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Network Know-How
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. HOW A NETWORK WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
What's a Network?
Sneakernet
Data Networks and What You Can Do with Them
File Sharing
Sharing an Internet Connection
Instant Messages
Sharing Printers and Other Hardware
Home Entertainment
Video Cameras and Home Security Devices
Home Automation
2. TYPES OF NETWORK CONNECTIONS
Packets and Headers
Error Checking
Handshaking and Overhead
Ethernet
Wi-Fi
Powerline Networks
Other Alternative Wiring Methods
DTE and DCE Equipment
Point-to-Point Networks
Ad Hoc Wi-Fi
Infrared
FireWire (IEEE 1394)
Connections Through a Telephone Line
Remote Terminals
Clients and Servers
3. HUBS, SWITCHES, AND ROUTERS
Hubs and Switches
Hubs
Switches
LANs and WANs
Bridges and Routers
Combination Boxes
4. HOW COMPUTER NETWORKS ARE ORGANIZED
TCP/IP Networks
Names and Addresses
Numeric Addresses
Reserved Addresses
Fixed and Dynamic Address Assignments (DHCP)
The Domain Name System
Name Servers
Network Tools
IPConfig
ifconfig
ping
TraceRoute
5. DESIGNING YOUR NETWORK
Identifying Current and Future Nodes
The Control Center
Home Run Wiring
Trunks and Branches: Using Secondary Switches
What About Wi-Fi?
6. INSTALLING THE NETWORK CONTROL CENTER AND ETHERNET CABLES
Connectors, Wall Plates, and Surface Boxes
Ethernet Cable
Pushing Cable Through Walls
The Control Center
AC Power
Modems, Routers, and Switches
Adding a DSL or Cable Connection
Connecting a Telephone Line
Connecting a TV Cable
Terminating the Network Cables
Adding a Telephone
Tabletop Control Centers for Small Networks
7. ETHERNET NETWORK INTERFACES
Built into the Motherboard
Setting the BIOS Utility
Adding a Network Interface to an Old Computer
Internal Expansion Cards
USB Adapters
Network Adapters for Laptops
Finding the Driver Software for Your Adapter
Status Lights on Network Adapters
8. WI-FI NETWORKS
Types of Wi-Fi Networks
Operating Channels
Access Points
Network Interface Adapters
Adapters Built into Laptops
PC Cards
USB Adapters
PCI Cards
Antennas
Wi-Fi Control Programs
Access Point Configuration Programs
Wireless Connection Programs
Hybrid (Wired-Wireless) Networks
Wi-Fi Security
9. FILE SERVERS
Choosing a Computer to Use as a File Server
Windows, Mac, Linux, or . . . ?
Using a Server for File Storage
Using Network-Attached Storage
USB Device Servers
Apple's AirPort Extreme
Backing Up Files to a Server
The Windows Backup Program
Installing Backup in XP Home Edition
Installing Backup in Windows Vista
Macintosh Backup Programs
Linux and Unix Backups
Using a Server at Home
10. CONNECTING YOUR NETWORK TO THE INTERNET
The Internet: From the Cloud to You
The Modem
The Gateway Router
Individual Computers
DHCP Servers On or Off
Subnet Masks
IP Addresses
DNS Servers
Gateways
Configuring the Network Gateway
Summary
11. CONNECTING YOUR COMPUTER TO A NETWORK
Connecting Your Windows Computer to a Network
Creating a New Network Profile
Changing Your Computer's Network Settings
Connecting Your Macintosh Computer to a Network
Connecting Your Linux or Unix Computer to a Network
Summary
12. SHARING FILES THROUGH YOUR NETWORK
File Sharing in Windows XP
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
File Sharing in Windows Vista
Network Discovery
File Sharing
Public Folder Sharing
Sharing from Any Folder
Printer Sharing
Password Protected Sharing
Media Sharing
File Sharing on a Macintosh
Connecting a Mac to a Windows (SMB) Network
Adding a New Account
Setting the Workgroup Name
Turning on Windows File Sharing
Connecting to Windows File Sharing
Connecting from Older Mac Versions
File Sharing in Linux and Unix
Sharing from Linux or Unix Computers
Creating Shares on Linux and Unix Computers
Sharing from Gnome
Sharing from Konqueror
Samba
Using Shares
13. NETWORK SECURITY
Keeping Intruders Out
User Accounts and Access Levels
Passwords
Firewalls
Firewalls in Wireless Networks
Protecting Individual Computers
Wireless Access Points with Firewalls
Firewall Software
Virtual Private Networks
VPN Methods
VPN Servers
Configuring a Windows Server for a VPN
VPN Servers for Linux/Unix
Network Hardware with Built-In VPN Support
VPN Client Software
Configuring Windows for VPN
The Microsoft L2TP/IPsec VPN Client
Making the Connection in Windows
Selecting Windows XP and Vista Options
VPN Clients for Linux/Unix
OpenVPN: A Cross-Platform Alternative
Using a VPN Through a Public Network
Wireless Security
Protecting Your Network and Your Data
Network Name
WEP Encryption
How Many Bits in Your Encryption Key?
Is Your Key ASCII or Hex?
What Are the Options?
Mixing Hex and ASCII Keys
WPA Encryption
PSK Passphrases
Using WPA Encryption
Attacking WPA Security
Access Control (MAC Authentication)
Physical Security
Windows Update and Patches
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
Controlling Your Own Users
Denial of Service Attacks
Conclusion
14. PRINTERS AND OTHER DEVICES ON YOUR NETWORK
How to Connect a Printer to Your Network
External Printer Servers
Wi-Fi Printer Servers
Built-In Printer Servers
Automatic Printer Switches
Using a Computer as a Printer Server
Turning on Printer Sharing on the Network Card
Instructing the Computer Acting as a Printer Server to Share the Printer
Installing the Printer on Each Computer
CUPS: The Common Unix Printing System
All-in-One Devices
15. OTHER THINGS YOU CAN CONNECT TO YOUR NETWORK
Using a Microphone and Camera with Your Network
Internal and External Controllers
Networked Cameras and Microphones
Home Entertainment Networks
Music Through a Home Network
Audio Servers
General-Purpose Computers
Special-Purpose Music Servers
Audio File Formats
Converting from Analog Sources
Audio Clients
Playing Music Through a Computer
Connecting Your Network to Your Stereo
Dedicated Music Client Devices
Networked Receivers and Internet Radios
Video Through a Home Network
Video Servers
TiVo and Other Digital Video Recorders
Connecting to a Wired Network
Connecting to a Wireless Network
Importing Programs
Playing Video on a Computer
Connecting a TV to Your Network
Connecting Directly to a Computer
Video Output Drivers
Video Scaling
Game Consoles
Connecting a PlayStation
Connecting a Wii
Connecting an Xbox 360
Connecting Home Appliances to Your Network
Home Automation
Remote Sensors and Controls
Bar Code Readers and Remote Data Entry
If You Can Convert It to Digits, You Can Put It on the Network
16. OTHER NETWORK APPLICATIONS
Remote Desktop
Windows Remote Desktop
Configuring Windows for Remote Desktop Access
Using Remote Desktop
Virtual Network Computing (VNC)
MaxiVista: Adding a Screen
Multiple Monitors
Remote Control
Synchronizing Files
Instant Messaging and Live Communication
Servers vs. Peer-to-Peer Messaging
Internet-Based IM Services
Messaging Through a LAN
Messaging Through a Virtual Private Network
Audio and Video Messaging
17. TROUBLESHOOTING
General Troubleshooting Techniques
Define the Problem
Look for Simple Solutions First
Restart Everything
Check the Plugs and Cables
Check the AC Power
Check the Settings and Options
Isolate the Problem
Retrace Your Steps
Keep Notes
Viruses and Other Nasties
Other Common Problems
Configuration Settings
DHCP Settings: DNS and Default Gateway
Failed Connection to a Specific Site
An Alternate Connection to the Internet
The Collective Wisdom of the Internet
Software for Troubleshooting
Network Magic
Protocol Analyzers
ISP Problems
Don't Panic
COLOPHON
UPDATES
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