Data Communications Books

This text filled in the missing pieces for me in my quest to understand the papers being published in network performance analysis. The book is slanted towards ATM as the the transport technology for broadband networks, but the results can be extended to other protocols as well. The section on traffic characterization and MMPP modelling was worth its weight in gold to me (and was my reason for buying this book), Schwartz gently guides the reader through this difficult (for me!) topic. A must have for anyone involved with network performance analysis.

Posted by the author - Benny Bing.

Review by Dr. Norman Abramson, inventor of the first random access protocol - the ALOHA protocol.

There are three key technologies that are important in the design of efficient digital communication networks - communication channel theory, traffic analysis and transformation, and multiple access protocols. The first of these technologies, communication channel theory, dealing with questions of modulation, signal detection and error control coding is the oldest and best developed. Traffic analysis and transformation, dealing with questions of data compression, protocol spoofing and caching is perhaps the least developed although the first major results in this area are almost as old as those of communication channel theory.

The third of these key technologies, multiple access protocols, dealing with the sharing of a common communication channel by a group of users has assumed a greater importance during the past two decades with the advent of shared cellular networks, packet radio networks and satellite networks. The analysis and design of these multiple access protocols in a variety of application areas is the topic of this well organized, comprehensive yet compact book.

Bing defines the scope of the multiple access problem, describes many of the different approaches taken to solve the multiple access problem and analyzes the various approaches to their solution. Both fixed allocation strategies such as FDMA and TDMA as well as random access strategies based on a variety of ALOHA channels are treated. Since important differences in multiple access protocols define competing approaches in the network marketplace at the beginning of the third millennium this volume is well timed to help us evaluate different multiple access choices in network design.

Dr. Norman Abramson ALOHA Networks, San Francisco, July, 2000

This is an enjoyable technical reading, easy to understand and implement text book with lots of illustrations and applicatin notes. If you are a beginer, this is the right choice. "Mo"

Ever wished you grabbed a network security title off the shelf and found it to be comprehensive enough, covering hot topics such as security policies, risk management, top-level attacks and security threats in a non-technical manner, but without compromising quality and important information?

If so, then this is your book. Catherine Paquet, Warren Saxe and Cisco Press have managed to produce what seems to be more than just `another fine title'.

The Business Case For Network Security is a book aimed at people.

The book is well written using simple English language, allowing people of all levels to clearly understand the topics analysed. The target audience would seem to be people in a managerial position or network professionals who require basic understanding of network threats, security measures, risk assessment tools etc., without getting into the details required by a programmer or security auditor.

So what's covered?

The book has 3 main sections:
1) Vulnerabilities and Technologies
2) Human and Financial Issues
3) Policies and Future

Vulnerabilities and Technologies

The first section is certainly a favourite!

It starts by introducing the reader to the world of security by exposing the damage caused by exploits and hackers in general.

Continuing with a small yet effective analysis of `the hacker', where they come from, how they are categorised, the authors then move into the popular topic `categories of attacks'. Here are just a few illustrated and well documented attacks outlined in the book:
* Buffer Overflow and Bandwidth Consumption
* Domain Name Hijacking
* Mail Bomb
* Distributed Denial of Service Attack
* Footprinting
* Eavesdropping
* Password Attack

Even the new wireless attacks are included here, along with the famous `Social Engineering Tactics'!

The authors take the reader through ways to protect a network from these types of attacks. Virus protection, traffic filtering, encryption, content filtering, assessment and auditing are a few of the methods and tactics analysed.

Human and Financial Issues

The second section is where this wonderful book starts to really move away from your everyday security book. It discusses in detail how company managers are able to `secure' their network by enforcing policies and providing strict guidelines to their employees.

This is a topic many books fail to cover in the detail required. Some don't mention it at all. If you consider that the `human factor' still remains the greatest threat of all, then you'll understand how important this topic is. The book does a great job by not only fully covering the topic, but also providing useful information to help managers start thinking and acting accordingly.

A generous 130 pages are devoted to this section and here are a few of the topics discussed:
* Securing the Organization: Equipment and Access
* Managing the Availability and Integrity of Operations
* Mobilizing the Human Element: Creating a Secure Culture
* Determining Rules and Defining Compliance
* Ensuring a Successful Security Policy Approach
* Involving the Board
* Recognizing the Goals of the Corporation
* Outlining Methods IT Managers Can Use to Engage the Organization
* Risk Aversion and Security Topologies
* Return on Prevention: Investing in Capital Assets

We don't want to tell you all the topics, but from this sample you get the idea. Guidelines for creating policies is not something you'll find easy and most IT Managers end up turning to security companies to provide them with the information contained in this book!

Policies and Future

The last section of the book extends the policies to provide more sophisticated technical `hands-on' policies. These polices are the key elements your engineers (or you) will use to ensure your security systems and network(s) are safeguarded from the prying eyes of hackers.

The reader is given an understanding of the purposes of the various policies available and how they can be implemented. Physical security policies, access-control policies, VPN and encryption policies, Data sensitivity, retention and ethics policies are just a few.

The authors make it clear that `Security is a Living Process' and describe methodology required to ensure you're not caught off-guard by uninvited guests.

Overall the book gets the thumbs up, and is highly recommended to IT Managers, networking professionals and business executives seeking to asses their organisations risks and introduce mechanisms to protect their investments, data and integrity.

This book is a goldmine of vital information, so get out there and grab yourself a copy - you surely won't regret it!

This book has been immeasurably useful to me. Like a lot of other people, I had been wanting to install a wireless network in my home, but was scared off by stories I've heard about identity theft, evesdropping, and the like. This reference got me going with confidence..it not only provided a clear, useful assesment of what my particular risks might be, but explained them in a way that showed me the way to enjoy wireless in complete confidence. It is packed with useful info on products and configuration scenarios for keeping secure, and also has basic installation instructions for wireless routers and networks. It's not a thick book, but has everything I need.

This is a very good handy tool to have if you are a praticing network engr./Tech.

This is a great book for everyone who self-study and needs practice to achive the bsci.

I am a network engineer for a wireless company and I would like to note that Mr. Russell's books are very outstanding and helpful. It gave me a very good understanding regarding telecommunications protocols and among other things. It had helped with me my job funtions, and enable me to share these knowledge to my fellow engineers.

This is a fantastic technical resource for understanding the basic and fundamental concepts of Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD). Wireless Data technologies is a growing field and this book outlines the architecture and protocol to send data over the CDPD infrastructure. No matter how technical you are this book provides background information, specifications and protocol structure. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking at wireless data and CDPD technologies.

"System Requirements:
* Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows ME-compatible computer with Pentium processor, CD-ROM player, and sound capability

* Netscape Communicator 4.04 or later, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later

* Java and JavaScript-enabled browser

* Minimum 800x600 screen resolution

* Sufficient memory and hard disk space for Web browser."


"SIX INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS PLUS CONFIGURATION AND CHALLENGE LABS
* ISDN technology fundamentals, configuring Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI) connections, and troubleshooting typical ISDN problems

* Concepts of PPP and PPP authentication, configuring and troubleshooting PPP authentication using PAP and CHAP

* Using Multilink PPP to support bandwidth on demand

* Using dialer profiles and how they are different from legacy dial-on-demand routing

* Associating a customized profile, called a virtual profile, with one or more remote users

* Operation and benefits of the five different kinds of Network Address Translation (NAT)

Helps Prepare For: CCNP and CCIE Certifications."
[from the box]