Finally, there's a non-theoretical, practical primer on all the basics of IP networking -- perfect for Web professionals, LAN managers, MIS managers, application developers, network administrators, and ISPs. This hands-on guide teaches all the fundamentals of IP addressing, routing, and troubleshooting -- with real-world exercises and examples throughout. The book contains broad coverage of the IP protocol itself; how IP operates over Ethernet, Token Ring, ATM, FDDI, and Frame Relay; the interplay between addressing and routing; OSPF; BGP-4 and its implications for edge customers; routing protocol interactions; techniques for minimizing and simplifying import/export; and more.

Author Thomas A. Maufer begins with a discussion of the IP numbering system, including excellent coverage of subnetting, supernetting, and the differences between IPv4 and IPv6. The author reveals the intricacies of variable-length subnet masking (VLSM) and classless inter-domain routing (CIDR) before addressing how IP operates in various infrastructures, including Ethernet, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Token Ring, and Frame Relay. In his discussion of IP routing, the author shows how the two versions of Routing Information Protocol (RIPv1 and RIPv2) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) work, both independently and in heterogeneous routing environments.

Maufer strikes a commendable balance between thoroughness and practicality. He makes sure--through liberal use of examples--that you understand everything necessary to complete your job. But he also goes to extraordinary lengths to bolster your grasp of the IP suite; his chapters conclude with fact-rich endnotes, plus references to journal articles and standards documents. In this way, IP Fundamentals helps you surpass mere technical competence to become an IP addressing and routing expert. --David Wall