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WindowsServer2003for
Dummies
ISBN:0764516337
byEd
TittelandJames
MichaelStewart
JohnWiley&Sons©2003(404
pages)

Thisistheperfecthandbook
forthosewhoneedtodeploy,
install,andconfigure
installations,upgradefrom
previousversions,understand
networkaddresses,manage
day-to-dayoperations,
configurestorage,manage
usersandgroups,andmore.
TableofContents BackCover
TableofContents
WindowsServer2003forDummies
Introduction
PartI-LayingtheNetworkFoundation

Chapter1 - MakingNetworksMakeSense
NetworkingtheClient/Server
Chapter2 Way
Chapter3 - MattersofProtocol
Chapter4 - MyKingdomforaTopology!
PartII-HookingUptheHardware



Chapter5 - NetworkDesignBasics
InstallingNetworkInterface
Chapter6 Cards
Chapter7 - HookingUpYourNetwork
PartIII-Severs,StartYourEngines!

Chapter8 - MeetWindows2003
Chapter9 - Ready,Set,Install!
ConfiguringConnectionsto
Chapter10 theUniverse
Chapter11 - DoingtheDirectoryThing
WorkingwithActive
Chapter12 - Directory,Domains,and
Trusts
Chapter13 - PrintingontheNetwork
IPAddressing—Zeroto
Chapter14 InsaneinTwoSecondsFlat
PartIV-RunningYourNetwork

ManagingUserswithActive
Chapter15 - DirectoryUsersand
Computers
ManagingShares,
Chapter16 Permissions,andMore
Chapter17 - BackingUpforaRainyDay
NetworkSecurity
Chapter18 Management
PartV-Troubleshooting


UsingWindows2003
TroubleshootingUtilities
Chapter20 - NixingNetworkProblems
Chapter21 - ReactivatingActiveDirectory
Chapter19 -


PartVI-ThePartofTens

TenTipsforInstallationand
Configuration
TenStepstoNetworking
Chapter23 - NirvanawithWindowsServer
2003
Index
ListofFigures
ListofTables
ListofSidebars
Chapter22 -



WindowsServer2003for
Dummies
ISBN:0764516337
byEd
TittelandJames
MichaelStewart
JohnWiley&Sons©2003(404
pages)


Thisistheperfecthandbook
forthosewhoneedtodeploy,
install,andconfigure
installations,upgradefrom
previousversions,understand
networkaddresses,manage
day-to-dayoperations,
configurestorage,manage
usersandgroups,andmore.
TableofContents

BackCover

BackCover
Ifyou’reafraidofgettingalltangledupinthe
mysteriesofWindowsServer2003,fearnomore!This
friendlyguidebookmakesiteasytoinstall,configure,
secure,andmanageanetwork.You’llunderstand
networkingbasics,findouthowtousecoolnew
WindowsServer2003features,andbecomenetworksavvyinnotime.
AbouttheAuthors


EdTittelisacomputertrainerandauthorwhohas
workedonmorethan20ForDummiesbooks.
JamesMichaelStewartisanindependentsecurity
consultantwhoworksasawriterandtrainer.







WindowsServer2003forDummies
EdTittel
JamesMichaelStewart
WileyPublishing,Inc.
Windows®Server2003ForDummies®Publishedby
WileyPublishing,Inc.
909ThirdAvenue
NewYork,NY10022

Copyright©2003WileyPublishing,Inc.,Indianapolis,Indiana
PublishedbyWileyPublishing,Inc.,Indianapolis,Indiana
PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada
Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrieval
systemortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,
mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanningorotherwise,exceptas
permittedunderSections107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyright
Act,withouteitherthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher,or
authorizationthroughpaymentoftheappropriateper-copyfeetothe
CopyrightClearanceCenter,222RosewoodDrive,Danvers,MA01923,
(978)750–8400,fax(978)646–8700.RequeststothePublisherfor
permissionshouldbeaddressedtotheLegalDepartment,Wiley
Publishing,Inc.,10475CrosspointBlvd.,Indianapolis,IN46256,(317)
572–3447,fax(317)572–4447,e-mail:
Trademarks:Wiley,theWileyPublishinglogo,ForDummies,the
DummiesManlogo,AReferencefortheRestofUs!,TheDummiesWay,
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dressaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofWileyPublishing,Inc.,
intheUnitedStatesandothercountries,andmaynotbeusedwithout
writtenpermission.WindowsisaregisteredtrademarkofMicrosoft
Corporation.Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespective
owners.WileyPublishing,Inc.,isnotassociatedwithanyproductor


vendormentionedinthisbook.
LIMITOFLIABILITY/DISCLAIMEROFWARRANTY:WHILETHE
PUBLISHERANDAUTHORHAVEUSEDTHEIRBESTEFFORTS
INPREPARINGTHISBOOK,THEYMAKENO
REPRESENTATIONSORWARRANTIESWITHRESPECTTOTHE
ACCURACYORCOMPLETENESSOFTHECONTENTSOFTHIS
BOOKANDSPECIFICALLYDISCLAIMANYIMPLIED
WARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORA
PARTICULARPURPOSE.NOWARRANTYMAYBECREATED
OREXTENDEDBYSALESREPRESENTATIVESORWRITTEN
SALESMATERIALS.THEADVICEANDSTRATEGIES
CONTAINEDHEREINMAYNOTBESUITABLEFORYOUR
SITUATION.YOUSHOULDCONSULTWITHAPROFESSIONAL
WHEREAPPROPRIATE.NEITHERTHEPUBLISHERNOR
AUTHORSHALLBELIABLEFORANYLOSSOFPROFITOR
ANYOTHERCOMMERCIALDAMAGES,INCLUDINGBUTNOT
LIMITEDTOSPECIAL,INCIDENTAL,CONSEQUENTIAL,OR
OTHERDAMAGES.
Forgeneralinformationonourotherproductsandservicesortoobtain
technicalsupport,pleasecontactourCustomerCareDepartmentwithin
theU.S.at800–762–2974,outsidetheU.S.at317–572–3993,orfax
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Wileyalsopublishesitsbooksinavarietyofelectronicformats.Some

contentthatappearsinprintmaynotbeavailableinelectronicbooks.
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2003101831
0-7645-1633-7
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ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
10987654321
AbouttheAuthors
EdTittelisagrizzledveteranofthepublishinggame,withseveral
hundredmagazinearticlesandmorethan100bookstohiscredit.Edhas


workedonnumerousForDummiesbooks,includingHTML4For
Dummies,3rdEdition(withNatanyaPittsandChelseaValentine)and
XMLForDummies,3rdEdition,(withFrankBoumphrey),aswellas
booksonmanyothertopics.Edpresidesoverasmall,Austin,TexasbasedcompanycalledLANWrightsthatspecializesinnetwork-oriented
training,writing,andconsulting.WhenEd'snotbusywriting,helikesto
shootpool,cook,andhangoutwithhisLabradorretriever,Blackie.You
canreachEdbyemailatorthroughhisWebpageat
/>JamesMichaelStewarthasbeenworkingwithcomputersand
technologyformorethaneighteenyears.Michaelisanindependent
consultantworkingasawriterandtrainer.Hisworkfocusesonsecurity,
WindowsNT,2000,XP,and2003,intranets,andtheInternet.Michael
hascoauthorednumerousbooksonMicrosoftcertificationand
administrationandhaswrittenarticlesforprintandonlinepublications.
Hehasdevelopedcertificationcoursewareandtrainingmaterialsaswell
aspresentedthesematerialsintheclassroom.Heisalsoaregular
speakeratNetworld+Interop.HehasbeenanMCSEsince1997and
holdsthefollowingcertifications:CISSP,TICSA,CIWSecurityAnalyst,
CTT+,CCNA,MCSENT&W2K,andiNet+.Michaelgraduatedin1992
fromtheUniversityofTexasatAustinwithabachelor'sdegreein

Philosophy.Hiscomputerknowledgeisself-acquired,basedonmore
than18yearsofhands-onexperience.Hespendshissparetimereading,
Texastwo-stepping,cycling,woodworking,andmanaginghistenantsas
aslumlord.YoucanreachMichaelbye-mailat

Author'sAcknowledgments
Asalways,thankstotheLANWrightsfolkswhoworkedonthisbook:
MaryBurmeisterandKimLindros.OntheWileyside,specialthanksto
SusanPink,BobWoerner,andAmandaFoxworth.I'dalsoliketothank
JasonZandriforhismuch-appreciatedandverywelcomeassistancewith
thefinalrevisionofthebook,andMichaelStewartforhisearlierand
equallywelcomerevisionsforRC1.Personally,IwanttothankmyMom
andDadformakingmycareerbothpossibleandattainable.Finally,I
wanttothankmynewbride,DinaKutueva,forcomingintomyliferather


laterthansooner.WelcometoAmerica!Also,mythankstoBlackie,my
ever-faithfulLabradorsidekickwhourgesmeconstantlyintothewider
worldbeyondmykeyboard.
—ET
Thankstomycoauthor,EdTittel,forincludingmeinthisbook.Tomy
editorMaryBurmeisterforputtingupwithmeonyetanotherbook
project.Tomyparents,DaveandSue,thanksforyourloveand
consistentsupport.ToMark,thanksforalwaysbeingthere.ToHERbert
andQuin,stoptrackingthecatlitteralloverthehouse!Andfinally,as
always,toElvis:IfI'meverfeelingdown,Ijustrememberyoursparkling
leatherjumpsuitwiththebigcollar—andfallonthefloorlaughing.
—JMS








Introduction
WelcometoWindowsServer2003ForDummies,thebookthathelps
anyonewho'sunfamiliarwithWindowsServer2003(ornetworksin
general)findhisorherwayaroundaWindowsServer2003-based
network.Inawiredworld,networksprovidethelinksthattieallusers
together.Evenifyou'renotusinganetworkalready,youprobablywilluse
onesomeday!Thisbooktellsyouwhat'sgoingon,inbasic,
straightforwardterms.
AlthoughafewfortunateindividualsmaybeacquaintedwithWindows
Server2003andnetworksalready,alotmoreofusarenotonly
unfamiliarwithnetworkingbutalsodownrightscaredofit.Tothosewho
maybeworriedabouttheprospectoffacingnewanddifficult
technologies,wesay,"Don'tworry.Behappy."Usinganetworkisnot
beyondanyone'switsorabilities—it'smostlyamatterofusinga
languagethatordinarypeoplecanunderstand.
OrdinaryfolksarewhythisbooktalksaboutusingWindowsServer2003
andnetworksinsimple—anddeliberatelyirreverent—terms.Nothingis
toohighfalutintobemocked,nortooarcanetostateinplainEnglish.And
whenwedohavetogettechnical,we'llwarnyouandmakesureto
defineourtermstoboot.
Thisbooksaimstohelpyoumeetyourneeds.You'llfindeverythingyou
needtoknowaboutWindowsServer2003andnetworkinginhere,so
you'llbeabletofindyourwayaround—withouthavingtolearnlotsof
jargonorobtainanadvanceddegreeincomputersciencealongtheway.
Wewantyoutoenjoyyourself.Ifnetworkingreallyisabigdeal,it's

importantthatyoubeabletogetthemostoutofit.Wereallywantto
help!
AboutThisBook
Thisbookisdesignedsoyoucanpickitupandstartreadingatanypoint
—likeyoumightreadareferencebook.InPartsIandII,networking
basicsarecovered:conceptsandterminologyinPartI,andthedesign
anddeploymentofnetworkhardwareinPartII.InPartsIIIthroughV,


you'llfindamplecoverageofWindowsServer2003andrelated
networkingtopics.PartIIIcoversinstallationandconfigurationof
WindowsServer2003,whereasPartIVcoversitsmaintenanceand
management.PartVcompletesthispicturewithchaptersonavarietyof
troubleshootingtopics.
Eachchapterisdividedintofreestandingsectionsinwhicheachone
relatestothechapter'smajortheme.Forexample,thechapteron
installingnetworkinterfacecards,orNICs,containsthefollowing
collectionofinformation:
AdescriptionofaNICandhowitworks
ThevariousPCbusesforwhichNICsareavailable
Howtobegintheinstallationprocessbydocumentingyour
currentconfiguration
HowtoinsertaNICintoaPC
HowtoconfigureaNICafterit'sinstalledinyourPC
WhattodowhenPlugandPlayfailstoliveuptoitspromises
TroubleshootingtechniquestotrywhenNICinstallationdoesn't
workonthefirst(orsecond)try
Youdon'thavetomemorizethecontentsofthisbook.Eachsection
suppliesjustthefactsyouneedtomakenetworkingwithWindowsServer
2003easytouse.Onsomeoccasions,however,youmaywanttowork

directlyfromthebooktomakesureyoukeepthingsstraight.
HowtoUseThisBook
Thisbookworkslikeareference,sostartwithatopicthatinterestsyou.
Youcanusethetableofcontentstoidentifygeneralareasofinterestor
broadtopics.Theindex,however,isyourbesttoolforidentifyingdetailed
concepts,relatedtopics,orparticularWindows2003capabilities,tools,or
controls.


Afteryoufindwhatyouneed,youcanclosethebookandtackle
whatevertaskyou'vesetforyourself—withouthavingtograpplewith
unrelateddetails.
Ifyou'veneverworkedonanetworkbefore,it'sagoodideatoreadParts
IandIIintheirentirety.Likewise,ifyou'renewtoWindowsServer2003,
youmightwanttoreadallofPartsIIIandIV.Otherwise,diginwherever
yourfancymovesyou!
Whenyouneedtotypesomethingatthekeyboard,you'llseetextthat
lookslikethis:TYPETHIS.You'reexpectedtoenterthistextatthe
keyboard,andthenpresstheEnterkey.Becausetypingstuffcan
sometimesbeconfusing,wealwaystrytodescribewhatitisyou're
typingandwhyyouneedtotypeit.
ThisbookoccasionallysuggeststhatyouconsulttheWindowsServer
2003onlinehelp,printedmanuals,andResourceKitandeven
Microsoft'sTechNetCDforadditionalinformation.Inmostcases,though,
youfindeverythingyouneedtoknowaboutaparticulartopicrighthere
—exceptforsomeofthebizarredetailsthataboundinWindowsServer
2003.
Ifthere'satopicwedon'tcoverinthisbookthatyouneedtoknowmore
about,wesuggestyoulookforabookonthatsubjectintheFor
Dummiesseries,publishedbyWileyPublishing,Inc.Inaddition,awhole

worldofWebinformationaboutWindowsServer2003isavailableonthe
Internet,andtheMicrosoftWebsiteat
isnotabad
placetostartlookingforsuchinformation.
FoolishAssumptions
We'regoingtoclimboutonalimbandmakesomepotentiallyfoolish
assumptionsaboutyou,ourgentlereader.Youhaveorarethinkingabout
gettingacomputer,anetwork,andatleastonecopyofWindowsServer
2003.Youknowwhatyouwanttodowiththesethings.Youmighteven
beabletohandleallthesethingsyourself,ifsomebodycouldonlyshow
youhow.Ourgoalwiththisbookistodecreaseyourneedforsucha
somebody,butwedon'trecommendtellinghimorherthatoutloud—at


least,notuntilyou'vefinishedthisbook!
HowThisBookIsOrganized
Thebookisdividedintosixmajorparts,eachofwhichconsistsoftwoto
sevenchapters.Eachchaptercoversamajortopicandisdividedinto
sections,whichdiscusssomeparticularissueorconcernrelatedtothat
topic.That'showthingsinthisbookareorganized,buthowyoureaditis
uptoyou.Chooseatopic,asection,achapter,orapart—whatever
strikesyourfancyorsuitsyourneeds—andstartreading.
PartI:LayingtheNetworkFoundation
PartIcoversnetworkingconceptsandterminology,includingthebasics
ofnetworkedcommunicationsandwhatmakesnetworkswork—usually,
somemagicalcombinationofhardwareandsoftware.Lookherefor
discussionsaboutnetworkingtermsandconcepts,suchasclient,server,
protocol,andtopology.Ifyou'renotfamiliarwithnetworks,thispart
shouldcomeinhandy.Ifyou'realreadyaseasonednetworker,youcan
skipthispart(andPartII).

PartII:HookingUptheHardware
PartIIcoverseverythingyouneedtoknowtobuildorextendanetwork
orsimplytounderstandwhat'sreallyhappeningonanexistingnetwork.It
startswithcoverageofnetworkdesignandlayoutprinciples,and
continueswithadiscussionofhowtoinstallandconfigureNICsinaPC.
Afterthat,itexaminesthewiringthatlinksnetworkdevicesandtalks
abouthowmultiplenetworkscaninterconnect.PartIIconcludeswitha
reviewofallthesoftwarecomponentsyou'relikelytoencounterona
Windows2003-basednetworkandwhyyouneedthem.
PartIII:Servers,StartYourEngines!
PartIIItacklesWindowsServer2003headon,startingwithitsinstallation
andconfiguration.Itcoverstheissuesinvolvedininstallingand
configuringnetworkhardwarespecificallyforWindowsServer2003.It
alsocovershowtoinstallandmanageprintserversandservicesona
Windows2003-basednetwork,howtohandleTransmissionControl


Protocol/InternetProtocol(TCP/IP)addresses,andhowtosetupand
managedirectoryservices,domains,andtrustrelationshipsina
Windows2003-basedenvironment.PartIIIiswhereyoufigureouthowto
putthebasicpiecesofanetworktogetherusingWindowsServer2003.
PartIV:RunningYourNetwork
PartIVpicksupwherePartIIIleavesoff—thatis,ittalksaboutliving
withandmanagingaWindows2003-basednetworkaftertheinitial
installationandconfigurationphaseiscomplete.Itbeginswitha
discussionofhowtomanageusersandgroupsonaWindows2003basednetwork,includingdetailsonprofiles,policies,andlocalandglobal
groups.Next,itcovershowWindows2003controlsaccesstoNTFSfiles
anddirectories,andhowtomanagenetwork-accessiblefilesystem
resourcescalledshares.
Afteranetwork'susers,groups,anddataassetsareinplace,rebuilding

suchasetupfromscratchcanbearealpain.That'swhereabackup
comesinhandy,soPartIVcoverstheinsandoutsofbackingupand
restoringaWindowsServer2003machine,plusotheraspectsoffault
tolerance.Afterthat,areviewofnetworksecurityprinciplesandpractices
shouldhelptoprepareyoutoprotectyourdatafromaccidentallossand
fromwould-behackersandcrackers.
PartV:Troubleshooting
PartVtakesalong,hardlookatthecommoncausesoftroubleon
Windows2003-basednetworksandexploresthoseareasthataremost
likelytofallpreytotrouble.ItbeginswithalookatsomekeyWindows
2003toolsfortroubleshootingsystems,andthencontinuesontoexplore
tips,tricks,andtechniquesfortroubleshootingaWindows2003-based
network.PartVconcludesbyexploringthehandlingofproblemswith
ActiveDirectory.
PartVI:ThePartofTens
PartVIfollowsthegrandtraditionofForDummiesbooks,allofwhich
include"ThePartofTens."Here,you'llfindlistsofinformation,tips,tricks,
andsuggestions,allorganizedintoshortandconvenientchapters.This


supplementalinformationisdesignedtobebothhelpfulandinformative
andissuppliedatnoextracharge.
IconsUsedinThisBook
Theiconsusedinthisbookpointyoutoimportant(andnotsoimportant)
topicsinthetext.
KEY
Thisiconletsyouknowthatyou'reabouttoencounter
CONCEPT informationthat'simportanttounderstandifyoureally
wanttogetwhat'sgoingonwithnetworkingorwith
WindowsServer2003.Itmaybepainfulattimes,butyou

havetoslogthroughit.
REMEMBER Ohgee,we'regettingsooldthatwecan'trecallwhat
thisonemeans.Maybeyoushouldcheckoneoutand
seewhetherit'sworthwatchingfor!
TECHNICAL Thisiconletsyouknowthatyou'reabouttobe
STUFF
swampedintechnicaldetails.Weincludethis
informationbecauseweloveit,notbecausewethink
youhavetomasterittouseWindowsServer2003or
networks.Ifyouaspiretonerdhood,youprobably
wanttoreadit;ifyou'realreadyanerd,you'llwantto
writeusaboutstuffweleftoutorotherinformationwe
shouldputin!
Tip Thisiconsignalsthathelpfuladviceisathand.Wealsouseit
whenweofferinsightsthatwehopemakenetworkingorusing
WindowsServer2003moreinterestingoreasier.Forexample,
wheneverweincludeashortcutthatimprovesyourproductivity,
it'susuallymarkedwiththeTipicon.
Warning Thisiconmeanswhatitsays—you'dbetterbecarefulwith
theinformationitconveys.Ninetimesoutoften,it's
warningyounottodosomethingthatcanhavenastyor
painfulconsequences,asinaccidentallywipingoutthe
contentsofanentireharddrive.Whoops!


WheretoGofromHere
Withthisbookatyourside,youshouldbereadytowrestlewithWindows
Server2003andthenetworksitconnectsto.Findasubject,turntoits
page,andyou'llbereadytojam.Feelfreetomarkupthisbook,fillinthe
blanks,dog-earthepages,anddoanythingelsethatmightmakea

librarianqueasy.Theimportantthingsaretomakegooduseofitandto
enjoyyourselfwhileyou'reatit.
Tip PleasecheckouttheWebpageat.Be
suretotaketheopportunitytoregisteryourpurchaseonlineorto
sendtheauthorse-mailwithfeedbackaboutyourreading
experience.







PartI:LayingtheNetworkFoundation
Chapter1:MakingNetworksMakeSense
Chapter2:NetworkingtheClient/ServerWay
Chapter3:MattersofProtocol
Chapter4:MyKingdomforaTopology!
Inthispart…
Inthisintroductorypartofthebook,yougetbackgroundmaterial
aboutlocalareanetworks,orLANs.Wepresentthebarest
essentials:howcomputerscommunicatewitheachother,why
communicationisn'tabadthing,andwhatmakesnetworkswork.We
alsocovervitalconcepts,includingprotocols,whicharetherulesof
communicationthatcomputersusetoexchangeinformation,and
topologies,whicharethewaysinwhichnetworkwiringcanbe
arranged.
Alongtheway,youdiscoverallkindsofbasicnetworkterminology
andconceptsthatyoumayneverhaveheardofbutthateveryone,
includingMicrosoft,assumesthatyouknowwhenyouworkwith

WindowsServer2003.
Eachchapterpresentsitsinformationinsmall,easy-to-read
sections.Ifinformationisreallytechnical(mostlyworthskipping,
unlessyou'reagluttonforpunishment),it'sclearlymarkedassuch.
Evenso,wehopeyoufindthisinformationuseful—andmaybe
evenworthagiggleortwo.







Chapter1:MakingNetworksMakeSense


Overview
Ifyou'veeverusedacellphoneorwatchedaTVshow,you'veuseda
network,perhapswithoutevenrealizingit.Muchoftheworld'smodern
communicationsinfrastructure,includingwiredandwirelesstelephones,
cableandbroadcastTV,andtheInternet,dependsonnetworks.
WindowsServer2003needsanetwork,too.Becauseserversexistto
providefile,print,directory,Web,security,andotherservicestoclients
acrossanetwork,usingWindowsServer2003withoutanetworkislike
usingatelephonethat'snotpluggedintothewall.Althoughthatphone
mayhavesomevalueasabstractart,itsrealvaluecomesfromits
capabilitytoconnectyouwithotherpeopleorservices.Thesameistrue
forWindowsServer2003.
Inthischapter,weintroduceyoutothevariouscomponentsthatmakeup
aWindowsServer2003-basednetworkandbrieflydiscusshoweachone

works.







What'sThisaboutaNetwork?
Anetworkrequiresatleasttwocomputerslinkedinawaythatenables
themtotalktoeachother.Mostnetworksuseelectricalwiresofsome
typetoconveysignalsanddatabetweencomputers.However,numerous
typesofnetworkingmedia,includingwirelesstechnologiesandfiber-optic
cables,alsosupportnetworkedconnections.Inotherwords,youcanget
fromheretothereinmanywaysonmodernnetworks!
Anetwork'skeyingredientsalwaysincludesometypeofphysical
connectionthatallowscomputerstotalk(andlisten)tosomekindof
communicationsmedium.Evenifthatnetworkmediumiswireless,
somethingmustphysicallyconnectcomputerstoanantennaortoa
similardevicethatallowsthosecomputerstobroadcastandreceive
signals.
Butthere'smoretonetworkingthanhardware.Althoughcablesand
connectionsareessential,theyarepurelydecorativeandcanserveno
usefulpurposewithoutsoftware.Inthefollowingsections,youfindouta
bitmoreaboutthehardwareandsoftwarethatmakenetworkswork.

Nohardwaremeansnoconnections!
Firstandforemost,networkingrequiresworkingconnectionstoenable
computerstocommunicatewitheachother.Networkinghardware
createsconnectionsbetweencomputersandanetworkanddefinesthe

medium(ormedia)thatallowsinformationtoflowfromsenderto
receiver.
Networkinghardwarecoversabroadrangeofdevices,manyofwhich
youmayfindonyournetworks.Inthefirstpartofthisbook,wehelpyou
understandtherolesandfunctionsthesedevicesplayonanetwork.
Fromthemostbasicperspective,computersneedthefollowinghardware
totalktoeachotheronatypicalnetwork:
Anetworkinterfacecard(NIC)plugsintoacomputerand
attachestoanetworkcable(orothermedium,ifsomethingelse


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