Review: Top-Down Network Design

Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition) by Priscilla Oppenheimer

This is an exceptional book for Systems Programmers, or Systems Administrators wanting to dig deep into the Network Design aspect. In many cases, the Systems person may not feel that they need to know more about network design because they either 1) know it all already (Come on people, we always have room to grow!), or 2) do not plan to delve into the network side of technology and would prefer to stay on the “Systems” side of the equation.

As a primarily “Systems” person, I found this book very invaluable. Ms. Oppenheimer’s approach to the discussion of network design is an approach that works for the way a “Systems” mind operates, at least in my opinion. And, it isn’t just an overview, it does dig deep, as deep as any other book on network design, covering such topics as:

• Logical Network Design
• Physical Network Design
• Testing (Very Important!)

For the Know-It-All

This book is an asset as a reference guide, even sitting on your library shelf, awaiting an instant look-up. The table of contents lays out the flow of the book well enough that it is almost quicker to find the answer in the book than to use Google to try to find the answer.

For the Hesitant Systems Specialist

Even if you do not plan on delving into the network side, you never know when this information will come in handy. And, considering the state of our economy at times, having this knowledge may make the different between getting a job or contract and not getting a job or contract. You never know when someone is looking for a Systems Programmer with networking experience/knowledge, and you don’t want to be left behind.

So, there you have it, my favorite “Network Design” book for Systems people: Top-Down Network Design by Priscilla Oppenheimer.