Find Networking Answers Fast
This book takes the best of a dozen Sybex books
on networking with Windows NT, Novell, Netware, and Unix.
Networking Complete is a compilation from more
than a dozen networking titles published by Sybex, including Network+
Study Guide, MCSE: Networking Essentials Study Guide, Mastering
Netware 5, and Mastering Local Area Networks, with excerpts from
a bevy of well-known contributors, such as Mark Minasi, James Gaskin,
Christa Anderson, Matthew Strebe, James Chellis and David Groth.
Networking Complete is broken down into five
main sections--networking fundamentals; network hardware and software;
network design, maintenance and troubleshooting; intranets, extranets
and interconnecting networks; and network security--divided up into
26 chapters. It also has a robust Appendix that explores certification
topics, and a well-rounded Glossary of networking terms. One need
not read this text from front to back to benefit by its depth.
Networking Complete isn't a misnomer--the breadth
of its coverage spans both Windows NT and non-NT networking operating
systems, with Novell Netware and Unix getting more than adequate
representation.
The NT coverage is thorough and concise. Administrative
tasks, underlying OSI concepts, real-world troubleshooting tips
are investigated in an easy to understand fashion. Chapter 15, is
adapted from Minasi's Mastering Windows NT Server 4, offers an excellent
overview of cross-domain management in an NT environment. The discussion
of trusts is especially well done, which includes a one-page how-to
that describes the process of establishing trusts between domains
step by step.
As for the other networking operating systems,
Novell Netware and Unix are particularly well covered. The four
chapters that make up Part V do a commendable job of detailing the
security issues an administrator might encounter when working with
Netware 5, Unix and Virtual Private Networks. Those who focus on
one operating system are often taken aback when faced with the issue
of integrating other operating systems into their standard. Networking
Complete can be valuable in such a situation.
Still, Networking Complete does suffer because
it tries to cram in everything, and I found it to be weak on some
topics. However, this is a minor point when one considers the scope
of the discussions it does include and the price one pays for all
that information.
On the whole, Networking Complete is a solid
reference that should be on the shelf of all networking professionals
and amateurs. If you've caught yourself forgetting some network
concept, term or strategy, in all likelihood you can find it in
this book.
About the Author
Warren E. Wyrostek, M.Ed., MCNI, MCT, MCSE+Internet, CIW CI, CCNP is devoted
to technology education. Warren's main joy comes as a Contract Trainer in Prosoft,
Microsoft, and Novell technologies. At heart he is a teacher who loves what education offers.