Synopses & Reviews
Connect your home the easy way! This straightforward book guides you through the basics of setting up a simple network for your Windows Vista–based PCs. It’s loaded with easy-to-follow procedures and plenty of screen shots to help you do it yourself without the hassle. Organized for quick reference when you need it, this is the perfect resource to help you get your home network running—and keep it running smoothly!
Discover how to:
- Set up the right network for your home—wired, wireless, remote
- Share and share alike: internet connections, digital media, printers, and more!
- Create user accounts and set parental controls for family computing with peace of mind
- Lock the deadbolt—set up security features to help keep your PCs healthy
- Set up Windows Home Server for simplified data storage, backup, and recovery
- Troubleshoot common issues and perform easy network maintenance
Synopsis
Readers will learn how to set up their home network with this easy-to-read, fun guide written by popular author Joli Ballew, who takes you through the basics of connecting your home with Windows Vista.
About the Author
BIO technical: Joli Ballew, 2007 Windows aShell/User MVP, is a technical author, a technology trainer, and Web site manager in the Dallas area. She holds several certifications including MCSE, A], and MCDST. In addition to writing, she occasionally teaches computer classes at the local junior college, and works as a network administrator and Web designer for North Texas Graphics. She's written almost two dozen books, including Degunking Windows (awarded the IPPY award for best computer book of the year in 2005), Degunking Your Home, CNet's Do It Yourself 24 Mac projects, PC Magazine's Office 2007 Solutions, Breakthrough Windows Vista with Microsoft Press, and the upcoming Windows Home Networking, MS Press. Joli also writes for Microsoft's XP Expert Zone and the Vista Community Web site, writes and gives Microsoft Webcasts, and is an occasional Microsoft blogger Joli has also written a textbook for Microsoft's MCDST certification. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, yard work, working on her home (painting, organizing, remodeling), exercising at the local gym, and teaching her cat, Pico, tricks.
Table of Contents
Dedication; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Why This Book; Who This Book Is For; Special Elements in This Book; How This Book is Organized; Support; Getting Started; Chapter 1: Introduction to Networking; 1.1 What Windows Vista Offers; 1.2 Why You Need a Network; 1.3 Types of Network Configurations; 1.4 Types of Network Hardware; 1.5 Additional Network Terms to Know; 1.6 Chapter Summary; Chapter 2: Get Ready!; 2.1 Configure Your Windows VistaBased PC; 2.2 Configure Windows Firewall; 2.3 Configure Windows Defender; 2.4 Chapter Summary; Setting Up a Network; Chapter 3: The Direct Connection Network; 3.1 Create Workgroup Names; 3.2 Physically Connect the Two PCs; 3.3 Turn On Network Discovery on the Windows VistaBased PC; 3.4 Share the Hosts Internet Connection; 3.5 Add a Second Windows VistaBased PC; 3.6 Add a Windows XPBased PC; 3.7 Get Help for Networking Older PCs; 3.8 Chapter Summary; Chapter 4: The Wired Ethernet Network; 4.1 Connect the Hardware; 4.2 Personalize Your Network; 4.3 Add PCs; 4.4 Chapter Summary; Chapter 5: The Wireless Network; 5.1 Get Started with Wireless Networking; 5.2 Connect the Hardware; 5.3 Add a Windows VistaBased PC; 5.4 Chapter Summary; Chapter 6: The Network and Sharing Center; 6.1 Set Up Your Network Locations; 6.2 Configure Network Discovery; 6.3 Share Files; 6.4 Share the Public Folder; 6.5 Share Printers; 6.6 Use Password Protection; 6.7 Share Media; 6.8 View Computers and Devices; 6.9 Chapter Summary; Managing the Network; Chapter 7: Create User Accounts and Set Parental Controls; 7.1 Understand User Accounts on the Single PC; 7.2 Understand User Accounts on the Networked PC; 7.3 Understand Types of Accounts; 7.4 Create a User Account with a Password; 7.5 Set Advanced Account Properties; 7.6 Set Parental Controls; 7.7 View Parental Control Reports; 7.8 Chapter Summary; Chapter 8: Configure and Manage Shared Folders; 8.1 Create Your Own Shared Folders; 8.2 Understand Default Permissions; 8.3 Understand Security Permissions; 8.4 Access Shared Folders from a Windows VistaBased PC; 8.5 Access Shared Folders from a Windows XPBased PC; 8.6 Chapter Summary; Chapter 9: Turn On and Manage Printer Sharing; 9.1 Share a Printer with the Windows Vista Operating System; 9.2 Add Drivers; 9.3 Set Security Permissions; 9.4 Configure Advanced Printer Settings; 9.5 Access a Local Printer; 9.6 Add a Shared Printer Connected to Another PC; 9.7 Chapter Summary; Expanding the Network; Chapter 10: Create a Windows Home Server; 10.1 Understand What Windows Home Server Offers; 10.2 Know the System Requirements; 10.3 Run Windows Home Server Setup; 10.4 Troubleshoot; 10.5 Configure Windows Home Server Settings; 10.6 Manage Windows Home Server; 10.7 Configure the Backup Settings; 10.8 Configure the Windows Home Server Settings; 10.9 View the Home Network Health; 10.10 Explore Additional Features; 10.11 Chapter Summary; Chapter 11: Work with Offline Files; 11.1 Understand Offline Files; 11.2 Turn On the Offline Files Feature; 11.3 Select Offline Files; 11.4 Work Offline; 11.5 Learn About Sync Center and Synchronization; 11.6 Use Sync Center and Offline Files; 11.7 Create a Sync Partnership; 11.8 Chapter Summary; Chapter 12: Add an Xbox 360; 12.1 Opt for the Xbox; 12.2 Meet Network Requirements; 12.3 Connect the Xbox 360 to the Network; 12.4 Configure the Xbox 360; 12.5 Configure the Windows VistaBased PC; 12.6 Understand What Media Can Be Shared; 12.7 Chapter Summary; Chapter 13: Access a Network Remotely; 13.1 Know the System and Network Requirements; 13.2 Create a Virtual Private Network; 13.3 Set Up the Host PC; 13.4 Make the Connection; 13.5 Configure Additional Settings; 13.6 Chapter Summary; Chapter 14: Maintain a Healthy Network; 14.1 Use Windows Security Center; 14.2 Protect Your Computer from Viruses; 14.3 Work with User Account Control; 14.4 Use Windows Update; 14.5 Use Windows Defender; 14.6 Use Windows Firewall; 14.7 Use Windows Backup and Restore Center; 14.8 Take Care of Your Hardware; 14.9 Chapter Summary; Appendix and Glossary; Troubleshoot a Network; Use the Network and Sharing Center; Verify Connections and Reboot; Explore the Help and Support Center; Ask for Remote Assistance; Visit Windows Help Online; Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base; Join the Windows Vista Community; Post and Search in Windows Communities; Contact Microsoft Customer Support; About the Author;