Rating: 
Summary: excellent description of layer 2/3 protocols
Review: If you want to understand how things work at the data link and networking layers (layers 2 and 3) then this is the book for you. The author makes very clear the differences between bridges, routers, and switches - something that the marketing literature does not make clear :). She has a very readable and detailed descriptions of the most important protocols used in layer 2, especially the spanning tree algorithm used by bridges - as you might expect since she invented the algorithm! The descriptions of layer 3 protocols are also good, though not quite as readable.The book contains a good mix of introductory concept oriented discussions and technical details. The author explains the technical, commercial, historical, and political ideas that lead to different protocols - adding context and colour with her own well thought out opinions. You can also find details at the level of packet layout information for many protocols. Really good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for network specialists
Review: In my opinion, this book is a must read for everybody who wants to understand how networks work. The explanation of the networking philosophies as well as individual technologies is exceptional. Reading this book is as easy as reading a novel. Whether you work with network equipment by individual vendors, do a network related research or study networking -- get this book!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Reading
Review: Interconnections, Second Edition did something I didn't think was possible: it was better than the First Edition! I personally like Radia Perlman's style. She writes in a way that flows for easy reading. Her material can appear to be technical, but unlike most technical material, you actually WANT to read more! What I found most profound about this book is the fact that all major protocols are covered. There are comparisons performed between the protocols, such as IPv4, IPv6, CLNP, IPX, DECnet, etc. I have never seen this type of comparison anywhere! This alone is a wealth of knowledge that I can't underestimate. Since I find myself also performing design work on behalf of numerous customers, the insight into why a choice was made during a protocol design is very interesting, and quite the learning experience. Finally, Radia's humor is amazing. Her truth and personal opinions (and lets face it, with her history and influence on this industry, she is one of the few that has any right to criticize others in this industry) of how standards were derived is insightful and just plain fun to know! I would recommend this book to anyone that wishes to know more about networking, to get a nice comparison of the differening protocols, and to learn a nice historical perspective of why things are as they exist today...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book on concepts and principles of networking.
Review: Many networking books are little more than condensations of product literature and standard documents. Radia's book goes into the concepts and principles behind the technology, and in some cases, the history. This information will be very useful to students learning the technology, networking managers trying to improve their networks and product developers hoping to avoid past mistakes. If network architects and standards developers absorb this book perhaps the next generation of networking will be less complex and more effective. The book includes historical anecdotes and controversial recommendations. These make it entertaining as well as informative.
Rating:
Summary: Readable networking?!
Review: Perlman does a fantastic job of writing about a topic she's obviously passionate about. Her ability to convey complex networking topics simply makes this book an excellent introduction to the subject, a great guide for people who don't need to be experts (i.e. marketing folks), and a technical text book. This book is both incredibly informative and entertaining, spiced with some of her own views, annecdotes, and history of networking. A great read, can you believe I would say that about a networking text?
Rating:
Summary: Readable networking?!
Review: Perlman does a fantastic job of writing about a topic she's obviously passionate about. Her ability to convey complex networking topics simply makes this book an excellent introduction to the subject, a great guide for people who don't need to be experts (i.e. marketing folks), and a technical text book. This book is both incredibly informative and entertaining, spiced with some of her own views, annecdotes, and history of networking. A great read, can you believe I would say that about a networking text?
Rating:
Summary: great technical introduction, indispensible reference
Review: The 2nd edition of Interconnections is every bit as good as the exceptional 1st edition, but is expanded by about 50%. Still present is Dr. Perlman's clear, concise coverage of the theory and practice of the fundamental network building blocks: bridges, routers, and "switches" (including token ring source-route bridging). Also still included is a brief synopsis of her dissertation on sabotage-proof network protocols, an idea whose time has definitely come. The coverage on specifics of network protocols is significantly expanded, particularly TCP/IP (v4 and v6), IPX/SPX, DECnet, and AppleTalk. Coverage of specifics of routing algorithms, such as RIP and OSPF, is also expanded, now even including multicast extensions. New material has been added that lays bare the details of fast ethernet, gigabit ethernet, ATM ("classical" IP-over-ATM and LANE), and NAT/NAPT. I highly recommend the 2nd edition to anyone wanting to increase their technical understanding of networking, no matter what your knowledge/experience level, and as a nonpartisan technical reference for networking professionals.
Rating:
Summary: An essential tutorial for anyone building a network
Review: The first edition was comprehensive, the second edition is amazing! I was shocked to see a balanced treatment of MPLS appear. Radia writes some of the most accessible and retainable technical material I've ever seen- she puts most O'Reilly books to shame.
Rating: 
Summary: The Other Great Networking Book
Review: The networking universe is not purely TCP/IP. There is a ton of wacky stuff out there that even your friendly Cisco instructor likes to gloss over. Who uses CLNP or DECnet, anyway? And Ethernet just works, doesn't it? Well, people do use them, Ethernet doesn't just work and one day you'll need to know what the hell is happening on your multi-vendor multi-protocol network, whereupon Radia Perlman will save your hide. When I was recently posted abroad I had to decide which technical books to put in storage until my return and which to bring with me. I had about 150 such books, but I could take three at most. I took two: Perlman and Stevens TCP/IP vol 1. I've not missed the others yet.
Rating:
Summary: The Other Great Networking Book
Review: The networking universe is not purely TCP/IP. There is a ton of wacky stuff out there that even your friendly Cisco instructor likes to gloss over. Who uses CLNP or DECnet, anyway? And Ethernet just works, doesn't it? Well, people do use them, Ethernet doesn't just work and one day you'll need to know what the hell is happening on your multi-vendor multi-protocol network, whereupon Radia Perlman will save your hide. When I was recently posted abroad I had to decide which technical books to put in storage until my return and which to bring with me. I had about 150 such books, but I could take three at most. I took two: Perlman and Stevens TCP/IP vol 1. I've not missed the others yet.
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