Craig Hunt
1 Cannot Live Without
Though this book is oriented to UNIX, I find it tremendously useful as a Windows administrator. Core concepts gleamed from this book has catapulted me greatly into my career, and allowed me to solve complex networking problems and avert major disasters.
I was introduced to this book for a UNIX Network Administration course, and from this I was able to really flesh out core TCP/IP concepts as well as play with services like DHCP and DNS, which are essential pieces for a Windows Active Directory environment. Using this book I was able to dabble with other services like NFS and SAMBA from a variety of systems ranging from Mac OS X to Solaris x86 to Linux to Windows XP...
I don't have any complaints, but rather some requests for future editions. I wish there was some coverage of IPSec and Kerberos in Chapter 12 "Network Security". I think Chapter 9 "Local Netowrk Services" could be expanded, as some topics are sparsely covered and there is no mention of printing technologies like IPP or CUPS. I do wish there was more coverage of the raw SMTP protocol and related technologies of POP, IMAP, and LDAP and maybe even mail servers like Exim and Postfix. However, don't touch that sendmail chapter (Chapter 10), as this coverage is so very excellent; other books go off on the deep end are far way too complex to get started.
2 this book is terrible
I can't understand all the glowing reviews this book is recieving, it is a VERY cursory and shallow treatment of far to much material. It's just all over the place. Please stay away from the "crab book", it sucks.
If you want a good tcp/ip book, O'Reilly's "Internet Core Protocols" is a great one. This book is not very good at all.
3 Best TCP/IP Book Hands Down!
As with all of O'Reilly's books, this one is technically accurate and fundamentally sound.
It does not teach TCP/IP from a simplistic approach--telling you only what you need to know and leaving you begging for more. It lays a ground work based upon the actual theory of these protocols and how they were developed and the thinking that was involved in their creation.
From there, it takes you step by step through the layers of the protocols and presents everything that most people would need to know--even more than they would need to know.
Especially enlightening were the chapters on IPv6--the next generation of the IP protocol, and the chapter covering subnetting.
Overall, if you need the one book to explain TCP/IP and the "ins-and-outs" of these networking protocols, look no further.
This book has all you'll need.
4 A decent book to learn from and reference.
This coveres some aspects, and can be used to learn from--but doesn't cover all the aspects that you'll want to know. For a reference, it's pretty good too. It's a pretty decent book, though has a good mix of information that makes it a little better than average.
5 Like any other nutshell book....
....a quality reference book.
6 Preferable for UNIX system administators and end users
Firstable, I would like to state that if you plan to use this book on Windows-based network, you better think it over. Although TCP/IP concept applies to any network that complies to TCP/IP (like Windows and UNIX), this book is better be used on UNIX-based network. If you use Windows for your network, I think you better get the author's Windows version: "Windows NT TCP/IP Network Administration".
For command examples in this book, author used Linux and Sun Solaris. But this book should apply on any UNIX operating system (including HP-UX, BSD, Mac OS X, and AIX). There might be a little command adjustment needed for specific UNIX operating system, which should be not causing trouble at all.
As said by other reviewers, this book explains a complete aspects of what any UNIX system administration should concern about. Even if you are only an end user; this book I think is also important to you, especially when the system administrator is not available.
The book gives a comprehensive idea of TCP/IP system. It starts on TCP/IP overview, IP addressing, IP routing (routing table and ARP), DNS, server configuration, and file and print server (chapter 1, 2, and 3). Chapter 4 to 5 concerns on how UNIX operating system configure the network.
Chapter 6 to 9 are the next step on configuration. They prepare you how to make every network component internetwork to each other. Chapter 10 to 12 are overview on more advanced topics. Finally, chapter 13 presents you how to get more info on TCP/IP specification.
I would like to point out that this book assumes some conditions. The author expected that the audiances have a fair knowledge of TCP/IP. If you think that you have a little or no prior knowledge, I suggest that you read the following books on TCP/IP. You should first read "Internetworking with TCP/IP Vol. 1: Principles, Protocols, and Architectures" by Douglas Comer, "TCP/IP Addressing" by Buck Graham, and "IP Addressing and Subnetting" by J.D. Wegner.
If you are a more advanced reader who needs to know more about certain topics, here are my suggestion. For those who need to take a closer look on ARP frames and packets, you should read "TCP/IP Illustrated Vol. 1: The Protocols" by Richard Stevens. Need more troubleshooting tips? Read "Network Analysis and Troubleshooting" J. Scott Haugdahl. Prefer on network security? Have "Building Internet Firewalls" by Elizabeth Zwicky and "Intrusion Signatures and Analysis" by Mark Cooper.
As a network administration, I personally love this book. Together with "UNIX System Administration Handbook" by Evi Nemeth and "UNIX Powertools" by Jerry Peek; they make a sufficient reference for any UNIX system administrators and end users, especially if you are new to the subjects. The coverages are step by step and thorough. You should have no worries using or administrating UNIX network with this book and all other I mentioned before.
7 You would be hard pressed to find a better manual.
Having reviewed over 600 books in the past several years I am sometimes have to stop and recognize a truly exceptional book and this is one of those times. Having worked with TCP/IP for over 5 years, after reading this book I was amazed at how much I didn't know.
While it is true this book is written for the UNIX/Linux environments, the principles involved will apply to almost any network environment. The 700 plus page book is very well written and extremely well documented, the author has certainly done his homework for this book.
The breakdown of TCP/IP is excellent and there is great material for routing, security and troubleshooting as well. You have been given numerous examples to learn from and work with. Overall this book is certainly one to have around and a great addition to my technical library.
8 Unix advanced people only
I got this book to learn about TCP/IP in general, but it is not for me. It for UNIX administrators as clearly marked along the top of the book which I should have seen in the preview picture. I was looking for something that explained the workings of the internet and networking for someone familiar with windows-based networking.
It did have one useful chapter for me on what an IP address really is, and how packets fly through networks, and it looks good on the bookshelf in my office. So for this one chapter, and for it usefulness as a prop in my office, I give it four stars.
9 Use this to train others
As a network administrator for an ISP, I often find myself explaining how things work to people. This reference has provided resources that our own internal support reps can look at when they're trying to understand "Just how does that work on the Internet?" It's proven to be an excellent primer for up and coming network administrators and a well-done reference for advanced administrators. It's one of those books that I keep just because it's "the book" that fills the need when I am trying to learn more about or explain how TCP/IP works.
10 Wonderful reference
Maintaining any type of computer network is a challenge (to say the least) and books like this one are a welcome addition to any sys admin's library. Above the book's title on the cover are the words "Help for UNIX System Administrators" and that's precisely what this book is. Starting off with a "primer" on TCP/IP and how data moves around on a TCP/IP network gives anyone new to TCP/IP a general idea of how it all works. There are also chapters on configuring your interface (along with general info on installing PPP & SLIP), routing, network servers, and sendmail, all important parts of a TCP/IP system. Near the book's end, the topics of troubleshooting and network security are also addressed.
All the O'Reilly books I have read always have thorough descriptions of the their topics and prove to be excellent sources of information. This book is no exception. If you maintain (or will be maintaining) this type of network, you need this book
11 A wonderful intro to TCP/IP
I read this book because I needed to know as much as I could about what TCP/IP is, and things like email, networking, and how it all works. This book taught me everything I could want to know about TCP/IP, and was for the most part pretty easy to read. On chapter in particular gave a brief intro to Sendmail, so i went home and tried it out and it worked great! The other chapters are just as good. Of the many O'Reilly books I have read and bought, this ranks in the top 2 (the other is Running LInux). Thanks Mr. Hunt and thanks O'Reilly!!!
12 The Best TCP/IP How-To Book!
This is anything but another how to book. This is the original TCP/IP how to book and it is still the best! It provides clear, accurate descriptions of the protocols in exactly the level of detail required by a network administrator. Then it provides clear step-by-step instructions on how to properly configure a TCP/IP server. What could be better? The book description clearly states that this is a "tutorial on how to configure" network services. It is so rare when it happens, I can't understand why anyone would complain when a book actually delivers what it promises. O'Reilly books always do!
13 A book that [is awful]
Yeah, this one really [is awful]. I did not find it useful at all. It is just another step-by-step how-to book (seems like a cooking book), with poor and halfway explanations. Not recommended for serious network administration.
14 Another excellent contribution to the O'Reilly Empire
I am responsible for a 50+ person intrusion detection mission, and I read this book in February 2000 to supplement my knowledge of TCP/IP. Like other great technical books, this volume manages to educate the reader on subjects related to TCP/IP, while still covering the main material thoroughly. (I place Rod Smith's "Multi-Boot Configuration Handbook in this category as well.) This is the type of book that tempts you to highlight chunks of text on every page. Keep in mind the audience is a system administrator, so theory is supplemented by suggested best practices and configuration options. I'm looking forward to an updated version of the Windows version of TCP/IP Network Administration -- any publication dates available, Craig?
15 BEST TCPIP AND NETWORKING BOOK OUT THERE!
IF YOUR GOING TO A DESERT ISLAND TO DO TCPIP AND UNIX NETWORKING, AND CAN ONLY BRING ONE BOOK, THIS IS THE BOOK YOU BRING.
16 Outstanding reference for IP
If you only buy one book ever for IP, get this book. It covers every aspect of networking in general, and even gives details of DNS, Sendmail issus, etc. A must read.
17 Recommended to any Linux administrator...EXCELLENT and HANDY
This is a GREAT O'Reilly book! I've heard many good things about their books, but now I know how good they are first hand! Great book, great for reference and examples! A MUST HAVE for any *NIX admin! I just wish it covered BIND8, but...oh well! Still...a top choice!
18 An excellent reference book for Unix Network Adminstrator
I found that this is the BEST reference book available, especially with dozens of examples for configuration of various services, such as DNS, DHCP and etc.
If you are going to take the examination in various Unix platform, it is definitely good investment.
19 An administrator's dram
A wondefully written book. The most complete TCP/IP reference I have read. I keep it on my desk at work and use it daily.
20 Explained everything I needed to know
I started reading this book 2 days ago and just had to come here to express my delight. The book explains all those things that you need to know to understand how TCP/IP works. It is well written with clear examples. I couldn't recommend this book more highly.
21 Good intorduction into TCP/IP with some length besides TCPIP
The book gives a good introduction into the basics of networking as well as the OSI model in brief. It is quite well structured with lots of good examples. One drawback I found, that it mainly refers to unix and has a quite lengthy part in explaining sendmail - which is in my opinion a bit 'off topic' In summary it is still a good introduction. I've learned most of my basics about TCP/IP and routing from this book.
22 good book
just don't reading book but this book buy m
23 Buy this book
This book is a very good guide for people who wants to understand how TCP/IP systems work. Not only TCP/IP itself, also the main systems which make the TCP/IP and the internet work is explained such as DNS servers etc. A five star book
24 Another excellent reference from O'Reilly.
If you want to understand how TCP/IP networks work, both at a practical and theoretical level, this is the book for you. It is well written and covers all practical aspects of managing a modern TCP/IP network. Definitely another O'Reilly book that should be on every network admin's shelf.
25 The Best Computer Book I Have Ever Read
This book details everything there is to know about setting up a network of unix machines. It is THE book to get if you plan on doing unix network administration. It is not meant for the beginner and deals with some complicated subjects, but it is writen in a way that is easy to understand (for me at least).
26 Fantastic, another gen from O'Reilly
Another "must have" book from O'Reilly. I don't know how they manage it, but those guys are the masters of no-bull hard core technical writing. TCP/IP network administration is of the same high quality as all other works from this publisher.
27 UNIX SysAdmins should hang this around their necks.
Unbelievably concise and still wildly informative. Mr. Hunt is not only an expert in network administration and architecture, but also a skilled tutor and informative writer on a subject that is _vital_ to UNIX administration.
28 You have to read this book.
Really, that's all I should have to say. Read this book to erase the igno rance that can surround people who use the internet today. Having the know how to setup, maintain, and administer a TCP/IP network is only practial if you appl y this knowledge to UNIX. This is exactly what this book accomplishes
