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Introduction

Overview

Welcome to the eighth edition of Networking For Dummies, the book that's written especially for people who have this nagging feeling in the back of their minds that they should network their computers but haven't a clue about how to start or where to begin.

Do you often burn a spreadsheet file to a CD-R disc just so you can give it to someone else in your office? Are you frustrated because you can't use the fancy color laser printer that's on the financial secretary's computer? Do you wait in line to use the computer that has the customer database? You need a network!

Or maybe you already have a network, but you have just one problem: They promised that the network would make your life easier, but instead it has turned your computing life upside down. Just when you had this computer thing figured out, someone popped into your office, hooked up a cable, and said, "Happy networking!" Makes you want to scream.

Either way, you've found the right book. Help is here, within these humble pages.

This book talks about networks in everyday-and often irreverent-terms. The language is friendly; you don't need a graduate education to get through it. And the occasional potshot helps unseat the hallowed and sacred traditions of networkdom, bringing just a bit of fun to an otherwise dry subject. The goal is to bring the lofty precepts of networking down to earth, where you can touch them and squeeze them and say, "What's the big deal? I can do this!"

About This Book

This isn't the kind of book you pick up and read from start to finish, as if it were a cheap novel . If I ever see you reading it at the beach , I'll kick sand in your face. This book is more like a reference, the kind of book you can pick up, turn to just about any page, and start reading. It has 29 chapters, each one covering a specific aspect of networking-such as printing on the network, hooking up network cables, or setting up security so that bad guys can't break in. Just turn to the chapter you're interested in and start reading.

Each chapter is divided into self-contained chunks , all related to the major theme of the chapter. For example, the chapter on hooking up the network cable contains nuggets like these:

What is Ethernet?
All about cable
To shield or not to shield
Wall jacks and patch panels
Hubs and switches

You don't have to memorize anything in this book. It's a need-to-know book: You pick it up when you need to know something. Need to know what 100BaseT is? Pick up the book. Need to know how to create good passwords? Pick up the book. Otherwise, put it down and get on with your life.

How to Use This Book

This book works like a reference. Start with the topic you want to find out about. Look for it in the table of contents or in the index to get going. The table of contents is detailed enough that you should be able to find most of the topics you're looking for. If not, turn to the index, where you can find even more detail.

After you find your topic in the table of contents or the index, turn to the area of interest and read as much as you need or want. Then close the book and get on with it.

Of course, this book is loaded with information, so if you want to take a brief excursion into your topic, you're more than welcome. If you want to know the big security picture, read the whole chapter on security. If you just want to know how to create a decent password, read just the section on passwords. You get the idea.

If you need to type something, you see the text you need to type like this: Type this stuff . In this example, you type Type this stuff at the keyboard and then press Enter. An explanation usually follows , just in case you're scratching your head and grunting, "Huh?"

Whenever I describe a message or information that you see on the screen, I present it this way:

A message from your friendly network

This book rarely directs you elsewhere for information-just about everything that you need to know about networks is right here. If you find the need for additional information, plenty of other For Dummies books can help. If you have a networking question that isn't covered in this book, allow me to suggest my own Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 2nd Edition (Wiley)-this much-expanded reference book goes deeper into specific network operating systems and TCP/IP protocols. You can also find plenty of other For Dummies books that cover just about every operating system and application program known to humanity.