Ask HN: What is a good book to learn about the network stack?

by piinbinary on 11/21/2018, 10:35 PM with 20 comments

I'm primarily interested in the network stack on linux, with a focus on TCP (but it would still be good to understand the lower layers)

  • by techjuice on 11/22/2018, 12:34 AM

    I recommend reading the following books/presentations, I have read all of them several times and it has given me a very lucrative, wonderful deep understanding of TCP/IP (including UDP), programming network connected applications, creating complex network diagrams, and being able to perfectly talk with all individuals in networking from the non-technical to telco engineers, work as an embedded engineer, network engineer and more.

      TCP/IP Illustrated Volume 1: The Protocols

  TCP/IP Illustrated Volume 2: The Implementation

  Network Flow Analysis

  Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

  Introduction to Sockets Programming in C using TCP/IP
  
  Beej's Guide to Network Programming

  Programming and Automating Cisco Networks

  CCNA Routing and Switching Official Cert Guide

  CCNA Datacenter Official Cert Guide

  CCNP ROUTE, SWITCH, and TSHOOT Lab Manuals

  CCIE and CCDE Evolving Technologies Study Guide
    I would highly recommend getting a cheap certification rack from Amazon once you get better book knowledge (CCNA/CCNP Collab, Wireless and Routing and Switching) to increase your knowledge 20x. When I did not have my own hardware there were just so many questions and things I wanted to do that were very complex or not possible to do with training simulators, books, etc.

    With the high quality managed switches you can see how your apps can affect the network, integrate your work with network connected devices, automate network devices and many more things that wouldn't give you as deep as an understanding when using an unmanaged network (e.g. create your own software that runs on routers, switches, VOIP phones and linux servers).

  • by ArtWomb on 11/22/2018, 12:25 AM

    Ilya Grigorik"s High Performance Browser Networking is a great open-access backgrounder. Very up to date on modern topics such as WebRTC and WebSockets

    https://hpbn.co/

    Another comprehensive overall reference is Michael Kerrisk"s Linux Programming Interface handbook

    https://nostarch.com/tlpi

    And to see some of the latest developments. Check out talks from Linux NetDev Conference archives

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCribHdOMgiD5R3OUDgx2qTg/vid...

    Finally, this was recently posted, and I believe the author is working on another one for QUIC...

    "The Illustrated TLS Connection: Every byte of a TLS connection explained and reproduced"

    https://tls.ulfheim.net/

    Best of luck, and you are on the right path. Master the fundamentals and the rest will follow ;)

  • by deanmoriarty on 11/22/2018, 4:31 AM

    Understanding the Linux Kernel, 3rd Edition, https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Linux-Kernel-Third-Dani...

    It's very hard and dense to read, but I don't think there's a better book out there about a networking stack implementation.

    It might be too much implementation-focused for your taste though (it was for mine), in which case one of the other books more focused on protocols (already suggested in other comments) might be a better choice.

  • by dlo83 on 11/21/2018, 11:38 PM

    I'd recommend Patterns in Network Architecture by John Day. I had him as a professor at Boston University and loved hearing his war stories from his days working on ARPANET. https://www.amazon.com/DAY-PATTS-NET-ARCHITECTURE-_p1/dp/013...

  • by RamanathanR on 11/22/2018, 5:30 AM

    In addition to the TCP/IP books commonly mentioned, i highly recommend the following two, both by Srinivasan Keshav;

    * An Engineering Approach to Computer Networking: ATM Networks, the Internet, and the Telephone Network.

    * Mathematical Foundations of Computer Networking

  • by lingz on 11/21/2018, 11:39 PM

    Networking: A Top Down Approach is a great and clear read.

  • by epynonymous on 11/22/2018, 12:22 AM

    tcp/ip illustrated 1&2, by richard stevens, this is the bible of networking, it covers all the different osi layers, address spaces, protocols, packet layout, etc. if you want to understand how netwokring really works, this guves you all the details.

  • by weishigoname on 11/22/2018, 2:21 AM

    Linux kernel is very good source to dig network stack, it has L1 - L4 implementation, and there are some books about Linux network stack design online. it is very helpful to read book and dig network stack code together.

  • by snissn on 11/22/2018, 6:57 AM
  • by on 11/21/2018, 11:48 PM

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  • by badrabbit on 11/22/2018, 3:42 AM

    You specifically want Linux so I would skip all the generic or cisco focused books. Have you read LDD3? http://www.makelinux.net/ldd3/ ,chapter 17 specifically. It's difficult to learn the Linux network stack without knowing C as well.

  • by terrycody on 11/22/2018, 1:13 PM

    https://www.afternerd.com/blog/learn-computer-science

    there is a book recommended in this article, it definitely helps!

  • by dpeck on 11/22/2018, 12:26 AM

    Start with NoStarch TCP/IP Guide and then move onto TCP/IP Illustrated.

    If you get through both of those and understand it you’lol have a far better grasp of networking than nearly everyone else in the business.

  • by on 11/22/2018, 12:50 AM

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  • by stargrazer on 11/21/2018, 11:20 PM

    from a programming perspective or a configuration perspective or ?