Customer Reviews

Communications Systems and Networks

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is not for beginners. If you are looking for a really good beginner's book for non-techies, Annabel Dodd's 'The Essential Guide to Telecommunications' would be a good start for you. This book assumes a fair bit of knowledge on the part of the reader and is loaded with a lot of technical language, but if you are even a little comfortable with the telecom language, there's a great deal to be learned from this book.

Two things I really like about this book. First, the material is very up-to-date. In one chapter, Horak explains various 'flavors' of DSL very well--differences in how they are provisioned. He also spends a lot of time covering LAN and data networks, which is great considering most telecom traffic will eventually be data (not voice). Second, the diagrams showing how the networking equipment work and connect with each other is very helpful, especially for a guy like me with a non-engineering background.

I usually don't use the term 'gripping' to describe a technical book, but Horak's book is just that because I get hungry to learn more about how the whole telecommunications-network-thing works. Perfect to use in defense against those engineers who have looked down on the liberal arts grads for our ignorance of technology!

As a switch software developer for many years, I have developed a deep understanding of small corners of switch features, but lacked a good overall knowledge of network architecture. Thank you, Ray, for providing me with the system overview essential for the systems engineering job that I have recently assumed. This is a comprehensive overview of modern communications networks (with interesting brief histories - a nice touch for good readability) aimed at a person with some telecom experience, but like me, with an incomplete background. This book has very nicely filled in knowledge gaps with a great overview of the technologies involved in today's networks. Some of this was familiar, and the rest I knew only in vague generalities. I have been recommending it to others in the field as a good reference. My only complaint is that it is large and cumbersome, so does not travel well. A CD-ROM version would be a very nice handy reference while on my frequent road trips. And he takes his solicitation for input, as stated in the foreword, very seriously.

I think the level of detail is just right, as it gives me enough background to follow technical discussions and ask intelligent questions.

When Ray sent me a copy of the new Second edition of "Communications Systems & Networks" I was expecting a good update of the 1996 first edition. Instead Ray has produced an almost entirely new text, and he's done a simply OUTSTANDING job.

Ray is the editor of Newton's Telecom Dictionary, and this book makes an excellent companion text to that great classic. Those of you who read my reviews know that I give free copies of that text to every student who attends my TrainingCity.com classes. If you bought Newton's Telecom Dictionary, buy this book, you won't ever regret it.

Ray uses his experience editing "Newton's" throughout "Communications Systems and Networks." Every term is explained clearly and concisely. Reading through this book I was continually amazed at how well Ray can explain complex concepts, and get ALL the relevant information into so few paragraphs.

In conclusion, I believe this is an instant classic, and a must have for any Voice & Data library.

Let me start off by saying that I am not a network/telephony person. I have no background in it and I have very little work experience in that arena. Thus, I was looking for a book that would teach me the fundamentals of how telecom networks are structured in a clear and simple manner, but also deal with advanced topics. I was disappointed in this book because the author assumed a great deal of prior knowledge. The text was littered with acronyms and terminology from the very beginning, making it hard to follow. Also, the progression of the chapters did not make much sense to me. A person with a baseline familiarity of telecoms may have an easier time with the text. Also, I found the writing style difficult to follow. The text was very dry and the paragraphs seemed to jump around a lot; there was not a clear flow of ideas. If you're a total beginner, I wouldn't recommend this book. If you're familiar with telephony and want a deeper understanding, this might be a good choice.

Here is a primer on the whole spectrum of telecommunications with a special emphasis on networks. Even without knowing much of the details about these fields, most of us realize that the proliferation of broadband networks has brought about new opportunities for convergence in communications. This compendium of communications technologies and trends is an indispensable resource for those in the business of implementing this popular vision.

Well organized and comprehensible, even to those of us who are still running to catch the train, the chapters are organized to be read in sequence, each chapter building upon those preceding. The author brings a helpful historical perspective into his coverage of each subject a well as a consultant's-eye view of the latest (c. 2000) industry developments. The reward of plowing through this tome is that the reader gains an essential foundation enabling her to comprehend current discussions of communications systems.

If you are looking for a communications systems reference to understand the occasional cryptic technical term, you may want to try Mr. Horack's other book, "Newton's Telecom Dictionary". On the other hand, if you have time to read and need a more thorough understanding of terms and their entire context, you would do well with "Communications Systems and Networks".

A must read for all existing and aspiring Networking/Telecommunications professionals! Horak has succinctly, yet thoroughly, covered basic through advance information and history on one of the most complex issues of the last and this century. In my 33 years in this industry I have never encountered such a complete treatise in one place before. A seminal work!

This book is organized well and is packed full of relevant information. I teach a Data Communications course, and I currently use 'Voice & Data Communications Handbook' by Bud Bates. That book isn't bad but has a lot of fluff examples. After reading both books, I much prefer Horak's book as a text for the class. I prefer it because it contains less fluff, is better organized, and is more concise.

Communications Systems & Networks is an excellent book for those looking for an overview of today's communication and networking technologies. It's give an understable explanation of all those terms you hear the 'techies' mention when speaking about networks. As a college student trying to gain knowledge about networks and networking systems, I found this book to be exactly what I was looking for and I recommend it highly

Review of Communications Systems and Networks by Ray Horak

During the mid 1970's in our Voc Tech High School Data Processing class we were taught that all our information either acquired or given must be Pertinent, Accurate, and Understandable. Or PAU.
Currently a Cisco Networking Student I have many questions about communications systems. This book is more than a PAU resource. With clear explanations and illustrations .From UTP to STP to Coax to Fiber to the Wireless! From LAN's to WAN's to Multi-Media to the WWW. All explained and tied together. Chapter 12 has a section dedicated to the Misuse & Content of the WWW. Also Internet Oddities,Screwball Applications, and Some Really Good Ideas. Each well worth the few minutes it takes to read. Last but not least is the Accronyms, Abbreveations & Symbols Appendix because everyone remembers what VSLEP,JBOD,MEO,and WMBTOTCITBWTNTALI stand for right?
Thank You Ray for balancing the tech language with the human !!!

Communications Systems & Networks gets my 5 star PAU rating!

Horak does it again, a Three-Pete, (with your permission MJ). Once again Horak makes a very complex subject so easy to understand and assimilate. As the CEO of an international Internet security consulting firm, I highly recommend this book as an additional to you reference library. Whether you provide complex solutions to Global 2000 companies, or you are just beginning to understand the transport medium that has driven a whole new economy, Buy It. It's worth its weight in Gold, and then some.