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Chapter 7. Networking
A network
is established when two or more computers are connected to each other
for the purpose of exchanging data. Although networks have been
common in large companies for decades, they're
becoming more common in homes and small offices, not only because
these environments are getting more computers, but because networking
is becoming easier, cheaper, and more useful.Among the things you can do with a simple network are the following:File sharing
Documents and even some applications stored on one computer can be
accessed by another computer on the network, as though they were on
the remote computer's hard disk. Put an end to
walking floppies!
Device sharing
Printers connected to one computer can be used by any other computer
on the network. The same goes for many scanners, backup devices, and
even high-speed Internet devices, such as DSL and cable modems.
Online gaming
Networkable games can be played against other users on your local
network or even over the Internet; after all, it's
more fun blowing up your friends than computer-generated characters.
Communication
Send and receive email, chat, and even videoconference across the
room or the country in seconds, over any type of network connection.
Web
The Web has become ubiquitous. Using Internet Explorer or the web
browser of your choice, you can retrieve information from the other
side of the world as easily as the other side of town.
Data collaboration
A network connection allows two or more users to simultaneously
access the same database, useful for patient-tracking in a
doctor's office, parallel development an application
in a software company, or keeping track of bills and expenses at
home.
Administration
Maintain and troubleshoot
multiple computers over a
network more easily. Using Remote Desktop Sharing (or a third-party
alternative), control a remote computer as though you were sitting in
front of it. Rather than spending several hours over the phone
helping someone far away fix a problem with their computer, fix it
yourself in a few minutes.
The ability to perform these tasks depends only on your software and
the speed of your connection. Since Windows XP includes built-in
support for networking, as well as starter applications that provide
all of the functionality just described, all that's
left is setting it up.Fortunately, networking in Windows XP (and Windows 2000) is easier
than in any previous version of Windows. The convoluted and
temperamental networking subsystem in Windows 9x/Me has been
completely abolished, and the cryptic networking found in Windows NT
3.x/4.x has been greatly simplified and streamlined. In this chapter,
we'll cover the steps required to connect your
computer to a network and use the connection to its fullest.It's important to note at this point that when you
connect your computer to a network, you can dramatically increase its
exposure to hackers and viruses. See the Section 7.2.5, later in this chapter, for
more information on safeguarding your computer.
