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Reading Material on Networking

Z

Zacharry

Junior Member
Are there any good websites that have good tutorials on networking? I want to be able to maximize my home network, but I can't find a place to start.

My level of knowledge on most tech related things is between beginner and advanced, and I have a hard time finding information directed toward my level.

Any help would be appreciated.

thank you,
zac
 
Google "beginner networking guide" - a TON of resources out there.

Free advice: Any tech worth their salt starts with Google (or another search engine) when they hit the limit of their knowledge before asking for the help of anyone senior. In my experience as part of and leading a technology team self sufficence will do a lot to accellerate your learning, build self confidence and build credibility among your peers.
 
First, I'd start with IP addressing and subnetting. Get a good grasp on that before you do anything else.
 
yuppiejr said:
Google "beginner networking guide" - a TON of resources out there.

Free advice: Any tech worth their salt starts with Google (or another search engine) when they hit the limit of their knowledge before asking for the help of anyone senior. In my experience as part of and leading a technology team self sufficence will do a lot to accellerate your learning, build self confidence and build credibility among your peers.
Click to expand...

I've tried search engines, but I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. Whenever I google, I merely get a bunch of consumer websites. It's difficult to weed them out from any sort of good.

I'll try your search. Thank you.
 
A recent CCNA book would be good. While some of it is cisco specific they hammer home the points one needs as a foundation such as subnetting and most importantly the OSI model. Understanding the OSI model is key and must be learned, even before subnetting.
 
Zacharry -
As has been mentioned, understanding what the OSI model is, why it exists, and how it works, as well as IP Addressing, Subnetting, and basic Protocols (DNS, DHCP...to name a couple) are all very important fundamentals for understanding networking. A CCNA book will definitely get you on the right track. But, for your purposes, you might find it to be overkill. I certainly encourage you to read and study a CCNA book if it interests you...but you mention wanting to maximize your Home Network and for most people a CCNA book would contain way too information for their needs.
 
seepy83 said:
Zacharry -
As has been mentioned, understanding what the OSI model is, why it exists, and how it works, as well as IP Addressing, Subnetting, and basic Protocols (DNS, DHCP...to name a couple) are all very important fundamentals for understanding networking. A CCNA book will definitely get you on the right track. But, for your purposes, you might find it to be overkill. I certainly encourage you to read and study a CCNA book if it interests you...but you mention wanting to maximize your Home Network and for most people a CCNA book would contain way too information for their needs.
Click to expand...

Personally, I need something that allows me to understand the entire picture at increasing levels of complexity. Yes, I think that you are correct. With that said, knowing my personality, I would delve into complexity once I had a strong basic knowledge.
 
In that case, since you want to dig deeper than the surface, then a good CCNA book is the best start. I'm not sure about the book you posted...check the Amazon reviews to find one that's written well for a true networking beginner (not just someone looking to pass the CCNA ).
 
I like the CCNA program for most techs in infastructure support/engineering spots who have a foundation of experience in other technology areas. I would probably suggest CompTIA's Network+ learning track as a better way to get your feet wet with basic networking "from scratch" and fluff your resume a bit if you decide to certify.

If you're looking to just buff up your own knowledge of networking for recreational use I'd spend some serious google time... perhaps hitting on the following terms most pertinent to home use or just "good to know" topics (NOT exhaustive, just some top of the head concepts that I know are covered extensively via Wikipedia and various enthusiast sites at a beginner level):

Network Cable Infastructure (CAT5, 5e, 6, etc..)
How to use a punchdown tool and keystone jacks
www.deepsurplus.com <just to see/price some of the bits and pieces>
Gigabit ethernet (jumbo frames)
Wireless Security (WPA, WPA2, Radius, Mac Address filtering)
802.11 b / a / g / n
Wireless performance issues (interference, channel affinity, etc..)
QoS
Whitelist/Blacklist
NAT routing
SPI
How to subnet an IP network (big topic)
IPV4 / IPV6
OSI model
DHCP
DNS
 
The TCP/IP series by Doug Comer is good too ... "The Bible," so to speak. Another oldie but goodie ...

Old doesn't make it bad, the newer material will cover the newer protocols, but the old stuff is still foundational, and hasn't changed much in the last 20 years. Once the old stuff is solid, move on to the newer stuff and build on a solid foundation.

Good Luck
 
Zacharry said:
I want to be able to maximize my home network, but I can't find a place to start.
Click to expand...

If you are not familiar with basic terms and what Network is about the best is to start with one of the Network for Dummies books.

Then advance on the Network through topics rather than general Networking. Most of the staff in the pro arena turns after few pages to a level that is useless for Home Networking.

With all due respect, the content of CCNA material, and Cisco pages it too removed from the world of Home networking.

Example for Wireless Reading, http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/

General Networking, http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/
 
Thank you ALL very much for pointing me in the directions that I needed.

I appreciate it and look forward to someday being able to discuss these matters with you on this forum.

cheers,
zac 🙂
 
Last edited:
If your really interested in TCP/IP layers then you can get the book named computer Networking 5th edition.
By:James F. Kurose, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Keith W. Ross, Polytechnic University, Brooklyn

Its a nice one...
 
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