Taking technical manuals to the lighter side, this introduction intersperses humor with solid information on the world of Microsoft Windows(R) networking. Starting with theory, the reader is shown the how and why of such topics as Ethernet, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SMB, and NetBIOS. The specifics are then explored, with chapters devoted to Active Directory, Kerberos, and basic network administration. Interspersed throughout are diagrams and tables; a series of appendices and a bibliography complete the package. Seasoned professionals will find here a quick (and amusing) review of relevant topics, while novices will be slowly and methodically introduced to the topics in a "layered" approach to learning.