The first Computer Architecture text to recognize that computers are now predinantly used in a networking environment, fully updated to include new technologies and with an all new chapter on Distributed Computing. The new edition of Computer Systems Architecture has been brought up to date with extended descriptions of ARM and Itanium processors and an extended introduction to the field of data communications. Its established approach emphasizes that the vast majority of modern computers are not stand-alone devices, but cooperate with others in a networked environment. Numerous practical exercises underline the importance of thoroughly understanding the hardware/software interaction to achieve optimum performance.