includes bibliography and index

Contents: Part 1: Networking fundamentals -- Chapter 1: commonalities among networks -- Chapter 2: data communication considerations -- Chapter 3: protocol fundamentals -- Part 2: Lower-layer protocols -- Chapter 4: lower-layer protocols: a practical perspective -- Chapter 5: asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) -- Chapter 6: enterprise systems connection (ESCON) -- Chapter 7: Ethernet -- Chapter 8: fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) -- Chapter 9: frame relay -- Chapter 10: integrated services digital network (ISDN) -- Chapter 11: parallel channels -- Chapter 12: synchronous data-link control (SDLC) -- Chapter 13: token ring -- Chapter 14: X.25 -- Part 3: Upper-layer protocols -- Chapter 15: Upper-layer protocols: a practical perspective -- Chapter 16: systems network architecture -- Chapter 17: advanced peer-to-peer networking (APPN) -- Chapter 18: open-systems interconnection -- Chapter 19: transmission control protocol / internet protocol -- Chapter 20: Netware -- Chapter 21: digital network -- Chapter 22: apple talk -- Part 4: Network devices -- Chapter 23: network devices: a practical perspective -- Chapter 24: repeaters -- Chapter 25: bridges -- Chapter 26: routers -- Chapter 27: brouters -- Chapter 28: servers -- Chapter 29: gateways.