Passionately democratic in its advocacy of networking for the masses, this is the first book on Linux networking written especially for the novice user. Because the free, open-source Linux operating system is winning so many converts today, the number of Linux-based networks will grow exponentially over the next few years. Taking up where Linux Clearly Explained left off, Linux Networking Clearly Explained walks the reader through the creation of a TCP/IP-based, Linux-driven local area network, beginning with a "sandbox" installation involving just two or three computers. Readers master the fundamentals of system and network administration-including handling user accounts and setting up security-in this less complex environment. The author then helps them along to the more sophisticated techniques associated with connecting this network to the Internet.

* Focuses on the 20% of Linux networking knowledge that satisfies 80% of network needs-including the needs of small businesses, workgroups within enterprises and high-tech homes.
* Teaches novices to implement DNS servers, network information services (NIS), network file systems (NFS), and all of the most important TCP/IP services, including email, Web and newsgroup access.
* Explains how to set up AppleTalk and Windows NT domain servers for networks that include MacIntosh or Windows systems.
* Comes with a CD containing the latest version of Red Hat Linux, as well as additional freeware/shareware Linux tools and network management applications.

Amazon.com Review Linux, like all Unix variants, was built for networking above all. As a result, its networking features are flexible and reliable--and daunting to Linux newcomers who aren't familiar enough with terms and concepts even to know what to look for in the documentation. Bryan Pfaffenberger does a service to people new to Linux networking with Linux Networking Clearly Explained, an assume-nothing guide to local area networks (LANs) and Internet connectivity under the open-source operating system. Pfaffenberger shows how to do everything--file sharing, printer sharing, inter-machine backups, and Internet connection sharing--that most home and office computer users want to do with their LANs. He explains how Linux fits into an environment of diverse equipment, showing how to make Linux machines talk to Mac OS units and Windows computers.

The book begins with the most important sort of networking: dialup connectivity to an Internet service provider (ISP) via a dialup connection with KPPP for the K Desktop Environment (KDE). Later chapters focus on sharing resources--including the KPPP Internet connection and Internet connections provided by high-speed equipment--among computers interconnected as a LAN. Red Hat Linux 6.1 is used in the examples, but they apply equally well to other Linux flavors. --David Wall

Topics covered: The practicalities of building LANs under Linux and doing useful work with them, Internet connections via KPPP, TCP/IP configuration, Network File System (NFS), Samba for interaction with Windows, AppleTalk for talking to Mac OS machines, and backups with tar and cron.