Computer Networks and Open Systems: An Application Development Perspective delivers principles, theory, and techniques from a practical perspective. It is grounded in real systems and real network applications, while emphasizing a strong foundation in the framework for network development. The selection of topics forms a core of material in computer networking. The authors emphasize methods and the environment for application development. They aim to make readers immediately comfortable in todays networking environment while equipping them to keep pace in one of the fastest moving and most exciting areas of computer system development.
Features: The authors take an application development perspective. This point of view reverses the traditional order of networking topicsinstead of proceeding from the Physical Layer upward, the authors move from the Application Layer downward. Many benefits of this approach exist: 1. Students enter the study of networking through their own experiences as a network user. 2. More attention is given to material in the upper layers, specifically the Application Layer. 3. Students encounter upper-layer material while there is still sufficient time in the course for comprehensive treatment and implementation. 4. Students have the opportunity to practice the kind of networking tasks they are expected to do in the workplace. A scholarly treatment of computer networks, suitable for undergraduates. Keeps the application developer in mind. Addresses "hot" and important topics such as public key encryption and compression techniques. Offers excellent coverage of the Internet and World Wide Web beginning early in the text. Explains and relates TCPIP and the OSI Reference Model in an understandable way.