The relationship between System Network Architecture, which aims at the best utilization of IBM platforms, and vendor-independent networking with protocols such as TCP/ IP, is of critical importance in the development of corporate information system infrastructure. Chiong sets out the basic architectures of hierarchical SNA and its extensions to peer-to-peer networking and compares these with TCP/IP. This basic view is developed by exploring routing, bridging, and addressing concepts within the two domains and the ways in which they interact. The book concludes with a discussion of ATM, frame relay, and other emergent high-speed networks. Again, good notes on the details of the technology are followed by a discussion of its interaction with SNA.

As is to be expected with a book like this, it is packed with technical details and should carry a warning for those who cannot cope with large numbers of acronyms. Chiong is an experienced network engineer, and his text is ideal for those with a need to manage, plan, and administer corporate SNA-based networks. It is not, however, for beginners--a general familiarity with networking and some knowledge of SNA would be useful before coming to this text. The text is also of value in advanced courses as the author repeatedly compares and contrasts SNA’s working with that of vendor-independent solutions and thus gives significant insight into technology and interconnection problems.

The book is well indexed and cross-referenced to key papers and source documents for the protocols and issues discussed. My one criticism of the text would be that the need for clear prose has occasionally lost out to the pressure to get down every last detail of a network protocol.