Home networking, a visual do-it-yourself guide

The only home networking book you'll ever need

• Easy-to-use, step-by-step, visual guide
• Get the information you need to set up and secure your home network -- nothing more, nothing less
• Uses Linksys equipment to illustrate how to set up the home network

It can be difficult for the non-technical home PC user to cut through all of the jargon and successfully create a safe, secure home network that delivers. In this friendly, inviting, and visual book, the reader will see that it's easy to decide on the right equipment, set up a home network, make it secure, and enhance their enjoyment with the right multimedia connections. This book will help the ordinary, home PC user understand what a network can do for them and in plain English, explain how to choose, install, and configure that network. The focus will be on easy to understand, step-by-step directions that show the reader how to do it without asking for help. The book will also cover emerging topics like setting up a media center, wireless Web cams, and connecting your game console wirelessly for online gaming fun. All topics will be presented in a visual manner with plenty of photographs, screen shots, and illustrations to show the reader exactly what to expect. In addition, all of the chapters will conclude with a "What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference" section, which explains what needs to be done to correct problems the reader might have encountered. Brian Underdahl is a best-selling author, who has authored or co-authored nearly 70 titles. He has written or contributed to a number of successful consumer-oriented titles, including Create Your Own DVDs, PC Magazine Technology Almanac 2004, Build Your Own PC Home Entertainment System, and Pocket PCs for Dummies. His plain-English writing books have won several awards. Brian has been a featured guest on numerous TV shows, including the highly acclaimed Computer Chronicles and several different Tech TV programs. His last position was as a Senior Programmer/Analyst at Graybar Electric, where he was responsible for PC programming, training, and nationwide support.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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