Local Area Networking: A Complete Practical Guide

Build, Configure, Secure & Troubleshoot Real-World Networks

Local Area Networking is a practical, step-by-step guide to understanding, designing, installing, configuring, securing, and troubleshooting modern wired and wireless LANs.

Written in clear and accessible language, the book starts with networking fundamentals and gradually develops the reader’s skills through practical examples, diagrams, commands, troubleshooting scenarios, hands-on labs, and complete network-design projects.

Rather than focusing only on theory, this guide shows how networking works in real environments such as homes, offices, schools, computer labs, CCTV installations, multi-floor buildings, and small businesses.

What You’ll Learn

• LAN and computer networking fundamentals
• OSI and TCP/IP models
• Network topologies and networking equipment
• Ethernet fundamentals
• Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A cabling
• T568A and T568B termination
• Structured cabling and patch panels
• Fibre-optic networking
• IPv4 addressing
• Subnet masks and CIDR
• Practical subnetting
• DHCP and DNS
• IPv6 fundamentals
• Ethernet switching
• Managed switches
• VLAN configuration
• Access and trunk ports
• Inter-VLAN routing
• Spanning Tree Protocol
• Link aggregation and LACP
• Wi-Fi fundamentals
• Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7
• Wireless coverage planning
• Wi-Fi security
• Business wireless network design
• File sharing over a LAN
• Network printers
• NAS and local servers
• CCTV networking
• NVR and IP camera configuration
• VoIP networking
• NAT and Internet connection sharing
• Network security fundamentals
• Firewall configuration concepts
• Secure remote access and VPNs
• Ethernet troubleshooting
• Wi-Fi troubleshooting
• Essential networking commands
• Packet analysis with Wireshark

Hands-On Real-World Projects

The book includes complete practical projects covering:

• Home network design
• Small-office LAN
• School and computer-lab network
• Multi-floor business network
• Complete professional LAN design project

Readers learn how to prepare:

• Network topology diagrams
• IP addressing plans
• VLAN plans
• DHCP scopes
• Switch-port maps
• Wi-Fi deployment plans
• PoE calculations
• Rack layouts
• Cable schedules
• Firewall policies
• Testing plans
• Network documentation

Practical Reference Appendices

The book also includes quick-reference material for:

• Networking terminology
• Common TCP and UDP ports
• IPv4 subnetting
• T568A/T568B wiring
• Network troubleshooting
• LAN installation checklists
• Network documentation templates
• Practice questions and answers
• Networking standards and further reading

Who This Book Is For

This guide is suitable for:

Students
Build a strong practical foundation in computer networking.

IT Technicians
Develop installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.

CCTV & Security Installers
Understand IP cameras, PoE switches, NVRs, VLANs, remote access, and bandwidth planning.

Small-Business Owners & Administrators
Learn how to design and manage reliable office networks.

Networking Beginners
Progress from basic concepts to complete real-world network projects.

Computer and IT Training Centres
Use the book as a practical networking training manual.

Book Details

Title: Local Area Networking
Subtitle: A Complete Practical Guide
Author: SB Luwang
Format: Paperback / Technical Guide
Interior: Black & White
Trim Size: 7 × 10 inches
Length: Approximately 314 pages
Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Why Choose This Book?

Networking becomes much easier when theory is connected to real equipment and real problems.

This book focuses on practical knowledge that can be applied immediately—from terminating Ethernet cables and configuring VLANs to designing Wi-Fi coverage, securing a business LAN, troubleshooting DHCP and DNS, and building complete multi-floor networks.

Learn the fundamentals. Build real networks. Secure them properly. Troubleshoot with confidence.