B> This book addresses the main subject areas associated with multimedia communications (applications, networks, protocols, and standards) at a level that enables the reader to develop an in-depth understanding of the technical issues associated with this rapidly evolving subject. It is an updated approach to the author's Data Communications, Computer Networks and Open Systems, Fourth Edition, set in the context of the increasingly important area of multimedia. The book identifies the different types of multimedia applications, quantifies their communication requirements, and describes the operation and protocols of the different kinds of networks that are used to support them. These networks include LANs, the Internet and World Wide Web, and home-entertainment networks such as cable and satellite. It also includes coverage of the main compression algorithms used with text, images, speech, audio, and video. This book is suitable for programmers interested in learning the integral multimedia aspects of networked communications.