Certain cities--Singapore is one example--have begun to outfit gathering places like airport lounges and downtown coffee shops as "hot spots" that are served by wireless Internet antennas. It's possible for anyone with an IEEE 802.11b card in a laptop to sit down in one and have Internet access immediately. The author of Building Wireless Community Networks, Rob Flickenger, thinks this is a great idea. He's written this small, thin volume to explain to readers why wireless networking is a community asset, and to bring them up to speed on the technologies available for creating wireless hot spots. Community here means a collection of people, as in a town or neighborhood.

Because Foo! Ok, I'll admit that's pretty bad. But seriously, it's a take on martial arts like Kung-Fu. Many people's take on Kung-Fu is you learn it to protect yourself. This is Wireless meets Kung-Fu. Here you learn how to protect a wireless network.

It's a very good wireless security book. The authors also have a website http://www.wi-foo.com, which has many of the tools used in the book.

There are multiple white papers and books on wireless security (only two years ago you would hardly find any). Many of them, including this book, are centered around 802.11 standards. Most explain the in-built security features of 802.11 protocols, future 802.11 security standards development and requirements, list (and sometimes describe in details) known security weaknesses of 802.11 networks and the countermeasures that a wireless network manager or system administrator can take to reduce the risks presented by these flaws. However all books (except this one) do not describe how the "hackers" can successfully attack wireless networks and how system administrators can detect and defeat these attacks - step-by-step, as the actual attack takes place.

Fully addressing the most critical WLAN and Wireless IP issues in the industry today, this practical new resource focuses on the areas of security, mobility, and QoS improvement. The book gives you a solid understanding of IEEE 802.11 standards and presents solutions discussed by the IEEE 802.11 standardization committee, including those that can be provided at the IP layer. Moreover, the book provides guidance on deployment, insights on interworking with 3G mobile communications systems, and discussions on the market and business aspects of WLANS. From basic WLAN and Wireless IP concepts and the current status of IEEE 802.11, to WLAN deployment and integration with GPRS and UMTS and the future role of WLAN in beyond 3G and 4G systems, this authoritative reference presents a thorough overview of the key issues and possible solutions for WLANs from layer-1 to layer-3 and higher protocol layers, wherever necessary. The book is generously supported with over 120 illustrations.

Detailing the design and deployment of 802.11b networks in every flavor and size, this working handbook delivers the hands-on expertise you need -- complete with illustrative case studies. From one-cell home systems to global provider networks, Wi-Fi Handbook provides the A-Z facts, details, tips, and strategies you need to handle the job.
Wi-Fi IN THE REAL WORLD
This comprehensive Wi-Fi Handbook covers all current technologies, not just a single solution. You’ll find it invaluable for:
* Scaling up Wi-Fi networks
* Solving vexing problems in regulatory, security, and economic areas
* Comparing case studies to find solutions for specific applications PROBLEM SOLVED
This comprehensive Wi-Fi Handbook covers all current technologies, not just a single solution. You'll find it invaluable for:

* Basic Wi-Fi architecture, from client cards and access points on up
* Technical issues, from RF to WEP
* Wi-Fi deployments in large buildings, campuses, and public spaces
* 802.11b networks in healthcare settings, industry, and military installations
* Upside and downside—both benefits and drawbacks
* Wi-Fi and 3G applications
* Fallacy of line-of-sight limitations
* Great QoS, bandwidth, and security
* Wi-Fi’s future

THE BEST GUIDE TO DESIGNING AND BUILDING Wi-Fi

The rapid evolution of the networking industry introduces new exciting challenges that need to be explored by the research community. The adoption of Internet as the global network infrastructure places the issue of quality of service among one of the hot topics nowadays: a huge diversity of applications with quite different service requirements must be supported over a basic core of protocols. Also, the open and uncontrolled nature of Internet enforces the need to guarantee secure transactions among users, thus placing security as another hot topic. Finally, the explosion of mobility and its integration as part of the global infrastructure are probably now the most challenging issues in the networking field.