A practical, hands-on quide to network troubleshooting that emphasizes diagnostic techniques that both professionals and part-time network adminstrators can understand and use in their day-to-day activities. In today's pervasive network environment, many of these people are often responsible for fixing a network if it goes down. This book emphasizes fixing practical networking applications like shared printers, using the Internet, and sharing files. It does not get into the specifics of protocols or specific applications, but provides short, concise overviews of topics like wireless networking, Unix, Windows 2000, Novell Netware, routers, and firewalls.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 11 Ratings

Excellent book - 2001-06-02
Reviewer Rating:
Although not specific to any OS, architecture, or network design, this is an excellent text for anyone beginning a computer networking career. Some may claim that the first few chapters cover common sense, but these chapters superbly augment troubleshooting techniques used in repairing anything technical. The 2nd half explores the most common operating platforms, whetting the reader's appetite for further study in a myriad of networking concepts. This book alone won't make you an expert in any one area, and it doesn't claim (thank God) to be the definitive text for passing some certification exam, but it does offer essential general information any Sysdamin needs to hear again and again.

A Must for Networking Pros and Amateurs Alike - 2002-11-03
Reviewer Rating:
The first edition was very good (see all the other reviews below). This edition, with the exception of some "troubleshooting technique" chapters, appears to be almost an entirely new book (I am glad I got both -- a LOT has changed since 1998, and Feldman has kept up with the times.) There are many more concrete examples that will be useful both for networking pros and the casual office network guy. Good windows coverage...good wireless...with easy-to-read, intelligent and funny writing.

Five stars superb! - 2001-11-16
Reviewer Rating:
I took Feldman's book to my first systems job as a newly-minted MCSE with no on the job experience. Feldman was my good companion during those first terrifying weeks when I was on my own and didn't know a data packet from a date. Unlike MCSE exam tomes and Microsoft guides, Feldman explains *networking* concepts w/o the Windoze myopia and offers concrete troubleshooting and discovery tools available freely to anyone. As the fog clears the stuff seems almost fun! Indispensable...I sometimes go back to it just to refresh my knowledge and rediscover certain basic concepts that one tends to forget. If you've been voted the "IT guy" at your small company, this is a friendly and useful guide. Thanks Jonathan!

I Demand A Third Edition! - 2009-07-17
Reviewer Rating:
In the world of IT publishing, most books fall into one of two categories: introductions for the absolute novice and encyclopedic references for experienced professionals. Books that help transition the reader from "newbie" to "expert" are a rare treat. This is one of them.

Though a little long in the tooth, Mr. Feldman's book is still in my mind the best book on network troubleshooting for the newly hired tech or junior admin. Unlike similar works, it does not spend page after page on the OSI model, offering only a brief refresher, then diving in to troubleshooting methodology, hardware, and network operating systems. The tone of the book is not "this is all you need to know"; rather, it is "you should know this already, now use what you know like so".

The book is written in a friendly, conversational style, so even absolute beginners should be able to pick up a few tips and tricks from it, a true exception to the rule I stated above. My only complaint with the book is that it was published in 2003... while not obsolete, XP was new and 802.11g unheard of. Though I am happy to recommend this book to anyone and everyone in its target audience, I would rather be telling you to buy the THIRD edition!

Fly down - 2009-03-14
Reviewer Rating:
The good points are that the book is written in a friendly way and easy to understand for beginners to intermediate users.Drawback is the lack of depth.
Overall some good approach suggestion and quick read.

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Networking

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Networking > Troubleshooting