Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide [Paperback]

Steve Shah (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2000 | Series: Network Professional's Library

-- Linux Sustaining Growth. Linux could be the operating system (OS) of choice for the future according to International Data Corp. (IDC). In its March 31, 1999 bulleting, IDC said Linux commercial shipments will grow faster than the shipments of all other OS environments.
-- Smart, Low Cost OS. Smart network managers have known for some time that running open-source Linux on servers in an efficient, low cost way to manage Web, DNS, and email servers. Now that companies such as IBM, Compaq, Intel, HP, and Dell are all partnering with leading distributors, Linux is really being embraced in the corporate setting.
-- Need for Beginner's Guide. System administrators will not have the same kind of technical support with open-source Linux as they would with other commercial big-vendor OS's. Therefore, there is a huge need for a technically accurate guide to Linux Administration coveting the most current Linux kernel (2.2) and the most current popular vendor offerings, Red Hat, Caldera.
-- A Must Have Guide for Administrators Bringing Linux to Their Network. Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide is a practical guide to Linux for systems and network administrators who are moving from Windows NT to Linux or are experimenting with bringing Linux into their network topology
-- Covers the latest Linux kernel (2.2) with focus on the most recent release of the leading distribution Linux, Red Hat Linux 6.1, but will also include coverage of the current releases of Caldera's OpenLinux 2.2 and SuSE Linux 6.0.
-- Additional features include:
-- CD-ROM contains Red Hat Linux 6.1
-- 16-Page Blueprints will illustrate key differences of administrating Linux vs. NT

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Administering a Linux system isn't much like administering a Windows machine. Though the goals are similar and comparable problems arise under both environments, they each require administrators to adopt a certain way of thinking about processes and data. Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide helps readers adapt their Windows experience to Linux work. Author Steve Shah does a great job of clueing Linux newcomers into the environment. His explanations are clear, patient, accurate, and useful, and they cover all aspects of the system administrator's job. He's careful to explain hundreds of commands in a logical way, including lists of options and examples of typical uses in many cases.

But this is no mere command reference or novice's introduction. Shah doesn't shy away from explaining the really interesting aspects of Linux administration, including kernel compilation, Domain Name Service (DNS) configuration, sendmail setup, and establishing firewall protection with IP chaining. For all of these subjects (and many more), this book includes clear statements of what concepts are relevant, which commands to issue, and what to expect in response. It's a great help in self-guided explorations. It's also worth having this book on hand for work assignments--you'll find complete recipes for configuring all major Internet and local area network (LAN) services that also take into account easy maintenance and security. --David Wall

Topics covered: Administering Linux 2.2.x (particularly Red Hat, Caldera, and SuSE distributions). Installation, initial configuration, using the bash command shell, managing files, managing software, and granting rights to users. DNS, FTP, Apache, sendmail, Samba, and other services receive lots of attention.

Review

"A delight to read. I think this book is well-written enough in explaining what is behind much of Linux." -- Harvey Friedman, Linux Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 542 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies; Bk&CD Rom edition (January 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072122293
• ISBN-13: 978-0072122299
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,052,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars is just what it says, June 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

If you are familiar with Linux or Unix and want to start into some network services, this book is a solid introduction. As the title says, this book is for beginner's, but the author doesn't assume that means weenie. He has done a nice job of selecting basic tasks, and for each one lays out the commands, file locations, and basic configurations for the files. Other books either relied on GUI utilities, or used twice as many pages going into too much detail on some sections and not enough on others. This book is just what it says, a beginner's guide to help you get started with Linux servers and/or integrating Linux into an existing NT network.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Linux Systems Admining Text, February 14, 2000

By 

Jason Winchell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

Definitely an excellent book to start with. While it is possible to get books which are exhaustive on a given subject (i.e. DNS and Bind by O'Reilly), this book provides a great deal of coverage on everything. I fully intend to use it as a reference.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete and easy to understand info for the new admin, February 6, 2000

By 

sofferin (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I have other Linux books and I found this book seemed to have the correct mix of overview and detail for the new admin. Other books with much detail would be a great second book but to get started this is the book.