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.
Adding a Switch, a Router, or an Access Point: The Center of Your Network.
What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
Summary.
6. Configuring Your Network: Bringing Everything Together.
Setting Up Your PCs: Be a Matchmaker.
Using the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard.
Setting Your PC's Name in Windows 2000.
Setting Your PC's Name in Windows 98 or Windows Me.
Setting Up a Router/Gateway: Making the Internet Accessible.
Sorting Out the Internet Names.
Finding Your Router on the Network.
What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
III. ENHANCING YOUR NETWORK.
7. Making Your Network Secure: Locking the Network's Door.
Understanding Security: You May Not Want It, but You Need It.
Limiting Access: Closing the Barn Door Before the Cow Gets Out.
Firewalls.
Wireless Network Security.
Antivirus Solutions: This Won't Hurt a Bit.
What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
Summary.
8. Sharing Your Network.
Setting Up Shares: Getting to Files, Folders, and Printers on Your Network.
Sharing Your Files.
Sharing a Printer.
Sharing Your Broadband Connection.
Sharing Over a Longer Distance.
Raising Your Router.
Raising Your Antenna.
Adding an External Antenna.
Limiting Remote Access: Keeping It Private.
What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
Summary.
9. The Magic of Entertainment Options.
Network Entertainment Centers: Spreading the Fun Around the House.
Wireless Media Adapters: Connecting More Than PCs.
Streaming Media: Movies and Fun on Demand.
Internet Radio: Music and News from Around the World.
Online Gaming: Go One-On-One with Your Game Console.
Wireless Internet Cameras: Your Own Webcam.
Alternative Webcam Software.
What Went Wrong: Your Quick Fix Reference.
Summary.
Index.
