[...]... parts of the book Part I: Networking Hardware for Windows Vista Part I gives you a complete look at the hardware side of networking, with a focus on networking for homes and small offices The first two chapters describe the hardware and devices you need for wired networking (Chapter 1, “Understanding Ethernet Networking ) and wireless networking (Chapter 2, “Understanding Wireless Networking ) As you learn... resource with the network (Chapter 8, “Accessing and Sharing Network Resources”), and then how to configure a Vista machine to act as your network’s digital media hub (Chapter 9, “Setting Up Vista as a Digital Media Hub”) You learn a few Vista techniques for taking advantage of 3 4 Networking with Microsoft® Windows Vista your network (Chapter 10, “Taking Advantage of Your Network”), how to work with. .. layer of the networking model The physical layer deals with the technical specifications of networking hardware, and the data link layer deals with the basic transfer of data from one part of the network to another THE OSI MODEL The specifics of the networking model aren’t important for day-to-day networking, but I’ll provide you with some details here, just in case you’re curious The full networking. .. you’re working with computers These boxes help you avoid those traps and pitfalls 5 This page intentionally left blank PA R T I Networking Hardware for Windows Vista 1 Understanding Ethernet Networking 2 Understanding Wireless Networking 3 Configuring Your Router 4 Putting Your Network Together This page intentionally left blank C H A P T E R 1 A ll computing topics begin, at some level, with hardware... “Work with Network Files Offline”), and how to collaborate with other people on the network using Vista s Meeting Space program (Chapter 12, “Collaborating with Windows Meeting Space”) Part III: Securing Your Network Network security is a serious and important topic, so I devote three chapters to it here in Part III You first learn how to secure each Vista computer (Chapter 13, “Securing Windows Vista ),... almost all docking stations come with built-in NICs Alternatively, because almost all notebooks come with one or more USB ports, you can also attach a USB NIC Finally, all notebooks come with at least one PC Card (or PCMCIA) slot, so you can purchase and attach a PC Card (or PCMCIA) ethernet NIC Figure 1.5 shows an example 17 1 18 Networking with Microsoft® Windows Vista 1 FIGURE 1.5 For a notebook... equipment and putting it all together seem like complex tasks, you’ve come to the right book Here, in Networking with Windows Vista, you get a complete beginner’s guide to creating, configuring, administering, and using a small network using Windows Vista computers This book includes comprehensive coverage of networking hardware, including both wired and wireless devices You get handy buyer’s guides that... Wireless Networking, ” takes you through the devices you need to make wireless connections IN THIS CHAPTER Understanding Ethernet Networking ■ What Is Ethernet? ■ Understanding Network Interface Cards ■ Understanding Network Cables ■ Understanding Switches ■ Understanding Routers ■ Understanding Other Ethernet Devices ■ A Buyer’s Guide to Ethernet Hardware ■ From Here 10 Networking with Microsoft® Windows Vista ... and Using Your Network Part II, with eight chapters, is the biggest section of the book, and it’s where you learn the real meat and potatoes of Windows Vista networking You begin by learning about some basic Vista networking tools (Chapter 5, “Working with the Network and Sharing”), and you then move on to managing your wired and wireless network connection (Chapters 6, “Managing Network Connections,”... Understanding Ethernet Networking 15 Text label marks the Ethernet port 1 FIGURE 1.1 On some PCs, the motherboard NIC comes with a text label An icon marks the Ethernet port FIGURE 1.2 Other PCs label the motherboard NIC with a network icon 16 Networking with Microsoft® Windows Vista Network adapter 1 ➔ If your computer doesn’t have a motherboard NIC or if the built-in NIC is only Fast Ethernet and . Easy and Secure Windows Vista Networking Networking with Microsoft® Windows Vista : Your Guide to Easy and Secure Windows Vista Networking Copyright ©. Cataloging-in-Publication Data McFedries, Paul. Networking with Microsoft Windows Vista : your guide to easy and secure Windows Vista networking / Paul McFedries. p. cm. Includes