Home networks represent a very special area of networking technology. For years now, their potential market and usefulness have been considerable, as many analysts have forecast. Yet vendors have been reluctant to get into this market until recently, and users remain reluctant to buy and set up home networks. Therefore, there is clearly therefore a mismatch somewhere. Since the necessary networking gear is widely available, the major barrier lies with the home users themselves. However, since there are still several problems with home networks, home users cannot be blamed for not wishing to install them.
One problem is obvious: home users in general are not networking geeks who will build, test, rebuild, and test again, to achieve the ever-moving goal. Home users may not have even a vague understanding of network protocols, routing, broadband modems, or the security issues of always-on connections to the Internet. A typical home user needs just the right understanding of how a home network works, and needs clear guidance on how the network is to be composed, how the gear should be connected and configured, and how the software should be installed and the options should be set up.
There are already several books on home networking on the market, but the task of getting home users excited about interconnecting their devices, sharing content, and utilizing a high-speed connection to the Internet in a simple, yet technically accurate manner is very difficult. This book seems to meet the expectations of the home users and address these needs completely.
Understandably, the authors have had to make some compromises: they do not overload readers with explanations of all the existing home network options, such as HomePNA (over existing telephone wiring), HomePlug (over in-house power lines), or other protocols for home automation. There are far too many of them. Instead, the book concentrates primarily on an increasingly popular solution to home networking: wireless local area networks (LAN). The book briefly introduces almost all options for various broadband connections (cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), satellite, and cellular).
The book begins by leading readers through the jungle of basic networking terms, design, and operation. Then, it shows readers how to connect to the Internet. Step by step, it shows readers how to share files and use a printer in a home network, how to share a broadband connection, and how to create multiple individual email accounts for family members. The authors also describe how to use network and Internet connections for Internet protocol (IP) telephony, online gaming, building an advanced home entertainment system, and supporting home surveillance.
A significant part of the book is dedicated to the security of home networks. The authors not only warn users about their vulnerabilities once they connect to the Internet, but also offer a clear explanation of the issues and how to mitigate the dangers. The user learns how to set up a firewall and anti-virus protection and block spam, pop-ups, spyware, and adware. The book also offers useful hints on how to protect children from the dark side of the Internet. Wireless network security is discussed separately, together with some guidance on setting up a home wireless network properly.
There are various tips, recommendations, and notes offered throughout the text, highlighting important issues. This color, graphic-rich reference book is written in a style that is accessible to home use. It has numerous illustrative drawings of technology topics; snapshots of networking elements, cable connectors, and the like; and sequences of configuration print screens. While the technical aspects are covered correctly for the most part, I did notice a few typographical errors here and there.
To conclude, the book is reasonably priced, and if read in its entirety and used for reference throughout the networking process, it could help beginners and computer/Internet enthusiasts build a truly solid, secure, and scalable home network.
