1.2 Connections Without Wires
There are many types of wireless
networks, such as Cellular (wide-area wireless
networking),
Wi-Fi
(local and wide area wireless networking), and
Bluetooth
(cable-replacement and short-range wireless networking). All of these
networks run with Linux. Here is a list of tasks you can complete
with Linux and wireless
networks: Build your own wireless
access point. At home, use a Linux box as your wireless access point and secure
firewall for a broadband connection, and use a Linux notebook as a
wireless client. To control who uses your access point, build a
captive portal. It's also possible that your
broadband connection is wireless and uses a point-to-point
directional wireless network. Synchronize your
contacts. At the office, keep your contacts list from your Linux desktop
synchronized with your cell phone using Bluetooth or an infrared
port. Use a cellular network and GPS for the ultimate road warrior
experience. On the road, use your Linux-powered PDA to check email from a
wireless hotspot. Connect your cell phone and laptop, and use a
high-speed data network where there is a digital cell signal. Hook a
GPS receiver to your laptop and find that out-of-the-way hotel.
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