View Larger Image	Peter Harrison Prentice Hall, Paperback, Published March 2005, 651 pages, ISBN 0131861506
	List Price: $39.99 Our Price: $25.50 You Save: $14.49 (36% Off)
	Availability: Out-Of-Stock

Read an excerpt: Chapter 15: Linux FTP Server Setup       Excerpt provided courtesy of Prentice-Hall PTR. Copyright © Prentice-Hall PTR. Written permission from the publisher is required for any use of this material.

Write a Review and tell the world about this title!

People who purchase this book frequently purchase:

• A Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming; Mark G. Sobell, $31.95, 36% Off!
• Optimizing Linux Performance: A Hands-On Guide to Linux Performance Tools; Phillip G. Ezolt, $34.50, 37% Off!
• Linux Desktop Hacks; Nicholas Petreley, et al, $14.95, 40% Off!
• Linux Network Administrator's Guide, 3rd Edition; Tony Bautts, et al, $20.95, 40% Off!

• Operating Systems : Linux
• Other Topics : Open Source
• * Series - Int/Adv Users : Bruce Perens' Open Source Series

• Prentice Hall

—Ron McCarty, instructor and program chair, Computer Science, Penn State Erie

"This book addresses the real issues that systems administrators encounter when working with Linux."

—Joseph Naberhaus, Professor of Networking, Universidad Del Mar

"I was impressed with the comprehensive set of chapters. I know of no other work like this."

—George Vish II, Linux curriculum program manager and senior education consultant, Hewlett-Packard Education

• An indispensable guide for every Linux administrator!
  
• Instant access to precise, step-by-step solutions for every essential Linux administration task
  
• From basic configuration and troubleshooting to advanced security and optimization

The Hands-on Solutions Reference for Every Linux Administrator

If you're responsible for delivering results with Linux, the Linux® Quick Fix Notebook brings together all the step-by-step instructions, precise configuration commands, and real-world guidance you need. This distilled, focused, task-centered guide was written for sysadmins, netadmins, consultants, power users...everyone whose livelihood depends on making Linux work, and keeping it working.

This book's handy Q&A format gives you instant access to specific answers, without ever forcing you to wade through theory or jargon. Peter Harrison addresses virtually every aspect of Linux administration, from software installation to security, user management to Internet services—even advanced topics, such as software RAID and centralized LDAP authentication. Harrison's proven command-line examples work quickly and efficiently, no matter what Linux distribution you're using. Here's just some of what you'll learn how to do:

• Build Linux file/print servers and networks from scratch
  
• Troubleshoot Linux and interpret system error messages
  
• Control every step of the boot process
  
• Create, manage, secure, and track user accounts
  
• Install, configure, and test Linux-based wireless networks
  
• Protect your network with Linux iptables firewalls
  
• Set up Web, email, DNS, DHCP, and FTP servers
  
• Configure secure remote logins via SSH and use them to administer Linux systems
  
• Monitor server performance using Linux SNMP, MRTG, Webalizer, TOP, VMSTAT, and FREE utilities
  
• Automate Linux installation across the network for large-scale deployments
  
• Provide fail-safe data storage with Linux software RAID
  
• Manage disk usage with quotas
  
• Authenticate users logging into any device—even if it doesn't run Linux
  
• Control users' Web access with Squid
  
• Modify the Linux kernel to improve performance
  
• Configure MySQL to support third-party Linux applications
  
• Secure site-to-site communication with a Linux-based VPN
  
• And much more...

Preface

Most Linux "Bibles" are split in three sections, an introductory section covering topics such as CD based Linux installation, GUI interfaces and text editors; an intermediate section covering Microsoft Office clone productivity suites; and an advanced section covering the topics most non desktop support IT professionals use on a day to day basis.

Unfortunately the "advanced sections" in these guides cover the underlying theory reasonably well, but often are short on space to adequately cover detailed configuration instructions. IT professionals frequently have to purchase additional specialist books on each topic.

The Linux Quick Fix Notebook takes these "advanced sections" and expands them sufficiently to provide a practical tutorial guide on how to configure many popular Linux back office applications with command by command instructions.

To avoid confusion between the many flavors of Linux, each with it's own GUI interface, this guide exclusively uses the command line to illustrate the tasks needed to be done. It provides all the expected screen output when configuring the most commonly used Linux applications to help assure the reader that they are doing the right thing. The Notebook also includes many of the most commonly encountered errors with explanations of their causes and how to fix them.

The book's format is aimed at proficient beginners, students and IT professionals who often have to do advanced tasks in which the underlying theory is understood, but the commands to do it are forgotten or at the tips of their tongues. To maintain it's appeal as a compact guide, only the essential supporting theory is provided to help the end user implement their projects under budget and ahead of schedule.

A great deal of attention has been paid to troubleshooting techniques that are often needed to remedy unexpected behavior and every chapter has real world practical examples in the form of tutorials.

As the readers are assumed to be exposed in the theory of Linux, many of the introductory topics are not covered which provides much more coverage of the steps needed to get the more difficult jobs done. Two to three months of hands on Linux experience would be ideal as a pre-requisite. Additionally, basic Windows exposure to the concept of sharing directories between servers will be needed.

With this in mind, the persons most likely to be interested in this book would be; IT professionals and consultants; power users; technophillic business owners; community college and trade school professors and students; and SOHO workers.

The book creates a typical office network and shows you how to set up the Linux servers most offices need. Explanations are given not like a lecturer, but as a trusted and experienced co-worker. The chapters have a logical flow of information starting with concise backgrounders and ending with a troubleshooting section. They cover these essential topics:

• Software installation
• Networking setup and troubleshooting
• Samba for Windows files on Linux servers
• Linux to Linux file sharing with NFS
• Simple MySQL database administration
• LDAP and NIS for centralized logins
• FTP and SCP file transfers
• Disk drive redundancy with software RAID
• Wireless Linux networks
• MRTG server performance monitoring
• Linux firewalls and VPNs
• Squid for web access control
• Mail, web and DNS server setup
• Websites on DHCP internet links
• Time synchronization with NTP
• Error reporting with Syslog
• Restricting users' disk space usage with quotas

Many of the topics are covered in Linux certification exams making the book a valuable study guide for those seeking new areas of professional development.

In summary this book:

• Shows, command by command, how to cheaply expand an existing IT investment in Windows using inexpensive Linux as the anchor of a network and website.
• Is highly focused on being task oriented.
• Illustrates how to create a simple network for small business, corporate departments and homes.
• Provides an excellent networking familiarization and troubleshooting guide

As the line between power users and administrators continues to blur, as computers move from the data center to the desktop, as Linux and Windows gain equal footing in business, it becomes harder to remember and do it all. This is the guide that gives you the answers you need to common problems and tasks, allowing you time to eat lunch.

Breakdown of Book

PART 1 - Linux Networking

Chapter 1 - Introduction To Networking

Covers the basic concepts needed to make the advanced user comfortable with many frequently encountered networking scenarios. Describes thirty of the most commonly used terms with simple one paragraph discussions.

Chapter 2 - Linux Networking

A practical guide to configuring a network interface and simple Internet routing using Linux.

Chapter 3 - Simple Network Troubleshooting

Very detailed yet simply explained coverage of the various methods you can use to identify network trouble spots.

Chapter 4 - Troubleshooting Linux With Syslog

Explanations on how to view and use Linux system error messages as part of the troubleshooting process.

Chapter 5 - Installing RPM Software

All you need to know on installing Linux software using popularly available RPM installation files.

Chapter 6 - The Linux Boot Process

Explanations of how Linux starts up after turning on the power switch. Coverage of how to activate / deactivate the startup of various important system programs when the system boots up.

Details on how to choose between using the graphical and regular text interfaces on the Linux VGA console.

Chapter 7 - Configuring The DHCP Server

Essential topics on how to configure a DHCP server so that PCs are automatically assigned their internet addresses when they boot up. Targets usage in the simple networks found in small offices and schools.

Chapter 8 - Adding Linux Users

The basics on how to create Linux user accounts. Not all the features, just enough so that a user will be comfortable in creating one if software installation requires it.

Chapter 9 -Windows, Linux And Samba

How to make your Linux server act transparently as a Windows file server using the Samba package. Uses a sample network of a few PCs which is the typical scenario in schools, corporate departments and homes.

Chapter 10 -Sharing Resources With Samba

Explains how to share a Linux attached printer or CDROM drive with other Windows users.

Chapter 11 -amba Security & Troubleshooting

Simple Samba problem resolution outlined in a logical step by step fashion.

Chapter 12 -Linux Wireless Networking

Coverage of how to install, configure and test a wireless network which include Linux servers.

Chapter 13 -Using Sudo

An explanation, with examples, of how to temporarily grant regular trusted users with system administrator privileges and track what they do. This makes it easier to determine precisely who did what on a system which can be virtually impossible to determine if everyone shares the administrator password.

PART 2 - Linux Websites

Chapter 1 - Why Host Your Own Site?

A discussion on the pros and cons of hosting your own website. Also includes a discussion on how to simply migrate a website from a third party provider to your office or home.

Chapter 2 - Linux Firewalls Using iptables

Security is an essential part of Web life. This chapter gives an explanation of the most popular Linux based firewall software with a step by step examples of a script / program you can write to protect your network.

Chapter 3 - Linux FTP Server Setup

Shows how to set up a Linux server to allow uploading and downloading of files from the Internet using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) package. FTP can be tricky to configure with firewalls and a sample iptables script is provided. There is also a tutorial on how to set up an FTP server to allow people to only download, not upload files for the sake of security.

Chapter 4 - Telnet, TFTP and XINETD

Coverage of how to log into a Linux server from a remote PC using the commonly available Telnet program. Also offers an example of how to save the configuration files of various Cisco networking devices to a Linux server using TFTP. Both the Telnet and TFTP packages are governed by the XINETD program which is also explained.

Chapter 5 - Secure Remote Logins And File Copying

Telnet is very insecure as the data passing between the client and server is unencrypted. This chapter covers how to setup a Secure Shell (SSH) server for encrypted communications as an alternative to Telnet.

Also covers how to configure SSH to allow you to both log in to a remote Linux server without a password and execute commands on a remote Linux server on demand.

Chapter 6 - Configuring DNS

How to configure the Domain Name Services (DNS) on a Linux server that will allow you to map an Internet address to a website name. Explains the different types of DNS servers and discusses simple methods of how to make them serve your departmental network.

Chapter 7 - Dynamic DNS

In many cases you may want to host a website on a DSL line. Regular DNS relies on an Internet network whose Internet address doesn't change. Many home and office networks get their Internet addresses dynamically assigned. This chapter covers how to track this constant change so that your website's name (URL) always points to your new Internet address.

Chapter 8 - The Apache Web Server

Once DNS is configured you need to set up a server to handle your web site's pages. The Apache web server package is the most commonly used Linux software used for this task, but the configuration file can be difficult to understand. This chapter explains how to simply create a website by tacking on easy to understand customizations to the end of the configuration file. Full examples provided.

Chapter 9 - Configuring Linux Mail Servers

Covers how to configure the sendmail mail server to manage mail for your website. Sendmail can be difficult to configure but can be easily simplified using macros that are provided with it, which is all explained in this chapter. Methods on how to combat SPAM, one of the Internet's greatest nuisances, are also explained as are the steps needed to retrieve your mail from your sendmail server.

Chapter 10 - Monitoring Server Performance

Very detailed coverage on how to monitor your server's performance, and even get web based Internet traffic graphs, using the SNMP, MRTG, Webalizer, TOP, VMSTAT and FREE utilities.

Chapter 11 - Advanced MRTG For Linux

Expanded coverage of MRTG which explains how get graphs of CPU, memory and disk usage statistics with examples.

Chapter 12 - The NTP Server

Explanations on how to synchronize the time on your Linux server with well known time servers on the Internet as well as how to make your Linux server the primary time source for your network.

PART 3 - Advanced Topics

Chapter 1 - Network Based Linux Installation

How to quickly install Linux over a network without the need for CDs. Also covers how to automate installation for large scale deployments with examples.

Chapter 2 - Linux Software RAID

Coverage of how to configure Linux software to create redundant arrays of identical disk drives (RAID) to provide fail safe data storage.

Chapter 3 - Expanding Linux Partitions

Sometimes you may run out of space on a Linux partition and need to expand it onto another hard disk. This chapter explains how to do it.

Chapter 4 - Managing Disk Usage With Quotas

Examples of how to limit the amount of disk space individual Linux users can use on a file system.

Chapter 5 - Remote Disk Access With NFS

A practical guide on how to use the network file system (NFS) to share files between Linux systems.

Chapter 6 - Configuring NIS

A description of how to use name information services (NIS) to crate a centralized username / password database for all your Linux servers.

Chapter 7 - Centralized Logins Using LDAP and Radius

NIS has its limitations in that it is geared towards Linux logins and does unencrypted authentication. The lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) can also be used to store username / password data in a rapid access database format over an encrypted network connection. When used in conjunction with RADIUS, it can be used to authenticate users logging into a variety of devices, such as networking equipment, that don't run Linux. This chapter explains how.

Chapter 8 - Controlling Web Access With Squid

This chapter focuses on how to use Squid to limit the amount of time users can spend browsing the Internet using the Squid Linux package. Also covers how to provide password only access to the Internet.

Chapter 9 - Modifying The Kernel To Improve Performance

A brief explanation with examples on how to configure the Linux kernel to improve system performance.

Chapter 10 - Basic MySQL Configuration

Many add on Linux applications require interaction with a database of some sort, one of the most popular being MySQL. This chapter discusses basic MySQL configuration for the purposes of supporting the installation of third party Linux applications such as accounting packages and message boards.

About the Author

Peter Harrison has been fascinated by computers since the early 1980s. He was the founding president of PCJAM, Jamaica's first computer user group, and was the principal systems engineer responsible for the computerization of the island's tax collection and social security systems.

He then sought new opportunities as the western Caribbean representative for a Fortune 500 pharmaceuticals firm and later became the international sales manager for a West Indian rum company. Before moving to Silicon Valley he ran Trinidad and Tobago's first industrial trade office to Latin America.

Peter has since worked extensively in the Internet sector deploying large-scale data centers and Web sites. Extensive use of Linux in this environment combined with his varied business background has helped him create this highly readable book for the newbie, the techie, and their bosses.

In his quieter moments, Peter enjoys the art and literature of the Caribbean and Latin America. Long rides on his bicycle provide another guilty pleasure. Peter likes to relax with his family on short weekend trips to the many attractions of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jul 12, 2006     
great cookbook style linux administration book
I'm a big fan of the cookbook approach to tech books. I usually don't have time to read a book to get a broad and general understanding of a topic. I'm usually after what this book promises: a quick fix. I want answers to discrete problems. That's what _Linux(R) Quick Fix Notebook_ delivers. When I did have time to read an entire chapter, I learned a lot. When I flipped to random pages, there was a good chance I learned something. It's full of gold nuggets.

I work in IT, and I often show someone something that, to me, is pretty basic. But it saves them a lot of time. This book addresses those gaps in my own knowledge: the basic stuff I never happened to pick up. Sometimes it's so basic nobody bothers to write about it.

Unfortunately, I couldn't hold on to the review copy long enough to finish it. But I'm buying a copy for myself. That should tell you something! Especially when I already have about a dozen books on linux and unix system administration already. This approach works for me, and this book implements that approach really well.

Jun 5, 2006     G.Grispos from Cyprus
Must buy book!
Although its for fedora core i used it with debian and after learning the basics from another book this is the BEST next one to learn from. Lots of clear examples and information and great to have in the field too! If you learning linux make this book part of your collection!

Oct 17, 2005     Mike Cohler from York, UK
A real goldmine of directly usable Linux networking tips
Some books are glanced at but then remain on the bookshelf: Not so with this book whcih will be a constant source of valuable reference material providing not only an understanding of how the software underlying basic networking connections works, but also how to set up and troubleshoot file servers, mail servers and web servers. In addition security matters are included, and even excellent tips on VPNs and wireless networking troubleshooting. Of course all of these topics are constantly at the cutting edge, and will move forward constantly after publication of the book, and yet much of the underlying understanding presented in the book remains valid which is what makes this dipping-into source of reference material so useful. This book is ideal for the Linux user who yearns for a deeper understanding of the above topics so that a start can be made into setting up and problem-solving the various networking issues that make a PC into a real workhorse.

Forgot your password? FAQs Shipping Options Returns Your Orders Your Account