Chapter 13
Networking and Connectivity
In This Chapter
- Understanding which Windows 7 networking features carry over to Windows 8
- Connecting to and managing wired networks
- Connecting to and managing Wi-Fi wireless networks
- Understanding how cellular data networks work and how they are different from other network types
- Connecting to and managing cellular data networks
- Using Airplane Mode
- Using HomeGroup to share resources on a home network
- Using Credential Manager to share with older Windows-based PCs
After making major improvements to its networking infrastructure in Windows XP with Service Pack 2 a decade ago, Microsoft has been evolving this technology in subsequent Windows versions. In Windows 8, you see the most refined version of this technology yet, with new Metro-based interfaces for connecting to wired and Wi-Fi wireless networks. Windows 8 also includes a Metro-based front end to the HomeGroup network sharing scheme, which takes on all new importance in this release thanks to Windows 8’s Microsoft account sign-in capabilities.
More revolutionary, however, is Windows 8’s support for the cellular data networks that are becoming more and more ubiquitous thanks to the rise of smartphones, tablets, and other modern computing devices. Windows 8 treats this network type specially, with an understanding of their metered nature that will help users avoid overage charges and automatically switch to more efficient—and less costly—networks when available.
What Was Old Is New Again ...
