"Computer Networks: A Systems Approach" by Larry L. Peterson, Bruce S. Davie (Repost)

This book is the only introductory computer networking book written by authors who have had first-hand experience with many of the protocols discussed in the book, who have actually designed some of them as well, and who are still actively designing the computer networks today. This newly revised edition continues to provide an enduring, practical understanding of networks and their building blocks through rich, example-based instruction. The authors' focus is on the why of network design, not just the specifications comprising today's systems but how key technologies and protocols actually work in the real world to solve specific problems. The new edition makes less use of computer code to explain protocols than earlier editions.

This edition shifts the focus somewhat higher in the protocol stack where there is generally more innovative and exciting work going on at the application and session layers than at the link and physical layers.
• Completely updated with new sidebar discussions that cover the deployment status of protocols described in the book.
• Addition of sizeable number of new exercises and solutions.
• Downloadable Opnet network simulation software and lab experiments manual.
• New and revised instructor support material, including Powerpoint slides, eps version of figures appearing in the text; sample exams; lecture notes; UNIX sockets programming assignments.

Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Audience
Changes in the Fourth Edition
Approach
Pedagogy and Features
Road Map and Course Use
Exercises
Supplemental Materials and Online Resources
Acknowledgments
Contents
1 Foundation
Problem: Building a Network
1.1 Applications
1.2 Requirements
1.3 Network Architecture
1.4 Implementing Network Software
1.5 Performance
1.6 Summary
2 Direct Link Networks
Problem: Physically Connecting Hosts
2.1 Hardware Building Blocks
2.2 Encoding (NRZ, NRZI, Manchester, 4B/5B)
2.3 Framing
2.4 Error Detection
2.5 Reliable Transmission
2.6 Ethernet (802.3)
2.7 Rings (802.5, FDDI, RPR)
2.8 Wireless
2.9 Summary
3 Packet Switching
Problem: Not All Networks Are Directly Connected
3.1 Switching and Forwarding
3.2 Bridges and LAN Switches
3.3 Cell Switching (ATM)
3.4 Implementation and Performance
3.5 Summary
4 Internetworking
Problem: There Is More Than One Network
4.1 Simple Internetworking (IP)
4.2 Routing
4.3 Global Internet
4.4 Multicast
4.5 Multiprotocol Label Switching
4.6 Summary
5 End-to-End Protocols
Problem: Getting Processes to Communicate
5.1 Simple Demultiplexer (UDP)
5.2 Reliable Byte Stream (TCP)
5.3 Remote Procedure Call
5.4 Transport for Real-Time Applications (RTP)
5.5 Performance
5.6 Summary
6 Congestion Control and Resource Allocation
Problem: Allocating Resources
6.1 Issues in Resource Allocation
6.2 Queuing Disciplines
6.3 TCP Congestion Control
6.4 Congestion-Avoidance Mechanisms
6.5 Quality of Service
6.6 Summary
7 End-to-End Data
Problem: What Do We Do with the Data?
7.1 Presentation Formatting
7.2 Data Compression
7.3 Summary
8 Network Security
Problem: Security Attacks
8.1 Cryptographic Tools
8.2 Key Predistribution
8.3 Authentication Protocols
8.4 Secure Systems
8.5 Firewalls
8.6 Summary
9 Applications
Problem: Applications Need Their Own Protocols
9.1 Traditional Applications
9.2 Web Services
9.3 Multimedia Applications
9.4 Overlay Networks
9.5 Summary
Solutions to Select Excercises
Glossary
Bibliography
Index