Wide Area Network Design: Concepts and Tools for Optimization (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Networking)

by Robert N. Cahn

As the cost of building and upgrading complex, large-scale networks skyrockets, carefully crafted network designs become critical- a savings of as little as 5% in your network can amount to tens of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1558604588
• ISBN13: 9781558604582
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Try reading the book before reviewing

It is true that if you are brand new to networking, this is not the first book you should purchase. And if you are looking for a "how to" book on programming a particular network device go buy one of those cisco instruction books. BUT, if you are a serious academic and want to understand what networks are REALLY all about (queuing and graph theory, etc.) this is one of the best introductory books on the subject. Cahn's preface speaks volumes about the trend in technology education: if all you've learned was how to work on particular products, when something new comes along, you have to start all over again. But if you gain "design sophistication", you will understand how to use new networking protocols and technologies as they emerge. His book is about the *science* of networks, which is timeless, NOT the technology which is much more fleeting. If all you want to do is design and operate a network that works "good enough" then you don't need this book. But if you want to understand how to design and optimize a network using theory rather than just throwing money at buying more bandwidth, Cahn's book is where you start. I only give 4 stars because the software that comes with the book only works with Windows 98 and is difficult to manipulate. The book itself is a great resource.

More math than expected

Hi thereThis book includes more math than practical examples, and is such more on the theoretical side of network design.But I think the book is great, and the examples are fruit for thought, just a pitty some of the other reviewers aren't grownup so they can recognize it.I have used it several times for my thesis about IPv6 network design- even though it doesn't mention IPv6 at all!Best regards

Excellent book to understand network optimization

I have been working in the telecom industry for over 9 years. I have been invloved with the development of decision support systems for network planning and design at one of the largest carriers in the world. Optimization is a misused word but this book does an excellent job of presenting useful and practical techniques for network optimization. If you are interested in quantitaive analysis and design of real networks this is a good book to have.