This guide helps engineers and other professionals keep pace with the latest routing protocols in networking. It explores all aspects of routing for the Internet Protocol (IP), DECnet, Novell NetWare, and AppleTalk networking environments. Readers learn what routing protocols are and how they work. Major routing protocols for each of the four major routing environments are discussed. Coverage of each environment progresses from network basics to the latest generation of internetwork routing protocols. The author discusses the latest in link-state routing protocols, such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Intermediate System-Intermediate System (IS-IS), and NetWare Link Services Protocol (NLSP). Among the key protocol topics explored are: * Network architecture, zones, and packet formats * Structures, subnetwork addressing, address resolution, addressing schemes, and datagram formats * How to create, implement, support, and maintain routing environments * Routing functions and standards * Enhancement of communication between different routers * How to improve network flexibility and functionality Issues relevant to implementing a routing protocol or converting to a new one are discussed in depth. The author also clarifies differences between currently used protocols and protocols that are being introduced into different routing environments. He addresses: * The Internet Protocol environment and the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) * The DECnet Phase IV environment, DECnet Routing Protocol (DRP) DECnet Phase V, and End System-Intermediate System (ES-IS) * Novell"s Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), Service Advertising Protocol (SAP), and Novell"s implementation of the Routing Information Protocol * AppleTalk"s Datagram Delivery Protocol (DDP), Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP), and the AppleTalk Update-based Routing Protocol (AURP) Routing in Today"s Internetworks will meet the reference needs of communications engineers, data communications staff, network managers, consultants, and programmers who develop communications software.