Windows XP Networking

Rating:
Summary: A lot if information, but inconsistent and difficult to read
Review: This book covers just about every aspect of Windows XP networking. I'd be very surprised if there are networking functions that are built into Windows XP that were not covered in this book. The vast number of topics would make you think that this is the only book on Windows XP networking that and XP administrator would need. Lots of topics, lots of screen shots, lots of instructions, lots of information.

Unfortunately, I found it difficult to figure out who the target audience of this book happens to be. Some segments of the book cover topics to provide a base of understanding to the nature of networking. So, that means that the book is written for those with no experience, right? Ah, but this book also contains a cornucopia of detailed and technical information, particularly with respect to protocols and authentication, that will easily overwhelm new network administrators. So, that means that it's written for intermediate network administrators who want to expand their knowledge base, right? Wait! It covers topics that really should not be used in corporate environments. So it's written for home users and small businesses, right? But it covers topics that no home user or small business would really be interested in. So, it's written for corporate network administrators, right?

Additionally, there are many topics that are covered, but they feel like they were written as two separate projects from each author that were mixed together instead of one collaborative project by both authors. One chapter is easy to read with a lot of step-by-step instructions and examples; then next chapter floods you with technical acronyms, detailed methodologies, and vague implementation instructions.

Unfortuantely, the lack of an evident, target audience and the high-detail-low-detail methodology of the presentation give the book a strong inconsistency and thus make this a difficult book to use for overall, practical usage.

This book tries to be all things to all people, and it simply does not succeed. The book's strength is the diversity of topics and what seems to be a discussion of just about all functions of the networking capabilities of Windows XP; but its weaknesses are the inconsistency of the presentation of each topic and the undefined target audience.

It's not a bad book to have on the shelf of homes with multiple PCs or small companies with networks of less than 200 computers. Unfortunately, this book would most likely be best served as an *augmentation* to other networking books, not as a sole source of XP network connectivity.