Book excerpt: A professional reference that examines the gigabit per second computer networks that make it possible to share vast quantities of data among many computer systems. Key technologies, important protocols and applications, and the practical issues involved in implementing gigabit networks are all addressed, and where research is still incomplete, important unsolved issues are presented. Could also be used as a textbook for a graduate course on gigabit networking. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR