As digital communications networks grow in use and size throughout the world, the need for accurate, reliable test and measurement procedures has increased tremendously. This unique handbook provides the only comprehensive coverage of all the methodologies, data, and reference material necessary to master network instrumentation. In this single encyclopedic resource, engineers will discover how to apply all the test, measurement, and monitoring tools critical to network performance. The success of this richly illustrated handbook is further assured by its authorship--Clyde Coombs is the preeminent editor of electronics handbooks, with a 30 year track record of best sellers.

A protocol is an agreed-upon set of rules and procedures that describe how multiple entities interact. A simple example of a protocol in everyday life is the motoring rule specifying that the vehicle to the right at an intersection has the right-of-way, other things being equal. If this traffic protocol is violated, the result might be a serious problem.

When the entities are network devices, protocols are necessary for interaction to happen at all. If two devices follow different protocols, their communication will be no more successful than a conversation between a person speaking French and a person speaking Chinese. As there is more and more essential data traffic over a wide variety of networks, the ability to guarantee protocol interoperability has become increasingly vital. A number of standards have been developed to make that possible.