Sams Teach Yourself Networking in 24 Hours - Softcover

Black, Uyless

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0768685761 ISBN 13: 9780768685763

Publisher: Sams Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

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

 

About this title

About the Author

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.

 

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Introduction

This book provides a reference guide for anyone who wants to get up to speed on computer network concepts and networking technologies. Because each piece of networking hardware and software operates differently, it would require a book the size of the New York City white pages to cover all aspects of the subject. Thus, this book concentrates on fundamental concepts. Emphasis is placed on understanding how the major components of a computer network function and how to use proven practices to deploy, upgrade, and maintain the network.

What’s New in This Edition

This book has been overhauled for this Fourth Edition, including scores of references to commercial products and websites. New coverage has been added related to Microsoft Windows Server software. Updated information on the Linux platform and wide area networks (WANs) is also included. The wireless material on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth has been updated and expanded. As well, the latest Internet security protocols have been added to Hour 20, “Security.”

Organization of This Book

The book is divided into six parts. Each part provides a body of information that covers a specific area pertaining to computer networks.

• Part I, “What Is Networking?,” introduces networking, including an overview of the primary components of computer networks. This part explains the broader issues of how hardware and software function to support the interworking of computers, servers, routers, and other devices.
• Part II, “The Basics,” focuses on the concepts underlying data networks. We examine how packet-switching operates and look at the operations of local area networks (LANs) and WANs. This part discusses computer network protocols and explains a widely used conceptual model that depicts how a sending computer transfers data to a receiving computer. Because of the impact and importance of wireless networks, the hour on this topic has been moved from Part VI (of the previous edition) to this part of the book.
• Part III, “Building Networks,” walks you through the process of planning and building a network from conception to implementation. Issues related to planning network capacity, creating the network, and then connecting to the Internet are included as part of the discussion. For this latter discussion, the information of TCP/IP and related, supporting protocols has been expanded.
• Part IV, “Network Operating Systems,” provides an overview of network operating systems, the major network servers, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003/2008, UNIX, and Linux.
• Part V, “Network Administration,” examines the issues related to administering a network. This part includes discussions on both troubleshooting and management.
• Part VI, “The Future of Networking,” examines future possible implementations of wireless technology, operating systems, and other aspects of networking. This part discusses the issues related to the future of Linux, the emerging network “cloud,” nationwide wireless hotspots, and the extraordinary field of protein-based computers.

For these 24 hours, you will be the designer of a computer network, as well as its implementer. After you have successfully created a plan for the system, you will undo the shrink-wrap and assemble the components. Next, you will take over the role of the network administrator and make sure the users are happy with your creation. Don’t worry—you’ve been blessed with a competent project team; you can delegate a lot of the work to them.

Conventions Used in This Book

Each hour starts with “What You’ll Learn in This Hour,” which is a brief list of bulleted points highlighting the hour’s contents. A summary concluding each hour provides similar though more detailed insight reflecting what you should have gained from the hour.

This book has several unique elements to help you as you’re learning networking. Throughout the book, you’ll see the following elements:

Did You Know? - This element offers advice or teaches an easier way to do something.

By the Way? - This element provides additional information that’s directly related to the surrounding discussion.

Watch Out - This element advises you about potential problems and helps you steer clear of disaster.

I look forward to hearing your comments about this book and learning about your ideas. Please feel free to communicate with me at UylessBlack. com.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sams Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0768685761
• ISBN 13: 9780768685763
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 428