Apple Training Series: Mac OS X System Administration Reference, Volume 1 (Paperback)

~ Schoun Regan (Author) "In this first section of the book, Part 1: "Directory Services Administration," you will learn the benefits and features of directory services in Mac OS..." (more)
Key Phrases: sregan sregan, instructor kernel, forked files, Active Directory, Lesson Review, Open Firmware (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This comprehensive, technical reference guide provides in-depth information on Apple technical architecture. It will teach the reader how to install and configure machines; architect and maintain networks; enable, customize, tune and troubleshoot a wide range of services; and integrate Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, and other Apple technologies within a networked environment. The book covers myriad system administration topics from Directory Services integration to Tiger Server deployment, Xsan administration, accountmanagement best practices, security best practices, and more. Following the learning objectives of the Apple Certified System Administrator exam, this book is a perfect supplement to Apple's own training class and a in-depth technical reference for existing system administrators and engineers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press (December 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032136984X
• ISBN-13: 978-0321369840
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for bedtime reading, February 6, 2006

By	Cecil Leonard "Leonard Cecil" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a one-to-one version of the course material found in the Directory Services Integration and Administration v10.4 course, the Security Best Practices v10.4 course and more. The exercises are well thought out and easy to do. Not so easy to remember are the 800+ pages, but it is not meant to teach you all you need to know about being an SysAdmin. It is enough to get you through these two exams, which give you 7 credits and the ACSA. And it is enough to set you off into a job as Junior SysAdmin or, as in my case, a supporter with server duties.

Ideally, one should visit both official courses - not so much because more is offered in the actual courses than in the book, but rather because one can ask pointed questions of the teacher, that one cannot ask if something in the book is not clear.

As in most such books, it represents a beginning - the rest is a matter of acquiring experience. Do not expect this book to give you all the answers. I doubt if that would be possible. But it will give a whole lot of things to look out for and a whole lot of new input, especially if you have been doing some SysAdmin-ing and now want a look-see as to how the fulltime SysAdmins do it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look under the hood, March 23, 2006

By	Gary Pedretty "Gary Pedretty" (Fairbanks, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book along with Mac OS X Server Essentials. While that book is good on the GUI interface, this book shows in good detail what is really going on under the hood and behind the scenes. I have a much better understanding of Open Directory and LDAP in general as well as Kerberos and Single Sign in logic. Many of the other services offered under OS X Server 10.4 are also explained well. The command line information is good while not being so in depth as to lose the reader. You should have a basic familiarity with UNIX command line before trying to understand the concepts presented. The section on security is very good and presents a broad range of options to the administrator.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book from a top-notch trainer, March 3, 2006

By	Todd L. Austin (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As another review states, this book is the guide for the relevant Apple ACSA courses. It succinctly provides you with an understanding of the basic information needed to attack the certification exams.

I do also recommend that you find the time and funds to actually take the classes. The folks in Cupertino have put a lot of work into creating great courses that offer you the crucial opportunity to learn by doing. The content and examples you work through during the courses are relevant to a wide range of applications, from small business to multi-national corporation as well as K-12, higher education, and research.

Schoun himself is one of the top independent providers of Apple training and has had no small hand in the development of the courses. I've had the pleasure of taking classes from him on several occasions and recommend his work highly.