In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, learn how to use today's key networking techniques and technologies to build, secure, and troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. Using this book's straightforward, step-by-step approach, you master every skill you need--from working with Ethernet and Bluetooth to spam prevention to network troubleshooting. Each lesson builds on what you've already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success! Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common networking tasks. Q&A sections at the end of each hour help you test your knowledge. By the Way notes present interesting information related to the discussion. Did You Know? tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks. Watch Out! cautions alert you to possible problems and give you advice on how to avoid them. Learn how to! *Choose the right network hardware and software and use it to build efficient, reliable networks *Implement secure, high-speed Internet connections *Provide reliable remote access to your users *Administer networks to support users of Microsoft, Linux, and UNIX environments *Use low-cost Linux servers to provide file and print services to Windows PCs *Protect your networks and data against today's most dangerous threats *Use virtualization to save money and improve business flexibility *Utilize RAID technologies to provide flexible storage at lower cost *Troubleshoot and fix network problems one step at a time *Preview and prepare for the future of networking Introduction 1 Hour 1: An Overview of Networking 3 Hour 2: The Benefits of Networking 19 Hour 3: Getting Data from Here to There: How Networking Works 29 Hour 4: Computer Concepts 49 Hour 5: Network Concepts 71 Hour 6: Extending LANs with Wide Area Networks (WANs) 95 Hour 7: Mobile Wireless Networking 117 Hour 8: Remote Networking 129 Hour 9: Planning for the Network 143 Hour 10: Designing a Network 155 Hour 11: Selecting Network Hardware and Software 179 Hour 12: Assembling a Network 199 Hour 13: Network Applications 211 Hour 14: Connecting to the Internet: Initial Operations 231 Hour 15: Connecting to the Internet: Key Supporting Operations 247 Hour 16: Microsoft Networking 271 Hour 17: UNIX and Linux Networking 289 Hour 18: Putting the Pieces Together 301 Hour 19: Role of the Network Administrator 309 Hour 20: Security 319 Hour 21: Managing a Network 339 Hour 22: Network Troubleshooting 355 Hour 23: A Day in the Life of a Network Administrator 373 Hour 24: Where Are Networks Going from Here? 383 Glossary 389 Index 397

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Hour 1: An Overview of Networking 3 Hour 2: The Benefits of Networking 19 Hour 3: Getting Data from Here to There: How Networking Works 29 Hour 4: Computer Concepts 49 Hour 5: Network Concepts 71 Hour 6: Extending LANs with Wide Area Networks (WANs) 95 Hour 7: Mobile Wireless Networking 117 Hour 8: Remote Networking 129 Hour 9: Planning for the Network 143 Hour 10: Designing a Network 155 Hour 11: Selecting Network Hardware and Software 179 Hour 12: Assembling a Network 199 Hour 13: Network Applications 211 Hour 14: Connecting to the Internet: Initial Operations 231 Hour 15: Connecting to the Internet: Key Supporting Operations 247 Hour 16: Microsoft Networking 271 Hour 17: UNIX and Linux Networking 289 Hour 18: Putting the Pieces Together 301 Hour 19: Role of the Network Administrator 309 Hour 20: Security 319 Hour 21: Managing a Network 339 Hour 22: Network Troubleshooting 355 Hour 23: A Day in the Life of a Network Administrator 373 Hour 24: Where Are Networks Going from Here? 383 Glossary 389 Index 397

Author Biography

Uyless Black has written 35 books on computer networks. He was one of the first writers to publish a book on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and related Internet protocols. His book Voice over IP (VoIP) remains a best seller in the field of data communications texts. Uyless has many years of experience as a programmer and in creating and managing data communications networks. His educational credentials include a B.S. from the University of New Mexico, an M.S. in computer systems from the American University, and a graduate degree from Rutgers' Stonier Graduate School of Banking.