BKNTLNAN.RVW  931808

Sybex Computer Books
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or
Firefly Books
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"Novell's Guide to Netware LAN Analysis", Chappell, 1993, U$29.95/C$39.95

Most people won't consider getting this book until they start to see problems. 
This is a pity.  Ideally, most people should take a look at it *before* they
put a LAN in.  Reading between the lines can give you some understanding not
only of the problems that can arise on a LAN, but also of the design
limitations of Ethernet (not to mention the insecurities).

The work could stand some additional explanatory material.  For example, the
difference between Ethernet and token systems, in terms of collisions, is
touched on, but there is no discussion of how the effective throughput on
Ethernet tends to fall as a factor of the number of stations.  Detailed frame
structures are given for Ethernet and NetWare protocols, but a general
discussion of framing and packetization is missing.

Although the network operating system portions of the book are NetWare
specific, a great deal of the material could be used with other operating
systems.  The discussions of cabling, and LAN adapter problems are applicable
regardless of the OS.  Very little in the book, however, would be of use on
other than an Ethernet system.

In spite of which, this is an excellent troubleshooting manual.  Even without
the explanatory material, the suggested tests are laid out in a "cookbook"
fashion.  Benchmarks and tests can be conducted by almost anyone with this book
in hand.  (Having the LANalyzer program would be a great help, though.)

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKNTLNAN.RVW  931808
 
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DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" (Oct. '94) Springer-Verlag