Networking with Microsoft Windows Vista: Your Guide to Easy and Secure Windows Vista Networking

Your Guide to Easy and Secure Windows Vista Networking is a complete beginner’s guide to creating, configuring, administering, and using a small network using Windows Vista computers. Inside you’ll find comprehensive coverage of networking hardware, including Ethernet (wired) hardware (from NICs to cables to switches to routers) and wireless Hardware--from wireless NICs to access points to range extenders.   We include handy “buyer’s guides” that tell you how to make smart choices when purchasing network hardware. With hardware in hand, we then show you how to roll up your shirtsleeves and put everything together, including configuring a router, laying cable, and connecting the devices. Next, we then show you how to wrangle with Windows Vista’s networking features. These techniques include using the Network and Sharing Center, managing wired and wireless connections, accessing shared network resources, sharing local resources on the network, and working with network files offline. And if you are a music and video aficionado, we’ve got you covered with a special chapter that shows you just how to set up a networked Vista PC as your digital media hub!   No networking book would be complete without extensive coverage of security issues that affect anyone connected to the Internet. We show you how to secure each computer, secure your global networking settings, and batten down your wireless connections. The last part of the book includes intermediate networking tasks such as making remote connections, monitoring the network, troubleshooting network problems, and setting up Vista’s built-in web server and FTP server.   •    No longer is networking a topic that only geeks need to understand. If you have even one computer on the Internet or if you use wireless in your home or office, you need this book! •    Extensive hardware coverage that shows you what equipment to buy and how to set it up! •    Easy to follow buyer’s guides that enable anyone to make smart and informed choices when purchasing networking hardware. •    Complete and comprehensive coverage of Windows Vista’s networking features. •    Thwart hackers, crackers, thieves and other Internet malefactors by following our easy to understand chapters on security! •    Loaded with tips, tricks, and shortcuts to make networking easier and more secure. •    Chock full of real-world examples and network configurations that you can put to work today!

Table of Contents:
 Part I:       Networking Hardware for Windows Vista      7   Chapter 1         Understanding Ethernet Networking....................................................................... 9 What Is Ethernet?......................................................................... 10     10BASE-T.............................................................................................................. 12     100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet)................................................................................ 12     1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet)......................................................................... 13     Beyond Gigabit Ethernet..................................................................................... 13 Understanding Network Interface Cards........................................ 13 Understanding Network Cables..................................................... 18     Twisted-Pair Cable............................................................................................... 18     Crossover Cable................................................................................................... 20 Understanding Switches................................................................ 22 Understanding Routers.................................................................. 24     Understanding IP Addresses............................................................................. 25     The Router and Dynamic IP Addressing......................................................... 26     The Router as Firewall......................................................................................... 27     The Router as Switch.......................................................................................... 28 Understanding Other Ethernet Devices.......................................... 30     Network Attached Storage................................................................................. 30     Print Server............................................................................................................ 31     Digital Media Receiver........................................................................................ 32     Powerline Adapter............................................................................................... 32 A Buyer’s Guide to Ethernet Hardware......................................... 32     Purchasing a NIC................................................................................................. 33     Purchasing Cables............................................................................................... 34     Purchasing a Switch............................................................................................ 35     Purchasing a Router............................................................................................ 36 From Here................................................................................... 37   Chapter 2         Understanding Wireless Networking..................................................................... 39 What Is Wireless Networking?...................................................... 40     Understanding Wi-Fi........................................................................................... 41     Understanding Wireless Hot Spots.................................................................. 43 Understanding Wireless NICs........................................................ 44 Understanding Wireless Access Points........................................... 47 Understanding Other Wireless Network Devices............................ 50     Wireless Range Extender.................................................................................... 50     Wireless Network Finder.................................................................................... 51     Wireless Print Server........................................................................................... 52     Wireless Digital Media Receiver....................................................................... 53 A Buyer’s Guide to Wireless Networking Hardware....................... 53     Purchasing a Wireless NIC................................................................................. 54     Purchasing a Wireless AP.................................................................................. 55 From Here................................................................................... 57   Chapter 3         Configuring Your Router.......................................................................................... 59 Connecting the Router for Configuration......................................... 60 Displaying the Router’s Setup Pages.............................................. 60     Entering the Router’s IP Address..................................................................... 61     Using the Network Window............................................................................... 62 Changing the Router’s IP Address................................................. 63     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 64     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 64     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 64     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 66 Updating the Firmware.................................................................. 66     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 67     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 68     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 69     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 70 Setting Up Your Broadband Connection......................................... 71     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 73     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 74     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 75     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 75 Enabling UPnP............................................................................. 77     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 78     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 78     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 79     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 79 Enabling the DHCP Server............................................................ 81     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 82     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 83     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 83     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 84 Modifying Wireless Settings........................................................... 85     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 86     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 87     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 88     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 89 Checking the Router Status........................................................... 90     Belkin..................................................................................................................... 90     D-Link.................................................................................................................... 91     Linksys.................................................................................................................. 91     Netgear.................................................................................................................. 92 Testing Your Router’s Capabilities................................................. 93 From Here................................................................................... 96   Chapter 4         Putting Your Network Together.............................................................................. 97 Inserting an Internal NIC............................................................... 98     Installing the NIC’s Device Driver.................................................................... 98     Installing the NIC............................................................................................... 100     Making Sure the NIC Installed Properly......................................................... 104 Connecting the Broadband Modem............................................... 105     Attaching the Internet Connection Cable...................................................... 105     Registering the Modem..................................................................................... 107 Connecting the Router................................................................. 108 Connecting the Switch................................................................. 110 Laying the Network Cable........................................................... 111 Changing the Computer and Workgroup Name............................. 112 Making Wireless Network Connections........................................ 113     Connecting to a Wireless Network................................................................. 114     Disconnecting from a Wireless Network........................................................ 117 From Here.................................................................................. 118   Part II:      Managing and Using Your Network   119   Chapter 5         Working with Vista’s Basic Network Tools and Tasks..................................... 121 Understanding Vista’s Network Icon............................................ 122     Accessing Common Networking Commands................................................ 122     Viewing the Current Network Status............................................................... 123     Turning Off the Network Icon.......................................................................... 124 Accessing the Network and Sharing Center.................................. 125 Turning On Network Discovery................................................... 128 Viewing Network Computers and Devices................................... 130 Displaying a Network Map.......................................................... 131 Viewing Network Status Details.................................................. 133 Customizing Your Network.......................................................... 135 From Here.................................................................................. 137   Chapter 6         Managing Network Connections.......................................................................... 139 Opening the Network Connections Window.................................. 140 Renaming a Network Connection................................................. 141 Enabling Automatic IP Addressing............................................... 142     Confirming That Windows Vista Is Configured for Dynamic IP      Addressing.................................................................................................... 142     Displaying the Computer’s Current IP Address........................................... 143 Setting Up a Static IP Address..................................................... 145     Displaying the Current DNS Addresses........................................................ 146     Specifying the Static IP Address..................................................................... 147 Finding a Connection’s MAC Address.......................................... 149 Using a Network Connection to Wake Up a Sleeping Computer..... 151 Disabling a Network Connection.................................................. 154 From Here.................................................................................. 155   Chapter 7         Managing Wireless Network Connections......................................................... 157 Opening the Manage Wireless Networks Window......................... 158 Making Other Wireless Connections............................................. 158     Connecting to a Hidden Network.................................................................... 159     Creating an Ad Hoc Wireless Network.......................................................... 161 Working with Wireless Connection Properties............................... 163     Modifying Connection Properties................................................................... 164     Modifying Security Properties......................................................................... 165 Renaming Wireless Connections.................................................. 166 Reordering Wireless Connections................................................. 167 Creating User-Specific Wireless Connections............................... 168 Removing Wireless Connections.................................................. 170 From Here.................................................................................. 170   Chapter 8         Accessing and Sharing Network Resources....................................................... 171 Accessing Shared Network Resources......................................... 172     Viewing a Computer’s Shared Resources...................................................... 172     Working with Network Addresses.................................................................. 174 Mapping a Network Folder to a Local Drive Letter....................... 177     Creating the Mapped Network Folder............................................................ 177     Mapping Folders at the Command Line......................................................... 179     Disconnecting a Mapped Network Folder..................................................... 180 Creating a Network Location for a Remote Folder........................ 180 Accessing a Shared Printer.......................................................... 182 Sharing Resources with the Network............................................ 184     Activating File and Printer Sharing................................................................. 185     Sharing the Public Folder.................................................................................. 186     Activating Printer Folder Sharing.................................................................... 187     Using Password Protected Sharing................................................................. 187     Using Public Folder Sharing............................................................................. 188     Creating User Accounts for Sharing............................................................... 189     Sharing a Resource with the File Sharing Wizard......................................... 190     Viewing Your Shared Resources..................................................................... 192 From Here.................................................................................. 192   Chapter 9         Setting Up Vista as a Digital Media Hub............................................................. 195 Understanding Digital Media Hardware........................................ 196     Digital Media Computer.................................................................................... 196     Television............................................................................................................ 201     Television Connectors...................................................................................... 202     Audio Receiver Connectors............................................................................. 203     Digital Media Receivers.................................................................................... 204 Connecting Your Digital Media Hub............................................. 205     Adding an Xbox 360 to the Network............................................................... 205     Connecting an Xbox 360 to Windows Vista.................................................. 206 Sharing Your Media Player Library.............................................. 207 From Here.................................................................................. 209   Chapter 10       Taking Advantage of Your Network.................................................................... 211 Backing Up to the Network......................................................... 212 Publishing a Windows Vista Calendar on the Network................... 216     Publishing Your Calendar................................................................................. 217     Subscribing to a Calendar I: Using the Subscribe Message....................... 219     Subscribing to a Calendar II: Using Windows Calendar............................. 220     Working with Shared Calendars...................................................................... 221 Importing Pictures to a Network Share......................................... 221 Ripping Audio CDs to a Network Share....................................... 223 Recording TV Shows to a Network Share.................................... 225 Setting Up a Network-Based Slideshow....................................... 228     Running a Screensaver Slideshow from the Network.................................. 228     Running a Slideshow from the Network......................................................... 230     Display Network Images in the Slide Show Gadget...................................... 234 From Here.................................................................................. 236   Chapter 11       Working with Network Files Offline..................................................................... 237 Activating the Offline Files Feature.............................................. 238 Making a File or Folder Available for Offline Use......................... 239 Changing the Amount of Disk Space Used by Offline Files............ 240 Prohibiting a Network Folder from Being Made Available Offline.. 242 Encrypting Offline Files............................................................... 244 Working with Network Files While You’re Offline........................ 245     Working with Offline Files via the Sync Center............................................ 245     Working with Offline Files via the Remote Computer.................................. 247 Synchronizing Your Offline Files.................................................. 248     Scheduling a Synchronization by Time.......................................................... 248     Scheduling a Synchronization by Event........................................................ 250 Dealing with Synchronization Conflicts......................................... 252 From Here.................................................................................. 253   Chapter 12       Collaborating with Windows Meeting Space..................................................... 255 Working with the People Near Me Service................................... 257     Signing In to People Near Me.......................................................................... 257     Working with Trusted Contacts...................................................................... 258     Setting People Near Me Options..................................................................... 261     Signing Out of People Near Me....................................................................... 264 Configuring Windows Meeting Space........................................... 264 Launching Windows Meeting Space............................................. 265 Joining an Existing Meeting.......................................................... 266 Starting Your Own Meeting......................................................... 267 Sending a Meeting Invitation........................................................ 269     Sending a Meeting Invitation Using People Near Me................................. 269     Sending a Meeting Invitation via Email.......................................................... 270     Creating an Invitation File................................................................................ 271 Handling a Meeting Invitation....................................................... 272     Handling a People Near Me Invitation........................................................... 272     Opening an Invitation File................................................................................ 274 Sharing a Handout....................................................................... 275 Starting a Shared Session............................................................. 276 Controlling the Shared Session..................................................... 277 Ending the Shared Session........................................................... 278 From Here.................................................................................. 278   Part III:    Securing Your Network         279   Chapter 13       Securing Windows Vista........................................................................................ 281 Understanding Vista’s Security Groups......................................... 282 Understanding User Account Control........................................... 283     Understanding the Least-Privileged User...................................................... 283     Elevating Privileges........................................................................................... 284 Implementing Parental Controls.................................................... 286     Setting Up User Accounts for the Kids......................................................... 287     Turning On Parental Controls and Activity Reporting................................ 288     Securing the Web.............................................................................................. 290     Allowing Only Specific Programs.................................................................... 291 Building a Strong Password......................................................... 292 Checking Your Computer’s Security Settings................................ 294     Making Sure Windows Firewall Is Turned On.............................................. 294     Making Sure Windows Defender Is Turned On........................................... 295     Controlling Automatic Updates....................................................................... 298     Making Sure User Account Control Is Turned On....................................... 301     Making Sure the Administrator Account Is Disabled.................................. 302 Thwarting Spyware with Windows Defender................................ 303 Protecting Yourself Against Email Viruses................................... 304 Protecting Yourself Against Phishing Scams................................. 307     Making Sure Internet Explorer’s Phishing Filter Is Turned On................... 308     Making Sure Windows Mail Phishing Protection Is Turned On................ 310 From Here.................................................................................. 311   Chapter 14       Implementing Network Security............................................................................ 313 Deactivating the Sharing Wizard.................................................. 314 Setting Sharing Permissions on Shared Folders.............................. 315 Setting Security Permissions on Shared Folders............................. 318 Hiding Your Shared Folders......................................................... 320 Disabling the Hidden Administrative Shares.................................. 322 Removing Stored Remote Desktop Credentials............................. 323 Preventing Users from Logging On at Certain Times..................... 325     Setting a User’s Logon Hours......................................................................... 326     Automatically Logging Off a User When the Logon Hours Expire........... 327 Hiding the Usernames in the Logon Screen................................... 328 Running the Baseline Security Analyzer on Your Network............. 330 From Here.................................................................................. 333   Chapter 15       Implementing Wireless Security........................................................................... 335 Specifying a New Administrative Password.................................. 336     Belkin................................................................................................................... 336     D-Link.................................................................................................................. 337     Linksys................................................................................................................ 338     Netgear................................................................................................................ 339 Positioning the Access Point for Maximum Security...................... 340 Encrypting Wireless Signals with WPA........................................ 341     Belkin................................................................................................................... 342     D-Link.................................................................................................................. 343     Linksys................................................................................................................ 344     Netgear................................................................................................................ 345     Changing the Wireless Connection Security Properties............................. 345 Disabling Network SSID Broadcasting......................................... 347     Belkin................................................................................................................... 348     D-Link.................................................................................................................. 349     Linksys................................................................................................................ 349     Netgear................................................................................................................ 351 Changing the Default SSID.......................................................... 352     Belkin................................................................................................................... 352     D-Link.................................................................................................................. 353     Linksys................................................................................................................ 353     Netgear................................................................................................................ 355 Enabling MAC Address Filtering.................................................. 356     Getting the MAC Address of Your Wireless NIC........................................ 356     Belkin................................................................................................................... 358     D-Link.................................................................................................................. 359     Linksys................................................................................................................ 360     Netgear................................................................................................................ 361 From Here.................................................................................. 362   Part IV:    Advanced Networking with Windows Vista    363   Chapter 16       Making Remote Network Connections................................................................ 365 Setting Up the Remote Computer as a Host.................................. 366     Windows Versions That Can Act as Hosts................................................... 366     Setting Up User Accounts on the Host......................................................... 367     Configuring Vista to Act as a Remote Desktop Host................................... 367     Configuring XP to Act as a Remote Desktop Host...................................... 371 Installing Remote Desktop on an XP Client Computer................... 372 Connecting to the Remote Desktop.............................................. 373     Making a Basic Connection............................................................................. 373     Making an Advanced Connection.................................................................. 374     Working with the Connection Bar................................................................... 379 Disconnecting from the Remote Desktop...................................... 380 Connecting to a Remote Desktop via the Internet.......................... 380     Changing the Listening Port............................................................................ 381     Configuring Windows Firewall........................................................................ 382     Determining the Host IP Address................................................................... 383     Setting Up Port Forwarding.............................................................................. 384     Connecting Using the IP Address and New Port......................................... 388 Using Dynamic DNS to Access Your Network............................ 389     D-Link.................................................................................................................. 390     Linksys................................................................................................................ 391     Netgear................................................................................................................ 392 From Here.................................................................................. 393   Chapter 17       Monitoring Your Network...................................................................................... 395 Monitoring Network Performance................................................ 396     Monitoring Network Performance with Task Manager................................ 397     Monitoring Network Performance with Performance Monitor.................... 400 Monitoring Shared Folders........................................................... 405     Launching the Shared Folders Snap-In.......................................................... 405     Viewing the Current Connections................................................................... 406     Viewing Connections to Shared Folders........................................................ 407     Viewing Open Files............................................................................................ 407     Closing a User’s Session or File...................................................................... 408 From Here.................................................................................. 409   Chapter 18       Troubleshooting Network Problems.................................................................... 411 Repairing a Network Connection.................................................. 412 Checking the Connection Status................................................... 413 General Solutions to Network Problems........................................ 413 Checking for Solutions to Problems.............................................. 415 Troubleshooting Using Online Resources...................................... 417 Checking Connectivity with the PING Command.......................... 419 Troubleshooting Cables................................................................ 421 Troubleshooting the NIC.............................................................. 422     Viewing the NIC in Device Manager............................................................... 423     Updating the NIC Device Driver...................................................................... 425 Troubleshooting Wireless Network Problems................................ 426 Reverting to an Earlier Configuration............................................ 427 From Here.................................................................................. 429   Chapter 19       Setting Up a Website.............................................................................................. 431 Understanding Internet Information Services................................. 432 Installing Internet Information Services......................................... 433 Accessing Your Website............................................................. 434     Creating a Windows Firewall Exception for the Web Server...................... 434     Accessing Your Website Over the Network................................................. 436     Accessing Your Website Over the Internet.................................................. 436 Understanding the Default Website.............................................. 437     Viewing the Default Website Folder............................................................... 437     Viewing the Default Website with IIS Manager............................................ 438 Adding Folders and Files to the Default Website........................... 440     Setting Permissions on the Default Website Folder..................................... 440     Adding a File to the Default Website............................................................. 441     Changing the Default Website Home Page................................................... 443     Adding a Folder to the Default Website........................................................ 443 Controlling and Customizing Your Website.................................... 447     Stopping Your Website.................................................................................... 447     Restarting Your Website.................................................................................. 448     Renaming the Default Website........................................................................ 448     Changing the Website Location...................................................................... 448     Setting the Website’s Default Document...................................................... 449     Working Without a Default Document.......................................................... 451     Disabling Anonymous Access........................................................................ 454     Viewing the Server Logs................................................................................... 456 From Here.................................................................................. 459   Chapter 20       Setting Up an FTP Site........................................................................................... 461 Installing the FTP Publishing Service............................................ 462 Starting the FTP Publishing Service.............................................. 462 Accessing Your FTP Site............................................................ 464     Creating a Windows Firewall Exception for the FTP Server........................ 464     Accessing Your FTP Site Over the Network................................................. 466     Accessing Your FTP Site Over the Internet.................................................. 466 Understanding the Default FTP Site............................................. 467     Viewing the Default FTP Site Folder............................................................... 467     Viewing the Default FTP Site with IIS 6 Manager......................................... 468 Adding Folders and Files to the Default FTP Site.......................... 469     Setting Permissions on the Default FTP Site Folder..................................... 469     Adding a File to the Default FTP Site............................................................. 470     Adding a Folder to the Default FTP Site........................................................ 471 Working with Your FTP Site........................................................ 473     Stopping Your FTP Site.................................................................................... 473     Restarting Your FTP Site.................................................................................. 474     Renaming the Default FTP Site........................................................................ 475     Changing the FTP Site Location...................................................................... 475     Displaying Messages to FTP Users............................................................... 477     Disabling Anonymous Access........................................................................ 478     Securing an FTP Folder..................................................................................... 480 From Here.................................................................................. 481   Glossary of Networking Terms.............................................................................. 483