Good book for learning networking basics as it applies to programming?

Question

Hi,

What is a good book to learn about networking 'theory' (i.e. different layers: physical, tcp/ip, etc.). I don't want anything too technical -- just something so I can apply it to network programming.

Thanks.

Answer 1

http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Networking-Internet-Protocols-Action/dp/0471661864/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275459990&sr=8-1

Answer 2

TCP/IP Illustrated,

by Richard Stevens

Answer 3

Without too much theory, but a very nice introduction to network programming is "Foundations of Python Network Programming" by John Goerzen

Answer 4

An exhaustive 1000 pages in the downloadable IBM Red Book "TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical Overview" is available here: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/gg243376.html Maybe the first few chapters there can give you the not too technical overview.