NetWare, LAN Manager, NETBIOS, DOS, Windows, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT...Confused? Many administrators of TCP/IP-based networks are. In a world dominated by IBM-compatible Personal Computers (PCs), it is inevitable that you will be asked to add some of these systems to your network. A bewildering variety of operating systems and networks are offered for PCs. Finding your way through this maze of options can be a daunting task.

Networking Personal Computers with TCP/IP gives you practical information as well as detailed instructions for attaching PCs to a TCP/IP network. It discusses the challenges you'll face and offers general advice on planning and managing a network; it provides basic TCP/IP configuration information for the most popular PC operating systems and covers configuration of specific applications such as email, remote printing, and file sharing. The book also includes a chapter on integrating NetWare with TCP/IP and an appendix on free TCP/IP software for the PC.

If you're not familiar with the basics of TCP/IP network administration, check out O'Reilly's companion book, TCP/IP Network Administration. It covers the basics of TCP/IP networking and provides detailed instructions for setting-up UNIX workstations and servers on a TCP/IP network.

Networking Personal Computers with TCP/IP covers:

• How to reduce the problems PCs can cause for network administration
• Tools to help a network administrator support PCs
• Detailed examples of TCP/IP configuration under DOS, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95, and Novell NetWare
• Alternatives to custom, system-by-system configuration, including techniques for using tools such as RARP, BOOTP, and DHCP
• Configuration of the Post Office Protocol (POP) servers and clients that allow PC users to receive email directly at their desktops
• Configuration of file sharing and printer sharing

Networking Personal Computers with TCP/IP is a comprehensive guide to connecting a personal computer to a network that is running TCP/IP. Detailed sections cover various flavors of Microsoft operating systems (DOS, Windows 95, Windows NT) and explain in depth the steps necessary to configure the network. Additional sections cover configuration and boot control, mail, and services such as printing and file serving. Replete with screen shots, Networking Personal Computers with TCP/IP will be an invaluable companion as you wade through each task.