All in a Wi-Fi Network : A Comprehensive Workbook on Wireless LAN Technologies

Wi-Fi applications have blossomed tremendously over the last few years.What started out as cable replacement for static desktops in indoor networks has been extended to fully mobile broadband applications involving wide-area outdoor community networks, moving vehicles, high-speed trains, and even airplanes. Wi-Fi data rates have also continued to increase from 2 to 54 Mbit/s with current 802.11n proposals topping 500 Mbit/s. This development may eventually render wired Ethernet redundant in the local network. All in a Wi-Fi Network is a workbook designed to fill the need for a comprehensive yet compact and easy-to-use reference, specifically for anyone who wish to study the underlying principles of past, present, and emerging Wi-Fi technologies. It contains the latest information with unique features for quick and effective self-study. The workbook''s refreshing teaching style sets itself apart from other books. Quantitative concepts are explained visually while the bullet text brings out the key ideas in a manner that is self-contained, concise, and to the point. The graphics are engineered towards maximum clarity and are used generously, including many engaging cartoons to help spice up the learning process. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a CTO, a business executive or a scientist, you will discover that the thought-provoking exercises at the end of the book not only help you master the subject but also serve as a rich source of interesting ideas.The contents of the workbook have been carefully class-tested at many of the author's teaching assignments on the subject, including professional courses for industry, government agencies, and academic institutions, as well as tutorials for researchers at prestigious IEEE conferences. A companion website is available exclusively for users of this book, providing updates to this fast developing field, related websites, and additional learning resources and supplements.The workbook provides valuable insights on a broad range of topics:* Introduction to WLANs: Evolution, current standards, evolving technologies * Fundamentals of WLAN Design and Deployment: WLAN classifications, physical layer transmission, MAC protocols, network topologies, security, switches, deployment considerations (e.g., office, home, public hotspots/hotzones)* 802.11 Standard and Amendments: Physical and MAC layers (802.11b/a/g), advanced security (802.11i), QoS support (802.11e)* Performance Evaluation of WLANs: Throughput, delay, prioritization * Emerging Technologies and New 802.11 Initiatives: High-speed MIMO systems, wireless VoIP, intelligent wireless systems, wireless broadband access (long-range, multihop/mesh technologies), wireless peer to peer applicationsAll in a Wi-Fi Network is written by an author whose books on wireless networks are highly regarded by many technology visionaries. They contain forewords from both chairmen of the IEEE 802.11 Working Group since its inception, the inventor of Internet technology, and the inventor of the first wireless protocol. In early 2000, his groundbreaking book on wireless LANs was adopted by Cisco Systems to launch the Cisco-Aironet Wi-Fi product. A multimedia CD was specially prepared by Cisco to accompany the book. The Aironet product has since enjoyed phenomenal success, dominating the corporate arena and capturing over 60% of the Wi-Fi market share. The author was subsequently invited by Qualcomm Inc. to conduct a customized course on wireless LANs for its engineering executives. In 2002, his edited book on wireless LANs was extensively reviewed by illustrious research journals such as the IEEE Communications Magazine, IEEE Network, and ACM Networker, the first time a book has been reviewed by all three journals. The author has worked on wireless LAN technologies well before it was known as Wi-Fi. He has also contributed significantly to the field of wireless LANs, being the first to emphasize the importance of improving range performance and throughput (versus raw data rate). These concepts have since been applied to Wi-Fi. The author carries over 12 years of teaching and research experience. His research publications have appeared in many leading journals, including the IEEE Spectrum and the MIT Technology Review. To date, he has over 100 research citations and over 40 research papers. In 2003, he was selected as one of ten best wireless designers in the U.S. by BICSI, a 22,000 industry member association based in Tampa, Florida. He is currently a technical editor for the IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine, a senior member of IEEE, a research faculty member with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, GA, USA, and an associate director with the Georgia Tech Broadband Institute.Bing, Benny is the author of 'All in a Wi-Fi Network : A Comprehensive Workbook on Wireless LAN Technologies', published 2005 under ISBN 9780976675204 and ISBN 097667520X.