The most in-depth guide to the capabilities, application, and design of LAN switches and switched internetworksWritten by an innovator who has been at the forefront of networking technology for more than two decades, this comprehensive book covers everything you need to know about LAN switching. From understanding switch functions and features to technology integration and network management, it provides valuable insights for network planners, developers, and managers. Seifert helps you gain a clear understanding of the often-complex features and options available in LAN switches, along with detailed explanations of the latest technology enhancements-including previously unpublished information on Link Aggregation, Virtual LANs, and Layer 3 switches. Packed with the most up-to-date and complete information on LAN switches, this book:
* Explains how switches and bridges operate, and explores implementation and performance issues
* Details how switches can be deployed in both homogeneous and heterogeneous LAN environments
* Provides a comprehensive explanation of the Spanning Tree Protocol
* Covers source routing, which is available on Token Ring and FDDI networks
* Explains full duplex LAN operation and link flow control methods
* Looks at the applications and IEEE 802.3ad standard for aggregated links and their effect on system and higher-layer protocol behavior
* Introduces Virtual LANs and the IEEE 802.1Q standard
* Discusses the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) as well as other forms of itch management
* Explores the architecture and data flow through a typical switch, including an analysis of switch fabric options

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The last chapter is a gem - it covers the life of a packet as it enters the bridge till it exits on one of the ports.If you're a router guy, read this and you'll never sneer at a bridge again.

The explanations are lucid,simple to the point and are peppered with the odd bad engineering joke (better than Radia Perlman's sarcasm :)]I bought this book based on other readers recommendations and am glad for the same.

This book is a networking bible along with those by Stevens,Comer,Perlman and of course thomas maufer.

While you can more or less read any chapter in isolation, you are recommended to go in order to maximize your output from this book.

PS: A layer 1 switch is a shared hub or a repeater * A layer 2 switch is a bridge * A layer 3 switch is a router *

The rest of this review was lost due to collisions on the lan. Back off Rich,Back off !! :)

7 of 8 found the following review helpful:

Excellent book for learning all about switchingJul 05, 2000
By Craig L Wiesner
Rich Seifert has played a significant role in the development of Ethernet and other high-speed LAN standards and is the perfect person to write a book on this subject. Also an excellent teacher, Rich knows how to take the reader from basic introductory information through comprehensive technical details, with an often humorous writing style that works for advanced-level engineers and ordinary people like me who are mathematically-challenged!

If you need to design, install, or manage networks with switching and need to fully understand Layer 2 and 3 switching, Virtual LANs, Link Aggregation, QoS, and more, this book is a must-have. Simply understanding the terminology used when talking about switching will help the reader select the correct products for his or her needs. Rich does a great job of cutting through the marketing hype.

Of course, I am biased in that Rich and the publisher asked me to be one of the early reviewers of this book and I thought it was great then and am thrilled that it is finally available for the rest of the world.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

This book is perfect!Aug 31, 2005
By H. Khazaal "7sain"
I have been in the telecom industry for 8 years and have worked with ATM, TDM and SONET/SDH. The time has come for me to join the switching and routing folks. I have read a number of technical books relevant to what I do, and I have never finished one (cover to cover). It was not until I bought "The Switch Book" that I actually could not stop reading this book. It is the perfect book if you want to get into the switching world. In fact he explains fundamentals, history and technology so well that you cannot help but learn it.

His style of writting, his sense of humor and the way the book is organized is fantastic.

A must have and a must read.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

JOY to read.Feb 17, 2003
By Ozdal Barkan
There are many books on LANs and switching. Most of them are too basic and not well written. "The Switch Book" is a rarity in this crowded field. It covers a lot of different aspects of switching in great detail, yet the book is so well written that it can be read in a week! I read it four times from cover to cover now and every time I learned something new. At our company we require every new application engineer to buy this book. I will love to see Mr. Seiffert write a follow up to this book covering more advanced topics. It is reading good books like this that makes a person feel sane, that one wasn't imagining that the other books were badly written rush jobs. This book joins the list of other excellent books like Stevens' "TCP/IP Illustrated."

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

Best technical book I've ever read!Mar 21, 2006
By Corby
I have read 100's of technical books on many different subjects. I have to say this is the most well written book of any.

The author clearly knows his subject matter and explains things well. He even tells you when a particular section can be skipped without loss of meaning to the rest of the book.

I hate technical books with lame jokes. His jokes are FUNNY and worth reading.

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