Survival for a modern communications network is bsed upon the flexibility to respond quickly and effectively to a change in user requirements, available technology and cost considerations. Written for network consultants, engineers, designers, support teams and managers faced with the challenges of interconnecting local area networks, this book explains the underlying principles of LAN interoperability, and aims to help readers avoid less obvious pitfalls and more common misconceptions. This book: * Clarifies the terminology and jargon used in the field of internetworking, enabling better understanding of current technological and marketing literature * Guides the reader in how to ask manufacturers and suppliers the right questions * Describes the features and functions of different internetworking relay elements infrastructure with case studies * Shows the relationship between internetworking, the open systems interconnection (OSI) reference model and proprietary network solutions, thereby explaining the architectural considerations for future networks