An essential guide to understanding networking theory, implementation, and interoperability

• Excellent preparation for generic or vendor-specific networking certification programs
• Written in a user-friendly manner accessible to readers who may need an introduction to networking terms
• Introduction to two popular real-world networking models: the Department of Defense (DoD) model and the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model
• Includes latest technologies such as laser, infrared, and satellite/ microwave communications
• Coverage of common server operating systems, including Windows NT(r), Windows(r) 2000, NetWare, UNIX, and Linux
• Security coverage provides basic cryptography concepts, public and private key encryption, firewalls and proxies, and internal security measures

Computer Networking Essentials, written by educator, trainer, and technical author Debra Littlejohn Shinder, starts with an introduction to networking concepts. You will learn computer networking terminology and history, and then dive into the technical concepts involved in sharing data across a computer network. A survey of networking hardware and software will show you how the hardware components, the server and client operating systems, and the networking protocols work together to make that data sharing possible.

Several "specialty" areas of networking are explored, including security, remote access, virtual private networking (VPN), and network monitoring and troubleshooting.

Written at a level that requires little computer experience, Computer Networking Essentials incorporates elements from a variety of popular introductory networking courses into a comprehensive all-in-one guidebook. It is an excellent preparation for the Network+ program, Microsoft's Networking Essentials core course, Novell's Networking Fundamentals, and the Cisco Systems CCNA certification.