Steps and reference needed to be a network security expert

[unkn00wn]

Hello all,

i have been coding since last two years, but always my dream aim was being a network security expert.

As i am ready to go to next step, i need yours suggestions to how and what to do next? Can anyone suggest me what should i practice next?

Give me links, references, directions?

Any help would be highly appreciated.

[Moschops]

Get familiar with nmap, telnet and the like and explore.

[unkn00wn]

Thank you for your reply Moschops,
But, i already know much about nmap, backtrack, and tools...
i am not asking for tools, but asking for reference which could explain me network models, about ports, cryptography, protocols etc.

[Moschops]

The Illustrated TCP guide. Start with Vol 1.

[unkn00wn]

http://books.google.co.in/books/about/TCP_IP_Illustrated_The_Protocols.html?id=-btNds68w84C

So this one?

[Moschops]

Yes. The second edition came out late last year.