This book provides a practical approach to the optimization of performance in Wide Area Networks. It covers all the main communications protocols and technologies likely to be used over wide areas, from simple asynchronous modems to ATM. It describes the type of performance that can be expected, the parameters that affect performance and how they can be tuned. The treatment of network performance is non-mathematical for maximum accessibility and the range of protocols covered is wide for maximum reference value.

This book is roughly structured on OSI layers, with chapters concentrating on link level protocols, network level, transport level, routing and applications; covers issues including: the optimization of packet window sizes, the treatment of mixed interactive and file transfer traffic, mixed protocfl networks and prioritization and what to do when these factors involve trade-offs between processor and memory; covers applications ranging from the traditional IP and IPX to the modern MPEG compressed video standards; has separate chapters on network management and design tools, and on the use of public networks; and includes an appendix of mathematical techniques implicit in optimization. This book will interest networking professionals responsible for the design, implementation and operation of communication networks: network managers and operators, network designers, consultants, network engineers and technical support personnel.