Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Networking, Electronic Edition

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When I moderated the International Fidonet Conference on Local Area Networking, this book was probably my single most frequent recommendation. If you work in computer networking and you buy only one book to have on your desk, make it this book.

In its previous (1994) incarnation as "LAN Times Encyclopedia of Networking," Sheldon was publishing into a world when the Internet was an obscure province of college students and defense contractors, a fast microcomputer capable of word processing probably had a 486 processor and represented an investment comparable to a good used car, and most people thought the "@" character on their keyboards was for some mysterious use in preparing invoices. Nevertheless, that 1994 edition sold tens of thousands of copies before being superseded by this second edition in 1997. For such a book to survive under the same authorship as the definitive publication of its type for seven years, making it to a third ("millennium") edition scheduled for release in January 2001, is a truly outstanding accomplishment. Indeed, LAN Times itself is no longer with us, having ceased publication in 1998, but its encyclopedia and original author remain.

Like Stevens on TCP/IP, Knuth on programming, Sedgewick on algorithms, Tannenbaum on operating systems, or Terman on electronics, this book has earned a place on the shelf of nearly every serious worker in the field of its coverage, and that field is remarkably broad. Retaining its fundamental benefit of strict vendor independence, this is a true one-volume encyclopedia containing at least a definition of all of the important terminology and acronyms from networking, cabling, telecommunications, and related disciplines. Nowhere else is it possible to find in one place explanations of everything from IEEE 802 nomenclature to EIA-568 cabling diagrams to Novell networking architecture to ISDN to VoIP. Some articles on major subjects such as Ethernet or TCP/IP run for significant numbers of pages wtih charts and illustrations.

One warning: this book is not a tutorial. It can be fun to read, just like flipping around in a conventional encyclopedia can be fun if you are of such a mind to do it, but you cannot learn material in depth from an encyclopedia. The intended reader of this book is either the working professional or the advanced student who will want to have it handy at all times in order to be able to refer to it. If you find yourself lying awake at night wondering "What is the official maximum length of a 10Base-T segment?" or "How fast is an OC-48 circuit?" then this is the book for you.

The world of computer networking has progressed enormously since this 1997 edition was published, and it will be interesting to see how well the January 2001 edition keeps up. Unix, especially in the form of Linux, has grown tremendously in importance, much of it as the expense of Novell and OS/2. Bandwidth has increased to the point where streaming multimedia is practical, even to residential locations through cable modems and DSL. Wireless protocols of all sorts are on the verge of becoming a major influence in the field. The drive for standardization and interoperability is no longer imposed externally by military fiat, but now fends for itself in the marketplace.

Interesting times deserve such an interesting book.

Encyclopedia of Networking, Electronic Edition, contains nearly everything a newbie or guru would ever need to know about networking. The writing is extremely clear and really hits the mark in terms of not dumbing down the topics. Be sure to get the Electronic Edition which includes the entire book on a CD-ROM (it's less embarrassing to look something up on the CD than a five-pound book when you get a sticky question, not to mention that it's easier to carry around).

We use encyclopedias every day to help us define words or topics. Encyclopedia of Networking is now available to help us understand networking and the terms associated with it. Tom Sheldon's work is outstanding and his 1175 page book is one of the best I have ever read.

As with every encyclopedia, this one is in alphabetical order and covers terms like IXC, frame relay. IMA, java, java beans, modem standards, PKI, routers, spoofing, SPX, SQL, VPNs and so many, many more. Sheldon's book is a must have reference for all network professionals.

Included is a cd-rom, which is a fully searchable, and cross-referenced version of the book, making your learning portable. Many of the r terms have hyperlinks for further research on the internet. Also I was very pleased to see so many illustrations included as visual aides enhanced the learning process.

As a computer instructor, this manual has already come in handy in several networking classes and I am sure it will be so in the future. You can find this and many other computer related titles at the McGraw-Hill web site.

This is the first time I've come across a book that I felt deserved the time to write a review. Your book is great!! Especially the Electonic Version on CD. From what I've seen so far, this has been the best addition to my reference library, to date. As a field technician the CD's portability is invaluable. A tool for the road, not just the shop. Keep up the good work. Kenneth W. Dight, A+, Network+, MCP+I, MCSE, CNE5

BAD NEWS: I read the 3 existing reviews before I bought this book. I purchased it to use for my networking classes as a resource for writing papers and doing study notes by cutting and pasting from the CD Rom. It did not work. The help section gave implicit instructions on how to do this and referred you to windows help on cut and paste if there explanation was not sufficient. It still did not work, and therefore was of no value to me. (The content IS good, the function was the bad news).

GOOD NEWS: These people are TERRIFIC. Without a hassle, they heard my story; are refunding ALL my money including shipping; sending me a label to return the book AND suggested I write this review!

I buy quite a few books and Music from these folks. I wish I had purchased their stock way back when (along with many other people). They deserve my business; and I am ordering 2 more networking related books this date. No wonder they are successful. GO AMAZON!

This is without doubt the best book I have in my collection. Since I started focusing my career on networking it has been my constant reference.

It is a mine of concise and well-organized information. The "Related Entries" listings make the book easy to use, the "Information on the Internet" references are excellent gateways to further reading. The book contains a wealth of graphics and diagrams to clarify the readers understanding.

I am now working for one of the giants of global networking, a new job, for which the book can take a lot of credit. The CD on my laptop will ensure Encyclopedia of Networking remains a constant reference.

Complete, well-organized, well-written, awesome CD! A must have book for anybody involved in networking.

I consider this one a "must have" reference book for Int. and Adv. Network professionals. It is very thorough at covering the latest technologies from all of the major vendors. It has detailed diagrams for most topics. I use it to keep up with all of the latest acronyms. When I initially got the book I sat down and read through the topics from front to back in order to broaden my networking knowledge in areas that I had very little acquaintance. It also helped as a refresher just before making a major decision on some network topology choices. I now use the book as a reference when I need quick information on a topic. The CD is a great added bonus.

For any one gainfully employed in the computer business this is a must have book. I have spent the last three years looking for just this kind of book, comprehensive, succinct, exhaustive and I can truly say, "I have found it". If you have been looking to buy a single resource for networking, you need look no further. The Encyclopedia of Networking delivers!

Todd Fischer, Principle Consultant,

I'm weeding out ruthlessly my library contents, and no intention of letting *this* baby go anywhere. (I've the hardcover version, but it's otherwise identical to the paperback version, same date, same number of pages, same everything inside).

The illustrations are often very helpful, and the contents clear and readable. I may never read but 10% of it with any real attention, but given that my work will be massively networked, it's comforting to have available a vetted, easy-read reference that covers virtually every aspect of networking, so that I can at least *know* of these issues in proper context for further research in depth as needed.

That's nothing at which to sneeze. Plus, I did mention that it's clear and concise, didn't I? :)