Home Networking For Dummies

Having a network in your home increases work efficiency and minimizes confusion. If you want to set up a network in your home but you’re not quite sure where to start, then Home Networking for Dummies makes it easy for you to become your household’s network administrator. Now fully updated with information on the newest technology in networking available, this quick and to-the-point walkthrough will show you how to install Web connections in your entire home, whether by wires, cables, or WiFi. This resourceful guide illustrates:

• Planning and installing your network
• The differences between Ethernet cable, phone lines, and wireless technology
• Configuring computer sharing
• Setting up and managing users
• Installing, managing, and troubleshooting the network printer
• Understanding UNC format, mapping drives, and traveling on the network
• Working with remote files
• Securing your network from viruses, spyware, and other baddies

Along with the basics, this book introduces fun ways to use your network, including sharing music, keeping shopping lists, creating photo albums, setting up a family budget, and instant messaging. It also provides ways to keep your network safe for kids, such as talking to your child about the Internet, creating site filters, and ISP E-mail filtering features. With this trusty guide your home will be fully connected and you’ll be working more efficiently in no time!

Introduction 1

Part I: Network Basics 7

Chapter 1: Planning the Lay of the LAN 9

Chapter 2: Installing Network Adapters 27

Chapter 3: Installing Ethernet Cable 35

Chapter 4: Using Wires That Are Already There 53

Chapter 5: Look Ma, No Wires 69

Part II: Configuring Computers for Networking 85

Chapter 6: Putting It All Together 87

Chapter 7: Configuring Computer Sharing 113

Chapter 8: Setting Up Users 127

Part III: Communicating Across the Network 139

Chapter 9: Printing Across the Network 141

Chapter 10: Getting Around the Neighborhood 165

Chapter 11: Using Files from Other Computers 183

Part IV: Network Security and Maintenance 203

Chapter 12: Making Your Network Secure 205

Chapter 13: Disaster Planning and Recovery 235

Chapter 14: Using Windows Maintenance Tools 257

Part V: The Part of Tens 283

Chapter 15: Ten Clever Things to Do on Your Network 285

Chapter 16: Ten Fun Things to Do on Your Network 301

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Make the Internet Safe for Children 307

Index 321

Kathy Ivens has written more than 50 books about computers and has spent lots of years installing corporate networks. She’s a Senior Contributing Editor for Windows IT Pro Magazine and runs multiple computer networks in her own home. Integrate a Vista PC into your existing XP network

Share the Internet and work more efficiently from anywhere in your home!

Ready to become the administrator of your own home network? This bestselling guide has been fully updated to walk you through all the newest options in wired and wireless networking. From planning to installation to maintenance, all steps are explained in plain English to help you connect computers, share files and printers, and lock out any snoops!

Kathy Ivens, Senior Contributing Editor for Windows & .NET Magazine, has been a computer consultant since 1984. She has installed hundreds of corporate and private networks.

• Plan and install your network

• Configure computer sharing

• Manage users and profiles

• Make your network secure

• Retrieve data when disaster strikes

• Connect other devices to your network