This cutting-edge exploration of data communications features 11 core chapters of essential material and 6 advanced modules--allowing readers at all levels of expertise to get up to speed and keep pace with the latest developments in the field. Real-world case studies, hands-on exercises, and a "Market Realities" section give readers a feel of--and prepare them for--the broad range of situations they are likely to encounter on the job. Core Network Concepts. Standards. Physical Layer Propagation. A Small Ethernet PC Network. Other LAN Technologies. Internal and External. Wide Area Networks (WANS). Internetworking. Security. Network Management and Systems Administration. Networked Applications. For Network administrators.