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this is sometimes not a bad thing as it makes you think and reflect (as do the typos and other mistakes :-) both within and beyond the scope of what the writer is saying about a particular topic.The choice of top-down exposition of the Internet Protocol Stack layers has its problems, as this results in 'forward references' to lower-level material not yet explained, esp. This book is an OK introduction to networking, but has enough typos and contextual ambiguities to warrant a new edition. It walks a tightrope between giving a general overview and avoiding distracting details, a task rendered difficult by use of a protocol analyzer software which by definition exposes the reader to protocol details. due again to the use of the protocol analyzer which tantalizes us with details of the current and lower-level layers. A bottom-up approach might have been better.The price is too high for the content given.
Its price is also pretty high especially when considering the amount of content (which is very little). I bought this book because it received high customer reviews. However, this book is quite disappointing as it lacks details and gives very little explanation. The examples in the book are few and rudimentary. Where is the beef.
Studying computer networks without this book would be like studying to be a motor mechanic without any practical experience in taking an engine to pieces.The CD accompanying this book contains a large number of actual traces captured during a variety of tcp/ip processes and the ethereal program included allows you to closely examine the headers and data in each packet.This is a very practically oriented book and one which I can thoroughly recommend.
[.].I came into Information Security from a physical security background. I recommend you google for her website and see what her students are up to.The Ethereal packet analysis tool on the CD is a bit out of date. I have done SANS GSEC which gave me the basics but I am really starting to get the hang of packet analysis thanks to this book. Jeanna Matthews is a wonderful teacher. These days you need to install Wireshark for your operating system which is an open source fork. Wikipedia or google Wireshark to find out how.Have a look at the teacher site too.Otherwise the book is brilliant.
Network Monitor 3.1 from Microsoft is a freely available solution in this perspective that also can be used and supports native WiFi cards and sniffing packets. The explanation of ethereal (wireshark) is very welcome in this perspective and lacks the errors we can find in the other book "practical packet analysis", I mentioned before (see also my review on that).
I got this book based on his review.I bought also "Practical Packet Analysis: Using Wireshark to Solve Real-World Network Problems". Both as reference books.
Like Richard Bejtlich I agree this book is excellent. It can be used as an intro but also for reference.
The book "Network Analysis and Troubleshooting" by J. Scott Haugdahl is one on my wishlist.Indeed this book is thorough and yet easy to read.
Maybe in the next version we can find information on AirPcap, excellent in sniffing and supporting WiFi network t-shooting. So far a great book and certainly worth buying.Rob Faber [CISSP, CEH, MCSE]The Netherlands
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