Table of Contents

Preface xxv
Acknowledgments xxxv
About the Authors xxxvii

Part I: Getting Started 1

Chapter 1:   What to Do When . . . 3
Chapter 2:   Climb Out of the Hole 27

Part II: Foundation Elements 39

Chapter 3:   Workstations 41
Chapter 4:   Servers 69
Chapter 5:   Services 95
Chapter 6:   Data Centers 129
Chapter 7:   Networks 187
Chapter 8:   Namespaces 223
Chapter 9:   Documentation 241
Chapter 10: Disaster Recovery and Data Integrity 261
Chapter 11: Security Policy 271
Chapter 12: Ethics 323
Chapter 13: Helpdesks 343
Chapter 14: Customer Care 363

Part III: Change Processes 389

Chapter 15: Debugging 391
Chapter 16: Fixing Things Once 405
Chapter 17: Change Management 415
Chapter 18: Server Upgrades 435
Chapter 19: Service Conversions 457
Chapter 20: Maintenance Windows 473
Chapter 21: Centralization and Decentralization 501

Part IV: Providing Services 521

Chapter 22: Service Monitoring 523
Chapter 23: Email Service 543
Chapter 24: Print Service 565
Chapter 25: Data Storage 583
Chapter 26: Backup and Restore 619
Chapter 27: Remote Access Service 653
Chapter 28: Software Depot Service 667
Chapter 29: Web Services 689

Part V: Management Practices 725

Chapter 30: Organizational Structures 727
Chapter 31: Perception and Visibility 751
Chapter 32: Being Happy 777
Chapter 33: A Guide for Technical Managers 819
Chapter 34: A Guide for Nontechnical Managers 853
Chapter 35: Hiring System Administrators 871
Chapter 36: Firing System Administrators 899
Epilogue 909

Appendixes 911

Appendix A: The Many Roles of a System Administrator 913
Appendix B: Acronyms 939

Bibliography 945
Index 955

Courses

Networking--Advanced  [PTG: AW PROFESSIONAL]   (Computer Science)

Previous Edition(s)

• Practice of System and Network Administration, The
  Limoncelli & Hogan
  ©2002  |  Addison-Wesley Professional  |  Paper; 816 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0201702711  |  ISBN-13: 9780201702712
  Suggested retail price: $59.99  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $37.79  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  Students need to know more than just what command to type to become a successful system administrator. This unique book discusses the fundamentals of the craft, and how to think about the problems that are posed. Through real-world examples the authors discuss the models that experienced system and network administrators use, but rarely document. From a series of philosophical and practical points, the authors, in mentor-like fashion, build a set of larger guides and teach how to think like an experienced sys admin. The "What To Do When" section will be of immense utility when students grapple with the many-sided issues faced in system and network administration. Students will gain an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the profession and learn the technical skills that are critical to the success of a system and network administrator.

  More Info
  

Author Bios

Thomas A. Limoncelli is a noted system and network administrator employed at Google. He speaks at conferences worldwide on a variety of topics.

Christina J. Hogan has more than ten years' system administration experience. She now works at the BMW Sauber F1 team as an aerodynamicist.

Strata R. Chalup is a twenty-year veteran of system administration and technical project management. She is the founder of Virtual.Net, Inc.

Backcover Copy

The first edition of The Practice of System and Network Administration introduced a generation of system and network administrators to a modern IT methodology. Whether you use Linux, Unix, or Windows, this newly revised edition describes the essential practices previously handed down only from mentor to protégé. This wonderfully lucid, often funny cornucopia of information introduces beginners to advanced frameworks valuable for their entire career, yet is structured to help even the most advanced experts through difficult projects.

The book's four major sections build your knowledge with the foundational elements of system administration. These sections guide you through better techniques for upgrades and change management, catalog best practices for IT services, and explore various management topics. Chapters are divided into The Basics and The Icing. When you get the Basics right it makes every other aspect of the job easier--such as automating the right things first. The Icing sections contain all the powerful things that can be done on top of the basics to wow customers and managers.

Inside, you'll find advice on topics such as

• The key elements your networks and systems need in order to make all other services run better
• Building and running reliable, scalable services, including web, storage, email, printing, and remote access
• Creating and enforcing security policies
• Upgrading multiple hosts at one time without creating havoc
• Planning for and performing flawless scheduled maintenance windows
• Managing superior helpdesks and customer care
• Avoiding the "temporary fix" trap
• Building data centers that improve server uptime
• Designing networks for speed and reliability
• Web scaling and security issues
• Why building a backup system isn't about backups
• Monitoring what you have and predicting what you will need
• How technically oriented workers can maintain their job's technical focus (and avoid an unwanted management role)
• Technical management issues, including morale, organization building, coaching, and maintaining positive visibility
• Personal skill techniques, including secrets for getting more done each day, ethical dilemmas, managing your boss, and loving your job
• System administration salary negotiation

It's no wonder the first edition received Usenix SAGE's 2005 Outstanding Achievement Award!

This eagerly anticipated second edition updates this time-proven classic:

• Chapters reordered for easier navigation
• Thousands of updates and clarifications based on reader feedback
• Plus three entirely new chapters: Web Services, Data Storage, and Documentation

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students contact your Pearson Higher Education representative.