Setting up a home network used to be out of the question for the average Joe. Far too complicated, way too expensive and after all, who needs it? Today, in this...our "wired world", the home network is becoming common place. New homes are being built with network drops in almost every room. The personal computer has become more of a standard appliance in the household than a luxury and everyone is using them. The frustration of finding your 10 year old has more computing experience than you do can be trying. You need to take charge of the computing environment in your house and be able to control the content of the Internet. But....how?

Let me introduce you to the Home Networking Survival Guide, a book written by David Strom. The author has over 14 years of PC hardware experience (he mentions this in his book) and is also the founder of Network Computing magazine. Indeed, Mr. Strom knows of what he speaks and his advice is sound.

Who is this book for? This book is for anyone who feels the need to alleviate the strain on a single computer by roommates, spouses and/or children. If you're finding yourself in a situation where a second computer in the house is becoming a necessity and you know you will need to share your Internet connection, printers and other hardware resources between them, then this book will provide easy solutions. While it is written with simple, easy to follow suggestions, a certain amount of computing knowledge will be helpful. If you're struggling with Windows for Dummies, then you probably are not going to find this book very helpful. On the other hand, if you are generally familiar with your computer's operating system and can at least find someone who can install a network card for you if your cable/phone company not be of assistance, then you are good to go.

An excerpt from the "Home Networking Survival Guide" gives example to the easy reading nature of the book.

The book starts out with the basic task of understanding what a home network can do for you and then how to recognize your needs. After all, that is an important step. You may not know your exact needs, but you know you need something. The author recommends that you have a later version of the Windows or MAC operating system installed. The newer versions should provide for more of a less painful process when setting up your home network.
It then goes on to explore the different types of network hardware that are available. Good detail of Ethernet, Wireless and home phone line options are presented. There are excellent recommendations all around based on what you think you may require in regards to price and performance. Working off the existing phone wiring in your house may prove to be a simple solution for many people. It does eliminate the need to drill holes and connect network jacks. Many people find that to be the single most intimidating process in installing a home network.

There are several different technologies available that will bring the Internet to your home, and all of them are discussed. Strengths and weakness of cable modems, DSL, ISDN and dial-up are thrown out into the light for all to see. Even average pricing and performance is outlined to help the user gain a better understanding of what to expect. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to making sure your operating system is up to the challenge. There are detailed instructions for making TCP/IP, IPX and other networking protocols talk to each other. This is probably the trickiest part of any network be it in your home, or setting up the corporate LAN. The author makes sure you have an understanding of how to configure software such as e-mail clients for multiple users. Sharing resources like files, drives and printers are also discussed with simple "how to" instructions.

An area of great importance with any network is security, and this is discussed thoroughly throughout the book. The author coins the term "frhub", which is a combination of router, Firewall and hub. Devices like this are common, but diverse. The Survival Guide will help you to understand which of these may be best for you. Mr. Strom is not hesitant in recommending some of the best products available to ensure the integrity of your home network. Sharing an Internet connection and sharing files can lead to serious trouble if you don't' know what you're doing, and it is not taken lightly in the book. Things like viruses, port scans, malicious web sites and other nasties are presented to the reader in simplistic terms. Protecting your children from the darker content of the Internet is also demystified. Parents may think they have no control over this, but they do! Picking the right "frhub" will help you to be stronger in areas of particular concern. You may not understand all of the nasties that are out there, but you will at least be aware that they are out there, and then know how to be proactive about your protection.





Rear cover of the book providing an outline of contents.

The last few chapters talk about the fun stuff you can do with your home network, like playing network games and sharing music, all of which are must haves in our opinion. What this book does not discuss are more advanced things like building web, mail or FTP servers. As the author points out, there are plenty of books out there covering those topics. These things are considered too advanced for someone just starting out with their first networking experience. We think he's right.

Face facts, the home network is not a flash in the pan and you need to understand it at some point sooner or later. When it does come time to bite the bullet, the Home Networking Survival Guide will be an invaluable tool.

Home Networking Survival Guide features

- Easy reading even for non-technical folks
- Provides simple instructions for almost everything you will encounter
- Real world examples of technology and issues
- Excellent graphics show you exactly what you will be seeing at home
- Covers important areas like purchasing choices and security in detail

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pros: Outstanding resource for first time home network installation. Networking MAC and windows operating systems is meticulously detailed with great instructions. Security and other areas of importance are accurately and easily understood.
Cons: I'll have to stretch a bit to find any! There are no details of more advanced home networking like setting up servers or taking advantage of dynamic DNS services like TZO. Not really a flaw I suppose, he does give warning right off that this book will not touch those topics in much depth.

HOME NETWORKING SURVIVAL GUIDE by David Strom
Published by Osborne/McGraw Hill
Current Street Price: $25