To become a well-rounded cyber security professional, you’ll want to understand the ins and outs of computer networking.
Computer networking is a topic that can’t be completely covered in a blog post. To better understand its many facets, we recommend reading various networking study guides.
Networking has several aspects, from hardware components to configuration and topology, from protocols to ports, and so much more. No single book can cover them all.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best networking books and labeled each in a category so you can quickly find the ones that suit your needs.
Are you curious? Read on.
Basic Networking Study Guides
If you’re new to computer networking, you’ll want to start by learning the basics, which are covered in the following books.
1.Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach
Authors:
James Kurose and Keith W. Ross
Overview:
James Kurose and Keith Ross recently published their eighth edition of Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. There are no better teachers of basic computer concepts than two tenured computer science professors. Kurouse teaches at UMass while Ross is Dean of Engineering and Computer Science at NYU Shanghai.
This book examines computer networking, starting with the OSI Model’s application layer and working down to the physical layer.
It’s an easy read that even beginners with little networking background can grasp. The authors give ample real-life examples so that learners can visualize what’s really happening behind the scenes when their favorite products and services send and receive data.
Buy the book here.
2.Networking All-in-One For Dummies
Author:
Doug Lowe
Overview:
Chances are you’ve already heard of the famous Dummies book series, but have you read Networking All-In-One For Dummies yet?
When you open this book, you’ll be guided through the basics of networking by author Doug Lowe, a prolific writer of IT books who’s currently plying his trade as the IT director at Blair, Church, and Flynn Consulting Engineers. He’s written books on everything from Java to electronics and even PowerPoint.
This is the perfect place to start if you want to learn about computer networking. It covers the basics of networking in a tone that is guaranteed not to bore you. It’s digital and will teach you everything from installing software and hardware to network design and even cloud services.
Buy this book here.
3.Computer Networking Bible 2024: The Complete Crash Course to Effectively Design, Implement and Manage Networks. Including Sections on Security, Performance and Scalability
Authors:
Rick C. Worley
Overview:
Written by Rick C. Worley for computer networking beginners and seasoned professionals alike, The Computer Networking Bible teaches readers about common network operations how to design various computer networks.
Worley is a seasoned IT professional and author writing in a style that can help even those without a tech background understand the most complex networking concepts. Worley walks readers through designing, implementing, and managing simple at-home LAN networks, enterprise networks, and everything in between.
This book is broken down into three sections: a beginner's guide to networking, how networks fail and how to optimize them, and the future of cloud computing and IoT.
You can find this book here.
Networking Concepts Study Guides
Computer networks are vast and complicated. To learn about a specific networking topic, we recommend reading one of the following networking study guidebooks.
4.IP Subnetting for Beginners: Your Complete Guide to Master IP Subnetting in 4 Simple Steps
Author:
Ramon Nastase
Overview:
IP subnetting is an interesting, important, and nuanced topic that deserves its own book. In IT Subnetting for Beginners, author Ramon Nastase explains subnetting in four steps that even novices can understand.
Nastase has over 14 years of IT experience and has taught for over seven years. He uses his teaching background to make complex topics more digestible.
This book covers:
- How to subnet a network
- What IPv4 is compared to IPv6
- How subnetting impacts a computer network
- Subnetting with Cisco devices
This book is great for beginners and experts and especially useful when studying for the CCNA.
You can buy this book here.
5.TCP/IP Protocol Analysis for Beginners: A Student's Introduction and Supplemental Guidebook
Author:
James Wemette
Overview:
Some networking concepts are too crucial to skim through. TCP/IP is a crucial element of the Internet and one you must understand if you hope to have a long future in computer networking and digital security.
In this 46-page book, Author James Wemette provides a bite-size yet thorough walkthrough that details the crucial aspects and basics of the TCP/IP model.
James Wemette, an IT professor and author, wrote this book to supplement his student’s learning. Even though you’re not enrolled in his class, this book can still serve you should you desire a firmer grasp of the TCP/IP protocol.
Some topics this book covers include:
- ARP
- IP addresses
- NAT
- IPSec
- ICMP
- TCP
- UDP
- DNS
- SMNP
You can buy this book here.
6.DNS and BIND
Authors:
Cricket Liu and Paul Albitz
Overview:
Without DNS, we’d have to memorize every IP address of the websites we want to visit. DNS translates IP addresses to domain names, but while this process may sound simple, a lot is happening behind the scenes.
Authors Cricket Liu and Paul Albitz lift the curtain on DNS by discussing what takes place when you navigate the Internet and the latest updates to DNS.
The most recent edition also covers BIND, IPv6 support, and ENUM.
The book’s chief author is Cricket Liu, a former hostmaster of hp.com. He is currently employed as the Director of DNS Product Management for VeriSign Global Registry Services.
Some topics covered include:
- Configuring name servers
- Subdividing domains
- Securing your name server
- DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC)
- Mapping one name to several servers for load-sharing
- Troubleshooting and nslookup, dig, as well as debugging and addressing other common problems
You can buy the book here.
Networking Exam Study Guides
To help stand out to employers, you’ll need to acquire networking certificates such as CompTIA Network+, CCNA, and CCNP. Here are a few books that can be used as networking study guides for your next exam.
7.CompTIA Network+ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide
Author:
Mike Meyers
Overview:
Mike Meyers has written countless books covering CompTIA certifications. He recently published the fifth edition of his guide for the CompTIA’s Network+ certification.
As the president and co-founder of Total Seminars, Meyers has taught thousands of students all over the world, ranging from US Supreme Court Justices to senators, and those in the Armed Forces.
This book covers each exam objective found on CompTIA’s official website. In addition to the material you’ll be tested on the exam, it offers exam tips, practice questions, and in-depth explanations.
Some material the book covers includes:
- OSI model
- TCP/IP
- Hardware configurations
- How to build a SOHO network
- Troubleshooting network technologies
- Configuration of firewall
- Configure wireless technologies
- NAT port filtering
- IPv6 routing protocols
- Routing technologies
- Fundamental networking principles
- Common network services
- Cloud connectivity
You can buy this book here.
8.CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide
Author:
Wendell Odom
Overview:
The book is specifically designed to prepare you for the Cisco CCNA exam, and it comes with built-in assessment, review, and practice to provide a more dynamic way to prepare for it.
Each chapter begins with a mini quiz to test you on the upcoming material before diving into each section. Chapters will also end with exercises and a review of the key concepts you just learned. You’ll also receive links to labs and 90 minutes of video mentoring from the author, Wendell Odom.
Wendell Odom is an IT instructor and consultant who has written various study guides covering popular IT topics.
Some topics this book covers are:
- Networking fundamentals
- IPv4 and IPv6 routing
- Wireless LANs
- Configuring VLANs and STP
- OSPF
- Basic networking concepts
You can buy this book here.
9.CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core
Authors:
Brad Edgeworth, Ramiro Garza Rios, Jason Gooley, and David Hucaby
Overview:
This book helps students prepare for Cisco’s CCNP and CCIE Enterprise certifications. Cisco created the study materials, which comprise the official certification guide series.
In addition to covering the material these exams will test you on, it includes study plans, assessment features, review questions, and exercises.
Each author has hands-on experience working with Cisco products and experience teaching others about Cisco networking. Reading a book such as this helps assure exam success.
The material covers everything the exam will test you on, including:
- Enterprise network architecture and designs
- Virtualization concepts and technologies
- Network assurance
- Security
- Automation
- Cisco networking devices
- How to optimize networks
You can buy the book here.
Network Security Study Guides
A network shouldn’t be used unless it’s secure. Learn about network security by reading one of these books.
10.Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice
Author:
William Stallings
Overview:
Cryptography is a dense subject matter that may require delving into a book to understand.
The prolific computer scientist and author William Stallings has written seven editions of The Principles and Practice of Cryptography and Network Security to help cyber security students and professionals grasp cryptography and network security concepts better.
In the most recent edition, readers explore the history of cryptography and network security and gain a practical understanding of how these technologies work and how to prevent network attacks.
The first half of the book is dedicated to the basics of network security and cryptography whereas the latter focuses on how we can put these technologies to use to create a safer online environment.
You can buy the book here.
11.Applied Network Security Monitoring: Collection, Detection, and Analysis
Author:
Chris Sanders and Jason Smith
Overview:
Applied Network Securtiy Monitoring intends to turn novices into NSM analysts. It starts by teaching readers the fundamentals in easy to understand ways while providing real-world examples of network security at work.
It walks the reader through three security stages: collection, detection, and analysis. Each section also features insight from network security professionals on the best network security practices.
Here are some areas the book covers:
- Proper methods for data collection
- Hands-on coverage of network security tools such as Snort, Suricata, Argus, and more
- Analysis of PCAP files
You can buy the book here.
Network Hacking Study Guides
Learn how to compromise the security of a network by reading up on the latest network hacking techniques.
12.Network Basics for Hackers: How Networks Work and How They Break
Author:
OccupytheWeb
Overview:
Written for beginners and seasoned professionals, this book covers networking basics before teaching how to use Wireshark and tcpdump for network analysis.
You’ll also receive in-depth training on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks before learning about common protocols like DNS, ARP, SMTP, and DHCP.
While this book dives into various hacking methods, it places a special emphasis on compromising network security.
You can buy the book here.
Conclusion
When choosing the best networking book for you, first gauge your current knowledge of networking and then figure out what you want to learn.
As we’ve seen, when it comes to networking there are various aspects of computer networking that you may choose to read up on. No single book covers every area of interest, so choose wisely before making your selection.
If you want a more hands-on understanding of computer networking, we recommend joining the StationX Master's Program. You’ll have access to over 30,000 courses and labs, one-on-one mentorship, a robust community, accountability buddies, career mentorship, and more. The program has a variety of computer networking courses that might interest you as well.
Here are a few from our library:
Frequently Asked Questions
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