Book Description
Networking in easy steps is a clear, practical guide for anyone who wants to take their first steps in computer networking. Whether you're thinking of setting up a wired or wireless, home or small office network, or starting a community wireless network to share broadband Internet access in your neighbourhood, this book will show you how.
More Information...
The book takes you through the basics of wired Ethernet networks and the various types of wireless network - public hotspots as well as ad hoc and infrastructure modes. For each type of network, hardware selection and installation, and both basic and more advanced configuration are covered in detail. Key topics such as wireless network security and network troubleshooting are also covered extensively.
For those who want to understand a little about what makes it all work, the detailed step by step guides to network setup are complemented by short descriptions of some of the technological aspects of networks, and a web directory of useful information sites plus a comprehensive glossary will help you to develop your networking knowledge and skills.
A look at some new and upcoming developments in home networking will show you what's in store in the digital home of the not so distant future.
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[ Book Description | Book Contents | About the Author | Related Titles ]
Book Contents
1 Introduction to Networking [...]
Who Needs a Network?
Why Go Wireless?
What Makes a Network Work?
Key Stages in Developing Your Network 8 Wireless Network Security [...]
What? at Stake?
Wireless Security Best Practice
Wi-Fi Protected Access
Updating Windows XP for WPA
Updating Windows XP with Service Pack 1 Updates
Updating Wireless Adapter Drivers for WPA
2 Wired Networking Basics [...]
Making the Most of USB
Protocols and Packets
Network Topologies
Wired Network Components
Installing a Network Interface Card and Drivers
Wiring Up Your Network 9 Extending Wireless Network Range [...]
Why Worry About Range?
Making the Most of What You?e Got
Using an External Antenna to Increase Range
Do-It-Yourself Antennas
Wireless Network Bridging
Community Wireless
Setup Your Own Wireless ISP (WISP)
3 Network Resource Sharing [...]
Network Setup Using Windows XP
Sharing Files and Folders
Sharing a Printer
Sharing a Drive
My Network Places
Network Protocols and Services
Internet Protocol (IP) Addressing 10 Network Troubleshooting [...]
First Analyze the Problem
Troubleshooting Network Adapters
Troubleshooting Network Resource Hosts
Troubleshooting Network Connections
Wireless Interference
Troubleshooting Internet Connection Sharing
Wireless Zero Configuration is Not Accessible
Checking Network Connectivity
Other DOS Diagnostic Tools
Diagnostics Using MS Help and Support Center
4 Going Mobile: Hotspot Networking [...]
Introducing Wireless Hotspots
Wireless Network Adapters for Laptop Computers
Installing a Laptop Wireless Network Adapter
Finding a Wireless Hotspot
Connecting to Hotspot Services
Hotspots in the USA and Canada
Hotspots in the UK and Europe
International Hotspots
Hotspot Security
Using a non-Windows Connection Manager
Ad hoc Wireless Networking 11 The Future of Networking [...]
What? in Store?
Networked Media: Wi-Fi Meets Hi-Fi
Tomorrow? Phone: Wi-Fi + VoIP
The Networked Home
5 Introduction to Ad hoc Wireless Networking [...]
Wireless Network Adapters for Desktop Computers
Installing a Wireless Adapter in Windows XP
Connecting to an Ad hoc Wireless Network
Creating a New Ad hoc Wireless Network
Maintaining Security for Ad hoc Networks 12 Networking Information Sources [...]
General Networking
Wireless Networking
Hotspot Directories
Community Wireless
General Wireless Topics
Offbeat Wireless Topics
Buying Networking Gear
Digital Home
Network Troubleshooting
6 Advanced Networking Options [...]
Internet Connection Sharing
Managing a Shared Internet Connection
Using Internet Connection Firewall
Enabling the ICF Log File
Viewing the ICF Log File
Using the ICF Log File to Monitor Internet Traffic
Monitoring Network Performance 13 Understanding the Specs [...]
Networking Alphabet Soup
What Does It All Mean?
7 Infrastructure Mode Wireless Networking [...]
Introduction to Infrastructure Mode
Access Points for Home and Small Office Networks
Installing the Access Point/Router
Checking PC Configuration
Basic Access Point/Router Configuration
Advanced Access Point/Router Configuration
DHCP Server Setup
MAC Address Filtering
Internet Filters
Advanced Options: Port Forwarding
Advanced Options: Routing
Advanced Options: Dynamic Domain Name System
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[ Book Description | Book Contents | About the Author | Related Titles ]
About the Author
Steve Rackley has been working with and programming computers, from microprocessor machine code to mathematical modelling on supercomputers, for over 30 years ·and still fondly remembers the sound of the first input device he ever operated - an IBM 80-column card punch machine. His writing reflects a long-term interest in the innovative use of new information technologies in the home.
