Internetworking with Tcp/IP Vol. II: ANSI C Version: Design, Implementation, and Internals

This book goes in depth in how TCP/IP works by showing an actual working TCP/IP stack ANSI C code source. I am a believer that in order to fully understand and effectively use a piece of software, the best way to achieve this goal is to actually study at least once its source code. You will certainly get many insights in how TCP/IP works by reading this book. Unfortunately, for most readers, this will remain a theoretical exercise. I got the opportunity to work with the source code of an embedded TCP/IP stack when I was working at Nortel Networks and actually found a bug with the help of this book. That was at that moment that I truly realized the value of this volume.

Comer's book does an excellent job of mixing details and concepts. While Steven's book is perfect if you have to work directly with the code in the BSD network stack, it is full of cruft from other protocols and complexity due to years of code maintenance. The BSD code takes short cuts for major and minor speed improvements at the cost of clarity and understanding. Comer, on the other hand, designs his systems to be understood. It is possible to understand the entire Xinu system from the high level down to the smallest details. Very few people can make the same claim about the BSD kernel. The layout of the book is excellent, describing the design trade-offs in writing the networking code. Rather than teaching someone how to use a specific implementation, it enables its reader to approach any implementation and understand why it was designed the way it was, and what impacts these decisions were made. In spite of that, it would be nice if Comer spent even more time explaining why certain decisions were made. Now, I am using Steven's book as a reference as I am dealing with BSD networking code. However, I would be lost if I didn't learn the principles, concepts, and designs provided by Comer. If you can, get both books -- but start with this one.

Get all three volumes. There is no better way to learn TCP/IP. The read is excellent. The examples are very excellent. Definiirly, a classic for years to come.

This volume presents a "C" code implementation of TCP/IP, along with detailed explanations of what the code accomplishes. I was able to get a working knowledge of how the protocol operates by reading the actual code and the accompanying explanations. As a systems engineer seeking a working knowledge of how TCP/IP operates, this book was exactly appropriate for me. I would highly recommend it to software engineers as well.

Volume 2 goes into greater detail than volume 1 and gives the reader a more complete understanding of TCP/IP. The text is readable and functions as an excellent reference on the interworkings of TCP/IP. I strongly recommend it to anyone working with TCP/IP.