Guide to TCP/IP

This is/was the required textbook for a class on TCP/IP I am taking. At the moment, I am only about half way through, and can only give my estimation of it up to the half-way point. Overall, the book is very good, breaking a vast subject into manageable chapters. The first chapter is kind of a history and overview of the OSI seven layer model. My primary complaint, however, is reserved for chapter two. Subnetting and supernetting are presented well in concept, but the algorithms (process steps) presented, the binary math and logical operations (and, or, not, complement) are woefully muddled. This chapter requires re-reading a few times to kind of get the idea clumsily put forth. For anyone comfortable in programming low level computer functions, the chapter will seem almost silly. Among the saving graces of the book are frequent tables and illustrations, a glossary at the end of each chapter, review questions, exercises and class projects to reinforce the skills and concepts just presented. For network programmers, the bit maps of different data packets are a valuable resource. And the book comes with a CD of some fairly good trial-ware. Overall, I like the book, and appreciate why it was chosen as the textbook. Hopefully future editions can parse down the verbage while clarifying some of the murkier presentations. I expect to keep it as a valuable reference.

I was forced to take a class (requirement for school) that used this book. I have been working with TCP/IP for the last 8 years and I was surprised how in-depth the book covered TCP/IP (the protocol). I did not learn anything new from the book, but approached the class as a refresher course and ended up liking the book. If your looking to get into networking, the book is excellent. It has in depth explaination of TCP/IP and it covers the basics of TCP/IP services (DNS, DHCP, routing).

I have been teaching TCP/IP and internetworking at the college level for three years now. I have reviewed dozens of books as potential texts. Chappell's book is the first I have found that combines the theory with practical laboratory-type experiences - and even includes a free, workable version of the sniffer used in her examples (Etherpeek).Combine this with a good Cisco IOS book and you have a complete course. Thanks Laura.