Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi® Wireless Networking

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi® Wireless Networking

by Harold Davis
Released April 2004
Publisher(s): Que
ISBN: 0789731150

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Book description

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi is a book for beginners who want to join the Wi-Fi revolution. Using easy-to-understand language, this book teaches you all you need to know about Wi-Fi, from choosing the Wi-Fi system that is right for you to adding a Wi-Fi card and related software to finding hotspots and access points. With the help of this book, you will be able to configure a home network and share internet connections quickly and easily. In addition, the book covers all important security issues so that a user is less exposed to threats, as well as the dos and don'ts of traveling with a Wi-Fi enabled laptop.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. We Want to Hear from You!
  5. Introduction
  6. Why Wi-Fi?
    1. Entering a World Without Wires
      1. What Is Wi-Fi?
      2. Why Wi-Fi Is Important
      3. Understanding Wi-Fi Networks
      4. Using Wi-Fi on the Road
    2. Understanding Wi-Fi
      1. The Free Spectrums
      2. The 802.11 Standard and Its Variations
      3. Related Wireless Standards
      4. Transmission Speeds
      5. The Future of Wi-Fi
    3. Hitting the Road with Wi-Fi
      1. The Equipment You Need
      2. Finding Hotspots
      3. Paying for Your Fun
      4. Surfing While You Sip
    4. Networking Without Wires
      1. Understanding Home and SOHO Networks
      2. Different Ways to Use Wi-Fi in a Network
      3. The Equipment You'll Need
      4. What's It Going to Cost?
  7. Setting Up Your Computer for Wi-Fi
    1. Buying a Wi-Fi Laptop
      1. Getting to Know Your Future Wi-Fi Laptop
      2. Trade-Offs
      3. To Mac or Not To Mac?
      4. Buying a Mac with Wi-Fi
      5. Buying a Windows Notebook with Integrated Wi-Fi
    2. Buying a Wi-Fi PDA
      1. Understanding Handheld Computers
      2. Handhelds and Wi-Fi
      3. Accessing Wi-Fi
    3. Playing with Wi-Fi Gadgets
      1. The Future of Wi-Fi
      2. Transmitting Photos with Wi-Fi
      3. Other Nifty Gadgets
      4. Playing Games and Having Fun with Wi-Fi
    4. Adding Wi-Fi to a Mobile Computer
      1. Choosing a Wi-Fi PC Card
      2. Installing the Card
      3. Configuring Your Card for a Wi-Fi Network
      4. Making Sure the Card Works
      5. Other Options
    5. Wi-Fi on Your Desktop
      1. Buying a New Computer
      2. Adding AirPort to an Apple Desktop
      3. Adding Wi-Fi to a Windows Desktop
      4. Using a USB Wi-Fi Adapter
  8. Going Mobile with Wi-Fi
    1. Tools for the Perfect Road Warrior
      1. Loading Software Before You Go
      2. Taking Hotspot Info with You
      3. The Best of the Best
      4. Keyboards, Mice, and Other Devices
    2. Where Can You Wi-Fi?
      1. Where Is Wi-Fi Likely to Be?
      2. Using Wi-Fi Directories
      3. Tricks and Techniques
      4. I Want to Be a Hotspot
      5. Working with a Wi-Fi Finder
      6. War Driving and War Chalking
    3. Working with National Wi-Fi Networks
      1. Wi-Fi Networks
      2. Special Pricing, Good and Bad
      3. What the Networks Charge
      4. Comparison Shopping
  9. Creating a Wi-Fi Network
    1. Buying a Wi-Fi Access Point or Router
      1. Understanding the Different Pieces of Hardware
      2. Wireless Networking Kits
      3. Choosing a Wi-Fi Access Point
      4. The Best of the Best
    2. Setting Up Your Access Point
      1. Preliminaries
      2. Plugging in the Hardware
      3. Configuring Your Access Point
    3. Configuring Your Wi-Fi Network
      1. Ad-Hoc Networking
      2. Troubleshooting a Network Using Ipconfig
      3. Advanced Networks: Topologies for Larger Networks
      4. Setting Up a Hotspot with a DMZ
      5. Connecting Pitcairn Island to the Internet with Wi-Fi
    4. Sharing an Internet Connection
      1. Sharing a Connection through a Computer
      2. Connecting to a Cable or DSL Modem
      3. Understanding Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
      4. DNS
      5. More About Mixed Wired-Wireless Networks
    5. Adding Wi-Fi Antennas to Your Network
      1. Why Use an Antenna with Wi-Fi?
      2. Antenna Basics
      3. Different Kinds of Antennas
      4. Using an Antenna with a Wi-Fi Card
      5. Adding an Antenna to an Access Point
      6. Where to Buy Your Wi-Fi Antenna
  10. Securing Your Wi-Fi Computer and Network
    1. Protecting Your Mobile Wi-Fi Computer
      1. “Social” Engineering
      2. Physical Lockdown
      3. Using Password Protection
      4. File Sharing
      5. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
      6. Personal Software for Protection
    2. Securing Your Wi-Fi Network
      1. How Real Is the Threat?
      2. What Steps Should You Take?
      3. Understanding Firewalls
      4. Setting Up a VPN
      5. Using MAC Filtering
  11. Appendixes
    1. Wireless Standards
      1. Understanding 802.11 Wireless Standards
      2. The Flavors of 802.11
    2. Finding Wi-Fi Hotspots
      1. Online Directories
      2. Wi-Fi Networks
      3. Retail Locations
      4. Hotels
      5. Airports
      6. Free Public Networks
    3. Glossary
      1. Symbols
      2. A
      3. B
      4. C
      5. D
      6. E
      7. F
      8. G
      9. H–K
      10. L
      11. M
      12. N
      13. O
      14. P–Q
      15. R
      16. S
      17. T–V
      18. W–Z
  12. Index

Product information

  • Title: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi® Wireless Networking
  • Author(s): Harold Davis
  • Release date: April 2004
  • Publisher(s): Que
  • ISBN: 0789731150