TCP/IP Illustrated: Protocols v. 1: The Protocols (APC) (Hardcover)

For students writing applications that run over TCP/IP, or for those responsible for managing and maintaining a TCP/IP internet, this book's innovative approach helps readers at all levels to truly understand how TCP/IP really works. Rather than just describing the protocols from an abstract, standards-related point of view-describing what the standards say the protocol suite should do-TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1 actually shows the protocols in action. Stevens also recognizes that readers deal with multiple TCP/IP implementations on heterogeneous platforms. Therefore, the examples in this book show how current, popular TCP/IP implementations operate-SunOS 4.1.3, Solaris 2.2, System V Release 4, BSD/386, AIX 3.2.2, and 4.4 BSD-and they relate these real-world implementations to the RFC standards.

TCP/IP Illustrated is a complete and detailed guide to the entire TCP/IP protocol suite-with an important difference from other books on the subject. Rather than just describing what the RFCs say the protocol suite should do, this unique book uses a popular diagnostic tool so you may actually watch the protocols in action.By forcing various conditions to occur-such as connection establishment, timeout and retransmission, and fragmentation-and then displaying the results, TCP/IP Illustrated gives you a much greater understanding of these concepts than words alone could provide. Whether you are new to TCP/IP or you have read other books on the subject, you will come away with an increased understanding of how and why TCP/IP works the way it does, as well as enhanced skill at developing applications that run over TCP/IP.

With this unique approach, TCP/IP Illustrated presents the structure and function of TCP/IP from the link layer up through the network, transport, and application layers. You will learn about the protocols that belong to each of these layers and how they operate under numerous implementations, including Sun OS 4.1.3, Solaris 2.2, System V Release 4, BSD/386TM, AIX 3.2.2, and 4.4BSD.In TCP/IP Illustrated you will find the most thorough coverage of TCP available - 8 entire chapters. You will also find coverage of the newest TCP/IP features, including multicasting, path MTU discovery, and long fat pipes.

"While all of Stevens' books are excellent, this new opus (TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1) is awesome. Although many books describe the TCP/IP protocols, the author provides a level of depth and real-world detail lacking from the competition."
- Unix Review

"This book (TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1) is a stone jewel...Written by W. Richard Stevens, this book probably provides the most comprehensive view of TCP/IP available today in print."
- Boardwatch

"The diagrams he uses are excellent and his writing style is clear and readable. Please read it (TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1) and keep it on your bookshelf."
- Sys Admin

"The word 'illustrated' distinguishes this book (TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1) from its many rivals. Stevens uses the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories tcdump program to capture packets in promiscuous mode under a variety of OS and TCP/IP implementations. Studying tcdump output helps you understand how the various protocols work."
- Unix Review