Rating: 

[Review: long - 5-10 minutes]

The book basically covers reverse engineering methods spiced with the authors smart and original ideas - and the rich
experience in a niche marcet of his speciality - namely cable modems.

The same technics described might be used for reverse engineering other embedded devices or software issues
(f.e. mobile phones, Bluetooth devices etc. )

The book has a unique combination of a certain "geek" factor combined with high grade engineering skills.
The geeky part of the book is showing many original and cool hacks that enable even non technical users to use them.
The engineering part of the book is deploying several reverse engineering technics which can also be applied to other
devices and technologies.

To make the most usage of the book you would ideally have some knowledge of the following:

- general electrical engineering skills
- programming / debugging skills
- a good understanding of firmware related issues
- some basic Assembler knowledge

Obviously the readers mileage may vary, depending on the readers skillset and amount of time invested.
You shouldnt expect to become a hacker over night, however this could be your entry ticket to see, touch and "feel"
the many facets of reverse engineering.

What is it about the book that makes it stand out ?
(This books features)

- The book itself is a nice wholesighted introduction in reverse engineering
- Each chapter is like an overview style tutorial on how to deploy your hardware/software
- Instructions / methods learned are transferable to other embedded devices
- Description of many original (unique) approaches including for

- How to change/tweak/ennhance firmware (general)
- How to create and use a Blackcat cable to programm your new firmware
- How to create a console cable
- Firmware versions and their features and memory addresses
- Firmware backdoors
- Hidden functions and Menus and how to activate them
- How to use a cable modems bootloader

- Extracting symbol tables for debugging
- Cross compiling
- Buffer overflows,
- ARP poisening
- SNMP in General
- List of most useful MIBs
- Evaluations of modem hardware in regard to their enhancebility ;-)
- Securing your network and modems
- WEB GUI's

and finally

- 5 pages of firmware commands and their descriptions !!

This book might be interesting for:
(Target readers)

- Geeks
- Geeks friends (to get his/her attention ;-)
- IT newcomers
- IT managers
- IT Security specialists / penetrations testers
- Developers
- Network admins
- Cable providers
- ISP
- Companies selling and/or maintaining embedded devices

Summary:

The book is written in a very motivating - as good as it gets - style so that once you start reading, chances are that you
dont put it down before you read it cover to cover. The many insider information was until now - if at all - only
available in small, well organized social groups or perhaps you had a chance to listen to a special session on conferences
like Blackhat, What-the-hack, CCC, Underground IT, Shmoo etc. If you are still wondering what separates good IT
engineers from the best than get this book - It really is THAT good!!

This is the best IT related book I read within 2006 !!