Network Know-How: An Essential Guide for the Accidental Admin (Paperback)

~ John Ross Dr (Author)
Key Phrases: tower computer, simple file sharing, network setup disk, Network Security, Windows Vista, Remote Desktop (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Network Know-How is a great book....I highly recommend [it]" --Associated Content

Review

Network Know-How "is very well written and delivers lots of practical information."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press (February 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593271913
• ISBN-13: 978-1593271916
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,861 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #18 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Hardware > Internet & Networking
  #66 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Networking > Intranets & Extranets

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just the Facts, Ma'am, March 11, 2009

By	John Jacobson (Riverside CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Network Know-How is a straight to the point description of networks, what they do, how they operate, and how to manage them. The book is largely free of jargon and arcane, obscure terminology. Of course, normal network lingo has a certain amount of jargon, but the author does a good job of laying out the essentials in an easy to understand format.

Wired and wireless networks are covered, and good advice is given on securing wireless networks. Router functions are described in detail, the basics of using network file servers and network attached storage are documented. Instructions on setting up network access in Windows XP, Vista, Leopard, and Linux are provided. There is some basic information on a few of the network tools that provide problem solving abilities, such as IpConfig, ping, and TraceRoute.

There is a section on home entertainment, including setting up a media center, attaching a TIVO, and attaching your game console, such as a WII, PlayStation, or Xbox 360 to your network.

Finally, there is a brief outline of what to do when things don't work, a troubleshooting section. It is rudimentary, but does provide a place to start when you have a problem. A 14 page index is included.

This is an excellent reference for the occasional network administrator, or as the subtitle says, the "accidental admin." Those who work in network administration will not find much in this book of interest, and those looking for more detail should look elsewhere. Recommended for its target audience.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book For Today's "Accidental Network Administrator", March 4, 2009

By	Ira Laefsky "Ira Laefsky" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just as until 1983(or so) computers were a tool for specialists and very knowledgeable geeks and rapidly thereafter became a vital skill for every American in the home, small and large business--so today, networking is now a skill needed by every home and small business user--and this is the book for them. You can't call the network administrator, when you need to download a spreadsheet from the laptop you brought home from work, or connect it to the Internet on your home network. Someone in your home is going to want to connect the TiVo, Xbox, or MP3 player to your home network; or your going to need to install a router and Ethernet cards in your own Mom & Pop business. This well illustrated, and well explained volume will meet the needs of everyone who must become their own network administrator. It says just enough about TCP/IP and and the theory of networking, all you need to know about basic network equipment, software, WI-FI, and network security, and adds the information you need about music, multimedia, video and gaming. It clearly explains everything you need to install and maintain a home and small business network without burdening the home user with endless theory, or making them an electrician.
It does address the most important concerns, and requirements of the home and small business user; and unlike many networking texts it explains what you need to get the most benefit of home entertainment equipment networked to your computer and the Internet. The book has all of the necessary and extremely clear black and white diagrams and screen shots of software and equipment. This inexpensive volume will become a necessary companion to all home and small business users who must now install and maintain a computer network to meet their own needs and desires.
--Ira Laefsky

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For someone with absoloutely no experience in networks, August 4, 2009

By	abc123 - See all my reviews

This would be a good book to introduce a person who has never done more than plug in a cable into their network card; for anyone else I'm afraid it is far too basic. The book has excessive amounts of what I consider 'filler.' For example: keeping your cables neat and orderly is emphasized several times, along with not accidentally connecting to your neighbor's wi-fi connection, devices must be within range of your wi-fi router to work, etc. The diagrams are overly simplified and important diagrams, like how to create a patch cable are left out. Far too often the book tells the reader to simply read the manual for whatever device is being set up.

This book is not completely without merit, it offers a broad overview of home networking but it is not a book you will likely reference after you have read it.

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