From:	 Kathryn Barrett <kathrynb@oreilly.com>
To:	 lwn@lwn.net
Subject: "802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide" Released by O'Reilly
Date:	 Tue, 7 May 2002 17:26:46 -0700 (PDT)

For Immediate Release
May 7, 2002
For more information, a review copy, cover art, or an interview with
the author, contact:
Kathryn Barrett (707) 827-7094 or kathrynb@oreilly.com

MOBILITY, FLEXIBILITY, AND SECURITY: O'REILLY AUTHOR TACKLES
THE PROMISES AND PITFALLS OF WIRELESS NETWORKS

Sebastopol, CA--802.11 technology goes by a variety of names, depending
on who is talking about it. Some people call it wireless Ethernet to
emphasize its shared lineage with traditional wired Ethernet. Wi-Fi,
from wireless fidelity, is another popular name, referring to a
certification program run by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility
Alliance (WECA). Any "wireless" vendor can have its product tested for
interoperability, and equipment that passes can use the Wi-Fi mark. But
those who work hands-on with the technology call it simply 802.11. In
his new book, "802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide"
(O'Reilly, US $44.95), author Matthew S. Gast delves into the
intricacies of wireless networks, revealing how 802.11 technology can
be a practical and even liberating choice for businesses, homes, and
organizations. At the same time, he leads the reader through all
aspects of planning, deploying, and maintaining a wireless network, and
covers the security issues unique to this type of network.

The adoption of 802.11 wireless technology is moving at an explosive
rate. With transfer speeds of up to 11 Mbps, it's the fastest practical
wireless technology approved by the FCC for low-power unlicensed use.
The obvious advantage of wireless technology is mobility--it frees
users from the tether of an Ethernet cable at a desk. Wireless networks
also offer flexibility, which translates into rapid deployment--adding
a new user to a wireless network does not involve running cables,
punching down terminals, and patching in a new jack. "802.11 Wireless
Networks: The Definitive Guide" covers everything the reader will need
to know to understand and use this technology.

"Using new network technology always requires a balance between theory
and practice," says Gast. "The theory helps you design the network and
troubleshoot the equipment when it breaks, but it is not always helpful
when you have a piece of equipment that implements one vendor's view of
the world. Most books will tell either how the standard works or how to
use a specific piece of equipment or software. In this book, I have
tried to weave together both the theory and the practical sides of the
matter."

"802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide" discusses how the
802.11 protocols work, with a view towards understanding which options
are available and troubleshooting problems that arise. It contains an
extensive discussion of wireless security issues, including the
problems with the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) standard and a look at
the 802.1x security standard. Since network monitoring is essential to
any serious network administrator, and commercial packet sniffers for
wireless applications are scarce and expensive, the book shows how to
create a wireless packet sniffer from a Linux system and open source
software.

"802.11 is popular because of the advantages you get from allowing
workers to be mobile," Gast says. "Over the past year or two, though,
it has become increasingly clear that 802.11 networks are vulnerable to
attackers if they are deployed incorrectly. I have tried to keep
up-to-date with the security issues so that my book would both describe
the security problems and help network administrators deal with them.
Right now, 802.11 is hot technology. But the industry seems to have
realized that without adequate security, it's not going to be
successful. The immediate problem facing most readers is how to deploy
802.11 securely."

Gast adds, "The next problem will be network-layer mobility. 802.11 is
successful because it allows users to roam around while maintaining
continuous network connectivity. In many organizations, wireless LANs
are starting small. Given time, however, the wireless LANs will be
viewed as very important network infrastructure, and the question will
be how networkers can tie together these small packets of
connectivity."

802.11 has enabled mobility over single network segments, Gast
explains, each of which is like a little island of connectivity.
Providing network-layer mobility will be a challenge in the future,
because not every network can be redesigned to accommodate new network
segments just for wireless tools. It's possible that network design
constraints may result in disjointed islands of connectivity. "In those
cases," notes Gast, "it will be necessary to find a way to build in
greater mobility to connect the little islands of connectivity."

Gast tackles these issues and many more in his book. "802.11 Wireless
Networks: The Definitive Guide" also looks forward to the newest
developments in wireless networks, including the two new 54 Mbps
standards: 802.11z and 802.11g. It surveys other efforts moving through
the standards track, including work to facilitate mobility between
access points, quality of service, spectrum management, and power
controls.

"802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide" shows readers how to
configure wireless cards and Linux, Windows, and OS X systems. Written
for the serious system or network administrator who is responsible for
deploying or maintaining a wireless network, this book is truly the
definitive guide on wireless networking.

Additional resources:

Chapter 15, "802.11 Network Deployment," is available free online at:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/802dot11/chapter/ch15.html

For more information about the book, including Table of Contents,
index, author bio, and samples, see:
http://oreilly.com/catalog/802dot11/

For a cover graphic in jpeg format, go to:
ftp://ftp.ora.com/pub/graphics/book_covers/hi-res/0596001835.jpg

802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide
By Matthew Gast
ISBN 0-596-00183-5, 443 pages, $44.95 (US), $69.95 (CAN)
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000
http://www.oreilly.com

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