3 Best-Selling IS-IS Protocol Books Millions Trust

Discover authoritative IS-IS Protocol books authored by leading experts Abe Martey, Hannes Gredler, and Jeff Doyle with best-selling status and lasting impact

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in a niche like IS-IS Protocol where precision and reliability matter. Millions of network engineers and architects have turned to these titles to deepen their understanding and confidently design robust networks. IS-IS remains a cornerstone in large-scale IP routing, making expert guidance indispensable as networks grow more complex.

These books stand out because they're written by seasoned professionals deeply embedded in the networking world. Abe Martey’s hands-on Cisco experience supporting major ISPs, Hannes Gredler’s authoritative work on routing protocol evolution, and Jeff Doyle’s decades of consulting on enterprise and service provider networks ensure their insights carry weight. Their combined expertise offers you a blend of practical design, protocol mechanics, and comparative analysis.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks and detailed case studies, readers seeking content tailored to their specific IS-IS Protocol needs might consider creating a personalized IS-IS Protocol book that combines these validated approaches with your unique background and goals. This customization can help you zero in on the exact challenges you face in network design or troubleshooting.

Best for large-scale network designers
Abe Martey, CCIE, a Technical Marketing Engineer at Cisco Systems with hands-on experience supporting major ISPs like BBN, Sprint, and UUNet, wrote this book to consolidate his deep knowledge of IS-IS protocol. His background in Cisco's IP Routing protocols team and ISP-focused support uniquely qualifies him to demystify complex network design challenges. This book reflects his commitment to making IS-IS accessible and actionable for network professionals tackling large-scale infrastructures.
Is-Is Network Design Solutions book cover

by Abe Martey, Scott Sturgess·

2002·392 pages·IS-IS Protocol, Networking, Routing, IP Routing, Network Design

Drawing from his extensive experience supporting major ISPs like BBN and Sprint, Abe Martey provides a detailed exploration of the IS-IS protocol's core concepts and practical implementations. You gain a thorough understanding of the IS-IS database mechanics, the shortest path first algorithm, and how these underpin robust IP network design. The book also walks you through configuration and troubleshooting on Cisco routers, enriched by real-world case studies that clarify complex design decisions. If you're involved in large-scale network design or optimization, this guide offers concrete technical insights without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for deep protocol architects
Hannes Gredler is a recognized expert whose extensive work on IS-IS routing protocols provides invaluable insights for networking professionals. His collaboration with Walter Goralski led to a thorough exploration of the protocol's complexities and applications. Driven by a commitment to clarify IS-IS's role in modern networks, their book offers readers a chance to deepen their understanding and navigate the challenges of deploying IS-IS at scale.
The Complete IS-IS Routing Protocol book cover

by Hannes Gredler, Walter Goralski·

2005·557 pages·Network Routing, Protocols, IS-IS Protocol, Traffic Engineering, IPv6

Hannes Gredler's deep expertise in IS-IS routing protocols shines through this detailed study, born from his extensive networking experience and collaboration with Walter Goralski. You learn not just the fundamentals of IS-IS but also its evolution—handling IPv4, IPv6, traffic engineering, and extensions into optical networks. The book dissects architectural decisions and deployment challenges, helping you grasp why IS-IS remains vital in large-scale networks. It's particularly useful if you work on network design, implementation, or troubleshooting complex routing environments, though it demands dedication to master the protocol's intricacies.

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Best for personal network designs
This custom AI book on IS-IS protocol is created based on your networking background and specific challenges. You share your experience level, which IS-IS design topics matter most, and your goals, so the book focuses on exactly what you need to master. With AI tailoring, you avoid generic guides and get focused insight that helps you tackle your unique network design problems efficiently.
2025·50-300 pages·IS-IS Protocol, Networking, Routing Protocols, Network Design, IP Routing

This tailored book explores the intricate world of IS-IS protocol with a focus that matches your background and network challenges. It covers proven IS-IS network design methods, blending foundational concepts with practical scenarios to help you grasp complex routing dynamics. The personalized approach ensures you dive into the aspects most relevant to your goals, whether it's optimizing large-scale networks or troubleshooting nuanced routing issues. By integrating knowledge validated by millions, it reveals how to navigate IS-IS configurations and design decisions with confidence. Designed to align with your unique needs, this book examines IS-IS routing mechanics, protocol behavior, and design trade-offs. It offers you a clear pathway to understand and apply battle-tested network designs that resonate with your expertise and objectives.

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Best for comparative protocol analysis
This book delivers a clear framework for mastering OSPF and IS-IS in large-scale networks, drawing on Jeff Doyle's extensive experience consulting for enterprise and service provider networks. Its side-by-side feature comparisons and practical configuration examples address common challenges in scalability, security, and traffic engineering. Designed to support network engineers and architects, it offers valuable guidance for designing robust, efficient networks and serves as a trusted resource for those pursuing advanced certifications in networking.
2005·478 pages·Network Protocols, IS-IS Protocol, OSPF, Network Scalability, Routing Security

Drawing from decades of consulting in large-scale network design, Jeff Doyle offers a focused comparison of OSPF and IS-IS protocols tailored for complex enterprise and service provider environments. You gain detailed insight into how each protocol handles key features like message types, database synchronization, and scalability challenges, with practical examples from Cisco IOS and Juniper JUNOS. The book methodically walks you through optimizing network design for security and reliability while demystifying advanced topics such as MPLS traffic engineering and multi-topology routing. This approach makes it especially useful if you're aiming to deepen your understanding of link-state protocols or preparing for certifications like CCIE or JNCIE.

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Conclusion

Collectively, these three books highlight proven approaches to understanding and implementing the IS-IS Protocol with confidence. Whether it's Abe Martey's practical design solutions, Hannes Gredler’s in-depth protocol analysis, or Jeff Doyle’s comparative insights into IS-IS and OSPF, you’re getting frameworks that have stood the test of time and rigorous validation.

If you prefer proven methods focused on large-scale design, start with "Is-Is Network Design Solutions." For a deep dive into routing mechanics and protocol evolution, "The Complete IS-IS Routing Protocol" offers unmatched detail. Combine these with "OSPF and IS-IS" for a well-rounded grasp of link-state routing in complex networks.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized IS-IS Protocol book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many network professionals succeed in mastering IS-IS protocol challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Is-Is Network Design Solutions" for practical guidance on designing robust IS-IS networks. It's approachable and grounded in real-world ISP experience, making it a solid foundation before diving into deeper protocol analysis.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to IS-IS Protocol?

These books are detailed and technical, best suited for those with some networking background. If you’re new, consider foundational networking texts first or personalized books that tailor complexity to your level.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with "Is-Is Network Design Solutions" for practical design concepts, then "The Complete IS-IS Routing Protocol" to understand protocol intricacies, and finally "OSPF and IS-IS" for comparative insights and advanced features.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

Each book offers unique value: choose based on your focus. For design, pick Martey’s; for protocol depth, Gredler’s; for comparative analysis, Doyle’s. Reading all provides comprehensive mastery but isn’t mandatory.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"The Complete IS-IS Routing Protocol" leans toward in-depth theory and protocol evolution, while "Is-Is Network Design Solutions" emphasizes practical network design and troubleshooting with case studies.

How can I get IS-IS Protocol knowledge tailored to my specific network needs?

Absolutely. While these expert books offer trusted frameworks, personalized IS-IS Protocol books can tailor content precisely to your experience and goals. They complement expert insights perfectly. Learn more here.

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