Asp Configuration Handbook: Application Service Provider

by John Gunson, Dale Booth, Sean Thurston

Paperback: 612 pages
Publisher: Syngress Media Inc
ISBN: 1928994261; (May 2001)

This book offers guidance for Internet Service Provides making the leap to providing outsource services like software applications and electronic commerce solutions. It describes ISP market conditions and the transition process. Advice is offered concerning network services design, the deployment of performance enhancement products, content delivery, security, and infrastructure. Contributors are executives, software architects, and systems engineers for telecommunications companies.

Book Description: The Complete Guide to Migrating an ISP to an ASP ISPs are now faced with a narrowing margin brought on by fierce competition, with little available differentiation in their offerings. In order to reverse this decline in profitability, ISPs have begun to expand services beyond bandwidth and connectivity, by adding remote hosting services such as outsourcing applications and electronic commerce. ISPs will need to offer new sets of services and tools to manage and reduce costs. These services will give ISPs a distinctive advantage over other ISPs, while creating the opportunity to entice a whole new type of client. The ISP market is not dying; it’s undergoing a transformation …

Welcome to the world of the application service provider (ASP).

1. Learn About the ISP Market Conditions Now you’ll understand the drivers for migrating from an ISP to an ASP.

2. Understand the ASP Service Layers Master the seven service layers to ease the transition to ASP services.

3. Review Network Service Considerations Read about the network storage solutions, data backup and recovery, and error monitoring solutions, to name a few.

4. Gain Confidence with Performance Enhancement Products Learn about Cisco Systems’ LocalDirector and Foundry Networks’ ServerIron, as well as solutions from other vendors.

5. Know the Components of a Content Delivery Network (CDN) See how a CDN can increase the performance and reliability of content services, while lowering the total cost of ownership.

6. Master ASP Security System Provisioning Now you’ll understand the importance of a security policy and its components, as well as critical prevention tactics and how to capture evidence.

7. Learn About Service Level Agreements (SLAs). See how SLAs protect both the ASP and the consumer and set expectations.

8. Design the ASP Infrastructure Be familiar with the design considerations of building an ASP—from physical space and network equipment to hierarchy and topology design.

9. Register for Your 1-year Upgrade The Syngress Solutions upgrade plan protects you from content obsolescence and provides monthly mailings, whitepapers, and more!

About the Author: Sean Thurston (CCDP, CCNP, MCSE, MCP+I) is a Senior Solution Architect with EngineX Networks Inc. He provides network and data center design solutions for large-scale deployment. His specialties include implementation of multi-vendor routing and switching equipment and XoIP (everything over IP) installations. Sean’s background includes positions as a Technical Analyst for Sprint-Paranet and the Director of a brick and mortar advertising dot-com company. Sean is also a contributing author to Syngress Publishing’s Building a Cisco Network for Windows 2000, ISBN: 1-928994-00-8.

Ben Tsui (CCNP, CCDA, MCSE, MCP+I, MBA) is a Senior Network Engineer with EngineX Networks Inc. He designs telecommunications infrastructures and implements network devices as well as the provision of local loop for transport deployment. His specialties include research, documentation, and implementation. Ben’s background includes positions as Design Engineer for PacBell and a Network Engineer Specialist for SBC Datacomm.

Mark Egan (CCNP, MCSE, MCP+I, CNE) is a Senior Solution Architect for EngineX Networks Inc. He provides technical leadership for the Solution Architecture team as well as support for the design and implementation of customer networks. Mark’s background includes working for Sprint-Paranet as a Technical Analyst and as a Consultant for Exxon.

Aaron Davidson (CCNA) is a Solution Architect with EngineX Networks Inc. He creates infrastructure and data center design solutions. His specialties include security, load balancing, and implementation of various vendors’ equipment. Aaron’s background includes designing and securing several Silicon Valley dot.com ventures and working for numerous Internet service providers.

evin Murphy (CCNA, CSE) is the Director of Business Development for EngineX Networks Inc. Kevin is responsible for developing the partnerships and alliances required to support EngineX Networks’ advanced designs and deployments. Previously, Kevin served on the EngineX Design team as a Solution Architect and Engagement Manager. His areas of focus include VoIP, content networking, and VPN. He has also held various business development and sales positions within the Infrastructure segment. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California with an entrepreneur emphasis.

Matt Lyons (CCIE #1133) is the Director of Solution Architecture for EngineX Networks Inc. Matt has over 20 years of experience working with networking and IP. He has worked for such early network pioneers as Ungermann Bass, SynOptics Communications, Network General, and Nestar Systems, the first company to network the Apple II. After more than 7 years at Cisco Systems, and leveraging his international consulting experience, he has joined EngineX Networks to build a Solution Architecture group that is focused on large-scale carrier network issues and design.

Customer Reviews
Great Reference Guide, October 5, 2001
Reviewer: fluffy-2 from Dallas, Tx United States
Not only is this an excellent technical guide, it also covers the business principles of becoming an ASP. I was skeptical when I received this book as a gift, but I actually learnt from this book.

The configurations are very detailed including the actual commands required. The section on load balancing and content delivery was a great help. The section on QOS is also very good, with excellent practical examples. Even though I work primarily in the enterprise and not as an ASP, I found this to be one of the best books I have.

If you are primarily are a Cisco shop (most configuration examples are based on Cisco products), I would highly recommend this book.

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