Computer Network 7th Edition: Complete Guide and Table of Contents
Computer Network (7th Edition) provides a comprehensive and systematic treatment of computer networking, covering the evolution of network technology, fundamental protocols, layered architectures, Internet technologies, network security, multimedia services, and wireless and mobile networks.
Originally published in 1989, the book has undergone multiple revisions in 1994, 1999, 2003, 2008, and 2013. Each edition has incorporated developments in computer networking while retaining an emphasis on fundamental concepts, rigorous technical explanations, and practical network architecture.
The 5th edition, published in 2008, received the Ministry of Education’s 2009 Quality Textbook designation. The 6th edition, published in 2013, was included among the “12th Five-Year” National Planned Textbooks for Undergraduate General Higher Education. The current 7th edition continues this progression by revising and expanding upon the material presented in the 6th edition.
The book consists of nine chapters and covers the major layers and technologies that form modern computer networks, from physical transmission and Ethernet through IP routing, TCP, application protocols, network security, multimedia networking, and wireless communication.
It is intended primarily for undergraduate and graduate students in electrical information, computer science, and related disciplines. It is also useful as a technical reference for engineers and practitioners working in computer networking.
📘 Book Overview #
The 7th edition is structured around the major concepts and technologies of computer networking.
Its coverage includes:
- The role and evolution of computer networks
- Internet architecture and standardization
- Physical-layer communication and transmission media
- Data link protocols and Ethernet
- IP addressing, routing, IPv6, VPN, NAT, and MPLS
- Transport-layer protocols including UDP and TCP
- Application-layer protocols and Internet services
- Cryptography, authentication, network security, firewalls, and intrusion detection
- Internet audio and video services
- Quality of Service (QoS)
- Wireless LANs and mobile networks
Each chapter concludes with important concepts and exercises. Appendix A provides solutions and hints for selected exercises, while additional appendices contain English acronyms and references.
Core Technical Focus #
The book emphasizes fundamental networking principles while also introducing technologies that have shaped the modern Internet.
A major theme is the relationship between protocols, layers, services, and network architecture. The material progressively connects lower-level transmission mechanisms with higher-level applications, providing a complete view of how data moves through interconnected networks.
The book also places significant emphasis on Internet architecture and the TCP/IP protocol suite, making it useful for understanding how practical networked systems are constructed.
👨🏫 About the Author #
Xie Xiren is a professor and PhD supervisor at the PLA University of Science and Technology, Command Automation Institute.
His academic and engineering work has focused extensively on computer networking and communications.
His major achievements include completing a LAN office system project for the Communications Department of the General Staff Headquarters in 1986 and publishing New Progress in Packet Voice Communications in Acta Electronica Sinica in 1987, introducing packet data communication to China.
In 1991, he completed the National Natural Science Foundation project Packet-Switched Voice and Data Communication System. In 1999, he completed development of the first military satellite communication system network management center and the Golden Bridge Network Management Technology project.
These research and engineering projects received national, military, and ministerial-level awards.
Xie Xiren is the author of Computer Network, covering the 1st through 7th editions. The series has achieved a total print run exceeding four million copies. He has also translated two networking books and led the translation of fourteen additional books.
🧭 Table of Contents #
The 7th edition is organized into nine chapters, progressing from fundamental networking concepts and physical transmission to protocols, security, multimedia, and wireless networking.
Chapter 1 — Overview #
1.1 The Role of Computer Network in the Information Age
1.2 Overview of the Internet
- 1.2.1 Network of Network
- 1.2.2 Three Stages of Internet Infrastructure Development
- 1.2.3 Internet Standardization
1.3 Composition of the Internet
- 1.3.1 The Edge Portion of the Internet
- 1.3.2 The Core Portion of the Internet
1.4 Development of Computer Network in China
1.5 Categories of Computer Network
- 1.5.1 Definition of Computer Network
- 1.5.2 Categories of Computer Network
1.6 Performance of Computer Network
- 1.6.1 Performance Metrics of Computer Network
- 1.6.2 Non-Performance Characteristics of Computer Network
1.7 Computer Network Architecture
- 1.7.1 Formation of Computer Network Architecture
- 1.7.2 Protocols and Layering
- 1.7.3 Architecture with Five Protocol Layers
- 1.7.4 Entities, Protocols, Services, and Service Access Points
- 1.7.5 TCP/IP Architecture
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 2 — Physical Layer #
2.1 Fundamental Concepts of the Physical Layer
2.2 Basic Knowledge of Data Communication
- 2.2.1 Model of a Data Communication System
- 2.2.2 Basic Concepts Regarding Channels
- 2.2.3 Ultimate Capacity of Channels
2.3 Transmission Media Below the Physical Layer
- 2.3.1 Guided Transmission Media
- 2.3.2 Unguided Transmission Media
2.4 Channel Multiplexing Technologies
- 2.4.1 Frequency Division Multiplexing, Time Division Multiplexing, and Statistical Time Division Multiplexing
- 2.4.2 Wavelength Division Multiplexing
- 2.4.3 Code Division Multiplexing
2.5 Digital Transmission Systems
2.6 Broadband Access Technologies
- 2.6.1 ADSL Technology
- 2.6.2 Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Network (HFC Network)
- 2.6.3 FTTx Technology
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 3 — Data Link Layer #
3.1 Data Link Layer Using Point-to-Point Channels
- 3.1.1 Data Link and Frames
- 3.1.2 Three Fundamental Issues
3.2 Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
- 3.2.1 Characteristics of the PPP Protocol
- 3.2.2 Frame Format of the PPP Protocol
- 3.2.3 Operating States of the PPP Protocol
3.3 Data Link Layer Using Broadcast Channels
- 3.3.1 Data Link Layer of Local Area Network (LAN)
- 3.3.2 CSMA/CD Protocol
- 3.3.3 Star Topology Using Hubs
- 3.3.4 Channel Utilization of Ethernet
- 3.3.5 MAC Layer of Ethernet
3.4 Extended Ethernet
- 3.4.1 Extending Ethernet at the Physical Layer
- 3.4.2 Extending Ethernet at the Data Link Layer
- 3.4.3 Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)
3.5 High-Speed Ethernet
- 3.5.1 100BASE-T Ethernet
- 3.5.2 Gigabit Ethernet
- 3.5.3 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) and Faster Ethernet
- 3.5.4 Broadband Access Using Ethernet
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 4 — Network Layer #
4.1 Two Services Provided by the Network Layer
4.2 Internet Protocol (IP)
- 4.2.1 Virtual Internetwork
- 4.2.2 Classful IP Addresses
- 4.2.3 IP Addresses and Hardware Addresses
- 4.2.4 Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
- 4.2.5 Format of IP Datagrams
- 4.2.6 IP Packet Forwarding Process
4.3 Subnetting and Supernetting
- 4.3.1 Subnetting
- 4.3.2 Packet Forwarding with Subnets
- 4.3.3 Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)
4.4 Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
- 4.4.1 Types of ICMP Messages
- 4.4.2 ICMP Application Examples
4.5 Internet Routing Protocols
- 4.5.1 Basic Concepts of Routing Protocols
- 4.5.2 Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
- 4.5.3 Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
- 4.5.4 Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
- 4.5.5 Router Structure
4.6 IPv6
- 4.6.1 IPv6 Base Header
- 4.6.2 IPv6 Addresses
- 4.6.3 Transition from IPv4 to IPv6
- 4.6.4 ICMPv6
4.7 IP Multicast
- 4.7.1 Basic Concepts of IP Multicast
- 4.7.2 Hardware Multicast on LANs
- 4.7.3 Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and Multicast Routing Protocols
4.8 Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Network Address Translation (NAT)
- 4.8.1 Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- 4.8.2 Network Address Translation (NAT)
4.9 Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
- 4.9.1 How MPLS Works
- 4.9.2 Position and Format of MPLS Headers
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 5 — Transport Layer #
5.1 Overview of Transport Layer Protocols
- 5.1.1 Communication Between Processes
- 5.1.2 Two Main Protocols of the Transport Layer
- 5.1.3 Transport Layer Ports
5.2 User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
- 5.2.1 Overview of UDP
- 5.2.2 UDP Header Format
5.3 Overview of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
- 5.3.1 Key Characteristics of TCP
- 5.3.2 TCP Connections
5.4 Principles of Reliable Transfer
- 5.4.1 Stop-and-Wait Protocol
- 5.4.2 Continuous ARQ Protocol
5.5 Format of TCP Segment Headers
5.6 Implementation of TCP Reliable Transfer
- 5.6.1 Byte-Oriented Sliding Window
- 5.6.2 Selection of Retransmission Timeout
- 5.6.3 Selective Acknowledgment (SACK)
5.7 TCP Flow Control
- 5.7.1 Flow Control Using Sliding Windows
- 5.7.2 Transmission Efficiency of TCP
5.8 TCP Congestion Control
- 5.8.1 General Principles of Congestion Control
- 5.8.2 TCP Congestion Control Methods
- 5.8.3 Active Queue Management (AQM)
5.9 TCP Connection Management
- 5.9.1 TCP Connection Establishment
- 5.9.2 TCP Connection Release
- 5.9.3 TCP Finite State Machine
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 6 — Application Layer #
6.1 Domain Name System (DNS)
- 6.1.1 Overview of Domain Name System
- 6.1.2 Domain Name Structure of the Internet
- 6.1.3 Domain Name Servers
6.2 File Transfer Protocols
- 6.2.1 Overview of FTP
- 6.2.2 Basic Operating Principles of FTP
- 6.2.3 Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
6.3 Remote Terminal Protocol (TELNET)
6.4 World Wide Web (WWW)
- 6.4.1 Overview of the World Wide Web
- 6.4.2 Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
- 6.4.3 Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
- 6.4.4 World Wide Web Documents
- 6.4.5 Information Retrieval Systems on the Web
- 6.4.6 Blogs and Microblogs
- 6.4.7 Social Networking Sites
6.5 Electronic Mail
- 6.5.1 Overview of Electronic Mail
- 6.5.2 Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
- 6.5.3 E-mail Message Format
- 6.5.4 Mail Retrieval Protocols POP3 and IMAP
- 6.5.5 Web-Based Electronic Mail
- 6.5.6 Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)
6.6 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
6.7 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
- 6.7.1 Basic Concepts of Network Management
- 6.7.2 Structure of Management Information (SMI)
- 6.7.3 Management Information Base (MIB)
- 6.7.4 Protocol Data Units (PDUs) and Messages of SNMP
6.8 Communication of Application Processes Across Network
- 6.8.1 System Calls and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
- 6.8.2 Commonly Used System Calls
6.9 Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Applications
- 6.9.1 P2P Working Model with Centralized Directory Servers
- 6.9.2 Fully Distributed P2P File Sharing Programs
- 6.9.3 Analysis of P2P File Distribution
- 6.9.4 Searching for Objects Among P2P Peers
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 7 — Network Security #
7.1 Overview of Network Security Issues
- 7.1.1 Security Threats Faced by Computer Network
- 7.1.2 Secure Computer Network
- 7.1.3 Data Encryption Model
7.2 Two Categories of Cryptosystems
- 7.2.1 Symmetric Key Cryptosystems
- 7.2.2 Public Key Cryptosystems
7.3 Digital Signatures
7.4 Authentication
- 7.4.1 Message Authentication
- 7.4.2 Entity Authentication
7.5 Key Distribution
- 7.5.1 Symmetric Key Distribution
- 7.5.2 Public Key Distribution
7.6 Security Protocols Used in the Internet
- 7.6.1 Network Layer Security Protocols
- 7.6.2 Transport Layer Security Protocols
- 7.6.3 Application Layer Security Protocols
7.7 System Security: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection
- 7.7.1 Firewalls
- 7.7.2 Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
7.8 Future Directions
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 8 — Audio/Video Services Over the Internet #
8.1 Overview
8.2 Streaming Stored Audio/Video
- 8.2.1 Web Server with Metafiles
- 8.2.2 Media Servers
- 8.2.3 Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)
8.3 Interactive Audio/Video
- 8.3.1 Overview of IP Telephony
- 8.3.2 Application Protocols Required for IP Telephony
- 8.3.3 Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP)
- 8.3.4 Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP)
- 8.3.5 H.323
- 8.3.6 Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
8.4 Improving “Best-Effort Delivery” Services
- 8.4.1 Enabling the Internet to Provide Quality of Service (QoS)
- 8.4.2 Scheduling and Policing Mechanisms
- 8.4.3 Integrated Services (IntServ) and Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP)
- 8.4.4 Differentiated Services (DiffServ)
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
Chapter 9 — Wireless Network and Mobile Network #
9.1 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
- 9.1.1 Composition of Wireless LANs
- 9.1.2 Physical Layer of 802.11 LANs
- 9.1.3 MAC Layer Protocol of 802.11 LANs
- 9.1.4 MAC Frame of 802.11 LANs
9.2 Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)
9.3 Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN)
9.4 Cellular Mobile Communication Network
- 9.4.1 Introduction to Cellular Wireless Communication Technology
- 9.4.2 Mobile IP
- 9.4.3 Routing for Mobile Users in Cellular Mobile Network
- 9.4.4 Handoff in GSM
- 9.4.5 Impact of Wireless Network on Higher-Layer Protocols
9.5 Two Different Wireless Internet Access Methods
Important Concepts of This Chapter
Exercises
📚 Appendices #
Appendix A — Solutions and Hints to Selected Exercises #
Appendix A provides solutions and hints for selected exercises from the nine chapters.
Appendix B — English Acronyms #
A reference list of English networking acronyms used throughout the book.
Appendix C — References and Websites #
A collection of references and websites supporting further study and research.
🔍 What the 7th Edition Covers #
Taken as a whole, Computer Network (7th Edition) follows the complete path from physical communication to distributed applications.
The progression can be summarized as:
Physical Layer
↓
Data Link Layer
↓
Network Layer
↓
Transport Layer
↓
Application Layer
↓
Network Security
↓
Multimedia Networking
↓
Wireless and Mobile Networking
This structure provides a layered view of networking while connecting theoretical principles with practical Internet technologies.
The earlier chapters establish the foundations of data transmission, framing, Ethernet, addressing, routing, and reliable transport. The later chapters build on those foundations to explain application protocols, security mechanisms, real-time media delivery, Quality of Service, wireless LANs, and mobile networking.
For developers and engineers, the most practically relevant areas include TCP/IP architecture, Ethernet, IP forwarding, CIDR, routing protocols, IPv6, TCP reliability and congestion control, DNS, HTTP, APIs, network security, and wireless networking.
For students, the layered organization provides a structured framework for understanding how independent protocols cooperate to form an end-to-end networked system.
🧩 A Foundation for Modern Networking #
Although networking technologies continue to evolve, the fundamental abstractions presented in this book remain important for understanding modern distributed systems.
Applications still depend on transport semantics. Transport protocols still operate over network-layer forwarding. Network-layer communication still depends on link-layer connectivity and physical transmission. Security mechanisms still need to operate across these layers while preserving authentication, confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Understanding these relationships is more valuable than memorizing individual protocol fields.
The 7th edition therefore serves not only as a reference for traditional computer networking but also as a foundation for understanding contemporary systems built on top of the Internet.
For developers working with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, backend services, network programming, security, or wireless systems, a strong understanding of these networking fundamentals remains directly applicable to real-world engineering.