Easy to read, this book is a step-by-step guide for setting up Wi-Fi hotspots. The book is written assuming little-to-no experience with wireless or other networking technologies. The chapters are broken into three parts. Part 1, “The Basics,” explains Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi hotspot technology in layman’s terms. It provides information that helps businesses determine the benefits of implementing a hotspot.

Part 2, “Setting Up a Hotspot,” contains four chapters, each describing different ways of setting up a free or paid-access hotspot.

Finally, Part 3, “After Your Wi-Fi Hotspot Is Alive,” describes various administration, maintenance, and security aspects of Wi-Fi networks.

The author has given multiple life-like scenarios to help the primary audience of the book, small to medium-sized businesses, decide if a new Wi-Fi hotspot would be beneficial. Very detailed instructions, with screen shots for configuring the four major types of hotspot technologies, are provided. Being a Cisco Press book, all of the examples use Cisco (Linksys) when applicable.

This book is a good buy for small to medium-sized businesses interested in setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot. People with little technical background will find that the format and language are very easy to read and understand. Advanced users, on the other hand, may not find the book very useful, especially on topics like Wi-Fi security and monitoring. However, it is a good reference for the basic workings of a Wi-Fi hotspot network.