Customer Rating: 
Summary: Network Upgrades et al.
Comment: The work has a good description of basic topology consisting of the bus,
star, ring, mesh and hybrids. Both shared and non-shared network topologies
are described in some considerable detail. The system life cycle is explained. This consists of project management steps. i.e.
o upgrade definition and goals
o planning
o scheduling
o downtime
o testing
o documentation and revision
Servers and workstation issues are covered. i.e.
o backup
o rotation schedules
o offsite storage and maintenance
The centralization of the telecommunications closet and cable distribution
is set forth. Limiting factors of ethernet technologies are set forth.
These are network transmission media, interconnected devices, media
access etc. Firewalls and network gatekeepers are described in detail
together with diagrammatic representations. The work would be helpful
for network administrators and other network systems personnel.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: All generalities - No expertise.
Comment: This book covers a lot of general terms and concepts but doesn't provide much in the way of useful practical advice. There are a lot of generalities like "it's good to have backups" or "take your budget into consideration" (wow, really?) but nothing about comparing actual systems and their costs.
There is no actual case studies, no formulas or design guidelines. How many users should you have on a subnet? How many users per switch port? How should you measure current network traffic? Which test tools should you use to make the measurement? How much additional capacity do you need to support multicast? What conformance tests are useful for certifying your cable installation? Any real-world questions like these are unanswered by this book.
When I read through the bios of the three co-authors, I noticed that none of them listed an actual network design reference. They all seem to be technical writers that write books about PCs. Caveat emptor.
If you need to actually upgrade a network you would be far better off with one of the Cisco titles on the subject.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good place to go first!
Comment: So while one female reviewer is sucking on something to do with her local postman let us who realise these pages and star rankings are to do with reviewing "THE BOOK" not the "POSTAL SERVICE" get on with it and do just that. You have a small to mid sized network, can't afford the specialists or courses to send them on and the technical support line is it's useful self again, not. So where do you go for help. Well you could try here as after all 90% of network problems are in the wires and on your side of the router. Evolving through four editions, each building on the last, many a clue if not a resolution can be found on these pages covering a wide range of operating sytems, hardware, software and of course potential faults. Well recommended for the Network First Aid Shelf. Either that or if you find the Postmans Service does not satisfy then call a plumber round instead.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Mueller
Comment: I'm a small business owner & self-taught computer & network user and make-do tech. If you're in a position such as I am, with a very small operation in a rural area, finding and affording computer service can be prohibitive, making it necessary to learn how to maintain and repair your own equipment, network and software. I have a small library of books on various operating systems, hardware and networking, and if one of Mueller's books covers whatever issue I'm dealing with at the time, I look there first as I'll usually find an answer. His books contain alot of information so are quite thick and can look rather intimidating. However, they're also well organized and indexed, making it easy to find what you're looking for, and his writing style makes technical topics easy to follow and understand, even for the untrained reader. If you work on computers, either as a professional or a must-do-it-yourselfer, like me, I highly recommend anything by Mueller. They are invaluable additions to any computer/networking library.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Disappointing for Scott
Comment: I was disappointed in this book with Scott's name on it. Normally, a Scott Mueller book is historic, current and technologically crammed with hardware and software. This was historically correct and reasonably current (no XP though Server 2003) in software but the lack of hardware and compatibilities that are the mainstay of his "Updating and Repairing PCs" is severely lacking. Compatibility is a (if not THE) major problem in networking systems. Coverage of compatibility and sites that provide drivers, etc., would be a major improvement.
Maybe I just suffer from expectations on the level of his "PC" books. Still a pleasant read for those needing background.
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