Despite the slim size, it is still disconcerting to find that there are only three chapters in this book. Chapter one provides an introduction to client/server networking, while implying that the technology is *not* hierarchical. Basic networking concepts are covered, but the writing has an academic pomposity without the requisite rigour. Figures and illustrations are not only unhelpful, but may actually confuse issues, and typographical and grammatical errors abound. Lists of idiosyncratic, and very odd, attack taxonomies are given in chapter two. Items like "attacks on the security policy and administration procedures" aren't really explained, while "attacks on permanent components of the security system" seems to be limited to cryptanalysis. Chapter three has some descriptions of virtual private networks, tunnelling, IPSec, and key management protocols.

The writing is hard to understand, there does not seem to be any logical organization to the material, and the mistakes in the content do not inspire any confidence in the reliability of any part of this text. All the topics touched on here are covered much more effectively in other works, but the topics are so random that it is difficult to make specific recommendations. For those interested in the basics of data communications I would suggest Tanenbaum (cf. BKCMPNWK.RVW), while "Building Linux Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)" (cf. BKBLVPNS.RVW) is a good introduction to VPNs themselves.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2003 BKPIIVPN.RVW 20030404