Teach Yourself TCP/IP Network Administration in 21 Days

This book is a practical, accessible, and affordable book on a complex topic. It is perfect for certification preparation and on the job use. Unlike some other books meant for colleges and trade schools, this book has the answers to the problems.

This book has too much depth for an beginner in networking. But for someone like me who took couple courses on Microsoft network, it fills in a lot of knowledge gaps on TCP/IP.For example, it done a great job on explaining BOOTP & DHCP. It even includes the BOOTP Message format, which I couldn't find it in most TCP/IP books.

Unlike most computer books, this one is not dated although it was published in 1998. It provides the best explanation of subnet masking--making that concept intuitive. Other books don't present concepts/rules in such a clear manner. It will take more than 21 days to read through this book, since one day's worth of material can take longer to digest. This isn't a book you simply read and skim through the exercises. Take the time to do the exercises and you will know this subject better than you thought you could. If you're being handed an IP network to manage and you need to learn IP quick, buy this book.

As a reader from non-English speaking country (Taiwan), I found the book very well written in English. Statements in the book are very clear and concise, and this can help you have a firm grasp of the concepts about TCP/IP. Though I passed the Microsoft 70-59 TCP/IP exam with flying colors (234 higher than the passing score), when I read this book, I realized that there were still a lot of things regarding TCP/IP for me to learn. This book covers more than the so-called 'Microsoft TCP/IP'. In fact, Microsoft TCP/IP is only a subset of the book. This book covers UNIX TCP/IP, NetWare TCP/IP, Firewalls and Security, NIS, NFS, IP over ATM, Voice over IP¡K etc which you will basically not see in the Microsoft TCP/IP books. This book can help broaden your horizons about TCP/IP field. I am deeply impressed with the ¡¥Applying What You Have Learned¡¦ Section in the end of each ¡¥chapter¡¦ (or you can call it ¡¥DAY¡¦ in this book). These sections cover several questions to test your knowledge, and most important of all, you can find detail answers to each of the questions in the end of the book. My point is slightly different from the previous reviewer, rperreaux, who says that this book will help you successfully pass the Microsoft TCP/IP Exam. In fact, Microsoft TCP/IP is not the major part of this book, and for this reason you could only find ¡¥general¡¦ information about Microsoft TCP/IP, but not ¡¥guide¡¦ information or 'tips' for you to pass the exam. If you are preparing for the Microsoft TCP/IP exam, try to find another TCP/IP book written for the exam, and use this book as a second reference book or for summary information. This book has errata at http://www.mcp.com/info/0-672/0-672-31250-6/, be sure to have a print copy of it before you read this book. To sum up, this book is a very good reference about TCP/IP, and if you want to know more about TCP/IP , this book is no doubt one of your best choices. Rui-Di Chu (Freddy), MCSE

The book covers ALL facets of TCP/IP Network Adminstration on Microsoft Windows NT Servers and some bonus sections such as: Firewalls & Security, IP over ATM, NIS & NFS, just to mention a few.The author has compiled his book in a way that could be considered a staple for any Windows NT Network Administrator's Library.The book can also be used as an advanced study guide that goes over-and-above the requirements necessary to successfully pass the Microsoft TCP/IP Exam.From novices to advanced network engineers, I strongly recommend this book is a MUST READ.