BKCMPNWK.RVW   20020911

"Computer Networks, Fourth Edition", Andrew S. Tanenbaum, 2003,
0-13-066102-3
%A   Andrew S. Tanenbaum www.cs.vu.nl/~ast ast@cs.vu.nl
%C   One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ   07458
%D   2003
%G   0-13-066102-3
%I   Prentice Hall
%O   800-576-3800 201-236-7139 fax: 201-236-7131
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0130661023/robsladesinterne
%P   891
%T   "Computer Networks, Fourth Edition"

Tanenbaum's "Computer Networks" is well known as one of the standard
data communications textbooks, and with ample reason.  Using the OSI
(Open Systems Interconnection) layered model, this work gives thorough
coverage to the concepts, and many technical details, of the whole
field of communications.  Chapter one is an introduction to
communications as a whole.  Subsequent chapters detail the physical
layer, the overworked data link layer (which gets two), the network
layer, the transport layer, and the applications layer.  (The almost
unused session and presentation layers are subsumed into this last.) 
An addition is a chapter specifically devoted to security.  There is
an alphabetical bibliography, but also an annotated list of "further
readings".  I might argue with a few inclusions, but the bulk of the
listings are good.

The author has not been resting on previous laurels.  This edition
looks at examples from digital cellular, wireless LANs (mention *must*
be made of the pun laden cover art, with a Viking working on a
wireless equipped laptop, having one blue tooth and a tattoo that
reads "Hi!  I'm Harald"), fast ethernet, IPv6, broadband wireless, AES
(Advanced Encryption Standard), streaming audio and Internet radio,
and quantum cryptography.  There is even an insightful examination of
the difference in approach between Java applet and ActiveX security. 
(The opinion regarding viruses and advanced operating systems is
somewhat simplistic, but nobody's perfect.)

The book is well structured and the writing is clear and eminently
readable.  Humour is not restricted to the cover: buried in the text
are examples of wry wit that enliven the content without ever
detracting from the topic under discussion.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996, 2002   BKCMPNWK.RVW   20020911