Hi everyone!

I am currently in my second year of a Computer Science degree taking a module in Networks and Communication. I have no provious knowledge of this area so would like a book that explains everything easily with examples. I was recommended Computer Networks by Andrew S. Tanenbaum but have heard mixed reviews and many students have found it hard to understand.

Learning outcomes of the module

To introduce the concepts, data types, hardware, software, technologies and issues involved with networks and data communications. The student should develop: good knowledge of the use of data communication networks for e-mail; file transfer and hypertext transfer; understanding of ISO OSI 7-layer model for data communications and how this relates to TCP/IP suite of communication protocols; appreciation of data formats used in data communucations; understanding of modus operandi of clients & servers connected to internet and of the types of communication software they use.
Also the course contents are:

E-mail; the client/server concept; coding schemes for data; Hamming code; Huffman code; encryption, local area networks; Ethernet; TCP/IP. The ISO OSI 7-layer model – the physical layer, the data link layer, the medium access layer, the network layer, the transport, the session layer, the presentation layer, the application layer; protocols using Java.net.
My lecturer recommended the book I mentioned above but talking to previous students of this module they wouldnt recommend it.