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X.400 and SMTP
Rhoton J., Digital Press, Newton, MA, 1997. Type: Book (9781555581657)
Date Reviewed: Jun 1 1998

With the current overdependence on electronic mail, I have wondered why there are only a few books that explain the features of the primary email backbone protocols. Rhoton’s text presents an overview of the terminology and concepts of the two primary protocol standards, X.400 and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

The author starts with his rationale for writing the text. He then gives a historical summary of the advent of networking and electronic messaging. The chapter on networking delves into standards and, therefore, provides a summary of the seven Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model layers, the distinction between the functions of the layers and the interaction between adjacent layers, and the service primitives. This chapter also explains abstract syntax notation and gives a brief overview of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Rhoton elaborates on IP addressing and explains subnetting, subnet masking, and the domain name system.

The next chapter, on message structure, explains the message content structures of the various content types. It distinguishes between the X.400 message structure and the Internet message structures. The chapter on backbone topology introduces the various addressing schemes and message transfer agents, both with and without the use of gateways. The chapter on message transfer explains the routing protocols and transfer agents used by X.400 and SMTP. The following chapter explains directory service and provides some insight into X.500 and the protocols that it uses.

The chapter on security includes explanations from the US Department of Defense’s Orange Book. Next, a chapter on heterogeneous mail networks distinguishes between traditional corporate email systems, which are primarily based on local area networks, and client/server email systems. In the final chapter, “Summing It Up,” Rhoton presents the similarities between X.400 and SMTP, stressing the advantages of each product.

The first of six appendices presents an OSI implementation that is really a very brief description of DECnet. This is followed by an X.400 example in Appendix B and a MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) example in Appendix C. Appendix D presents a Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) example, and Appendix E presents an SMTP header. Appendix F discusses the MAILbus 400 architecture.

Rhoton addresses his text to “individuals with current or planned involvement in the management of X.400 and/or SMTP.” These people will benefit greatly from it. However, they need some basic understanding of networking fundamentals. Rhoton has taken pains to explain the terminology, which will help readers put the pieces of the picture together. I recommend this book to all networking professionals, including the group that Rhoton excludes--“experienced message handling system managers.” By reading this text, they will get an idea of how to explain networking technology to nonprofessionals. The book will also serve as a good general reference on X.400 and SMTP. It shows their similarities and differences. It cannot, however, serve as a classroom textbook or as a how-to manual.

Reviewer:  William Oblitey Review #: CR124745 (9806-0363)
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Applications (SMTP, FTP, etc.) (C.2.2 ... )
 
 
Electronic Mail (H.4.3 ... )
 
 
Network Topology (C.2.1 ... )
 
 
Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model (OSI) (C.2.0 ... )
 
 
Routing Protocols (C.2.2 ... )
 
 
Security and Protection (C.2.0 ... )
 
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