Data Communications Today Networks, the Internet, and the Enterprise

Makes data communications understandable - even for non-technical professionals.With this thorough, highly-accessible book, any professional can learn the fundamentals of data communications.This book introduces the basic concepts underlying all data communications, including bandwidth, transmission methods, data transport formats and connections. It presents coverage of carrier services such as ISDN, Fractional T1, SMDS, xDSL, SONET, DDS and Switched 56. It explains communications hardware, from terminals and controllers to routers, hubs, modems and multiplexers, and introduces the basics of network troubleshooting. Finally, the book reviews the role of standards and regulatory agencies, presents significant new coverage of the Internet and TCP/IP, and discusses where the industry may be headed.