Content Delivery Networks: Web Switching for Security, Availability, and Speed [Paperback]

Scot Hull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0072190469 | ISBN-13: 978-0072190465 | Edition: 1st

Learn how to accelerate network-based delivery of rich applications and content. This book provides an introduction to the Content Networking market, and describes the players, the problems, and the solutions to the problems facing companies seeking to pr

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Optimize the delivery of rich data using content delivery networking services

Optimize the delivery and availability of network-based applications and data with help from this hands-on resource. You'll learn to improve Web site and data center performance by implementing a variety of content-accelerating technologies--including caching, redirection, and load balancing. By using this technology to improve network infrastructure, you'll be able to successfully deliver and support a wide range of rich content services to a geographically diverse subscriber base. Filled with revealing case studies and covering everything from Ethernet and IP routing to DNS network design and Global Server Load Balancing, this is the definitive guide to the emerging field of content networking technology.
*Review basic to advanced Ethernet concepts
*Understand VLANs and how they are used
*Become familiar with the SSL protocol
*Trace the history and function of SSL accelerators
*Know the function of DNS and identify problems with DNS network design
*Explore the structure of the Internet and how NAPs, peering, and BGP can affect CDN design
*Use and optimize filters and firewalls to ensure content security
*Get details on business drivers--including SLAs--behind the need for bandwidth management
*Examine server load balancing scenarios and provide required configuration

About the Author

Scot Hull (Annapolis, MD) is a Senior Web/Network Architect for the Content Delivery Networking Division of Nortel Networks. He currently holds certifications from both Microsoft Corporation as an MCSE and MCT, and Cisco Systems as a CCDP and CCNP.

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1st edition (February 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072190469
• ISBN-13: 978-0072190465
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #934,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Content Delivery Networking, March 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Content Delivery Networks: Web Switching for Security, Availability, and Speed (Paperback)

What it is:

The title is interesting, as CDNs typically refer solely to caching solutions. However, this book takes a longer view, recognizing caching as merely a single element (and a largely irrelevant, if easily recognizable, element) in a more complete scheme designed to make networks more productive.

Given that the Internet is the common element in all computer data networks seeking to provide services to Web clients, it might seem that there isnt much that can be done to optimize the delivery performance to these clients. This is patently not so. CDNs (so-called overlay networks) are a direct attempt to overcome these inherent limitations.

Who its for:

The book is targeted at a variety of people, and could be useful to IT managers looking to learn about the emerging field, engineers that have to build and maintain these networks, and vendors looking to refine their solutions. The discussion ranges from introductory to advanced, and the language is clear and easy to grasp.

How it does it:

The book is broken down informally into two sections, an underlying technology section, and an advanced/applied technology section.

The first section covers some basic (and some not-so-basic) stuff on HTTP, Ethernet, SSL, and DNS. Each chapter is a brief and slanted intro into the technology, why its relevant to Content Networking, and some flora/fauna descriptions on where its found, what its used for. This sort of material is found elsewhere in more detail, and is included here for completeness and as a basic reference. Some of the material is hard to find (a discussion of Ethernet heartbeats as differentiated from link state updates is a great example), so that makes this review kind of unique. Some of the material is not so hard to find, and as such, tends not to dwell on details better covered elsewhere. As I said, its a review, and not exhaustive, but supplementary.

One chapter that is particularly useful, and acts as a bit of a bridge, is the one on Internet Structure. This stuff is really hard to find. What is a Network Access Point (NAP)? Why is it important? What is a POP, and why should I care? What is the relationship between a Tier-1 ISP and one that isnt? How is the Internet put together, and what has this got to do with Content Networking? Great stuff.

It is the second section that is perhaps the heart of the book, and therefore is much more interesting. The topics covered here include Server Load Balancing, Global Load Balancing, using filters v. firewalls, redirection technologies, and bandwidth management. These techniques and technologies are all new (or relatively so), and build on existing technologies, making the first section suddenly more relevant. Finding this stuff elsewhere is a matter of diving into vendors websites and puzzling out the truth from the sales-related propaganda included therein. In the book, the topics are laid out with examples of whos doing what, how to use it and when to do so, and also provides some actual configurations for doing it on various vendor platforms.

For example, in the discussion on Global Load Balancing, a particular solution is discussed on how to implement BGP-based global high-availability. This is pretty high-end and sexy stuff. Also in this chapter is a long, detailed look (in plain English) at the shortcomings of nearly all the solutions currently on the market. These are things that a vendor will never tell you. Anyone interested in GSLB needs to read this chapter.

Why I should care:

The book is the first review of an emerging field. Content Networking is still in its infancy stages, but all of the major vendors are fielding solutions, including Cisco, Nortel Networks, Foundry Networks, Extreme Networks and many, many more. As these technologies move forward into ISPs' and enterprises' networks, these solutions will become more and more relevant to those staying current on Internet technologies.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of content networking, March 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Content Delivery Networks: Web Switching for Security, Availability, and Speed (Paperback)

As an IT manager, I can't say enough about this book. It covers all of the issues surrounding content networking in a clear an easy to read way. I especially found the SSL and caching chapters useful since I'm in the middle of deploying solutions for both problem areas. The SSL chapter clearly explains how the protocol works and explains how it relates to real-life issues in deploying SSL accelerators.

I've also found this book useful to get my junior administrators up to speed with the technologies that they have to learn. Finding staff that is familiar with this stuff is hard but with a book like this, I can actually provide useful training material without having to develop anything of my own or spend a lot of time explaining the basics. I intend to buy copies for all of my staff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to know what is a Content Delivery Network? This is it!, June 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Content Delivery Networks: Web Switching for Security, Availability, and Speed (Paperback)

Scott Hull and his colleagues/friends have provided an excellent resource for building, enhancing functionality, improving performance, and insuring security for Content Delivery Networks, paying special attention to SSL protocol; which I was most concerned with.

It is by no means a technology primer on all the subjects we encounter in a Content Delivery Network. You should already be aware of some foundation technologies like, LAN Protocols, PKI, Firewall design concepts, Bridging concepts as it relates to Spanning Tree protocol, web client access mechanisms/browser security, etc., to insure thorough understanding; although Scott does provide a solid refresher on these subjects.

The book is an easy read, and is a must have in your arsenal of technology guides if you are in the business of deploying these technologies, or developers who are looking to understand these technologies and provide solutions to their customers.

Thanks Scott! Very timely.