Wireless Networking
The high cost of conventional "wired" infrastructure is an obstacle to those looking to harness the potential of ICTs for development and social change. Wireless technologies offer tested, low-cost options to complement conventional infrastructure.
Wireless Networking
- Introduction
- General
- Link Calculation, Site Survey and Design
- Basic Radio Physics
- Standards and Regulatory
- Community Examples
- Listservers
- Software Tools
- Security
Introduction
The high cost of conventional "wired" infrastructure is an obstacle to those looking to harness the potential of ICTs for development and social change. Wireless technologies offer tested, low-cost options to complement conventional infrastructure.
Wireless Networking - General
Editor's choice: Wireless Networking in the Developing World: a practical guide to planning and building low-cost telecommunications infrastructure
Developed by: Wndw.org Type of resource: PDF and website Target audience: General Cost: Free access
"The massive popularity of wireless networking has caused equipment costs to continually plummet, while equipment capabilities continue to increase. By applying this technology in areas that are badly in need of critical communications infrastructure, more people can be brought online than ever before, in less time, for very little cost." This book was developed by a team of experts with extensive experience, and covers "Where to Begin", "A Practical Introduction to Radio Physics", "Network Design", "Antennas & Transmission Lines", "Networking Hardware", "Security", "Building an Outdoor Node", and "Troubleshooting". The book is released under a Creative Commons license and can be downloaded as a single file or chapter by chapter.
Community Wireless Handbook
Developed by: First Nations Technology Council, Mathew Asham and B.C. Wireless Network Society Type of resource: PDF Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Developed for First Nations communities in Canada, this practical manual details the basics of wireless network setup and management, especially geared for "every day members of the community". The emphasis being on a shared, community wireless network, the manual provides a brief overview of community wireless networking, legal frameworks and social issues before launching into details on wireless network anatomy, range testing and line of site, site surveying, radio theory, wireless hardware, antenna, and advanced networking. Straight-forward, non-technical language. In order to download the material, you are asked to register and, though not a requirement, offer feedback.
Dhttp://www.bcwireless.net/~matthewa/handbook/
How To Wireless HOWTO
Developed by: WLUG Type of resource: Web guide Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This document by Roberto Arcomano looks at how to setup Wireless in Linux, compatibility problems, geographic requirements and more.
Dhttp://www.wlug.org.nz/HowToWirelessHOWTO
ItrainOnline MMTK Wireless materials
Developed by: APC Type of resource: Downloadable files in Open Document, Microsoft Office and PDF formats. Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
These materials were developed as part of the Capacity building for community wireless connectivity in Africa initiative and cover topics ranging from antennas to wireless security. These materials assume a reasonable understanding of TCP/IP networking and experience as a network administrator.
Dhttp://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/wire less.shtml
ItrainOnline MMTK Wireless Materials in Arabic
Developed by: APC Type of resource: Dowloadable .doc files Target audience: General, Trainers Cost: Free access
These materials were developed as part of the Capacity building for community wireless connectivity in Africa initiative and cover topics ranging from antennas to wireless security. The materials assume a reasonable understanding of TCP/IP networking and experience as a network administrator.
Dhttp://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/wire less_ar.shtml
O'Reilly Wireless
Developed by: O'Reilly Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Fee
Free access to selected chapters from O'Reilly wireless-related publications, and fee-paying access to complete online books.
Tech Nightmares: WiFi Horrors
Developed by: CNet Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
"Wi-Fi networks are terrifying. Sure, they're scary to set up, but even more frightening is how quickly we grow to rely on them. We love it when they obey our commands, but wireless connections leave us paralyzed when they suddenly stop working." This series of basic articles from CNet looks at extending range, IP address problems, connection instability and security.
Dhttp://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10168_7-5658962-1.htm l?tag=txt
The Wireless Developer Network Website
Developed by: The Wireless Developer Network Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
The Wireless Developer Network is an on-line community for information technology professionals interested in mobile computing and communications. The site offers technical information, news, industry coverage, and commentary from the wireless developers' community. The site features quality articles and a solid library collection of tutorials and training materials on wireless.
Dhttp://www.wirelessdevnet.com/
Wireless Networking Tutorial
Developed by: Winncom Technologies Type of resource: Web page Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Basic introduction to wireless networking, with answers to questions ranging from "what is wireless networking?" to "how can I use a wireless network to share an internet connection?"
Dhttp://www.winncom.com/html/wireless.shtml
Wireless Networking - Link Calculation, Site Survey and Design
Calculating Distances Between Two Points
Developed by: Geoscience Australia Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This site from Geoscience Australia offers a short comparison of methods for calculating distance, and an online calculator.
Dhttp://www.ga.gov.au/nmd/geodesy/datums/distance.j sp
Wireless Networking - Basic Radio Physics
Eric Weisstein's World of Physics: Radio Physics
Developed by: Wolfram Research Type of resource: Portal Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This is the Radio physics section of a broader portal which offers short, accessible explanations of technical physics terms.
Dhttp://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/topics/Rad ioPhysics.html
Wireless Networking - Standards and Regulatory
Open Spectrum
Developed by: Open Spectrum Foundation Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
The Open Spectrum Foundation aims to promote awareness of "open spectrum" concepts and to advocate the expansion of the radio bands available for license-exempt use. Their web site includes reports on wireless spectrum regulation around the world and news on wireless initiatives.
Dhttp://www.openspectrum.info/
Short-Range Wireless Connectivity: A Complementary Comparison
Developed by: Puneet Gupta Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
A short tutorial on the relationship between Bluetooth, HomeRF, IrDA and Wi-Fi standards, technologies which compete in certain fronts and are complementary in other areas. Written in 2002, the overview helps readers select solutions for a specific application context by examining strengths and weaknesses.
Dhttp://www.wirelessdevnet.com/channels/bluetooth/f eatures/bluetooth_irda.html
Wireless Networking - Community Examples
Creating Community Wireless in Africa
Developed by: APC and TechSoup Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This article describes a partnership project, led by APC, aimed at developing capacity around the use of wireless technologies for community networking in Africa.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/howto/npostory_article.cfm ?articleid=85&topicid=0
Nepal Wireless Networking Project
Developed by: Nepal Wireless Networking Project Type of resource: Web site Target audience: General Cost: Free access
The Nepal Wireless Networking Project has networked seven villages in Nepal, and is currently maintained by Himanchal Higher Secondary School, Nangi village, Nepal. Visit the NWNP for articles and inspiration!
Wireless Networking - Listservers
Wireless for Development List
Developed by: IDRC Type of resource: Listserver Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Listserver for discussions on practical wireless and VOIP infrastructure implementation in developing countries.
Dhttp://www.dgroups.org/groups/wifi4d/index.cfm
Wireless Networking - Software Tools
Radio Mobile
Developed by: Roger Coudé Type of resource: Software tool Target audience: General Cost: Free access
This freeware for Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, XP, 2000 is a tool used to predict the performance of a radio system.
Dhttp://www.cplus.org/rmw/rme.html
Secure Computing and Online Communications - Wireless
Five Tips for Secure Wireless Web Surfing
Developed by: TechSoup Type of resource: Web guide Target audience: General Cost: Free access
How to stay safe when using a public wireless hotspot
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/connections /page5998.cfm
Wi-Fi for dummies: Securing network access while on the run
Developed by: The Register Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
If you are chatting, emailing, or just browsing while at an wireless internet hotspot, you'll want to read this article to understand the risks and ways to protect your personal information when you're on the go. The article provides recommendations on the most secure software to use, as well as plugins to further enhance security. It looks at web browsers, instant messenger services, and email.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/10/wifi/
Wi-Fi horrors: Tales from the cryptographer
Developed by: CNet Type of resource: Web article Target audience: General Cost: Free access
Basic tips for securing your wireless network.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10168_7-5659898-1.htm l?tag=nav