Includes index.

Contents: Introduction to computer networks and data communications: The Language of computer networks -- The Big picture of networks -- Communications networks-basic connections -- Convergence -- Network architectures -- Network connections in action -- The TCP/IP protocol suite in action -- Fundamentals of data and signals: Data and signals -- Converging data into signals -- Data codes -- Data and signal conversions in action: two examples -- Conducted and wireless media: Conducted media -- Wireless media -- Media selection criteria -- Conducted media in action: two examples -- Wireless media in action: three examples -- Making connections: interfacing a computer to peripheral devices -- Data link connections -- Terminal-to-mainframe computer connections -- Making computer connections in action -- Making connections efficient: multiplexing and compression: Frequency division multiplexing -- Time division multiplexing -- Wavelength division multiplexing -- Discrete multitone -- Code division multiplexing -- Comparison of multiplexing techniques -- Compression-lossless versus lossy -- Business multiplexing in action -- Errors, error detection, and error control: Noise and errors -- Error prevention -- Error detection -- Error control -- Error detection in action -- Local area networks: the basics: Primary function of local area networks -- Advantages and disadvantages of local area networks -- Basic local area network topologies -- Medium access control protocols -- IEEE 802 -- Local area network systems -- LANs in action: a small office solution -- LANs in action: a home office solution -- Local area networks: internetworking: Why segment or internetwork local area network? -- Hubs -- Bridges -- Switches -- Routers -- LAN internetworking in action: a small office revisited -- Local area networks: software and support systems: Network operating systems -- Network servers -- Network support software -- Software licensing agreements -- LAN support devices -- LAN software in action: a small company makes a choice -- Wireless networking in action: creating a wireless LAN for home -- Introduction o metropolitan area networks and wide area networks: Metropolitan area network basics -- Wide area network basics -- Routing -- Network congestion -- WANs in action: making internet connections -- The Internet: Internet protocols -- The World wide web -- Internet services -- The Internet and business -- The Future of the internet -- Internet in action: a company creates a VPN -- Voice and data delivery networks: The Basic telephone system -- Digital subsciber line -- Cable modems -- T-1 leased line service -- Frame relay -- Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) -- Comparison of DSL, cable modems, frame relay, and ATM convergence -- Telecommunications systems in action: a company makes a service choice -- Network security: Standard system attacks -- Physical protection -- Controlling access -- Securing data -- Securing communications -- Security policy design issues -- Network design and management: Systems development life cycle -- Network modeling -- Feasibility studies -- Capacity planning -- Creating a baseline -- Network administrator skills -- Generating usable statistics -- Network diagnostic tools.