CHAPTER 1 What Is a Home Network?
13
• Having a home network can be frustrating. Yes, some of the home
networking horror stories are true, albeit probably embellished for effect.
Sometimes it seems as if home networks have personalities and, like
people, just do strange and unexplainable things. Fortunately, there is
usually a fi x for most problems. For example, you can solve most problems
by resetting the network devices (often just turning them off and then
on again). These maddening moments are the price we pay to enjoy the
benefi ts of a home network.
• Help is everywhere. Everyone eventually needs help—even veteran
power users. In home networking, it’s okay to ask for directions. Most
of us learn the common features of our net gear, and then we learn about
other features as we need them. Fortunately, help is readily available and
easily accessible. Windows has plenty of help for installing, maintaining,
and troubleshooting a home network. Also, all of the network equipment
manufacturers have extensive technical support web sites with helpful
step-by-step tutorials, FAQs, and searchable knowledge bases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of my friends know me as a tennis player, a Rotarian, a church member, a
community volunteer, and so on, and most have a vague notion that I know something
about computers and networking. And like anyone in this day and age who has a
perceived technical knowledge, I get peppered with questions. The questions I hear
most often are these.
• Where do I begin? Now that this book is out, my answer to this FAQ is
“Chapter 1 of this book.” However, I invite you and them to feel free to
jump directly into any chapter. The chapters are relatively independent, so
you can hopscotch about the book depending on your level of networking
knowledge and your information needs. Throughout the book, information
is presented in small chunks to make it easy for you to skim content in
search of specifi c material. If you read ahead and get hung up on a specifi c
term, the glossary and the index are always there to help you out.
• Should I upgrade my current home network? Probably so, if you installed
your network in 2003 or before. Chances are that all or part of your network
is a lot slower than is possible with state-of-the-art connectivity technologies,
that you may wish to enhance your network to have the fl exibility of high-
speed wireless connectivity, or that you may wish to integrate elements of
your home entertainment or other systems into the network.
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