The Best Computer Networking Books of 2024

Are you searching for the best computer networking books? Do you need good computer networking books that will help make your study time easier? Are you in search of books that you can update your computer networking library with? Don’t worry anymore, because you’ve come to the perfect guide that will point you to the best materials in this field.

The truth is that computer networking can get pretty difficult to grasp if you do not have the right materials for studying it. The field of computer networking is continuously evolving, and except you keep yourself constantly in touch with the new realities, you can get lost in the field. This is why you’ll need to always update your library with the best computer and networking books in the market. In this list, we will aim at providing you with the recommended computer and networking books for beginners and experts. We will also provide you a detailed buying guide that will help you search for other computer networking books.

If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for computer and networking books here.

Last update: 2024-04-26

Our Favorites for Best Computer and Networking Books

Computer Networking (RENTAL EDITION) 8th Edition by James Kurose and Keith Ross

Co-written by two great university professors, this book offers beginners enough information to find their bearing in computer networking. You’ll find the book easily comprehensive and accessible, irrespective of the level of knowledge you have on networking.

You’ll find the structure of this book and the learning experience it offers interesting. This is especially because the publishers have organized the book to feature network layers of Internet Protocol Stack, with each layer serving as a base for important computer networking topics.

There’s currently the 7th Edition, but it comes with a higher price tag than this one. When you compare the contents of both, you’ll find that the difference is not too significant. Hence, most experts often recommend the eighth Edition because it is a value option.

What Makes It Unique:

• It comes with a structure that makes sense from the pedagogical perspective considering that the functionality of computer networking is based on the same structure of layered protocols.
• Features a Top-Down Approach with the top layer, which features Internet Protocol Stack’s application layer and the bottom layer, featuring the stack’s physical layers.
• The book’s simplified structure and detailed contents make it an excellent option for both experts and beginners that do not have exceptional networking knowledge.

Why Choose this Computer Networking Book:

• The book’s authors covered the basics of computer networking well and quickly before delving into the subject in great detail.
• Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach contains illustrations where needed, as well as examples of calculations where they are necessary.
• The book covers nearly everything that an average computer networking student needs in an engaging tone that’s enjoyable to read.

Last update: 2024-04-26

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Networking for Systems Administrators (IT Mastery) by Michael W Lucas

This is an excellent option to buy if you are looking to learn the real working process of modern networks. The 160 paged book by Michael W Lucas teaches you enough to deploy your own applications without depending on a network team.

Some of the topics covered in this book include essentials of TCP/IP, connectivity testing, using the right tools for diagnosing network problems, how to troubleshoot everything from DNS to physical wire.

In addition to all these, you can also learn the best way to communicate with your network team. There’s so much more that the book teaches you. It is also relatively cheap, so you can expect to learn a lot for less.

What Makes it Unique:

• A great option written with every topic simplified for aspirants, professionals, and adventurers alike.
• The book features thoughtful footnotes professional and license-unencumbered help to those that need practical help as they read.
• It has several networking information laid out in a clear, sensible, amusing, and easy to read format.

Why Choose this Computer Networking Book:

• Networking for Systems Administrators is written at a perfect level for software and system engineers looking for simple and informative books that will help them conquer their sysadmin responsibilities.
• Networking for Systems Administrators (IT Mastery) features working examples in each section that will help you learn and master the topics yourself.
• The author’s writing style simplifies an otherwise arid subject, making it exciting and accessible.

Last update: 2024-04-26

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Runner ups for Best Computer and Networking Books

The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology (2nd Edition) by Rich Seifert and Jim Edwards

The writers of this book recognize the need for networking professionals to learn about the LAN switching technology; hence, they’ve written this Edition to cover this aspect in detail. It strictly focuses on LAN switching, covering all the related topics and concepts such as advanced LAN concepts, foundations of LAN switches, VLAN concepts, loop prevention, LANs security, multicast, etc.

The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology covers nearly everything you'll need to learn and master switching technologies. However, it is not a beginner’s guide, so you’ll need to have experience in networking before using this book. Therefore, network designers and professionals that are in charge of operating and managing LAN switch infrastructures for corporations would find the contents of this book very useful.

What Makes it Unique:

• The book’s focus on LAN switching makes it special for people that are looking to build their expertise in areas like LAN switches, multicast, loop prevention, LAN security, etc.
• It is co-authored by an inventor that’s popular for being at the forefront of networking technology for decades.
• The unique resource starts by explaining the core technologies that LAN switching is built upon. It then builds on these fundamentals and discusses several advanced features and possibilities existing in switches.

Why Choose this Computer Networking Book:

• Although the book is not designed for novices in computer networking, the writers still found a way to write about the very technical topics in an entertaining and accessible manner.
• It is a well-organized book that offers an excellent way for network engineers to get up to speed on the working principle of switches.
• The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology outlined multiple technologies offering larger net managers a base to understand, plan, and troubleshoot their networks.

Last update: 2024-04-26

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Data and Computer Communications (10th Edition) by Williams Stallings

In this book, William Stallings makes a unique contribution to explaining the broad sweep of technical developments in the area of computer architecture. With 20 years of experience in the field, he shows how comprehensive and easily understandable computer science and engineering can be in this book. It is an ideal book for teachers looking to take their students on one/two-semester courses in data communications, computer networks, and communications networks. It’s also a suitable book for systems engineers, programmers, and product developers that are involved in designing data communications.

What Makes It Unique:

• It offers a clear survey on the field of computer communications, emphasizing the fundamental principles of performance in network design and driving protocols.
• The topics covered in the book meet the practical needs of senior computer networking scientists.

Why Choose this Computer Networking Book:

• It offers enough explanations on the various topics covered, making the process of learning easier for aspiring computer networking scientists.
• Does justice to data communications core topics with comprehensive sections provided on the topics in the stallings text.

Last update: 2024-04-26

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Value Pick for Best Computer and Networking Books

Networking All-in-One For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) by Doug Lowe

Another computer networking book there designed to help starters excel in this field. Networking All-in-one for Dummies is one of the most updated network design books you’ll find in the market today with a wide range of topics covered for everybody, irrespective of their expertise. Several experts have taunted it as one of the best computer networking books for beginners.

Networking All-in-one for Dummies is a 900-page book that covers so many recent technologies like Windows 10, Cloud services, Linux, Servers, Windows, routine, security, virtualization, general networking topics, etc. Apart from being very comprehensive, it is also one of the cheapest options on this list, so you are guaranteed to get enough value for your money.

What Makes it Unique:

• It is structured to feature nine mini-books with each covering several essential aspects of computer networking.
• It is comprehensive and obviously one of the most up-to-date computer networking books out there.
• It is written in a simplified manner to serve beginners looking to get an overall understanding of the different aspects of networking.

Why Choose this Computer Networking Book:

• Serves as a thorough and useful reference for computer networking. Pretty extensive in coverage with some advanced topics for professionals looking for reference books for computer networks.
• It is written to facilitate basic IT literacy; then, it takes you up bit by bit through all the concepts of computer networking from ground up.
• Explains complicated technical topics in a simplified and applicable manner.

Last update: 2024-04-26

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How to Choose the Best Computer Networking Books for You

The process of choosing the best computer networking book can be overwhelming for you if you do not know the right place to look. But it doesn’t have to be so – not when you can make it fun by making yourself acquainted with the right processes involved. Before starting, there’s a need to ask questions about each book you pick and what it is right for.

In this part, we will be reviewing some of the things that you should note before going to the market to buy a computer networking book. We will also provide sufficient information that can turn an otherwise painful search into a fun and productive process.

Do You Have Prior Knowledge of Computer Networking?

This is the first place to start your search from. Different computer networking books are designed to serve different levels of expertise. One thing that you need to be careful about is picking a book that is either below or above your league. Computer networking is a technical subject, and its text can become dense and hard to get through if it’s not at your level. If you are not a great reader, then there’s no point going for a 1000 -page book when you can get a smaller book that summarizes what you want.

Also, remember that some books are written in editions, and you can’t just jump to an advanced version without first understanding the basis of the subject.

Are You a Beginner or a University Student?

It’s also important to know what level you are in and what you are looking to achieve before going to the market to get a computer networking book. Once you hit the market, you’ll see a lot of different options. Each option is written for readers of a particular market. Therefore, it’ll be fair to evaluate your level of expertise and go for books that suit you.

Are You Looking for Any Specific Computer Networking Topic?

Often times, computer networking professions are faced with situations where they will need to update their knowledge on a particular skill or topic. At such times, it is important to get computer networking books that address that area. Therefore, while in the market, you’ll need to ask yourself if you desire to learn a particular skill. If so, research for the right books with in-depth explanations on those topics.

What is your Budget?

As much as people may try to deny it, the budget affects your book’s choice in a big way. Computer networking is a very complicated and technical subject, so most computer networking books are expected to be expensive, especially if they offer enough value in terms of content. Don’t be deceived, however, to think that all of them as of the same price. You’ll find an option that suits your budget, but you need to be sure that it offers what you want. This is where proper planning comes into play. Compare options that fall within your budget and pick one that promises to offer more.

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Computer and Networking Books

Putting everything together, in this guide we reviewed the following:

Last update: 2024-04-26

There you have it, the best computer networking books in the market. All the books that we’ve reviewed above contain vast amounts of information about computer networking and other related topics. Most of them can be used both in academic settings and outside it. Therefore, even if you are not a computer programming student, you can still grab them to learn a thing or two about the field.

In this article, we’ve also highlighted some factors that will help you make the right choice of computer networking books.

If you don’t want to go through the stress of searching through several options, then you can simply pick our favorite option the Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, which provides computer networking information in a simplified manner or our runner-up, The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology, which also focuses on LAN switching technology, making it simple for people that want to pursue a career in this area.

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