Book details of 'Designing a Wireless Network'

Title	Designing a Wireless Network
Author(s)	Jeffrey Wheat, Randy Hiser, Jackie Tucker, Alicia Neely, Andy McCullough
ISBN	1928994458
Language	English
Published	June 2001
Publisher	Syngress

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Reviewer Rob Slade wrote:
Designing a wireless network would seem to be a rather larger topic. What kind of network? How large? For what type of applications? For what audience, environment or market? Going by the case studies provided, this book is intended to address those designing local area networks: perhaps extending to other buildings, but not crossing public roads. Chapter one is a brief history of communications and computing, with some very questionable facts. The physical and engineering characteristics of radio signals given in chapter two are clearly explained, but the details aren't sufficient for antenna siting engineers, and aren't really of practical use for other people. Again, there is a lucid exegesis of TCP/IP and the OSI layering model, but limited applicability to wireless networks, in chapter three. Chapter four could use some of the previous clarity and information: the material dealing with the various applications and standards involved in an assortment of wireless systems is terse and poorly structured. The process of design is covered in chapter five, but only in a vague way and at a high level. More details of planning are given in the case studies in chapters six through nine--but not many. Security, traffic analysis, and antenna siting are touched on, but only in a very superficial way. Security tends to be dismissed as covered, traffic analysis seems limited to the number of terminals in existence, and radio footprints often overlap, sometimes to a ridiculous extent. (One example uses five antennae where one would probably be sufficient.) The home office case study has a good discussion of interference sources, but bogs down in a section detailing the connection of Windows to the Internet. As noted, some of the explanations are very good--but they aren't explanations of wireless technology. The design process outline and the case studies do point out aspects or wireless networks that should be addressed--but they don't provide information about how to address them. This book is a good overview of the factors involved in designing a wireless network--but it doesn't give you the information you need to come up with the design. copyright Robert M. Slade, 2001
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Book description:

Wireless network design presents the IT professional with unique obstacles. Your network requires the seamless and secure distribution of information, in spite of competing communication protocols, incompatible hardware platforms, and narrow bandwidths. This book is an introduction to developing efficient means of wireless transport in order to fully leverage wireless technologies. 1.You don¡¦t have to be a physicist to understand wireless network technology But you need to know the basics of radio, cellular, infrared, and satellite 2.Design for optimal use of IP Addresses Approximately 60,000 logical port numbers can be associated with one external IP address. That means 60,000 different TCP sessions occurring simultaneously! 3.Master the basics of wireless local area networks (WLANs) and the 802.11 protocol suite The three primary areas of discussion are fixed wireless, mobile wireless, and optical wireless technology. 4.Coverage of wireless technology from the perspective of the service provider Includes discussion of Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS), Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), and Wireless Local Loop (WLL). 5.Developing WLANs through the IEEE 802.11 Architecture Includes coverage if the access point (AP), the wireless medium, the distribution system (DS), the basic service set (BSS), the extended service set (ESS), and station and distribution services. 6.Developing WPANs through the 802.15 Architecture The increasing number of telecommuters and small office/home office (SOHO) users is driving the demand for this section of the wireless industry. 7.Learn about the Bluetooth protocol See how the success of the Bluetooth technology can offer up low-cost implementation 8.Register for Your 1-year Upgrade The Syngress Solutions upgrade plan protects you from content obsolescence and provides monthly mailings, whitepapers, and more!