Favorite networking sites?

[catseye]

I'm a bit new to this game, as if you couldn't tell, so I was wondering where the pros here go to research networking issues? Specifically, Windows networking (I know where the linux goods are). I use microsoft's forums and technet but who else has good networking forums and articles? Thanks.

 

[Ladi]

If you can fight through the search function: http://www.cisco.com

~Ladi

 

[Scarpozzi]

I know this isn't exactly what you are wanting to hear, but if you are really trying to learn about Windows networking, you should setup a small network yourself and play with configurations on multiple platforms...Win95,95a,95b...Win98,Win98SE...WinNT(read up on service pack information)...and Win2000. All are basically the same, but different versions work a little different depending on the revisions of course and some work better with others. My point is, reading only helps you to get an idea. You need to learn by rolling up your sleeves. If you know how to install and configure NICs to work on your system, that's a major part of networking in itselt. Furthermore, reading up on the protocols and knowing exactly which ones do what and what you need. (Ex.NetBIOS shouldn't be run unless you need it cause it can be a potential security hazard across a network...it has a TCP/IP file sharing option on it). Microsoft networking is easy, but you just need to play with it to get the hang of it.

 

[catseye]

Hehe consider my sleeves rolled. I'm already doing a sysadmin stint, and I get tired of asking my superior for the answers. To at least show that I've looked is going to put me in a much better light. My background is CS and not IT, and they don't cover networking (other than programming the protocols themselves in C) in school. And man, I wish I could afford another machine to set up my own lan. I'm working on scoring a junked machine or two.

I agree that MS networking is simpler than other OSes, but I always have the suspicion that MS implementation is going to bite me. Clearly there are good ways and bad ways to do things, but reading MS's website would lead you to believe that every way is the best way, as long as it involves MS. Particularly with win2k server.