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Summary: Do a proper analysis of the customer's requirements!
Review: This is an excellent book that provides checklists, and things to ask from both the business as well as technical side of the network. The focus is on how to meet customer needs. This title combined with books such as 'Advanced IP Network Design' and 'Designing Addressing Architectures' should really prepare the networking designer to ask all the right questions.
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Summary: An excellent book.
Review: This is an outstanding book. Every aspect of designing or enlarging a Network System is covered. The top-down methodology ensures that the technical goals of the network system and the over-all goals of an organization should be kept in mind throughout the process of designing a network system. All technical procedures and tools to be used are given in precise detail. Excellent examples are given and problems to be avoided noted. The glossary is an added plus. An organization planning to implement or enlarge a Newtork System would do well to engage a potential designer who has read this book.
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Summary: A rare technical book
Review: This is one of those rare technical books. It is actually pleasant to read. Perfect for CCDA study or general reference. Highly recommended!
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Summary: The definitive Netword Design guide and CCDA Prep!
Review: This is the definitive guide to Network Design, and great prep material for the CCDA test. Long after getting a 900+ score on the Designing Cisco Networks (CCDA) test, I continue to treasure this book and come back to it often for reference.You will find this book to be right on the mark, no extra/unnecessary information, lecturing, or philosophies, no unnecessary technical mumbo jumbo. Couldn't make this topic any simpler & better organized than what Priscilla has done in this book. One of those books you don't miss having a second edition of - it's as good a read (and applicable too!) today as it was years ago. Bharat Suneja
MCT
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Summary: One of the Masters Class Reading List Books
Review: Top Down Network Design was one of the books I read in preparation for my CCDA. At that time I thought it a first rate book. I am now in the final stages of my CCIE preparation, and have included Top Down as part of my study materials. Even at my increased level of understanding, I continue to be impressed with this book. It is well written, clearly explained, and contains levels of detail and subtlety I missed when I first read it over a year ago. Top Down Network Design is part of my Masters Class Reading List - must read books for people who want to master networking, as well as pass certification tests. By all means add this one to your library. I predict you will refer to it often during your studies and during your networking career.
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Summary: Always from the Top-Down!
Review: Top-Down Network Design is a valuable book for preparing for the Designing Cisco Networks exam (640-441). I agree with the other reviewers in that it is well written, has excellent quality of content and contains details that are covered subtlety. Therefore in order to pass exam 640-441, I would recommend reading it more than once. It is no doubt a book that can be used as a reference during all phases of a network design. This one should be on every network designer's short list!
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Summary: Greenfield or Retrofit -- read this before you design
Review: Top-Down Network Design, Second Edition is both a new terrific book and still a terrific book. The original took a systems approach to designing a network which could provide the service the people paying for it expected, partly by getting them to clarify their expectations and needs. The new Second Edition does this, too, but it includes material relevant to the networks being implemented today, and they are very different networks than we saw even three or four years ago.
New technologies, such as VPNs, VoIP, IPv6 as well as v4, Gigabit Ethernet and 10GigE, etc. are covered as part of a networking solution, not just as cool and sexy technologies to be rolled out for that reason. Likewise, new business emphases like reliability, redundancy, resiliency (which are not the same thing), security, and even survivability are addressed. Not all new technologies will help solve these problems, and, more often than not, they aren't even necessary. Thoughtful planning is far more important, and working with the network as it is now, toward what it is desired to become, is how you can really solve these problems.
I think one of the greatest techniques you can learn from TDND, 2e is to characterize the flows of traffic on the network. Priscilla Oppenheimer gives several examples of developing such analyses in a variety of situations - campus networks, WANs, a design testing scenario, and so forth. The Appendix with workstation bootup traffic information is especially helpful - the only thing I would have liked to see that I didn't was a little more detail on the contents of the various packets involved, but it is an Appendix, and using a sniffer will let you see them for yourself.
I have both the original and the new Second Edition - and getting the new one is definitely worth it. Networking has changed, and this book will help you handle the new material.
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Summary: Especially for advanced computer programmers
Review: Top-Down Network Design: A Systems Analysis Approach To Enterprise Network Design is an advanced resource written by information science expert and technical instructor Priscilla Oppenheimer especially for advanced computer programmers needing learn about or engage in top-down network design. The methods for network design are particularly applicable to campus LANs, remote-access networks, WAN links, and large-scale internet works. Filled with illustrations, real-world examples, and explicit step by step instructions for analyzing technical requirements, as well as selecting protocols based on performance goals, improving network throughput, and much, much more fill this detailed, 560-page text which is especially ideal as a classroom text, or for self-teaching instruction and reference.
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Summary: If you ever have to design or update a network, read this!
Review: Wow, I have not even finished this book and I have been very impressed with it. If you have ever had to design, redesign, update or otherwise come up with a plan to change a network this book is for you. The biggest question of "Where do I start?" is answered in easy to understand terms that a reader of any technical level can understand. The presentation of the process and considerations is excellent. Where was this book several years ago? A definite must read for every person interested in network design regardless of the products you will be using.
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