Computer science and tech degrees are in high demand globally at the moment. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy – nope!
In fact, this only makes them all the more challenging. The struggle is very real, especially when there are so many things to learn and so many sources to learn them from – so you just don’t know where to start!?
Yeah, we’ve been there – the typical student dilemma of not knowing where to start or which resources are actually worth the effort. Because let’s face it, if we’re going to watch a 2-hour video on computer networking and it only re-tells us everything we already know – that’s a waste of time.
Apparently, the average college student spends 8 hours a week only searching for good enough learning materials to study from – and come on, who has that kind of time?
Don’t worry, though, because this doesn’t have to be you.
We’ll let you in on our top best computer networking books so you can instantly understand everything you need to know to graduate!
So, if you’re interested in becoming a computer networking pro and fast, just keep reading!
Best Computer Networking Books
We’ve made a list of the top must-have computer networking books to help you get started:
#1 Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th Edition)
This book by James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross is a popular textbook in many different colleges and universities. It’s unique in the sense that it follows a top-down approach, which means it starts from networking applications and works its way down to the physical layer – in reverse order. Plus, it provides a comprehensive overview of computer networking, including the Internet, transport layer, network layer, application layer, link layer (data plane and control plane), multimedia networking applications, network management, wireless and mobile networks, and network security. What makes it an excellent resource for college students, especially beginners, is the fact that it focuses on the fundamentals and helps build a solid foundational understanding of core concepts. This means that you don’t need background knowledge to understand the language and concepts covered in the book.
#2 Computer Networking Illuminated (1st Edition)
Computer Networking Illuminated by Diane Barrett is another great resource for learning about computer networking. This book provides a hands-on, practical overview of the key concepts and technologies as well as the major applications of these networks. It’s also easy to understand, so you can cover the main topics without getting caught in a load of jargon. It covers data communication, network protocols, topologies, routing and switching, security, troubleshooting, naming, and addressing. And you know what? The author takes it up a notch by including challenge exercises where students can get a taste of how to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations in the workplace. But that’s not it! The book even features cool illustrations, step-wise examples, and screenshots to help the average college student gain an above-average understanding of computer networking!
#3 Computer Networks (5th Edition)
This ebook by Andrew S. Tanenbaum and David J. Wetherall is best for introductory CS courses at college and university levels. So, if you’re a college student with no prior understanding of computer networking systems, then this is the best place for you to start! It really explains the workings of computer networks inside out. In fact, it even covers topics like Bluetooth, email, broadband wireless, the domain system, wireless LANs, multimedia, the internet, wireless networks, video conferencing, video on demand, and streaming media – this specific edition even has a dedicated chapter for network security! Every chapter is structured to ensure that students don’t feel overloaded with information. And to top it off, it comes with supplemental solution manuals, PowerPoints, artwork, and instructional tools to help students build and test their own network protocols.
#4 Computer Networks (1st Edition)
Computer Networks by Andrzej Kwiecien, Piotr Gaj, and Piotr Stera reports the proceedings from the 19th International Conference on Computer Networks. It covers information technology, handheld devices, network hardware, and other general subjects. In fact, selected papers are published in this book to ensure that new and emerging tech concepts are properly incorporated. This helps students not only understand core concepts but also learn about modern technologies and applications. Some examples include internetworking, industrial computer networks, wireless systems, sensor networks, and the theory of queues and queuing networks.
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