Are there some good books that describe networking basics?

[mulder]

I have some basic idea about networking, but it would be helpful to have some resources handy if I had questions. So, basically I am just looking for some good books that go over basic things like to building a small home network, but at the same time goes over the technical aspects of it too. Thanks.

 

[Deicide]

Theres a book based on the Microsoft exam named Networking Essentials. You won't be able to take that test to become certified my MS, however this is a great book for what you described. It explains the basics of everything, enough that you can go ahead and figure out how to build your own network. If you want to get more advanced, theres a whole line of MS books covering their different OS's. If your interested more in the hardware side, then Cisco has a good curicullum on their equipment.

 

[pdo]

Actually try something like Networking+ where it cover more than Networking Essentials.

 

[trend]

well if you are looking for the basics (i am guessing you are doing this for fun and the learning experience), get setting up a Linux intranet server. this book guides you through setting up linux (very brief, one section) and setting up the server via command line and setting up the clients. even if you don't want to use a linux server, its instructions on setting up a server and clients are pretty much the same (both mac and windows clients).

this book is very nicely done. it tells you just what you need to know for getting it started and once you do that, it is soo much easier to ask questions and play around with it later