The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fuelled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability allows clients to deploy separate...   Read Article.

Scalable may well be one of the most overused words in the network designer's lexicon. It applies to protocols, to software, to operating systems, to hardware architecture, and to networks. Scalable means, simply enough, the ability of the relevant entity (select one from the list just given) to get much bigger than it presently is without reducing...   Read Article.

In this chapter from Radia Perlman#039;s book, Interconnections, Second Edition: Bridges, Routers, Switches ......   Read Article.

Although the Passport single signon protocol enables users to sign on to multiple Web sites by authenticating only once, it#039;s not without its risks. In this article, David Kormann and Aviel Rubin look at Passport#039;s flaws and suggest improvements....   Read Article.

Learn about SCTP #151; what it is, the motivation for developing SCTP, the history of its development, and major issues still being debated in the IETF....   Read Article.

Take a look at the popular Network Time Protocol (NTP) protocol, stratum servers, and other time server options....   Read Article.

If you're managing a major directory server, you need to understand LDAP. Since LDAP is both a protocol and an API, there is much confusion over what LDAP does. The following sample chapter clarifies the nuances....   Read Article.

Take a look at VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) over various LAN media and also over ATM LAN emulation. VRRP, because of its positioning in the Internet layering stack, is clearly very dependent on the physical medium on which it runs. However, a good understanding of the issues discussed here will help you run VRRP wherever you need!...   Read Article.

Get an inside look at VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) and when you should incorporate VRRP into your network....   Read Article.

As a security-minded system administrator, look at the lower layers, areas of possible dangers, and some basic infrastructure protocols, such as DNS, UDP, SCTP, ARP, TCP/IP, DHCP, IPv6, and WEP....   Read Article.

This chapter considers how authentication and secrecy properties can be captured by enhancing CSP descriptions of protocols with the introduction of "specification events" into the descriptions of honest agents....   Read Article.

Learn the advanced features of SONET and SDH; specifically, the different ways of concatenating SONET and SDH signals, different techniques for mapping packet data onto SONET and SDH connections, transparency services for carrier's carrier applications, and fault management and performance monitoring capabilities....   Read Article.

As the Internet grew (and grew and grew), it became apparent something more was needed in routing protocols. The Border Gateway Patrol was developed in 1989 (on a ketchup-stained napkin) to fulfill this need. This introductory chapter from Practical BGP introduces BGP....   Read Article.

Improving the availability of network services at a site requires more than simply installing a second router. Author Vincent Jones discusses three major configuration concerns that are unique to a LAN with multiple routers providing WAN connectivity....   Read Article.

In this chapter from MPLS: Implementing the Technology, learn about MPLS system components, system functions, and operating modes....   Read Article.

This sample chapter from Cisco IP Routing: Packet Forwarding and Intra-domain Routing Protocols covers generic questions about the routing and forwarding processes....   Read Article.

Explore the basics of multicasting, including terminology, working with a LAN, ASM vs. SSM, and performance on a router....   Read Article.

Gary Drenan, Aviva Garrett, and Cris Morris cover policy terminology and routing policy framework, compare routing policies and firewall filters, and configure routing policy, firewall filters, traffic sampling and forwarding....   Read Article.

Learn how routing takes place through a Juniper Networks router, the function of the ASICs, and how fan trays and impellers keep the system components cool. Also, examine the router startup process and the order in which the boot image locations are searched.n...   Read Article.

This chapter describes the general concepts of PCI Express transaction routing and the mechanisms used by a device in deciding whether to accept, forward, or reject a packet arriving at an ingress port....   Read Article.