A textbook providing a clear explanation of the way networks work, from hardware technology up through the most popular network applications. Topics covered include the physical layer (copper, fiber, radio, and satellite communication), the data link layer (protocol principles, HDLC, SLIP, and PPP), the MAC sublayer (IEEE 802 LANs, bridges, new high-speed LANs), the network layer (routing, congestion control, internetworking, IPv6), the transport layer (transport protocol principles, TCP, network performance), and the application layer (cryptography, email, news, the Web, Java, and multimedia). Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland