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Networking 101 - Networking Basics
These links provide a great starting point for exploring the world of computer networking: LAN/WAN, TCP/IP, hardware, software, cabling, and more.

Wireless Networks
The promise of wireless computing is greater reach and mobility of network devices.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Cable
DSL brings high-speed network access to homes and small businesses. Cable modem technology is a competing alternative to DSL.

Network Cables and Cabling
Though wireless is the wave of the future, network cables and cabling are still used on most computer networks today.

Network Certification, Jobs and Careers
Certification credentials can go a long way toward landing that dream job in the computer network field.

Client / Server Networking
Client/server is a network computing architecture that has gained very widespread popularity. Get acquainted with the terminology and the key issues associated with client/server.

Network Design
Design considerations for computer networks cover a wide range of topics including layout, capacity planning, and security.

Ethernet Technology
Ethernet technology powers many of the world's LANs. Learn about the technical components of Ethernet and how they work together.

Firewalls and Firewall Technology
A firewall is an essential element of network privacy and security.

FTP File Transfer - Protocol Software
Transfer files between computers using FTP software. FTP clients communicate with FTP servers via the File Transfer Protocol.

Internet and Network Gaming
Network gaming (on LANs) and Internet gaming (across the Internet) include board, card, role playing and other multi-player or human vs. computer game environments.

Home Networking
Home networks can be set up with or without Internet access, using various combinations of computer hardware and software.

Hubs and Switches
Internetworking involves the linking of individual LANs. These resources provide background on internetworking with hubs and switches (and routers).

Intranets and Extranets
Intranets offer private network access to company employees and other workgroups.

Kazaa, Kazaa Lite and Peer-to-Peer
Kazaa is an extremely popular P2P system used for music, freeware and other file sharing over the Internet. Kazaa and Kazaa Lite use a decentralized P2P model based on the FastTrack protocol.

LANs, Virtual LANs, and WANs
Local Area Networks (LANs) cover a limited physical distance whereas Wide Area Networks (WANs) cover much larger areas. The jargon of "area networks" includes many other possibilities.

Network Management and QoS
A complete network management plan includes both monitoring for faults, caching to converse bandwidth, backups, and capacity planning.

Network Operating Systems
Popular network operating systems include Windows, Mac, Linux, NetWare, and OS/2. Learn about computer networking from the operating system point of view.

P2P - Peer to Peer
Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking eliminates the need for servers and allows all computers to communicate and share resources as equals. Many popular applications like ICQ rely on P2P technology.

Network Programming
Network programming can be accomplished in multiple ways with today's technology and hetergeneous environments.

Protocols
Network protocols like HTTP, TCP/IP, and SMTP provide a foundation that much of the Internet is built on.

Routers and Routing
A sophisticated piece of network hardware, the router joins networks together and is capable of filtering or blocking messages at the network boundary.

Network Security and Internet Privacy
As networks become an integral part of our lives, advanced network security technologies are being developed to protect data and preserve privacy, especially Internet privacy.

Network Speed Tests and Tweaks
Tweak the performance of your Internet or other network connection using these easy tips and tricks to optimize network speed.

TCP/IP Protocol
TCP/IP is perhaps the single most important network protocol in use today. Get TCP/IP tutorial and other reference information, and take online quizzes to test your knowledge of TCP/IP.

Network Tools and Utilities
Numerous utilities are available for availability and performance monitoring of network applications and services.

Network Troubleshooting
Many variables are involved in network failures, and a good troubleshooting methodology is crucial in these situations.

VPN - Virtual Private Networking
VPN solutions support remote access and private data communications over public networks as a cheaper alternative to leased lines. VPN clients communicate with VPN servers utilizing a number of specialized protocols.

Microsoft Windows Networking
Microsoft provides various networking features in their Windows family of operating systems.

Advanced Topics in Networking
From clustering to optical to storage area networks, these branches of computer networking involve advanced, cutting-edge research and development.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology offers high-speed networking capabilities. ATM "clouds" comprise backbones and other network segments where speed considerations are paramount.

Novell NetWare Networking
The NetWare operating system from Novell, Inc. supports file and print serving as well as other advanced networking functions.

Optical Networking
An optical network brings the potential for lower-cost high-speed wide area networking.

Storage Area Networks
A storage area network (SAN) provides dedicated high-speed, long-distance network access to large volumes of data.

High-Performance Computing
Supercomputing, grid computing, and clustering technologies allow networked computer systems to achieve higher performance, availability, and/or capacity.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
ISPs supply Internet access to homes and businesses. ISPs often also offer email and Web hosting and related services.

History and Future of Networking
Past history suggests that the future of computer networking is full of advanced technology and amazing application possibilities.

Extranets
An "extranet" is an intranet that supports controlled public access.

World Wide Web
The network of HTML browsers and HTML servers on the Internet, communicating via HTTP, became known collectively as the 'Web' (short for World Wide Web).

Groupware
Groupware systems use computer networking technology that allows workgroups to communicate more effectively.

Web Servers
Web servers provide network access to Web pages and other intranet and Internet content.

Web Services
A new generation of Web-based technologies bring sophisticated distributed systems capabilities and innovative applications to the Internet.

Product Reviews
Read about the pros and cons of specific computer networking products and services in a variety of categories.

Network Practice Exams
Learn about computer networking the fun and easy way, by taking our series of quick interactive question-and-answer tests. These are excellent practice for certification exams.

Wireless FAQ - General Q&A
Common questions and answers about wireless network technology and how best to use it.

Wi-Fi Home Networking
Set up and maintain wireless home networks or business WLANs using standard "Wi-Fi" networking technology. Includes information on Wi-Fi products like wireless access points, routers, and adapters.

Wireless and Wi-Fi Network Terminology
Learn the lingo of wireless networking - definitions of commonly used terms in Wi-Fi and other wireless networks.

802.11 Wireless Protocol Standards
The family of 802.11 IEEE standards includes several varations on high-speed wireless networking including 802.11a and 802.11b.

Bluetooth Wireless Networking
Bluetooth is a specification for using low-power radio to link phones and computers over short distances without wires.

Wireless Routers
Wireless routers are the foundation of an all-wireless LAN. Home broadband routers based on the 802.11b or 802.11g standards usually combine the functions of a traditional switch, firewall, and wireless access point.

Wireless Network Security
The "open air" nature of wireless radio signals makes it more difficult to secure wireless computer networks.

WAP - Wireless Application Protocol
WAP supports development of Web-based applications that run over wireless networks.

Wireless/Mobile Networking Trends
The wireless industry is introducing new wireless networking technology at a fast pace.

Home Networking Basics
How to design and set up a basic home computer network.

Security in Home Networks
Maintaining a secure home computer network is critical to protecting privacy and personal data. These resources describe ideas and technologies used in securing networks especially designed for home users.

Home Automation
Automation promises to harness the power of computer networking to provide convenience and time savings in the home.

Home Networking Glossaries
Cut through the heavy terminology of networking to better understand the concepts involved with a home network.

Home Networking - Issues and Trends
The capabilities of home computer networks should continue to grow in power and flexibility.

Web Server Comparisons
Learn more about how different Web server products have been measured and compared against each other.

Apache Web Server
Apache consistently rates as the world's most popular Web server. It is full-featured, reliable, and free.

Microsoft Internet Information Server
Microsoft IIS implements Web server functionality that integrates with other Microsoft server-side technologies.

Web Servers and Linux
The Linux operating system offers great support for Web servers in the home or office.

Web Servers and Windows 2000/NT
Windows servers run many popular Web sites, primarily with the Internet Information Server (IIS).

Microsoft .NET (dot-NET)
Microsoft's technology framework for developing distributed systems is changing the course of Internet software.

Windows 2000/NT Network Drive Mapping
In Windows, one way to share files with other computers involves assigning a drive letter to a remote network share.

Home Networking with Windows 2000 or NT
Windows 2000 and Windows NT support a wide range of home networking options including file and printer sharing, ICS, firewalls and other security measures, and more.

VPN Setup
A VPN need not be difficult to deploy and manage. Choose from among several different approaches to VPN setup and administration.

VPN Outsourcing
Organizations can use an ISP as a third-party VPN service provider rather than implement complete VPN solutions themselves.

VPN Security
Usefulness of VPN solutions depend on their ability to deliver truly secure virtual private network access over a public network like the Internet.

Point to Point Tunneling Protocol PPTP
PPTP is a network protocol that makes possible secure VPN connections over the Internet.

VPN Hardware / VPN Software Solutions
Vendor resources including products that implement a VPN "in a box" or components of total VPN solutions.

DSL vs. Cable Modem
Although technical differences may not be the determining factor in their success, DSL and cable modem each offer their own strengths in broadband networking.

IP - Internet Protocol
The Internet Protocol underlies most communication on the World Wide Web. IP supports a variety of higher-level application protocols.

IP Subnetting - Masks, Calculators, CIDR
Subnetting logically partitions IP networks so that traffic can be properly segregated and routed.

TCP/IP Tutorials
These pages describe the history of TCP/IP, the fundamental concepts behind the protocol, and practical examples of its use.

Speed Tests - Internet Bandwidth Tests
Use these speed tests to measure Internet bandwidth before tweaking your network. Speeds tests estimate the speed of a network connection by using sample data files and test Web servers.

CAT5 Cabling
Category 5 (CAT5) is a form of Ethernet cabling commonly used today to connect computers. Learn about the basics of CAT5 for home and office networks.

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