Fiber-optic networking, on both small and large scales, has lots of advantages over traditional wire and wireless networks. First, optical signals can travel enormous distances without the need for amplification. Second, optical networks provide enormous bandwidth that is hundreds of times larger than that of many other media. In Optical Networks, authors Ramaswami and Sivarajan explore the scientific concepts and engineering considerations behind light-based networks.

The authors begin with the physical phenomena that make optical networks possible. They cover characteristics of light in depth, with an eye toward optimizing light's ability to carry signals long distances. They progress to detailing the hardware that makes networks possible, including multiplexers, filters, amplifiers, transmitters, detectors, and switches. Generally, discussion is theoretical, rather than oriented toward any particular make and model of gear. The authors then cover various means of encoding information into light waves, paying attention to topics such as wavelength routing, network topology, and management.

Readers who are planning to put together an optical network may find that the book's case studies are the most interesting part of the text. The authors give examples of real-world networks that different companies have built, such as AT&T's Africa ONE and Alcatel's WDM Ring. They then analyze each system, picking out the strong and weak points of each.

This is an academic book, full of equations, graphs, and schematics. Don't expect to get a lot out of this book if you're wiring up your office's local area network (LAN). Optical Networks is appropriate if you work on big, high-capacity networks or if you want a glimpse of one possible future Internet infrastructure.