Networking Essentials (3rd Edition) Book Review

Being a software architect requires keeping up to speed with the hardware and networking options that are available. I decided to go with this textbook to brush up on networking. This book is intended to get you up to speed to take the CompTIA's Network+ exam. Throughout the book the author lists the CompTIA Domain/Objective Number being covered in the chapter and which section you'll find it. After a nice introduction to networking chapter the book digs into the details with chapters Physical Layer Cabling: Twisted Pair, Physical Layer Cabling: Fiber Optics, Wireless Networking, Interconnecting the LANs, Introduction to Router Configuration, Introduction to Switch Configuration, Routing Protocols, Internet Technologies: Out to the Internet, Troubleshooting, and Network Security. One thing that is really cool about the book is that it comes with some nice companion content. There is a demo of the Cisco CCENT Mind Share Game, Wireshark example captures, Net-Challenge software, and samples of other certification guides. To all the instructors that are considering using this book in their class, I think this is the perfect text to introduce networking. The chapters start by providing a chapter outline, define the objectives, list the key terms, and then provide a nice introduction to the topic. At the end of each chapter there is a large set of questions and problems. There is also a section review and test your knowledge after each section. If your students take the time to complete these, they will really be driving home the chapter's material. There are a ton of real production pictures, product specifications, diagrams, schematics, and screenshots that help to paint the full picture of the subject being covered. Throughout the book the authors also list key terms in the margins. There is also a nice glossary of key terms near the end of the book. This book is one of the best overall networking books I have seen. It introduces everything and also goes deep enough to provide a clear understanding of the topic at hand. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about network and to instructors look for an excellent text book for their class. This book can teach the student on its own and they need no prior network experience.

Networking Essentials (3rd Edition)