The proliferation of relatively inexpensive computers and associated peripheral devices within the home office or small business workplace has led to a corresponding need to network such devices for improved utility and efficient use of computational resources among multiple users. Where networking of such equipment was once found only in large businesses or multiple-user enterprise environments, it is now commonplace to create small networks that interconnect multiple devices and include personal computers, various peripheral equipment, and Internet connectivity. The challenge is to properly configure and administer associated system hardware and software to best serve the information processing needs of the home office or small business workplace.

For nearly three decades, the most common computer operating systems have been produced by the Microsoft Corporation; the current such product is Windows Vista. This guidebook attempts to provide a complete beginner’s guide to creating, configuring, administering, and using a small network of computing devices that are running the Windows Vista operating system. The text succeeds very well in presenting a thoughtfully laid out and fairly comprehensive guide to the most important aspects of establishing the hardware and software components necessary to create a network to meet specific user needs. Aimed at the novice network developer, this guide provides a useful buyers’ guide to network hardware and details how to put everything together, including installing the component devices, laying the cable, and connecting all of the pieces. On the software side, the text focuses exclusively on Windows Vista networking features, including detailed guidance for establishing a network and sharing center, managing wired and wireless connections, accessing shared network resources, and, most importantly, implementing network security.

The text is organized in four sections covering 20 chapters, and a glossary of networking terms mostly presented at an introductory level. Throughout the chapters, there are numerous illustrations, process listings, Vista screen shots, and simple examples, along with helpful tips and cautions on nearly every page. Step-by-step details are given for most network implementation tasks and troubleshooting processes.

Section 1 addresses the hardware side of networking, considering the mechanisms and devices needed to establish both wired and wireless network connectivity. The installation and configuration of a router, as well as other necessary aspects of interconnecting and running a Vista-based network are clearly described at the beginner level.

Section 2 presents the software processes required to manage and operate the Vista-based network, including basic Vista networking tools for managing wired and wireless network connections, accessing network resources, and sharing specific computer resources with the network. Additional detail is given on configuring a Vista machine to act as a digital media hub and processes for collaboration among network users using Vista’s Meeting Space program.

Network security, covered in Section 3, is acknowledged as a serious and important topic; however, it is unfortunately covered in the shortest section, with the least specific guidance. This is a shortcoming, but the detail provided is well presented. If followed, it will put the resultant security implementation on fairly solid ground.

The text concludes with Section 4, which describes additional Windows Vista networking features and processes, such as connecting to a network from remote locations, monitoring network users and activity, setting up Web sites and file transfer protocol sites, and, most importantly for the novice implementer, troubleshooting and resolving network problems.

I recommend this guidebook to anyone who desires to set up and operate a small computing network based on the Windows Vista operating system. It should also be of interest to any Vista-based network user who wishes to gain a basic understanding of how his or her network functions, and of using specific Vista features to improve application productivity. As a do-it-yourself guide to Vista-specific network implementation and use, without much development of underlying networking theory or principles, this text seems of limited utility in a classroom setting. It could, however, be an excellent adjunct to a Vista-based network laboratory course.