1.2 Preparation

To be able to understand and apply the concepts in this chapter, you should be familiar with basic networking concepts, including functions and features of the TCP/IP protocol suite; technologies such as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), synchronous optical network (SONET), and frame relay; and the basics of network performance. Some recommended sources of information include:

TCP/IP Illustrated, volume 1, by W. Richard Stevens, Addison-Wesley Publishing, January 1994
Essentials of ATM Networks and Services, by Oliver Chukwudi Ibe, Addison-Wesley Publishing, January 1997
ATM and SONET Basics, by George Dobrowski and Donald Grise, APDG Publishing, January 2001
Switched, Fast, and Gigabit Ethernet, by Sean Riley and Robert A. Breyer, New Riders Publishing, January 1999
Frame Relay: Technology and Practice, by Jeff T. Buckwalter, Addison-Wesley Publishing, December 1999