The Essential Guide to Optical Networks [Paperback]

David Greenfield (Author)

Book Description

Series: Essential Guide Series | Publication Date: December 10, 2001

Optical networks are the solution for delivering the enormous amounts of bandwidth needed by tomorrow's business applications, and tomorrow's Internet. Now, for the first time, there's an easy-to-understand, non-mathematical guide for every non-technical professional who needs to understand this pivotal technology. Network Magazine Senior Technology Editor David Greenfield offers crisp, witty explanations of everything you need to know: infrastructure, trends, applications, and the new breakthroughs which will make optical networks even more powerful and ubiquitous. Greenfield begins by reviewing the existing public network infrastructure, and the drivers that led to the implementation of the first fiber optic solutions. Next, he organizes optical networking into five generations -- and offers clear, accessible explanations of all five. Greenfield introduces "first-generation" systems that used fiber purely for transport; "second-generation" systems based on DWDM and similar technologies, intelligent "third-generation" systems that replace SDH/SONET gear with optical infrastructure, and rely heavily on TCP/IP; future "fourth-generation" all-optical networks; and in the far distant future, "optical enterprises," where advanced optical technology moves beyond the public network, into premises and into computers themselves. Greenfield doesn't just cover technology: he reviews the critical business issues associated with delivering optical services to home and business, and offers expert insight into the implications of rapid improvements in optical networking.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The up-to-the-minute briefing on optical networking for every non-technical professional and business decision-maker.

• The up-to-the-minute optical networking guide for every business, marketing, and investment professional
• The only easy-to-read guide to explain the components, systems, and technologies needed to build today's intelligent optical network
• How optical networking transforms the Internet-and your competitive landscape
• Clear, non-technical explanations of every key optical networking technology
• Next-generation optical networks: "IP-over-optical," "all-optical," and the coming "optical enterprise"
• Fiber for business and home: challenges and opportunities

Optical networks are transforming the Internet, making it possible to deliver amazing amounts of bandwidth for every application, from business to entertainment—and beyond. Now there's an easy-to-understand guide to optical networking for every non-technical professional! Network Magazine International Technology Editor David Greenfield offers crisp, witty explanations of everything you need to know: infrastructure, trends, applications—and the new breakthroughs that will make optical networks even more powerful and ubiquitous.

• Clear, accessible explanations of all five generations of optical networking
• Generation 1: Fiber for transport only
• Generation 2: Maximizing speed with DWDM and related technologies
• Generation 3: Replacing SDH/SONET with IP-over-optical-intelligent TCP/IP-based optical infrastructure
• Generation 4: Tomorrow's amazing all-optical networks
• Generation 5: The far distant horizon: "Optical enterprises" that move optical technology into premises—and into computers themselves
• How optical networks fit into the existing public network infrastructure
• Delivering fiber-based services to homes and businesses: challenges and opportunities

Whether you're a manager, consultant, sales, marketing, or PR professional, investor, or student, you need to understand the extraordinary power and impact of tomorrow's optical networks. The Essential Guide to Optical Networks explains these pivotal technologies from a business standpoint-without hype, jargon, or math!

About the Author

DAVID GREENFIELD is International Technology Editor for Network Magazine, where he specializes in covering the optical networking market. He has been analyzing networking markets for over a decade.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pearson Education; 1st edition (December 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130429562
• ISBN-13: 978-0130429568
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,521,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Must have been written for the, February 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Essential Guide to Optical Networks (Paperback)

I found the book a bit disappointing after having ordered it pre-publication based on an excerpt I read somewhere. The excerpt was as deep as it got in this high-level introductory book written in the style of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to ...".
OK for someone completely new to the area as an intro.
Those in the area for even a short time would be better off subscribing to some of the fiber magazines or buying another book (still looking!) for much more detailed info.