Novell's Introduction to Networking

With extensive discussions of how to choose network equipment, cabling, and software, Novell's Introduction to Networking serves as a fine primer for those about to commit to setting up a local area network (LAN). Everything is explained in glorious detail, including subjects--such as the difference between Thinnet and Thicknet--that are perennially confusing to the uninitiated. As you might expect, the discussions of software tend to endorse Novell products, but this bias is minor and easily compensated for with a little outside reading. The second half of the book gives due attention to security, data backup, training, troubleshooting, and general network administration.

Novell's Introduction to Networking deserves a place on the desks of technical people who need to understand broad hardware and software issues (though these people will have to go elsewhere for operational details) and in the hands of managers who need to know what they're being asked to procure.