Product Description
This book provides immediate solutions to the most common Linux installation and configuration tasks. It expertly explains the complexities of upgrading an existing Linux installation and rebuilding from source. It covers the use of the most common major Linux servers and utilities, including Apache, Sendmail, majordomo, DHCP, Samba, ISC BIND, and Coda. It also presents strong coverage of kernel configuration, networking, system security, Internet services, LAN services, file systems, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

big book, small value
This really is more of a beginners book and not one I would say is for a system administrator.In addition, like every linux book I have found so far, it is distro specific. I will continue to search for a good linux book which spends most of it's time at the command prompt using universal commands instead of the GUI of a specific distro employing a specific GUI.

Elementary, not explanatory, out-of-date!
This book is a beginner's book.Not all bad, but certainly lacks depth.Written just like the MS Windows stuff - here's how to do it.No discussion of why.Many examples, but they can be arbitrary and there is no discussion of what situation the author targeted the example to.Thus, many would be left to think that system administration of Linux is black and white.

Also, this book is aimed at RedHat 6.2.Nobody has used that in years.It's almost irrelevant.The print chapter never discusses CUPS or XPRINT - it only covers the traditional lp and lpr print systems.The networking chapter was OK - but lacked any depth, no good discussion on routing and the examples were so limited that they would only work for a narrow situation.

Don't buy this book, unless you buy mine from me! :-)
I had an Amazon gift certificate, so I did not loose much.

Good for reference but definitely not for learners
After going through lots of other Linux books, finally found one which has everything except how to install Linux on your computer.

It's a quick and easy way to go around your way while administrating Linux machine provided you have some familiarity with the operating system environment.

The book gives you solutions and answers to lots of common (and uncommon, and sometimes too simple to be worth mentioning in any other book) problems and questions. The book is ordered according to topics and each topic contains related questions and answers. Each question also has reference to other possible questions. For example, in installing a printer, a question such as 'How to connect to Windows printer from Linux' refers to 'How to install printer on Linux and access it from Windows'.

Very useful for someone who is actually working with Linux and need to refer to a book every now and then for quick answers, but definitely not for someone who is just starting to learn Linux administration or hoping to learn it by using this book.

Not kind for the one who want to know in details.
What this book covers are mainly based on the distribution ofthat of Red Hat. Has plenty of pages and makes one feel that this may contain essential articles though explanations are in fact too short for practically using what's written there. I think this is a book to give any ideas only as a tip and notby a full description. One may need to refer to another bookfor figuring out what this book was saying. Not kind for the one who want to know in details.

MARVELOUS BOOK!!!
The combination of very well-written, clear theoretical material and "how to" sections is excellent, leaving all published competitors far behind in the dust. Spectrum and profoundness of covered material is unprecedented. I am an undergraduate computer science student and didn't buy this book for some specific task, just to enlighten myself more in the field,and found a lot of new knowledge. But after graduation, on my first day on the job this book will be in my briefcase: it can save me a lot of effort. "Linux System Administration Black Book" is really great for everyone: from guys who barely know how to spell "kernel" to experienced, sometimes arrogant gurus. ... Read more

Product Description
"The definitive work on Red Hat Linux. Chain it to your desk. You'll browse others, but you'll wear this one out."
-Nicholas Petreley, Founding Editor of LinuxWorld
If Red Hat Linux 9 can do it, you can do it too...
Activate the power of Red Hat Linux 9, the most popular distribution of this practical, economical operating system, with the in-depth information in this comprehensive reference manual. If you're exploring Linux for the first time, the hands-on instructions for installing, configuring, and customizing the system will get you going with confidence. If you're a Red Hat veteran, Linux expert Christopher Negus gives you everything you need to administer the latest desktop, server, and networking enhancements, plus much more.
Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Red Hat Linux 9
* Explore GNOME and KDE desktop menus, panels, file managers, workspaces, and themes
* Configure a firewall to share your Internet connection and protect your LAN
* Run applications for Internet browsing, publishing, music, video, and gaming
* Construct your own public Internet server, complete with mail, DNS, FTP, and Web services
* Administer users, manage backups, and automate system tasks
* Create dial-up connections, wireless LANs, and virtual private networks (CIPE)
* Set up Windows (Samba), Mac (netatalk), or NetWare (mars-nwe) file and print sharing from Linux
* Use the Red Hat Network up2date facility to easily get software updates
Special 3 CD-ROM version of Red Hat Linux 9, with 260 additional packages not included in the standard 2 CD Publisher's Edition
Red Hat Linux 9 core includes: Linux kernel, GNU C compiler, GNOME desktop, Apache Web server, Samba Windows file/print sharing, CUPS print service, Sendmail mail server, and BIND DNS server
Additional packages include:
* KDE desktop
* samba-swat
* vsftpd
* spamassassin
* sendmail-cf
* Legacy UNIX network services
* Tripwire
* sndconfig ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Not workable produce
I ordered this item for my husband and while the book is fine, one of the CDs is unplayable.He repeatedly tried to contact the company and could not get any personal response and could not get his CD replaced.He is very dissatisfied with the package, as it is unable to be played as desired.

Red Hat is the best Documented version of Linux
This book is about Red Hat 9, with the Red Hat 9 CDs included. Red Hat 9 is no longer supported by Red Hat. They have moved on to Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise. But Red Hat 9 is still supported by 3rd parties, and is probably the best of the Linux versions for older computers.

I have a 1998 Gateway Solo laptop. Red Hat 9 is the only version of Linux which allows everything on it to work. The sound system on this laptop does not work with Fedora or any other version of Linux. But it is completely compatable with Red Hat 9.

If you are looking at 3rd party software, normally you will find they support Red Hat 7 thru 9, Fedora, and Debian.

If you install a fedora system, much of the book can be used as a reference.

If you get this book/Cd set, I would also suggest getting "Running Linux" 4th edition by Welsh, Dalheimer, Dawson, and Kaufman. Published by O'Reilly. This book covers all versions of Linux and will compliment the Red Hat Bible.

Linux Newbies, This Is For You!
If you are new to the Linux scene and want to dive into the last Red Hat release before Fedora and Enterprise, this book is for you. From step by step configurations to advanced user administration this book has it all! It won't take long to finish all 900+ pages and you will be up and running with a properly configured Linux system in no time. If you are looking for a reference book, this will also add to your shelf set. I sometimes find myself going to it for a quick reference here and there. Even though it is not a Fedora or Enterprise book, it will still help you in learning about how Red Hat develops its operation systems. This knowledge can be ported to other Linux distributions. I started with Red Hat 7.2 and have evolved into a homegrown LFS (Linux from scratch) box because of help from books like these. A must have for all!

Excellent for Windows Powerusers Transitioning to Linux
I'm a computer engineering student and network administrator with a fairly heavy background in MS operating systems and programming.When I decided to move on to the *nix world, the Red Hat Linux 9 Bible came highly recommended from my other friends (also powerusers).While this book is not a complete reference for everything that can be done with Linux (ie. PHP), it's an excellent introduction and reference, and provides a thorough walkthrough for starting a variety of services that are packaged with the RH9 distribution, including the Apache HTTPd, vsFTPd, sendmail, MySQL, BIND DNS, DHCP, and Samba servers.

Might want to buy a supplementary reference for shell commands, but this is an excellent overview and walkthrough.

Great Initiation into Linux --for a Newbie
I am a Newbie to Linux.I've used MS products throughout the years, and finally decided to try Linux. From all of the reviews I had read, I chose the "Red Hat Linux 9 Bible," by Christopher Negus to begin my journey.

Luckily, I read-through about one-third of the book before trying the installation.I successfully installed Linux on a Compaq Presario, although the BIOS always over-rides any O.S. disk, other than the restoration disk (98) that came with the system.I compared the Linux Bible information to my MCSE 2000 kit and decided to set-up two FAT 16 partitions, two FAT 32 partitions, and leave the rest of the disk unpartitioned.Note: my first experiment, with only one FAT 16 partition was unsuccessful, and the Boot record was toast. Two FAT 16 partitions allowed me to retain the boot record and dual-boot, properly.The Linux Bible informed me about leaving the rest of the hard drive unpartitioned, in preparation for the Linux installation.

Even on the Compaq Presario--with the BIOS over-ride issue--I was able to dual-boot with MS Windows and Linux (although I am a newbie to Linux, and this was my first insatllation of Linux), thanks to The Linux Bible.Now, despite the fact that the BIOS only wants Windows 98, I can successfully boot Linux, 98 & 2000 on the same machine.Most people probably would-have just flashed the Motherboard BIOS, but this was my Mom's PC, at the time I was experimenting.98 keeps the BIOS happy, and I need the FAT 16 partitions for Linux, so this set-up works well--without flashing the BIOS (and risking damage to the Motherboard).
Important note:the Linux Bible taught me to install the Windows Operating systems first, to preserve the Master Boot record--which I did.However, if I made Windows the primary O.S., it dusted Linux.So, I made Linux the Primary boot O.S., and DOS secondary.Now, when I boot, I can choose Linux (or let it automatically load), or choose DOS, then choose between 98 or 2000.
Without The Linux Bible I would not have had a clue how to trick the BIOS and install Linux on the Compaq Presario.
Also, I found The Linux Bible to be extremely helpful, once the O.S. was installed and I could tear myself away from the Astroids game--which is rather addictive.
I strongly suggest The Linux Bible to other Newbies. You can find all of the informmation you need--including the Shell commands.This book seems to be the perfect introduction /Initiation into Linux.I also purchased "Linux in a Nutshell" (O'Reilly), but it seems to be written for people who already know what they are doing and already know how to install Linux. ... Read more