Data Communications and Networks has been developed with a building-block construct that begins with an introduction of basic data communications concepts and local area network concepts, and then builds on these concepts to introduce network operating systems, storage networks, voice networks, wide area networks, network security, and finally the Internet. Throughout the text, all concepts are related to real-world business applications and to the business drivers that support the implementation of various networking technologies. In addition, historical references are introduced to enhance the reader's conceptual knowledge and to link current data communications and network technologies to their historical roots.

Data Communications and Networks has been developed with a building-block construct that begins with an introduction of basic data communications concepts and local area network concepts, and then builds on these concepts to introduce network operating systems, storage networks, voice networks, wide area networks, network security, and finally the Internet. Throughout the text, all concepts are related to real-world business applications and to the business drivers that support the implementation of various networking technologies. In addition, historical references are introduced to enhance the reader's conceptual knowledge and to link current data communications and network technologies to their historical roots.