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Show HN: I'm writing a free book called Computer Networks from Scratch (networksfromscratch.com)

792 points by sarchertech · 1632 days ago · 132 comments on HN

Article summary

The author, a principal engineer with 20 years of software experience, is writing a free online book called Computer Networks from Scratch. The book aims to explain how the internet works from the ground up, starting with a simple example of two people sending messages using plastic tubing and marbles. The author plans to release new chapters regularly and will also make PDF, ebook, and print versions available for a fee. The book is intended for a general audience, including programmers and non-programmers, and requires no prior networking knowledge.

Main themes

  • computer networks
  • internet fundamentals
  • networking basics
  • book writing and publishing
  • education and learning
  • technical communication

What commenters say

  • Some commenters appreciate the book's bottom-up approach and find it helpful for understanding how the internet works.
  • The book's focus on basic networking concepts is seen as a good starting point, but some commenters think it should also cover more advanced topics like IoT and modern network innovations.
  • A table of contents is requested by several commenters to improve the user experience and provide a clear overview of the book's structure.
  • The author's decision to release the book early and for free is seen as a good way to get feedback and motivate themselves to continue working on the project.
  • Some commenters think that the book could be pitched at a 400-level undergrad audience and could be a great resource for students and professionals looking to learn about computer networks.
  • The book's use of simple drawings and examples is praised for making complex concepts more accessible and easier to understand.
  • There are some discussions about the book's potential to cover topics like the OSI model and networked physics prediction, with some commenters expressing interest in these topics.
  • The author is open to feedback and suggestions, and is considering adding features like a report errata feature or making the book available on GitHub to accept pull requests.