Computer Networks, Fourth Edition

Rating:
Summary: solid theoretical background
Review: Virtually all junior-senior level undergrad EE/CS courses use this book and I had it for my class as well. Its definately designed to be taught at college level and someone picking up for leisurely reading might find it a little too much to handle.

You have to have a good foundation in discreet maths to grasp some of the concepts and theory.

It covers most of the underlying media, ethernet, FDDI etc and I believe new edition also covers ATM.

I got my networking fundamentals from this book back in school and had no problem tackling interview from cisco and the likes!

Rating:
Summary: Andrew's way of writing makes tedious subjects interesting.
Review: I have used this book for the past years for my computer engineering degree, and it's my favorite Data Communications book. Tanenbaum's way of writing is very inspired, managing to leave the subject interesting enough even for someone who isn't really forced to read about it. I once found this book at a friend's place; he was reading it in bed. Now that's odd for someone who isn't really forced to do it. My second favorite title is Fred Halsall's "Data Communications, computer Networks and Open Systems", which in many ways, is superior to Tanenbaums, but in general, I prefer Tanenbaum's. Fred gives us a lot more detail sometimes, but lacks that smoothness and seldom lets us know his opinion. He's a lot more concerned about giving you the facts. (Which he's good at) Tanenbaum shares his opinion, gives us most of the facts, and even dares to include some good humour sometimes.

I highly recommend this title. Be sure to check Fred Halsall's, as you might sometimes feel you need more detail than Tanenbaum gives you. The perfect choice is perhaps owning both titles. Start with Tanenbaum for a broader and more interesting approach to the subjects, and then check Fred's fat book for all the juicy details you might be missing. One book won't replace the other, they are both very good. I have learned more from Fred, but he has also bored me to death sometimes, while Tanenbaum has always managed to keep it interesting. :)

Rating:
Summary: Great, if familiar with theoretical side of computing...
Review: *WARNING:* This isn't a simple how-to book, by any means. I read this book for a junior-level college course on networking, and it is not the book for you if you don't have some background in computer science and/or mathematics. *BUT:* I would heartily recommend this book to people with a technical background but who are new to networking. It's progression from low-level, physical details to application level networking is perfect and now that I can leisurely read through the book, I appreciate it much more than when I was worrying over the problems at the end of each chapter. (which require a solid math background to really understand/appreciate.) *BOTTOM LINE:* If you're a non-technical person who is just curious about how/why networks work, this isn't the book for you. (try Douglas Comer's 'Computer Networks & Internets' for a better 'computer-newbie-intro' to networking and then come back to this one if you're still interested.) But, as I said, if you've spent some time around the theoretical side of computing, there is no better book on the subject than Tanenbaums.

Rating:
Summary: Do you want to know networks?
Review: Then this is your book.

Tanenbaun has a rich speech, easy to read, easy to understand.

Buy it, you will never regret that decision

Rating:
Summary: A need for undergraduate students
Review: The book covers almost every topic in the networking area without getting into much details. Therefore, it is a very helpful source especially for new people in the area.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for any Network Administrator!
Review: The format may be a little academic for some, but the content of this book is top-notch. The book covers all protocols and transmission methods, and includes a very good section on routing. There is even a good deal of theory and sample code included which is very useful if you are a network developer.

The beauty of this book is that all of the explanations are very thorough, even for a beginner. The textbook format makes it the ideal reference guide for anyone setting up or maintaining a computer network. This book is a must-read for anyone studying for their MCSE.

This is without a doubt the most comprehensive reference on this subject I have ever found.

Rating:
Summary: THE book about Concept, Motivation and Approach
Review: It's not a network reference book, a protocol illustration book or a router/switch design book. If you're seeking answers for a specific problem in your protocol stack implementation or trying to get some help for your simulation project, you're looking at the wrong place.

If you're wondering why the Internet today is the way it is, why so many standards out there and how they are related (pros and cons), what inspired technology designers in the first place or what's the general approach of designing a communication protocol, this is the book for you.

It's unlike others that simply reorganize information from different sources, this book is the redevelopment after author's digestion.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This book should be read by every person interrested in fully understanding the basics and the details of computer networks. I especially liked the decompostion of computer networks in a series of layers each treated in its own chapter. This book is also rich in real world examples of computer networks. This book, like all of professor Tanenbaum's books, is an important part of my library.

Rating:
Summary: I'm happy my college instructor used this book
Review: I just happened to come here to send the book details to a friend to buy...so I thought I'd stop by and write this review.

My computer networking professor used this book in our networking class. Although I didn't fully appreciate the book while I was in class (what student *DOES* like their text books?), but now that I'm out of school I'm seeing I have a very good grasp of exactly how networks work because of the breadth and detail this book offerd me. We also happened to use his operating system books in our OS class -- he's that good a author.

There's been many times that I - a software engineer - was able to hold a conversation with my friends who are network engineers at a local ISP company. I have Tanenbaum to thank for my knowledge. Excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: I CERTAINLY AGREE THAT THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT FOR ANY BODY WHO REALLY WANTS TO UNDERSTAND NETWORKING .HOWEVER INEED THE ANSWERS TO THE BOOK QUESTIONS IN ORDER TO BE 100% CONFIDENT THAT I TRULY KNOW IT ALL ! IF ANY BODY HAS THE FULL ANSWERS SET THEN PLEASE E-MAIL ME ON [e-mail]

THANKS PALS