Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) [Paperback]

Doug Lowe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764599399 | ISBN-13: 978-0764599392 | Publication Date: September 30, 2005 | Edition: 2

If you're setting up a network at home or creating and managing one for business, there are dozens of things to consider. Networking All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 2^nd Edition replaces a whole shelf full of reference books with one handy volume that covers just what you need to know. And with technology changing faster than the colors in a rock band’s light show, you'll be glad this updated edition includes the latest information.

Written by Doug Lowe, who's been managing corporate networks for more than 20 years, this helpful guide shows you how to work with all Windows XP service packs as well as Fedora Linux. It's made up of nine minibooks that cover

• Networking basics
• Building a network
• Network administration and security
• Troubleshooting and disaster planning
• TCP/IP and the Internet
• Home networking
• Wireless networking
• Windows 2003 server reference
• Linux reference

If you're a networking newbie, the first two minibooks gives you all the startup information to get your network up and running. If you've already done that, you're probably interested in keeping it running at peak performance. Book IV is loaded with information about finding, diagnosing, and fixing problems you might encounter. Looking for the scoop on keeping your network safe from online bad guys? Check Book III. Want to go wireless? Book VII tells you what you need to know.

In these pages, you’ll find out how to

• Plan your network, select interface cards, hubs, and routers, and install all the hardware and software
• Set up your network so it’s easy to use but hard to break into
• Create a disaster recovery plan
• Understand IP addresses, subnetting, routing, DHCP, DNS, and other TCP/IP protocols and tools
• Incorporate other gadgets into your home network, including VoIP Internet-based telephone service
• Take advantage of the economical Linux networking alternative

Best of all, it's easy to locate what you need. There's even a handy "cheat sheet" that puts really important information about cabling rules, private IP address ranges, valuable network administration tips, and helpful Web sites at your fingertips. With this book on hand, you’ll experience a net increase in your networking prowess!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Covers all Windows® XP service packs and Fedora Linux®

Your one-stop guide to building and managing a business or home network

Why take up a whole shelf with networking books when all the essentials are right here in one handy volume? Here's how to put a network together, choose the hardware and software, set up a server, troubleshoot problems, keep your network secure, understand Internet protocols, go wireless, and even set up a Linux alternative.

Discover how to

• Select interface cards, hubs, and routers
• Configure client computers
• Choose firewalls and virus protection
• Develop a business continuity plan
• Understand DHCP, DNS, and FTP
• Set up a wireless network

About the Author

Doug Lowe has written a whole bunch of computer books, including more than 35 For Dummies books, among them Networking For Dummies, 7th Edition, Java All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, PowerPoint 2003 For Dummies, and Word 2003 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. He lives in sunny Fresno, California, where the motto is “No, we aren’t really the Armpit of California,” with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and a goofy-looking six-month-old Shar-Pei/Black Lab mix named Lucy. He’s one of those obsessive-compulsive decorating nuts who puts up tens of thousands of lights at Christmas and creates computer-controlled Halloween decorations that rival Disney’s Haunted Mansion. Last year he actually built a pirate ship in his backyard.

Product Details

• Paperback: 864 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (September 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764599399
• ISBN-13: 978-0764599392
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,652 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.