Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, designed for an advanced college-level course in network design and operation, provides the network applications programmer with detailed information about how networks do their thing. While Computer Networks is neither a user manual nor a technical reference, it provides an in-depth background on how network architectures and protocols work.

In the beginning, Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie discuss why networks are important and talk about where networks may go in the long term. The authors then move right into a discussion of protocols. There's a fascinating section--complete with plenty of C code--in which the authors actually develop a network protocol called A Simple Protocol (ASP). They compare switching and packet networks and emphasize tunneling protocols. In the internetworking chapter, you'll learn practically all there is to know about Internet Protocol (IP). The concluding chapters talk about traffic management, congestion reduction, and high-speed networking technologies.

Computer Networks reveals the guts of what's going on with computers that share data. Though way out of the league of most computer users, true geeks with an interest in networking will find what they need here.


From Book News, Inc.
A systems oriented approach to computer network design, using the Internet as a model for illustrating network protocol design. Chapters on areas such as direct link networks and congestion control offer code fragments from a working protocol environment, the x-kernel, to demonstrate how protocol specifications and design principles are implemented. Includes chapter introductions; summaries; exercises; programming assignments; key paragraphs; and sidebars, plus a highly readable layout. For undergraduate and graduate courses. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Want to understand -- truly understand -- computer networking? Some books will force-feed you the ISO 7-layer model and leave it at that. Ugh. The network issues that really matter -- reliability, performance, congestion, and so forth -- almost invariably cut across multiple layers. You need a more supple approach: one that￯﾿ﾽs firmly grounded in the real world and uses abstractions like the ISO model as ￯﾿ﾽservants, not masters.￯﾿ﾽ That￯﾿ﾽs the approach taken by Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Third Edition -- and it works.

Just as you￯﾿ﾽre more likely to comprehend scientific principles if you understand the ￯﾿ﾽstories￯﾿ﾽ that led to their discovery, you￯﾿ﾽre more likely to understand networks and protocols if you know why they￯﾿ﾽve evolved as they have. From the basics of network hardware, architecture, and transmission to the latest web protocols, this book￯﾿ﾽs especially strong on the ￯﾿ﾽwhys.￯﾿ﾽ

Peterson and Davie have thoroughly updated this edition for today￯﾿ﾽs latest networking challenges. There￯﾿ﾽs a new section on MPLS, including its VPN and traffic engineering applications. The authors introduce content distribution networks and P2P, significantly extend their coverage of multimedia protocols, and thoroughly update their discussions of security and congestion control. Their improved wireless coverage now ranges from spread spectrum to 802.11 WLANs. If you￯﾿ﾽre into exercises, they￯﾿ﾽve also been beefed up in this edition -- and many new exercises include worked solutions. There￯﾿ﾽs even an online lab simulator.

Readable and intelligent, Computer Networks shows you the forest and the trees. Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

ANNOTATION

Audience: Networking professionals and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in CS, EE, and CSE programs.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"In this new edition of their classic and bestselling textbook, authors Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie continue to emphasize why networks work the way they do. Their "systems approach" treats the network as a system composed of interrelated building blocks (as opposed to strict layers), giving students and professionals the best possible conceptual foundation on which to understand current networking technologies, as well as the new ones that will quickly take their place." New to the edition is a downloadable network simulation lab manual that allows students to visualize and experiment with core networking technologies in direct coordination with the book's discussion. Thanks to this and many other enhancements, Computer Networks: A Systems Approach remains an essential resource for a successful classroom experience and a rewarding career in networking.

SYNOPSIS

Computer Networks: A Systems Approach is a carefully focused revision of the best-selling first edition, updated to incorporate user feedback and reflect the most recent changes in networking technology.

Inside, a systems approach focused on the Internet promotes an enduring, practical understanding of networks and their building blocks. Each chapter begins with the statement of a problem that frames the following discussion. The authors then develop complete solutions, illustrate them with real-world examples￯﾿ﾽincluding specific protocol references and C code￯﾿ﾽand address topical issues debated throughout the networking community.

The result? Readers learn the why of network design￯﾿ﾽnot just the facts surrounding current systems but the principles at work in their application and evolution. No other textbook offers a more solid grounding or better preparation for a career in networking.

Features The authors bring over 20 years of experience in networking research, development and teaching to the task of describing the principles and practical implementation of computer networks. Includes all-new chapters on security techniques and application-layer protocols, and new material on wireless and mobile technology and VPNs. Expands coverage of internet routing, ATM, quality of serivice, and multimedia communication. Highlights key design principles, probes controversial networking issues, provides the definitive references on each topic, and includes over 100 new exercises. Presents implementation examples in easy-to-understand C code.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booknews

A systems oriented approach to computer network design, using the Internet as a model for illustrating network protocol design. Chapters on areas such as direct link networks and congestion control offer code fragments from a working protocol environment, the x-kernel, to demonstrate how protocol specifications and design principles are implemented. Includes chapter introductions; summaries; exercises; programming assignments; key paragraphs; and sidebars, plus a highly readable layout. For undergraduate and graduate courses. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

ACCREDITATION