computer doesn't detect my network adapter. The wireless control program tries to run, even if I'm not using my adapter. My computer won't associate with the local network. My computer connects to the wrong network. I can see the local network, but I can't connect to the Internet. I can see the Internet, but I can't see other computers on my LAN. The signal strength is weak or signal quality is low. I can't find a public network. I don't know if I'm within range of a network. The network is slow. My computer drops its connection. My Wi-Fi network has crashed. Can I improve performance with an external antenna? What else can I do to improve performance? When I move to a different access point, the adapter loses the connection. Where can I find a copy of the Wi-Fi standards? How can I find out who made my network adapter? Is the software that came with my network adapter or access point up to date? I'm having trouble connecting to a broadband network. I'm having trouble connecting to my VPN. How can I extend the life of my computer's battery? Can I use my access point as a network bridge? I've heard that radio signals from cellular phones might be dangerous. What about Wi-Fi?

COLOPHON

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