With so much of America dependent upon cellular connections, individuals and businesses alike understand the frustration of weak cell signals, dropped calls, or being unable to get online. Datastrait is here to help, with Wilson Pro.
Read MoreAvoid these 5 Mistakes when Specifying Containment Requirements /
The need for efficiency, cost savings and the overall "greening" of the data center is driving more organizations to consider aisle containment to manage airflow.
Read MoreIntroduction to Software Defined Networks /
Implementing brand new infrastructure like software defined networks into your company can seem like a daunting task, but there is help available for the design and construction of this innovative network.
Read MoreThe Importance of Cabling Certification /
The most thorough testing for network cabling is certification. Cabling certification proves that a cabling system adheres to rigorous standards for performance and installation quality.
Read MoreHigh-Power PoE Cable System Design & Testing /
Power over Ethernet allows digital devices to become “smart,” by enabling them to connect to an IP network. See the 5 key considerations for the design & field testing of an optimized high-power PoE Cable System.
Read MoreH.264 vs H.265 Video Compression /
In the H.264 vs H.265 debate, H.265 technology offers smart coding technology and intelligent face compression while H.264 had made advancements to optimize bitrates, reduce bandwidth, increase storage capacities, and maintain high video quality.
Read MoreNetwork Infrastructure 101: The Power Distribution Unit (PDU) /
A basic PDU takes the primary power source going to a rack and distributes it among many different outlets. More complex Tripp Lite PDUs are usually mounted to racks and have more high-tech features.
Read MoreDataStrait Networks Announces Territory Expansion for STI Firestop Solutions /
DataStrait Networks has expanded their Specified Technologies Inc. (STI) territory to include Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Specified Technologies Inc. has worked closely with the construction industry to create simple solutions to complex fire termination problems.
Read MoreMass Notification Systems To Protect People and Property /
Mass notification often ensures that people and property are made aware of threatening situations as soon as possible. The UL 2572 certification refers to a set of standards that cover mass notification system products. The guidelines stipulate the standard for real-time transmission of critical information within buildings and the outdoors to relay emergency information.
Read MoreFiber Optic Links: Future Proofing With Base-8 Connectivity /
Base-8 connectivity results in a lean and clean data center that is devoid of a large amount of data cabling. Indeed, Base-8 connectivity is the path that transceiver, server, and storage manufacturers are following for the future.
Read MorePower over Ethernet (PoE): Pros & Cons /
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a continually developing technology that allows delivery of both electrical power and network communications through a single cable. Here are some Power over Ethernet fundamentals as well as the pros and cons of the technology.
Read MoreWhat is Power over Ethernet (PoE)? /
The use of Power over Ethernet aims to attain two goals: (1) Transmission of data (2) Provide power to POE compatible devices.
Read MoreFiber Optic Connectors: Then vs. Now /
Finding the right fiber optic connector for an application used to be a straightforward choice. Now there are many choices for fiber connectors on the market.
Read More5 Network Design Books You Must Read /
As they say, reading is fundamental, and learning can only help you find better solutions. Network design isn’t something that comes with a single path of implementation or execution. Here’s a look at five (or so) network design books you need to read if you want to advance your level of skill and expertise.
1. Top-Down Network Design by Priscilla Oppenheimer
Top-Down Network Design is one of those books that fall under the category of “oldie but goodie.” It works as both a primer for those new to network design and network architecture. It also stands as an advanced look at network design, especially once you drill down to the more advanced looks at layer 3 and lower.
This book looks at network design from the topmost layers to the bottom. It also helps define the questions designers need to ask when coming up with a network solution. There’s a reason why this book tops most lists of must-have network design books.
A few other notable foundational books on networking:
- Computer Networks by Andrew Tanenbaum
- Data Communications and Networking by Behrouz A. Forouzan
2. Routing TCP/IP Vol I and II (CCIE Professional Development) by Jeff Doyle
Routing TCP/IP Vol I is, admittedly, a little dry. However, it’s a pure learning resource and easy to read. Many people pick it up for CCIE exams as it’s on the reading list. It offers a detailed look at interior routing protocols.
While it’s very Cisco-centric, it still works as an excellent resource for any network design professional. This volume focuses mostly on internetworking, which includes a look at:
- Routing protocols
- TCP/IP
- IPv6
- IP addressing
Routing TCP/IP Vol II expands on the first volume. It gives a detailed look at advanced exterior routing protocols and issues. The information in this book puts you immediately a level above other network professionals who haven't read it.
There’s a focus here on growing an enterprise system, and the difficulties that can arise from moving towards more advanced protocols. It speaks more to external routing protocols and issues such as BGP and NAT.
Other books on routing protocols and principles:
- Optimum Routing Designs by Russ White
- TCP/IP Illustrated by W. Richard Stevens (3 volumes)
- Internetworking with TCP/IP Vol.1: Principles, Protocols, and Architecture by Douglas E. Comer
3. Designing Cisco Network Service Architectures (ARCH) Foundation Learning Guide by John Tiso
For those who live and breathe Cisco architecture and design (what’s a Juniper?), this book contains just about everything you would want. Its purpose is to prepare CCDP candidates for the ARCH exam. But, it’s a great resource for designing enterprise network solutions using Cisco fundamentals. This book delves into:
- How to create enterprise network designs
- Developing and optimizing layer 3 designs
- Creating enterprise data center designs
- Creating network security designs
There’s a little bit of everything here. For more, all you have to do is look through Cisco’s vast library of approved texts.
4. Definitive MPLS Network Designs by Jim Guichard
This book lists several MPLS network design studies, then gives an in-depth look at the components that make them up. Label stacking is advanced level networking. Definitive MPLS Network Designs contains all you need to start designing networks that utilize MPLS.
MPLS is a diverse subject and encompasses many network design protocols. Because of that, this book also delves into information concerning:
- VPN
- MSE routers and line cards
- OSPF
- GRE
- IS-IS
- LSP
- L2TP
- Pseudowire
- QoS
And a whole host of other acronyms. There’s much more to explore when it comes to MPLS.
Other books that look at MPLS techniques and solutions:
- Advanced MPLS Design and Implementation by Vivek Alwayn
- MPLS Fundamentals by Luc De Ghein
- Fault-Tolerant IP and MPLS Networks by Iftekhar Hussain
- MPLS and VPN Architectures (Vol I and II) by Ivan Pepelnjak and Jim Guichard
5. BGP Design and Implementation by Randy Zhang and Micah Bartell
While many of the books listed here touch on BGP in one way or another, it’s a protocol deserving of its own study. This book serves as a basic guide to BGP. It moves into advanced BGP sessions, architecture, and network implementation of the protocol.
The real meat of this book deals with more recent ways to use BGP with modern networks and updated protocols. It also goes to show you things beyond the basic connections, handshakes, and AS settings.
Other books that can help with foundational and advanced BGP:
- Troubleshooting BGP: a Practical Guide to Understanding and Troubleshooting BGP by Vinit Jain and Brad Edgeworth
- BGP by Iljitsch van Beijnum
There’s a ton of resources out there to help you build bigger, better, more efficient networks. No matter what you know, there’s more to learn. There’s an art to network design, and it helps to look at how others create their masterpieces before you can truly create yours.
What is a Digital Building? /
By combining digital building systems that manage light, air quality, and physical security into a single IP network, companies with a digital building can increase energy efficiency, productivity, and improve the experience for employees or building residents.
Read MoreDataStrait Networks Announces The Acquisition Of Mooncom /
Mooncom brings 30 years of industry expertise and a respected professional reputation for servicing their clients with the latest technology in network security infrastructure, surveillance monitoring, and video imaging.
Read MoreBuilding Integrated Network Solutions With Legrand /
Together with Legrand, DataStrait has become a leader in network infrastructure solutions, with Legrand products designed to support data center, commercial buildings, or audio/video applications.
Read More5 Facts About Your Fiber Optic Cable Connection Cleanliness /
One of the most significant problems with fiber optic cable performance is due to fiber optic cable contamination.
Read More5 Key Elements To Consider When Designing A Data Center /
A data center solution that considers and designs for the five key elements will be reliable, flexible, scalable, and efficient in many ways beyond just cooling and power.
Read MoreWhat are IEEE and TIA Standards? /
Explanation of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
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