Designing the Total Area Network

Tackles the many issues surrounding one of the most important assets in any company: its network. Modern networks need to be fast and effective to meet the ever-increasing need to for more information and faster communication. This text offers a clear and concise presentation of the key issues for those involved in the purchase, management, planning and implementation of communication networks. It provides the broad technical understanding required to ask the right questions, set viable plans and avoid expensive investment and deployment mistakes.

* Explains effective and practical design techniques for communication networks

* Advises how to avoid the common pitfalls associated with setting up and running a network

* Focuses on the techniques for planning and assembling network technology

* Presents numerous real examples

This is essential reading for network designers and will be recommended reading for students in computer science, electrical and electronic engineering and telecommunications courses.

Norris and Pretty tackle the many issues surrounding the design of one of the most important communication infrastructures in a company. The enterprise network needs to be fast and effective to meet an ever increasing demand for more information and communication. It provides broad technical understanding to aid those involved in the purchase, management, planning and implementation of enterprise networks. Effective and practical design techniques are explained in detail and are illustrated with real examples. It also discusses the associated pitfalls which often occur to show the reader what not to do when setting up a network.

Mark Norris is an independent consultant with over 20 years experience in software development, computer networks and telecommunications systems. Over this time he has managed dozens of projects to completion, from the small to the multi-million pound, multi-site, and has worked for periods in Australia, Europe and Japan. He has published widely over the last ten years with a number of books on software engineering, computing, project and technology management, communications and network technologies. He lectures on network and computing issues, has contributed to references such as Encarta, is a visiting professor at the University of Ulster, and is a fellow of the IEE.

Steve Pretty is the author of Designing the Total Area Network: Intranets, VPN'S and Enterprise Networks Explained, published by Wiley.