802.11 Wireless Networks - The Definitive Guide

Using a wireless network is a liberating experience. But underneath the experience lies a complex protocol, and even more complex issues arise when your data isn't limited to traveling on physical wires. How do you structure your network so mobile users can move around effectively ? How do you extend wireless coverage so it's available every where you need it ? What kinds of security issues do wireless networks raise ? How do you tune your network for optimal performance ? How do you provide enough capacity to support the users you expect initially, and how do you deal with the problems that arise as more users join the network ? 802.11 Wireless Networks : The Definitive Guide discusses all those issues, and more.
This book is for the serious system or network administrator who is responsible for deploying or maintaining a wireless network. It discusses how the 802.11 protocole work, with a view towards understanding which options are available and troubleshooting problems that arise. It contains an extensive discussion of wireless security issues, including the problems with the WEP standard and a look at the 802.1x security standard.
Since network monitoring is essential to any serious network administrator, and commercial packet sniffers for wireless applications are scarce and expensive, this book shows how to create a wireless packet sniffer from a Linux system and open source software. In addition to the current 802.11b standard, 802.11 Wireless Networks : The Definitive Guide also looks forward to the newest developments in wireless networking, including the two new 54-Mbps standards : 802.11a and 802.11g.
It also surveys other efforts moving through the standards track, including work to facilitate mobility between access points, quality of service, spectrum management, and power control. Finally, 802.11 Wireless Networks : The Definitive Guide shows you how to configure wireless carde and Linux, Windows, and OS X systems, and how to work with access points. Few books in any field combine the theory you need to know with the practical experience and advice you need to, get things working.
802.11 Wireless Networks : The Definitive Guide is one of those books. If you are responsible for a wireless network, you need this book.