Broadband wireless networks bring us closer to the Internet's ultimate destiny of interconnecting everyone, everywhere. But wireless networking can be a bit geeky and nerve-wracking without a proper guide. Let's face it: Networking can be hard.

If you're one of the last holdouts still connected to the Internet by a wire, The Book of Wireless, 2nd Edition is the book for you. You'll learn how to set up your own home (or small office) wireless network and how to use public wireless networks, safely and securely. This plain-English guide demystifies configuring and using wireless networks-everything from shopping for parts to securing your network. Learn how to:

• Select and configure hardware and software for your Wi-Fi network and configure access points to minimize interference

• Discover open networks and maintain your privacy while surfing in public

• Use VoIP over a wireless connection to talk on the phone for next to nothing

• Evaluate wireless data services based on cost, speed, and coverage

• Extend your network to give your neighbors free wireless Internet access

You'll also learn about new and forthcoming broadband wireless standards and how to choose the right service provider and equipment. With up-to-date information on wireless routers, network interface cards, antennas, security, and software, The Book of Wireless, 2nd Edition will help you navigate the confusing wireless landscape to find the perfect solution.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 8 Ratings

Decent intro to wireless - 2008-05-23
Reviewer Rating:
This is not a book for professionals by any stretch. The book is for novices to intermediate-level users. There are several inaccuracies and omissions. For example, the author cites EDGE as the only alternative to EV-DO. This is false, and EDGE is an aging technology that is being used less and less. GSM has its own 3G, HSDPA. The book doesn't mention this, and confuses it with EDGE. As for omissions, the book doesn't mention WPA2, the most secure wireless encryption technology available. The book mentions WPA, and talks about its pitfalls. It doesn't even mention WPA2, which has been available for a few years now. It should have been mentioned in the 1st edition, but it didn't even make it into the 2nd edition.

This is a decent book for beginners, but be wary of the inaccuracies. Don't go into a cellphone store and ask for the 'fancy top-of-the-line' EDGE cellphones when there are much faster alternatives. I've seen these mistakes with only a cursory glance over the book, so take the whole book with a grain of salt.

The book should also be called 'The Book of Wi-fi'. The majority of the book is about Wi-fi. There are only a few short chapters at the end about cellular wireless (which aren't even accurate as I've said earlier). If you're looking for a complete book of wireless (Bluetooth and such) this is not the book for you.

Superb book considering the intended audience - 2009-03-12
Reviewer Rating:
In my opinion, this book is the best single book for non-techies who want to setup wireless networks, connect to wireless networks, or simply understand them better. The book does cover many technical aspects of Wi-Fi and broadband wireless, but not at the levels of depth required by the technical professional; however, that is not the target audience, so that is no a weakness.

I really wanted to give the book five stars, but I could not because of one errant phrase with huge implications. On page 152, when giving a high-level overview of wireless security options, the author says, "TKIP is the stronger of the two, so it's usually the better choice." This would be accurate if TKIP was being compared to the original WEP in 802.11-1997; however, the author compares TKIP with AES and then makes this statement. There is no debate over the fact that AES is stronger, when used with WPA (proprietary) or WPA2. I'm sure this is a remnant of the first edition when TKIP was likely compared with WEP, but this single statement can certainly lead to a lot of unnecessary less secure installations.

That statement aside, the book is very well written, easy to understand, and it provides the depth of coverage needed for the average user or the technical user who doesn't want to master everything there is to know about wireless.

useful resource for wireless tech - 2008-04-30
Reviewer Rating:
An excellent guide to the mysteries of broadband wireless networks. It's pretty comprehensive, covering everything from the basics of networking, how wi-fi actually works, the various types of hardware you'll need and encounter, through to chapters on the hot topics of wireless security and wireless on your smartphone.

The text itself is friendly and clear, with great examples strewn throughout. There's a lot of depth to the explanations too - everyone from a techie to a wifi novice will find useful information in this book. There's a great chapter on installing and configuring your wifi access points, which covers everything you'll need to know. Other chapters are slightly more specialised, for example the one on long-range point-to-point links - interesting stuff, but aimed at the more advanced level. There are detailed chapters on setting up wifi for Windows, Mac and Linux - nice to see all three covered in detail.

The book moves onto with a look at the alternatives to wifi - EDGE, EV-DO, WiMax and so on, before finishing off with chapters on smartphones/PDAs and VPNs. Rounded off with a short but useful troubleshooting section, this book really does cover everything you'd need to know about wireless technology

Probably the best introductory book out there on wireless - 2009-08-25
Reviewer Rating:

For any Wireless User - 2008-04-26
Reviewer Rating:
"The Book of Wireless" by John Ross is an answer to the problem of learning about wireless networking. With the wide spread use of Wireless networks today anyone with a computer should at least know the basics of wireless. Also, with the wireless networking, users need to know how to protect themselves from wireless networking attacks.

Ross's book provides a general but detailed look at all parts of wireless on all different platforms and environment. The reader will gain an understanding of all parts of wireless networking, from physical layer to the application layer of networking with examples of setting up their own wireless network. The author explains why users need to take measures in securing their wireless networks. This book is intended for reader's who want to learn more about wireless networking. Those who are thinking about using wireless to the user who has already setup a home wireless network will find this book useful.

The first three chapters in the "The Book of Wireless" provides the reader with an introduction to networking and wireless. The author talks about the OSI Model, physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, and application layers. These chapters would be a good introduction to any computer networking class. It gives the reader the background information of how wireless networking works.

Chapters four and five look at the hardware used in networking and how-to setup a home or office WI-FI network. If you need to quickly setup a wireless network theses are the chapters for you. The author does a good job at explaining the different configuration options which the user has to choose from. This allows the user to choose which networking setup will work best for that particular user. Chapters six through eight focuses on ways of connecting to an access point with Windows, Mac, Linux or Unix. The author teaches the user how to use the different wireless tools out there no matter which operating system you use. I am happy to see a chapter on Linux where the author explains everything to the Linux user everything, which they need to connect to any wireless network. The author even explains the wireless device drive Linux users will need.

Chapter 9 brings to light all the details of setting up a wireless network. The reader will learn how to setup an access point and have a greater understanding of the different technologies used here. The author even goes into detail on how the user can setup a neighborhood network. An important step in setting up any wireless is security and the author states some of the different methods of increasing your wireless security when setting up a wireless access point.

Chapter 12 which I believe is the most important chapter in wireless networking is wireless network security. The author explains the differences between the different methods of increasing a wireless network. I liked how the author explains why users should use one method over another. This chapter is for any user that is wondering what are the differences between WEP and WPA and which one they should use. The author even goes into detail about how to use the firewall on your router to increase your network security and health. This chapter is a must read for anyone who has a wireless network.

Chapter 17 is for the user that is in charge of setting up their wireless network and has found a problem with it. The author goes into detail some of the common problems the user may come across.

In conclusion, if you or anyone you know has a wireless network or is planning on setting up one, "The Book of Wireless" is a valuable resource to read. You will gain a better understanding of wireless networking. No matter which operating system you are using, you will be able to connect and setup a secure wireless network in no time.