Networking for Dummies, Sixth Edition (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Computer networks get a bad rap in the movies..." (more)
Key Phrases: network binder, dedicated server computer, network starter kit, Internet Explorer, Red Hat, Token Ring (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Computers in business environments become exponentially helpful and critical for daily operations when they're linked together in local area networks (LANs) that enable coworkers to share files, Internet access, and valuable resources like printers and plotters. Building a network of IBM-compatible PCs requires careful strategic planning, and Networking for Dummies, Fourth Edition, will help you sort out the technical details as painlessly as possible.

This book helps you figure out whether you need a LAN at all--the author isn't shy about recommending simpler solutions such as printer switches--and then helps you get everything hooked up. Mainly, Lowe describes LANs in an accurate and comprehensive, though somewhat generic, way.

Once it has been determined that you need a network operating system, Lowe describes the characteristics of several good ones (including NetWare 4.2, NetWare 5, Windows NT 4, and LANtastic). He also explains network architectures, cabling systems, and security issues. New to this edition is information on transforming your LAN into an intranet by adapting internal protocols to Internet standards. There's lots of solid information on troubleshooting and optimizing performance too.

Much of the valuable information in Networking for Dummies comes in the form of scenarios. Lowe uses short situations and explains, specifically, what networking hardware and software will be required or beneficial. Find a story that matches your situation and you'll be in business. --David Wall --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...a good basics book...if you want to Ethernet more than a couple of machines." -- Portable Computing, May 2000 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 6 edition (November 4, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764516779
• ISBN-13: 978-0764516771
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #559,706 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction for the novice, October 2, 1999

By	Michael Brand ([e-mail]) (San Antonio, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Networking for Dummies (Paperback)

This book (4th Edition) answered the questions I had about networking my small business. Specifically, I needed to know: 1) should I use a peer-to-peer or a client/server LAN, 2) if client/server, should the server be dedicated as a server or could the server also be used as a workstation, 3) which operating system would be most appropriate for the clients or peers, 4) which network operationing system would be most appropriate for a server, 5) is the installation of the network within my scope.

Before buying the book I had searched the Web in vain (both computing-specific sites and search engines) looking for answers to these questions. This book provided the information I needed to answer all five questions. The information is very product specific (eg, Novell NetWare can be difficult to install and the complication and expense is not justified for a five-user network; a peer-to-peer LAN is easy to set up with Win95 or Win98; PCI network cards are much easier to configure than the older styles). The book is well written (ie, easy to read, to-the-point, relevant).

If you decide to install a peer-to-peer LAN with Win98, this is probably the only book you will need. If you decide to install a client/server LAN with a network operating system (NOS) such as NetWare or NT Server, you will probably need a book specific to those systems for installation and maintenance (there are Dummy books for both systems - which I haven't yet read). If you don't know which NOS to use, this book can help you decide.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Definately for beginners, December 21, 1999

By	C. McGlone - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Networking for Dummies, Third Edition (Paperback)

Not a bad book, but it is VERY basic. If you have worked with a network before, there is little information you can glean from this text. For someone who knows little about networks, or computers as a whole, this may be a good purchase. Do not, however, expect this book to teach you everything you need to know about working with a network. It is very simple, which makes the topics easy to understand, but expect to get another book centering on your particular network if you plan to do some serious networking. I would, however, recommend this book to newbies in networking as it goes over terms and concepts that everyone must know.

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Should be called "Beginning Networking for Dummies", September 4, 2000

By	j.d. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Networking for Dummies (Paperback)

I am a "Computer Specialist" and can only recommend this book to beginners, or basic computer users who want to get an idea of what a network is. This book gives an introduction to networking, and leaves a lot of loose ends. If the book didn't claim to give you the knowledge to build and manage "any size network," and said it was only for beginners, I'D GIVE IT MORE STARS. It's a good read; it's just too basic for all the claims made on the front, and back covers.

I also have to argue with some of the authors suggestions that users (who have read this book) should try to trouble-shoot the network before calling a guru. That's fine if you really are the one who is supposed to be doing that, it's your network, or you work in a "mom and pop" company. Don't do it otherwise. You're likely to get in trouble, or at least be thought of as a "Dummy." If you want to be a networking pro - and have very little, to no knowledge - start here and move up to more complete information. Good luck on your pursuit of knowledge. :)