Top-Down Network Design

Top-Down Network Design
Priscilla Oppenheimer | 1999-08-15 00:00:00 | Cisco Press | 592 | Cisco

A systems analysis approach to enterprise network design

• Master techniques for checking the health of an existing network to develop a baseline for measuring performance of a new network design
• Explore solutions for meeting QoS requirements, including ATM traffic management, IETF controlled-load and guaranteed services, IP multicast, and advanced switching, queuing, and routing algorithms
• Develop network designs that provide the high bandwidth and low delay required for real-time applications such as multimedia, distance learning, and videoconferencing
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various switching and routing protocols, including transparent bridging, source-route switching, Inter-Switch Link (ISL), IGRP, Enhanced IGRP, OSPF, and BGP4
• Effectively incorporate new technologies into a network design, including cable modems, DSL, Gigabit Ethernet, and VPNs

Top-Down Network Design is a practical and comprehensive guide to designing enterprise networks that are reliable, secure, and manageable. Using illustrations and real-world examples, it teaches a systematic method for network design that can be applied to campus LANs, remote-access networks, WAN links, and large-scale internetworks.

You will learn to analyze business and technical requirements, examine traffic flow and QoS requirements, and select protocols and technologies based on performance goals. You will also develop an understanding of network performance factors such as network utilization, throughput, accuracy, efficiency, delay, and jitter. Several charts and job aids will help you apply a top-down approach to network design.

Reviews
Top Down Network Design 3rd Edition was one of the very first Cisco Press books I read while interning for a big IT Shop. As a Systems Administrator having excellent design skills is a necessity. This book's rich systems analysis based philosophy for design can be applied to any Enterprise Project.



Oppenheimer is no stranger to the Network world and that really comes through in her book. I own another Oppenheimer book, "Troubleshooting Campus Networks" which also really delivers in terms of relating design to real world problems. Top Down Network Design 3rd Edition is not exception in this case. Too often Cisco Press Books are too full of technical theory and not enough practical use cases. However Oppenheimer manages to successfully guide through practical exercise that relate back to the real physical infrastructure and end-user experience.



This book will be one of the go-to books on my shelf for many years to come when starting any major IT Project.
Reviews
If you are new to networking and want to learn the right way to approach network design, this book is for you. If you're not new to networking and you want to learn a more structured approach that is proven to be successful, this book is for you. Many people have said that this book is helpful for studying for the CCDA; it is, but this book is more than that. Its purpose is not to help you pass a test, it's here to help you become a better network engineer. Too often, network engineers take a strictly short-term operational view when it comes to upgrading their networks, and that can be a bit short-sighted, leading to all sorts of unexpected issues and suboptimal performance in the long run. Sometimes we need to step back and begin again from the top. In the words of another mentor of mine, we must ask "What problem are we trying to solve?", then iterate from the top down to design a modular, structured network that meets current demands and can accept future growth and upgrades easily. That's not quite as easy as it sounds, but this book will help get you there.



I've read the 2nd and 3rd editions of this book. The new 3rd edition is slimmed down and updated. A lot of extremely good information is packed into just over 400 pages, but it's so easy to read that it seems even shorter. I've been in networking for several years and I still picked up several new ideas when reading the new edition, and in other cases I had gentle reminders to avoid certain bad habits.



If you want to get serious about improving your network design skills, get this book.
Reviews
I was looking for practical examples, real life scenarios, and specific details (in scenario X you should use technology Y because ...). While I found some useful facts, tips, and one case study, most of the book just talks about different protocols and technologies, repeating numerous Cisco books without going into much details. I would say only 25% of material has real value for a network engineer.


Reviews
It's nice to see a book that promise and deliver.

This top-down network design guide help you not only with the technical theory but (and in my opinion more important) with the business oriented thinking patterns and skills.

Many technical experts find it hard moving from the hands-on world to consultant and this book lead them through this path with a structural thinking process.

I loved it!
Reviews
This is a review of the 3rd edition.



Oppenheimer directs the book at a network analyst who might have to design a large scale network for a client company. The discussion starts by suggesting an analysis of the client's industry and needs. This is reinforced by definitions of various network performance metrics, like MTBF, MTTR, capacity, throughput, delay (latency), delay variation, etc. Chapter 2 is distinguished by a comprehensive explanation of each metric. The explanations are fairly non-technical. You don't need a degree in computer science or electrical engineering to follow it.



The text then goes into how to characterise any existing network. This is a pragmatic recognition that you typically do not have a blank slate, with no pre-existing network. These days, a company is likely to already have a network, which presumably is developing bottlenecks or other problems, such that you have been called in to suggest upgrades.



Later in the book, the narrative does get more involved, delving into the design of a network topology, with associated switches and routers. Various common protocols are briefly but succinctly covered. As a network designer, you need thorough acquaintance with these and the text is an excellent discourse.



I have never seen the 1st or 2nd editions, so I'm unsure exactly how the 3rd differs. I am guessing that much of the text is unchanged. For example, the protocols have been largely stable for several years. While the advice about network topologies could also have been largely unaltered. The most recent portions of this text may pertain to the latest capabilities of switches and routers.



The text is also admirably ecumenical in its hardware descriptions. No lock in for Cisco hardware.



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