Data Networks IP and the Internet Protocols Design and Operation 2003

Preface

The business world relies increasingly upon data communications, and modern data networks are based mainly on the Internet or at least on the IP (Internet Protocol). But despite these facts, many people remain baffled by IP and multiprotocol data networks. How do all the protocols fit together? How do I build a network? And what sort of problems should I expect? This book is intended for experienced network designers and practitioners, as well as for the networking newcomer and student alike: it is intended to provide an explanation of the complex jargon of networking: putting the plethora of ‘protocols’ into context and providing a quick and easy handbook for continuing reference.

Even among experienced telecommunications and data-networking professionals, there is confusion about how data network components and protocols work and how they affect the performance of computer applications. I have myself bought many books about the Inter­net, about IP and about multiprotocol networks, but found many of them ‘written in code’. Some have the appearance of computer programmes, while others perversely require that you understand the subject before you read them!

Putting the pieces of knowledge and the various components of a network together — working out how computers communicate — can be a painstaking task requiring either broad experience or the study of a library full of books. The experience has spurred me to write my own book and handy reference and this is it. My goal was a text in plain language, building slowly upon a solid understanding of the principles — introducing a newcomer slowly and methodically to the concepts and familiarising him or her with the language of data communications (the unavoidable ‘jargon’) — but always relating new topics back to the fundamentals:

• relating to the real and tangible;
• sharing experiences and real examples;
• not only covering the theoretical ‘concepts’; but also
• providing practical tips for building and operating modern data networks.

The book covers all the main problems faced by data network designers and operators: network architecture and topology, network access means, which protocol to use, routing policies, redundancy, security, firewalls, distributed computer applications, network service applications, quality of service, etc.

The book is liberally illustrated and written in simple language. It starts by explaining the basic principles of packet-data networking and of layered protocols upon which all modern data communications are based. It then goes on to explain the many detailed terms relevant to modern IP networks and the Internet. My goal was that readers who only wanted to ‘dip in’ to have a single topic explained should go away satisfied — able to build on any previous knowledge of a given subject.

The extensive set of annexes and the glossary of terms are intended to assist the practising engineer — providing a single reference point for information about interfaces, protocol fieldnames and formats, RFCs (Internet specifications) and acronyms (the diagrams and some of the appendices are also available for download at: http://www.wiley.co.uk/clarkdata/). With so many acronyms and other terms, protocols, code-fields, and technical configuration information to remember, it is impossible to expect to keep all the details ‘in your head’! And to distinguish where jargon and other special ‘telecommunications vocabulary’ is being used in the main text, I have highlighted terms as they are being defined by using italics.

The book is intended to provide a complete foundation textbook and reference of modern data networking — and I hope it will find a valued position on your bookshelf. Should you have any suggestions for improvement, please let me know!
Martin Clark
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