Virtual Private Networks for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: As It Promises, An Introduction
Review: As part of the For Dummies series, this book delivers what it sets out to do: provide an introduction to the technically complex world of VPNs. I searched other titles and found them all starting at a higher level of competence than I possessed. This book provides the beginning primer that leaves me ready to move to those other available volumes. This book focuses upon security issues (the author is a security specialist), but also provides useful historical information, steps to plan, implement and test your VPN, and illustrative case studies of those who have been there before. The book also includes helpful appendices about other available resources (a buyer's guide), and even includes hints on how to justify a VPN to your boss...

Rating:
Summary: As It Promises, An Introduction
Review: As part of the For Dummies series, this book delivers what it sets out to do: provide an introduction to the technically complex world of VPNs. I searched other titles and found them all starting at a higher level of competence than I possessed. This book provides the beginning primer that leaves me ready to move to those other available volumes. This book focuses upon security issues (the author is a security specialist), but also provides useful historical information, steps to plan, implement and test your VPN, and illustrative case studies of those who have been there before. The book also includes helpful appendices about other available resources (a buyer's guide), and even includes hints on how to justify a VPN to your boss...

Rating:
Summary: Not too bad, but vague...
Review: I found the book average. The majority of it is spent explaining the concepts and theories of VPN, but nothing about set-up or troubleshooting.
Where'a a list of VPN errors? How would I configure a VPN session on my server? What sort of browsers work best? Some good information on encryption, but I found it all very 20th century...

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing at best.
Review: I found this book to be a largely random collection of superficial comments about VPN's. There seems to be no coherent flow or direction and the few items of value, while interesting, are completely tangential to the implementation of an actual VPN. Even one well presented example of an actual implementation would have been welcome.

One doesn't expect in depth analyses in the "Dummies" series, but they generally present some introductory level and quite usable "how to's" that can get you started in the right direction. Unfortunately, this book falls woefully short of providing a useful starting point.

This book has set a new speed record in moving from my mail box to my recycling box. I honestly cannot give it even one star.

Rating:
Summary: A little to simplistic
Review: I know the "for dummies" series is meant to be a jumping off point for people with no experience, but this was a little too simplistic for me. I expected that since the topic was pretty advanced, the material would be more advanced than something like, say, "PC's for Dummies". It wasn't.

This book gave a very basic primer on encryption. If you have ever used PGP, you understand most of the concepts covered in the first two chapters. I guess if you are not a network administrator or other computer professional, this would be good for covering the basics without jargon. But if you are at all familiar with any kind of encryption and networking concepts, start with something like O'Reilly's "Virtual Private Networks" by Scott, Wolfe, and Erwin.

Rating:
Summary: A little to simplistic
Review: I know the "for dummies" series is meant to be a jumping off point for people with no experience, but this was a little too simplistic for me. I expected that since the topic was pretty advanced, the material would be more advanced than something like, say, "PC's for Dummies". It wasn't.

This book gave a very basic primer on encryption. If you have ever used PGP, you understand most of the concepts covered in the first two chapters. I guess if you are not a network administrator or other computer professional, this would be good for covering the basics without jargon. But if you are at all familiar with any kind of encryption and networking concepts, start with something like O'Reilly's "Virtual Private Networks" by Scott, Wolfe, and Erwin.

Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book. Now!
Review: If a Virtual Private Network is what you seek, you've definitely come to the right place! VPNs for Dummies will enlighten you (in more ways than one) and quickly help you through the maze of crytography and VPN solutions you're likely to encounter. You'll have as much fun reading it as I did writing it! Enjoy.