Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis: IPX/SPX [Paperback]

Laura A. Chappell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0764545086 | ISBN-13: 978-0764545085

Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis: IPX/SPX^™ Are you getting a lot of network errors? Is your file transfer process fast enough? Are you using efficient packet sizes? Are your applications performing properly? Learn how to use protocol analyzers to spot network problems — before they become crises. Using a hands-on approach, bestselling author Laura Chappell provides you with an in-depth analysis of core network protocols — IPX, SPX, SAP, RIP, NLSP, IPXWAN^™, and NCP — plus tried-and-true analysis techniques and tips to help you better test your applications, troubleshoot communications, and plan for growth. Your Complete Guide to NetWare IPX/SPX Communications

• Find out where to place your analyzer for accurate results
• Identify basic errors on Ethernet and Token Ring networks
• Select the best type of protocol analyzer for your network
• Learn the ins and outs of NetWare IPX and SPX protocols
• Find out how to avoid SPX timeouts or WAN link communication problems
• Master the packet structures and functions of SAP, RIP, NLSP, and IPXWAN
• Troubleshoot server connections with NCP and NDS
• Use IPX Ping and the Diagnostic Responder to test local and remote communications
• Identify overloaded NetWare servers

Exclusive Novell Software! Bonus CD-ROM includes an exclusive demo version of LANalyzer for Windows, plus trace files for:

• NCP Timeout/recovery process
• RCONSOLE SPX session establishment
• Downed file server
• Bringing up an NLSP-only network
• Launching a server-based application
• Logging in and authenticating as Admin

System Requirements: PC running Windows 3.1 or higher

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The basic idea behind network analysis is that you can get a very good idea of what's happening on a network by looking at the actual data that travels over it, packet by packet. Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis: IPX/SPX is the definitive guide to performing network analysis on networks that use the IPX and SPX protocols.

Surprisingly, Laura Chappell assumes that the reader has little knowledge of the subject. She goes into great detail on what analysis is and why it's useful. She then explains how Ethernet and Token Ring networks should operate and reveals the best places to install an analyzer (she reviews many kinds) in each type of network in order to get the most meaningful data. Chappell then dives into individual protocols, explaining IPX, SPX, and SPX II in glorious detail. Rather than limit her coverage to the major protocols, Chappell also describes SAP, RIP, NLSP, IPXWAN2, and NCP completely. If you want to know what's being said on your network in any Novell protocol, this book will help you with the decoding more than any other. Text and diagrams explain almost every possible network transmission.

The companion CD-ROM includes the trace files collected during the author's research. These files prove useful for educational purposes as well as for comparison. The CD-ROM contains a demo version of LANalyzer for Windows. --David Wall

About the Author

Laura A. Chappell, CNI^SM, CNE^®, and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, is a Protocol/Network Analyst for ImagiTech. In addition to conducting worldwide seminars on network topics, she has written numerous magazine articles and books, including Novell's Guide to NetWare LAN Analysis, Novell's Guide to Multiprotocol Internetworking, and Novell's Guide to Internet Access Solutions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 878 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (March 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764545086
• ISBN-13: 978-0764545085
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,463,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Many folks know me as a slightly hyperactive presenter and "Glenda, the Good Witch." After taking a break from writing for a while, I'm now back in the swing of things - with drafts of writing projects cluttering up by office space. We'll see if they get edited down to a business-card worth of writing - depends on the "Margarita count."

Here's the basic bio:

Laura Chappell is a highly-energetic speaker and author of numerous industry titles on network communications, analysis and security. Laura has presented to thousands of State, Federal and international law enforcement officers, judicial members, engineers, network administrators, technicians and developers.

Ms. Chappell is a member of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) and an Associate Member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) since 1989. Her blend of humor, personal experiences, energy and clarity have earned her a top spot as an industry speaker at Microsoft, Novell, Hewlett-Packard, High Technology Crime Investigation Association and US Court conferences.

In 2007, Ms. Chappell founded Wireshark University, an educational firm devoted to teaching the art of wiretapping/communications interception, network forensics, digital deception and decoys, traceback and reconnaissance.

Laura's network analysis, troubleshooting and security training is available online through the All Access Pass at chappellU.com and through customized online/onsite analysis and training.

Clients: Ms. Chappell's clients include the US Navy, US Arsenal, US Appeals Court, Hong Kong Police Department, Lockheed Martin, Cisco Systems, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP, United Bank of Switzerland, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, McAfee Corporation, Symantec Corporation, Northern Indiana Power Company, CapitalOne Financial Services, City of Canberra (Australia), Macau Police Department, Australian High Tech Crime Centre, Fidelity National Information Services, the City of San Francisco and several unnamed Federal agencies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have Reference for Novell Networking., May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis: IPX/SPX (Paperback)

This book to me is the third or fourth edtion of this book with a different title each edition packing more information and topics than the first. Chappell in this book provides very detailed information on how IPX works from client to server. She provides excellent examples of packet traces of how things should appear and what to look for when things are not working right. The CD has a runtime version of Novell's Lanalyzer product, note you should own this product if you work alot with Netware it's one of Novell's best hidden products. Her books are excellent, I buy most of them; however, her presentation skills are out standing, just do not be a Fred (you'll have to attend a session for ture understanding or read about Fred in the book). If you are not able to attend a lecture/instruction/presentation of hers the books are the next best thing. The book is from the ground up (no rocket scientist understanding assumed). If you are involved in troubleshooting an IPX Netware network then you must have this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take your network skills to a new level, July 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis: IPX/SPX (Paperback)

First of all, if you haven't heard Laura Chappell in person, find one of her seminars near you and attend, she REALLY knows her stuff. This is a fantastic book if your at the level of doing serious LAN/WAN troubleshooting or optimization. The concepts, suggestions, and explanations are presented clearly with detail and humor. This is not a book you'll want to skim, but rather schedule time to read it. It will definitely elevate your ability considerably.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you run IPX?SPX network you need this book., April 2, 2000

By 

Jeppie Sumpter MCNE, MCSE, CCNA (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Novell's Guide to LAN/WAN Analysis: IPX/SPX (Paperback)

If you run an IPX/SPX network and want to know what is really going on, you need this book. The most complete IPX/SPX book I have seen out there. A must for anyone that needs to troubleshoot or fine tune their Netware network.