Acknowledgments

Writing your first book is a daunting and challenging experience, and now is the time to recognize that we did not do this alone. We would like to thank the technical reviewers ”Ray d'Urso, David Weal, and Scott Reeves ”for their invaluable technical and literary input. Thanks also to Mary Franz and her team at Prentice Hall for their interest, encouragement, and guidance over the past 12 months. While we have kept this book as an independent view of the content switching space, we are also both indebted to the efforts of those people behind the scenes at Alteon WebSystems and Nortel Networks who create the tools we use.

I would like to thank my family and friends , all of whom have offered love and encouragement not only during the task of writing this book, but in everything I do. This is my time to say thank you for all your love and support. All my love to Fleur, who put up with many long weeks and months of tapping keys and a furrowed brow ”thanks.

Philip Goldie, December 2002

During my career I have come across many individuals who have assisted and helped me learn and better myself ”to those people I say thank you. I hope I have been able to provide something back to others who have worked with me over the years. I would like to thank Ray d'Urso who has had significant influence in my learning and made me look at problems from outside the square. It has been a privilege to have him review this book. Also to my family for their love and support over the years , and in particular, Debra, Jessica, and Cameron for hanging in there during those long evenings. To all, I say thank you.

Matthew Syme, December 2002