I'm diving into DevOps and want to get a solid understanding of networking, but I'm not sure which books will give me the right knowledge without overwhelming me. Since networking is a vast topic, I'd appreciate recommendations that focus specifically on what's necessary for DevOps work.
3 Answers
Just to clarify, are we specifically looking for books here? Since networking is such a broad topic, there are definitely articles and online resources too that you might find helpful!
For a solid foundation, I recommend checking out "CCNA Network Fundamentals." It’s awesome for grasping how to build reliable networks and covers important concepts like the TCP/IP handshake which is crucial for troubleshooting and optimizing performance.
The term "sufficient for DevOps" can mean different things depending on what you’re focusing on. Here are a few books that cater to various needs:
- **Basic Networking Protocols:** "Network Basics for Hackers" by Master OccupytheWeb is a great start. It gives a broad overview of essential protocols like UDP, TCP, Wi-Fi, and DNS.
- **Physical Network Setup:** "Cloud Native Data Center Networking" by Dinesh Dutt is ideal if you need insights into data center networking, covering topologies, routing protocols, and more.
- **Virtual Networks in the Cloud:** My own book, "Fundamentals of DevOps and Software Delivery," goes into setting up VPCs in AWS and Kubernetes. It covers everything from domain reservations to TLS encryption and service discovery.
- **Web App Performance:** For those looking at network performance for web apps, "High Performance Browser Networking" by Ilya Grigorik is a must-read. It dives into HTTP, WebSockets, and other important topics for a web developer.
While the book recommendations are solid, I think some mentioned topics, like SMB, might not be essential for most DevOps tasks. Focusing on core concepts like CIDR notation, IP addressing, and TCP/UDP is way more relevant. Plus, learning to read Wireshark captures can really boost your networking insights!
As someone just starting, where do you suggest I kick off my learning? Any particular sections or chapters to focus on first?
Yes, I’m focused on finding the right books to build a solid understanding!