Home Networking : A Visual Do-It-Yourself Guide

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Summary: Home networking made easy with baby steps
Review: There are three forces driving the spread of home networking, the dramatic trend in price reductions, the increase in storage capability and the melding of the devices that compute and provide entertainment. As the movement towards voice over IP (VOIP) continues, phone service will also be blended with the computing/entertainment devices. It will not take very long before many homes will have a central data repository where the entertainment archives are stored. These archives will include home digital photos and movies, e-mails, commercial movies, music, educational materials, diaries, and personal financial records. It will also include a basic database to organize the access. The convenience and efficiency of this central repository will be enormous. Right now, our VHS tapes fill over half of a large entertainment center and we wish that there were two additional halves because the DVDs and music CDs are both rapidly expanding to fill them. The reduced storage requirements and the ability to easily select an item of interest will also drive the creation of the networks.
There will be several computers in these households, segmented according to the primary users. For example, in my home the children have their own computer, and each of the parents have theirs. All of these devices must be connected, hardened against the inevitable attacks from outside and be easy to maintain.
The technology to accomplish this currently exists and is explained in simple detail in this book. Wired, wireless and hybrid connections are covered in a manner that can be followed by anyone. I recently installed a garage door from a kit and the directions in this book make the directions for the door look like Sanskrit. When a software wizard is being used, there is a series of screenshots that take you through the steps. At each image, there are captions directing you to the proper option(s). There is also some supplementary textual explanation telling you exactly what the consequences of the action will be.
Images of the hardware devices are included as well as basic diagrams outlining the structures of the simple networks. Each operation is explained in a step-by-step manner, where each step is a baby one. Yes, there were times when I wished they were a little more grown-up in their movements, but they were rare and I appreciated their approach even when I wanted to leap rather than crawl. At the end of each chapter, there is a series of bulleted points listing the common problems that can occur.
The opening chapters contain explanations of the most common networking protocols, some basics on how they work and most importantly, when they don't work and play well together. Phone line and power line networks are mentioned, although rightfully put in their place as being of limited use. My only criticism is that there should be a disclaimer in the section about installing a network card. This requires that the computer box be opened. Since most manufacturers seal the boxes with a warranty sticker, opening the box could violate the warranty. There should at least be a box on the side warning the reader that opening their computer may violate the warranty.
Home networking is both here and a force in the future. It is here now in that the technology already exists and is not that expensive. It is also a force in the future, as very soon, homes will be designed with areas reserved for the networking equipment. If you can't wait for the time when a network is built in, then you can buy this book and install your own home network by following the simple set of directions. Trust me, it is a lot easier than many other home improvements/repairs.

Rating:
Summary: And Not Long Ago You Didn't Even Have One Computer
Review: Believe it or not, there was a time - long, long ago and far, far away - when homes didn't have even one computer. But in today's world the house has the old machine, which you get to use; the new powerful machine, taken over by the kids because they need the power to play todays games; there's the laptop brought home from work or school which has some files on it that would be handy to have on you desktop. There's the web cam that you'd like to have set up to monitor the baby's room, or the security of the back yard. And all of these need to interface to the one broadband connection you have to the internet.

The answer is, of course, a home network. It doesn't need to have the big file server that the office has, but it certainly does need a few of its features such as a firewall to keep out those who would use your system to send out unwanted SPAM.

This book, billed as the only home networking book you'll ever need, goes through the hardware and softtware you'll need to set up a home network. It is profusely illustrated, usually featuring LinkSys equipment. But the functionality of the LinkSys boxes is basically duplicated by that of other vendors, so this isn't a big problem. It's a good basic introduction, and by following it you can get a network set up.

Rating:
Summary: Great guide for beginner and experts (so-called)
Review: Ciscopress have delivered a real quality product and the book is so easy , it explains concepts I thought I could never master, some great tips on making the internet really useful at low cost and a real joy to read, highly recommended for the expert or teh begineer great book, don't hestitate to buy

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Summary: Step-by-step proven methods
Review: It's easy to set up a home network system - easy if you have Brian Underdahl's Home Networking: A Visual Do-It-Yourself Guide at hand. Underdahl takes the mystery out of creating a home networking system, whether it be for entertainment or business purposes. From the basics of understanding wired network hardware to wireless options, software configuration, and router broadcast settings, Home Networking uses sample screens, step-by-step proven methods, and simple tips. Advice on how to make a network secure and how to troubleshoot common problems makes Home Networking simply invaluable.


Rating:
Summary: Just be prepared for a booklength linksys advertisement
Review: The book is perfect for people like me with no experience AT ALL in networking however be aware EVERY example features linksys products. My only reason for not giving this book 5 stars is that I hate book length ads especially when not warned. Otherwise step by baby step this book helps you out.

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Summary: A book for anyone of any background
Review: This is simply an excellent example of how to take the mystery out of a complex subject like home networking and making is easy for anyone to be successful with. It doesn't just give you the mechanics of how to set things up but also gives you expert advice on what the best choices are about things like wired vs wireless, printer sharing and others.

If you are thinking about a home network, buy this book. If you don't know if you should have a home network or don't even know what a home network is, you should buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: THIS ONE!
Review: THIS is the best "instead of" book. Get this one "instead" of the others.