Policy Routing Using Linux (Professional) (Paperback)

~ Matthew Marsh (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Linux machines, with their low cost and practically infinite configurability, work fantastically as specialized network nodes like routers and firewalls. Matthew Marsh has done a lot of research into the applicability of Linux as a router operating system--specifically to unusually complex IPv4 routing requirements--and has compiled his findings into Policy Routing Using Linux. It's a rich read for anyone interested in working with iproute2 or the Routing Policy Database (RPDB). In fact, many of the concepts Marsh discusses are applicable to routers generally; you'll find this book conceptually helpful (if not practically so) even if you do your policy routing on other kinds of equipment.

As policy routing is not a fundamental concept you must understand in order to interconnect networks, this is not an introductory text. Marsh assumes knowledge of IP addressing and routing concepts, and some familiarity with access control and packet filtering. Given that base, the author explores policy routing capabilities and limitations with great enthusiasm. He typically fills a couple of pages with conceptual text and occasional diagrams, and then jumps to examples. These alternate between command and configuration-file listings with illuminating commentary. Special topics, such as the ability of Linux's policy routing utilities to interact with dynamic routing protocols, are dealt with adequately in sidebars. --David Wall

Topics covered: The application of policies to IPv4 and IPv6 routing problems, with specific solutions outlined for the Linux operating system. Detailed coverage goes to iproute2 and the Routing Policy Database (RPDB). Examples are numerous and valuable.

Product Description

Traditional IPv4 routing is summarized as "All routing is a destination driven process". When a router looks at an IPv4 packet it cares only about the destination address in the header of the packet. It uses this destination address to make a decision on where to forward the packet. But what if you want to route packetsdifferently depending not only on the destination addresses but also on other packet fields such as source address, IP protocol, transport protocolports or even packet payload?This is Policy Routing and this book tells you how to do it.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sams (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672320525
• ISBN-13: 978-0672320521
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,554,485 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally a practical guide to linux routing, June 14, 2001

By	Ted (SF, CA) - See all my reviews

I've been playing with the linux routing and the ip utility for a couple of years now, and about a year ago i remember sending Matthew a question about it as I saw him answer a question on one of the mailing lists about it. He answered my question, which no one else had been able to do, and I FINALLY got everything working. When I saw he had a book out, I immediately bought one and read it. One of the simple examples in chapter five was almost the exact same problem I had asked him about, dealing with loopback. (I'd like to think this was in there because of me ;-)) Even better, in chapter six, he showed me how to do multiple connections, which was a question I was thinking about asking him anyway as I just got a DSL in addition to my cable modem. This is an AWESOME book, and I think I'll learn a lot more cool tricks from it. Highly recommended for anyone doing linux.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Better than nothing., December 5, 2001

By	Larry Riedel (San Diego, US) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As of December 2001, I don't know of any other books which ostensibly cover the topic of policy routing for Linux. Since I think this book does provide some real value about the topic, I guess that makes it the best book available right now, and so I think this is pretty much a "must have" book for anyone who wants to get all the information they can.

Some things I expected to get from this book were: clear detailed explanations of the "ip", "tc", and "iptables" commands, some explanations of the "netlink"/"rtnetlink" interfaces, clear explanations of the concepts and data structures those things are addressing, explanations of the various queueing disciplines available and when are the best times to use each them, explanations of how to troubleshoot and debug problems caused by all these things; and lots of clear and thorough diagrams, since to me that is a critical part of explaining any networking/routing topic.

In my opinion the book pretty much provided none of those things. However, it did present some buzzwords in appropriate contexts, and provided some information about the kinds of things which can be done with respect to policy routing with Linux and what is generally meant by "policy routing", and it provided some useful opinions and insight into various issues.

I think the book provides some value as perhaps an "introduction to policy routing concepts and Linux for network administrators". Also, I guess in a perfect world it would go without saying that the author is clueful about the topic of the book, but nowadays that does not seem to be a prerequisite to writing a book like this. I think this author _is_ clueful about this topic.

5.0 out of 5 stars great reference, good examples, June 13, 2001

By	Peter (Michigan) - See all my reviews

I've been looking for a book on this topic for quite some time. Not only does Mr Marsh explain things well, he as great examples throughout the book. Also has a good writing style, the book is very readable.