CONTENTS IN DETAIL INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 CONTENTS IN DETAIL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii INTRODUCTION xv 1 HOW A NETWORK WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE 1 What s a Network?... 2 Sneakernet... 3 Data Networks and What You Can Do with Them... 4 File Sharing... 5 Sharing an Internet Connection... 6 Instant Messages... 7 Sharing Printers and Other Hardware... 7 Home Entertainment... 7 Video Cameras and Home Security Devices... 8 Home Automation TYPES OF NETWORK CONNECTIONS 9 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 HUBS, SWITCHES, AND ROUTERS 27 Hubs and Switches Hubs Switches... 30

2 LANs and WANs Bridges and Routers Combination Boxes HOW COMPUTER NETWORKS ARE ORGANIZED 35 TCP/IP Networks Names and Addresses Network Tools IPConfig ifconfig ping TraceRoute DESIGNING YOUR NETWORK 47 Identifying Current and Future Nodes The Control Center Home Run Wiring Trunks and Branches: Using Secondary Switches What About Wi-Fi? INSTALLING THE NETWORK CONTROL CENTER AND ETHERNET CABLES 55 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 Terminating the Network Cables Adding a Telephone Tabletop Control Centers for Small Networks ETHERNET NETWORK INTERFACES 69 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 viii

3 8 WI-FI NETWORKS 77 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 FILE SERVERS 93 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 Macintosh Backup Programs Linux and Unix Backups Using a Server at Home CONNECTING YOUR NETWORK TO THE INTERNET 107 The Internet: From the Cloud to You The Modem The Gateway Router Individual Computers Configuring the Network Gateway Summary CONNECTING YOUR COMPUTER TO A NETWORK 117 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 ix

4 12 SHARING FILES THROUGH YOUR NETWORK 131 File Sharing in Windows XP Level Level Level Level Level File Sharing in Windows Vista Network Discovery File Sharing Printer Sharing Password Protected Sharing Media Sharing File Sharing on a Macintosh Connecting a Mac to a Windows (SMB) Network Connecting from Older Mac Versions File Sharing in Linux and Unix Sharing from Linux or Unix Computers Creating Shares on Linux and Unix Computers Samba Using Shares NETWORK SECURITY 151 Keeping Intruders Out User Accounts and Access Levels Passwords Firewalls Virtual Private Networks VPN Methods VPN Servers VPN Client Software 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 WPA Encryption Access Control (MAC Authentication) Physical Security Windows Update and Patches Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Controlling Your Own Users Denial of Service Attacks Conclusion x

5 14 PRINTERS AND OTHER DEVICES ON YOUR NETWORK 191 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 CUPS: The Common Unix Printing System All-in-One Devices OTHER THINGS YOU CAN CONNECT TO YOUR NETWORK: AUDIO, VIDEO, HOME ENTERTAINMENT, AND BEYOND 203 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 Audio Clients Video Through a Home Network Video Servers TiVo and Other Digital Video Recorders Playing Video on a Computer Connecting a TV to Your Network Game Consoles Connecting a PlayStation Connecting a Wii Connecting an Xbox 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 OTHER NETWORK APPLICATIONS 225 Remote Desktop Windows Remote Desktop Virtual Network Computing (VNC) MaxiVista: Adding a Screen Multiple Monitors Remote Control Synchronizing Files xi

6 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 TROUBLESHOOTING 239 General Troubleshooting Techniques Define the Problem Look for Simple Solutions First 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 INDEX 253 xii