Next-Generation Network Services

The nature of networks is changing. Instead of many different protocols, we find the world is changing to be IP-centric where the internet (from the beginning), voice (VOIP), LANs, WANs, IP over optical, and more are converging into new ways to buy and sell communications channels. This book is aimed at providing both the sellers and buyers with the information they need to handle the new concepts. It is written at a fairly technical, but fairly high level. It is aimed at understanding the concepts, the basic structure of the evolving communications world, not at the level of how to program a router. At this time, a lot of the material in this book is experimental in nature rather than the final products that will emerge in the near future. With 25 years of experience with the design, engineering, marketing and technology leverage of enterprise and service provider internetworks, the author works as a a senior network architect consulting with Bell South, Qwest and EDS.