Building Wireless Community Networks
Paperback, First Edition, January 2002, 138 pages
By Rob Flickenger
© Copyright 2002 by O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
ISBN 0-596-00204-1
Review written March 3, 2002
By Donald W. Larson, O'Reilly Book Evangelist
Email: dwlarson@mac.com
Web Site: http://www.timeoutofmind.com/
Anyone who wants to learn about the usage of WiFi, more commonly known as 802.11b wireless should order this book now and read it immediately upon delivery!
Each and every chapter explains is sufficient detail what the new standard is, how to use it and extend the range legally for broadcasts. Anytime someone points out through the purchase of a can of Pringles and then turns that chip container into a radio antenna (with about $10.00 in additional parts) to increase the effective range of WiFi, is a signal (pun intended) that value pricing is just a few steps away.
Rob demonstrates his mastery of the following topics, the understanding of topological maps, db signal loss over distance, firewalls, NAT, and routing as they pertain to WiFi. For those readers who just want to hook up a wireless 802.11b router and configure their network, this book covers that very well.
The book's scope covers the Apple AirPort Base Station and also Linux networks. Also the need for channel separation and bridging of networks for roaming purposes is described.
Then there is the section on the types of external antennas and how to build one from the earlier mentioned Pringles can.
Obviously, wireless brings a whole new set of questions to the security aspect of wireless networks. Rob explains some techniques that should help and provides urls to other community efforts to help find additional resources and support. See NoCat <http://nocat.net> as an example of the latter.
Appendix
This part of the book includes a section on calculating the loss of signal strength over distances from 0.5 to 20.0 miles! Also provides links to community wireless sites and FCC Part 15 Rules governing the spectrum that 802.11b occupies.
Index
Appendix
Complete and adequate.
General Book Comments
It is my opinion that many neighborhoods could employ the suggested solutions and bypass the big telco's and ISP's to bring unrestricted Internet access to small neighborhood WAN's at a cost lower or equal to what cable and DSL providers offer.
Rob has done an excellent job in presenting this new technology. He takes the time to explain technical details in ways easy for the reader to understand.
Rating 10 out of 10. This rating is my own personal value system and as such is very subjective. I think a rating of 5 means I would read finish reading a book. A rating of 10 would indicate I had trouble putting a book down and have no complaints at all about it.
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