Tips from the Windows Pros: Becoming a Networking Professional

I've found that modern network software works perfectly the first time about 99 percent of the time. When things go wrong, however, you quickly find that the diagnostic tools are nowhere near as sophisticated, automated, or helpful as the installation tools. You need a more complete understanding of network technology and structure to diagnose a broken network than you do to install one, and more to the point, a more complete understanding than I can give you in a general-purpose book like this.

So, the big tip for this chapter is this: If you're planning to set up a network for more than a few computers, or you're setting up a network in a business situation, you should have some pretty solid expertise at hand for the times when problems arise. You might have a consultant install and maintain your network, or you might at least establish a relationship with a consultant or technician whom you can call if you run into trouble.

If you want to become a networking professional yourself, I recommend the following books as places to continue your training:

Upgrading and Repairing Networks, Fourth Edition, ISBN: 0-7897-2817-6, Que

Practical Network Cabling, ISBN: 0-7897-2233-X, Que

Practical Network Peer Networking, ISBN: 0-7897-2247-X, Que

Practical Firewalls, ISBN: 0-7897-2416-2, Que