Networking for Dummies

I've often thought that computer books tend to leave out the first forty pages or so that tell you the broad picture of just what it is that you are trying to do. This book can almost be viewed as the front end of any number of dedicated networking books that start off just about where this one ends. This book starts off with the most basic descriptions: "A network is nothing more than two or more computers connected by a cable (or wireless adapter) so that they can share information. From there it goes on to talk about how to set a network up. It's intended for the complete beginner and talks about things like cables, routers, hubs and so on in a simple and clear language interspersed with enough humor to keep you from going to sleep immediately. This book is in reference format, it's not intended to be read from start to finish. Each chapter is self standing so you can go read about your problem of the moment. This book is specifically aimed at the beginner. If you're looking for something on trouble shooting or some of the esoteric aspects of networking you need something higher up.

Who this book is for: This book is intended to help the absolute beginner in computer networking get a basic overview of the issues and terminology involved. It is well-written and contains some of the typical "dummies"-humor helping to keep the text easily digestable.What this book is NOT: A how-to manual that will get your network going if you're sitting in front of a screen clueless on a Sunday morning. That said: after reading this book you won't be clueless any more.On to the detailed contents. The book is divided into six parts:Part I: The absolute basicsNo further info necessary: How to open up your computer, so that you can install a networking card, for example.Part II: Building your own networkPlanning you network; making basic choices of e.g cabling etc.Part III: Network management for dummiesBasic network management: making backups, taking care of securityPart IV: Webifying your networkCreating the connection to the internet; creating websitesPart V: More ways to networkMiscelaneous, like: networking your home, dial-in networks and non-standard hard-/software (MacIntosh; Linux etc.)Part VI: The part of tensA number of top-ten lists, partially amusing, partially uselessAs I wrote: the book is really good in helping you to obtain an overview of the types of networks that exist and the different terminologies/choices involved. Once you have made a decision that you will need/want to create a network involving operating system X running on computers of type y, you will probably need to get another, more specific book to help you dig deeper.If you haven't made that decision yet: Go get this book!

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.

I am a Macintosh graphics professional who recently started a new job for an ad agency. The network guru quit and guess who was left with the responsibility of maintaining and troubleshooting the studio network? This book saved my butt! It's a wonderfully written book geared toward the complete network dummy. I would have paid double.

This is a great beginning book. I have programming experience but was essentially in the dark regarding networking. Thanks to Doug Lowe, I can now see light. I bought the book to help me try to decide whether I wanted to network my home computers - I found out that I probably do not. Incidentally, I learned some interesting things about the networked computer that I use at work which have been very valuable. I would highly recommend this book to individuals who see themselves as clueless or semi-clueless about networking.