Linux System Administration (Linux Library) [Paperback]

Roderick W. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Craig Hunt Linux Library | Publication Date: February 15, 2001

Linux is an Open Source software created by a loose coalition of dedicated programmers and distributed for free or in low-cost packages. It provides a powerful and stable operating system on inexpensive PC hardware. Linux is know for having a steep learning curve, and administrators need to quickly achieve a high degree of expertise in order to configure, secure, and administer their systems effectively. This text aims to get administrators up to speed on Linux quickly. It is part of the Craig Hunt Linux Library - an eight-book set that provides in-depth, advanced coverage of the key topics for Linux administrators.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Most Indispensable Linux Book"
—2001 Linux Journal Readers Choice Awards

Authoritative Answers to All Your Linux Questions

You can rely on the fully updated second edition of Linux System Administration for answers to all your questions about installing, configuring, and administering Linux. Written by two Linux experts, this book teaches you, step-by-step, all the standard and advanced techniques you need to know to set up and maintain a secure, effective Linux environment. Scores of clear, consistent examples illustrate these techniques in detail—so you stay on track and accomplish all your goals. Coverage includes:

• Installing a Linux server
• Setting up and maintaining user and group accounts
• Setting up Linux system security
• Sharing files using Samba and NFS
• Implementing a backup strategy
• Troubleshooting common Linux problems
• Setting up the X Window System
• Setting up TCP/IP and connecting to the Internet
• Setting up a mail server
• Maintaining filesystems and partitions
• Configuring printers
• Improving system performance
• Writing shell scripts
• Using Webmin for cross-distribution GUI administration

The Craig Hunt Linux Library
The Craig Hunt Linux Library provides in-depth, advanced coverage of the key topics for Linux administrators. Topics include Samba, Network Servers, DNS Server Administration, Apache, Security, and Sendmail. Each book in the series is either written by or meticulously reviewed by Craig Hunt to ensure the highest quality and most complete coverage for networking professionals working specifically in Linux environments. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Vicki Stanfield, RHCE, has worked with Linux since 1994 and Unix since 1980. She has administered many varieties of Unix, VMS, as well as Slackware and Red Hat Linux.

Roderick W. Smith is a Linux networking expert and author of several books, including Linux Samba Server Administration and the Linux+ Study Guide, both from Sybex. Craig Hunt is a Linux expert who lectures regularly at major networking trade shows. He serves as author and series editor for the Craig Hunt Linux Library. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Sybex Inc; 1st edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782127355
• ISBN-13: 978-0782127355
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,325,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Current, June 20, 2002

By 

A. Valentine (Ardmore, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linux System Administration (Linux Library) (Paperback)

Linux System Administration does a great job of covering a vast amount of Linux topics with just the right amount of detail for most users. This book appeals to a wide variety of readers, it is written in way that doesn't scare off newbies, but manages to have enough meat for experienced Linux users. The great thing about this book is it spends a fair amount of time explaining how to do things on a variety of distros.

Parts of the book that stand out in my mind are the chapters dealing with kernel recompilation, scripting and security. The kernel recompilation chapter is by far the best material I've seen on the subject to date, it almost makes kernel recompilation sound too easy. The security chapter is good starting point for sysadmins that are new to Linux. The book also provides a nice little introduction to scripting, although if your going to be a Linux sysadmin, the Orielly books on bash and perl are a must.

There were very few things that I didn't like about this book. One thing that stands out in my mind is the author's insistence on using paper journal books for logging system changes. With the proper backup procedures in place, a web based system log is a much more efficient way of keeping tracking of changes. Overall, the book is must read for anyone new to Linux and is also a good pickup for seasoned Linux users. I've been recommending this book over Running Linux as of late, since the Oreilly offering is showing its age.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Linux System Administration, June 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux System Administration (Linux Library) (Paperback)

One of my Unix lab professors once said that Unix was so vast that one lifetime is not enough to really get to master all aspects of it. After reading several Unix/Linux books, this operating system still remained somewhat of a mystery.

Thanks to the authors of this book, I can really say that I'm well on my way to a decent level of proficiency. No question, this book is of the highest quality. The material is presented and explained in such a way, you get a sense that the authors truly possess a profound understanding of the SA and Linux fields. The book tries to be distribution neutral by covering Redhat linux (vesion 6 to 7) and dishing out to other distributions (especially Debian) when things are done differently.

Unlike other books that are recipe oriented or adaptations of technical documents, this is a true SA book because it helps you gain control of your Linux system.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Is it worth the hype?, May 1, 2003

By 

Ales Kavsek (Ljubljana, Slovenia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linux System Administration, Second Edition (Craig Hunt Linux Library) (Paperback)

Well, I picked up second edition of the book "Linux System Administration" soon after I read excellent "introductory" type of the book, "Linux for Windows Administrators" by Mark Minasi. It was a logical next step for Unix/Linux newbie like me to pick up more advanced guide for Linux SA. Now, I can only confirm that the book is worth the Linux Journal award in 2001 as being "One of the most indispensable Linux Books".
It's well written, thought technical dry and less fun to read than the book from Mr. Minasi!
The impression that I got is that book is geared more toward novices and beginners in the field of system administration (in general) than for some seasoned Unix sysadmin on her/his way to Linux. (If you're Windows admin that successfully installed Linux box or two, with solid general knowledge of the hardware than this book is for you!)
Book is organized in four parts (Basics, Managing Users and Processes, Networking and System Optimization) and as such covers most tasks and duties of Linux SA.
Layout of the book is nothing special, it's simple and with some unnecessary screenshots (like that of xrost and BRU screenshot, webmin) and lengthy scripts (such as sample netfilter startup file) - this kind of material belongs to appendix of the book.
Overall good book that you can use on a daily basis but not as a complete reference! I found book useful as a reminder of some basic principles and commands, which I later explore with the help of other books and online documentation. Have fun!