In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, learn how to use today’s key networking techniques and technologies to build, secure, and troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. Using this book’s straightforward, step-by-step approach, you master every skill you need—from working with Ethernet and Bluetooth to spam prevention to network troubleshooting. Each lesson builds on what you’ve already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success!   Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common networking tasks.   Q&A sections at the end of each hour help you test your knowledge.   By the Way notes present interesting information related to the discussion.   Did You Know? tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks.   Watch Out! cautions alert you to possible problems and give you advice on how to avoid them.   Learn how to… Choose the right network hardware and software and use it to build efficient, reliable networks Implement secure, high-speed Internet connections Provide reliable remote access to your users Administer networks to support users of Microsoft, Linux, and UNIX environments Use low-cost Linux servers to provide file and print services to Windows PCs Protect your networks and data against today’s most dangerous threats Use virtualization to save money and improve business flexibility Utilize RAID technologies to provide flexible storage at lower cost Troubleshoot and fix network problems one step at a time Preview and prepare for the future of networking   Introduction     1 Hour 1: An Overview of Networking     3 Hour 2: The Benefits of Networking     19 Hour 3: Getting Data from Here to There: How Networking Works     29 Hour 4: Computer Concepts     49 Hour 5: Network Concepts     71 Hour 6: Extending LANs with Wide Area Networks (WANs)     95 Hour 7: Mobile Wireless Networking     117 Hour 8: Remote Networking     129 Hour 9: Planning for the Network     143 Hour 10: Designing a Network     155 Hour 11: Selecting Network Hardware and Software     179 Hour 12: Assembling a Network     199 Hour 13: Network Applications     211 Hour 14: Connecting to the Internet: Initial Operations     231 Hour 15: Connecting to the Internet: Key Supporting Operations     247 Hour 16: Microsoft Networking     271 Hour 17: UNIX and Linux Networking     289 Hour 18: Putting the Pieces Together     301 Hour 19: Role of the Network Administrator     309 Hour 20: Security     319 Hour 21: Managing a Network     339 Hour 22: Network Troubleshooting     355 Hour 23: A Day in the Life of a Network Administrator     373 Hour 24: Where Are Networks Going from Here?     383 Glossary     389 Index     397

In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, learn how to use today’s key networking techniques and technologies to build, secure, and troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. Using this book’s straightforward, step-by-step approach, you master every skill you need—from working with Ethernet and Bluetooth to spam prevention to network troubleshooting. Each lesson builds on what you’ve already learned, giving you a rock-solid foundation for real-world success!   Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common networking tasks.   Q&A sections at the end of each hour help you test your knowledge.   By the Way notes present interesting information related to the discussion.   Did You Know? tips offer advice or show you easier ways to perform tasks.   Watch Out! cautions alert you to possible problems and give you advice on how to avoid them.   Learn how to… Choose the right network hardware and software and use it to build efficient, reliable networks Implement secure, high-speed Internet connections Provide reliable remote access to your users Administer networks to support users of Microsoft, Linux, and UNIX environments Use low-cost Linux servers to provide file and print services to Windows PCs Protect your networks and data against today’s most dangerous threats Use virtualization to save money and improve business flexibility Utilize RAID technologies to provide flexible storage at lower cost Troubleshoot and fix network problems one step at a time Preview and prepare for the future of networking   Introduction     1 Hour 1: An Overview of Networking     3 Hour 2: The Benefits of Networking     19 Hour 3: Getting Data from Here to There: How Networking Works     29 Hour 4: Computer Concepts     49 Hour 5: Network Concepts     71 Hour 6: Extending LANs with Wide Area Networks (WANs)     95 Hour 7: Mobile Wireless Networking     117 Hour 8: Remote Networking     129 Hour 9: Planning for the Network     143 Hour 10: Designing a Network     155 Hour 11: Selecting Network Hardware and Software     179 Hour 12: Assembling a Network     199 Hour 13: Network Applications     211 Hour 14: Connecting to the Internet: Initial Operations     231 Hour 15: Connecting to the Internet: Key Supporting Operations     247 Hour 16: Microsoft Networking     271 Hour 17: UNIX and Linux Networking     289 Hour 18: Putting the Pieces Together     301 Hour 19: Role of the Network Administrator     309 Hour 20: Security     319 Hour 21: Managing a Network     339 Hour 22: Network Troubleshooting     355 Hour 23: A Day in the Life of a Network Administrator     373 Hour 24: Where Are Networks Going from Here?     383 Glossary     389 Index     397