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Networking For Dummies
The bestselling beginning networking book is now updated to cover the latest tools and trends! Fully updated and revised to include the latest trends in networking, this perennial bestseller features updated coverage of broadband technologies, storage, and backup. You'll discover the hottest topics for setting up a network at home or in the office.
Popular For Dummies author Doug Lowe knows what the networking beginner is looking for, so to that end, he offers you networking fundamentals written in his easy-to-understand style and discusses topics such as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.
Walks you through networking basics with valuable updates of the latest networking tools and trends Explains exactly what a network is and how to use it Demonstrates how to build a wired or wireless network Addresses securing, optimizing, and troubleshooting a network Discusses networking with all major operating systems Networking For Dummies, 9th Edition is the guide you need to start sharing resources and exchanging data today.
Popular For Dummies author Doug Lowe knows what the networking beginner is looking for, so to that end, he offers you networking fundamentals written in his easy-to-understand style and discusses topics such as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008.
Walks you through networking basics with valuable updates of the latest networking tools and trends Explains exactly what a network is and how to use it Demonstrates how to build a wired or wireless network Addresses securing, optimizing, and troubleshooting a network Discusses networking with all major operating systems Networking For Dummies, 9th Edition is the guide you need to start sharing resources and exchanging data today.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2000
104 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 21, 2019
If you are a layperson to IT wanting to get yourself acquainted with the basics of networking, this book then is a worthy introduction. It also provides a glance into the cutting-edge technologies of today like virtualization and cloud computing. Bear with the author's over-the-top sense of humour (since many of his puns and jokes might fly above your head due to esoteric references to movies and sci-fi stories), and you can learn some memorable lessons in networking. This is not for network gurus or those looking for some serious technical reference. Also, one major drawback is that the book focuses on networks based solely on Microsoft products, though the author has included two chapters to touch upon Linux and Macintosh networks to give a basic introduction. Good book for beginners!
September 13, 2012
I'm not the target audience, so I'll say that upfront, but I still found it filled with lame jokes (would the target audience even *get* jokes about pocket protectors?) and irrelevant info that distracts the reader from the actual important stuff. It could also do with some revisions, because much of this is extremely out of date.
That said, I did manage to glean a few tiny nuggets to fill in a couple of gaps in my knowledge, and for a complete beginner it does at least raise the issues of things like network security (physical and virtual), backups and basic troubleshooting.
It lost points for not specifying that you should always test the backups *before* they're needed. And there were other areas that weren't covered properly (even for a For Dummies book). I suspect it was because they tried to cover too much and ended up skimming over important details. If you're reading a For Dummies book you shouldn't be running a mailserver and therefore the very short section on spam and blacklists should've been left out in favor of more attention to testing backup and restore procedures.
As a closing point, how about page counts for different types of server operating systems? Windows Server: 28, Netware: 21, Linux: 17. I suspect most new users would need *more* pages on Linux because they're less likely to be familiar with it, but at least it got more than the 6 pages devoted to networking Macs.
I'm fairly sure it wasn't worth the time I spent, even though I'm a fast reader.
In short, if you're a beginner and want to know more, you can start here, but please, PLEASE don't make this the only book you read on networking if you're planning on installing or maintaining anything more than a very, very basic home network (let's say 2 computers, an internet connection and a printer). Use this one to figure out the specific questions and problems you have, and then go find books with real, current and detailed information.
That said, I did manage to glean a few tiny nuggets to fill in a couple of gaps in my knowledge, and for a complete beginner it does at least raise the issues of things like network security (physical and virtual), backups and basic troubleshooting.
It lost points for not specifying that you should always test the backups *before* they're needed. And there were other areas that weren't covered properly (even for a For Dummies book). I suspect it was because they tried to cover too much and ended up skimming over important details. If you're reading a For Dummies book you shouldn't be running a mailserver and therefore the very short section on spam and blacklists should've been left out in favor of more attention to testing backup and restore procedures.
As a closing point, how about page counts for different types of server operating systems? Windows Server: 28, Netware: 21, Linux: 17. I suspect most new users would need *more* pages on Linux because they're less likely to be familiar with it, but at least it got more than the 6 pages devoted to networking Macs.
I'm fairly sure it wasn't worth the time I spent, even though I'm a fast reader.
In short, if you're a beginner and want to know more, you can start here, but please, PLEASE don't make this the only book you read on networking if you're planning on installing or maintaining anything more than a very, very basic home network (let's say 2 computers, an internet connection and a printer). Use this one to figure out the specific questions and problems you have, and then go find books with real, current and detailed information.
February 23, 2017
Errors are plentiful in this book and because of this I would find it very hard to give it more than one star. Also I would not recommend to anybody new to networking as this book will fill-your-head with false information. I could give plenty of examples of this, but there are too many to mention.
If your looking for a good book on networking that's not too technical then you should try the following: Microsoft Windows Networking Essentials This book is easy to read and understand. It will surely enforce your knowledge of networking in a straightforward way.
If your looking for a good book on networking that's not too technical then you should try the following: Microsoft Windows Networking Essentials This book is easy to read and understand. It will surely enforce your knowledge of networking in a straightforward way.
June 20, 2022
I am a CCNA certified networking technician, but this was still a good book to learn new things.
Would recommend.
I seem to get at least a few things from every book, no matter what my knowledge level!
4.2/5
Would recommend.
I seem to get at least a few things from every book, no matter what my knowledge level!
4.2/5
October 30, 2019
Note: I am a networking expert in terms of bits and bytes, but I am not an expert in terms of computer support. This is a computer support book that is mostly at an elementary level. The narrative is peppered with cute cultural references to Leave It to Beaver and other jokes of a similar time that pegs the author as being around 50 to 60 years old.
I am reviewing the audiobook. The narrator has a jovial, mellow voice of an older, wiser man. He is very reassuring. Is it worth having the audiobook? For an overview of basic computer knowledge, sure. Otherwise you are better off with the print or e-book version since the majority of time you will be looking up how to do something in particular.
Any complaints?
1. The recommended password policy is average to poor. I'll tell you how to create a password: use your favorite password and then pad it with some sort of pattern on your keyboard. For example: teddybear`1234567890-=qwertyuiop[]\teddybear If you look at your keyboard you will realize that I padded with the first two rows of the keyboard followed by a repeat of my favorite password. (It is actually NOT my favorite password. It's just an example.) The point is to create an easily remembered password that is very long.
2. The description of setting up of a Microsoft Server is only slightly more helpful than the installation prompts from the program itself. He takes you through the install process, but not what the best things to do. For example: He says that setting up a dual boot server is usually not a good idea, but he never says why. I'll tell you. A dual-boot server must be rebooted each time you switch from one boot system to the other and back again. Usually a dual boot computer is set up like that for a special purpose like running a favorite piece of software that is only available on Linux. Thus booting into Linux on those rare occasions when you wanted to use that software might make sense... just barely... but this hardly ever applies to a computer server which must serve several clients on a continuous basis. It might apply to a development server used for experimental or testing purposes by a single person.
3. While discussing the set up of an Intranet (not Internet) server, he recommended Microsoft FrontPage to edit web pages. FrontPage was discontinued around 2006 or so. I know FrontPage Tools is still available for download from Microsoft, but it was designed to work on Windows 95. I'm not sure how it would work on a Windows 10 machine.
He also recommended Adobe Dreamweaver to edit web pages. It is still supported and updated.
I doubt I will listen to this audiobook again. As I say, I am considered an expert on some aspects of networking. I don't have a use for an audiobook on this subject. I would barely have a use for the printed version, but for the newbie who has been stuck with administering an office network and hasn't the slightest idea of where to begin, this is your book... the printed/eBook version, that is.
I am reviewing the audiobook. The narrator has a jovial, mellow voice of an older, wiser man. He is very reassuring. Is it worth having the audiobook? For an overview of basic computer knowledge, sure. Otherwise you are better off with the print or e-book version since the majority of time you will be looking up how to do something in particular.
Any complaints?
1. The recommended password policy is average to poor. I'll tell you how to create a password: use your favorite password and then pad it with some sort of pattern on your keyboard. For example: teddybear`1234567890-=qwertyuiop[]\teddybear If you look at your keyboard you will realize that I padded with the first two rows of the keyboard followed by a repeat of my favorite password. (It is actually NOT my favorite password. It's just an example.) The point is to create an easily remembered password that is very long.
2. The description of setting up of a Microsoft Server is only slightly more helpful than the installation prompts from the program itself. He takes you through the install process, but not what the best things to do. For example: He says that setting up a dual boot server is usually not a good idea, but he never says why. I'll tell you. A dual-boot server must be rebooted each time you switch from one boot system to the other and back again. Usually a dual boot computer is set up like that for a special purpose like running a favorite piece of software that is only available on Linux. Thus booting into Linux on those rare occasions when you wanted to use that software might make sense... just barely... but this hardly ever applies to a computer server which must serve several clients on a continuous basis. It might apply to a development server used for experimental or testing purposes by a single person.
3. While discussing the set up of an Intranet (not Internet) server, he recommended Microsoft FrontPage to edit web pages. FrontPage was discontinued around 2006 or so. I know FrontPage Tools is still available for download from Microsoft, but it was designed to work on Windows 95. I'm not sure how it would work on a Windows 10 machine.
He also recommended Adobe Dreamweaver to edit web pages. It is still supported and updated.
I doubt I will listen to this audiobook again. As I say, I am considered an expert on some aspects of networking. I don't have a use for an audiobook on this subject. I would barely have a use for the printed version, but for the newbie who has been stuck with administering an office network and hasn't the slightest idea of where to begin, this is your book... the printed/eBook version, that is.
June 17, 2021
This book is a good overview for people with little knowledge of networking who want to be able to understand the basics. If you are planning on being a network administrator, sure, this won't and should not be your only source, but it is definitely a good starting point.
October 26, 2024
The book had just the right amount of fluff ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2025
I think it's probably awesome for the audience it's written for. I was looking for someone slightly more technical.
February 10, 2024
Good introduction to networking for a beginner. I just HATED the corny jokes scattered throughout.
April 27, 2016
I started reading this book with the hope to understand how a computer network works. It was fun at the beginning, but after reading one half of the book, it got so technical. When I say technical, I mean you should have relevant applications or work in the relevant field to enjoy this book, or you will get bored to death.
Don't get me wrong. I am talking about the half-full of the glass. Since I was crazy enough to create a picture of the technical descriptions in my mind, I was able to enjoy this book.
My recommendation for those who are looking for a book to learn about computer networking is that if you are an network administrator and have to eat your breakfast at work because you have to make sure your network is up and running properly, so go and buy this book. It can be a good reference for you. However, if you are looking for a book that explains the logic of networking, please spend your money on a good sushi or an ice cream treat.
After all, reading this book was fun. The author did a good job throwing some jokes here and there. Jokes in this book might sound lame to some people, but believe me if you are reading something technical, you do want to be giggled from time to time. So, lets count this as a plus.
My overall satisfaction from this book is positive. I did learn lots of new things from Doug Lowe and I am very grateful to him.
Don't get me wrong. I am talking about the half-full of the glass. Since I was crazy enough to create a picture of the technical descriptions in my mind, I was able to enjoy this book.
My recommendation for those who are looking for a book to learn about computer networking is that if you are an network administrator and have to eat your breakfast at work because you have to make sure your network is up and running properly, so go and buy this book. It can be a good reference for you. However, if you are looking for a book that explains the logic of networking, please spend your money on a good sushi or an ice cream treat.
After all, reading this book was fun. The author did a good job throwing some jokes here and there. Jokes in this book might sound lame to some people, but believe me if you are reading something technical, you do want to be giggled from time to time. So, lets count this as a plus.
My overall satisfaction from this book is positive. I did learn lots of new things from Doug Lowe and I am very grateful to him.
March 21, 2013
My head is full now. It helped me wrap my brain around profiles, which I needed and clarified some things I was fuzzy on. I liked that it showed the same steps on different OS and MS Servers since I work with both XP and Win 7's on MS Server 2008. The book is on my shelf as a 'wait a minute, I know I saw this somewhere' resource.
May 11, 2020
I would recommend this book for someone who is new to networking. This was my first networking book which has helped me learn the fundamentals of networking. Which has given me a good foundation of knowledge to build upon on. This book covers a lot of different topics which can be helpful in the various topics in computer networking.
April 26, 2012
Very informative and useful in my daytoday problem solving.
December 10, 2014
Provides good basic information on networking concepts.
May 28, 2010
not as helpful as I had hoped... :(
March 4, 2013
Useful for practical tips for career development class
April 6, 2017
Should be called Setting up Windows Server 2016 for Dummies as it seems to focus more on step by step hand holding of Windows Server installs. Now check this box, now click the OK button, etc. It does talk about some very basic activities of networking but I really was looking to learn more about networking and less about setting up a server than this book really gives you. If you need super basic info on what you can do with a network or installing Windows Server it is fine. If you want to know more about networking and how they work, look elsewhere.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews