Computer Networks: A Systems Approachexplores the key principles of computer networking, with examples drawn from the real world of network and protocol design. Using the Internet as the primary example, this best-selling and classic textbook explains various protocols and networking technologies. The systems-oriented approach encourages students to think about how individual network components fit into a larger, complex system of interactions.

The sixth edition contains completely updated content with expanded coverage of the topics of utmost importance to networking professionals and students, as provided by numerous contributors via a unique open source model developed jointly by the authors and publisher. Hallmark features of the book are retained, including chapter problem statements, which introduce issues to be examined; shaded sidebars that elaborate on a topic or introduce a related advanced topic; What''s Next? discussions that deal with emerging issues in research, the commercial world, or society; and exercises.

This book is intended primarily for graduate or upper-division undergraduate classes in computer networking. It will also be useful for industry professionals retraining for network-related assignments, as well as for network practitioners seeking to understand the workings of network protocols and the big picture of networking.

• Completely updated content with expanded coverage of the topics of utmost importance to students and networking professionals, including WiFi and cellular communication, security and cryptography, multimedia and other applications
• Includes expanded guidelines for instructors who prefer to teach networking using a "top-down" approach