Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network

by Shelly Brisbin (Conducted by)

Overview

This guide explains how professional and home users can take advantage of Wi-Fi to achieve their mobility goals around the house or in the office. It features step-by-step processes, tips, sidebars, illustrations and screenshots to convey information visually. Readers will learn about the components of a wireless network including access points, and network cards. Plus how to choose, install and configure them for use in a new or existing network.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780072226249
Publisher:	McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media
Publication date:	10/22/2002
Series:	Build Your Own...(McGraw)
Pages:	286
Sales rank:	811,367
Product dimensions:	8.54(w) x 10.94(h) x 0.57(d)

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	xv
	Introduction	xvii
1	The Wireless Revolution	1
	Why Wireless Networks Are Cool	1
	Mobility	2
	Flexibility	2
	Cost Savings	2
	Scalability	3
	Wireless Technology Overview	3
	Frequency	4
	Spectrum	4
	Current and Future Wireless Networking Technologies	5
	IEEE 802.11	5
	Bluetooth	7
	HomeRF	8
	HiperLAN	8
	How Wi-Fi Fits In	8
2	IEEE 802.11 In Depth	11
	Parts of a Wi-Fi Network	11
	The OSI Reference Model	12
	Layers and Sublayers	13
	The Physical (PHY) Layer	14
	The Media Access Control (MAC) Layer	15
	Frequency Spectrum and Wi-Fi	16
	802.11b and DSSS	17
	802.11a and OFDM	17
	FHSS	18
	Network Topology	18
	Extended Service Sets	19
	Supporting 802.11 Standards	22
3	Choosing a Wireless Access Point	23
	Do You Need an Access Point?	23
	Is One Access Point Enough?	25
	Access Point Parts	25
	The Radio	26
	Connectivity	27
	Antennas	29
	Box Design	29
	Internet Access, Networking, and Administration	30
	Shared Internet Access	30
	DHCP Server	30
	Firewall	32
	Routing and Bridging	36
	Security	37
	Special Features	40
	Access Point Checklist	40
4	Network Adapters and Interfaces	43
	Anatomy of a Wi-Fi Network Adapter	43
	Kinds of Network Adapters	45
	PC Cards	45
	PCI and ISA Network Adapters	46
	USB Adapters	47
	Special Network Adapters	48
	NIC Drivers and OS-Compatibility	49
5	Antennas and Accessories	51
	Antenna Basics	51
	Types of Antennas	53
	Connectors and Cabling	57
	Home-brew Antennas	58
	Choosing Antennas	58
	Bridges and Repeaters	63
	Software	64
6	Choosing Internet Access	67
	How Wi-Fi Internet Access Works	67
	The Data Link	68
	Hardware and Connections	69
	Nontraditional Setups	69
	Internet Access Choices in Detail	69
	Dial-Up Access	70
	Broadband Options	71
	Cable	72
	DSL	73
	Satellite	74
	Internet Account Features	75
	Account Sharing Issues	76
7	Setting Up and Configuring Access Points	79
	Planning Your Network	79
	Setting Up an Access Point	80
	Interference	81
	Connectivity Issues	81
	Basic Access Point Setup	83
	Linksys BEFW11S4 Access Point/Router	83
	Connect the Hardware and Configure the Setup Computer	84
	Initial Setup	85
	Advanced Access Point Configuration	93
	Running Your Own Internet Server	93
	Outbound Filtering	97
	Keyword Filtering	100
	Enhanced Security	101
	Routing	104
	Logging and Monitoring	106
8	Setting Up Computers for Wi-Fi	109
	Wi-Fi Gear and Operating System Compatibility	110
	Windows 2000 and XP	110
	Windows 95, 98, and Me	111
	Linux	111
	Mac OS X	112
	Mac OS 8 and 9	112
	Installing Adapters and Drivers	113
	A Brief Terminology Reminder	113
	Installing the D-Link Card Holder and Network Adapter Under Windows XP	114
	Installing the Agere/Orinoco USB Adapter Under Windows 2000	121
	Installing the Agere Orinoco Silver Card Under Red Hat Linux	124
	Enabling Support for a PRISM-2 PC Card Under Linux	127
	Installing the Linksys PC Card Under Mac OS X	129
	Installing the Linksys PC Card Under Mac OS 9	131
9	Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi	135
	The Techie Side of Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi	135
	Uses of Ad-Hoc Networks	137
	Drawbacks to Ad-Hoc Networks	138
	Ad-Hoc Network Setup	138
	Set Up an Ad-Hoc Network Under Windows XP	139
	Set Up an Ad-Hoc Network Under Windows 2000	143
	Set Up an Ad-Hoc Network Under Mac OS X	145
	Set Up an Ad-Hoc Network Under Red Hat Linux 7.3	147
	Test Your Connection	147
	Using an Internet Gateway with an Ad-Hoc Network	149
	Gateways Step-by-Step	149
	Windows XP Gateway Setup	150
	Windows 2000 Gateway Setup	151
	Mac OS X Gateway Setup	152
10	Security	153
	Why Security Is Crucial for All Networks	153
	Understanding Wireless Security Issues	155
	How Signals Can Be Tracked in the Air	156
	What Is at Risk?	156
	Assessing Your Risk	160
	How Are You Connected to the Internet?	162
	What Information Is Unsecured?	163
	Who Has Access?	163
	What Security Measures Are in Place?	164
	Wi-Fi Security Methods	164
	WEP	165
	Firewalls	170
	Access Control	173
	Common Sense Hacker-Proofing Techniques	174
	Security Tools	176
	SSH Tunneling	176
	IPsec VPNs	178
	Security Analysis and Cracking Tools	178
	Security and Emerging Wireless Standards	181
	802.1X	181
	802.11i	183
11	Wi-Fi Applications	185
	File Sharing	185
	Think Before You Share	185
	Cross-Platform File Sharing	187
	Printing	188
	Setting Up an Access Point Print Server	189
	Wireless Print Servers	191
	Network Gaming	192
	Streaming Video	192
12	Building a Better Network	193
	Planning Your Network	194
	Requirements' Gathering	194
	The Site Survey	198
	Network Topology and Design	200
	A Closer Look at Wi-Fi Range	204
	Putting It All Together	207
	Installing the Network	208
13	Advanced Wireless Settings and Network Analysis	209
	Tuning Access Points	210
	Network Analysis	212
	Packet Analysis	213
	Packet Analysis Software	214
Appendix A	Glossary	215
Appendix B	Wi-Fi Resources	221
	Ad-Hoc and Mesh Networking	221
	Antenna-Related Information	221
	Antenna Equipment	221
	Broadband Connectivity	222
	Community Wireless Projects and Information	222
	Equipment Retailers (APs and Network Adapters)	222
	Equipment Vendors (APs and Network Adapters)	223
	Linux and Wi-Fi	223
	Macintosh and Wi-Fi	223
	Mailing Lists	224
	News, Tutorials, and Reviews	224
	Organizations	224
	Security	224
	Software	225
	Standards, Regulations, and Technology	225
	Windows and Wi-Fi	225
	Index	227

Editorial Reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review
The costs of wireless networking are plummeting. And the reasons to take the plunge are multiplying -- whether you’re running a small business or a home office, or you simply want to share web connections without drilling holes in your walls. But you’ll have better results and fewer hassles if you do a little planning. Build Your Own Wi-Fi Network has all the up-front information you’ll need.

Shelly Brisbin walks you through the fundamentals of wireless networking, then shows you how to pick the right equipment for your needs: access points, network interface cards, antennas, and accessories. She offers detailed coverage of setting up your computer for Wi-Fi, with examples drawn from Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Next, there’s a full chapter on “ad hoc Wi-Fi,” which allows two computers with Wi-Fi cards to communicate even if there’s no access point around.

There’s also a sobering look at wireless security. The WEP security protocol built into the Wi-Fi spec leaves a lot to be desired, but Brisbin offers a detailed checklist for improving your network’s security. From troubleshooting to improving performance, this book offers solid advice in usable form. What more could you ask? Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.