The Essentials of Computer Networking, Second Edition

Every network begins where most explanations end: at the physical connection. The Essentials of Computer Networking takes you from a single copper pair all the way to a secure link across the world, one clear step at a time. No prior experience required, just curiosity and a willingness to look closely at the things most people take for granted.

Fully revised and expanded, this Second Edition is now completely illustrated, with 80+ detailed grayscale diagrams that make every concept visible: cable cutaways, the OSI stack, subnetting worked out on the page, packet exchanges, and network topologies.

Inside you will learn to choose and install the right cabling and read a network by sight; reason through the OSI and TCP/IP layers like a professional; tell hubs, switches, and bridges apart and know when to use each; master IP addressing and subnetting with fully worked examples; understand the protocols that make it all work, including ARP, DNS, DHCP, and TCP; set up a WireGuard VPN for secure remote access, step by step; and design and secure wireless networks against real attacks. Practical appendices add a router configuration and troubleshooting quick reference, a subnetting practice set with full solutions, a command reference, and a ports-and-protocols guide. Whether you are starting an IT career, studying for a certification, or finally connecting the dots on how networks really work, this is the foundation to build on.