>Thanks for the info Ed.
>
>I could tell before you told me you read a lot. That's my problem. I'm a fast learner but a slow reader. I'm not afraid of the EE stuff. (I was an EE before I went into programming about a year ago.) I just have to pick my focus. The first two books you mention sound like what I'm looking for. Do either of these discuss networking issues? If not could you suggest a book?
>

Start with the core curriculum for Microsoft's Network Essentials Exam. Upgrading and Repairing has a chapter or two on netowrk hardware; I literally have shelves of stuff on network theory, WAN and LAN implementatiosn, and practical guides to setting them up, and if you tell me what you're looking for, I can suggest some titles.