Customer Reviews

Demystifying the IPsec Puzzle (Artech House Computer Security Series)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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]!).

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.

This is the most insightful IPSec book i have read to date but it is not a beginners book. The book is packed with so much knowledge that it sometimes does not take the time to give clear and concise examples of the theory. Throughout the book a list of references are used which are excellent. The book lacks some good examples with diagrams and is more of a dictionary on IPSec. I recommend this book to people who have at least some knowledge of IPSec.

I bought this book when I started working on IPsec. This book goes beyond the text of the IPsec RFCs to explain the workings of the protocols. It also explains the issues with the protocol and does a good job of explaining how to use IPsec for client VPNs.
The minor downsides of the book are - its high price and in some cases lack of byte-level packet diagrams. The second is not much of a problem since they can be looked up in the RFCs.

Sheila has done a clear and consise job of unraveling the intricacies of the IPSEC puzzle. I recommend this book for all those who deal with Internet security.

If you want to learn or research on this topic, this is the book you should read. In adddition, the writing style is excellent!