This book is written for both an academic and a professional audience. The book can be used as a self study guide for interested professionals. As a textbook, it can be used for a one-semester or one-quarter course. The chapters are organized to provide a great deal of flexibility. The following are some suggestions:
　　Chapters l through l2 and Chapters l4, l6, 20, 2l, and 22 are fundamental to understanding the concepts of data communication and networking.
　　Chapters 13, l4, l5, 20, and 23 can also be covered in a quarter or a semester.
Chapters l7, l8, and l9, which discuss the emerging technologies, can be covered if time permits.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION I
DATA COMMUNICATION 2
Components 3
NETWORKS 4