Troubleshooting Campus Networks: Practical Analysis of Cisco and LAN Protocols

by Joseph Bardwell and Priscilla Oppenheimer

All network designers and administrators want their campus LANs to run efficiently. This book provides tips and techniques for using protocol analyzers and other tools to recognize problems for both... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471210137
• ISBN13: 9780471210139
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 612 Pages
• Weight: 2.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A myth-shattering, authoritative and enlightening title

I'm sad I waited so long to read this excellent book. "Troubleshooting Campus Networks" (TCN) was published in Jul 2002, and it belongs on every network administrator's shelf -- now! This is the best networking book since Scott Haugdahl's "Network Analysis and Troubleshooting" and Eric Hall's "Internet Core Protocols." TCN will truly test your networking knowledge; you'll quickly validate the truth and discard the fiction. So many books discuss networks, but somehow distort subtle points. Authors Oppenheimer and Bardwell know their material inside-out and explain key points in clear, concise prose. Ever hear of the "37% utilization rule for Ethernet?" It's false. Think that TCP sequence numbers count packets? Wrong -- they count bytes of data. And why are sequence numbers seemingly "off by one?" Look at the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers, described in ch. 9. TCN displays an uncanny ability to include just the information that is needed. "Reversible half-ASCII," which accounts for odd-looking NetBIOS traces, appears in ch. 12. The sections on Windows networking are first-rate, with helpful comparisons of NetBIOS with IPX, TCP, and NetBEUI. Even theoretical but damaging attack methods, like corrupting Hot Standby Router Protocol messages (ch. 8), are illuminated.I have two complaints. I would have liked more attention paid to the mechanics of analyzing traffic, including the use of taps. Also, the Windows chapter seemed to end abruptly, just when the dynamics of Windows 2000 networking and port 445 should have appeared. TCN is designed to educate protocol analysts. People with this skill set can administer LANs, analyzer network-based IDS traffic, and deploy network infrastructure. I thank the authors for their efforts and look forward to their next endeavor.

Fill in the holes of your swiss cheese knowledge base!

Many books have I read where authors speak of Ethernet or TCP/IP or other subjects. This book fills in the gaps without being too vendor biased. Cisco and WildPackets are excellent companies, but the book really focuses on enhancing your network to it's fullest. I learned that just because my network "works", there may be many things ready to break that had not been troubleshot before. Now I really feel able to properly "fix" my troubles and not just make my network magically work when there is trouble behind the scenes waiting for a Friday night to break. The two authors have been in the industry since it's inception and bring a passion for networking to the table with a focus on teaching those of us who do not have 20+ years in the trenches.This book is not only a reference book, but a well written, easy to read explanation of networking and troubleshooting. With real-life scenarios from the authors and practical situations played out. I felt as though I had a mentor walking me through the logical steps of analysis. Buy reference books and keep them on your selves for when you need them. Buy this book, read it and keep it close because you will need it!

Another Classic; A Must Have for Network Admins

I didn't think Priscilla could write another book as good as her Top Down Network Design book. I was wrong!! If all you want is to pass the CCNP CIT exam then just buy the Cisco Press book. If you REALLY want to learn how to troubleshoot your network, then this book is a must have! Of course, if you want to keep your troubleshooting tasks to a minimum, then get her design book as well.The topics are presented in a logical, easy-to-read order. There is a wealth of valuable material that will keep you reading from beginning to end. The table of contents and index have sufficient depth of scope (two of my prime evaluation items) to make this a good reference book as well. I intend to make it required reading for my CCNP CIT students at our Cisco Networking Academ

Super High Quality Book

I've been eagerly reading bits and pieces of my copy of this book ever since it arrived. The amount of highly accurate detail is incredible. I believe 90% of all network books are so sloppily written they're not worth buying. This book is clearly in the top 1% of well-written and informative books.The book's style is also very clear and understandable. It passes my ultimate test: I can read it at 10-11 PM at night without falling asleep! Almost all of the formulas and binary are made accessible to those with high-school math skills. The book stays focused and contains references to other sources for details that aren't need-to-know or interesting.Furthermore, the discussion contains valuable protocol and troubleshooting information, info that could be a big help to thereader in solving real problems in their network. (Of course, a hierarchically designed network built per Oppenheimer's Cisco Press Top-Down Network Design book might not have such problems!)The protocol analysis aspect also opens the reader's eyes to understanding common protocols and to possible protocol issues. If you don't have protocol analysis software, I hear good things about Ethereal, a free protocol analyzer package for Windows. Finally, although the title doesn't mention Cisco, there is sample show command output from Cisco devices, also discussion of Cisco-specific information where necessary and appropriate. (The subtitle does include "Cisco" with "LAN protocols" after all.) The book clearly resists the temptation to, for example, pursue routing protocols too deeply, and stays focussed on the campus, providing a well-balanced coverage of troubleshooting for that setting.

Always a pleasure

to read a well written technical book. When I was starting out in this field I was often discouraged when reading various study materials. Now that I have achieved some degree of expertise, I realize my frustration was not due to personal inadequacy, but often the result of poorly written books.Well, Priscilla Oppenheimer and partner Joe Bardwell are outstanding writers. Nowhere did I find myself scratching my head and wondering what I was missing. This is clearly an excellent book. It contains the kind of detail one needs in study and in life with real networks. Good information and good advice abound.Troubleshooting Campus Networks is a keeper, a book that will occupy a place of honor on my bookshelf - right next to Cil's other book Top Down Network Design!!!!!