Networking Essentials, 6th edition
Published by Pearson IT Certification (March 15, 2022) © 2022
  • Jeffrey S. Beasley
  • Piyasat Nilkaew

Title overview

Networking Essentials, Sixth Edition guides students from an entry-level knowledge in computer networks to advanced concepts in Ethernet and TCP/IP networks; routing protocols and router configuration; local, campus, and wide area network configuration; network security; wireless networking; optical networks; Voice over IP; the network server; and Linux networking. This edition contains additional coverage of switch security, troubleshooting IP networks, authorization and access control, best practices for disaster recovery, network infrastructure configuration and management, data traffic network analysis, network security, and VoIP. It also covers approximately 250 new terms now addressed by CompTIA's N10-008 exam.
  • Provides a practical approach to introductory networking concepts
  • Presents tons of hands-on activities to help students learn by doing
  • Clearly outlines goals for each chapter with chapter-opening objectives and introductions
  • Highlights key terms and acronyms in the margins to enhance retention of networking terminology
  • Guides readers through application of concepts through configuring, analyzing, and troubleshooting sections
  • Includes extensive problem sets, summaries, questions, and problems (including critical thinking questions) at the end of each chapter to assess learning
  • Allows students to practice custom-designed, hands-on router and switch configuration exercises with the Net-Challenge software
  • The companion web site features labs, Wireshark captures, and chapter quizzes
  • Updated for the new CompTIA Network+ N10-008 exam

Table of contents

    Introduction xxiii

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Computer Networks 2

    1-1 Introduction 4

    1-2 Network Topologies 6

    1-3 The OSI Model 12

    1-4 The Ethernet LAN 16

    1-5 Home Networking 24

    1-6 Assembling an Office LAN 38

    1-7 Testing and Troubleshooting a LAN 45

CHAPTER 2 Physical Layer Cabling: Twisted-Pair 62

    2-1 Introduction 65

    2-2 Structured Cabling 66

    2-3 Twisted-Pair Cable 74

    2-4 Terminating Twisted-Pair Cables 78

    2-5 Cable Testing and Certification 92

    2-6 10 Gigabit Ethernet over Copper 97

    2-7 Troubleshooting Cabling Systems 102

CHAPTER 3 Physical Layer Cabling: Fiber Optics 124

    3-1 Introduction 126

    3-2 The Nature of Light 129

    3-3 Fiber Attenuation and Dispersion 136

    3-4 Optical Components 141

    3-5 Optical Networking 147

    3-6 Safety 160

    3-7 Troubleshooting Fiber Optics: The OTDR 162

CHAPTER 4 Wireless Networking 172

    4-1 Introduction 174

    4-2 The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Standard 175

    4-3 802.11 Wireless Networking 185

    4-4 Bluetooth, WiMAX, RFID, and Mobile Communications 197

    4-5 Configuring a Point-to-Multipoint Wireless LAN: A Case Study 206

    4-6 Troubleshooting Wireless Networks 213

CHAPTER 5 Interconnecting the LANs 228

    5-1 Introduction 230

    5-2 The Network Bridge 232

    5-3 The Network Switch 237

    5-4 The Router 249

    5-5 The Console Port Connection 254

    5-6 Interconnecting LANs with the Router 262

    5-7 Interconnecting LANs and WANs 267

CHAPTER 6 TCP/IP 290

    6-1 Introduction 292

    6-2 The TCP/IP Layers 294

    6-3 Number Conversion 306

    6-4 IPv4 Addressing 312

    6-5 Subnet Masks: Subnetting and Supernetting 317

    6-6 Supernetting, CIDR Blocks, and VLSM 328

    6-7 IPv6 Addressing 333

CHAPTER 7 Introduction to Router Configuration 354

    7-1 Introduction 356

    7-2 Router Fundamentals 358

    7-3 The Router's User EXEC Mode (Router>) 366

    7-4 The Router's Privileged EXEC Mode (Router#) 373

    7-5 Configuring the Network Interface: Auto-negotiation 383

    7-6 Troubleshooting the Router Interface 387

CHAPTER 8 Introduction to Switch Configuration 404

    8-1 Introduction 406

    8-2 Introduction to VLANs 407

    8-3 Introduction to Switch Configuration 410

    8-4 Spanning Tree Protocol 422

    8-5 Power over Ethernet 425

    8-6 Troubleshooting the Switch Interface 429

CHAPTER 9 Routing Protocols 444

    9-1 Introduction 446

    9-2 Static Routing 447

    9-3 Dynamic Routing Protocols 460

    9-4 Distance Vector Protocols 463

    9-5 Configuring RIP and RIPv2 466

    9-6 Link State Protocols 476

    9-7 Configuring the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) Routing Protocol 481

    9-8 Advanced Distance Vector Protocol: Configuring Enhanced Interior

    9-9 Internet Routing with Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) 496

    9-10 IPv6 Routing 499

CHAPTER 10 Managing the Network Infrastructure 524

    10-1 Introduction 527

    10-2 Domain Name and IP Address Assignment 528

    10-3 IP Address Management with DHCP 531

    10-4 Scaling a Network with NAT and PAT 537

    10-5 Domain Name System (DNS) 539

    10-6 Network Management Protocols 546

    10-7 Analyzing Network Traffic 552

    10-8 Network Analyzer: Wireshark 560

    10-9 Analyzing Computer Networks: FTP Data Packets 566

    10-10 Troubleshooting IP Networks 568

CHAPTER 11 Network Security 590

    11-1 Introduction 592

    11-2 Intrusion: How Attackers Gain Control of a Network 594

    11-3 Denial-of-Service 606

    11-4 Security Software and Hardware 610

    11-5 Managing Network Access 623

    11-6 Router Security 626

    11-7 Switch Security 631

    11-8 Wireless Security 637

    11-9 Remote Access and VPN Technologies 642

    11-10 Physical Security 659

CHAPTER 12 Cloud Computing and Virtualization 676

    12-1 Introduction 678

    12-2 Virtualization 679

    12-3 Cloud Computing 692

    12-4 Enterprise Storage 698

CHAPTER 13 Codes and Standards 706

    13-1 Introduction 708

    13-2 Safety Standards and Codes 708

    13-3 Industry Regulatory Compliance 718

    13-4 Business Policies, Procedures, and Other Best Practices 723

    13-5 Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery 729

Glossary 742



Online Only Elements:

    Net-Challenge Software

    Wireshark Captures

    Network+ quizzes

9780137455928, TOC, 9/28/2021


Author bios

Jeff Beasley is a professor in the Information and Communications Technology program at New Mexico State University, where he teaches computer networking and many related topics. He is coauthor of Modern Electronic Communication, 9th edition, author of Networking, 2nd edition, and coauthor of Networking Essentials, 4th edition, and Practical Guide to Advanced Networking.

Piyasat Nilkaew is the director of Telecommunications and Networking at New Mexico State University. He has more than 20 years of experience in network management and consulting. He has extensive expertise in deploying and integrating multi-protocol and multi-vendor data, voice, and video network solutions. He is coauthor of Networking Essentials, 4th edition, and Practical Guide to Advanced Networking.

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