Recommended Wi-Fi reading List

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Recommended Wi-Fi reading list

There are a slew of books available currently available that cover the various 802.11 topics of deployment, security and frame analysis. Some of them are fantastic and some many of them are just plain lousy. Below are the books that should be in your personal Wi-Fi library. I am posting this list with the CertForum staff permission:

CWNP Study Guides

1) CWNA Official Study Guide – Author: Devin Akin & Joshua Bardwell – ISBN: 0-07-222-902-0

The Official CWNA Study Guide is the most comprehensive material available in one book about Wireless LAN Administration.

2) CWNA Study Guide – Authors: David Coleman & David Westcott - ISBN #0471789526

The authors of the Sybex CWNA study guide are both CWNEs with years of experience. The book includes a CD with over 400 practice test questions, flashcards, software demos, videos, labs, Powerpoint presentations and more.


3) CWSP Official Study Guide - Author: Tom Carpenter, Grant Moerschel, Richard Dreger – ISBN: 0072263202

The second edition of the CWSP Official Study Guide is long overdue but a fantastic job has been done by Tom, Grant and Richard. This book is a must in everyone’s Wi-Fi Library.

4) Wi-Fi Security White Papers:

These two white papers should be considered mandatory reading. Both whitepapers can be downloaded from www.cwnp.com.

A) 802.11i Authentication and Key Management (AKM) - Author: Devin Akin

This is also known as the famous “Chicken and Egg” whitepaper that covers how dynamic encryption keys are generated using the 802.11i defined 4-way handshake.

B) 802.11i RSN Fast Secure Roaming - Author: Devin Akin. Technical Editor: David Coleman.

The FSR whitepaper discusses the pre-authentication methods defined as an optional under 802.11i. The paper also discusses proprietary fast secure roaming solutions. This paper will give you a glimpse into solutions that will eventually resolve the latency issues that occur during 802.1x/EAP authentication.

3) CWAP Official Study Guide – Author: Devin Akin – ISBN: 0072255854

Intended for networking professionals who have already earned CWNA certification, this study guide describes the MAC and PHY frame formatting and frame exchange processes behind every 802.11 wireless LAN, and overviews the various types of wireless LAN protocol analyzers.

This book is by the far the best one ever written by Devin Akin.


4) Wireless# Exam Mega Guide - Authors: Joel Barrett and Jimmy Donahue - Preplogic

This Mega Guide covers the key points you need to know to pass the Wireless# certification exam. Topics covered include; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WiMAX, ZigBee, Infrared, RFID, and VoWLAN, Wireless hardware, software and installation; Applications, support and security. This 110 page PDF is available for purchase and download at http://www.preplogic.com/products/mega-guides/mega-guides-product-details.asp?eid=769


5) Wireless# Certification Official Study Guide - Author: Tom Carpenter - ISBN 0072263423

Extra reading for CWNA:


1) 802.11 Wireless LAN Fundamentals – Authors: Pejman Roshan & Jonathon Leary – ISBN: 1-58705-077-3

An excellent Cisco Press book that covers the basics of RF and 802.11 WLAN design.

2) 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide - Author: Matthew Gast - ISBN: 0596100523

This is a top notch book about all aspects of 802.11 technology. Matthew’s book is really a good read to help you prep for all three CWNP exams.

3) Deploying License-Free Wireless Wide-Area Networks – Author: Jack Unger - ISBN: 1-58705-069-2

Another very good Cisco Press book. This book has an emphasis on outdoor 802.11 deployments. Good book to read if you want to learn more about bridging.

4) Managing and Securing a Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network –Authors: Jeremy Wall, David Faircloth and Joel Barrett – ISBN: 1932266917

Everything you need to design and deploy a secure and accessible Cisco SWAN. The Structured Wireless-Aware Networking (SWAN) solutions from Cisco Systems. Good book to get if you want to learn more about deploying VLANs and VOIP solutions with Cisco wireless equipment.

5) 802.11 Wireless Network Site Surveying and Installation - Author: Bruce Alexander - ISBN: 1587051648

Another good book with an emphasis on site surveys.


Extra reading for CWSP:

1) Real 802.11 Security (Wi-Fi Protected Access and 802.11i) – Authors: Jon Edney and William Arbaugh – ISBN: 0-321-13620-9

Excellent security book especially if you want to learn the cryptographic “guts” behind al the algorithms and protocols that are used in wireless security.

2) Wi-Foo, The Secrets of Wireless Hacking – Authors: Andrew Vladimirov, Konstantin V. Gavrilenko and Andrei A. Mikhailovsky
ISBN: 0321202171

If you are looking for a wireless security book from a Linux perspective…. This is the book. Excellent book even if you are not a Linux geek.

3) Cisco Wireless LAN Security - Authors: Krishna Sankar, Sri Sundaralingam, Andrew Balinsky and Darrin Miller. - ISBN: 1587051540

Covers the spectrum of WLAN security, including protocols and specifications, vulnerabilities and threats, and, especially, deployment patterns and design guidelines. With a unique combination of theory and practice, this book addresses fundamental wireless concepts, such as WEP, and innovations, such as EAP, switching, and management. Each chapter includes detailed illustrations, checklists, design templates, and other resources. You will also find generic wireless deployment patterns based on real-world customer installations and functional examples of architecture, design, and best practices

Extra Reading for CWAP/CWNE:

1) IEEE 802.11 Handbook, A Designer’s Companion - Second Edition – Authors: Bob O’Hara and Al Petrick – ISBN: 0-7381-1444-95

The handbook is a MUST have if you want to get a basic understanding of the details of the PHY and MAC layers of the 802.11 standard.

This book will also serve as the “official” study guide for CWNE. This book is an excellent study resource for all the CWNP certifications.

2) A Field Guide to Wireless LANs for Administrators and Power Users – Author: Thomas Maufer – ISBN: 0-13-101406-4

An excellent book for detailed frame analysis.

3) The 802.11 Standard & Amendments - Authors: 802.11 Working Group & Task Groups

The original 802.11 standard as well as the all the ratified 802.11 amendments can be downloaded from the following URL:

http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/802.11.html

 

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This is excellent mate - again, Thanks!

 

Excellent David, thanks. Any objections if i make it a sticky?

Si

 

No objections whatsoever!

david

 

This link above is dead "http://www.preplogic.com/products/me...arrett&eid=769" it looks like you copied it from another forum as some forum software truncate urls that are long. Great post by the way.

 

corrected...

hope you dont mind dave!

 

Oh no!

Why did you have to post that list?

There's at least eight books on there that I don't have - now I'm going to have to line Amazon's pockets even more

I love Wi-Foo, its one of the best books I've read (even if it IS a Leenuux book)

Cheers for the tips mate - I'll definitely put them on me list!

 

The one book i want to get is from Cisco Press - Wireless Networks First-Step....

 

Wow, my heads in a spin

 

Hi

I've got spare BRAND NEW study guides that I can let you have - make me an offer. UK only please.

I already had the guides but got the extra set when i bought the bundle from CWNP.

email me at: [email protected]

 

Are they legally transferrable? Some organizations don't allow resale of their study guides...

 

I haven't thought about that but will supply my copies I bought off amazon if need be? Hope this helps?

 

If they're books, they're *usually* transferrable... just be sure before you do. Some companies get upset when individuals resell content that's been licensed to a single user with a non-transferrable license.

 

Yeah, they're just normal books that you can buy from any bookshop. So if anyone's interested get in touch and save yourself a few quid.