Real-World Focus:  The authors concentrate on best practices, applications, real-world concepts, and implementation strategies rather than taking a theoretical or overly-technical approach to the subject. Also included is instruction on use of common, popular tools and utilities.

Active Learning Approach:  The book is strongly focused on hands-on learning, and each chapter includes succinct learning objectives, Challenge Questions, Exercises, and Scenarios, and chapter summaries, allowing readers to build and reinforce key skills quickly.

Subject Expertise:  The author team has extensive teaching experience, numerous industry certifications, and significant professional experience in the world of networking, all of which contributes to the strong mix of theory and hands-on essentials evident in the book.

Comprehensive Coverage:  All important topics are covered in-depth, including the OSI model, TCP/IP and the related protocols, security, signaling and multiplexing, cabling and wiring, addressing, hardware, software, and administration.

Complete Supplements:  Instructor and Student supplements include PowerPoint™ presentations for each chapter, copies of figures, full statements of objectives for each chapter, alternative student projects, quizzes, chapter tests, comprehensive examinations for multiple chapters, and solutions to exercises.