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Virtual Private Networks: Technologies and Solutions
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Author: Ruixi Yuan, W. Timothy Strayer
List Price: $44.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 0201702096
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co (20 April, 2001)
Edition: Hardcover
Sales Rank: 140,443
Average Customer Rating: 4.75 out of 5
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Customer ReviewsRating: 4 out of 5
Not "Virtual Private Networks Illustrated," but still useful
I am a senior engineer for network security operations who uses a VPN every day. I read "Virtual Private Networks: Technologies and Solutions" (VPN:TS) to gain a better understanding of this key component of modern networking. While VPN:TS is not the VPN equivalent of Rich Stevens' "TCP/IP Illustrated," it's the best general-purpose VPN book I've read.
Thanks to the book's logical arrangement, precise wording, and short length (281 pages of text), VPN:TS is a fast read. (I finished it in a little more than one day.) It offers clear diagrams of various architectures and protocol headers. VPN:TS is technology neutral, preferring to describe principles and protocols instead of products. Consequently, those looking for a how-to manual for configuring Cisco router or Checkpoint Firewall-based VPNs should look elsewhere. I welcomed this approach, since I have no need for information on popular VPN implementations!
VPN:TS struck me as more than a book about virtual private networks. Because little time was spent elaborating product configurations, the authors discussed related networking topics. These included chapters on cryptography, authentication, PKI, access control, and network management. VPN:TS also describes the relationship between Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Quality of Service (QoS). Readers familiar with all of these topics might not appreciate this material, but I enjoyed it.
I was disappointed that VPN:TS did not offer any traces to demonstrate various protocols in action. I believe the authors should have demonstrated building a sample VPN solution, complete with example configuration files and installation steps. An open source project like Linux FreeS/WAN or BSD KAME would have been ideal. This demonstration would have allowed discussions of troubleshooting common client/server obstacles.
VPN:TS is not the sort of reference book to place next to your router, firewall, or laptop. It's best suited to learning general VPN design and deployment. Those seeking technical implementation details will have to look elsewhere. Those who want to learn the role of VPNs in the wider networking realm will appreciate VPN:TS.
(Disclaimer: I received a free review copy from the publisher.)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Excellent VPN reference...
This book gets my nod as one of the best VPN books currently available. Most of the early VPN books have been awful, written totally from the business perspective -- i.e., why I need a VPN, or why VPNs are good. These author have apparently actually built some VPNs and write for someone who actually needs to build a VPN. Here, a reader can acquire an understanding and appreciation of such issues as products; protocols; the relationship between VPN tunnels, IPsec, and NAT; the relationship between the VPN server and firewall; etc., etc. I give this book my highest recommendation -- namely, I would spend my own money on this book!
Rating: 5 out of 5
clearly written
The strength of this book is its clarity, which is achieved through topic selection, proper organization of topics, and different explanation of key concepts according to context. Coverage is wide. Meant for those who know networking and either want to learn about or implement VPNs. Btw the book is in English.
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