This is a great resource for understanding how networking is implemented with the Linux kernel. Linux is widely used in many systems, and it is going to be more important as Android systems rely on Linux, too. A basic knowledge of the C programming language and networking basics is assumed. Developers with Linux kernel knowledge will find it easier than others to understand the book. Various professionals--software developers, network engineers, researchers, kernel hackers, and project managers--will also find this book helpful.

It contains 14 chapters and three appendices. The first chapter is an introduction, which discusses the seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and fundamental information such as network device structure and socket buffer structure. The other chapters cover the Internet control message protocol (ICMP), Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4), advanced routing, Linux neighboring subsystem, IPv6, netfilter kernel modules, Internet protocol security, layer-four protocols, wireless networking with Linux, InfiniBand, and advanced topics such as cgroups and namespaces. The author explains thoroughly the interaction between the kernel and userspace that is used by the networking subsystem. The book also mentions popular topics such as near-field communication on Android systems. Appendix A describes the Linux application programming interface (API) and required structures and functions. Appendix B reviews the most popular tools for network administration and debugging such as arp and Wireshark. Appendix C lists glossary terms that are covered in the book.

Every chapter introduces the methods and structures related to each topic. There is a short summary at the end of each chapter and a reference part with a list of important methods.

This book is a valuable guide since Linux kernel networking is a very complex topic, and it provides a good explanation of Linux kernel theory and practice for network developers.

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