Virtual LANs: A Guide to Construction, Operation and Utilization (McGraw-Hill Computer Communications Series) [Paperback]

Marina Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 22, 1997 | Series: Mcgraw-Hill Series on Computer Communications

This guide shows network managers how to get a Virtual LAN (VLAN) up and running fast. It covers the latest IEEE VLAN standards, and features a special section on keeping the VLAN secure. LANs today are physically wired to support workgroups that share the same resources. Because these LANs are wired independently of one another, it makes it difficult and expensive to quickly set up another workgroup or move a workstation from one group to another. A Virtual LAN is a network defined by software, not by physical wiring. This means that VLANs enable corporations to group network users according to their job function or data requirements, as opposed to their physical location. VLANs remove the headaches of LAN moves and changes, saving money in the process. The book compares VLAN products available from several vendors, including Cabletron, Cray, Cisco and 3COM. The CD-ROM includes demo versions of VLAN products from the leading venders.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

At last-virtual local area networks demystified. This authoritative guide answers all your questions on virtual LANs (VLANs). You'll discover what the hot, new VLANs are all about, why they're useful, whether or not they live up to their promise, and how they work. Indispensable for consultants, network managers, and administrators, this practical tool helps you: recognize the impact of overlapping and "leaky" VLANs on enterprise networks; utilize VLANs to divide large networks; understand logical network operation; select the appropriate VLAN for specific uses and implementations; install your own VLAN; identify and solve common network problems; and much more! You also get handy tutorials that quickly bring you up to speed on the latest switching technologies, the OSI model, and the latest standards from IEEE and commercial vendors-plus an up-close looking at cutting-edge VLAN products from Cray, Cisco, Cabletron, and other industry leaders. Written by a respected expert, Virtual LANs is just the tool you need to make informed VLAN decisions! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marina Smith has been at Datapro for more than eight years as an analyst of LANs, internetworking, communications software, network management, and the Internet. She is currently a senior analyst responsible for Datapro's worldwide LANs and Inernetworking service. She also acts as advisor to vendors in this field and writes articles for the trade press on LAN developments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Computing Mcgraw-Hill (December 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0079136230
• ISBN-13: 978-0079136237
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,246,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent all-around guide for VLAN newbies, May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Virtual LANs: A Guide to Construction, Operation and Utilization (McGraw-Hill Computer Communications Series) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for those starting to look at their LANs and thinking of migrating into the VLAN environment. It gives a very nice background into different LAN types, protocols, and specifications. Incidentally, it makes a very nice generic LAN reference book - an nice complement to "TCP/IP Network Adminstration" by Graid Hung of O'Reilly :)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY NET ADMIN!!!, August 31, 2000

By 

Andre Paree-Huff - See all my reviews

This review is from: Virtual LANs: A Guide to Construction, Operation and Utilization (McGraw-Hill Computer Communications Series) (Paperback)

This is a must have book for every Net Admin. I have read it from cover to cover in prep for my Cisco certs and find the information inside very usefull. The Author is very knowledgable in the subject and does a great job in explaining each section cearly.