The Internet Book: Everything You Need to Know About Computer Networking and How the Internet Works by Douglas E. Comer

From the Publisher

Internet Book, The: Everything You Need to Know About Computer Networking and How the Internet Works, 4/e utilizes a non-technical perspective to explain the technology of how computers communicate, what the Internet is, how the Internet works, and what the Internet can do for people. This book works to fully connect readers to the “big picture” by presenting a solid overview of networking and the Internet, rather than burying them with details. Comer assumes no prior background in computer networking or the Internet. Introduces computer communication system concepts and technology, reviews the history of the Internet and its growth, describes basic Internet technology and capabilities, and describes services currently available on the Internet and how to use them. For anyone interested in learning how to navigate the Internet to its full potential.

Booknews

Provides an overview of the Internet and of networking technology and terminology for general readers with no technical background, explaining the evolution of the Internet, the analog to digital revolution, local and wide-area networks, wireless communication, TCP/IP software, and distributed computing. A section on Internet services offers instructions for using e-mail, BBSs, file transfer, and browsing and searching services. Lists newsgroups and services, and contains b&w diagrams and a glossary. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

• Table of Contents
• Forewords & Introductions
• Read an Excerpt

Table of Contents

Forewords & Introductions

Preface

The Internet Book explains how computers communicate, what the Internet is, how the Internet works, and what services the Internet offers you. It is designed for readers who do not have a strong technical background — early chapters clearly explain the terminology and concepts needed to understand all the services. When you finish reading, you will understand the technology behind the Internet, will appreciate how the Internet can be used, and discover why people find it so exciting. In addition, you will understand the origins of the Internet and see how rapidly it has grown.

Instead of using mathematics, algorithms, or computer programs, the book uses analogies from everyday life to explain technology. For example, to explain why digital communication is superior to analog, the text uses an analogy of sending signals through fog with a flashlight. To explain how audio can be played back for the user at a steady rate when packets arrive in clumps, the text uses the analogy of many gallons of milk arriving at a supermarket in one shipment, but being sold one gallon at a time.

In addition to explaining the services users encounter such as e-mail, file transfer, and web browsing, the text covers key networking concepts such as packet switching, Local Area Networks, protocol software, and domain names. More important, the text builds on fundamentals — it describes basic Internet communication facilities first, and then shows how the basic facilities are used to provide a variety of services. Finally, the book includes an extensive glossary of technical terms with easy-to-understand definitions; readers are encouraged to consulttheglossary as they read.

The third edition retains the same general structure as the previous edition, but adds four new chapters and updates material throughout. Chapter 2 surveys a variety of Web sites, and encourages readers to begin exploring the Web while they read. The other three new chapters are especially significant. Chapter 14 covers Internet connection technologies, including ADSL and cable modems, technologies which are now available to consumers. Chapters 29 and 30 cover the related topics of security and ecommerce, both of which are increasingly important. Chapter 29 explains encryption technology, and Chapter 30 shows how the technology is used to conduct business.

As with the previous edition, the book is divided into four main parts. The first part begins with fundamental concepts such as digital and analog communication. It also introduces packet switching, and explains the Local Area Network technologies that are used in most businesses.

The second part of the book gives a short history of the Internet research project and the development of the Internet. Although most of the history can be skipped, readers should pay attention to the phenomenal growth rate, which demonstrates that the technology was designed incredibly well — no other communication technology has remained as unchanged through such rapid growth.

The third part of the book explains how the Internet works, including a description of the two fundamental protocols used by all services: the Internet Protocol (IP) and the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Although they omit technical details, the chapters in this part allow students to understand the essential role of each protocol and gain perspective on the overall design.

The fourth part of the book examines services available on the Internet. In addition to covering browsers, plugins, CGI, and search engines used with the World Wide Web, chapters discuss e-mail, network newsgroups, file and fax transfer, and audio and video communication. In each case, the text explains how the service operates and how it uses facilities in the underlying system.

The Internet Book makes an excellent reference text for a college-level course on the Internet. Although presented in a nontechnical manner, the material is scientifically accurate. More important, in the twenty-first century, an educated person will need to know more than how to use a browser or set up a Web page — they should have some understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. They can acquire such knowledge from this text.

Instructors are encouraged to combine classroom lectures with laboratory sessions in which students see and use the technology first-hand. In all courses, early labs should focus on exploring a variety of services, including sending e-mail, using a browser, using a search engine, downloading files via FTP, listening to audio, and using an IP telephone, if one is available. I encourage all students, even those who have no interest in computers, to build a trivial Web page by hand. In addition to helping them see the relationship between tags in an HTML document and the resulting display, it shows students how a server transfers files on a computer disk to a browser. Seeing the relationship in labs helps students better understand as they read about the underlying process.

Lab projects later in the semester depend on the type of course. Business-oriented courses often focus students on using the Internet — labs require students to search the Internet for information and then use the information to write a short paper. Other courses use labs to focus on tools such as programs used to create a Web page. Some courses combine both by having students search for information and then create a Web page that contains links to the information. In any case, we have found that students enter Internet courses with genuine enthusiasm and motivation; a professor's task is merely to provide perspective and remind students throughout the semester why the Internet is so exciting.

The author thanks many people who have contributed to editions of this book. John Lin, Keith Rovell, Rob Slade, and Christoph Schuba read early versions and made suggestions. Dwight Barnette, George Polyzo, Donald Knudson, Dale Musser, and Dennis Ray sent the publisher reviews of a previous edition. Scott Comer provided a student perspective. As always, my wife, Chris, carefully edited the manuscript, solved many problems, and improved the wording.

Douglas E. Comer
March, 2000

Read an Excerpt

Preface

The Internet Book explains how computers communicate, what the Internet is, how the Internet works, and what services the Internet offers you. It is designed for readers who do not have a strong technical background — early chapters clearly explain the terminology and concepts needed to understand all the services. When you finish reading, you will understand the technology behind the Internet, will appreciate how the Internet can be used, and discover why people find it so exciting. In addition, you will understand the origins of the Internet and see how rapidly it has grown.

Instead of using mathematics, algorithms, or computer programs, the book uses analogies from everyday life to explain technology. For example, to explain why digital communication is superior to analog, the text uses an analogy of sending signals through fog with a flashlight. To explain how audio can be played back for the user at a steady rate when packets arrive in clumps, the text uses the analogy of many gallons of milk arriving at a supermarket in one shipment, but being sold one gallon at a time.

In addition to explaining the services users encounter such as e-mail, file transfer, and web browsing, the text covers key networking concepts such as packet switching, Local Area Networks, protocol software, and domain names. More important, the text builds on fundamentals — it describes basic Internet communication facilities first, and then shows how the basic facilities are used to provide a variety of services. Finally, the book includes an extensive glossary of technical terms with easy-to-understand definitions; readers are encouraged to consult theglossary as they read.

The third edition retains the same general structure as the previous edition, but adds four new chapters and updates material throughout. Chapter 2 surveys a variety of Web sites, and encourages readers to begin exploring the Web while they read. The other three new chapters are especially significant. Chapter 14 covers Internet connection technologies, including ADSL and cable modems, technologies which are now available to consumers. Chapters 29 and 30 cover the related topics of security and ecommerce, both of which are increasingly important. Chapter 29 explains encryption technology, and Chapter 30 shows how the technology is used to conduct business.

As with the previous edition, the book is divided into four main parts. The first part begins with fundamental concepts such as digital and analog communication. It also introduces packet switching, and explains the Local Area Network technologies that are used in most businesses.

The second part of the book gives a short history of the Internet research project and the development of the Internet. Although most of the history can be skipped, readers should pay attention to the phenomenal growth rate, which demonstrates that the technology was designed incredibly well — no other communication technology has remained as unchanged through such rapid growth.

The third part of the book explains how the Internet works, including a description of the two fundamental protocols used by all services: the Internet Protocol (IP) and the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Although they omit technical details, the chapters in this part allow students to understand the essential role of each protocol and gain perspective on the overall design.

The fourth part of the book examines services available on the Internet. In addition to covering browsers, plugins, CGI, and search engines used with the World Wide Web, chapters discuss e-mail, network newsgroups, file and fax transfer, and audio and video communication. In each case, the text explains how the service operates and how it uses facilities in the underlying system.

The Internet Book makes an excellent reference text for a college-level course on the Internet. Although presented in a nontechnical manner, the material is scientifically accurate. More important, in the twenty-first century, an educated person will need to know more than how to use a browser or set up a Web page — they should have some understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. They can acquire such knowledge from this text.

Instructors are encouraged to combine classroom lectures with laboratory sessions in which students see and use the technology first-hand. In all courses, early labs should focus on exploring a variety of services, including sending e-mail, using a browser, using a search engine, downloading files via FTP, listening to audio, and using an IP telephone, if one is available. I encourage all students, even those who have no interest in computers, to build a trivial Web page by hand. In addition to helping them see the relationship between tags in an HTML document and the resulting display, it shows students how a server transfers files on a computer disk to a browser. Seeing the relationship in labs helps students better understand as they read about the underlying process.

Lab projects later in the semester depend on the type of course. Business-oriented courses often focus students on using the Internet — labs require students to search the Internet for information and then use the information to write a short paper. Other courses use labs to focus on tools such as programs used to create a Web page. Some courses combine both by having students search for information and then create a Web page that contains links to the information. In any case, we have found that students enter Internet courses with genuine enthusiasm and motivation; a professor's task is merely to provide perspective and remind students throughout the semester why the Internet is so exciting.

The author thanks many people who have contributed to editions of this book. John Lin, Keith Rovell, Rob Slade, and Christoph Schuba read early versions and made suggestions. Dwight Barnette, George Polyzo, Donald Knudson, Dale Musser, and Dennis Ray sent the publisher reviews of a previous edition. Scott Comer provided a student perspective. As always, my wife, Chris, carefully edited the manuscript, solved many problems, and improved the wording.

Douglas E. Comer
March, 2000