Book Reviews: Computer Networking by Michael B. White

Happy Sunday, readers and writers! Today I want to introduce you to a book which might be helpful for those of us who are not the most familiar with wireless technology and how to use it safely (i.e. with proper data security). It’s not an easy book, but it’s fascinating once you get past all the technological jargon. In this post, I am reviewing Computer Networking: The Complete Guide to Understanding Wireless Technology, Network Security, Computer Architecture and Communications Systems (Including Cisco, CCNA and CCNET) by Michael B. White.

Computer Networking covers a wide variety of topics related to wireless technology, including what wireless technology is, examples of wireless devices, how certain wireless technologies work, and even how to stay safe while using wireless networks. By the end, readers will have learned about several of the kinds of wireless technologies and devices used in the modern world and how to use them properly. Additionally, readers will have gained a brief insight into how wireless technologies have come about and evolved as well as what the future might hold for these technologies and wireless networks.

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge about computer networking and all the related technologies. It seems to leave no stone unturned, providing readers at several levels of technological knowledge with something new to think about. Personally, White broadened my understanding of what wireless technologies and devices are and how long they have actually existed. I also learned more about how all of this technology is connected and works together, such as how computer networks are used to control public telephone networks. In this day and age, the information on securely using wireless networks and other wireless technologies will prove particularly useful for those who are not too savvy on how all of this works.

However, this thoroughness makes the book more for readers who already have a basic knowledge of wireless technology. Otherwise, the reader might get a bit lost and confused in that sea of knowledge. Frankly, a lot of the information in the beginning—but after the introduction to wireless technologies and devices—feels unnecessary if you just want to know enough about this technology in order to navigate the modern world. For example, I felt the writing drag down quite a bit as White explained how satellites work. That sort of information seems more like it is for those who are delving deep into how this stuff works as part of a hobby or a career choice, rather than those looking to understand the progressively more advanced technology around them. I also had to re-read many sections in order to understand some of the terminology and processes, which sometimes caused my attention to fade temporarily.

That being said, this guide is perfect if you are truly interested in learning about the wireless world. If you just want to know what wireless technology is and how you can use it, I suggest skipping around to parts like the book’s introduction, the introduction to wireless technology, the introduction to computer networking, the conclusion, and the sections on security in regards to wireless network, data, and wireless technology. Of course, any section which explains what a certain wireless device or technology is will also be a great help to those who don’t know what every single one of these is already. (I severely doubt that any reader will know what all of them are and what they do without any doubts, so I definitely recommend paying close attention to these sections even if you think already know this information.) If you are interested in how we got to this point and where these developments will take us, I also highly recommend reading the sections on the key milestones in computer networking history, the future of wireless technology, and the future of wireless networking.

Overall, Computer Networking by Michael B. White is a great guide for this topic. It’s thorough, well-informed, and well-organized. Still, don’t expect a quick read and do not expect to understand it all from one reading alone. To fully absorb all of the information, you must read the book, or at least some sections, multiple times; you might even have some related terms that you will have to look up. It also would have been useful if White had included resources which readers could use to conduct their own research on the subject. You might even have to find some more basic books if you don’t have a firm foundation with wireless technology when you start reading this guide. If you have a strong, basic understanding of this topic, though, Computer Networking will supplement your knowledge very well and teach you to view the wireless world in new ways.

You can find Computer Networking by Michael B. White on Amazon.

Do you know of any books I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!