Demystifying the IPsec Puzzle (Artech House Computer Security Series) [Hardcover]

Sheila Frankel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1580530796 | ISBN-13: 978-1580530798 | Publication Date: March 31, 2001

Now that the Internet has blossomed into the "Information Superhighway" with its traffic and drivers becoming increasingly diverse, security has emerged as a primary concern. This book offers the reader a global, integrated approach to providing internet security at the network layer. The author gives a detailed presentation of the revolutionary IPsec technology used today to create Virtual Private Networks and, in the near future, to protect the infrastructure of the Internet itself. The book addresses IPsec's major aspects and components to help the reader evaluate and compare features of different implementations. It provides a detailed understanding of this cutting-edge technology from the inside, which enables the reader to more effectively troubleshoot problems with specific products. Based on standards documents, discussion list archives, and practitioners' lore, this resource collects all the current knowledge of IPsec and describes it in a literate, clear manner.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sheila Frankel is a computer scientist at NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). She holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Yeshiva University and a M.S. in computer science from New York University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Artech House Publishers (March 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580530796
• ISBN-13: 978-1580530798
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,893 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 Best IPSec book out there, June 20, 2001

By 

"victortavares" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Demystifying the IPsec Puzzle (Artech House Computer Security Series) (Hardcover)

I got this book the other day and it's the best technical overview of IPSec, IKE, and PKI, outside the RFC's, that I have come across. If you are working with IPSec, either as a developer, integrator, or security consultant, you should have a copy of this book. It's not a programmer's reference that is incomprehensible, nor is it a manager's "IPSec for Dummies". If you tried to read the RFC's but still had lot's of little questions, this book will clear up a lot. Get it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, March 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Demystifying the IPsec Puzzle (Artech House Computer Security Series) (Hardcover)

This book is simply outstanding. IPsec is a complicated topic, but this book explains it clearly while not losing any of the essential detail. As one previous reviewer said, you might need to read it more than once to really get a good grasp of the subject, but it is only 250 pages long (and small enough and light enough to carry in your laptop case pocket)!
Don't get this book if you are looing for a 'Dummies..' kind of approach, but definately do get it if you really want to understand IPsec.
So, five stars from me for the hardback edition (sounds like the electronic edition might be too much trouble [from what I read in a previous review]!).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, but not ideal, December 3, 2001

By 

Z. Lal "zed999" (Bedfordshire, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Demystifying the IPsec Puzzle (Artech House Computer Security Series) (Hardcover)

I have read most of the book and I found it refreshing to find an author who does not simply regurgitate the contents of the RFCs together with some nice diagrams, as some other IPsec books are apt to do.
The author's authoritative insights into IPsec problems are very helpful, and a real effort seems to have been made to explain the various facets of IPsec. Helpful references are given throughout the book.
Having said that, I have the book only 4 stars because despite the authors excellent effort, the book is still difficult to understand in some parts. In particular, the diagrams showing the various IPsec exchanges are somewhat uninspiring.
This book in my view is worthy of shelf space, but will need to be read several times (probably in conjunction with another IPsc book) for the reader to gain a true understanding of the issues.