Inside RRAS: Remote Access Solutions for Windows NT

Formerly called Remote Access Service (RAS), Windows NT's Routing and Remote Access Service gives NT the capability to connect with remote computers, typically via a modem. Inside RRAS explains how to connect NT machines to other computers by means other than a hardwired local area network (LAN) interface. Since RRAS ranks among NT's more confusing user-level features, Iseminger does the wired world a service by explaining what's going on.

Before getting into the details of how RRAS works, the author explores networking concepts with great clarity. As is common for all books on networking, this one presents the tired conceptual diagram of the open systems interconnection (OSI) reference model, showing the seven theoretical layers of network communication, ranging from physical to application. However, Iseminger provides so much intelligent commentary on the model--which is his typical style--that this book outshines others by orders of magnitude. If you've seen the OSI model elsewhere and didn't really understand it, this version of it will advance your knowledge fantastically.

Inside RRAS goes on to explain how particular parts of a network operate and interrelate. From there, it's on to telecommunications, particularly Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs), modems (present and future), and wide area network (WAN) hardware--all explained accurately and, believe it or not, entertainingly. You have to cruise through half the book before you get to any Windows NT particulars, but that's a complement, because by then you're clear on what's really happening.

Iseminger explains how to install RRAS, detailing the pitfalls of configuration and optimization. He pays particular attention to large RRAS installations, dealing with the particular problems of systems with as many as 5,000 or more modems. A handful of case studies explains how particular organizations met RRAS challenges. But that's not all--a chapter gets into virtual private networks (VPNs) with Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, the Microsoft specification formerly known as Steelhead. --David Wall