Networking All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies [Paperback]

Doug Lowe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764542605 | ISBN-13: 978-0764542602 | Publication Date: December 5, 2003 | Edition: 1

• An essential one-stop resource-nine convenient minibooks in a single 840page volume-for network administrators everywhere
• This value-priced package includes sections on networking basics, building a network, network administration, TCP/IP and the Internet, wireless and home networking, Windows 2000 and 2003 servers, NetWare 6, Linux networking, and
• Mac OS X networking
• Written by the author of the perennial bestseller Networking For Dummies (0-7645-1677-9), this massive reference covers all the topics that administrators routinely handle
• Provides key information, explanations, and procedures for configuration, Internet connectivity, security, and wireless options on today's most popular networking platforms

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

9 books in 1– your key to networking success!

Your one-stop guide to building, securing, and administering networks large and small

So you’re in charge of the network? No worries! This handy all-in-one guide provides a bird’s-eye view of all the important stuff, like installing and configuring various network operating systems, working with TCP/IP, planning security, setting up a backup schedule, even managing a wireless or home network. Who needs tons of tomes?

The Dummies Way

• Coverage of the essentials and beyond
• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Thumbtabs and other navigation aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Create and implement a network plan
• Use virus scanners and set up firewalls
• Understand IP addresses, subnetting, and routing
• Protect wireless and home networks
• Install a Linux or NetWare LAN

About the Author

Doug Lowe’s 50-plus computer books include more than 30 in the For Dummies series, including Networking For Dummies, now in its 6th edition. He has demystified everything from Microsoft Office and memory management to client/server computing and creating Web pages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 864 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (December 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764542605
• ISBN-13: 978-0764542602
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #744,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doug Lowe is a veteran author of more than 40 For Dummies books with more than a million copies in print. He's covered everything from productivity software to programming.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book delivers what it promises., December 30, 2004

By 

R. Bolhuis (Zeeland, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Networking All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies (Paperback)

When I volunteered to join the technology comittee at my kids' school, I found out that I needed to get up to speed on computer Networking. It's a small school with an entirely volunteer tech support staff and the previous network administrator wanted to leave the committee.
I consider myself to be a power user when it comes to computers, but I did not have a real good grasp of how networks operated. This book bills itself as "a handy all-in-one guide which provides a bird's-eye view of all the important (network) stuff". I found that it did cover all the aspects of setting up and running networks: large, small, and even wireless. The book starts by covering information that is universal to all networks (terminology, network planning, etc.). It progresses through various aspects of network installation and configuration, security issues, specific network functions, and finally, information specific to several different server operating systems. Operating systems covered include Windows 2000 and 2003 server, Novell Netware 6 and 6.5, Linux, and Mac OS/X Server.
While this book probably won't provide enough information for you to become a certified network administrator, I feel it does a great job of explaining what you need to know to get up and running.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book at Just the Right Technical Level, October 18, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) (Paperback)

I've often thought that computer books tend to leave out the first forty pages or so that tell you the broad picture of just what it is that you are trying to do. This book can almost be viewed as the front end of any number of dedicated networking books that start off just about where this one ends. Those books then go off in great detail about the arcane details that as the author of this book says 'apply mostly to networks at places like NASA and the CIA.'

This book starts off with the most basic descriptions: "A network is nothing more than two or more computers connected by a cable (or wireless adapter) so that they can share information. From there it goes on to talk about how to set a network up. It's intended for the complete beginner and talks about things like cables, routers, hubs and so on in a simple and clear language interspersed with enough humor to keep you from going to sleep immediately.

This book is in reference format, it's not intended to be read from start to finish. Each chapter is self standing so you can go read about your problem of the moment. This book is specifically aimed at the beginner. If you're looking for something on trouble shooting or some of the esoteric aspects of networking you need something higher up. But if you're just intending to set up and keep up a small network at home, school or work, this is the best overview I've seen.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference and Guide, April 23, 2005

By 

JD "amazon233" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Networking All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies (Paperback)

This book can be used as a guide (read it cover to cover) or a reference (just jump in and read specific parts).

The author lives up to his promise in that he distills information from nine seperate books down to just one. He does this by providing just the main information you need to get your network up and running. It is very practical information. While he doesn't dwell on theory, he does cover concepts so you don't just try to memorize steps but rather you understand the why with the how.

Overall, it is an excellent source for beginners and intermediate network administrators.

It was so well written even the humor was tolerable.