BKDTCMCM.RVW   20080930

"Data and Computer Communications, Eighth Edition", William
Stallings,2007, 0-13-243310-9
%A   William Stallings ws@shore.net
%C   One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ   07458
%D   2007
%G   0-13-243310-9
%I   Prentice Hall
%O   +1-201-236-7139 fax: +1-201-236-7131 beth_hespe@prenhall.com
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0132433109/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0132433109/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0132433109/robsladesin03-20
%O   Audience i+ Tech 2 Writing 2 (see revfaq.htm for explanation)
%P   878 p.
%T   "Data and Computer Communications, Eighth Edition"

That the latest edition of one of the classic data communications
texts is the most up to date is not altogether surprising.  What is
outstanding is just how up to date it is, and how detailed.  (I even
found one of the only accurate portrayals of the various types of
spread spectrum transmission.)

The result of cramming this amount of current knowledge into these
pages makes for a fairly demanding text.  The writing is never
unclear, but it doesn't make concessions to the reader either, and
requires some application.  If Stallings has one fault in this text,
it is that explanations are frequently mathematical in nature, rather
than tutorial.

There is a chapter zero filling in as a preface, and then six major
sections.  Part one provides an overview, with a chapter on data
communications and networking, and one on protocols.  Part two deals
with basic data communications, with chapters addressing transmission,
media, signal encoding, digital techniques, data link controls,
multiplexing, and (as noted above) spread spectrum.  Wide area
networks are examined in part three, looking at circuit and packet
switching, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), routing, congestion, and
cellular (mobile) phone networks.  Local area networks (LANs) are in
part four, with chapter fifteen providing an overview, and others
specifically considering high-speed and wireless LANs.  Part five
notes internetwork protocols, internetwork operation, and transport
protocols.  Internet applications are addressed in part six, detailing
network security, electronic mail and management, directory service
and the Web, and multimedia applications.

As a course text the material is reasonably well laid out: given the
range of the communications and networking field any structure is
going to be somewhat arbitrary at times.  Each chapter ends with
recommended readings for further study, a set of problems of suitable
difficulty, and occasional appendices.  Pedagogical aids are available
online and separately.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996, 2008   BKDTCMCM.RVW   20080930