What You Should Know Before Reading This Book

This book assumes a foundation of networking knowledge that includes basic networking concepts, widely used networking technologies, and sound knowledge of the TCP/IP suite. Wherever possible, I try to facilitate the reader's transition to IPv6 by comparing it with the corresponding feature, behavior, or component of IPv4. For basic networking concepts and technologies, consult a resource such as MCSE Training Kit: Networking Essentials Plus, Third Edition (Microsoft Press, ISBN 1-57231-902-X). For a firm foundation of knowledge of the TCP/IP protocol suite, I cannot recommend a better resource as a prerequisite for this book than either Microsoft Windows 2000 TCP/IP Protocols and Services Technical Reference (Microsoft Press, ISBN 0-7356-0556-4) or Microsoft Windows .NET Server 2003 TCP/IP Protocols and Services Technical Reference (Microsoft Press, ISBN 0-7356-1291-9). Like this book, these two references are mostly about implementation-independent protocols and processes.

As coauthor of both of these references, I may be a bit biased. However, this book was written with them in mind. In fact, I consider this book to be a companion volume to the Microsoft Windows .NET Server 2003 TCP/IP Protocols and Services Technical Reference. I recommend that this companion reference book be part of your standard reference library, whether you use Microsoft software or not.