The wireless networking starter kit: the practical guide to Wi-Fi networks for Windows and Macintosh

Adam Engst, Glenn Fleishman032122468X, 9780321224682

Once authors Adam C. Engst and Glenn Fleishman discovered that the freedom of a wireless network meant they could access the Internet from bed, the living room, the coffee house down the street, most major airports, and even some city parks, there was no going back to the days of clumsy wired networks. Now they’re here to share their knowledge in the new book The Wireless Networking Starter Kit Whether you’re a Mac or PC user, if you’re ready to embrace the freedom of wireless, this is the place to start. In these pages you’ll learn first about the underpinnings of wireless technology and network basics before getting down to the real business at hand: setting up, configuring, and maintaining a wireless network. Step-by-step instructions delivered in easily digestible chunks make it easy to get your own network humming. Along the way you’ll learn about security, sharing Internet connections among multiple computers, bridging two Ethernet networks, and more. And if you do run into trouble, there’s a handy troubleshooting guide to answer your questions. If you have a couple of computers and the desire to connect them, you’ll find everything you need to do so here.

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Table of contents :
Title……Page 1
Photograph and Illustration Credits……Page 4
Acknowledgements……Page 3
Contents……Page 5
Introduction……Page 13
Unplug, Tune In, Power Up……Page 14
Wireless Networking Roots……Page 15
Who Should Read This Book?……Page 17
Who We Are……Page 19
What’s in this Book……Page 20
Copyright……Page 2
Praise……Page 0
Section I: Wireless Basics……Page 23
1 How Wireless Works……Page 25
Passing Signals Through Walls……Page 26
Adding Data to Radio Waves……Page 28
2 Wireless Standards……Page 31
802.11b: The Reigning King……Page 34
802.11a: Higher Frequencies, Less Interference…….Page 35
802.11g: Faster and Compatible……Page 37
3 Wireless Hardware……Page 41
Access Points……Page 42
Wireless Network Adapters……Page 45
Antennas……Page 54
Bluetooth……Page 57
Cellular Data Networks……Page 60
Meet the Family: 802.11 Relatives……Page 64
WiMax: 802.16 and the Long Haul……Page 68
Mesh Networking……Page 71
Ultra Wideband (UWB)……Page 74
Airborne Wireless Broadband……Page 76
Section II: Connecting Your Computer……Page 79
Installing Hardware……Page 81
Configuring Windows XP……Page 82
Configuring Broadcom Software……Page 89
Configuring Linksys Software……Page 91
Configuring Orinoco Software……Page 98
Configuring Other Wireless Client Software……Page 100
7 Configuring Your Centrino Laptop……Page 103
Managing Connections……Page 104
Using Profiles……Page 105
Troubleshooting……Page 107
Simple Connection……Page 111
Intermediate Connection……Page 113
Configuring Other Client Software……Page 118
Linux, FreeBSD, and Wi-Fi……Page 121
10 Connecting Your Handheld……Page 125
Palm OS……Page 126
Windows Mobile 2003……Page 130
Pairing……Page 137
Practical Bluetooth……Page 147
12 Creating an Ad Hoc Wireless Network……Page 159
Creating an Ad Hoc Network in Windows XP……Page 160
Creating an Ad Hoc Network in Mac OS 8.6/9.x……Page 161
Creating an Ad Hoc Network in Mac OS X……Page 163
Windows XP……Page 165
Mac OS 9……Page 168
Mac OS X……Page 172
Sharing Printers……Page 175
14 Troubleshooting Your Connection……Page 177
Problem: Can’t See Wireless Network……Page 178
Problem: No Wireless Connectivity……Page 181
Problem: Signal Strength Is Poor……Page 184
Problem: No Roaming Network/Internet Access……Page 185
Section III Building Your Wireless Network……Page 187
15 Planning Your Wireless Network……Page 189
Drawing a Network Diagram……Page 190
Shopping and Configuring……Page 195
16 Buying a Wireless Gateway……Page 199
Hardware Options……Page 200
Configuration Interfaces……Page 203
Network Services……Page 204
Security and Filters……Page 207
ISP Interaction……Page 211
Miscellaneous……Page 213
Linksys BEFW11S4……Page 217
Linksys WRT54G……Page 223
AirPort Extreme Base Station……Page 226
Common Gateway Settings……Page 237
Cameras……Page 241
Printers and Adapters……Page 246
Wi-Fi Detectors……Page 249
File Servers……Page 250
Music and Photo Players……Page 251
TVs, Monitors, and Projectors……Page 253
Wi-Fi Phones……Page 255
Miscellaneous……Page 257
19 Creating a Software Access Point……Page 259
Configuring Software Base Station in Mac OS 8.6/9.x……Page 260
Configuring Internet Sharing in Mac OS X……Page 262
Windows XP and Routing Software……Page 263
Bridging Basics……Page 267
Kinds of Bridges……Page 269
21 Indoor Antenna Basics……Page 277
Confirming Compatibility……Page 278
Indoor Antenna Types……Page 279
Antenna Installation Tips……Page 282
22 Small Office Wi-Fi Networking……Page 283
Safe Passage……Page 284
Authorized Access……Page 289
23 Troubleshooting Your Wireless Network……Page 293
Problem: Signal Strength Is Poor……Page 294
Problem: Signal Is Intermittent……Page 296
Problem: Reception Is Impossible……Page 297
Problem: No Wireless Connectivity……Page 298
Problem: Frequent Need to Reset Access Point……Page 299
Problem: No Link between Wireless and Wired Networks……Page 301
Problem: No Internet Connection……Page 302
Problem: WDS Doesn’t Work……Page 304
Section IV: Wireless Security……Page 305
24 Wireless Worries……Page 307
Likelihood of Attack……Page 308
Determining Liability……Page 309
Who Should Worry About What……Page 315
Sops to Security……Page 317
Encryption and Control……Page 319
Know Your Enemy……Page 324
26 Securing Data in Transit……Page 331
Email Password Encryption……Page 332
Content Encryption……Page 333
SSH (Secure Shell)……Page 337
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)……Page 341
VPN (Virtual Private Network)……Page 344
Why Worry?……Page 347
Anti-Virus Software……Page 349
Active Firewalls……Page 350
Section V: Taking It on the Road……Page 355
28 Finding Wi-Fi on the Road……Page 357
Free Wireless Networks……Page 358
Commercial Wireless Networks……Page 363
29 Configuring WISP Software…….Page 379
Boingo Wireless……Page 380
iPass……Page 385
Sprint PCS……Page 390
Other WISPs……Page 392
Connecting with GSM and GPRS……Page 393
Connecting with CDMA and CDMA2000……Page 397
Access Accounts……Page 401
Email……Page 402
Files……Page 404
Backing Up……Page 406
VPNs……Page 407
Connect to a Network……Page 409
Working Tips……Page 411
Section VI: Going the Distance……Page 415
33 Long-Range Wi-Fi Connections……Page 417
Connecting to the Internet……Page 418
Extending Your Network……Page 423
Troubleshooting……Page 426
34 Long-Range Antenna Basics……Page 429
Long-Range Antenna Types……Page 430
Antenna Cable & Connectors……Page 437
Wireless Accessories……Page 440
Calculating Signal Strength……Page 441
Staying Legal……Page 449
Antenna Installation……Page 452
Appendix A: Networking Basics……Page 457
What’s a Network?……Page 458
Network Uses……Page 459
Network Wiring……Page 462
Network Devices……Page 475
Network Protocols……Page 483
Appendix B: Configuring Your Network Settings……Page 491
Configuring Network Settings in Windows……Page 492
Configuring Network Settings in Mac OS 8.6/9.x……Page 497
Configuring Network Settings in Mac OS X……Page 498
1. Describe the Problem……Page 501
2. Break the System Apart……Page 502
3. Ask Yourself Questions……Page 503
4. Answer Questions……Page 504
5. Get Expert Help……Page 505
Dealing with the Insolvable……Page 510
Glossary……Page 511
#……Page 527
A……Page 528
B……Page 530
C……Page 531
D……Page 533
E……Page 534
F……Page 535
H……Page 536
I……Page 537
J……Page 538
M……Page 539
N……Page 540
P……Page 542
R……Page 544
S……Page 545
T……Page 547
U……Page 549
V……Page 551
W……Page 552
XYZ……Page 555