What This Book Covers

This book explains how to use the following wireless technologies with Linux:

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)

Wi-Fi is short-range wireless networking that supports raw speeds up to 54 Mbps (about 20-25 Mbps actual speeds). It's an affordable replacement for wired Ethernet, and includes the 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a protocols. Chapter 1 through Chapter 6 discuss Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless cable-replacement that allows you to get rid of USB and serial cables. You can use it to connect a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), such as a Palm or Pocket PC, to Linux; create an ad-hoc network; or transfer files between computers. Bluetooth is covered in Chapter 7.

Infrared

Infrared has been available for a long time, and in some cases, it's the only way that two devices will talk to each other, particularly with older PDAs. Infrared uses light waves that are just outside the range of visible light. Infrared is covered in Chapter 8.

Cellular networking

Although Wi-Fi is fast and reliable, it disappears the moment you leave its useful range. Cellular networks cover large areas, reach speeds between 40 kbps and 100 kbps, and even work reliably while you are in a moving vehicle. With unlimited data plans starting at $19.99 a month from some providers, cellular data plans can be a useful complement to Wi-Fi. Chapter 9 covers cellular data.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Use a GPS to figure out your location in two or three dimensions. Plugged into a Linux computer, a GPS device becomes a source of location data that can be combined with freely available maps to plot locations of wireless networks, figure out where you are, or map out whatever interests you. GPS is covered in Chapter 10.