Since its origins at Xerox in the 1970s, Ethernet has become the basis for a significant market in LAN products and technology. At the same time, the widespread use of desktop computers has given rise to a demand for connectivity and bandwidth that has exceeded all expectations of the 1970s network designers. The enhanced Ethernet standard, 802.3u, approved in 1995, responds to these pressures with important changes in the Ethernet architecture.

Johnson sets out clearly and concisely the points that should be addressed in the design of high-speed LANs based on Ethernet. He begins with a review of its history, followed by an overview of the Fast Ethernet standard. This discussion lays out the general range of products and overall architecture envisaged with the move to 100 Mb/s networks. The main body of the book is a guide to IEEE Standard 802.3u (the 100BASE-T standard). As the technical editor of the standard, Johnson is able to present the choices faced in the development of 802.3u in a clear and authoritative manner. The text also covers issues such as assessing network performance; generic cabling; and the future of Fast Ethernet and its relationship to other technologies, such as FDDI and ATM. At the back of the book is a series of appendices with supporting sources and references.

This book is essential reading for those responsible for local area network operation. The dry details of the standard are interpreted in a surprisingly lively and readable style that is full of helpful hints and explanations. For those familiar with 10Mb/s networks, the text provides an insight into the migration path to 100Mb/s systems. On the other hand, for those new to the area, it provides a sufficiently complete and clear view of the technology to stand on its own as an introduction.