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A Field Guide To Wireless LANs for Administrators and Power Users
This book starts out an excellent historical overview of the evolution of local area networks and the migration of TCP/IP technology to a wireless environment. In the process, it provides a definitive reference manual on the 802.11 protocol stack, discussing the evolution and future direction of this standard. The issues associated with reliably transmitting data in the very chaotic wireless world are discussed, but the real meat comes in the book's addressing of the logic behind the radio circuitry in WLANs. Along with these insights that an RF engineer will love, the book is a great guide for anyone with protocol analysis tools looking at wireless traffic, especially given the clear illustrations in the text.
Acknowledging the rapid evolution of 802.11 standards over the last few years, an excellent summary is provided, from the venerable 802.11b standard through the -a and -g standards, and moving into future standards being developed by the 802.11 TGs. Maufer provides some key insights on future directions and capabilities of WLANs, too.
The book covers the principal areas of wireless networking, including security, the hot topic for every LAN administrator. While the book does a great job of addressing the theoretical security issues (and other aspects of wireless LANs operation), it is light on practical recommendations in day-to-day WLAN management. The Guide delves into creating strong passwords for use with WLANs, though, and addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the WEP architecture. It is especially rich in providing insights into the handshake and authentication procedures within WEP. A number of proposed security enhancements are discussed, including the deployment of RADIUS servers to provide authentication in enterprise WLANs. In closing on this section, Thomas provides good insights into WPA, which is becoming the future standard to WLAN security.
For a WLAN component designer, this is probably one of the best reference guides available, and this is also true for power users who really want to get under the hood of today's WLAN systems. However, for a network administrator seeking advice on how to address a herd of WLAN devices, my recommendation would be to seek elsewhere. Maufer offers little information about vendors' product types/models, making the detailed technology discussions independent of real-world products. For the administrator able to glean the technical details of their chosen WLAN products elsewhere, though, this book can be an invaluable guide in deciding the pros and cons of a particular product solution.
Along the way, Maufer provides a series of helpful screenshots, as guides to the technical discussions addressed in the various chapters. He provides a very balanced overview in the use of WLAN technologies for Apple, Linux and Windows platforms.
I recommend this Guide as an excellent text, rich in technical details, and protocol/logic illustrations. A "must read" for understanding WLAN technology in depth. With the rapid advances in WLAN technology, this book represents a excellent benchmark on 802.11 technology, from the perspective of its 2004 timeframe, and a sequel from the author would be an excellent additional resource for WLAN system designers and architects.
You can purchase A Field Guide To Wireless LANs for Administrators and Power Users from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
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ironic that GNAA will claim responsibility since they can not have children by their definition of their sexual choices.
Wow, this must be a second trolling account or your eyesight is pretty poor. Here's the parent:
This book covers everything on 802.11 from wireless concepts, protocols, design, security, and best practices, to the very technical details of how 802.11 wireless technology works.
Being the first 802.11 wireless book I have read, I couldn't say for sure if it is 100% accurate or not, but appears to be so. A detailed understanding of networking concepts, protocols, methods, and standards is required to get the most from this book, but not required if you don't care about how some of the protocols or frequencies actually operate.There were a lot of technical illustrations that were helpful.
The only complaint I have about this book, and any technical book for that matter, is that it will be outdated in a few months with the emergence of new standards.
That said, however, this is an EXCELLENT book for detailed frame analysis, especially if you need the guts of the new security protocols. I read most every wireless LAN book that hits the market, and have written a few of my own. This book is definitely a winner. Thomas does a great job of bringing out hidden and vague areas of the 802.11 standards, and answered several detailed questions that nobody else has been able to answer.
Here's the SW review:
This is a unique book on the topic of wireless LANs as this is a very practical book. Almost all other books on Wireless LANs are mere replica of the IEEE 802.11 standard. This book is different as it gives information about MAC-BaseBand-RF interaction, 802.11a/b/g, MAC protocol, various IEEE 802.11 rules, provides technical illustrations and tells about what features are actually implemented in shipping products. This is the only book that I have seen that describes IEEE 802.11g CTS-to-Self and IEEE 802.11i security.
This book is recommended for anyone who wants to know about nuts of bolts of WLAN technology.
This book covers everything on 802.11 from wireless concepts, protocols, design, security, and best practices, to the very technical details of how 802.11 wireless technology works. Being the first 802.11 wireless book I have read, I couldn't say for sure if it is 100% accurate or not, but appears to be so. A detailed understanding of networking concepts, protocols, methods, and standards is required to get the most from this book, but not required if you don't care about how some of the protocols or frequencies actually operate. There were a lot of technical illustrations that were helpful. The only complaint I have about this book, and any technical book for that matter, is that it will be outdated in a few months with the emergence of new standards.
This is an EXCELLENT book for detailed frame analysis, especially if you need the guts of the new security protocols. I read most every wireless LAN book that hits the market, and have written a few of my own. This book is definitely a winner. Thomas does a great job of bringing out hidden and vague areas of the 802.11 standards, and answered several detailed questions that nobody else has been able to answer. Kudos on a job well done.
So are you trying to get yourself modded down, SuperBanana?
The GNAA will rule the earth in the year 2100!
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