Networking: A Beginner's Guide, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

Bruce Hallberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072262125 | ISBN-13: 978-0072262124 | Publication Date: August 24, 2005 | Edition: 4

Here is an unparalleled introduction to networking, offering easy-to-follow details on design and configuration, hardware, networking protocols, remote access, and security. This updated guide contains expanded coverage of wireless networking, the latest Windows and Linux releases, and security measures. New networking professionals will first learn what they need to know about network technology, and then how to apply that knowledge to set up, manage, and secure networks.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get a solid introduction to networking essentials from this practical guide

Learn the fundamentals of wired and wireless networking from this introductory guide. Inside, you’ll find full details on network design and configuration, hardware, networking protocols, security, backup, recovery, and more. After covering the basics, the book explains, step-by-step, how to install, set up, and administer Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server, Linux, and Apache. You’ll also get eight pages of blueprints that map out basic network design topologies and the OSI networking model. Fully updated to cover the latest technologies, this book is the ideal resource for anyone just beginning a career in networking or looking for a refresher course.

• Learn about network cabling, hardware, wireless technologies, and the OSI Model
• Find out how to set up a small office and home office (SOHO) network
• Make LAN and WAN connections using ISDN, DSL, T-1/T-3, ATM, and more
• Work with network protocols—TCP/IP, UDP, DHCP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, VoIP, and others
• Enable remote access through a VPN or using other methods
• Establish plans for network security, backup, and disaster recovery
• Install, configure, and administer Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server, Linux, and Apache
• Maintain and troubleshoot servers and workstations effectively

Bruce Hallberg has been involved in the computer industry for more than 20 years and has consulted for Fortune 1000 firms on the implementation of management information and networking systems. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books.

About the Author

Bruce Hallberg (Cupertino, CA) has been involved in the computer industry for over 20 years. He has consulted nationally for Fortune 1000 firms on the implementation of management information systems and networking systems. He has designed and set up hundreds of networks over the years, including using all versions of NetWare and Windows NT/2000/2003 Server. For the past 10 years, he has been director of Information Systems for a biotechnology company in the SF Bay Area. While no longer a professional programmer, he is competent in a variety of computer languages, including both low- and high-level languages.

He has over 20 book credits, including titles on Windows NT, Netware, Exchange Server, Windows 9x, OS/2, and Microsoft Office.

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 4 edition (August 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072262125
• ISBN-13: 978-0072262124
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid way to get started in network administration..., January 8, 2006

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Networking: A Beginner's Guide, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

It's difficult to find a networking book that covers the basics in comprehensive detail without weighing in at 1000 pages. But this one does a very good job... Networking: A Beginner's Guide (4th Edition) by Bruce Hallberg.

Content:
Part 1 - Networking Ins and Outs: The Business of Networking; Laying the Foundation; Understanding Networking; Understanding Network Cabling; Home Networking; Understanding Network Hardware; Making WAN Connections; Understanding Networking Protocols; Exploring Directory Services; Connections from Afar - Remote Network Access; Securing Your Network; Network Disaster Recovery; Network Servers - Everything You Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask; Purchasing and Managing Client Computers
Part 2 - Hands-on Knowledge: Designing a Network; Installing and Setting Up Windows 2000 Server; Administering Windows 2000 Server - The Basics; Understanding Other Windows 2000 Server Services; Introducing Windows Server 2003; Installing Windows Server 2003; Setting Up Windows Server 2003; Installing Linux in a Server Configuration; Introduction to Linux Systems Administration; Setting Up a Linux Web Server with Apache
Glossary; Index

This is far more than a quickie home networking guide designed to allow you to hook up your wireless laptop. Instead, it's more designed for someone who is interested in learning how to set up a full network and administer it much like a professional would. Hallberg covers everything from cabling on up to the actual network operating system. While the chapters on Windows 2000/2003 aren't designed to be comprehensive reference manuals, they are complete enough to get the fledging network administrator up and running. The information is solid and readable, and working your way through the material would yield a solid foundation from which to start a career in network administration. And you can do so without getting bogged down in endless details that would be beyond you as a starter...

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Place to Start, September 23, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Networking: A Beginner's Guide, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

Note that the sub-title of this book says that it is a Beginner's Guide. It is designed for people who understand computers and have some experience in using operating systems such as Windows, Mac, or Linux. It starts with this base and talks about how to interface these systems into networks.

One thing that I like about this book is that it starts with an overview of what networking is, how the company will benefit, what the goals of establishing a network might be. From there it goes into the types of networks, i.e. peer to peer, client/server. I often find that this overview, what should be the first 40 pages or so of the book, is missing. Here Mr. Hallberg does an excellent job of providing the basic understanding of 'this is what I'm trying to do.'

After 38 pages (not quite a full forty pages, but close) he begins to get down to the nuts and bolts like cabling, repeaters, hubs, switches, and firewalls. From there he goes on about like you would expect to more advanced topics until the basics of networking are pretty well covered.

One particular strong point is the chapter on Network Disaster Recovery. You're going to have a disaster, it's just a matter of time. Having a place to at least start looking for how to recover is very good and not common in beginning level books.

One point I would like to see more of in a beginning book is security. Windows XP has some security features built in. A discussion of using their firewall vs. a hardware firewall would be good. And some discussion of keeping the salesmen out of the accounting package would be nice. Perhaps in the next edition.

Conclusion: A Very Good Place to Start.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!!!, January 4, 2007

By 

Peter Gniewek "Peter G" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Networking: A Beginner's Guide, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

This book is great for everyone who wants to learn about networking. Amazingly it covers a variety of topics easy to understand and follow. I recommend this for for everyone who wants to learn key concepts about networking.