With some 200 million hosts generating traffic on the Internet, TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol) has become the protocol suite of choice to support the exchange of messages in commercial operations and residential activities. This hands-on resource provides professionals with a comprehensive picture of the Internet protocol stack and the role of TCP/IP in data communication. It serves as a detailed guide to the protocols, networks, codes, signals, and equipment that make it possible to communicate using TCP/IP. Practitioners find detailed descriptions of the functions performed by the headers and frames of the TCP/IP suite, making it easy for them to analyze individual data packets. The book offers a through understanding of advanced LAN and WAN technologies, and offers an integrated view of important networking operations. Supported with over 130 illustrations, this practical volume is a one-stop reference to a wide range of topics that are critical to all professionals involved with data communications.