Communications networks are now dominated by Internet protocol (IP) technologies. Every aspect of networking, from access to the core network to the surrounding operational support systems, has been radically affected by the rapid development of IP technologies.

This book comprehensively reviews the design, provision and operations of carrier-scale Internet networks. A good balance between leading edge technology and many of the practical issues surrounding carrier-scale IP networks is presented, including: the challenges in building and scaling a carrier-scale IP network, how to physically build and maintain Points of Presence (PoP) around the world, core transmission networks for the new millenium, delivery of IP over broadband access technologies and wireless access, dial access platform, an overview of satellite access networks, operations for the IP environment, operational support systems for carrier-scale IP networks, IP address management, traffic engineering, and IP virtual private networks. This makes for essential reading for telecommunications engineers and managers, researchers and postgraduate students in this rapidly changing area of communications technology.