Rating: 
Summary: Simplistic, and in many places just plain incorrect.
Review: Clearly there is a market for a book like this--it's just too bad this one is so bad. The writing is good, but the things Mr. Blank writes are so frequently incorrect or oversimplified to the point of meaninglessness.Here are some major issues: - Oversimplification. I suppose that's OK, particularly if this text is aimed at elementary or middle school students, who can't deal as well with the details. In the Introduction, we're told that, among others, "decision-makers", network administrators, small business owners, and TCP/IP instructors, are the intended audience. - Major misconceptions. For example, UDP and TCP are the two most important transport layer protocols but not the only ones (SCTP, as well as, arguably, TLS and others). Classful IP addresses have been deprecated for years. And so on. - More specific errors of fact. Things like saying that a host is "any device... on a network..." with an IP address--that's wrong. Ditto for claiming the the sender/builder of a packet has to know the destination's hardware address (highlighted as a "Tip") or that TCP data is chunked into "packets" or that the Internet layer "contains" ARP. And on and on and on. - Condescending layout. Yes, the layout is condescending, with the special symbols placed above every page number to indicate whether or not the current "topic" continues on the next page; the "NOTE"'s spread throughout, letting the reader know what's coming up in the next paragraph; simple-minded end of chapter review questions; and so on. - Minimal content. Two full pages at the start of every chapter for the number, title, and list of chapter topics. Lots and lots of white space within the text, plus huge header fonts, plus two full pages (at least) for review questions at the end of every chapter, plus way too many screenshots of Windows dialog boxes. If you must buy this book, realize that you won't know as much about TCP/IP as you think you do, and be prepared to be corrected if you go on with your networking education.
Rating: 
Summary: This is it
Review: For anyone needing basic information on TCP/IP, addressing and subnetting this book is it. The author places the information in clear language and uses simple, daily examples to explain. Grab it!
Rating:
Summary: TCP/IP JumpStart
Review: I am enjoying this book. It is helping me to brush up on my TCP/IP skills. The writer does a good job to relate the protocol without making it too simple. The only thing I would like is more coverage of subnetting. I am not saying it is not covered well but it would be nice to have more subnetting practice questions. As most people know that is showing up more and more on certification tests
Rating:
Summary: Great for someone new to networking and protocols
Review: I am one of many who is in the process of changing careers - by this I mean from dead-end, to IT, with its seemingly endless potential. I have purchased many books, and I must say this is one of the best for a beginner. With its down to earth explainations, and real world examples, it makes conceptualizing TCP/IP much easier.
If you are a total neophyte to networking, grab Networking for Dummies, of something of its ilk, first, then this one for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Great for someone new to networking and protocols
Review: I am one of many who is in the process of changing careers - by this I mean from dead-end, to IT, with its seemingly endless potential. I have purchased many books, and I must say this is one of the best for a beginner. With its down to earth explainations, and real world examples, it makes conceptualizing TCP/IP much easier.
If you are a total neophyte to networking, grab Networking for Dummies, of something of its ilk, first, then this one for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Learning about TCP/IP !
Review: I found TCP/IP JumpStart very helpful on a topic that is new to me. Computer networking field is a new topic that adds dimension to my portfolio. Andrew Blank has a wonderful way of teaching so a novice can understand yet an intermediate doesn't get bored. He brings examples and illustrations to the text enabling you to understand or actually visualize the technology concept. TCP/IP JumpStart brings technology into terms for beginners, also more advanced students can collect new ideas and concepts. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is about to take a class or would like to learn about TCP/IP. This is a book that I can highly recommend to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: I Like it
Review: I'm working my way through this and it's doing a good job of giving me a good overall background. So far, I like it.
Rating:
Summary: Needs to calculator
Review: if you have very little knowledge or totally clueless about tcp/ip and would like to start learning about it -- this is where you should start. it really covers the basics. the author was able to explain every subject in an easy-to-understand-and-digest manner. (i admit there were trivial "real-life" examples, but what the hey?! it's still a 5-star book to me.) thank GOD we bought it!
Rating:
Summary: start learning about tcp/ip here
Review: if you have very little knowledge or totally clueless about tcp/ip and would like to start learning about it -- this is where you should start. it really covers the basics. the author was able to explain every subject in an easy-to-understand-and-digest manner. (i admit there were trivial "real-life" examples, but what the hey?! it's still a 5-star book to me.) thank GOD we bought it!
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional!
Review: In the past year since I began studying for my Networking certifications I have read dozens of books about computers and networking. Some were childishly simplistic and others were mind numbingly technical. What impressed me about TCP/IP Jumpstart by Andrew G Blank is that it took a relatively complicated subject and broke it down so that it was very understandable and easy to learn from. I was especially impressed by the section on Custom Subnetting. I have seen this topic explained some half dozen ways and have never really got a grasp on it until now. Mr. Blank had a simple and easy to use method of creating custom subnets that was beautifully explained. I finally get it!!! I am confidant that I can do it without having to recreate a complicated chart or do tons of calculations. Another thing that made this book so enjoyable was all of the illustrations the author used to relate the way things worked to real life experiences like mailing a package or a telephone call. It really brought what goes on in the secretive world of computers to life so that I can now picture in my mind what happens when computers communicate. When I pass my Cisco exam I will have TCP/IP Jumpstart by Andrew G. Blank to thank for teaching me to custom subnet.
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