This is the 4th edition of a comprehensive (almost 900 pages) handbook treating computer networks mainly, but not exclusively, from the OSI layers point of view. The layout of the book is arranged a very attractive way. At the end each chapter, a short chapter summary, exercises and practice problems are included. The exercises are of different character, such as comprehension questions, test exercises, topics for discussions and programming tests. Each chapter is appended by an interview with an industry leader or academic professor. The bibliography given at the end of the book contains ca. 500 items. At the website http://www.pearson-studium.de/main/main.asp?page=bookdetails\&ProductID=161178, supplementary material to the book may be found.
The book consists of 9 chapters. Chapter 1 explains main ideas behind the Internet architecture. The Internet as world-wide data communication network has been the main force stimulating progress in digital communication – used by computers, video and voice transmission, mobile and satellite communication. This chapter introduces the reader into a variety of topics, which are exhaustively described in the further text. As a consequence of the top-down approach assumed by authors, the 2nd chapter is devoted to the application layer of the OSI model. Such applications as Web and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), protocols for e-mail (SMTP, MIME, POP3, IMAP) are described. The DNS (Domain Name System) and P2P (Peer-to-Peer) applications are also treated. And finally, socket programming in connection-oriented mode TCP protocol and connection-less mode UDP protocol are described.
The next chapter discusses exhaustively transport protocols – connection-less UDP and connection-oriented TCP. Chapter 4 is devoted to the network layer. This layer deals with switching and routing of information packets called datagrams. Network devices called routers implement the function of packet forwarding in the network. The development of IP protocol versions uo to IP v.6 is presented and different routing algorithms are characterized. Chapter 5 discusses the data-link layer. One of its main goals is transmission error detection and correction. On this layer, a system of addressing physical devices using MAC (Media Access Control) addresses is used. Special emphasis is put on the most popular local area network Ethernet. Other data-link techniques described include satellite ALOHA, serial point-to-point (PPP) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). And finally, gaining more and more importance, MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is discussed.
The next chapter is devoted to wireless and mobile networks. These networks require special protocols and addressing. Mobile networks of different generations are described. Chapter 7 discusses multimedia networks. These networks, transmitting mainly audio and video streams, require special algorithms for data compression as well as real-time protocols limiting delay and packet jitter (protocol RTP). Chapter 8 deals with network security. Such topics as cryptography, public and private key, RSA algorithm, authentication, secure mail, IPSec, firewalls and intrusion detection are discussed. The topic of the last chapter is network management. The FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security) model is discussed. MIB (Management Information Base) data structures and SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) are discussed.
To conclude, I was very positively impressed by this monographical handbook. It systematizes the knowledge about computer networks and allows the reader to become more conscious about network themes. It may be strongly recommended for academic courses on computer networks.