CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide

CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide: Exam N10-004, Second Edition, offers a practical guide for those interested in pursuing CompTIA Network+ certification. It presents the fundamental terminology needed to perform duties as a network technician and to pass the CompTIA Network+ exam.

The book begins with a brief history of the development of networks, including their origins and where they are heading. It describes network models such as centralized and decentralized, and distinguishes between a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). The discussions include cable connections and termination for the Network+ exam; the meaning of convergence; and the most common network devices being used on small and large networks, including the Internet. The role of switches in improving network functionality and enhancing security is described. The book also contains chapters on wireless networking; Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model; Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); wide area network (WAN) technologies; network security; and network management and troubleshooting.

Rob Shimonski (www.shimonski.com) is an experienced entrepreneur and an active participant in the business community. Rob is a best-selling author and editor with over 15 years experience developing, producing and distributing print media in the form of books, magazines and periodicals. To date, Rob has successfully created over 100 books that are currently in circulation. Rob has worked for countless companies to include CompTIA, Entrepreneur Magazine, Microsoft, McGraw Hill Education, Cisco, the National Security Agency and Digidesign. Rob has an extremely diverse background in the print media industry filling roles such as author, co-author, technical editor, copy editor and developmental editor. Since print media shifted to the digital domain, Rob has focused the past decade on developing all of the needed skills to produce professional audio and video media. An expert in Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) design and video production, Rob has created over 500 different media packages to include commercials for TV, online advertising clips, audio podcasts and much more. Rob started to train others while in the US Marine Corps. Since, Rob has held a NY State teaching certificate as well as multiple trainer roles in colleges and trade schools across the world.

Naomi Alpern currently works for Microsoft as a consultant specializing in unified communications. She holds many Microsoft certifications, including an MCSE and MCT, as well as additional industry certifications such as Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator, Security+, Network+, and A+. Since the start of her technical career she has worked in many facets of the technology world, including IT administration, technical training, and most recently, full-time consulting.

Michael Cross is a SharePoint Administrator and Developer, and has worked in the areas of software development, Web design, hardware installation/repairs, database administration, graphic design, and network administration. Working for law enforcement, he is part of an Information Technology team that provides support to over 1,000 civilian and uniformed users. His theory is that when the users carry guns, you tend to be more motivated in solving their problems.

Michael has a diverse background in technology. He was the first computer forensic analyst for a local police service, and performed digital forensic examinations on computers involved in criminal investigations. Over five years, he recovered and examined evidence involved in a wide range of crimes, inclusive to homicides, fraud, and possession of child pornography. In addition to this, he successfully tracked numerous individuals electronically, as in cases involving threatening e-mail. He has consulted and assisted in numerous cases dealing with computer-related/Internet crimes and served as an expert witness on computers for criminal trials. In 2007, he was awarded a Police Commendation for work he did in developing a system to track local high-risk offenders and sexual offenders.

With extensive experience in Web design and Internet-related technologies, Michael has created and maintained numerous Web sites and implementations of Microsoft SharePoint. This has included public Web sites, private ones on corporate intranets, and solutions that integrate them. In doing so, he has incorporated and promoted social networking features, created software to publish press releases online, and developed a wide variety of solutions that make it easier to get work done.

Michael has been a freelance writer and technical editor on over four dozen I.T. related books, as well as writing material for other genres. He previously taught as an instructor and has written courseware for IT training courses. He has also made presentations on Internet safety, SharePoint and other topics related to computers and the Internet. Despite his experience as a speaker, he still finds his wife won't listen to him.

Over the years, Michael has acquired a number of certifications from Microsoft, Novell and Comptia, including MCSE, MCP+I, CNA, Network+. When he isn’t writing or otherwise attached to a computer, he spends as much time as possible with the joys of his life: his lovely wife, Jennifer; darling daughter Sara; adorable daughter Emily; and charming son Jason.

For the latest information on him, his projects, and a variety of other topics, you can follow him on Twitter @mybinarydreams, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mybinarydreams, follow him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mcross1, or read his blog at http://mybinarydreams.wordpress.com.

Dustin L. Fritz [BSISS; E|CSA] is owner and Chief Executive Officer of The Computer Network Defense Group LLC in Owings Mills, Maryland providing executive-level strategic and tactical cybersecurity consulting services. He specializes in Information Operations Conditions, Information Assurance Vulnerability Management, risk and vulnerability assessments, certification-n-accreditation, security awareness and planning, configuration management, and incident response team development.

Dustin has over 10 years of Information Assurance and Computer Network Defense (CND) experience, with core foundations in creating enterprise-wide CND strategies for the Department of the Navy, realigning incident response throughout the United States Pacific Fleet, and implementing the first-ever Information Operations Condition response team (IRT). Dustin’s contributions and outstanding achievements in cybersecurity have been consistently recognized over the years by the United States Navy and the Secretary of the Navy; most recently in November 2007 for his actions in attaining 100 percent readiness for all Forward Deployed Naval Forces. Dustin holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security (BSISS) from Westwood College out of Denver, Colorado and is a EC-Council | Certified Security Analyst (E|CSA). He is an active member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Association of Information Technology Professionals, the Cyber Warfare Forum Initiative and can always be found speaking in public about cybersecurity and providing professional mentoring. Along with being the technical editor for Dissecting the Hack: The Forbidden Network, Dustin has also contributed to Syngress’ CompTIA Network+ Certification Study Guide (2009) (ISBN-10: 1597494291; ISBN-13: 978-1597494298) as a technical editor and author.

Mohan Krishnamurthy Madwachar (MCSE, CCA) is the GM-Network Security at Almoayed Group in Bahrain. Mohan is a key contributor to Almoayed Group's projects division and plays an important role in the organization's network security initiatives. Mohan has a strong networking, security, and training background. His tenure with companies such as Schlumberger Omnes and Secure Network Solutions India adds to his experience and expertise in implementing large and complex network and security projects. Mohan holds leading IT industry-standard and vendor certifications in systems, networking, and security. He is a member of the IEEE and PMI. Mohan has coauthored five books published by Syngress: Designing & Building Enterprise DMZs (ISBN: 1597491004), Configuring Juniper Networks NetScreen & SSG Firewalls (ISBN: 1597491187), How to Cheat at Securing Linux (ISBN: 1597492078), How to Cheat at Administering Office Communications Server 2007 (ISBN: 1597492126), and Microsoft Forefront Security Administration Guide (ISBN: 1597492447). He also writes newspaper columns on various subjects and has contributed to leading content companies as a technical writer and subject matter expert.