As we all know by now, wireless networks offer many advantages over fixed (or wired) networks. Foremost on that list is mobility, since going wireless frees you from the tether of an Ethernet cable at a desk. But that's just the tip of the cable-free iceberg. Wireless networks are also more flexible, faster and easier for you to use, and more affordable to deploy and maintain.

The de facto standard for wireless networking is the 802.11 protocol, which includes Wi-Fi (the wireless standard known as 802.11b) and its faster cousin, 802.11g. With easy-to-install 802.11 network hardware available everywhere you turn, the choice seems simple, and many people dive into wireless computing with less thought and planning than they'd give to a wired network. But it's wise to be familiar with both the capabilities and risks associated with the 802.11 protocols. And "802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide," 2nd Edition is the perfect place to start.

This updated edition covers everything you'll ever need to know about wireless technology. Designed with the system administrator or serious home user in mind, it's a no-nonsense guide for setting up 802.11 on Windows and Linux. Among the wide range of topics covered are discussions on:

deployment considerations

network monitoring and performance tuning

wireless security issues

how to use and select access points

network monitoring essentials

wireless card configuration

security issues unique to wireless networks

With wireless technology, the advantages to its users are indeed plentiful. Companies no longer have to deal with the hassle and expense of wiring buildings, and households with several computers canavoid fights over who's online. And now, with "802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide," 2nd Edition, you can integrate wireless technology into your current infrastructure with the utmost confidence.

High-precision location information is increasingly useful for mobile application developers, since it allows devices to interact with the world around them. This practical book shows you how to achieve arm's reach accuracy with iBeacons, simple transmitters that enable your applications to react to nearby surroundings and then deliver timely, relevant information - especially indoors, where GPS and cell service are inaccurate. Whether you're enabling a map, giving users directions, creating a game, recommending purchases, letting users check in, or creating an immersive experience, you'll learn how iBeacons provide precise location information, empowering your applications to engage and interact with users nearby. Get examples of several application types you can build with iBeacons Learn how iBeacons provide applications with proximity information Set up, activate, and test iBeacons on both specialized and general-purpose hardware Explore the APIs and tools you need to develop location-aware mobile applications Use built-in iOS features to interact with iBeacons, including Passbook Build networks to help shoppers, travelers, conference attendees, and others find what they're looking for

The next frontier for wireless LANs is 802.11ac, a standard that increases throughput beyond one gigabit per second. This concise guide provides in-depth information to help you plan for 802.11ac, with technical details on design, network operations, deployment, and monitoring. Author Matthew Gast - an industry expert who led the development of 802.11-2012 and security task groups at the Wi-Fi Alliance - explains how 802.11ac will not only increase the speed of your network, but its capacity as well. Whether you need to serve more clients with your current level of throughput, or serve your existing client load with higher throughput, 802.11ac is the solution. This book gets you started. Understand how the 802.11ac protocol works to improve the speed and capacity of a wireless LAN Explore how beamforming increases speed capacity by improving link margin, and lays the foundation for multi-user MIMO Learn how multi-user MIMO increases capacity by enabling an AP to send data to multiple clients simultaneously Plan when and how to upgrade your network to 802.11ac by evaluating client devices, applications, and network connections

Wireless has finally come of age. With a significant jump in throughput over previous standards, 802.11n is the first wireless technology that doesn't trade speed for mobility, and users have stormed onto wireless networks with a passion. In this concise guide, Matthew Gast--chair of the IEEE group that produced revision 802.11-2012--shows you why wireless has become the default method of connecting to a network, and provides technical details you need to plan, design, and deploy 802.11n today.

Building a network for the multitude of new devices is now a strategic decision for network engineers everywhere. This book gives you an in-depth look at key parts of 802.11n, and shows you how to achieve an Ethernet-free wireless office.Learn how MIMO's multiple data streams greatly increase wireless speedDiscover how 802.11n modifications improve MAC efficiencyExamine advanced PHY features such as beanforming and space-time code blockUse advanced MAC features to maintain interoperability with older devicesPlan an 802.11n network by determining traffic demand, key applications, power requirements, and securityChoose the architecture, select hardware, and plan coverage to design and build your network