This two-part book includes an excellent glossary with basic explanations of networking-related items. Byrne's definition of a local area network (LAN) is a good example: "A LAN is a communications system much like a telephone system except that data, not voices, is usually shared. In recent years, the term network is often substituted when describing a LAN." Then there are sections that cover specific areas more fully, like the one on basic Ethernet concepts. It explains the data speeds at which Ethernet operates, explains that Ethernet breaks data into frames, and then details how each frame must be between 72 and 1,518 bytes and how you can tailor the size of the frame to improve network performance.

The book also discusses strategies for implementing a backup system, protecting the network from viruses, and troubleshooting. Byrne encapsulates his approach here, "This entire [troubleshooting] process is really twofold. First you need to get at the root of the problem, and second you need to fully document the process from problem to resolution." Each of the chapters ends with an exam preparation summary and a series of questions, the answers for which are provided in appendix 1. The chapters are also studded with exam prep pointers, which highlight those topics certain to be covered in the Network+ test. --Sarah L. Roberts-Witt