Home Networking

Table of Contents

I. STARTING YOUR NETWORK.

1. Why You Want Your Own Network.

• Big and Scary Networks: The Simplest Introduction You’ll Ever Read.
• What Networks Really Are.
• How Networks Really Work.
• A Network Really Isn’t Too Complicated for You.
• Learning How to Share.
• Sharing Your Files.
• Sharing Printers.
• Sharing an Internet Connection.
• Sharing Multimedia.
• Headline: Entertainment Network Wows Friends and Neighbors.
• Home Entertainment Centers.
• Wireless Game Consoles.
• Internet Radio.
• Wireless Webcams.
• Working Remotely.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

2. Home Networking Basics.

• The Two Flavors of Home Networks.
• Wired Networks.
• Wireless Networks.
• Hardware Basics: Making Sense of All That Stuff.
• Network Adapters.
• Hubs.
• Switches.
• Routers.
• Access Points.
• Gateways.
• Software Basics: Details Only a Geek Could Love.
• Network Clients.
• Protocols and Drivers.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

II. STARTING YOUR NETWORK.

3. Choosing the Best Network Type.

• What Do You “Need”?
• Wired or Wireless? That Is the Question.
• Wired Networks: Making the Right Connections.
• Ethernet Networks.
• Phone Line Networks.
• Power Line.
• Wireless Options: Deciphering the Protocol Soup.
• 802.11b.
• 802.11a.
• 802.11g.
• Bluetooth.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

4. Selecting Network Hardware: Your Complete Buying Guide.

• Cost Versus Performance Considerations: It’s Your Money.
• Making Sure It All Works Together: It Depends on Your Connections.
• Wired Network Hardware: The Nuts and Bolts.
• Choosing a Router.
• Choosing Network Adapters.
• Wireless Network Hardware: Nuts, Bolts, and Waves.
• Choosing a Wireless Router.
• Choosing Wireless Network Adapters.
• Adding More Access Points.
• Adding a Wireless Print Server.
• Setting Up a Mixed Network: Where Wired Meets Wireless.
• Wired/Wireless Routers.
• Wireless Ethernet Bridges.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

5. Installing Your Network Hardware: This Won’t Hurt a Bit.

• Installing Network Adapters: It’s Easier Than You Think.
• PCI Network Adapters.
• PC Card Network Adapters.
• USB Network Adapters.
• Adding a Switch, a Router, or an Access Point: The Center of Your Network.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

6. Configuring Your Network: Bringing Everything Together.

• Setting Up Your PCs: Be a Matchmaker.
• Using the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard.
• Setting Your PC’s Name in Windows 2000.
• Setting Your PC’s Name in Windows 98 or Windows Me.
• Setting Up a Router/Gateway: Making the Internet Accessible.
• Sorting Out the Internet Names.
• Finding Your Router on the Network.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

III. ENHANCING YOUR NETWORK.

7. Making Your Network Secure: Locking the Network’s Door.

• Understanding Security: You May Not Want It, but You Need It.
• Limiting Access: Closing the Barn Door Before the Cow Gets Out.
• Firewalls.
• Wireless Network Security.
• Antivirus Solutions: This Won’t Hurt a Bit.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

8. Sharing Your Network.

• Setting Up Shares: Getting to Files, Folders, and Printers on Your Network.
• Sharing Your Files.
• Sharing a Printer.
• Sharing Your Broadband Connection.
• Sharing Over a Longer Distance.
• Raising Your Router.
• Raising Your Antenna.
• Adding an External Antenna.
• Limiting Remote Access: Keeping It Private.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

9. The Magic of Entertainment Options.

• Network Entertainment Centers: Spreading the Fun Around the House.
• Wireless Media Adapters: Connecting More Than PCs.
• Streaming Media: Movies and Fun on Demand.
• Internet Radio: Music and News from Around the World.
• Online Gaming: Go One-On-One with Your Game Console.
• Wireless Internet Cameras: Your Own Webcam.
• Alternative Webcam Software.
• What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
• Summary.
http://www.dropshippers.co.za/

Index.