Guide to Networking Essentials

By focusing on troubleshooting and hands-on applications, students are well-prepared to meet the professional challenges they will face in the industry.

Extensive learning tools, such as chapter summaries, review questions and key terms, are integrated throughout the text so students can put their new skills into practice as they learn them -- and maximize their course success.

Hands-On Activities, Case Projects and Challenge Labs enable students to apply chapter concepts to real-world practice -- training them to use networking technology and equipping them with the skills they will need on the job.

Challenge Labs: learners are asked to solve more complex problems without step-by-step instructions by applying the knowledge and skills gained from the reading and performing the hands-on projects.

Case Projects: learners are asked to evaluate a scenario and decide on a course of action to propose a solution. These activities help learners strengthen their decision-making, critical thinking, and troubleshooting skills.

Packet Tracer Labs: learners perform labs using Packet Tracer network hardware simulators. These labs are written to mirror the hands-on projects whenever possible so labs can still be done even when the physical hardware is not available.

Hands-On Activities, Case Projects and Challenge Labs help students apply what they have learned, as well as train students to use networking technology on the job.

Thoroughly updated, the Eighth Edition includes coverage of the latest operating systems in addition to advances in software, wireless and security -- providing students with the most current material available. In addition, an all-new chapter is devoted to the Internet of Things (IoT).

The Eighth Edition fully maps to the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA Exam 98-366) in Networking Fundamentals.