Network Know-How (No Starch Press)

Network Know-How An Essential Guide for the Accidental Admin

By John Ross
Publisher: No Starch Press
Released: February 2009
Pages: 288
Format: PDF

Are the machines in your office living isolated lives? Do you have a few computers at home that you want to connect to each other and the Internet? The best way to share files on a group of computers is to create a network. But how do you do that?

Network Know-How is your guide to connecting your machines, filled with practical advice that will show you how to get things done. You will learn the nitty-gritty of network setup, design, and maintenance, from running cables and placing wireless access points to configuring file sharing and printing. This practical and comprehensive guide will teach you how to implement security, create intranets, and more.

You will learn how to:

Connect Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers
Implement network addressing
Configure your network adapters, hubs, switches, and router
Share music, photos, and documents
Automate household appliances and stream digital audio and video to your home entertainment center
Troubleshoot network slowdowns and failures

No matter which operating system you use, and even if you have never installed or run a network before, you will get what you need to know in Network Know-How.


Chapter 1 HOW A NETWORK WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
What is a Network?
Sneakernet
Data Networks and What You Can Do with Them
Chapter 2 TYPES OF NETWORK CONNECTIONS
Packets and Headers
Ethernet
Wi-Fi
Powerline Networks
Other Alternative Wiring Methods
DTE and DCE Equipment
Point-to-Point Networks
Connections Through a Telephone Line
Remote Terminals
Clients and Servers
Chapter 3 HUBS, SWITCHES, AND ROUTERS
Hubs and Switches
LANs and WANs
Bridges and Routers
Combination Boxes
Chapter 4 HOW COMPUTER NETWORKS ARE ORGANIZED
TCP/IP Networks
Network Tools
Chapter 5 DESIGNING YOUR NETWORK
Identifying Current and Future Nodes
The Control Center
What About Wi-Fi?
Chapter 6 INSTALLING THE NETWORK CONTROL CENTER AND ETHERNET CABLES
Connectors, Wall Plates, and Surface Boxes
Ethernet Cable
Pushing Cable Through Walls
The Control Center
Tabletop Control Centers for Small Networks
Chapter 7 ETHERNET NETWORK INTERFACES
Built into the Motherboard
Adding a Network Interface to an Old Computer
Status Lights on Network Adapters
Chapter 8 WI-FI NETWORKS
Types of Wi-Fi Networks
Operating Channels
Access Points
Network Interface Adapters
Wi-Fi Control Programs
Hybrid (Wired-Wireless) Networks
Wi-Fi Security
Chapter 9 FILE SERVERS
Choosing a Computer to Use as a File Server
Windows, Mac, Linux, or . . . ?
Using a Server for File Storage
Using Network-Attached Storage
Backing Up Files to a Server
Using a Server at Home
Chapter 10 CONNECTING YOUR NETWORK TO THE INTERNET
The Internet: From the Cloud to You
Configuring the Network Gateway
Summary
Chapter 11 CONNECTING YOUR COMPUTER TO A NETWORK
Connecting Your Windows Computer to a Network
Connecting Your Macintosh Computer to a Network
Connecting Your Linux or Unix Computer to a Network
Summary
Chapter 12 SHARING FILES THROUGH YOUR NETWORK
File Sharing in Windows XP
File Sharing in Windows Vista
File Sharing on a Macintosh
File Sharing in Linux and Unix
Using Shares
Chapter 13 NETWORK SECURITY
Keeping Intruders Out
Virtual Private Networks
Wireless Security
Physical Security
Windows Update and Patches
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Controlling Your Own Users
Denial of Service Attacks
Conclusion
Chapter 14 PRINTERS AND OTHER DEVICES ON YOUR NETWORK
How to Connect a Printer to Your Network
CUPS: The Common Unix Printing System
All-in-One Devices
Chapter 15 OTHER THINGS YOU CAN CONNECT TO YOUR NETWORK
Using a Microphone and Camera with Your Network
Home Entertainment Networks
Music Through a Home Network
Video Through a Home Network
Game Consoles
Connecting Home Appliances to Your Network
Home Automation
Remote Sensors and Controls
Bar Code Readers and Remote Data Entry
If You Can Convert It to Digits, You Can Put It on the Network
Chapter 16 OTHER NETWORK APPLICATIONS
Remote Desktop
MaxiVista: Adding a Screen
Synchronizing Files
Instant Messaging and Live Communication
Chapter 17 TROUBLESHOOTING
General Troubleshooting Techniques
Viruses and Other Nasties
Other Common Problems
An Alternate Connection to the Internet
The Collective Wisdom of the Internet
Software for Troubleshooting
ISP Problems
Don't Panic