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Summary: NOC Resources
Review: Integrating Voice and Data Networks / Voice & Data Communications Handbook After writing a review on Voice & Data Communications Handbook by Bud Bates and Donald Gregory I was asked to compare it to Integrating Voice and Data Networks by Scott Keagy. I have other books written by both authors and will tell both seem to stay true to their writing styles and are worthwhile reads. On strengths and weakness of each book: Voice and Data Communications Handbook weakness is also its strength, it's a fast read covering all the topics with enough information to give someone a very good broad over view understanding. He doesn't get into detail on how to configure vendor specific configuration but I don't think that is what he had in mind. Staying in general terms he was able to make a fun read, I read the 1st 11 chapters at my 1st sitting, and made the book in about a week. This book is great for those entering the telecommunications business as a new technical engineer or someone in marketing. Integrating Voice and Data Networks weakness is also something that makes it stand out in its strengths. It is not something I would hand someone new to the industries there were certain knowledge's that this book expected its audience to already have coming in, however I wish I had the book when I was working at SBC Datacoms NOC. As outlined by the Author this book did not go over history expect where needed, and stayed very technically focused. The book reminded me of a few of the Cisco classes I have taken, things where explained and explored in an understandable fashion. I will say somewhere in the middle of the book I felt a bit lost and found it hard to hold my attention to the reading at hand, but that was more me then the topic covered and discussed and after passing that point the book came back into focus for me while reading in areas I was familiar in. While the book covered configuration of Cisco equipment it did not come across as Ciscocentric so anyone working with other vendor's equipment would benefit from this book also. The book should be in everyone's technical library that supports voice and data networks. In closing I would like to say that both books are in my own personal library and will stay there and I am sure each will continue to be well used. I will recommend both books and most likely very often. I think The Voice & Data Communications Handbook is more suited to those new to the Telecommunications, those in marketing and those needing to get a fast general understanding. Integrating Voice and Data Networks is great for those wanting more technical information and those actually supporting or designing voice and data networks. I think this should be standard issue for all NOC centers.
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Summary: Well written with lots of detail if you want it
Review: Keagy brings up a lot of important issues a level deeper than most books on the subject. It is a great reference book but most sections are readable all the way through. If you are moderately technical or very technical you'll get something out of this book. The more books you buy the subject the more you'll appreciate this one for its attention to detail and clarity.
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Summary: terrific book for real world, CVOICE and CCIE tests
Review: This book is a must-have for anyone implementing a data/voice project. The author is a CCIE who has worked for both Cisco and Pacific Bell. The book demonstrates the author's detailed understanding of the relevant standards, protocols, and implementation issues, including VoIP, VoATM, VoFR, SS7, digital and analog voice, QoS, etc. Don't be thrown off by the 800 pages. The author is such a great writer that he manages to explain everything so that anyone can understand it. But he doesn't over-simplify to the point of being wrong, like some authors. (Some of the first books that came out on voice/data were basically the author's PowerPoint slides ported to book format, errors and over-simplifications included.) Scott Keagy took care in producing a comprehensive book that doesn't gloss over the issues voice/data integrators will encounter. Get this book for studying for Cisco tests, but more importantly, get this book if you need help designing and implementing an integrated voice/data network.
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Summary: The "Doyle" book on VoX.
Review: This book may be overkill for the CCIE R&S track, but if you want to UNDERSTAND VoX and related technologies, this book is awesome. Now I feel like jumping over to the C&S track.
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Summary: The "Doyle" book on VoX.
Review: This book may be overkill for the CCIE R&S track, but if you want to UNDERSTAND VoX and related technologies, this book is awesome. Now I feel like jumping over to the C&S track.
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Summary: Want to know voice and data integration? Buy this book
Review: This was one of the best technology books I have ever read. I would rank this book on the same level as the Doyle Routing and the Clark switching books. Explanations where clear and throughly laid out. After reading this book I am more confident in my knowledge of VOIP than ever before. This book will benefit all engineers involved in VOIP projects, not just specific to Cisco. I am currently working on a VOIP project for Lucent and the knowledge I obtained from this book has proved invaluable.
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Summary: Exceptional Reference, Great for CVoice Exam
Review: Very well written, comprehensive, accurate and error-free; the best treatment on the topic to date. Great as an intro, great as a reference, great as a study-guide for Cisco CVoice test (640-647). Keagy writes clearly and concisely. Advanced concepts are carefully explained, and Keagy draws frequently metaphors to the data network world to clarify new ideas. The material is very up-to-date, and Keagy carefully notes which standards are evolving and where to look for the latest information. Keagy builds a thorough theoretical foundation for each topic before moving to specific technical configurations. Keagy's emphasis is on the theoretical, and readers might want to follow the author's links to other resources for advanced configurations. The author provides many practical suggestions, like how to handle fax machines in a packet voice environment. This book was not written as a CVoice prep book but it works well for that purpose. Read the book carefully, then study Cisco voice hardware and VoX configuration commands. If you need to understand this topic start with this book. I am a conflict-free reviewer in no way affiliated with the author.
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