Top Networking books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Networking books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Networking

Understanding the concepts of Networking starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

Network Warrior

Network Warrior takes you step by step through the world of routers, switches, firewalls, and other technologies based on the author's extensive field experience.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Ethernet: The Definitive Guide

Get up to speed on the latest Ethernet capabilities for building and maintaining networks for everything from homes and offices to data centers and server machine rooms. This thoroughly revised, comprehensive guide covers a wide range of Ethernet technologies, from basic operation to network management, based on the authors’ many years of field experience. When should you upgrade to higher spe…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Computer Networks

Tanenbaum takes a structured approach to explaining how networks work from the inside out. He starts with an explanation of the physical layer of networking, computer hardware and transmission systems; then works his way up to network applications. Tanenbaum's in-depth application coverage includes email; the domain name system; the World Wide Web (both client- and server-side); and multimedia…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Networking All-in-One For Dummies

Designed to replace that groaning shelf-load of dull networking books you’d otherwise have to buy and house, Networking All-in-One For Dummies covers all the basic and not-so-basic information you need to get a network up and running. It also helps you keep it running as it grows more complicated, develops bugs, and encounters all the fun sorts of trouble you expect from a complex system. Idea…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Routing TCP/IP

Standard TCP/IP routing is used to route traffic to the virtual Ethernet network in the same way you define routing to any other LAN. This requires that you update routing information throughout your network.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Data Communications and Networking with TCP/IP Protocol Suite

TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol and is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet. TCP/IP is also used as a communications protocol in a private computer network (an intranet or extranet).

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Additional Networking Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Networking, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

The Illustrated Network: How TCP/IP Works in a Modern Network

The Illustrated Network: How TCP/IP Works in a Modern Network, Second Edition presents an illustrated explanation on how TCP/IP works, using consistent examples from a working network configuration that includes servers, routers and workstations.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter

Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter. A step-by-step approach for all those who want to stop networking for the sake of networking. In Superconnector, you'll learn the fundamentals of creating and enhancing authentic and transparent communities.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

How to Be a Power Connector: The 5+50+100 Rule for Turning Your Business Network Into Profits

How to Be a Power Connector by Judy Robinett is a guide to building a purposeful network. It provides tips on creating authentic connections, leveraging social media, and cultivating strong relationships to achieve personal and professional success.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

TCP/IP for Dummies

TCP/IP is a hot topic, because it's the glue that holds the Internet and the Web together, and network administrators need to stay on top of the latest developments. TCP/IP For Dummies, 6th Edition, is both an introduction to the basics for beginners as well as the perfect go-to resource for TCP/IP veterans. The book includes the latest on Web protocols and new hardware, plus very timely infor…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

The All-New Switch Book: The Complete Guide to LAN Switching Technology

This much-needed update to the bestselling guide on the extensive changes to the local area networks (LAN) switching technologies explains why LAN switching technologies are critical to network design. This in-depth guide covers the capabilities, application, and design of LAN switches and switched internetworks and examines the significant changes that have taken place since the publication o…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Specializations and Deeper Networking Knowledge

You've got your basics in order – time to move on to some advanced and specialized concepts. Networking is evolving every day, these books can help you master it.

CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition (Exam N10-007)

Thoroughly revised for the new CompTIA Network+ exam, the Seventh Edition of this bestselling All in One Exam Guide delivers 100 percent coverage of the exam objectives and serves as a valuable on the job reference Take the latest version of the CompTIA Network+ exam with complete confidence using the fully updated information contained in this comprehensive self study system. The book offers …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library

CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library is a comprehensive review and practice package for the latest CCNA exam and is the only self-study resource approved by Cisco. The two books contained in this package, CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 1 and CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide, Volume 2, present complete reviews and a more challenging and realistic preparation experience. The books …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition (Exam N10-008)

Get complete coverage of all the CompTIA Network+ exam objectives inside this comprehensive resource. Created and edited by Mike Meyers, the leading expert on CompTIA certification and training, CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition covers exam N10-008 in full detail. You’ll find learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, scenarios, practice…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

This list is curated by MentorCruise and can include Amazon affiliate links. Have any other suggestions? Add here.

Augment your Networking books

There is no better source of accountability and motivation than having a personal mentor. What used to be impossible to find is now just two clicks away! All mentors are vetted & hands-on!

Only 4 Spot Left

I believe work can feel like play - an expression of who we truly are, not just a means of survival. I help tech professionals build purpose-driven careers and lead with confidence, clarity, and heart. After 14 years as a UXR in cutting-edge AI/robotics team in places like Google X …

$240 / month

Only 5 Spot Left

I am currently an engineering manager at Meta. I have worked in both big companies and startups in the past 13+ years and have diversified experience as both individual contributor and manager. I love mentoring people by sharing my personal experience and learnings in the past, to help my mentees …

$100 / month

Only 2 Spot Left

Hi! I am a Senir Product Design Manager with international savoir-faire. I've had the chance to live and work in different markets: US, Belgium, Germany & currently France. Currently at Datadog, a monitoring and security platform for cloud applications, I manage a team of IC product designers as well as …

$350 / month


Hi, I'm Eric in Seattle! Do you need help achieving success in your career or startup? Let's collaborate! My mentorship approach is personalized, practical, hands-on, and creative. I will show you how to create opportunities for yourself and help you execute, so you can achieve your career goals as quickly …

$120 / month


💼 Davide is a Software Engineer @Microsoft and a top-tier mentor for anyone aspiring to break into the big tech industry, scale up their startups, acquire new technical skills, or wish to collaborate on innovative projects. With a rich background as both a Product Manager and Software Engineer, Davide brings …

$100 / month


Hi, I'm Kasia 👋 I'm a software engineer, career mentor and coach with over three years of experience in the industry 👩‍💻 I am energised by people; understanding them, empowering them, and watching them shine! ✨ Mentoring with me looks like: 🤝 A supportive space where you can ask questions, …

$80 / month

Browse all Networking mentors

Still not convinced? Don't just take our word for it

We've already delivered 1-on-1 mentorship to thousands of students, professionals, managers and executives. Even better, they've left an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for our mentors.

Find a Networking mentor
  • "Naz is an amazing person and a wonderful mentor. She is supportive and knowledgeable with extensive practical experience. Having been a manager at Netflix, she also knows a ton about working with teams at scale. Highly recommended."

  • "Brandon has been supporting me with a software engineering job hunt and has provided amazing value with his industry knowledge, tips unique to my situation and support as I prepared for my interviews and applications."

  • "Sandrina helped me improve as an engineer. Looking back, I took a huge step, beyond my expectations."