8 WiFi Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Drawing from over 40 years of combined Wi-Fi expertise, David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott offer a detailed guide designed for those pursuing the CWNA certification. You gain a solid grasp of radio frequency fundamentals, 802.11 MAC protocols, WLAN architectures, security practices, and troubleshooting techniques. The book breaks down complex topics into manageable lessons, with practical review questions and hands-on exercises to reinforce your understanding. If you're aiming to establish or advance a career in enterprise wireless networking, this guide lays out the core knowledge and skills employers expect to see.

David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott combine decades of wireless networking experience to deliver a detailed guide on wireless network administration. You gain in-depth knowledge about radio frequency technologies, IEEE 802.11 standards, network security, and site surveying techniques, with chapters dedicated to practical review questions and hands-on exercises. Their expertise as members of the CWNE Roundtable and seasoned trainers ensures clarity on complex topics like RF behavior and protocol implementation. This book suits IT professionals preparing for the CWNA certification exam or anyone seeking to solidify their understanding of wireless network fundamentals.

This tailored book explores the complex world of WiFi technologies with a focus on your specific interests and goals. It covers fundamental principles of wireless networking, examines the latest WiFi standards, and reveals practical techniques to optimize performance and security. By matching your background and skill level, this personalized guide ensures you engage deeply with topics that matter most to you. The book delves into advanced aspects such as network design, troubleshooting, and emerging technologies, creating a learning journey that bridges expert knowledge with your unique needs. This approach allows you to master WiFi concepts efficiently, gaining skills that directly align with your objectives and experience.

Matthew Gast draws on his extensive experience leading Wi-Fi Alliance task groups to unpack the 802.11ac standard, which pushes wireless LAN speeds beyond one gigabit per second while enhancing network capacity. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how technologies like beamforming and multi-user MIMO work to improve throughput and serve more clients simultaneously. Practical chapters guide you in assessing when to upgrade your network based on client devices and applications, making this a technical yet approachable manual. It’s geared toward network engineers and IT professionals aiming to optimize wireless infrastructure with the latest protocol advancements.

Drawing from his extensive role shaping wireless standards at Trapeze Networks and within IEEE 802.11 working groups, Matthew Gast offers a detailed exploration of wireless networking that goes beyond basic setup. You learn everything from deployment strategies and security challenges to monitoring and performance tuning, with real insights into configuring access points and wireless cards on Windows and Linux platforms. Chapters like wireless security issues and network monitoring essentials provide you with the technical understanding necessary to manage or build robust networks. This book suits system administrators and serious enthusiasts who want to move past beginner guides and grasp the complexities of 802.11 protocols.

Jerome Henry and David Hucaby bring their deep Cisco expertise to this Official Cert Guide, crafted specifically for the CCNP Enterprise Wireless ENWLSD 300-425 and ENWLSI 300-430 exams. You’ll find detailed coverage of wireless site surveys, infrastructure, mobility, and security, along with practical tools like quizzes and exam strategies to pinpoint and strengthen weak areas. The book doesn’t just prepare you for the test; it builds your conceptual and hands-on skills with chapters on QoS, multicast, location services, and device hardening. If you’re aiming to master enterprise wireless design and implementation at a professional level, this guide offers a structured path to solidify your knowledge and confidence.

This tailored book provides a focused, personalized exploration of WiFi performance and security enhancement. It examines practical steps to boost your wireless network’s speed, reliability, and protection within a month, matching your background and goals. The content reveals essential concepts like network optimization, security best practices, and troubleshooting techniques, all adapted to your interests for efficient learning. By concentrating on your specific needs, this tailored guide helps you quickly identify and apply improvements critical to your setup. Expect an engaging journey through wireless configurations, signal analysis, and security protocols, enabling you to elevate your WiFi environment with confidence and clarity.

Mark Ciampa’s decades of experience as a professor and IT consultant led him to craft a thorough resource tailored for those managing wireless networks. This book dives into the nuts and bolts of wireless LANs, covering everything from designing and installing to securing and maintaining these networks. You’ll find detailed explanations of the IEEE 802.11 standards and practical insights aligned with the Certified Wireless Network Administrator exam. Whether you’re preparing for certification or aiming to deepen your wireless administration skills, this guide breaks down complex concepts with clear examples, including chapters focused on security protocols and business applications.

When Andreas Kolokithas first recognized the gap between theory and practice in wireless security, he crafted this guide to bridge it with hands-on experience. You learn to assess wireless network vulnerabilities through 30 detailed scenarios, from discovering networks and profiling them to launching denial-of-service attacks and cracking encryption keys. The book dives into WEP, WPA/WPA2 weaknesses, authentication bypasses, and stealth techniques to evade intrusion detection systems. If you want to move beyond concepts and actually practice wireless security testing, this book offers a rigorous laboratory approach that benefits security professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Barry Broskowitz draws on his deep expertise with DCS train control systems to deliver a detailed guide on using WiFi to control model train layouts. You’ll find clear explanations of the Premium DCS App’s features, plus instructions for setting up WiFi on both new and existing layouts, including standalone and network configurations. The book walks you through installing and operating the Wireless Interface Unit and troubleshooting common issues, with over 100 illustrations supporting the text. Whether you’re just starting with DCS WiFi or an experienced operator, you'll appreciate the practical insights on integrating new devices like the DCS Explorer and Lionel Legacy components, making this a useful reference for maximizing your digital command system.