A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes) connected by communication links that are built using different physical media. A node can be a computer, telephone, or any other device capable of sending and receiving messages. The communication medium is the physical path by which message travels from sender to receiver. Example media include fiber-optic cable, copper wire, or air c…
structuring the text, I faced the choice between logically grouping the topics vs. gradually identifying and addressing issues. The former creates a neater structure and the latter is more suitable for teaching new material. I compromised by opportunistically adopting both approaches. Chapter 1 reviews essential networking technologies. It is condensed but more technical than many current n…