I. TECHNOLOGICAL FUNDAMENTALS.


1. Networks: A Look Back.

Reality Check. Frontier Land. The Hidden Network of Data Storage. Sending and Receiving Information Among Computers. Summary.


2. Networks: Basic Concepts.

Reality Check. Analog and Digital. Transmitting Your Thoughts. Summary. Putting It All Together.



II. THE CONNECTION.


3. Networks: Parts and Pieces.

Reality Check. Interrupts. Network Cards. Network Media. Transmitting a Signal Over a Cable. Transmitting a Signal Over the Airwaves. After the Cable. Summary.


4. Networks: Linking Parts Together.

Reality Check. An Electronic Highway. Network Topologies. Network Architecture. Network Protocols. Summary.


5. Networks: Connecting over a Wide Area.

Reality Check. The Telephone System. Wide Area Networks. Summary.


6. Networks: Internet, Intranets, and Extranets.

Reality Check. Inside the Internet. Surfing the Net. Internet Services. Internet Security. Intranets and Extranets. Summary.


7. Networks: Client/Server Technology.

Reality Check. Network Operations. Overcoming Incompatible Network Operating Systems. Summary. Putting It All Together.



III. PREVENTING AND FIXING NETWORK PROBLEMS.


8. Network Reliability and Security.

Reality Check. Network Performance. Network Administration. Network Accounts. Network Security. Summary.


9. How Technicians Troubleshoot a Network.

Reality Check. Preventive Measures. Troubleshooting Network Problems. Summary. Putting It All Together.



IV. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW.


10. Network: The Industry.

Reality Check. The Breadth of the Industry. The Depth of the Industry. The Industry Today. Summary.


11. Networks: The Future of the Industry.

Reality Check. Growth at the Speed of Light. Changing Business Climate. Summary.


Appendix A: Network: Profiles of the Major Players.

Electronic Commerce Segment. Network Software/Services Segment. Network Hardware Segment. Network Communication Segment. Putting It All Together.


Glossary.
Index.