Linux Cookbook: Practical Advice for Linux System Administrators

by Carla Schroder

This unique and valuable collection of tips, tools, and scripts provides clear, concise, hands-on solutions that can be applied to the challenges facing anyone running a network of Linux servers from small networks to large data centers in the practical and popular problem-solution-discussion O'Reilly cookbook format. The Linux Cookbook covers everything you'd expect: backups, new users, and the like. But it also covers the non-obvious information that is often ignored in other books the time-sinks and headaches that are a real part of an administrator's job, such as: dealing with odd kinds of devices that Linux historically hasn't supported well, building multi-boot systems, and handling things like video and audio. The knowledge needed to install, deploy, and maintain Linux is not easily found, and no Linux distribution gets it just right. Scattered information can be found in a pile of man pages, texinfo files, and source code comments, but the best source of information is the experts themselves who built up a working knowledge of managing Linux systems. This cookbook's proven techniques distill years of hard-won experience into practical cut-and-paste solutions to everyday Linux dilemmas. Use just one recipe from this varied collection of real-world solutions, and the hours of tedious trial-and-error saved will more than pay for the cost of the book. But those who prefer to learn hands-on will find that this cookbook not only solves immediate problems quickly, it also cuts right to the chase pointing out potential pitfalls and illustrating tested practices that can be applied to a myriad of other situations. Whether you're responsible for a small Linux system, a huge corporate system, or a mixed Linux/Windows/MacOS network, you'll find valuable, to-the-point, practical recipes for dealing with Linux systems everyday. The Linux Cookbook is more than a time-saver; it's a sanity saver.

Genres: Technical, Nonfiction, Computers, Reference, Technology, 21st Century, Geek

580 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[C. Hinsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine for a skim.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this format.

"18.6 Using CVS for a Single-User Local Repository"
"18.9 Creating a Shared CVS Repository"

Each heading is followed by a short, direct description on how to do the task, complete with what to type in. It's the examples that man pages ought to have (if man pages weren't written by people who didn't need man pages, for people who didn't need man pages).

There are many, many, many things that have to be memorized in order to use Linux effectively. There are many more whose details should be forgotten and retrieved when needed using "man". But there are a few tasks that I only do occasionally, and this format suits perfectly. I might have to create a new CVS repository one every couple years. I don't want to have to wade through the man pages to figure out how to do it and I don't want to buy a CVS-specific book. This does the trick.

(Oh, and there are some non-CVS chapters, too...)

I think I've bought three copies of this book so far. It really has proven to be that useful.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously this is not a work of fiction that one reads through from beginning to end--but you would certainly learn a lot if you did so. Carla Schroder's technical writing is clear, simple, and presented in short "recipes" that are easy to understand, and not overwhelming if you're a Linux newbie.

On O'Reilly's web site there is an downloadable update to the Kindle edition (I can't speak to other ebook editions), but, caveat emptor, it is not free, though in my opinion reasonably priced.

[ZeV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved its cookbook style. This was a great resource for running personal Linux workstations back when I was not as knowledgeable in Linux and Linux itself wasn't as robust as a Windows/Mac replacement for personal use. The book itself would be way too outdated for use today, but I would still be interested in a new edition with fully up-to-date information comes out.

[Jose Sanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit outdated. Also, it was not what i was expecting.