Linux Cookbook: Essential Skills for Linux Users and System & Network Administrators

by Carla Schroder

This handy cookbook teaches new-to-intermediate Linux users the essential skills necessary to manage a Linux system, using both graphical and command-line tools. Whether you run Linux in embedded, desktop, server, or cloud or virtual environments, the fundamental skills are the same. This book aims to get you up and running quickly, with copy-paste examples.

Carla Schroder provides recipes that cover specific problems, with discussions that explain how each recipe works, as well as references for additional study.

You'll learn how

Use systemd, the new comprehensive service managerBuild simple or complex firewalls with firewalldSet up secure network connections for Linux systems and mobile devicesRescue nonbooting systemsReset lost passwords on Linux and WindowsUse dnsmasq to simplify managing your LAN name servicesManage users and groups and control access to filesProbe your computer hardware and monitor hardware healthManage the GRUB bootloader and multiboot Linux and WindowsKeep accurate time across your network with the newest toolsBuild an internet router/firewall on Raspberry PiManage filesystems and partitioning

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

819 pages, Kindle Edition

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.