[{"_1":2,"_42":-5,"_43":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_10":11,"_40":-5,"_41":-5},"root",{"_5":-5,"_6":-5,"_7":-5,"_8":9},"user","shoppingCartId","toast","locale","en","routes/_store+/_readers+/email_author.$slug/route",{"_12":13,"_39":-5},"book",{"_14":15,"_16":17,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23,"_24":25},"id","Z2lkOi8vbGVhbnB1Yi9TdG9yZTo6Qm9va1Byb2R1Y3QvNjYwNzk","title","How Computers Talk: A Practical Guide to Modern Computer Networking","state","published","contactAuthorMethod","email","aboutText","

How Computers Talk is a clear, visual, beginner-friendly guide to modern computer networking. Whether you're a curious learner, bootcamp student, or aspiring IT pro, this book will help you finally understand how the internet works — from cables and IP addresses to Wi-Fi, DNS, and slow connections.

No technical background? No problem. We explain complex topics using real-world analogies, diagrams, and hands-on tools you already have on your computer.

Inside you’ll learn:

How computers exchange data using protocols like TCP/IP
Why your Wi-Fi slows down — and how to fix it
What DNS, firewalls, and IP addresses really do
How to use built-in tools like ping, tracert, and ipconfig
How VPNs and encryption keep your data safe

This book is adapted and expanded from the open-access textbook Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols and Practice by Olivier Bonaventure, under a Creative Commons license.

We’ve rewritten it from the ground up to make it practical, readable, and accessible — without sacrificing accuracy.

Ideal for self-learners, freelancers, remote workers, and anyone who wants to stop guessing and start understanding.

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