Networking has become commonplace in the home. In years past, it took a trained technician to set up and manage a computer network; that's not the case anymore. With more and more households having multiple PCs, there is an increased demand to network those PCs to share files, peripherals, and an Internet connection. And it's become much easier to create a home network, thanks to easier-to-use wireless networking technologies and equipment. The problem is setting up a wireless network can still be somewhat confusing, and often difficult. Even setting up a simple wireless network to share an Internet connection can be a frustrating trial-and-error process. What kind of wireless network should you choose -- 802.11a, b, g, or n? What equipment do you need? How do you configure all your computers to work on the network? How do you share a single printer on your network? The confusion continues when one considers the different issues related to different operating systems. Setting up a wireless network under Windows Vista is much different than setting up a similar network under Windows XP. Users are looking for simple answers to all these questions. Unfortunately, most networking books today are geared toward technology-savvy networking professionals. Where does the average user turn to for solutions to his wireless networking problems? The answer is this book -- Wireless Networking with Windows Vista. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Part I Planning Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 Why You Need a Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 How Wireless Networks Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3 How Windows Vista Handles Wireless Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 4 Designing Your Wireless Network–And Choosing Network Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Part II Setting Up Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 5 Setting Up Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 6 Configuring and Managing Your Network Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 7 Setting Up–And Sharing–A Wireless Internet Connection . . . . . . . 107 8 Securing Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Part III Using Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 9 Setting Up Multiple Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 10 Sharing Files and Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 11 Sharing Music, Movies, and Other Digital Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 12 Sharing Printers and Other Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 13 Connecting Game Devices to Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Part IV Using Other Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 14 Connection to Wi-Fi Hot Spots and Public Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 15 Connecting to Corporate Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227 Part V Upgrading and Maintaining Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . 239 16 Upgrading Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 17 Troubleshooting Wireless Network Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Tools and Techniques to Improve Your Experience with Windows 7

As the official publication for Windows Vista, we cover Microsoft’s latest OS with more depth, passion and clarity than any other magazine on the market. Each issue is packed with tips, tricks and service elements on every page. We give you an insider’s tour of the operating system and illustrate how to get the most out of your PC.

Microsoft Vista for IT Security Professionals is designed for the professional system administrators who need to securely deploy Microsoft Vista in their networks. Readers will not only learn about the new security features of Vista, but they will learn how to safely integrate Vista with their existing wired and wireless network infrastructure and safely deploy with their existing applications and databases. The book begins with a discussion of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Initiative and Vista's development cycle, which was like none other in Microsoft's history. Expert authors will separate the hype from the reality of Vista's preparedness to withstand the 24 x 7 attacks it will face from malicious attackers as the world's #1 desktop operating system. - Microsoft Windows operating systems run more than 90% of the desktop PCs in the world and Vista is the first major Windows release in more than 5 years - This is currently the only book on Windows Vista Security

Microsoft Windows Vista On Demand, Second Edition FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE SHOWN HOW THAN TOLD HOW SEE HOW TO • Master the Windows Vista user experience, including Windows Aero • Manage files and information using Windows Vista programs and Sidebar gadgets • Create your own movies, slides shows, and DVDs • Rip, manage, and play digital music and videos • Protect your computer from Internet or network intruders • Explore the Internet, send e-mail and instant message, and publish calendars on the Web • Customize, fine-tune, and administer Windows Vista • Set up multiple users and parental controls • Perform Instant Searches to quickly find files and programs • Prepare for the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist exam On the Web This book uses real-world examples to give you a context in which to use the tasks. This book also includes workshops to help you put together individual tasks into projects. The Windows Vista example files that you need for project tasks are available at www.perspection.com. Perspection has written and produced books on a variety of computer software–including Microsoft Office 2007 and 2003, Microsoft Windows Vista and XP, Microsoft Expression Web, Apple Mac OS X Leopard, Adobe Photoshop CS3 and CS2, Adobe Flash CS3 and 8, and Adobe Dreamweaver CS3. In 1991, after working for Apple Computer and Microsoft, Steve Johnson founded Perspection, Inc. Perspection is committed to providing information and training to help people use software more effectively. Perspection has written more than 80 computer books, and sold more than 5 million copies. Includes MCAS Exam Objectives! This courseware meets the objectives for the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS). Upon completion of this courseware, you may be prepared to take the exam for MCAS qualification. To learn more about becoming a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, visit www.microsoft.com.

A guide to Windows Vista is organized by feature, furnishing details on all new features, tools, and enhancements, including the multimedia, security, search, and data organization capabilities, and offering helpful tips on system setup, upgrading, and troubleshooting.

Your Guide to Easy and Secure Windows Vista Networking is a complete beginner’s guide to creating, configuring, administering, and using a small network using Windows Vista computers. Inside you’ll find comprehensive coverage of networking hardware, including Ethernet (wired) hardware (from NICs to cables to switches to routers) and wireless Hardware--from wireless NICs to access points to range extenders. We include handy “buyer’s guides” that tell you how to make smart choices when purchasing network hardware. With hardware in hand, we then show you how to roll up your shirtsleeves and put everything together, including configuring a router, laying cable, and connecting the devices. Next, we then show you how to wrangle with Windows Vista’s networking features. These techniques include using the Network and Sharing Center, managing wired and wireless connections, accessing shared network resources, sharing local resources on the network, and working with network files offline. And if you are a music and video aficionado, we’ve got you covered with a special chapter that shows you just how to set up a networked Vista PC as your digital media hub! No networking book would be complete without extensive coverage of security issues that affect anyone connected to the Internet. We show you how to secure each computer, secure your global networking settings, and batten down your wireless connections. The last part of the book includes intermediate networking tasks such as making remote connections, monitoring the network, troubleshooting network problems, and setting up Vista’s built-in web server and FTP server. • No longer is networking a topic that only geeks need to understand. If you have even one computer on the Internet or if you use wireless in your home or office, you need this book! • Extensive hardware coverage that shows you what equipment to buy and how to set it up! • Easy to follow buyer’s guides that enable anyone to make smart and informed choices when purchasing networking hardware. • Complete and comprehensive coverage of Windows Vista’s networking features. • Thwart hackers, crackers, thieves and other Internet malefactors by following our easy to understand chapters on security! • Loaded with tips, tricks, and shortcuts to make networking easier and more secure. • Chock full of real-world examples and network configurations that you can put to work today!

Get in-depth guidance for designing and implementing certificate-based security solutions—straight from PKI expert Brian Komar. No need to buy or outsource costly PKI services when you can use the robust PKI and certificate-based security services already built into Windows Server 2008! This in-depth reference teaches you how to design and implement even the most demanding certificate-based security solutions for wireless networking, smart card authentication, VPNs, secure email, Web SSL, EFS, and code-signing applications using Windows Server PKI and certificate services. A principal PKI consultant to Microsoft, Brian shows you how to incorporate best practices, avoid common design and implementation mistakes, help minimize risk, and optimize security administration.

The study guide helps you master all the topics on the MCSA 70-687 exam, including the following: Installation and upgrades, including VHDs Migrating users, profiles, and applications Installing, configuring, and securing applications Configuring Hyper-V virtualization Configuring TCP/IP, network settings, and network security Configuring and securing access to files and folders, including OneDrive and NFC Configuring local security, authentication, and authorization Configuring remote connections and management Configuring and securing mobile devices Managing disks, backups, and system/file recovery MCSA 70-687 Cert Guide: Configuring Microsoft(R) Windows 8.1 is a best-of-breed exam study guide. Best-selling authors and expert instructors Don Poulton, Randy Bellet, and Harry Holt share preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics. The book presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. Exam topic lists make referencing easy. Chapter-ending Exam Preparation Tasks help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly. Review questions help you assess your knowledge, and a final preparation chapter guides you through tools and resources to help you craft your final study plan. The companion CD contains the powerful Pearson IT Certification Practice Test engine, complete with hundreds of exam-realistic questions. The assessment engine offers you a wealth of customization options and reporting features, laying out a complete assessment of your knowledge to help you focus your study where it is needed most. Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, and challenging review questions and exercises, this study guide helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time. Don Poulton (A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE) is an independent consultant who has worked with computers since the days of 80-column punch cards. He has consulted extensively with training providers, preparing study materials for Windows technologies. He has written or contributed to several Que titles, including Security+ Lab Manual, MCSA/MCSE 70-299 Exam Cram 2, and MCTS 70-620 Exam Prep. Randy Bellet (Network+, MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA) has worked in IT since 1981, and has written multiple applications for the banking, insurance, and food industries. Now on the faculty of ECPI University, he has developed courses in network security and programming. Harry Holt has worked as a computer operator, programmer, LAN administrator, network engineer, DBA, and project manager. He has used his skills to improve efficiency in organizations including Fortune(R) 500 companies, financial institutions, government agencies, small partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Master MCSA 70-687 exam topics for Windows 8.1 configuration Assess your knowledge with chapter-opening quizzes Review key concepts with exam preparation tasks Practice with realistic exam questions on the CD