11 Best Computer Networking Books This Year [Learn Computer Networking ASAP]

11 Best Computer Networking Books in 2024 [Learn Computer Networking ASAP]

Today we’re looking at the best computer networking books of this year.

🧠 Did you know? According to GeeksforGeeks, the Internet is controlled by approximately 75 million servers.

What is computer networking?

Computer networking is when devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets are connected to and communicate with one another.

Some other connected devices include Internet of Things devices such as cameras, refrigerators and thermostats.

There are many types of computer networks. Some of the most popular include:

✅ Local Area Network (LAN)

✅ Wide Area Network (WAN)

✅ Personal Area Network (PAN)

✅ Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

And beyond.

Miles of underwater cable

550,000

used for the Internet

What is TCP/IP?

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a set of communications protocols used in computer networks and the Internet.

Simply put, TCP/IP enables computers to communicate over long distances.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.

What is Cisco in computer networking?

Cisco is a multinational technological conglomerate corporation. Headquartered in San Jose, California, they develop, manufacture and sell networking hardware and software and other technological products.

You may even have a Cisco router in your home right now.

TLDR: Best Computer Networking Books

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

💥 Best for Newbies 💥

Computer Networking: All You Need to Know to Become a Networking Engineer from Scratch

💸 Best Value 💸
Introduction to Networking: How the Internet Works

Best Computer Networking Books

The following computer networking books are arranged from beginner to advanced.

1. Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

↘️ Ideal for: computer networking newbies
↘️
Topics covered:
computer networking fundamentals, the Internet, computer science

On its 8th edition, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach is one of the best computer networking books EVER.

That’s because authors James Kurose and Keith Ross break down this complex topic with a layered, or “top-down” method.

➡️ Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach is considered by many to be the GOAT of computer networking books.

You’ll go from the application layer down to the physical layer, while learning computer networking fundamentals along the way.

Looking at the most recent advances in networking, you’ll also explore:

✅ the Internet

✅ computer science

✅ electrical engineering

You don’t need deep knowledge of programming or mathematics to be able to understand the concepts in this book.

Diagram of some components of the Internet in Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

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2. Computer Networking: All You Need to Know to Become a Networking Engineer from Scratch

↘️ Ideal for: computer networking newbies
↘️
Topics covered:
network systems, Cisco system, Kali Linux

Computer Networking: All You Need to Know offers a complete explanation of network systems, their components and applications.

And unlike Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, you’ll start from the ground and work your way up.

➡️ Computer Networking: All You Need to Know is one of the best computer networking books for beginners.

Starting with the basics, you’ll learn theoretical and practical elements of computer networking. You’ll also discover a wealth of knowledge on:

✅ the OSI reference model

✅ Internet, Ethernet and wireless technology

✅ IP subnetting

✅ Kali Linux for hacking

And beyond.

Finally, you’ll find an introduction to the Cisco System alongside CCNA certification.

What computer networking engineers are saying about Computer Networking: All You Need to Know:

Learn about all the different layers in computer networking… in this book.

– Tanya


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3. Introduction to Networking: How the Internet Works

↘️ Ideal for: computer networking newbies
↘️
Topics covered:
computer networking basics

Introduction to Networking examines computer architecture and protocols.

➡️ Introduction to Networking is one of the best computer networking books for developers on a budget.

While acknowledging the complexity of the Internet, author Charles R. Severance breaks it down into simpler concepts.

Then you’ll learn how networks and network applications exist in our daily lives and how these technologies work.

This isn’t meant to go beyond an introduction to CCNA or Network+ certifications.

Diagram of store-and-forward networks in Introduction to Networking

4. CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, 8th Edition

↘️ Ideal for: advanced beginner to intermediate computer networking students
↘️
Topics covered:
CompTIA Network+ Certification

comptia network+ certification book cover with brown and red background with white and brown text

CompTIA Network+ Certification is unlike any other book on our list.

It’s a self-study system for preparing for the CompTIA Network+ computer networking certification.

➡️ CompTIA Network+ Certification is one of the best computer networking books for students who want to become certified computer networking engineers.

It contains all of the information that’s covered in the certification and is edited by CompTIA trainer Mike Meyers.

You’ll find additional online materials such as:

✅ exam simulator with 100+ practice questions

✅ shareware and freeware networking utilities

✅ 20 lab simulations

✅ training videos

And more.

What computer network engineers are saying about CompTIA Network+ Certification:

For all those interested in computer networks, I highly recommend it. It touches all the topics, plus it is vendor neutral.

Eduardo Villarreal


5. Computer Networking Problems and Solutions: An Innovative Approach to Building Resilient, Modern Networks

↘️ Ideal for: new and experienced network engineers, computer networking newbies
↘️
Topics covered:
the data plane, protocols, principles

Computer Networking Problems and Solutions takes a problem-solving approach to modern computer networks and protocols.

You’ll also find common solutions and how they’re implemented.

It’s similar to Introduction to Networking, but dives deeper into computer networking concepts.

➡️ Computer Networking Problems and Solutions helps new and experienced network engineers quickly identify computer networking problems and solutions.

First you’ll learn about the data plane. Then you’ll explore protocols that are used in the control plane.

In the third part, you’ll explore common network designs and architectures such as:

✅ data center fabrics

✅ MPLS cores

Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN)

And more.


6. Computer Networking for Beginners

↘️ Ideal for: computer networking newbies
↘️
Topics covered:
networking basics, protocols, security

Computer Networking for Beginners is a two-in-one book which covers tons of computer networking fundamentals.

It’s similar to Computer Networking: All You Need to Know to Become a Networking Engineer from Scratch, but doesn’t go beyond the building blocks of computer networking.

➡️ Computer Networking for Beginners is one of the best computer networking books for covering a wide array of basics.

For example, you’ll learn about:

✅ networking basics, hardware, cabling and protocols

✅ wireless networking

✅ IP addressing and subnetting

✅ hacking methods

✅ network troubleshooting

And much, MUCH more.


7. Networking Made Easy: Get Yourself Connected

↘️ Ideal for: computer networking beginners ready to advance to the next level
↘️
Topics covered:
networking, protocols, troubleshooting

Networking Made Easy is an easy-to-use guide to help you become proficient with computer networking technology.

➡️ Networking Made Easy is designed to bring your computer networking skills to the next level.

First you’ll review what a network is. Then you’ll explore networking hardware and cabling.

After that, you’ll discover:

✅ wireless networking

✅ IP addressing

✅ protocols

✅ cloud computing

✅ network troubleshooting

And beyond.


8. Computer Networking for Beginners: Your Guide for Mastering Computer Networking

↘️ Ideal for: computer networking beginners
↘️
Topics covered:
computer networking, Cisco, OSI Model

Computer Networking for Beginners aims to take beginners to the next level of computer networking.

➡️ Computer Networking for Beginners is one of the best computer networking books for exploring Cisco IOS and the OSI Model.

With a step-by-step approach, you’ll cover the most important basics of computer networking.

After learning what networks are and how they function, you’ll dive into:

✅ Ethernet and how a MAC address works

✅ IP address configuration

✅ protocols

✅ different network applications

And more.


9. Cisco Networking Essentials: Complete Guide To Computer Networking For Beginners And Intermediates

↘️ Ideal for: Cisco networking newbies
↘️
Topics covered:
Cisco networking, TCP/IP, Ethernet

Cisco Networking Essentials covers almost everything you need to start considering a CCNA certification.

➡️ Cisco Networking Essentials is one of the best computer networking books for Cisco fundamentals.

In this straightforward beginner’s guide, you’ll explore core computer networking concepts such as:

✅ types of networks

data encapsulation

✅ TCP/IP

✅ Ethernet and cabling

✅ IP addresses

And more.

By the end of this book, you should be able to navigate these concepts with ease.


10. Computer Networks: A Systems Approach

↘️ Ideal for: networking professionals and computer networking graduate students
↘️
Topics covered:
guidelines, problems, protocols

Computer Networks: A Systems Approach is another problem-solving computer networking book.

And similarly to Computer Networking Problems and Solutions, Computer Networks uses real-world examples to explore protocols and networking technologies.

But here you’ll learn some different concepts.

➡️ Computer Networks: A Systems Approach is one of the best computer networking books for network practitioners and graduate students.

Taking a systems-oriented approach, you’ll learn how individual network components fit into a more complex system. This includes coverage of:

✅ WiFi and cellular communication

✅ security and cryptography

✅ multimedia

And beyond.


11. Mastering Python for Networking and Security

↘️ Ideal for: network engineers, system administrators, and security professionals experienced with Python
↘️
Topics covered:
scripts, tools, server vulnerabilities

Mastering Python for Networking and Security shows you how to use scripts and Python 3.7 to dominate networking and security complications.

You’ll learn everything from building a network all the way to securing it.

➡️ Mastering Python for Networking and Security is one of the best computer networking books for experienced Python developers.

You’ll start by exploring Python packages and libraries. And using scripting, you’ll discover how to detect networking vulnerabilities.

You’ll also learn how to:

✅ automate tasks

✅ analyze security modules

✅ use Python’s forensic tools to extract information

And much, much more.

By the end of this book, you should be able to build secure apps using cryptography.


Best Computer Networking Books: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best computer networking books including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

💥 Best for Newbies 💥

Computer Networking: All You Need to Know to Become a Networking Engineer from Scratch

💸 Best Value 💸
Introduction to Networking: How the Internet Works

So regardless of your computer networking needs, we think these are the best computer networking books of this year.


Computer networking engineers are also reading:


  1. What is computer networking?

    Computer networking is when devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets are connected to and communicate with one another. Some other connected devices include Internet of Things devices such as cameras, refrigerators and thermostats. There are four types of computer networks: Local-area Network (LAN), Wide-area Network (WAN), enterprise network and service-provider network. To learn more about computer networking, check out today’s post where you’ll find plenty of books on computer networking.

  2. What is TCP/IP?

    Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is a set of communications protocols used in computer networks and the Internet. Simply put, TCP/IP enables computers to communicate over long distances. To learn more about TCP/IP, check out today’s post where we look at a variety of computer networking books that cover TCP/IP.

  3. What is Cisco in computer networking?

    Cisco is a multinational technological conglomerate corporation. Headquartered in San Jose, California, they develop, manufacture and sell networking hardware and software and other technological products. If you’d like to learn more about Cisco in computer networking, check out our list of computer networking books in today’s post. You’ll find plenty of books that cover Cisco technologies.

  4. What are the best computer networking books?

    Some of the best computer networking books include our overall favorite Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. For newbies, we liked Computer Networking: All You Need to Know to Become a Networking Engineer from Scratch. And for value, we liked Introduction to Networking: How the Internet Works. To learn more about these and other computer networking books, be sure to check out today’s article.