Those with some networking experience looking for a thorough (but not packet-example-based) examination should definitely read Adrian Farrel's "The Internet and Its Protocols: A Comparative Approach." Farrel demonstrates deep subject matter expertise by showing similarities and differences between protocols. Scott Haugdahl's "Network Analysis and Troubleshooting" and Kevin Burns' "TCP/IP Analysis and Troubleshooting Toolkit" are also excellent. Hall's book is also packet-oriented, with examples for each concept.įor expert readers, "Troubleshooting Campus Networks" by Priscilla Oppenheimer and Joseph Bardwell is outstanding. If TTG aims to be comprehensive, it should have looked at real traffic using Ethereal/Wireshark instead of staying at the specification level.įor intermediate readers, Eric Hall's "Internet Core Protocols: The Definitive Guide" is a great look at the building blocks of networking, albeit without IPv6 or application protocols. The lack of examinations of packet traces is one of my biggest problems with TTG. (Note: TTG features 88 chapters, 14 of those are 8 pages or less.)įor beginners, a better introduction is Jeanna Matthews' "Computer Networking: Internet Protocols in Action." Matthews' book is shorter (273 pages), more direct, and packet-example-based, meaning it ships with a CD-ROM of traces that readers can analyze as they read Matthews' commentary.
I think beginners would be scared by this book, although the tone and explanations are suitable for those with a real dedication to learning. If TTG were a reference, it wouldn't need the introductory material. If TTG were an introductory book, it wouldn't need the obscure material. The book contains extremely basic information (what is networking, why use layers, what is a protocol, etc.) and extremely obscure information (PPP Link Control Protocol Frame Types and Fields, SNMPv2 PDU Error Status Field Values, Interpretation of Standard Telnet NVT ASCII Control Codes, etc.). The second is the "modern era," beginning in 2000 and continuing to today.
For six years (1994-2000) Stevens' book was clearly the best protocol book, and it taught TCP/IP to legions of networking pros. The first is the "Stevens era," meaning those written around the time Richard Stevens' "TCP/IP Illustrated, Vol 1: The Protocols" was published. Protocol books should be divided into two eras. This review is based on the sections I did read and my comparisons with other protocol books. I doubt anyone will, which raises interesting issues. Right away I must state that I did not read "The TCP/IP Guide" (TTG) cover-to-cover. The TCP/IP Guide: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Internet Protocols Reference