Networking 101 - Technology Information - Tutorial

These books and Web resources make connecting your home a snap

NEED TO MAKE YOUR PCS, PRINTERS, AND other peripherals communicate with each other? Make the connection with Networking Home PCs for Dummies by Kathy Ivens ($25; IDG Books Worldwide). The book gives you the information you need to set up a home network, from installing a traditional Ethernet LAN to a newfangled wireless one; it's also packed with valuable advice--such as scheduling regular backups and setting up security protocols--and useful network maintenance tips.

And should you tire of perusing the hard copy, simply pop in the included CD-ROM. Still not convinced a network is right for you? Check out Chapter 18, entitled, "Ten Good Reasons to Set Up a Home PC Network."

Sharing an Internet connection, files, and peripherals has never been easier, thanks to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Networking Your Home by Mark D. Thompson and Mark Speaker ($17; Que). Advanced technical knowledge is not a prerequisite, and there's not a bit of jargon or unfamiliar techno-talk--just the simple facts.
A bit of computer jargon under your belt makes Wayne Kawamoto's Build, Upgrade, and Repair Your PC Network on a Shoestring Budget ($30; The Coriolis Group) a much easier read. In return, you'll benefit from Kawamoto's detailed explanations of network cabling, hubs, and interface technologies such as 10BaseT.

The author also shows you how to get the best deals on networking hardware, cabling, software, and accessories. His upgrade information and maintenance suggestions will keep your network humming.

You know a network eliminates many everyday headaches of running a home office--but there are tons of valuable tips and tricks you have yet to discover. Erik Sherman's Home Networking! I Didn't Know You Could Do That ($20; Sybex Inc.) shows you how to extend your network's usefulness. You'll learn how to connect to the Internet at higher speeds, create a Web server for your home office, set up an intercom system, videoconference with clients, and create a business voice-mail system.

These hints go beyond the home office and into the home: You'll learn about home automation, including how to create a kitchen network center as well as a network reading center for the entire family.

If you're looking for plain-English information on how to connect your computers and peripherals, pick up a copy of The Complete Guide to Networking Your Home Computers by Gregg Ramsay and Lisa Rogak ($25; Williams Hill Publishing). Don't know the difference between a peer-to-peer and client/server network? Don't worry; the guide will have you up to speed in no time.

Without going into elaborate technical details, Ramsay and Rogak begin with the basics and lead you step by step through the process of setting up several types of home networks, providing an analysis of each. In addition, a glossary gives you definitions of technical terms, and an included CD-ROM is filled with home networking software, shortcuts, and tips.

WEB SITES

www.homepna.org The Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA), a nonprofit association, was founded in June 1998 to develop a single, unified phone-line networking standard. Use the phone line in your home to build a wireless network and connect your PCs and peripherals at a speed of 1Mbps--or, with the more recent HomePNA 2.0 specification, 10Mbps.

www.homerf.org With various technologies and protocols competing for space in your home office, adding new devices to your network is often a chore. The 90 companies that make up the HomeRF Working Group want to establish a standard for wireless digital communication between PCs and consumer electronic devices. The HomeRF standard, called Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP), ensures that devices from different manufacturers work together seamlessly.

telecom.copper.org For some, networking means Ethernet. If you're in that category, check out the Copper for Telecommunications Web site. Supported by the copper industry, the site offers information for electrical contractors, home builders, and individuals looking for a hard-wired home network. The site also discusses the use of Category 5 and higher wiring for telephones, computers, and eventually, your entire home.