Linux, a Unix-compatible operating system that runs on personal computers and larger servers, is valued above all for its networking strengths. The Linux Network Administrator's Guide spells out all the information needed for joining a network, whether it's a simple UUCP connection or a full LAN with a Linux system serving as a firewall, an NFS or NIS file server, and a mail and news hub. This book, which is one of the most successful to come from the Linux Documentation Project and remains freely distributable under its license, touches on all the essential networking software included with the operating system, plus some hardware considerations. Fully updated, the book now covers firewalls, including the use of ipchains and iptables (netfilter), masquerading, and accounting. Other new topics include Novell (NCP/IPX) support and INN (news administration). Original material on serial connections, UUCP, routing and DNS, mail and News, SLIP and PPP, NFS, and NIS has been thoroughly updated. Kernel options reflect the 2.2 kernel. However, some topics covered in other books (notably Samba and web server administration) are not in this book. Topics include:

• Introduction to TCP/IP

• Configuring network and serial hardware

• Domain Name Service

• Serial line communications using SLIP and PPP

• NIS and NFS

• Taylor UUCP

• Administering electronic mail, including sendmail and Exim

• Administering Netnews, including INN and several news readers

• Firewalling using ipfwadm, ipchains, and iptables (netfilter)

• Masquerading and accounting

• IPX configuration for a Novell Netware network

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 12 Ratings

Inconsistincies in user reviews - 2002-01-03
Reviewer Rating:
Many of the negative reviews complain that this book did not tell them how to use Linux. What they failed to notice is that the title of the book is "Linux NETWORK ADMINISTRATORS Guide". Networking is about TCP/IP, FTP, etc. If you want a Linux "how to" book, don't get this book.

Good, BUT - 2001-08-09
Reviewer Rating:
This is a good book BUT it is not perfect. For one, it is way too hard for a beginner. Don't even bother if you're a beginner. Second, it's an oldstyle book too, with a whole chapter on SLIP, IPX, and UUCP, and stressing ipfwdmn (whatever it's spelled) over ipchains. and leaving out stuff like Samba and Xwindows (!!). I don't think Perl is mentioned once.

But it does have some good stuff. The chapters on firewalling are good, as is the beginning. There is a good overview of sendmail and news which you don't always find. The chapters on DNS, NIS, name servers, and NFS are fine. So it's a good reference to have, but you don't want it to be the only book you have.

some important topics missing - 2003-11-17
Reviewer Rating:
There is some good information in this book but way to much important stuff is missing. Stuff that should be in *any* linux networking book that is missing from this one include:

-discussion of dhcpd, the dynamic host config protocall daemon
-discussion of dhcpcd, the dynamic host config protocol client daemon
-the routed daemon
-any other meaningful discussion of dynamic routing in linux
-any discussion of connectivity with Windows machines (SAMBA is not mentioned anywhere in the entire book)

It would not be possible to administer an actual modern network without any of the above. These omissions are unforgivable in my opinion. Definite one star.

Networked yourself - 2001-09-17
Reviewer Rating:
One of first book about TCP/IP services configuration. I really found that this book really usefull. However this book only suitable for beginners.

Dirk - 2004-09-22
Reviewer Rating:
O'Reilly was first, but there are publishers now beating them at their game. "Linux Network Administrator's Guide" is an OK book. It took the time to introduce me to TCP/IP routing and gateways, but it's one of those books that you have to start several times to get it.

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