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Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 2nd Edition

Posted by timothy on from the like-tinker-toys dept.

Dan Clough writes "I read this book to improve my knowledge of Linux networking, and in that regard it was a huge success! It was also an enjoyable and easy-to-read book. I am pretty much a Linux beginner, and know 'enough to be dangerous.' My existing home LAN consists of 5 machines: one running Mandrake Linux 9.1, one RedHat 9 (laptop), two Windows XP, and one Windows 98. These are connected to a commercial (Siemens Speedstream) router/switch and share internet access via a cable modem. All the computers can communicate with each other and share files, using Samba. The router also functions as a print-server for a laser printer, which the Linux machines print to via CUPS." Whether your network is bigger, smaller, or hypothetical, Dan's review (below) suggests that O'Reilly's Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 2nd Edition would be useful to have at hand as you build or troubleshoot. Read on for the rest. Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 2nd Edition author Olaf Kirch & Terry Dawson pages 475 publisher O'Reilly rating 8/10 reviewer Dan Clough ISBN 1565924002 summary How to get your machines talking amongst themselves.

This book cleared up many questions I had, enabling my home network to run more efficiently and securely. For example, I learned about many options that can be adjusted in the kernel configuration to allow building a customized kernel which is optimized for your system and needs. This took me one step closer to being ready for my first attempt at compiling my own kernel. I also learned about and implemented some changes to my DNS configuration (improvements to /etc/hosts and /etc/resolv.conf), which resulted in faster name resolutions for web browsers and file managers. I found the information to be detailed enough so that I got what I needed, but not so overwhelming as to turn off my interest level. Another positive note was that the descriptions and examples given throughout the book are "distribution-neutral." I'm using Mandrake 9.1 and RedHat 9, and the configuration file instructions matched up perfectly with both filesystem structures. I believe they would also apply directly to other mainstream distributions, or be easily adapted to slightly different locations.

The book covers some history of networking, and explains the TCP/IP protocol in great detail. Issues covered include IP addressing/subnetting, name resolution, routing, kernel considerations, and drivers. The next several chapters discuss how to configure many kinds of networking hardware and software, such as ethernet, serial/SLIP/PPP, and NIS/NFS. There were great examples of the configuration files that require editing, with understandable explanations of why you were doing it. A make-believe small business is used as an example throughout the book, as they build and expand their corporate network and integrate with other branches of the company.

The next section covered how to set up a firewall/router, again with great example configuration files and scripts. This part went into just the right amount of detail, and included discussion on packet filtering, firewall testing, IP packet accounting, and NAT/masquerading. I'd say I got the most amount of useful knowledge from this section, and will refer to it many times again when I get around to building a router for the home LAN. I now feel that I have enough knowledge to replace my LAN's commercial router with an older computer I have laying around, running Linux with a customized iptables firewall. The IP/packet logging and accounting procedures I now understand will make me feel much more comfortable with what's going on in my network, and the security issues involving the internet interface.

There are several chapters dedicated to setting up and understanding various network services that you may with to install and administer. These include email server/client, UUCP/Usenet news, NNTP and INN, and DNS. There are excellent diagrams, tables, and examples throughout the book. If there was one area I would have liked to have seen addressed (maybe in the next edition?), it would be to have at least an introductory chapter addressing the use of Samba, as it is a common, easy method of integrating a Linux network with Windows computers. Overall I was very pleased with the book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in Linux networking. It has something for everyone, at all skill levels. The table of contents and index are excellent, and you can find exactly what you're looking for very quickly. Additionally, the book offers an excellent list of other reference books, websites, newsgroups, and user groups to assist with getting more in-depth information. I'd like to extend a "well done" to the authors, and to O'Reilly Publishing!

You can purchase the Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 2nd Edition from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page. Dan Clough suggests you visit the Pensacola Linux User's Group, too ;)

9 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. Nice positive review... by AgTiger · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But why do I feel like I just walked out of a showroom for this year's new cars?

    "He slimed me, Ray"...

    Seriously, c'mon, give me the negatives. There had to be some negatives. Nothing's perfect.

    1. Re:Nice positive review... by SuperDuG · · Score: 5, Insightful
      negatives?

      The reviewer didn't have the slightest grasp of how to setup a network or linux correctly in the first place. This may be seen as a troll or flaimbait, but it is in fact pretty honest. Anyone who doesn't know how to compile a kernel or setup a basic IP Table NAT really shouldn't be reviewing a book.

      The book was designed for the person who did the review, but that doesn't really give a good "REView". It simply says "yeah I read this and learned a whole lot from it". Someone seasoned in linux and networking might have been able to read more into the complexity of the IPTables and whether or not certain applications like Snort and TripWire were designed to also help out.

      Nope you didn't get that because the reviewer actually admitted that they knew absolutely nothing over the basics before they started reading the book, so you probably won't find anything "bad" from the reviewer because they don't know what they're looking for.

      --
      Ignore the "p2p is theft" trolls, they're just uninformed
  2. How about free content alternatives? by roc_machine · · Score: 5, Informative

    It should be the running theme with Linux:

    Linux Network Administrators Guide 2nd ed

    O'Reilly Linux Command Reference

  3. Beginners by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Having read this book I can tell you that it is NOT really for beginners. You may want to try Essential System Administration , which is also by O'Reilly .

    1. Re:Beginners by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      would you really want a beginner as your Linux Network Administrator?

  4. It's also available for free... by chjones · · Score: 5, Informative

    As part of O'Reilly's Open Books Project, this book is also available (without the shiny binding) for free. You can also pickup PDF's and the like the Linux Documentation Project's guides section.

    --

    Christian Jones
    Medicine. Mathematics. Mediocrity.

  5. Slashdot book review template by LordOfYourPants · · Score: 5, Funny

    This one is a great addition to the {book shelf, work's library}, you all know how to do certain things in {Linux, Windows, Tae Bo, Winsor pilates, using decss, etc} but this book clarifies nicely why you are actually doing it. Also, it introduces nice {UNIX, MFC, advanced jump kick, high-calorie burning, fast dubbing, etc} concepts which {Window$, Linux, Tae Kwan Do, yoga, warez groups, etc} might not have come across before.

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  6. i read this book too by pinpoint23 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have this book as well, and do not share the reviewer's enthusiasm for it, on several points.

    1. It is old (2000, original edition is 1995) and vast sections of the book are completely useless.

    2. It is too concise. The sections on NAT and Firewall are vague, and i had to consult additonal resources just to figure out how to get it to work. I had the same problems with the DNS chapter and the NIS chapter. This book gives enough info to let you know what something is, but often not enough to serve as a useful reference. The authors encourge you to buy additional o'reilly books if you want to know more, which is annoying.

    3. Important stuff is missing. SSH? nothing. SAMBA? nothing. Entire chapters dedicated to obsolete technologies like PPP, SLIP, IPX, and UUCP? lots.

    4. This book did not need four chapters on how to setup a Usenet news server. What a waste!

    Although I was a newbie when I first read it, and learned a lot, i would recommend people look elsewhere. This book is simply too out-of-date. Half of it should be omitted, and the other half expanded so as to become usable.

  7. Re:Little clarification needed here ... by Cedric+C.+Girouard · · Score: 5, Funny
    As far as "networking for linux", I wouldn't put any of those computers "online" without something else between them and the internet. Like a linux box running a BSD, Slackware, or Debian. The overhead and unneccessary packaging for those systems makes it an internet nightmare


    Like a LINUX box running a BSD ?? I think packaging nightmare is the least of your concerns ;-)

    --

    Marriage is considered capital punishment for the theft of a goat in some third world countries...