Networking Essentials

Home Networking with Windows 2000 Professional
Set up a home network between desktops without using a server. Source: Windows & .NET Magazine (June 2000)

LearnThat.com Network+ Certification Tutorial
Covers the basics of networking and teaches the requirements for the Network+ Certification exams.

Networking Basics
A group of excellent FAQ's by LinkSys, a manufacturer of networking equipment.

Network Magazine Online Networking Tutorials.
A huge and exceptional resource. Essentially a full college level online course in Networking, the tutorials cover Network Basics, Hardware, Software, Interoperability, Internetworking, Network Management, etc .

Networking NT Server  
Great (and free) on-line course by Brian Brown.

Network Tutorial
An introduction to basic wiring and network components that discusses the various network components which make up a network (bridges, routers, switches, cabling types, patch panels, etc.,). Source: D&M Electronics.

RAD University  
An online library of tutorials done by students at Tel Aviv University and Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. Sponsored by RAD Networks, the site includes over  70 tutorials, as well as an ATM and Networking Glossary.

The World of Computer Networking: A primer
A good overview of networking, focusing on LAN's, by Bay Networks.

Ultimate Guide to Networking
A well done free online tutorial by HardwareCentral.com

Wang Wei's Networking Essentials Tutorial 
Another great tutorial from FTQ.com. Definitely worth a read! Also designed for people studying for the Microsoft Networking Essentials Exam.

WebProForum Tutorials
Tutorials on the most current technologies in the communications and information industry, downloadable in PDF format. Each tutorial is objective, comprehensive, easy to understand, and designed to be completed in one hour.

ZyXEL Communications Networking Guide for Small Business
A well presented overview of networking fundamentals, LAN/WAN architecture, and building a small network.

Description of the Microsoft Computer Browser Service
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 188001 - Microsoft Active Directory services in Windows 2000 replace the computer browser service used in earlier versions of Windows to provide the network basic input/output system (NetBIOS) name resolution. The browser service in Windows 2000 is provided for backwards compatibility with client computers that are running earlier versions of Windows. This article describes the basic methods by which a server computer provides browse list functionality to client computers on the network.

Description of Microsoft NWLINK IPX/SPX-Compatible Transport
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 203051 - This article describes the basic components in the Microsoft NWLINK IPX/SPX Compatible Transport. (updated 822001) 

Designing Domains  
By Kenton Gardinier, Windows NT Systems Magazine, May 1998

HOW TO: Bind and Unbind Network Protocols and Services in Windows 2000  
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 314604 - This step-by-step article describes how to add or remove network protocol bindings in Windows 2000. You can also use this procedures to add or remove network services such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). These procedures are intended for members of the Administrators group.

HOW TO: Install and Configure the NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS-Compatible Transport Protocol in Windows 2000 Server 
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 316019 - This step-by-step article describes how to install and configure the NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS-compatible transport protocol on a Windows 2000-based server. After you finish this task, the Windows 2000-based server can use the NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS-compatible transport protocol to communicate with Windows-based and NetWare-based computers that also use IPX/SPX.

Managing Routers on NT  
Configuring static and dynamic routers on NT, by Joe Rudich, Network Magazine, March 1999

Networkin(g) Progress  
A well done online resource that covers the OSI model and network troubleshooting and administration.

NWLink IPX/SPX: Network Number vs. Internal Network Number
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 150546 - The NWLink IPX/SPX-compatible transport in Windows NT uses two distinctly different types of network numbers. Windows NT uses an IPX network number for routing purposes. This number is assigned to each configured frame type and adapter combination on your computer. This number is sometimes referred to as the "external network number," and it must be unique for each network segment. Windows NT also uses an internal network number for internal routing purposes. The internal network number is also known as a "virtual network number." The internal network number uniquely identifies the computer on the inter-network. These two network numbers serve two distinctly different functions. (updated 892001) 

Understanding PDC's and BDC's
Primer on Domain Controllers. Source: Windows & .NET Magazine (Jan 2000)