For network administrators, one of the most intriguing--albeit challenging--moves is the connection of their local area network to the Internet. Connecting to the Internet: A Practical Guide to LAN-Internet Connectivity specifically addresses this important evolutionary move with very concrete suggestions and background material. This brief book opens with a detailed look at the protocols involved in TCP/IP networking. The section includes information on IP, UDP, NNTP, FTP, and DNS--all key elements of Internet-based networks, but often not present in legacy LANs. Next, author Andrew Ward discusses how to select an Internet Service provider--a chapter that discusses service levels, bandwidth availability, and pricing. The book continues with chapters on building a Wide Area Network infrastructure and security. The latter chapter covers important topics such as firewalls, encryption, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). After presenting this background material, the author steps back and details the procedures involved in moving your network to the Net. He also includes short chapters on how to test your new network. The last chapter, which covers management of your Internet-LAN system, is a bit too brief. Few networking projects are more daunting than moving a working LAN to a new Internet-connected WAN model. This handy how-to contains loads of helpful information.