OSPF and IS-IS: Choosing an IGP for Large-Scale Networks (ISBN 0321168798)

nice chapter on the development of the Internet:
Doyle gives us a very understandable discourse on the OSPF and IS-IS routing methods. These are implemented by Cisco and Juniper routers. Cisco dominates the networking arena, while Juniper is one of the larger secondary players. So understanding OSPF and IS-IS is vital if your duties involve administering networks using those companies' devices. The link state nature of the OSPF and IS-IS protocols is shown to scale much more easily to large networks, as compared to vector protocols. The latter are slower to converge and are susceptible to looping. Interestingly, the book starts off with a detailed chapter on the rise of the Internet. It mentions luminaries like Vinton Cerf, Licklider, Kleinrock, Postel and others. And how the ARPANET was the predecessor of the Internet. However, I do take issue with the claim that the Internet began in 1983, when the ARPANET transitioned to TCP/IP. The chapter itself says that "almost all the internetworking technologies we use to this day had their start with the ARPANET." Thus, others who were involved in establishing the ARPANET take the Internet's true beginning to be that of the ARPANET. For example, Kleinrock considers the birth date to be in October 1969, when his group made the first connection between two nodes on the ARPANET, at UCLA and Stanford Research Institute. He and UCLA consider this date to be definitive. (Kleinrock has been at UCLA since the 60s.) Granted, there is an element of hometown boosterism here, but I recently heard him give a seminar with a strong technical description of the 1969 event, and it seemed very plausible. I should add that even if you consider Doyle's assertion about the Internet's start to be wrong, it does not detract from his first chapter or the rest of the book. The objective events in that chapter are correctly recounted, and the chapter is useful in showing how all this Internet "thing" came about. Read it as good cultural background.

Excellent Comparative Reference on OSPF and IS-IS (IPv4 and IPv6):
OSPF and IS-IS : Choosing an IGP for Large-Scale Networks is an excellent source for understanding the similarities and differences of IS-IS and OSPF all in one book. It is the only book available with such complete coverage comparing these two IGP routing protocols. There have been many official and unofficial debates over which protocol is better. Finally, the common problem of choosing one IGP routing protocol over the other or the second guessing of an IGP deployment choice can now be put to rest thanks to this definitive source of information on the subject. The book does a fair and deep comparison of the two protocols down to the packet structures and usage scenarios. It answers lingering questions and corrects common misconceptions about how these protocols operate. The author shows no bias towards either protocol without good justification. Jeff presents the information in such a way that the reader can draw his/her own conclusions. Doyle's book does not assume the reader has strong knowledge of OSPF and IS-IS. It teaches the theory of each protocol in addition to comparing and contrasting in Doyle's easy to follow style. For those who are experts at IS-IS and OSPF with regards to IPv4 and understand the differences, IS-IS and OSPF for IPv6 are covered/compared in the same fashion. Thanks for a great reference book, Jeff!

Excellent book!:
In this volume you can tell that Jeff Doyle is getting better and better at conveying complex concepts in an entertaining and informative way. This book is a main stay in my CCIE preparation regarding the link state protocols. I've advised this book to several people, all of which have been very pleased. I very much enjoy the granular detail of both protocols. Such detail into the functions of each protocol truly allows the engineer to select the right protocol for the job.

Excellent OSPF text!:
After thoroughly reading the OSPF chapter of Jeff Doyle's Cisco Press title, I scored 100% on the OSPF section of my CCNP Routing exam. This great books gives you the same great information, but presented in a different manner teaching you OSPF/IS-IS on both Cisco and JUNOS side by side. After reading this book, I am confident I could score 100% again. If you're a hardcore OSPF fan, you will love this book.

A top pick for any in-depth computer library seeking lasting references.:
Any advanced computer library collection specializing in programmer guides for network designers will want OSPF and IS-IS: Choosing an IGP for Large-Scale Networks: it covers large-scale systems operating in the real world and is organized to help network engineers and architects compare OSPF and IS-IS. From understanding message types and improving scalability to designing large-scale networks for maximum security, OSPF AND IS-IS is a top pick for any in-depth computer library seeking lasting references.