Hotspot Networks

by Daniel Minoli

Overview

Hotspot Networks are a new industry that seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of 2001. It has been described as a thrreat to the carriers' cellular networks (ABC News) and "the guerrilla revolution of wireless computing" (Seattle Times). Hotspots offer users Internet and telecom services that are up to 40 times faster and less than 1/10 as expensive as what they've got now. Reminiscent of the '90s, the action is evenly split between startups and providers, and the business press is following this industry closely.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071409780
Publisher:	McGraw-Hill Companies, The
Publication date:	09/04/2002
Series:	McGraw-Hill Networking Professional
Pages:	450
Product dimensions:	7.24(w) x 9.26(h) x 1.19(d)

About the Author

Daniel Minoli is one of the most popular authors on the telecom and networking technology shelf, with more than a dozen well-received guides to his credit. The newly appointed CTO of a startup wi-fi ISP, he is the former President and CEO of InfoPort Communications Group; former Director of Engineering and Development at cable giant Teleport Communications Group, now part of AT&T; and a former Senior Member of the Technical Staff at AT&T. His books include the first handbook in the industry, Telecommunications Technology Handbook. Among his recent works are the highly rated Web Commerce Technology Handbook; SONET-Based Metro Area Networks; and Ethernet-Based Metro Area Networks, written with Peter Johnson.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to Wireless Personal Area Networks(WPANs), Public Access Locations (PALs), andHotspot Services
Chapter 2 Standards for Hotspots
Chapter 3 Technologies for Hotspots
Chapter 4 Security Considerations for Hotspot Services
Chapter 5 IEEE 802.11
Chapter 6 IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11a
Chapter 7 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
Chapter 8 Designing Nomadic and Hotspot Networks
Chapter 9 Migrating to 3G WWANs

Editorial Reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review
Hotspots are open-to-the-public wireless personal area networks (WPANs) that are showing up in hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, airports, cafes, parks, and just about everywhere else. This is a rapidly growing new market niche, and one that may be just for you.

This book focuses on the pragmatic aspects of designing, deploying, and maintaining hotspot networks, and -- to a lesser extent -- on the infinitude of architectural alternatives that have been advanced, particularly for wireless wide area networks (WWANs). Author Daniel Minoli does an excellent job of exploring the relevant technologies, standards, security issues, and protocols. For instance, Chapter 1 provides an overview WPAN, wireless local area network (WLAN), WWAN technologies, and the market potential for these services. Chapter 2 discusses the key standards that are applicable to hotspot services. Next, Chapter 3 covers each of these technologies in greater technical depth. In addition, Chapter 4 addresses the critical issue of security -- a particularly important issue, since there has been early negative press about the first-generation security systems in place. Chapter 5 discusses in some detail the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard. On the other hand, Chapter 6 covers the newer IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11a. Chapter 7 discusses the wireless application protocol (WAP), a de facto standard that has been around for years. Next, Chapter 8 covers the design aspects of nomadic networks. And, finally, Chapter 9 addresses the migration to third-generation (3G) WWANs and the future direction of the technology.

Whether or not hotspot networks are the second-best aspect of the coffee-shop experience, one thing is for sure: The expected exponential growth in subscribers for these services in the U.S. is doubling every 100 days. The good news is that the WLANs and hotspot services now being deployed will eventually drive the evolution to 3G by 2005 -- and possibly to 4G by 2010! John Vacca

John Vacca, the former computer security official (CSO) for NASA's space station program (Freedom), has written 38 books about advanced storage, computer security, and aerospace technology.