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UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook
"As an author, editor, and publisher, I never paid much attention to the competition-except in a few cases. This is one of those cases. The UNIX System Administration Handbook is one of the few books we ever measured ourselves against." -From the Foreword by Tim O'Reilly, founder of O'Reilly Media "This book is fun and functional as a desktop reference. If you use UNIX and Linux systems, you need this book in your short-reach library. It covers a bit of the systems' history but doesn't bloviate. It's just straightfoward information delivered in colorful and memorable fashion." -Jason A. Nunnelley"This is a comprehensive guide to the care and feeding of UNIX and Linux systems. The authors present the facts along with seasoned advice and real-world examples. Their perspective on the variations among systems is valuable for anyone who runs a heterogeneous computing facility." -Pat Parseghian The twentieth anniversary edition of the world's best-selling UNIX system administration book has been made even better by adding coverage of the leading Linux Ubuntu, openSUSE, and RHEL. This book approaches system administration in a practical way and is an invaluable reference for both new administrators and experienced professionals. It details best practices for every facet of system administration, including storage management, network design and administration, email, web hosting, scripting, software configuration management, performance analysis, Windows interoperability, virtualization, DNS, security, management of IT service organizations, and much more. UNIX(R) and Linux(R) System Administration Handbook, Fourth Edition, reflects the current versions of these operating Ubuntu(R) LinuxopenSUSE(R) LinuxRed Hat(R) Enterprise Linux(R)Oracle America(R) Solaris(TM) (formerly Sun Solaris)HP HP-UX(R)IBM AIX(R)
1327 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2010
456 people are currently reading
1,983 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 7, 2017
So you have to work with UNIX, huh?
Get this book. Shhh... no... don't talk any more ... I was installing UNIX systems back before you were born.
Get THIS book.
Get this book. Shhh... no... don't talk any more ... I was installing UNIX systems back before you were born.
Get THIS book.
September 1, 2018
I read this book cover to cover and skimmed very little. My goal in reading this book was to sharpen my Linux skills and it helped me do exactly that. Though this book enjoys high average ratings everywhere it appears, I stayed away from it thinking that it would be filled with mundane tutorials on how to set up printers and plug in keyboards. It turned out to be a comprehensive and fun overview of Linux from the viewpoint of a System Administrator. I mean it when I say it's fun--the authors' senses of humor and inclusion of their own personal experiences make the read less of a trudge than it could be. Many recent grads, such as myself, suffer from having very little Linux training which can result in fundamental misunderstandings and derailed progress. This book, whether used as a reference, introduction, or a paperweight conveying that you know Linux, is worth purchasing.
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February 15, 2014Like most technical books, this is not something I will read once and set aside, but rather use as a reference over and over (I am not a systems admin, but a motivated end user). Even though I haven't yet read it through I'm giving it five stars; the parts I have read are thorough, relatively easy to understand, and sprinkled with a pinch of humor--something that helps an otherwise dry subject matter go down easier, so to speak. Definitely recommended.
July 11, 2017
I did not read this book cover to cover (it's 1344 pages long!) but I've read enough (600+ pages) to say that this well known book is a bit overrated to be honest. Even though it's so long, it never goes into enough detail into each of the topics. It's an indispensable and must-read book if you want to understand how major parts of Linux works in a general sort of way, but I've found that actual sysadmin tasks required me to read other in-depth specialized books
January 3, 2020
This is the Bible
February 2, 2022
I can't believe I've read this book cover to cover (technically I didn't follow the order but I read everything). It's a great a book to teach you about unknown unknowns, for the rest you can always google.
May 16, 2019
A long hard read, touches a large number of topics that one may encounter in a career in Computer Science without going into too much detail. A must read to get a quick overview of concepts ranging from basic linux fundamentals to VMs & Containers.
November 3, 2015
Clearly one of the best book to learn about systems administration. A must read for anyone who wants to try this field or anyone that just started their career.
July 22, 2018
It took me three months and my whole Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ reading list had to be adjusted to accommodate this mammoth resource but every single day was worth it! I am overflowing with superlatives for this book. I hardly skipped any sections. It was just loaded with the comprehensive information on system administration. It has definitely upgraded me from a complete Linux hobbyist and monkey into a fairly competent IT-savvy professional. I see myself keeping this book in my Kindle device as some sort of ready reference for things I am doing now. It's incredibly useful. If you are a career shifter to the IT industry and you need a primer and you are surrounded by sysadmins who cannot tell you the whole body of knowledge during training, let this book walk you through. It has substance, humor, and the perfect list of DevOps and sys ad topics that can catapult your knowledge of Unix and Linux.
July 27, 2019
This is a book that brought me to my profession, to my identity, to what I am. I am a system administrator (DevOps/SRE, call as you like it) for last 16 years. This book is ideal handbook for all xNIX sysadmins. Must read.
April 18, 2020
Wow, just wow!!!
My current favourite book on a technical subject.
As the single greatest addition to my programming/IT library, this book will be placed somewhere in arms length as a weapon of choice for any sysadmin challenge.
My current favourite book on a technical subject.
As the single greatest addition to my programming/IT library, this book will be placed somewhere in arms length as a weapon of choice for any sysadmin challenge.
April 3, 2013
One of the greatest books for every sysadmin.
not designed to teach you how to run Linux in your basement.
this book is targeted to larger system deployments and real world large systems.
not designed to teach you how to run Linux in your basement.
this book is targeted to larger system deployments and real world large systems.
January 31, 2016
Very comprehensive, but at the same time accessible. First chapters can be used as an intro to *nix to get a better understanding of how things work.
November 16, 2015
The most important technical book for any Linux or Unix system administrator.
May 28, 2017
If you spend all day ssh'd into Linux machines, this is the book you need. Nemeth and team did it first, and they did it best. Don't waste your time on other UNIX books.
October 31, 2017
Good for First Linux Admin
This is book for first step for Linux Administrator and to advance step.
It is help me for very well.
This is book for first step for Linux Administrator and to advance step.
It is help me for very well.
September 15, 2018
Best guide book ever written.This is the bible for System Administration.
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June 26, 2021a tiny trove, full of treasures 💞💞💞
November 2, 2020
When I needed to decide whether I would purchase this book, I opened it on a random page. The first phrase I read was: "loader is a scripting environment, and the scripting language is Forth". The footnote stated "This is a remarkable and interesting fact if you're a historian of programming languages, and unimportant otherwise". Yes, I thought, this is it! These are people that know how to write!
Authors and me, reader, are on the same page as to what is needed in a Unix/Linux book. I don't want to see many similar step-by-step installation instructions. I don't like diagrams in which identical arrows can have multiple different and unexplained meanings. This book doesn't contain fuzzy diagrams (hardly any diagrams at all)! It is extremely well written, respects you as a reader, and is chock full of things you need to know if you are a Linux/Unix administrator. If you, like me, just want to spend your time well, then this book is is also for you.
In first instance, I thought this book was about Linux/Unix only. This is what many people may think, based on its title, but it is not true. This book also contains lessons of life about respect, friendship and loyalty. I'd like to view this book as a source of wisdom. I would like to say "Try it yourself. See how it works."
Authors and me, reader, are on the same page as to what is needed in a Unix/Linux book. I don't want to see many similar step-by-step installation instructions. I don't like diagrams in which identical arrows can have multiple different and unexplained meanings. This book doesn't contain fuzzy diagrams (hardly any diagrams at all)! It is extremely well written, respects you as a reader, and is chock full of things you need to know if you are a Linux/Unix administrator. If you, like me, just want to spend your time well, then this book is is also for you.
In first instance, I thought this book was about Linux/Unix only. This is what many people may think, based on its title, but it is not true. This book also contains lessons of life about respect, friendship and loyalty. I'd like to view this book as a source of wisdom. I would like to say "Try it yourself. See how it works."
January 8, 2022
If you want to learn the basics of unix/linux system administration, this is your first stop
To say that this is the best book about learning System Administration for unix/linux systems is no understatement in the least. All the basics are covered in a logical format and with clear examples.
While I no longer need a book like this, it is always my first recommendation to anyone who wants to brush up, or learn how to manage modern unix/linux systems. I cannot rate this book highly enough.
The first edition gave me my career start over 30 years ago, and the latest edition will give many others their start today.
(review for fourth edition. Fifth edition is the current edition as of the time of this review)
To say that this is the best book about learning System Administration for unix/linux systems is no understatement in the least. All the basics are covered in a logical format and with clear examples.
While I no longer need a book like this, it is always my first recommendation to anyone who wants to brush up, or learn how to manage modern unix/linux systems. I cannot rate this book highly enough.
The first edition gave me my career start over 30 years ago, and the latest edition will give many others their start today.
(review for fourth edition. Fifth edition is the current edition as of the time of this review)
June 18, 2017
A pretty long book about everything about *nix. A little bit outdated, but most of the stuff is still relevant. Keep in mind that it does not go into details, instead, you will get a general overview and some basic understanding of all the systems (it looks like the book is touching everything admin-related you can imagine) and practices, but then you will have to find another source for the juicier stuff.
Have to admit I skipped probably a half of the book � all non-Linux stuff (AIX, HP-UX? wow, haven't seen you guys in a while), along with some random chapters like "Printing".
Have to admit I skipped probably a half of the book � all non-Linux stuff (AIX, HP-UX? wow, haven't seen you guys in a while), along with some random chapters like "Printing".
May 16, 2021
I've decided to accomplish this reading because software developers should know how to run and maintain their software for end-users.
A long, challenging read touches on many topics that you may encounter in the real world without going into too much detail.
This book is a comprehensive overview and an excellent place to start in production and infrastructure maintenance.
Topics include Linux and FreeBSD knowledge, network configuration, initial host setup, security, monitoring, and countless other things.
A long, challenging read touches on many topics that you may encounter in the real world without going into too much detail.
This book is a comprehensive overview and an excellent place to start in production and infrastructure maintenance.
Topics include Linux and FreeBSD knowledge, network configuration, initial host setup, security, monitoring, and countless other things.
June 14, 2024
Lots of useful and really detailed information. But also lots of general level yaada-yaada especially at the end. Since the book is already too long, something would better be left out.
I liked the general structure where at first there was kind of a top level view of different things referring to more detailed upcoming chapters of the same things.
Also felt slightly outdated, altough most of the content is by nature something that never gets outdated.
I liked the general structure where at first there was kind of a top level view of different things referring to more detailed upcoming chapters of the same things.
Also felt slightly outdated, altough most of the content is by nature something that never gets outdated.
November 17, 2019
I didn't completely read this book, rather I'm using it as a reference. When I wonder something about Linux and system administration I refer to this book. Sometimes I choose a topic which draws my attention from its content and learn it from this book. Its content is abundant and has interesting topics. It has clear, succinct explanations and reading them is a great joy.
October 18, 2020
Książkę czytałem 3 miesiące. Jest bardzo szczegółowa, co ma swoje plusy (wszystko w jednym miejscu) i minusy (jest trochę nużąca). Opis najważniejszych commend w linuxie i BSD to temat przewodni większości rozdziałów (31). Są też sieci, bezpieczeństwo, filozofia devops i nawet jak zaprojektować serwerownie łącznie z wzorami.
December 16, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. Although not 'super' recent (this edition was written in 2017) it is still extremely relevant and up to date. Okay the UNIX/Linux eco-system at the administration level isn't evolving _that_ fast, but quite some recent developments like systemd, docker, containerization, infrastructure as code, devops are all present in the book.
December 9, 2018
Glad that this book is up to date, with new editions that contain information on things like Cloud computing, containers, devops, but also still about basics like performance tuning, logging, monitoring.
December 28, 2018
The book is a collection of pointers about a topic (each topic being a chapter, like configuration management). Each chapter exposes an overview of a topic, plus some good hints formalized from experience and then provides a list of books to read to go in depth in the topic.
February 5, 2017
Was a fantastic read. Needs to be updated though. But it's a great, great book. A classic in every sense of the word.
February 9, 2018
The best IT book I've never read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
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