Data Communication and Computer Networks: A Business User's Approach

Whether you are preparing for a career as a business manager, computer programmer or system designer, or you simply want to be an informed home computer user, West's DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTER NETWORKS, 9th Edition provides an understanding of the essential features, operations and limitations of today's computer networks. You learn about systems both on premises and in the cloud as the author balances technical concepts with practical, everyday issues. Updates address the latest developments and practices in cloud business principles and security techniques, software-defined networking, 5G, the Internet of Things, data analytics and supporting remote workforces. This edition also covers the CompTIA’s Cloud Essentials+ exam to help you prepare for this vendor-neutral, business-oriented cloud computing certification. Hands-on learning features and thought-provoking content also guide you through virtual networking technologies, industry convergence and wired and wireless LAN technologies.

Jill West authors Cengage courses for CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA Network+, Data Communications, Technology for Success and the popular Shelly Cashman Series. She has taught kindergarten through college and currently teaches computer technology courses at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Jill specializes in designing innovative, critical-thinking activities and building courses that teach to popular IT certifications. She regularly presents at conferences and webinars on preparing for CompTIA certifications, teaching cloud computing and computer networking and mentoring lifelong student learners in IT. She’s a member of the 2019 inaugural cohort of Faculty Ambassadors for AWS Educate and is currently an AWS Academy Accredited Educator. Jill and her husband, Mike, live in northwest Georgia with two children at home and two off to college.

Curt M. White is an associate professor in the College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University, where he has been since 1988. Currently in his 37th year of teaching, he previously taught at Wayne State University, Illinois State University, Purdue University–Fort Wayne, and Dominican University. Dr. White has published more than 30 articles on computer science and computer science education, two chapters in books, and two college textbooks. In 1997, he chaired the ACM SIGCSE's national conference on computer science education and more recently served as president of the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges. He completed a bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in computer science from Wayne State University.