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WiMax Operator's Manual: Building 802.16 Wireless

Posted by timothy on from the beaming-it-out-there dept.

Dozix007 (Kurt Kaylor) writes "Daniel Sweeney, a technical writer, business reporter, and industry analyst is coming full circle in his series of wireless related writings with his latest book WiMax Operator's Manual: Building 802.16 Wireless Networks. Sweeney brings the WiMax 802.16 standard into the context of a ISP solution for the masses. WiMax is a recent standard from the IEEE that is similar to conventional wireless technology, however WiMax supports higher data rates and longer distance transmissions than other standards from the IEEE. This book drifts away from the recent flood of wireless books by conveying all needed knowledge to establish, understand, operate and potentially profit from an 802.16 wireless network, rather than a specific look at one aspect of the technology. This book is not only for the business minded, but for a consumer looking to establish a quality long-distance wireless network of their own." Read on for the rest of Kaylor's review. WiMax Operator's Manual: Building 802.16 Wireless Networks author Daniel Sweeney pages 240 publisher Apress rating 9 reviewer Kurt Kaylor ISBN 159059357X summary This book serves as a guide for present and future entrepreneurs and it is intened to assist them in avoiding the experiments and false starts that proved so frustrating for the pioneers.

WiMax Operator's Manual: Building 802.16 Wireless Networks is primarily a utilitarian book rather than conceptual. It provides a background in broadband wireless fundamentals, packet data, and overall network operation and management to enable a network operator to set up a network with standards-based equipment and to run it profitably thereafter. Sweeney notes early in the book : "Nothing is particularly admirable about purism in terms of wireless technology, and if wire line technologies serve the same purpose better over some portion of the network footprint, then wise network operators will avail themselves of them." This theme of realism in relation to the application of a wireless network is prevalent though out the book.

Wired networks in the same footprint will almost always beat a wireless network in speed, reliability, and cost. This is primarily due to the previously created infrastructure available to Internet carriers. The goal that Sweeney promotes is to find an ideal region that has not yet been exploited by a wired service provider. These regions are ideal due to the low-cost setup for a wireless network compared to the cost of a wired network. Sweeney describes and informs the user of ways to find and establish these networks in an efficient manner to maximize profitability.

Sweeney also discusses network security in the later chapters of his book. He acknowledges the increasing need to secure the network's own infrastructure, the safety of its customers, and a nation itself. In relation to wireless networks, Sweeney notes "[Security] is becoming increasingly important in network operations today and cannot be considered optional at this point." To this end, the network security section is devoted to security policies, secure electrical systems, cyber warfare, and other information on safeguarding your network. Another concern also addressed is the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act. CALEA is a complex piece of federal legislation that expands law enforcement's authority to conduct electronic surveillance, including surveillance over public networks. Sadly, as of yet there is no real way to combat this intrusive act.

WiMax Operator's Manual: Building 802.16 Wireless Networks is a great resource for businesses and individuals looking to establish their own 802.16 network. I enjoyed the foresight provided in this book for potential problems faced by network operators. The honesty in the practicality of an 802.16 network as a realistic network solution also made the book a great resource. There was no fantasy scenario or white lies to convince a user of the merit of a 802.16 network beyond what it can do.

The gripe I do have with this book is its complete utilitarian nature. A little more theory and insight into the standard itself would have been great. This book stands purely as an Operator's Manual, and not an exploration of WiMax as a standard, but rather a tool. Otherwise, this book was highly enjoyable and well written. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to establish a network beyond the standards commonly available (e.g. 802.11a - 802.11g). This book is unique in its topic and sheer honesty, and is one of the few references available on the specific subject.

You can purchase WiMax Operator's Manual: Building 802.16 Wireless Networks from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.

8 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Security... by VvScythevV · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We can only hope that the future of wireless networks will include encrypted or otherwise protected routers/access points. The number of open networks around my apartment is somewhat disturbing (in a good way, when I'm bored).

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  2. WiMax Networks by Opticalsky · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Chances are WiMax and Wifi will end up coexisting together, the new WiMax is pretty cool as it has about a 30 mile radius range, and the ability to go through walls and barriers better then wifi.

    1. Re:WiMax Networks by earthforce_1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      OFDM which is used in 802.16 is much better for multipath and ISI, since it uses a large number of carriers sending data at a lower rate. Think of it sort of like a slow parallel link, instead of a very rapid serial one. Since the symbol rate is much less, the different path delays which cause multipath interference have less effect in the same way jitter is more noticable with a higher clock rate.

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  3. interferance by l33t+m4st3r · · Score: 1, Interesting

    isnt some satalite stuff in the 11ghz area? wouldnt that cause masive problmes?

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  4. Cost? by Dop · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Can anyone with experience with this give me a cost estimate on what it would take to setup a point-to-point 802.16 connection? I'm looking at about 7 miles (well with in the supposed 30 mile limit).

    Is line-of-sight necessary?

  5. From the B&N review... by zogger · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ..I find this interesting as well, small copy/paste:

    " No one in the world has yet built an operational WiMax network that is available for public use."

    Hmmm

    wonder how much the gear costs, and is it really standarized yet? The potential in theory sounds really slick, but is this ready for deployment yet? As joe rural broadband user wannabe, I welcome our new wimax overlords, but only if they really show up. Is this stuff really there, or vaporware? The book is 30 clams for a paperback, sorta steep if it's really just vapor.

    1. Re:From the B&N review... by n9mdh · · Score: 1, Interesting

      What about the Navini gear? (www.navini.com) There are plenty of WISPs using the Navini gear....

  6. Business minded/consumers... by FooAtWFU · · Score: 2, Interesting
    "This book is not only for the business minded, but for a consumer looking to establish a quality long-distance wireless network of their own."

    Sounds like something my university's crazy technology program would just jump on, along with the $400 Cisco IP phones and their vision of the future where incoming students get a university-issue cell phone that does voice over IP on the campus network... so that they can later grab parts of the fees for long distance use...

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