8 Network Administration Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Jordan Krause brings over two decades of hands-on IT experience and ten Microsoft MVP awards to this detailed guide on Windows Server 2022 administration. You’ll learn to install and manage server infrastructure with tools like PowerShell and Windows Admin Center, navigate core services such as Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP, and secure your environment using PKI and Defender for Identity. The book balances foundational concepts with the latest Windows Server features, making it suited for both those new to server administration and seasoned IT pros updating their skills. Chapters on virtualization with Hyper-V and Remote Desktop Services offer practical insights that can be applied directly to enterprise environments.

Unlike most network administration manuals that skim the surface, Thomas Lee's decades-long experience shines through in this detailed guide to automating Windows Server with PowerShell 7.1. You learn not just the basics but how to tackle complex tasks like managing Active Directory objects, enterprise security features like JEA, and integrating Azure services. The book's recipe format breaks down topics such as configuring Hyper-V VMs and troubleshooting with WMI into manageable, practical chunks that you can apply directly. If you work with Windows Server 2022 or 2019 and want to enhance your automation skills beyond simple scripts, this book fits your needs precisely.

This tailored book explores the core skills essential to network administration, offering a personalized journey that matches your background and goals. It covers foundational knowledge such as network protocols and hardware, then moves into advanced topics like security management and troubleshooting. By focusing on your specified interests, the book reveals critical concepts and practical techniques to deepen your understanding and enhance your capabilities. With a custom approach, it synthesizes key expert knowledge into a pathway that addresses your specific learning objectives. This tailored guide helps bridge the gap between broad principles and your unique network environment, making complex topics accessible and relevant to your experience level.

Vladimir Yakovlev's two decades of hands-on experience with Check Point firewalls have culminated in this detailed guide, aimed at making firewall deployment and administration accessible. You’ll learn the nuances of configuring and managing Check Point Quantum Security Gateways, starting from initial setup to crafting complex access control policies, with practical insight into NAT options, identity awareness, and high-availability clusters. The book’s methodical progression through lab environments helps you build confidence with real configurations, while chapters on monitoring logs and generating reports sharpen your operational skills. Whether you’re an IT pro shifting toward cybersecurity or an info-sec professional updating your skillset, this book walks you through relevant, current scenarios without fluff.

Unlike most network administration books that focus broadly on cloud technologies, Dario Cabianca zeroes in on the Google Cloud Platform’s unique networking architecture, offering you a targeted pathway to mastering the GCP Professional Cloud Network Engineer certification. You’ll dive into how GCP’s virtual private clouds span multiple regions and how this design enables services behind Google’s massive products like Gmail and YouTube. Chapters explicitly highlight exam objectives while teaching you to architect VPCs, configure hybrid connectivity, and optimize network resources. If you’re a software or cloud engineer aiming to sharpen your GCP networking skills and confidently tackle the certification, this book provides a solid technical foundation anchored in real-world application.

When Marlon Buchanan decided to write this manual, he brought over 25 years of IT experience to the task, aiming to demystify home networking for everyday users. This book walks you through setting up a reliable home network from the ground up, covering everything from choosing the right hardware to troubleshooting Wi-Fi dead zones and securing your devices against cyber threats. With clear guidance on diagnosing common network hiccups and optimizing speed, it’s especially useful if you’ve ever struggled with buffering videos, dropped calls, or slow internet at home. Whether you’re a tech novice or looking to upgrade your current setup, this manual equips you with practical knowledge to manage your home network confidently.

This personalized book explores step-by-step automation techniques specifically designed for network administrators looking to boost their efficiency. It covers essential concepts in server automation, walking you through tailored processes that match your background and targeted goals. The book reveals how to streamline repetitive tasks using customizable automation tools, focusing on your unique network environment and preferred technologies. By concentrating on practical, personalized tactics, it transforms complex automation concepts into manageable steps that fit your experience level. This tailored approach ensures your learning journey is aligned with what matters most to you, providing a focused pathway to mastering server automation with confidence and clarity.

David D. Coleman and David A. Westcott bring decades of Wi-Fi expertise to this study guide designed specifically for the CWNA certification exam. You’ll gain a solid grasp of radio frequency fundamentals, 802.11 protocols, WLAN architecture, and security essentials—topics essential for managing enterprise wireless networks. The book’s clear breakdown of complex subjects across 20 chapters, combined with review questions and hands-on exercises, helps you build practical skills and measure your progress. If you’re aiming to validate your wireless networking knowledge or expand your technical foundation, this guide offers a focused, rigorous path without unnecessary fluff.

While working as a cybersecurity instructor, Glen D. Singh noticed a gap in accessible resources for aspiring network professionals. This guide teaches you fundamental to advanced networking concepts, including architecture, protocols, security, and troubleshooting, aligned specifically with the CompTIA Network+ N10-008 exam objectives. You’ll gain practical skills in designing resilient networks, understanding cloud and virtualization technologies, and securing infrastructure against cyber threats, all supported by over 200 practice questions. If you’re aiming to build a solid foundation in networking without prior experience, this book provides a clear, focused path to certification and real-world application.

Gordon Lyon, known as Fyodor, brings unmatched authority to network scanning with this detailed manual on the Nmap Security Scanner. You’ll explore everything from basic port scanning to advanced packet crafting, gaining insights into firewall evasion, intrusion detection circumvention, and scripting automation with the Nmap Scripting Engine. The book doesn’t just list features; it walks you through practical applications using real packet communication examples, making complex concepts accessible whether you’re a novice or seasoned security professional. If you manage networks or focus on security auditing, this guide offers concrete skills to effectively discover and assess network vulnerabilities.