The book explains data communications systems and their
various hardware and software components. Organized like
the highly successful 5th edition, the book takes a
textbook approach to the complex issues surrounding the
understanding of data communications concepts. This format
allows the reader to tailor the book to their needs. If
their objective is to obtain general information about a
subject, they can bypass the more detailed portions of the
text and take the quiz to test their knowledge. If they
really want to delve deeper into a topic they can focus on
the specifics of the chapter and refer to other books
listed in the bibliography for additional information. The
author provides a basis for understanding data
communications systems in general, and provides expertise
on setting up specific types of communications systems.
Contents
Introduction.
Who This Book Is For. This
Book's Approach to Data Communications.
1. An Overview of Data Communications. The Importance of Data
Communications. The First Data Communications Systems.
Two-State Communications Systems. Early Communications
Codes. Modern Codes. Teleprinters. Data Communications in
Computing. Changes in the Industries. General Description
of Data Communications Systems. What You Have
Learned.
2. Terminal Devices. Teleprinters. Teleprinters
Versus CRT Terminals. Serial Printers. CRT Terminals. Parts
of a Terminal. PC Terminals. The Need for Speed. Data
Transmission.
3. Messages and Transmission Channels. Information as a Quantity.
Bounded Medium. Unbounded Medium. Effects of Bandwidth on a
Transmission Channel. Bandwidth Requirements for Signals.
Carrier Systems.
4. Asynchronous Modems and Interfaces. Why Data Can't Be
Transmitted Directly. Solving the Problem with Modems.
Analog Modulation. V.21 Standard. Modem Features. Interface
and Signaling Standards. The RS-232 and V.24 Interface.
Other Interfaces. Asynchronous Modem Operations. Smart
Modems. Viewing and Changing Modem Settings. Extended
Command Set Variances. Fax Modems.
5. Synchronous Modems, Digital Transmission, and
Service Units. Synchronous Signaling and
Standards. Typical Synchronous Components. Standard and
Evolving Modems. High-Speed Modems. Access Control. Digital
Transmission. The V.35 Interface.
6. Multiplexing Techniques. Sharing a Channel.
Statistical Time-Division Multiplexing. Low-Speed
Voice/Data Multiplexers.
7. Fiber-Optic and Satellite Communications. Introduction and
Historical Perspective. Fundamentals of Fiber-Optic
Systems. Fiber-Optic Subsystems and Components.
Transmission Systems. Wavelength-Division Multiplexing.
Satellite Transmission Systems.
8. Protocols and Error Control. Protocols Versus
Interfaces. Elements of a Protocol. Teletypewriter and
XMODEM Protocols. Convolutional Coding-Cyclic Redundancy
Checks. Half-Duplex Protocols. Full-Duplex Protocols.
9. PC Communications Software. Communications Program
Features. Dial-Up Networking. Using ProcommPlus for
Windows.
10. WAN Architectures and Packet Networks. The Open Systems
Interconnect Reference Model. Protocol Layering. Packet
Networks. Advantages of Packet Switching. X.25 Packet
Systems. Value-Added Services. The X Series of Recommended
Standards. Recent Developments. Networking Cost
Comparison.
11. Local Area Networks. Overview of LANs. LANs
Versus Other Techniques. The Ideal LAN. LAN Standards.
Ethernet (CSMA/CD). Other Ethernet Networks. Fast Ethernet.
Gigabit Ethernet. 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Token-Passing LANs.
Internetworking Devices.
12. The Internet. Evolution of the Internet.
Application Services. Internet Access Providers. IP
Addressing. The Transmission Control Protocol. The User
Datagram Protocol. The Internet Control Message Protocol.
Serial Communications Support. Navigating the Growing Web.
Evolving Internet Applications. Voice over IP. Virtual
Private Networking.
13. ISDN. The Road to ISDN. ISDN
Architecture. ISDN Implementation Standards. Growth and
Adaptation of ISDN. Pricing. Applications.
14. Asynchronous Transfer Mode. Evolution. The Rationale
for ATM and Its Underlying Technology. Architecture.
Network Connections. Advantages of the Technology. Cell
Routing. The ATM Protocol Reference Model. Service
Definitions. LAN Emulation.
15. Wireless Transmission. Mobile Wireless. Cellular
Component Relationship. Internet Access. 3G Networks.
Wireless LANs. Transmission Methods.
16. Network Security. Authorization,
Authentication, and Accounting. Computer Lockout. Data
Encryption. Digital Certificates. Secure Sockets Layer and
S-HTTP. Router-Based Security. Access Lists. Extended
Access List. Network Protection Via a Firewall.
17. Network Design and Management.
Network Design Goals.
Networking Devices. Interconnection of Networking Devices.
Fault Isolation. Restoration of Service. Network Management
Standards.
Appendix A. Glossary.
Appendix B. Bibliography.
Appendix C. Answers to Quizzes.
Index.