James F. Kurose

Today's Internet is arguably the largest engineered system ever created by mankind, with hundred of millions of connected computers, communication links, and switches : hundred of millions os users who can connect intermittently via cell phones and PDAs ; and devices such as sensors, webcams, game consoles, picture frames, and even washing machines being connected to the Internet. Given that the Internet is so large and has so many diverse components ans uses, is there any hope of guiding principles ans structure that can provide a foundation for understanding such a amazingly large and complex system ? And if so, is it possible that it actually could be both interesting and fun to learn about computer networks ? Fortunately, the answers to all these questions is a resounding YES! Indeed, it's our aim in this book to provide you with a modern introduction to the dynamic field of computer networking, giving you the principles and practical insights you'll need to understand not only today's networks, but tomorrow's as well.