Hands-On Networking with Internet Technologies

This clearly written and logically organized text allows students to gain a deeper understanding of computer networks and internets by asserting that the best way to learn is by doing: it allows for hands-on experience with a real network. Through experiments, students learn that interconnecting hardware, configuring software, measuring performance, observing protocols in action, and creating client-server programs over a network all help sharpen understanding. The text is organized into six sections that each consider a hardware platform, from the most basic to the most advanced, and outlines experiments that can be carried out using these platforms. This lab manual can be used with any computer networks textbook.

Network engineers, managers, programmers, professors and students can all gain a deeper understanding of computer networks and internets through Douglas E. Comer's book. Organized into six sections that each consider a hardware platform and outline experiments that can be carried out using the hardware, the text supports the assertion that "The best way to learn is by doing. There is no substitute for hands-on experience with a real network." From the smallest possible facility, a single stand-alone computer, to advanced hardware and software facilities used for protocol development and network systems engineering, a broad range of hands-on experiments cover a wide range of difficulty including a working IP router that takes a whole semester.

FEATURES

• Shows how to learn more about network devices, configuration, and protocols.
• Focuses on TCP/IP protocols and networking systems used in the Internet.
• Describes a wide range of possible networking testbeds and shows what can be done with each.
• Includes hands-on networking that can be performed on inexpensive equipment.
• Provides a detailed list of steps for each networking task and a place to record progress.
• Offers optional network extensions for those who desire additional challenges.
• Accompanying website contains supplemental material, including sample output, test data, hints, further hardware and software details, and alternative approaches.

  www.labbook.cs.purdue.edu

  Douglas E. Comer is a professor at Purdue University, where he develops and teaches courses in computer networking and internetworking. He consults for industry and lectures to hundreds of professionals and diverse audiences around the world about the Internet at professional conferences and in onsite presentations. His series of books on TCP/IP protocols and computer networks receive highest acclaim and are extremely popular. One of the researchers who contributed to the formation of the Internet in the late 1970s and 1980s, he has served on the Internet Architecture Board, the group responsible for guiding development of the Internet, and is a Fellow of the ACM. Comer is one of the leaders in introducing experimental work and laboratories into Computer Science courses. In recognition of his push for learning through hands-on experiments, Comer was appointed to the ACM/IEEE joint curriculum committee that recommended laboratories in computer science and engineering curricula. He wrote this book as an answer to the many people who have asked for guidance in how they can learn more about networking and internetworking.

  Revised version:

  Network engineers, managers, programmers, professors, and students can all gain a deeper understanding of computer networks and internets through Douglas E. Comer's new book Hands-On Networking with Internet Technologies. Organized into six sections that focus on different hardware platforms and outline experiments that can be carried out using the hardware, the text supports the assertions that the best way to learn is by doing and that there is no substitute for hands-on experience with a real network. From the smallest possible facility-a single stand-alone computer-to advanced hardware and software facilities used for protocol development and network systems engineering, a broad range of hands-on experiments cover a wide range of difficulty levels. One of the projects includes building a working IP router that takes a whole semester.