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Introduction
If you are reading this, I am sure that you are already aware that this book is about
networking. To be more specific, it describes the various technologies and
techniques needed to design, build, and manage a multiprotocol local or wide area
network (LAN/WAN).
Generally, there are two types of computer networking books: theory books and
practical books. Theory books provide in-depth explanations of computer
networking concepts. Often, theory books focus on a particular protocol or
networking service. Practical books, on the other hand, teach a specific skill or skills
related to a specific function. Books like Windows NT Networking or Networking with
Cisco Routers provide the reader with what he or she needs to know about
networking as it relates to a specific function or task. Both of these types of books
are written under the assumption that the reader has an adequate background in
networking.
There is another kind of book, you might recall from grade school, called a primer.
The goal of a primer is to provide the reader with a foundational understanding of
the subject matter, in most cases through practical examples. It was in the spirit of
the grade school primer that Understanding the Network: A Practical Guide to
Internetworking was conceived. The goal of this book is to provide both beginning
and advanced computer professionals with a solid knowledge base that will enable
them to design, build, and manage a multiprotocol computer network.
Who This Book Is For
This book is written for anyone who has a desire to understand the various aspects
that make up the broad topic of computer networking. It is structured to serve as a
teaching and reference sourcebook for both junior and senior NT and UNIX systems
administrators who are involved with the design, management, and maintenance of
large- and small-scale enterprise computer networks. Although the covered
material should be accessible to anyone with a basic understanding of computers,
the book's slant is toward system administrators. They are often responsible for
building and maintaining the computer data networks that provide the connectivity
between the systems they maintain.
What Is Covered in This Book
Networking is not a new field by any means. Historically, a network engineer's focus
and training was oriented toward telecommunications, because data networking