Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach introduces this complex subject in a top-down manner, proceeding from the application layer toward the physical layer and familiarizing you with important concepts early in your study. While more precise and analytical than other introductory computer networking texts, it rarely uses any mathematical concepts that are not taught in high school; its clear and accessible presentation helps you build a solid foundation without extensive programming or mathematical knowledge.
The 9th Edition addresses the introduction of Wi-Fi-6, 5G cellular networks, and the software-i-zation of cellular networks, all of which have driven more rapid change in wireless and mobile networking since the previous edition. It also updates many sections throughout to reflect changes across the breadth of networking. Revisions include new coverage of HTTP/3 protocol and QUIC, new material on content distribution networks and streaming services, updated discussion of network security, and much more.
About our authors
Jim Kurose is a Distinguished University Professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he has been since receiving his PhD in computer science from Columbia University. He received a BA in physics from Wesleyan University. He has held a number of visiting scientist positions in the US and abroad, including IBM Research, INRIA and the Sorbonne University in France. From 2015-2019, Jim served as Assistant Director at the US National Science Foundation, where he led the Directorate of Computer and Information Science and Engineering, and in 2018 served as an Assistant Director in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Jim is proud to have mentored and taught an amazing group of students, and to have received a number of awards for his research, teaching and service, including the IEEE Infocom Award, the ACM SIGCOMM Lifetime Achievement Award, the ACM Sigcomm Test of Time Award, the IEEE Computer Society Taylor Booth Education Medal, and the CRA Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Kurose is a former Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Communications and of IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking. He has served as Technical Program Co-Chair for IEEE Infocom, ACM SIGCOMM, ACM Internet Measurement Conference and ACM SIGMETRICS. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and ACM, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. His research interests include network protocols and architecture, network measurement, and multimedia communication.
Keith Ross is a Professor of Computer Science at NYU Abu Dhabi. Previously he was Dean of Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering at NYU Shanghai (2013-2023), Leonard J. Shustek Chair Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at NYU (2003-2013), Professor of Computer Science at Eurecom Institute (1998-2003), and Professor of Systems Engineering at University of Pennsylvania (1985-1998). He received a B.S.E.E from Tufts University, a M.S.E.E. from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Computer and Control Engineering from The University of Michigan. Keith Ross is also the co-founder and original CEO of Wimba, which developed online multimedia applications for e-learning and was acquired by Blackboard in 2010.
Professor Ross's research interests have been in modeling and measurement of computer networks, peer-to-peer systems, content distribution networks, social networks and privacy. He is currently working in deep reinforcement learning. He is an ACM Fellow, an IEEE Fellow, recipient of the Infocom 2009 Best Paper Award and recipient of 2011 and 2008 Best Paper Awards for Multimedia Communications (awarded by IEEE Communications Society). He has served on numerous journal editorial boards and conference program committees, including IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking,
