Networks in a Flash: Making Broadband Work for You
by Hrair Aldermeshian & Thomas B. London
ISBN 0-929306-25-2
2003
352 pages, Paperback
$29.95 (US Dollars)
Author Bios: Aldermeshian, London

 Summary    Contents 

Table of Contents:

• 1 INTRODUCTION
  • The need for home and office networks
  • Wired, wireless and all that
  • You’re ready to go -- how to proceed
  • The need for home and office networks
  • Wired, wireless and all that
  • You’re ready to go -- how to proceed
  • Roadmap for those who want networks done for them
  • Roadmap for the novice
  • Roadmap for the typical user
  • Roadmap for the power user
  • Roadmap for those who want networks done for them
  • Roadmap for the novice
  • Roadmap for the typical user
  • Roadmap for the power user
• 2 INSANELY QUICK ROADMAP
• PART 1 BACKGROUND
• 3 NETWORK CONCEPTS
  • Basics of the Internet
  • LANs, workgroups, mini-internets and WANs
  • What is a voice, DSL, or cable modem
  • The need for home and office networks
  • Wireless -- How does it work
  • The Web -- How does it work?
  • Email -- How does it work?
  • Web based email
  • Instant messaging
  • Bring your own access to AOL & MSN
• 4 NETWORK COMPONENTS
  • Modems
  • Routers
  • Hubs and switches
  • Ethernet network adapters
  • How do I connect these things
  • Power conservation techniques
• PART 2 BUILDING YOUR NETWORK
• 5 PLANNING FOR BROADBAND SERVICE
  • Creating an inventory
  • Creating a layout of your network
  • Matching your network to the configurations
  • Network for several wired computers
  • Network for wireless and wired computers
  • Complex wired network
• 7 SETTING UP CABLE MODEM SERVICE
  • Contacting a cable provider
• 8 SETTING UP DSL MODEM SERVICE
  • Contacting a DSL provider
• 9 SETTING UP YOUR NETWORK 83
  • Purchasing the items on your list
  • Turn off your computers, printers, and modem
  • Installing network adapters
  • Connecting the router
  • Installing the remaining network components
• 10 CONNECTING: PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
  • Configuring the network settings
  • Configuring the router
  • Setting the password on the router
  • Restarting components
  • Testing network and Internet access
  • Configuring additional computers
  • Configuring email
  • Access to AOL and MSN
• 11 SECURING YOUR NETWORK
  • Why it is dangerous out there
  • The -- bad guys -- on the net
  • Simple pitfalls to avoid
  • What is a NAT or firewall?
  • What is a virus scanner?
  • Do you have virus-scanning software?
  • Using McAfee VirusScan
  • Setting or changing passwords
  • Critical software updates
• 12 PRINTER AND FILE SHARING
  • Entering the computer and workgroup names
  • Sharing printers
  • Sharing folders and files
• PART 3 ASSISTANCE AND CONCEPTS
• 13 ADDITIONAL ASSISTANC
• 14 PROTECTING YOUR NETWORK
  • Protecting your Internet connection
  • What are NATs and firewalls?
  • Overview of NATs
  • How NATs work
  • What does a NAT protect?
  • What is a firewall
  • Overview of firewalls
  • How firewalls work
  • What does a firewall protect?
  • Recommendations
  • Hard problems
• 15 VIRUSES AND MALICIOUS SOFTWARE
  • Be aware of attacks
  • Viruses, Trojan horses, and worms
  • How malicious software propagates
  • Detecting and cleaning them
• 16 ENCRYPTION AND AUTHENTICATION
  • Brief tutoria
  • Encryption and why it is useful
  • Authentication
  • Password selection and management
• PART 4 FIXING PROBLEMS
• 17 CONSOLIDATED TROUBLESHOOTING
  • Getting broadband service
  • Problems installing a modem
  • Problems with televisions and cable modem
  • Problems with phones/faxes when using a DSL modem
  • Problems with layout and design
  • Problems with listing components
  • Problems obtaining components
  • Problems with network adapters
  • Problems with wireless network adapters
  • Problems with cabling
  • Problems with configuring computers
  • Problems configuring the router
  • Problems with switches
  • Problems with network access
  • Problems with email
  • Problems with browsing
  • Problems with passwords
  • Problems with viruses
  • Problems with file/printer/device sharing
• APPENDIXES
• A TEMPLATES
  • Questions for your network installer
  • Information from service provider
  • Information about your computers
  • List of needed components
  • Information you need to set up your network
• B INSTALLING NETWORK ADAPTERS
  • Installing a PCI network adapter
  • Installing a PC Card network adapter
  • Installing a USB network adapter
  • Installing drivers and other software
  • Resetting the network adapter settings
• C CONFIGURING WINDOWS XP
  • Configuring the network
  • Configuring a wireless network adapter
• D CONFIGURING WINDOWS 2000
  • Configuring the network
  • Configuring a wireless network adapter
• E CONFIGURING WINDOWS ME
  • Configuring the network
  • Configuring a wireless network adapter
• F CONFIGURING WINDOWS 98
  • Configuring the network
  • Configuring a wireless network adapter
• G CONFIGURING INTERNET OPTION
  • Quick check of connectivity
  • Checking Internet connectivity
  • Changing network settings
  • Changing the browser settings
• H CONFIGURING NETGEAR ROUTER
  • Configuring NETGEAR routers
  • Using the setup wizard
  • Wireless router configuration
  • Set the password on the router
• I WIRELESS ONLY INSTALLATION
• J NORTON ANTIVIRUS
  • Using Norton AntiVirus
  • Updating your Norton Virus definition files
  • Scanning an infected folder or file
  • Enabling scanning for email
  • Conducting periodic scans
• GLOSSARY
• INDEX