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Computer Times
August 2005

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Home Networking Simplified

It takes a lot to impress us when it comes to books, but Home Networking Simplified (Retail $24.99; By Jim Doherty, Neil Anderson; Published by Cisco Press; ISBN: 1587201364) is impressive. This is not just a boring list of instructions. It is a completely illustrated home networking handbook for the everyday user that provides lots of pictures to help you understand every facet of networking your home. This book will meet the needs of everyone from beginners to tech-savvy teenagers.

Home Networking Simplified gives you the most basic need-to-know info and then teaches you how to get the most out of your home network:

• Learn the basics of home networking, from connecting to the Internet to connecting your computers
• Create a basic home network
• Grow and update your network with confidence
• Secure your home network and protect yourself from hackers and viruses
• Go wireless to put your computers where you want them-not just where cables reach
• Learn about the latest technologies, emerging trends, and coolest toys

Whether you're a newbie, a geek, or someone in-between, Home Networking Simplified helps you harness the power of home networking by giving vivid illustrations and taking you step by step through every facet of your network. The photo below is an actual digital photo taken from the open book. This illustration format is continued throughout the book, showing you each device, "What Does It Look Like?" and "Where Does It Plug Into?" It doesn't get any simpler than that.

As you can see by the Table of Contents, shown below, this is a comprehensive book that takes you through the entire process of home networking. So, whether you are a beginner looking for hand-holding instructions, or an experienced user looking for some confidence, this is the book for you. It is everything you would expect from Cisco, the network specialists, and a whole lot more.

Foreword

Introduction

• PC Hardware and Network Interface Cards
• Installing Devices in Computers
• Configuring New Devices in Microsoft Windows

• Bits and Bytes
• Network Media Types
• Twisted-Pair Cable
• Coaxial Cable
• Wireless Networks
• Comparing Media Types
• What Is an IP Address?
• Dynamically Allocated IP Addresses
• Domain Name Server (DNS)

• The Internet
• TCP/IP

• A Network of Networks
• What Are HTTP and HTML and What Do They Do?
• Internet Access Options
• Modems
• The Internet and Its Applications
• E-Mail
• E-Mail Tools
• What Is Up with the @ Sign?
• Sending E-Mails
• Receiving E-Mails
• How to Build It: Connecting to the Internet
• Decide on the Type of Modem
• Physically Install the Modem
• Internal Modem in a Desktop Computer
• Internal Modem in a Laptop Computer
• External Modem
• Configure Windows to "Talk To" the Modem
• Set Up a Dialup Connection to the Internet
• Set Up Access to E-Mail

• Planning a Network
• Designing Your Network
• Building Your Network
• How to Build It: Connecting Two Computers
• Decide on the Type of NICs
• Physically Install the NIC
• Internal NIC in a Desktop Computer
• Internal PCMCIA NIC in a Laptop Computer
• External NIC for a Desktop or Laptop Computer
• Configure Windows to "Talk To" the NIC
• Build a Network Between the Two Computers
• Back-to-Back
• Using a Hub, Switch, or Router
• Set Up the Network in Windows
• Troubleshooting Tips: Building a Network

• File Sharing
• Printer Sharing
• Practicing Safe Share
• Sharing Guidelines
• Network Design Guidelines
• How to Build It: File and Printer Sharing
• Enable File and Printer Sharing
• Share a File Over the Network
• Map a Shared File Folder as a Disk Drive
• Share a Printer Over the Network
• Map a Shared Printer
• Add Security Precautions to File and Printer Sharing

• Broadband Revolution
• Different Types of Broadband
• DSL
• Cable
• Satellite
• Wireless (Cellular)
• Accelerated Dialup
• Providers
• Need for Speed
• Selecting a Broadband Service
• Online Resources to Help You Choose a Broadband Provider
• Keep This Important Information
• How to Build It: Broadband Internet Access
• Decide on a Home Network Design
• One-Computer Network
• Two-Computer Network
• Multiple-Computer Network
• Wireless Network
• Router Comparison
• Set Up the Broadband Equipment
• Broadband Cable Connection
• Broadband DSL Connection
• Configure the Router for Broadband Service
• Configure the Router for the Home Network
• Check the Access to the Internet

Chapter 8 From the Geek Squad Files

Part III Look Ma, No Wires

Chapter 9 ABGs of Wireless

• Wireless LANs
• Standards Soup
• 802.11b
• 802.11a
• 802.11g
• Comparing the IEEE WLAN Standards
• Selecting the Right Wireless Standard for Your Network
• Compatibility
• Speed
• Cost
• Additional Considerations
• Recommendations

• Planning Your Wireless Network
• Wireless Network Topologies
• Sketching a Network Layout
• Making a Shopping List
• Turning Up the Network
• Select an SSID
• Select a Wireless Channel
• How to Build It: Going Wireless
• Install and Set Up a Wireless Router
• Install and Set Up Wireless NICs
• Configuring an Existing Built-In Wireless NIC
• Check Wireless Network Operation

• Why Should I Worry About Wireless Network Security?
• What Do I Do About It?
• Don't Advertise Your Wireless Network
• Scramble Your Signal
• How to Build It: Securing Your Wireless Network
• Stop Advertising Your Wireless Network
• Enable Wireless Encryption
• Enabling WEP Encryption on the Wireless Router
• Enabling WEP Encryption Using the NIC's Utility
• Enabling WEP Encryption Under Windows XP
• WPA Encryption Example
• Disable Ad-Hoc Networking
• Wireless Security Checklist
• Final Thoughts on Wireless Security

• What Is a Hotspot?
• How to Find a Hotspot
• Hotspot Options and Costs
• How to Build It: Using Wireless Hotspots
• Discover and Connect to a Hotspot
• Pass the Hotspot Membership Test
• What Not to Do When Using a Hotspot

• Introduction to Security Software
• Lines of Defense
• Security Software "Bundles"
• Firewalls
• How Firewalls Work
• What Firewalls Protect You From
• Hiding Your Network Addresses
• How to Build It: Protecting Your Network from Intruders
• Turning on a Firewall in the Router
• Installing a Personal Firewall on Each Computer
• Installing a Professional Personal Firewall Program
• Installing a Free Personal Firewall Program
• Enabling the Windows Firewall
• Keeping Windows Security Up to Date
• Where to Go for More Info

• What Is a Virus?
• Where Viruses Live
• Other Nasty Stuff
• Worms
• Trojan Horses
• Protecting Yourself Against Malicious Code
• Common Sense
• Antivirus Programs
• How Do Antivirus Programs Work?
• What Happens with New Viruses?
• How to Build It: Preventing Viruses and Other Malicious Software from Infecting
• Your Network
• Turn on Antivirus Protection at Your Service Provider
• Set up Antivirus Protection on Your Home Computers
• Make Sure Automatic Updating Is Working
• Perform an Initial Virus Scan
• Where to Go for More Info

• Spam
• How Spam Works
• How to Block Spam
• Cookies
• How Cookies Work
• Bad Cookies
• Pop-Ups
• How Pop-Ups Work
• How to Get Rid of Pop-Ups
• Spyware/Adware
• How Spyware or Adware Works
• How to Get Rid of Spyware and Adware
• Additional Scams
• Phishing
• Urban Legends
• How to Build It: Preventing Network Vulnerabilities
• Turn on Spam Blocking at Your Service Provider
• Set Up Spam Blocking on Your Home Computers
• Avoid Phishing Scams
• Set Up Spyware and Adware Blocking on Your Home Computers
• Set Up Pop-Up Blocking on Home Computers
• Where to Go for More Info

• What Are the Online Dangers?
• Pornography
• Predators
• Gambling
• Hacking
• Illegal Peer-to-Peer Sharing
• Protecting Your Family from Online Dangers
• How to Build It: Making the Internet Safe
• Decide Which Parental Controls Are Right for You
• Enable Parental Controls at Your ISP
• Enable Parental Controls Using Your Home Router
• Enable Parental Controls on Home Computers
• Security Bundle Parental Control Option
• NetNanny Option
• How to Track Internet Activity
• Where to Go for More Info

• How to Build It: Wireless Print Server
• Set Up the Wireless Print Server for Your Wireless Network
• Connect Printers to the Wireless Printer Server
• Install the Wireless Print Server Driver on Each Computer
• Print a Test Page

• How to Build It: Wireless Internet Video Cameras
• Set Up the Wireless Internet Video Camera for Your Wireless Network
• Configure the Video Camera Security
• Viewing Video from Within Your House
• Viewing Images with an Internet Browser
• Installing and Viewing Images with the Viewer Client
• Viewing Video over the Internet
• Problems with Viewing Video over the Internet
• Use the Video Camera as a Motion Detector

• How IP Telephony Works
• Broadband Phone Services
• Broadband Phone Providers
• Virtual Phone Numbers
• Voice-Chat Services
• How to Build It: Internet Phone Service
• Setting Up a Broadband Phone Service
• Choosing an Internet Phone Adapter
• Setting Up the Internet Phone Adapter
• Setting Up a Voice-Chat Service (Using Skype)

• How to Build It: Networked Entertainment Systems
• Set Up the Wireless Media Adapter
• Connect the Home Entertainment Center to the Wireless Media Adapter
• Install the Adapter Utility Client on Your Home Computer
• Playing Music
• Viewing Photos

• Gaming Servers
• Options for Online Gaming
• How to Build It: Online Video Gaming
• Set Up the Wireless Game Adapter
• Connect a Video Game Console to the Wireless Game Adapter
• Connect to an Online Game Provider
• Setting Up an Online Game Account
• Detailed Troubleshooting Steps for Online Gaming

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