The Accidental Administrator: Linux Server Step-by-Step Configuration Guide Kindle Edition

While this book is helpful in learning some Linux commands used by all distros, I found it was a bit outdated with regards to CentOS. I believe the book was geared towards a CentOS 6.5 version. This book is not helpful if you aren't running the specified version of CentOS. With CentOS version 7, many of the examples in this book are no longer valid or many warning messages are received due to the use of outdated commands.Don't get me wrong, this is a very good book. It just will not be very helpful if you are using a newer version of CentOS. However, it is good information to know.

Excellent for the beginner to the intermediate user of linux. Readable with many hands-on exercise.

This no-nonsense book is exactly what I needed. Already knowing the background information about servers and the theory behind Linux is a big benefit with this book. Reading through chapter after chapter without actually putting anything to practical use is a waste of time for me. I needed an OS to practice on right away and endless pages of dry lecture is not my cup of tea and having it in print is just wasted paper.I bought a used server in order to add Linux to my server skills. Knowing only how to install Linux desktop did help, but this helped a lot to get the server operational quickly for a beginner to start practicing. The book is mainly geared for a class environment, but it does give optional instruction if completing on your own. It recommends CentOS Linux, which is very similar to Fedora, which is the free version of Red Hat. The first install worked great, but the reboot failed to start so I recommend using a live CD to complete the first objective exercise, then install from the live CD.If you are a Windows administrator and have worked with Linux desktop versions, then this is the book for you. Telling then showing and demonstrating is what this book does and is the fastest way to teach technical skills.

There are two primary benefits of this book, in my opinion:1) Concise (180 pages). You can actually finish it, rather than just having it sit on the shelf like the typical 700+ page tech book monster. I have used it as a broad overview to then search the internet for the exact steps I need in real situations.2) Hands-on. It's clearly a training course material, but can stand on its own. You can install a free virtualization software on your PC (e.g. VMWare Player) and have CentOS running in under an hour. Plus, you can test some of the networking and file sharing with other machines (your actual desktop or laptop) this way.I have done some Windows Server administration for several years, and needed/wanted to branch out. If you have some understanding of server management and just need an overview of how to do it on CentOS/Red Hat, then this book is excellent. If you are new to server administration, then I recommend starting with a community college course or two that has GOOD instructors. If you have knowledge of Linux already, then this book probably isn't needed for you.With that said, here are my critiques for improvement:a) Needs to be updated to CentOS 6.x. Some of the Linux packages used in the book don't pertain any longer.b) Genericize the networking exercises (as much as possible) for stand-alone readers who are not in a training course. Perhaps leverage a virtualization software in the book for these purposes.c) Some key concepts are not covered sufficiently, in my opinion: IP tables and package management pop into mind. Others could be removed (e.g. printing).d) Give a short description for parameters in the command line. Student Exercise 16.6, number 4, is a perfect example. I debate about this one, as it could lengthen the book too much.Overall, nicely done, and useful.

A Great Go-To reference book for the beginning and intermediate Admin or Linux user. And Don has a very relaxed and easy to follow style of presentation on the videos that are available. Highly Recommend!

As a new server administrator I have been searching for a readable, concise and informative guide to help me set up my office server. This is it! It clearly walks you through the entire process in plain English.I just wish I hadn't purchased so many other huge books first.

Missing some areas I expected (i.e. custom kickstart so you do exact duplicate builds)

very helpful.

I read this book cover to cover before my interview for a Linux job. I got the job. Says everything to be honest. Its an amazing read for people who want to get into Linux.

I am very pleased with this product, Highly recommended!

I think this is a book for the unwary and unguarded administrator. If you trust to learn from this book the foundamentals of linux server administration this is a too much simplified guide. It's not worth the price.Decisamente troppo semplificato. Più che per l'amministratore fortuito dei server linux è una guida per un amministratore completamente sprovveduto. Ritengo che ci siano altri testi più validi anche per iniziare una configurazione di test.