Customer Reviews

Implement Virtual Private Networks

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

 

 

This book is a well written book, filled with a lot of information on VPNs. The author has illustrated many VPN concepts in a very simple easy to understand manner. The book also illustrates so many other requirements with VPNs, not always discussed in other places. Usually you only hear about IPSec, L2TP or something else. While the author doesn't go into exacting minute detail on how to setup, say PPTP, or a Cisco PIX, [my only fault with the book, but I guess you could use the installation manuals for that] the benefit is that after reading and studying the fundamental concepts presented, you will be able to install and maintain any VPN technology. Then after that, the author presents so many security topics effecting VPNs. You could tell this wasn't a rushed project. I think a credit to McGraw-hill

I purchased this book about 6 months ago, and I still review it. Mr. Brown had done an excellent job of looking at VPN technology, and made a difficult concept easy to understand. Like any book, they become outdated and should be updated.

I disagree completely with the last reviewer, and that of "Robert Slade", noted reviewer. If you look at all the Amazon reviews about the O'Reilly VPN book, you will see that while all the Amazon reviewer's totally dislike the book, Mr. Slade's review gives it a major endorsement.

But the last review is also right in that you need a foundation, you need a good solid understanding of routing/IP addressing/DNS, etc. Without this foundation, you will not be able to understand the topics and shouldn't even try to install a VPN.

You'll understand the concepts if not exactly the execution of VPNs and the various methods of implementing them. Be sure to get training specific to your product and methodology before considering this your only purchase.

I bought the book on the strength of the review material on the Amazon site, but found it unusable. I concur with the assessment of Rob Slade, a prominent Web reviewer of communications books: "I cannot recommend this text. If you do not have a background in data and communications security, you will find this book confusing at best, and seriously misleading at worst. If you do know security, this book will make your brain hurt. It adds almost nothing to the available literature."

It is the first book concerns with the hottest topic---VPN. I think it will be very useful for most IT engineers!!!