Red Hat Linux 6 Server

If you could buy only one book about Linux 2.x and its associated software, Red Hat Linux 6 Server would make an excellent choice. This book deals with all aspects of the Red Hat 6 distribution of the operating system that's brought about a sea change in the computer and networking industries.

Mohammed Kabir, a programmer and an expert on the Apache server, has written a book that's patient and easy to follow, yet detailed and packed with information you'll need to get yourself out of jams. Though more information on Gnome and other graphical environments would make this book better, Kabir's coverage of the basics--installation, configuration, basic networking, workaday commands, and the file system--is very good.

This book distinguishes itself from its pack of competitors with its coverage of server software, however. A large part of this book deals with the installation, configuration, and use of various servers, including those for the Domain Name System (DNS), electronic mail, Web documents, SQL databases, and FTP documents.

The author's style seems almost joyous at times. He'll typically explain how to do something in the standard way, then begin to rattle off variations on that theme: "You might want to do this! Or this! Or--oh, watch this--this!" This sort of presentation is a lot of fun to read, and it makes the reader aware of exactly how flexible the Linux environment can be under the control of a knowledgeable handler. Red Hat Linux 6 Server does a real service for the Linux community, particularly for newcomers to the operating system. --David Wall

Topics covered: All aspects of Red Hat Linux 6, with emphasis on setting up fire-and-forget server software that can make a Linux box an important part of an enterprise's computing infrastructure. All essential network services--including Network File System (NFS), Structured Query Language (SQL), and Samba--receive excellent coverage.