Linux DNS Server Administration (Craig Hunt Linux Library) [Paperback]

Craig Hunt (Author), Criag Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2000 | Series: Craig Hunt Linux Library

The Domain Name Service (DNS) server translates Internet protocol (IP) addresses into the URLs humans use. Configuring the DNS server correctly is a key to networking Linux effectively. This text provides an advanced treatment of DNS.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Linux, which is well suited to fire-and-forget applications that require high reliability, can make an excellent foundation on which to build a Domain Name System (DNS) server. Linux DNS Server Administration shows how to do that, treating Linux generically (the book sticks to features of the 2.x kernel that are common to all distributions) and showing how to configure Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) on top of that base. The result is a technical document that's focused, detailed, and oriented toward the practical considerations--such as security--of real-world system administration.

Because providing DNS service isn't as much a matter of administration as of proper initial setup, Linux DNS Server Administration spends about half the time describing what a DNS server does and explaining how to get BIND service going. It mainly steers clear of "do-this, do-that" instructions, favoring statements of problems and their solutions (with lots of configuration file listings), instead. A similar approach later shows how to plug known security holes, configure logging, and optimize performance. For more information on DNS and BIND, check out the classic DNS and BIND. Although it's not focused specifically on Linux, that's the definitive work on name resolution under Unix generically. --David Wall

Topics covered: Domain Name System (DNS) service under Linux 2.x, as provided by BIND 8. The design of the global DNS service, server configuration (for both master and slave servers), subdomains, security, and performance optimization. DNS futures--in the form of a look at BIND 9--appear, too.

Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Sybex Inc; 1st edition (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782127363
• ISBN-13: 978-0782127362
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,176,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Computers & Technology > Operating Systems > Unix > Administration

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you only buy one, this is it., February 5, 2001

By 

John P. Hoke "Drinking at the Foo B@r" (Floral Park, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linux DNS Server Administration (Craig Hunt Linux Library) (Paperback)

If you can only buy one book for running BIND on Linux, this is your book. Craig Hunt walks you through configuring DNS for many straight-forward, day to day configurations, as well as some quite esoteric setups and needs. The coverage of security and BIND is quite good, with ample explanations of the security issues of running a DNS server, ways to stop the "common" hacks of BIND, and options to look into for greater security (DNSSec, dedicated DNS server, keysigning, etc). The book's organization lends itself to reading cover to cover, picking up more details and better understanding as you go, while skipping areas that may or may not be germain to your particular situation (BIND 9, DNSSec etc).

This series of books from Sybex is turning out to be one of the best for Linux Administrators, the other titles (that I own) cover SAMBA and Apache, and are just as well written and compotent. While their are other books on BIND out there (such as DNS & BIND by O'Reilly) this one is the most approachable, and without sacrificing techinical details of an often misunderstood topic.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally ... a book on Linux and BIND worth buying!, January 7, 2001

By 

David K Yancy (Smyrna, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux DNS Server Administration (Craig Hunt Linux Library) (Paperback)

Okay, rarely do I rave about computer books ... especially books on such dry topics as running a DNS server. I'm just one of those book buyers who tries to do a little pre-purchase research and who expects those books that I *do* purchase to at least meet their billing. But this book far surpassed what I expected from it!

Craig Hunt's writing style could be compared to that of other tech writers like Mark Minasi or Tony Redmond (both of whom normally cater to the MS world, of course). This book reads like the author is speaking to you, moves quickly through the basics, spends just the right amount of time on the key issues, warns you of pitfalls you need to avoid, and gives you some important "heads up" pointers on things to look for down the road.

If you're new to Linux and are tasked with setting up a reliable, fire and forget DNS server based off of the BIND package, this book is your ticket to getting it done right the first time. It's both a hands-on tutorial and a light reference tome in one handy package. Worth the money and then some!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Need For Anything Else, September 22, 2000

By 

Sean Nel (Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux DNS Server Administration (Craig Hunt Linux Library) (Paperback)

After strugling for two weeks trying to figure out Linux Server setups (specifically DNS) I got this book. This was the third book I bought (the other two just confused me more) and I wish I bought it first. It is clear and concise with good examples. It is readable and not just DBA-jargon and for once someone understood that if you are going to buy a book on how to set up a DNS, It means that you most probably are not familiar with all the little hidden details that needs to be remembered along the lines.

I would suggest this book to everyone, from the first-timers (newbies?) to the more proficient webmaster looking for some more internet security!

All I can say is "It's a great book!"