Networking technologies and concepts are often difficult to explain, even through careful description and well thought-out examples. One method for making this information "stick" is to create an environment where networking professionals and students can visualize how networks work by utilizing a software tool that simulates the functions within a network. The tool provides a virtual environment for an assortment of desirable features such as modeling a network based on specified criteria and predicting its performance.<BR><BR>The Network Simulation Experiments Manual takes this instructional tool a step further and provides detailed experiments on core networking topologies for use in this simulation environment. Various scenarios are presented within each topology: review questions, suggested readings, a lab report, and exercises accompanying each assignment. The manual also comes with directions for downloading the free and easy-to-install OPNET IT Guru Academic Edition software. This software provides a virtual environment for modeling, analyzing, and predicting the performance of IT infrastructures, including applications, servers, and networking technologies.<BR><BR>Prepared by Professor Emad Aboelela of the Taibah University, Saudi Arabia, the experiments in the manual are closely tied to the organization and update of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Fifth Edition and, when used together, serve as a complete tool for understanding how and why computer networks function as they do.<BR><BR>Key features<BR><BR>Updated and expanded by an instructor who has used OPNET simulation tools in his classroom for numerous demonstrations and real-world scenarios.<BR><BR>Software download based on an award-winning product made by OPNET Technologies, Inc., whose software is used by thousands of commercial and government organizations worldwide, and by over 500 universities.<BR><BR>Useful experimentation for professionals in the workplace who are interested in learning and demonstrating the capability of evaluating different commercial networking products, i.e., Cisco routers.<BR><BR>Covers the core networking topologies and includes assignments on Switched LANs, Network Design, CSMA, RIP, TCP, Queuing Disciplines, Web Caching, etc.<BR><BR>Visit www.mkp.com/computer-networks for more information about Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Fifth Edition.