Teach Yourself VISUALLY^TM Wireless Networking

by Todd W. Carter (Allendale, MI, jounalist); Paul Whitehead (Maran Graphics, Inc., Toronto, Canada)

• ISBN13: 9780764541346
• ISBN10: 076454134X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Visual

Summary

Shows readers how to link their PCs or connect to the Internet without wires, enabling them to create a small office or home network without the expense and hassle of stringing cable or paying a network administrator Provides a comprehensive yet concise visual guide to setting up, configuring, using, and maintaining a wireless network Focuses specifically on the popular 802.11b wireless networking standard, better known as Wi-Fi, which has 11Mbps throughput and lets users roam 300 feet inside and 1,500 feet outdoors Appeals to a growing market: analyst firm Yankee Group predicts there will be more than five million users of public Wi-Fi access points by 2007-up from only 30,000 in 2002 Increasing numbers of mobile workers have a growing need for information about wireless networking

Author Biography

<b>Todd W. Carter</b> is the author of <i>Microsoft OneNote 2003 Visual QuickStart Guide</i> and <i>How to Do Everything with Your TiVo</i>. He also is a freelance journalist who has written for <i>The Wall Street Journal</i>, <i>Detroit Free Press</i>, MSNBC.com and other publications. Carter lives in West Michigan. His Web site is at toddcarter.com.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1:Introducing Wireless Networks.

Introduction to Wireless Networks.

What Is a Network?

Benefits of Wireless Networking.

Disadvantages of Wireless Networking.

Types of Wireless Technology.

Applications for Wireless Networks.

Review System Requirements.

Consider Your Networking Requirements.

Discover Wireless Standards.

Discover Network Configurations.

Introduction to Wireless Security.

Discover Networking Speeds.

Estimate Coverage Range.

Chapter 2: Setting Up Wireless Network Hardware.

Installation Issues.

Choose Wireless Hardware.

Broadband Modems.

Network Bridges.

Residential Gateways.

Access Points.

Set Up a Wireless Gateway.

Set Up an Access Point.

Download Firmware.

Upgrade Firmware.

Introduction to DHCP.

Chapter 3: Installing Wireless Hardware.

Installation Issues.

Wireless Adapters.

Using Wireless Adapters.

Install a Network Adapter.

Using Network Adapter Utilities.

Confirm Driver Installation.

Troubleshooting a Network Adapter.

Chapter 4: Configuring Wireless Networks.

Windows XP Overview.

View Available Networks.

Configure an Available Network.

Add a Preferred Network.

Remove a Preferred Network.

Move a Preferred Network.

View Signal Strength.

Confirm Zero Configuration Is On.

Disable Automatic Configuration.

Enable Automatic Configuration.

Create a Wireless Bridge.

Troubleshoot a Windows XP Wireless Network.

Chapter 5: Creating Computer-to-Computer Networks.

Computer-to-Computer Considerations.

Computer-to-Computer versus Infrastructure Networks.

Configure Host PC.

Configure Client PC.

Enable Internet Sharing.

Install Internet Connection Firewall.

Troubleshooting Computer-to-Computer Networks.

Chapter 6: Working on Wireless Networks.

Wireless Network Service and Resources.

Connect to a Wireless Network.

Browse a Network.

Share a Folder.

Monitor Shared Folders.

Assign a Letter to a Network Folder.

Add a Network Printer.

Chapter 7: Administering Wireless Networks.

Establish User Accounts.

Add a User Account.

Delete a User.

Assign a User Password.

Activate a Guest Account.

Change a Workgroup Name.

Share Information on a Wireless Network.

Share a Printer on a Wireless Network.

Chapter 8: Securing Wireless Networks.

Network Security.

Benefits of Security.

Disadvantages of Security.

Threats to Network Data.

Enable WEP Encryption.

Change a Network Name.

Manage a Hardware Access List.

Enable Port Forwarding.

Install a ZoneAlarm Firewall.

Configure ZoneAlarm.

Chapter 9: Connecting on the Road.

Connect Away from Home.

Wireless Service Providers.

Find Wi-Fi Hotspots.

View Available Networks.

Chat on a Wi-Fi Network.

Set Up a VPN Connection

Chapter 10: Connecting with Wireless Devices.

Get Familiar with Wireless Devices.

Palm Computer.

Pocket PC.

PDA Wireless Adapters.

Pocket PC Synchronization with ActiveSync.

Synchronize Information over a Wireless Network.

Synchronize Information from a Pocket PC.

Configure a Palm PDA.

Configure a Print Server.

Chapter 11: Improving Network Performance.

Factors Affecting Wireless Range.

Increase Wireless Range.

Monitor Radio Signals.

Chapter 12: Troubleshooting a Wireless Network.

Troubleshooting Overview.

Troubleshoot with the Diagnostics Tool.

Renew DHCP Lease with ipconfig.

Show Network Connections with netstat.

Confirm Connection with pathping.