Understand network addressing architecture by studying its evolution

In the early days of the development of networks, major issues with addressing were ignored in favor of simple -- and adequate -- solutions. Unfortunately, addressing architecture hasn't kept pace with network growth. This sample chapter from Patterns in Network Architecture: A Return to Fundamentals offers a detailed look at how addressing architecture has evolved, from ARPANET and the early Internet through the development of IPv6.

Title: Patterns in Network Architecture: A Return to Fundamentals
Author: John Day
Chapter 5: "Naming and Addressing"
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-225242-3; copyright 2008 by Prentice Hall. Used with permission of the publisher. For more information, please visit InformIT.