Local Area Networks

This book provides LAN administrators with a thorough, easily read overview of local area network installation and management. It follows general, non-software specific coverage with examples of specific software implementations. Key features include:

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Introduction to micro-computers, lans and local area networks: introduction to microcomputers and local area networks - stand-alone microcomputers, why use LANs?, application software, characteristics of local area networks, additional LAN responsibilities; introduction to data communications - essential elements of communication, network definition, the OSI reference model, LAN selection criteria. Part 2 Hardware: topologies and media access control - the LAN system, LAN media, broadband and baseband technologies, LAN topologies and the physical layer, data link and media access control protocols; LAN hardware, server platforms, backup devices, workstations, LAN adapters, printers, other hardware, making connections. Part 3 Software: LAN system software - generic functions of LAN system software, LAN workstation software, specifics of server software, software requirements for shared usage; application software - database software, workgroup software, primary business software, software standards, software protection. Part 4 Installation and management: LAN installation - administrative details, installation tasks, training; LAN administration : users, groups, and security - users and groups, security, viruses; LAN administration : the printing environment - introduction to printing, creating a printing environment, a generic spooler, novell spooler configuration; LAN administration : backup and recovery - data backup, recovery, disaster planning; LAN administration : reactive and proactive management - reactive network management, problem identification and correction, proactive network management, system tuning and capacity planning, configuration of hardware and software upgrades, network management systems, network management protocols. Part 5 Connecting to other systems and networks: wide area networks - WAN network terminology, WAN network topologies, WAN data link control protocols, WAN network layer functions, IBM's systems network architecture, packet distribution networks, comparing LANs with WANs, LAN-WAN interconnections; making network connections - the OSI reference model revisited, LAN-to-LAN connections, LAN-to-HOST connections, interconnection utilities; emerging technologies - C/S computing, nondedicated servers and peer-to-peer LANs, wireless media, diskless workstations, global naming and distributed systems, ISDN, high-speed local area networks, multimedia on LANs, servers, uninterruptable power supplies, pocket LAN adapters, technology and network management.