Beginner's network book?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robertm
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Robertm

Can someone recommend a good book on networks for someone who knows nothing
about setting up a network? I have a computer in the store and one in the
adjacent home and I'd like to be able to access files back and forth between
the two. I have a DSL modem and a DSL router. I'm able to access the
internet from either computer but I am not familiar with the network
terminology that Windows uses so I don't understand most of the posts here.
The computer running Win 2000 Pro gives me an error message when I boot up
that sys there is an IP conflict yet it still accesses the internet ok. The
other computer running XP home doesn't display any error messages. The
router installation instructions says it changes the IP and hides the
network but I don't really know what that means. Where do I begin? I am
comfortable with configuring most things within Windows but I have no
experience nor knowledge when it comes the network thing.

Bob
 
Can someone recommend a good book on networks for someone who knows nothing
about setting up a network? I have a computer in the store and one in the
adjacent home and I'd like to be able to access files back and forth between
the two. I have a DSL modem and a DSL router. I'm able to access the
internet from either computer but I am not familiar with the network
terminology that Windows uses so I don't understand most of the posts here.
The computer running Win 2000 Pro gives me an error message when I boot up
that sys there is an IP conflict yet it still accesses the internet ok. The
other computer running XP home doesn't display any error messages. The
router installation instructions says it changes the IP and hides the
network but I don't really know what that means. Where do I begin? I am
comfortable with configuring most things within Windows but I have no
experience nor knowledge when it comes the network thing.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

Right now, I'd go with websites. They're easier to update than books, and with
computers and networking changing almost daily, a lot more up to date. And
they're organised in hypertext, rather than flat, like a book. Here are 4 which
I use, listed in alphabetic order.
http://www.cablesense.com/
http://www.homenethelp.com/
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.wown.com/

They're not all organised the same, nor do any of them have the same information
as any other. So look at all 4, find one which feels right to you, and read
thru it. Ask questions here, and we'll fill in the blanks.
 
I followed the links and read a few things. It recommends using the same
OS on both computers. I own two copies of Win 2000 Pro and one copy of XP
home. Should I buy another XP home or put Win 2000 Pro on both computers? I
like XP better than Win 2000. I had though of waiting until Longhorn / Vista
comes out rather than buy twice, but if Vista is anything like previous
releases, it'll be 3 years late and full of bugs. Better to let a few
thousand other buyers be the beta testers.

Bob
 
I followed the links and read a few things. It recommends using the same
OS on both computers. I own two copies of Win 2000 Pro and one copy of XP
home. Should I buy another XP home or put Win 2000 Pro on both computers? I
like XP better than Win 2000. I had though of waiting until Longhorn / Vista
comes out rather than buy twice, but if Vista is anything like previous
releases, it'll be 3 years late and full of bugs. Better to let a few
thousand other buyers be the beta testers.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

A recommendation to use the same OS on all computers is a bit extreme. You can
work fine with a mixture - I have WinXP and Win2K networked, and my setup is
fine. It's just simpler to write instructions with all computers running WinXP.

If you run WinXP Home, you will have essentially the same file sharing
possibilities, as you do with Win2k using Guest authentication.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#OlderOS>

I agree with you about Vista. I'm a support technician. When Vista becomes a
support issue, I'll be all over it. Until then, let's let the Beta testing
continue, but without me.

Now your choices are a bit limiting. It would be good for you to move to WinXP
completely, but be aware of the limitations of WinXP Home.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Guest>
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx>
 
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