Computer Networking Problems and Solutions cuts through the issues facing modern networks in a unique way, explaining why computer networks and protocols are designed the way they are by explaining the set of problems any network protocol or system must overcome, then considering the common solutions to those problems, and finally providing examples of these solutions as implemented in protocols both old and new.

This book is arranged in three sections, each covering a different set of problems and solutions. The first section considers data transport, or the data plane. The second covers the protocols used to discover and use topology and reachability information, or the control plane. The third considers some common network designs and architectures, including data center fabrics, MPLS cores, and software defined wide area networks (SD-WAN). The principles that underlie such technologies as Software Defined Networks (SDNs) are considered throughout the book as solutions to the common problem set all networking technologies face.

• Part 1: Overview
• 1. Fundamental Concepts
• Part 2: The Data Plane
• 2. Data Transmission: Problems and Solutions
• 3. Data Transmission: Examples
• 4. Modeling the Forwarding Flow
• 5. How a Router Switches Packets
• 6. Quality of Service: Problems and Solutions
• 7. Defining Network Virtualization
• 8. Virtualization Examples
• 9. Data Plane Security
• 10. Redundant and Resilient
• 11. Processing Beyond Switching
• Part 3: The Control Plane
• 12. Reacting to Topology Changes
• 13. Understanding the Control Plane as a Database
• 14. Topology Discovery
• 15. Interlayer Discovery Examples
• 16. Unicast Loop Free Paths
• 17. Unicast Control Planes
• 18. Failure Domains and Information Hiding: Problems and Solutions
• 19. Failure Domains and Information Hiding: Examples
• 20. Control Plane Policy and Tradeoffs
• 21. Security: A Broader Sweep
• 22. Network Design Patterns
• Part 4: Architectures and Systems
• 23. Virtualized Network Functions
• 24. Internet of Things
• 25. The World of Hyperscale and Data Analytics
• 26. Data Center Fabric Example
• 27. SD-WAN Example
• 28. Enterprise Campus Example
• 29. Global vs. Regional Anycast Example

• Provides both depth and interactive understanding
• A problem/solution/implementation pattern that facilitates understanding how to approach problems, rather than simply providing information about specific technologies that become quickly obsolete
• A proven system of learning that enables engineers to keep pace with fast changing technological innovation
• Explanations by three engineers experienced in explaining complex ideas to engineers of all levels of skill

Russ White, CCIE No. 2635, CCDE 2007::1, CCAr, has more than 30 years of experience in designing, deploying, breaking, and troubleshooting large-scale networks. In that time, he has co-authored more than 40 software patents, spoken at venues throughout the world, participated in the development of several Internet standards, helped develop the CCDE and the CCAr, and worked in Internet governance with the Internet Society. Russ is currently a member of the architecture team at LinkedIn, where he works on next-generation data center designs, complexity, security, and privacy. He is also currently on the routing area directorate at the IETF and co-chairs the IETF I2RS and BABEL working groups. His most recent books are The Art of Network Architecture and Navigating Network Complexity.

Russ holds an MSIT from Capella University, a MACM from Shepherds Theological Seminary, and a PhD in progress from Southeastern Theological Seminary.

Ethan Banks, CCIE No. 20655, Routing & Switching, has been in IT since 1995, working early in his career as a systems engineer for Novell, Windows, and Linux environments. He later became an Internet services engineer working with DNS, SMTP, HTTP, and related applications at a regional ISP. He predominantly has been a network engineer and architect for enterprises in verticals including higher education, state government, consulting, finance, and technology. He has held titles such as senior network engineer, network operations manager, technical services manager, network architecture manager, and senior network architect.

In 2010, Ethan co-founded Packet Pushers Interactive, a media company whose premier product is a weekly podcast listened to by more than 10,000 network engineers all over the world.

Ethan is a writer whose content can be found in Network World, Network Computing, InformationWeek, Modern Infrastructure, and TechTarget, among other outlets. Ethan also maintains his own blog where he writes about technology at ethancbanks.com. Ethan has written and/or edited whitepapers for SolarWinds, Nuage Networks, CloudGenix, and NetBrain Technologies. He is currently the Future of Networking co-chair for Interop.

Ethan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science & Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1993. In the past, Ethan was certified as a Certified Netware Engineer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Cisco Certified Network Professional, Certified Ethical Hacker, and Cisco Certified Security Professional, among other titles.