Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition has been revised and provides a baseline level of knowledge for success in industry and preparation for networking certifications, including the MCSA, MCSE, CNA and CCNA designations. This new edition has been updated to cover new industry topics such as Networked Attached Storage (NAS), Cable Installation and Management, as well as, Fixed and Mobile WiMAX. Written with a focus on networking operating systems, this book continues to provide up-to-date coverage of Microsoft Windows XP and Server 2003 technologies along with UNIX, Red Hat Linux, and Novell Netware operating systems.
Even though this book does define the technical aspect of the networking that we have today, and really dives into it, this book has made me aware of some of the things that I never really knew before, and I had to read this book, probably will read it again at some point to get a clear understanding. I had to read this book for class "ITN 101 Intro to Networking Concepts" at the John Tyler campus in Virginia. Man, that was 2 years ago. Anyway, I liked it, it really makes you interested in the whole networking experience and if you are going into tech support/or in tech support, this book is definitely a read for the geeks haha
Easy to understand and relatively thorough; for an entry-level networking degree college textbook. The book now sits on my shelf and since having graduated a few years back, I've not needed to use it but once or twice. Some of the information is dated, such as token ring topology and coaxial network cabling, but it is not bad that newer generations learn of older, foundational practices. I was satisfied that it covered the material I needed to learn, when I needed to learn it. I would recommend it for anyone interested in beginnging networking.