The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Wireless Networks - for the bookshelf Major Keary |
Wireless Networks for Dummies
The title, Wireless Networks for Dummies, belies the content of this
book; it is not for the novice who, having acquired her or his first computer,
declares, "Wireless sounds cool". Readers don't need a background in wireless —
the book explains that side of things — but should have some acquaintance with
networking and be comfortable with installing cards and drivers.
Wireless Networks for Dummies explains what wireless networking is about and how
to set one up for a business, especially SOHO. If you are a home user who wants
to learn about or dabble with wireless networking, this title is worth looking
at for its explanations of radio frequency and wireless standards, and the tools
(hardware and software) required. It is a practical guide, not a theoretical
introduction.
Australian readers should keep in mind that most books on the subject have been
written for a primarily North American audience. Australian regulations differ
from those of the U.S.A. and Canada and one should not rely on being able to
implement everything described in the text. In particular, power supply
considerations need to be translated, so to speak, from a 110 volt to a 240 volt
system.
Given that caveat, this title has good technical depth in its comprehensive
explanation of wireless technologies and how they are implemented. Setting up a
wireless network (other than a simple linking of a couple of desktop machines)
is a logistical exercise and much of the book discusses those issues (a chapter
is entitled, If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail).
The book is in parts: planning and acquiring a network: planning and choosing
compatible technologies; implementation: wireless personal area networks (WPAN),
wireless LAN, multi-zone networks, wireless-on-theroad; security: risk
assessment, secure network design and maintenance, virtual private networking (VPN);
and keeping a network on the air: admin and maintenance. The usual Dummies "part
of Tens" describes ten administrator tools and what they do; ten ways to secure
a network; and ten ways wireless is used in business. These are short, sharp
items that provide a valuable insight into various aspects of wireless
networking. Appendices contain useful technical data about radio frequencies and
wireless standards.
This is a sound overview of the technologies, what they do, pros and cons, and
available products. It is strong on security, which is a — not insurmountable —
problem in wireless networking.
If you want to persuade executives to embrace wireless, this is a source of
easy-to-grasp explanations (regardless of your own expertise) and a great ideas
resource for presentations. If you are an executive being persuaded to consider
wireless networking it is a fast track introduction to the technology. For what
it contains the price is a steal.
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Barry Lewis and Peter Davis: Wireless Networks for Dummies ISBN 0-7645-7525-2 Published by Wiley, 388 pp., RRP S44.95 incl. GST |
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Wireless Networks
There is quite a body of literature about wireless networking, much of which is
pitched at a non-technical audience. Implementing 802.11, 802.16, and 802.20
Wireless Networks is a professional-level text written for "the technical
professional responsible for deploying a wireless data technology"; the author
also has in mind those people associated with enterprises — and other
organisations — that support wireless networking technology. Most of the people
in either group are likely to have at least a working knowledge of networking,
but not of wireless. This title is about the wireless side and sets out to
provide "a solid foundation in RF/wireless theory as it applies to WLANS".
A companion CD contains FCC documents, spreadsheets, financial models,
measurement tools, some software, and the book's full text as a PDF file.
This is not a thrown-in-at-the-deepend treatment (in the style of some academic
introductions), and is not a hand-holding exercise that patronises the reader.
The style tends towards an academic-introduction, but the information is
presented in clear language with good explanations of the concepts. It covers
the theory necessary to an understanding of the radio side of wireless
networking, but without losing sight of practical issues that include relative
costs of various solutions. The text is well-supported with illustrations and
tables.
Chapter headings indicate the book's scope: High-Speed Wireless Data: System
Types, Standards-based and Proprietary solutions; Basic Radio and RF Concepts;
Propagation, Path Loss, Fading and Link Budgets; Propagation Modelling and
Measuring; System Planning; System Implementation, Testing and Optimisation;
Back Office System Requirements; and Network Performance Testing and
Troubleshooting.
The calculation spreadsheets on the CD should be useful to anyone planning a
wireless network. They include a channel noise floor and minimum signal
calculator, downtilt calculator, a path balance calculator and design signal
strength objectives, Watts to dBm calculator, and operator design and financial
models.
Copies of Kismet (Linux) and Netstumbler (Windows) are included;
they enable a computer to be used as a signal strength and interference analysis
tool.
Australian readers have to keep in mind that regulatory requirements differ
between Australia and North America. Any solution presented here should be
measured against local regulations.
Essential reading for anyone with a professional-level interest in wireless
networking.
This title is available direct from Elsevier Australia Customer Service, tel.
1800 263 951, fax 02 9517 2249, or email
service@elsevier.com.au.
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Ron Olexa: Implementing 802.11, 802.16, and 802.20 Wireless Networks
ISBN 0-7506-7808-9 Published by Newnes (an imprint of Elsevier Science), 232 pp. + CD, RRP $102.30 incl. GST |
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Exploring Computer Science
Explorations in Computer Science is a 'lab' manual designed to accompany a
formal text, Computer Science Illuminated; its "goal ... is to provide online,
computer-based activities that will reinforce the concepts presented in the
textbook". The ... Illuminated series from Jones and Bartlett includes texts
designed for students undertaking computer science courses; they are of a high
standard without being overly formal, which makes them suitable for ordinary
readers with an interest in computer-related topics.
The Explorations book comes with a companion CD that contains Java Applets
required for the laboratory activities. The material has been designed to run on
the most commonly used browsers.
Even though this text is tied to Computer Science Illuminated it is a useful,
and interesting, resource in its own right — especially for trainers who present
material on topics such as number systems, logic circuits, search-and-sort
operations, spreadsheets, databases, computer simulations, and networking. It is
a good example of how difficult concepts can be presented in a comprehensible
form.
This title is available direct from Elsevier Australia Customer Service, tel.
1800 263 951, fax 02 9517 2249, or email
service@elseviercom.au.
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R Meyer: Explorations in Computer Science |
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Reprinted from the October 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
