Book excerpt: The Handbook of Computer Networks is the third set of reference books from leading author and Professor of Management Information Systems at California State University, Bakersfield, Hossein Bidgoli. The Handbook of Computer Networks is designed to arm researchers, practitioners, students, and managers with in-depth understanding of this important and fast growing field in its broadest scope and in an applied and functional framework. Each volume incorporates state of the art core information and networking topics, practical applications and coverage of the emerging issues in the computer networking and data communications fields.