Library

Cisco Networking Academy Program: Fundamentals of UNIX Lab Companion by Cisco Systems Inc.

The only authorized lab workbook for the Fundamentals of UNIX course within the Cisco Networking Academy Program!Cisco Networking Academy Program: Fundamentals of UNIX Lab Companion includes hands-on lab exercises to allow you to apply what you have learned. In addition to written lab activities, there are Web-based research projects and guided field studies. In each case, real-world examples are used to exemplify how the learned knowledge is relevant. This title is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Program and is the companion lab workbook for a one-semester course on UNIX Fundamentals. Cisco Networking Academy Program: Fundamentals of UNIX Lab Companion is the lab companion to the Cisco Networking Academy Program: Fundamentals of UNIX Companion Guide. It contains lab activities to reinforce key concepts, and it allows you to apply what you have learned both from the Companion Guide and the Web-based curriculum. Its content and chapters correspond directly to the Companion Guide. Includes hands-on lab exercises to allow students to apply what they have learned. Aside from written lab activities, there will be web-based research projects and guided field studies. In each case, real-world examples will be used to exemplify how the learned knowledge is relevant. ...

Bacteria: A Very Short Introduction by Amyes, Sebastian G.B.

In this Very Short Introduction, Sebastian Amyes explores the nature of bacteria. As a fundamental branch of life, they inhabit every part of the Earth's surface. Amyes examines their origin and evolution, bacteria in the environment, and bacteria and disease, to demonstrate the fundamental role they play in our existence....

Policy-Based Network Management: Solutions for the Next Generation by John Strassner

Policy-Based Network Management (PBNM) systems enable business rules and procedures to be translated into policies that configure and control the network and its services. Those who manage network systems are aware that this approach can benefit both network management as well as the development of applications that use network services; however, the details surrounding these systems have been obscured by marketing hype, numerous acronyms, and theoretical complexities.Policy-Based Network Management: Solutions for the Next Generation cuts through the hype surrounding PBNM and makes it approachable for those who really need to understand what it has to offer. The author, founder of the IETF Policy Framework working group, discusses system requirements, information models, and system components for Policy-Based Management. He also provides practitioners with a resource for developing and/or incorporating PBNM systems. As network systems become larger and more complex, creating policies for them has become a crucial step in the management of network systems, and this book is a welcome addition to this exciting approach. Presents a completely new approach to PBNM that unites the business, system, and implementation spheres.As the basis for examples and discussion, uses the DEN-ng information model, an easy-to-understand open standard tied closely to eTOM and NGOSS.Introduces the Ponder system, then examines Ponder extensions designed to enhance the structure of high-level policies and their application in a PBNM system. Filled with examples illustrating how policies are most effectively used in a PBNM system and what new directions PBNM is likely to take....

Atheism: A Very Short Introduction by Baggini, Julian

In this book, Julian Baggini explores the arguments for atheism, and dispels some common myths, explaining how a life without religious belief can be positive, meaningful, and moral. This new edition discusses the recent flowering of 'New Atheism' and considers the position of atheism in society today....

Network Recovery: Protection and Restoration of Optical, SONET-SDH, IP, and Mpls by Jean-Philippe Vasseur, Mario Pickavet, Piet Demeester

"Network Recovery" is the first book to provide detailed information on protecting and restoring communication networks, and it sets a sky-high standard for any that may follow. Inside, you'll learn specific techniques that work at each layer of the networking hierarchy-including optical, SONET-SDH, IP, and MPLS-as well as multi-layer escalation strategies that offer the highest level of protection. The authors begin with an incisive introduction to the issues that define the field of network protection and restoration, and as the book progresses they explain everything you need to know about the relevant protocols, providing theoretical analyses wherever appropriate. If you work for a network-dependent organization, large or small, you'll want to keep Network Recovery within reach at all times. * Shows you how to implement protection and recovery techniques that will save your organization time and money. * Documents techniques for the optical, SONET-SDH, IP, and MPLS layers, as well as multi-layer escalation strategies. * Shows you how to evaluate these techniques in relation to one another, so you can develop an optimal network recovery design. * Provides industry examples and simulation results. * Delves into the inner workings of relevant protocols and offers theoretical analyses wherever this information contributes to your practical knowledge....

Anxiety: A Very Short Introduction by Daniel Freeman , Jason Freeman

Are we born with our fears or do we learn them? Why do our fears persist? What purpose does anxiety serve? How common are anxiety disorders, and which treatments are most effective? What's happening in our brain when we feel fear? And what are Colombian worry dolls? This Very Short Introduction draws on the best scientific research to offer a highly accessible explanation of what anxiety is, why it is such a normal and vital part of our emotional life, and the key factors that cause it. Insights are drawn from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, epidemiology, and clinical trials. Providing a fascinating illustration of the discussion are two interviews conducted specifically for the book, with the actor, writer, director, and television presenter Michael Palin and former England football manager Graham Taylor. The book covers in detail the six major anxiety disorders: phobias; panic disorder and agoraphobia; social anxiety; generalised anxiety disorder; obsessive compulsive disorder; and post-traumatic stress disorder. With a chapter devoted to each disorder, Daniel and Jason Freeman take you through the symptoms, prevalence, and causes of each one. A final chapter describes the treatments available for dealing with anxiety problems. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable....

Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice by Stallings, William

I adored this book! It's one of my favourite texts of all time. I used it for a computer security subject and it's a great primer. It covers a middle ground in computer encryption and network security that serves wonderfully as a primer for the novice and a reference for the experienced. The contents are roughly evenly split between detailed descriptions of currently used encryption protocols, and descriptions of network security protocols. For a complete reference library on this field, you would also need a book on network communications protocols, a mathematics-heavy text on the design of encryption algorithms and a programming-heavy text on encryption algorithm implementation. But if you have prior knowledge of network comms, aren't interested in encryption design or maths, and can do the coding yourself, then this book has all you need to understand practical encryption and security currently used in industry and to implement the protocols yourself.Stallings has a great writing style and explains concepts in clear and interesting English. You can't go wrong with this book. As a primer for the primer, I'd recommend The Code Book by Simon Singh (very readable) or any of Stallings' other books specifically dealing with data comms....

Astrobiology: A Very Short Introduction by Catling, David C

The book provides a very well written introduction to the currently most probable scenario of evolution of Earth and life on Earth. From the first chapter containing the definition of astrobiology, the author continues with a brief description of evolution of the whole Universe, stars, the solar system, Earth and Earth's life. Other chapters contain discussion on the possibility of life on other bodies in the solar system and exoplanets generally. Overall, the book provides basic information on how life on Earth became and evolved. It is easily readable and understandable with only a little background in natural sciences. The book ignited a curiosity about astrobiology in me, so I think I will buy some more advanced books to expand my knowledge further....

Advanced compiler design and implementation by Muchnick, Steven S

Overall there is a lot of good stuff in here, and it is worth owning if you are interested in optimization techniques (the basics of making a CS 101 compiler are not covered at all -- this is an advanced book on optimizations).Now for the bad: the presentation is often vague and confusing. Concepts are used and only explained later, variables with cryptic names are used without explaining what they represent, subtly wrong definitions are given of mathematical concepts, and so on.Examples of input to be optimized are given either in C (in the K&R dialect that was already outdated nearly a decade before this book was published), or in an intermediate representation of the author's invention. Examples of machine code output are mostly for computers that are no longer used in practice (although x86 is mentioned).Descriptions of compiler algorithms are in a pseudocode invented by the author.Overall it feels more like rambling lecture notes than a coherent textbook.Again, it's worth owning for the content, but understand that you'll often have to look things up elsewhere to get a clear picture, or puzzle over them for a while. Luckily the book has a very good bibliography. I couldn't understand the material on data flow analysis at all until I went back and read the original paper ("A Unified Approach to Global Program Optimization", Kildall 1973), which covers much of the same material but is infinitely clearer....

Art Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Freeland Cynthia

If you know next to nothing about art theory, and in fact think that words like "art" and "theory" should seldom be in the same sentence, this is a good book for you. The author's approach is to discuss major aspects of art by focusing primarily on specific authors or works, and then secondly weaving in short introductions to theories and theorists. I found it unfortunate that philosophical treatments are scarce compared to art criticism, but that's probably a reflection of the fact that I am a philosopher and have a preference for rigorous analysis over quasi-obscure essays. Of course by the end of the book you will still wonder whether a brillo box in a museum (or a dead shark, for that matter) really is art and why. But you will have been exposed to at least the very basics of how to answer that question meaningfully and in an informed way. (My answer: no, in both the brillo and the dead shark cases.)...