UNIX System Administration Handbook

by Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Scott Seebass

The third edition of Unix System Administration Handbook stands as a fantastic Unix book, perhaps one that's destined for legend. It's arguably the best general Unix book around. Don't delay in getting it, and don't spend too much time flinching at the price; it's worth it. If you work with Unix--in any of its flavors--you'll use this book, and frequently.

How, then, to begin the song of praises for the book? Let's start with its comprehensiveness. The authors--a whole passel of them, but miraculously consistent in style--deal with every subject that's central to the Unix universe. Their diligence extends even to detailed coverage of subjects (like the Domain Name System (DNS)) that many authorial squads omit. System administrators need to understand it all--it's good to see everything covered in one book. Of course, you still will need more focused texts for really complicated situations, but the coverage here will carry you a long way.

Although you probably will want to read this book cover to cover eventually, you might first look at the index, which typically will guide you to a couple of sections. First, an overview of the subject that interests you will explain what the service or feature is meant to do, what it isn't meant to do, and how (in fairly general terms) it does its job. You'll find four sections--one each on the relevant configuration facts of the four emphasized Unix variants. These sections aren't presented as explicit sequences of steps (which invariably leave the reader asking, "But, what if... " anyway), but as narratives that are interspersed with commands and configuration file listings. The approach works well, and it's made even better by the syntax summaries and conceptual diagrams that pop up now and then. --David Wall

Topics covered: Administration of Unix systems, with specific reference to Solaris 2.7, HP-UX 11.00, Red Hat Linux 6.2, and FreeBSD 3.4. Administration is a broad subject, and the authors touch on most of its aspects, including user and file operations (basic and advanced), hardware configuration, and kernel tweaking. Networking coverage includes basic connectivity, routing, server software, DNS, and security.

Genres: Programming, Computers, Nonfiction, Reference, Computer Science, Technology, Technical

593 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Paul Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first Unix Admin books out there. It was a great resource at a time when only the Usenet and white books where the only source of learning and verifying knowledge.
It is written in such a fun way, I sat down a read it one weekend while skiing. Well, after my legs gave out for the day.

[Vincenzo De Sanctis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have the slightest interest in Unix system administration, you NEED this book... it will either equip you for the job or make you consider a new line of work.
This book is by far the best book out there for general UNIX system adminstration. The third edition is even better than the second. Whereas the second edition sometimes got bogged down in trying to mention too many different UNIX flavors, this new addition just concentrates on four main ones (HP-UX, Solaris, Red Hat Linux, and BSD). An excellent decision because it nows has great details and specifics about the four types. An excellent reference and it's entertaining to read too! Highly recommended.
I only regret that the author Evi Nemeth is disappeared en route between New Zealand and Australia on her 40-foot sailboat Wonderland.

[Nemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all it is not a bad reference for day-to-day sysadmin work, however you will still need the fundamental knowledge of operating systems that you might get from a decent book or university course on the subject if you want to do a good job.
Also I was somewhat disappointed by the coverage, or lack thereof of clusters and the VxVM volume manager and Solaris metadevices.
While I do love being cutting edge those two are still pretty widely used and ZFS has a number of issues that need to be resolved in my personal opinion.

[J. Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine; it's likely quite dated now but back when I was wearing an onion on my belt and admining refrigerator-sized Unix systems with hundreds of concurrent users, this 2nd edition of the guide was an exceptional reference, not just for the technical value, but because it was so readable. Evi Nemeth's death was a great loss.

[Jon Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book that I have found for all around *nix administration. Its a bit worn and out of date but I haven't had a need to get a more recent addition (I don't do much *nix admin anymore). It is one of my few technical books that I am happy to leave on my shelf.

[TK Keanini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for system administrators.

[Viaden]

UNIX. Руководство системного администратора. Для профессионалов

[Yitzchak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, classic; a bit more than I needed as the single admin of a library web server (Ubuntu).

[Aleksey Abramov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well it's a classic, I think. I always recommend it.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for starting at the beginning of a Unix adventure and pertinent now that so much of the web, apple Oscar etc is underpinned by it.

[Jason Canon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best UNIX reference book available.

[Scott Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible for Unix Admins.

[Altivo Overo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing more dated now, but still valuable especially for those who must manage or administer UNIX and Linux type systems from the command line.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Very essential, right up there with the nutshell and power tools

[David Sewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are the only ones you need to read if you want to be a sys admin.