TCS - Going Wireless - For the bookshelf

Going Wireless - For the bookshelf

by Major Keary
Melbourne PC User Group
Reprinted from the December 2003 issue of PC Update,
the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
From the September, 2004 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter

O'Reilly has been releasing some interesting books on wireless technologies. Rather than go for the big bang bible of this or that, they focus on smaller books that each deal with a facet of the subject - in this case, wireless. It works well; users can select those titles that meet their respective needs and level of technical knowledge.

Something that local users should keep in mind is that the books mentioned here are written for an American audience, and American standards in respect of wireless vary from those that apply here. Computer wireless is confined to a small section of the radio spectrum and ranks behind fixed, mobile, ISM, and radiolocation services (designated as the primary users). Computer wireless users have no protection, so to speak, from interference caused by primary users (which includes microwave stoves and other appliances).

Windows XP Unwired

This book is an introduction to the basics of wireless computing, and a tutorial on setting up a wireless network on a WinXP system; along the way readers are provided with information that should enable them to decide if wireless is a viable solution for their respective needs. Even though the focus is on WinXP, those who would like to widen their knowledge should find Windows XP Unwired a useful resource.

A feature of WinXP is its support of wireless technologies: WiFi, infrared, Bluetooth, CDMA2000, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and GPS. Wireless is not covered in depth - or at all - by most other WinXP texts; this title, which is written for users, not technicians, fills the gap. The back cover says it is " a one-stop information source for technically savvy Windows XP users . [who are] considering wireless as a supplement or alternative to cable and DSL, or using wireless to network computers in . home or office". Even if you regard yourself as not `technically savvy', this text won't leave you floundering at the deep end. The author is an excellent technical communicator and explains wireless in plain - but not patronising - language.

The discussions are not confined to WinXP installation and configuration issues, but touch on a broad range of subjects including the limitations and liabilities of each technology.

A small book (267 pages) with such a wide scope has to be concise, but that is not at the expense of essential explanatory material. Where installation and configuration operations are described the style is one of 'concise tutorial' supported by screen shots.

If you want to use wireless on a WinXP platform this is an essential resource. If you simply want an introduction to - or to broaden your knowledge of - wireless networking, it is well worth reading. A title that should be in any library servicing computer users.

Wei-Meng Ling: Windows XP Unwired
ISBN 0-596-00536-9
Published by O'Reilly, 267 pp.,
RRP $55.00 incl. GST

Wireless Hacks

The O'Reilly Hacks series is the best publishing innovation I have seen in a very long time. This particular title is for the 'technically savvy' and will be of special interest to those with a pliers-and-screwdriver bent. It has been "written for the intermediate to advanced wireless user" and contains 100 stand-alone items that range over topics such as how to "survey and engineer long-distance network links spanning several miles", security issues, and the design and construction of wireless access points and antennas".

The first chapter covers The Standards and is worth reading by everyone with even a passing interest in wireless. It doesn't require a technical background, but contains concise descriptions with the pros-and-cons of each standard. The opening paragraph is worth quoting:

"The mad rush to bring wireless products to market has left a slew of similar sounding yet often completely incompatible acronyms in its wake. 802.11b is the sequel to 802.11a, right? (Wrong.) If I just buy WiFi, everything will work together, right? (Unfortunately, no.) What is the difference between 802.11 a/b/g, 802.16, and 802.1x? How about GSM, GPRS, GMRS, and GPS? Where does Bluetooth fit into the picture?"

The rest of the hacks are grouped under Bluetooth and Mobile Data; Network Monitoring; Hardware Hacks; DIY Antennas; Long Distance Links; and Wireless Security. The pliers-and-screwdriver hacks do not involve components that you have never heard of, but show how to use common objects.

Linux, Macintosh, and Windows users are all catered for in this remarkably comprehensive and practical text. It requires a reasonable level of technical knowledge, both on the hardware side and scripting side. For those who want to extend their knowledge of computer wireless the book contains some excellent introductory material. A great resource that deserves to be in libraries catering for computer users.

Rob Flickenger: Wireless Hacks
ISBN 0-569-00559-8
Published by O'Reilly, 286 pp.,
RRP $55.00 incl. GST

802.11 Wireless Networks

This title, 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide has been written "for the serious system or network administrator who is responsible for deploying or maintaining a wireless network" - it is not a pliers-and-screwdriver text. Readers are assumed to have in-depth knowledge of networks, and to be familiar with Ethernet, the OSI reference model, and networking protocols such as TCP/IP. However, the first three of chapters should be of interest to general readers with an interest in wireless networking.

From there on the book deals with 802.11 in full technical depth in the context of operations, deployment, and monitoring. It contains chapters on using 802.11 on Windows and Linux, and an appendix containing information about 802.11 on Macintosh systems.

The text is supported by excellent illustrations that also lend themselves to adaptation for presentations or classes on wireless networking.

Matthew Gast:
802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide
ISBN 0-596-00183-5
Published by O'Reilly, 443 pp.,
RRP $120.00 incl. GST

Wireless Security

Another important O'Reilly title is 802.11 Security; it is "aimed at network engineers, security engineers, system administrators, or general hobbyists interested in deploying 802.11b-based systems". The discussions are mainly in the context of Linux and FreeBSD, but there are chapters that address Windows and Macintosh issues.

The first three chapters make a very good introduction to wireless security for interested readers without a technical background. The last chapter is a concise summary of wireless security issues and lends itself to adaptation for presentations, especially for those who have to convince tightwad executives of the need for adequate security systems.

A technical book, but very well written and quite suitable for the informed lay reader.

Bruce Potter and Bob Fleck: 802.11 Security
ISBN 0-596-00290-4
Published by O'Reilly, 176 pp.,
RRP $79.95 incl. GST.

Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2004, Melbourne PC User Group Inc and individual authors. Except where otherwise stated, all material is the copyright of the author. Material in this magazine may be copied by nonprofit PC User Groups without fee provided that there is no restriction published with the article, the copies are not used for commercial advantage, and the origins of the material and this permission to copy are acknowledged in the reprinted item.

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Tulsa Computer Society 9/01/2004

Don Singleton, President