Understanding the Network: A Practical Guide to Internetworking

The growing dependence of enterprise networks on Internet connectivity is forcing professional system and network administrators to turn to technologies that they may not fully understand for solutions. This book will provide those connectivity solutions, delivering both an understanding of technology fundamentals and their practical applications. Written for beginning to intermediate network professionals, this book will give readers a framework to assess the requirements and problems of their particular environment, and the information and know-how to build the optimal network for that environment. The content of the book provides the necessary balance between the basics and the practical examples needed to distinguish this book from other professional networking book offerings.

Michael J. Martin has been a UNIX/NT systems administrator for the last 10 years. Until recently, he was the manager of Desktop Systems and leader of the Tier 2 MIS support group at ANS Communications, Inc.¿one of the original Internet service providers. During the last 10 years, he has designed and implemented multiprotocol data communications networks for financial, manufacturing, and biotech institutions. He is currently working for Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, Inc., as a network engineer and architect. He also provides network design and UNIX/NT services on a consulting basis for businesses and regional ISPs. He received a B.A. in philosophy from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and children, camping, running, reading, and going to the movies.