Wireless Hacking: Projects for Wi-Fi Enthusiasts

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 416 pages
• Published by: Syngress
• Edition: 1st Edition October 1, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 193183637X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1931836371
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 8 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1.5 pounds

Product Description
Wherever You Go, There You Are!

• Build, Deploy and Maintain a "Homebrew" Wi-Fi Network
• Create a Low-Cost/High-Yield Development Roadmap for Wireless Enthusiasts, Households, Small Businesses and Community Groups
• Customize Wireless Operating Systems, Install Antennas, Build Solar-Powered Access Points and More

A few years ago, wireless internet access was just a glint in the eyes of the IT industry. Today, most notebook PCs ship with built-in Wi-Fi capability, and Wi-Fi access points have become as important as the espresso machines at the neighborhood Starbucks. Wireless Hacking provides a low-cost/high-yield blueprint for wireless enthusiasts, households, small businesses and communities. After reading this book, you will be able to build, deploy and maintain a "homebrew" Wi-Fi network. And if you just want some geek fun, Wireless Hacking will not disappoint. You will be challenged! Written by members of the pioneering SoCalFreeNet Wireless Users Group, Wireless Hacking delivers a series of interrelated projects, with full integration of both hardware and software hacks. Some of the wireless hacks in this book include:

• Use existing Ethernet cables to provide low-voltage power to Access Points with no additional source of electricity.
• Install Linux and FreeBSD on low-cost (under $150) Soekris single-board computers.
• Modify the firmware of your Linksys WRT54g.
• Construct Solar Powered Access Points and Repeaters for your Wi-Fi network.
• WarDrive for wireless access points with tools like Kismet and NetStumbler.
• Install an antenna without killing yourself or changing the earth's orbit.
• Expand your Wi-Fi network beyond one box and 50 users with MESH network topology.

Many more hacks and modifications inside! CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK INCLUDE Part 1: Introduction to Wireless Hacking 1: Wireless Background 2: SoCalFreeNet.org: Building Large Scale Community Wireless Networks 3: Securing Our Wireless Community Part 2: Hardware Projects 4: 802.11 Access Points 5: 802.11 Client Cards Part 3: software Projects 6: Wireless Operating Systems 7: Monitoring the Network 8: Low-Cost Commercial Options 9: Mesh Networks Part 4: Antennas and Outdoor Enclosure Projects 10: Antennas 11: Building Outdoor Enclosures and Antenna Masts 12: Solar Powered Access Points and Repeaters

Reader Reviews
If you're highly interested in hacking together wi-fi networks and such, you'll probably enjoy Wireless Hacking Projects for Wi-Fi Enthusiasts by Lee Barken and the SoCalFreeNet.org Wireless Users Group. I personally had hoped for something a little different, however... Chapter list: A Brief Overview of the Wireless World; SoCalFreeNet.org: Building Large Scale Community Wireless Networks; Securing Our Wireless Community; Wireless Access Points; Wireless Client Access Devices; Wireless Operating Systems; Monitoring Your Network; Low-Cost Commercial Options; Mesh Networking; Antennas; Building Outdoor Enclosures and Antenna Masts; Solar-Powered Access Points and Repeaters; Wireless 802.11 Hacks; Index OK, to be fair, there's a lot of technical information in this book. SoCalFreeNet.org is a group committed to building community access wireless networks in order to offer free wireless coverage for everyone in the range of the network. They go into great detail on the hardware to use, how to configure it, the reason for setting up an access portal, building a firewall for the network, and so on. If this is your interest or if you're interested in starting this type of a network in your area, I don't think there's another book out there that would help as much. Having said that, I'd probably be a little less harsh if the book had been titled How To Build A Community Wireless Network Based On The SoCalFreeNet.org Model. Someone who is looking to play around with wi-fi in their own house, build cantennas, or possibly control devices over the wireless network will have to dig hard in the book to find what they are looking for. The information is there, but it seems to be secondary to the primary purpose (or what I perceive it to be), which is to spread wireless access to the masses. So, depending on what you're looking for, this may or may not be a good match for you. I was expecting something different from the title and cover, and was somewhat disappointed... Comment | | (Report this)