An internationally best-selling, conceptual introduction to the TCP/IP protocols and Internetworking, this book interweaves a clear discussion of fundamentals and scientific principles with details and examples drawn from the latest technologies. Leading author Douglas Comer covers layering and packet formats for all the Internet protocols, including TCP, IPv4, IPv6, DHCP, and DNS. In addition, the text explains new trends in Internet systems, including packet classification, Software Defined Networking (SDN), and mesh protocols used in The Internet of Things.

The text is appropriate for individuals interested in learning more about TCP/IP protocols, Internet architecture, and current networking technologies, as well as engineers who build network systems. It is suitable for junior to graduate-level courses in Computer Networks, Data Networks, Network Protocols, and Internetworking.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction And Overview

Chapter 2 Overview Of Underlying Network Technologies

Chapter 3 Internetworking Concept And Architectural Model

Chapter 4 Protocol Layering

Chapter 5 Internet Addressing

Chapter 6 Mapping Internet Addresses To Physical Addresses (ARP)

Chapter 7 Internet Protocol: Connectionless Datagram Delivery (IPv4, IPv6)

Chapter 8 Internet Protocol: Forwarding IP Datagrams

Chapter 9 Internet Protocol: Error And Control Messages (ICMP)

Chapter 10 User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

Chapter 11 Reliable Stream Transport Service (TCP)

Chapter 12 Routing Architecture: Cores, Peers, And Algorithms

Chapter 13 Routing Among Autonomous Systems (BGP)

Chapter 14 Routing Within An Autonomous System (RIP, RIPng, OSPF, IS-IS)

Chapter 15 Internet Multicasting

Chapter 16 Label Switching, Flows, And MPLS

Chapter 17 Packet Classification

Chapter 18 Mobility And Mobile IP

Chapter 19 Network Virtualization: VPNs, NATs, And Overlays

Chapter 20 Client-Server Model Of Interaction

Chapter 21 The Socket API

Chapter 22 Bootstrap And Autoconfiguration (DHCP, NDP, IPv6-ND)

Chapter 23 The Domain Name System (DNS)

Chapter 24 Electronic Mail (SMTP, POP, IMAP, MIME)

Chapter 25 World Wide Web (HTTP)

Chapter 26 Voice And Video Over IP (RTP, RSVP, QoS)

Chapter 27 Network Management (SNMP)

Chapter 28 Software Defined Networking (SDN, OpenFlow) Chapter

29 Internet Security And Firewall Design (IPsec, SSL) Chapter

30 Connected Embedded Systems (The Internet of Things)

Appendix 1 Glossary Of Internetworking Terms And Abbreviations

About the Author

Dr. Douglas Comer, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University and former VP of Research at Cisco, is an internationally recognized expert on computer networking, the TCP/IP protocols, and the Internet. The author of numerous refereed articles and technical books, he is a pioneer in the development of curriculum and laboratories for research and education.

A prolific author, Comer’s popular books have been translated into over 15 languages, and are used in industry as well as computer science, engineering, and business departments around the world. His landmark three-volume series Internetworking With TCP/IP revolutionized networking and network education. His textbooks and innovative laboratory manuals have and continue to shape graduate and undergraduate curricula.

The accuracy and insight of Dr. Comer’s books reflect his extensive background in computer systems. His research spans both hardware and software. He has created a complete operating system, written device drivers, and implemented network protocol software for conventional computers as well as network processors. The resulting software has been used by industry in a variety of products. 

Comer has created and teaches courses on network protocols and computer technologies for a variety of audiences, including courses for engineers as well as academic audiences. His innovative educational laboratories allow him and his students to design and implement working prototypes of large, complex systems, and measure the performance of the resulting prototypes. He continues to teach at industries, universities, and conferences around the world. In addition, Comer consults for industry on the design of computer networks and systems.

For over eighteen years, Professor Comer served as editor-in-chief of the research journal Software ― Practice and Experience. He is a Fellow of the ACM, a Fellow of the Purdue Teaching Academy, and a recipient of numerous awards, including a Usenix Lifetime Achievement award.