| Linux Networking Cookbook: Tasty Linux recipes |
Dec. 18, 2007
Even before I picked up Unix, I worked on networks. While networking has gotten simpler, it's almost all TCP/IP now instead of Arcnet, Token-Ring and a half dozen dusty wiring and protocol schemes. The services that use networking have gotten ever more powerful and more complicated. That's why a book like Carla Schroder's Linux Networking Cookbook is so valuable.
In her book, Schroder delivers exactly what she promises: recipes for creating tasty and useful Linux and TCP/IP networking setups. Want to know how to build a VOIP (voice over IP) server with Asterisk? How to create a single sign-on for hybrid Linux/Windows LANs? Or, how to create a real VPN with OpenVPN a Linux-based PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) server? It's in there.
The book uses Red Hat-based Linux, Fedora specifically, and Debian for its examples. Nevertheless, a savvy Linux administrator shouldn't have any trouble cooking up recipes here on their favorite Linux distribution. I certainly had no trouble doing so while slaving over my hot open-SUSE servers.
All in all, Schroder presents users with 17 recipes for some of the most common Linux networking jobs. The book also comes with a final chapter on troubleshooting network protocols and services using Linux tools.
Anyone can say they can help you deliver the goods, but the proof is in how the recipes actually turn out. So, I decided to use two of her chapters on networking problems I know backwards and forwards. These were routing with RIP (Routing Information Protocol) and OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), and using Samba on a mixed Linux/Windows network. I also chose to see if she could teach an old dog new tricks by using her instructions on how to install and use MRTG (Multirouter Traffic Graph) for network monitoring.
And, how did it go? Frankly, I was impressed. For example, not only did Schroder clearly explain how to use RIP and OSPF, but she also set out in a way anyone could understand when it's better to use one over the other. She also did an excellent job of explaining one of the greatest pains ever faced by a Windows/Linux network administrator—getting Linux systems to work with Active Directory. If you really want to mix, match and manage Samba in AD, you'll still need a third-party program such as Likewise.
As for MRTG, I had no trouble at all following the instructions. Of course, it helped that I already had SNMP running on all my devices, but even if I hadn't, I doubt I would have had any trouble.
Schroder writes in a very straightforward and clear manner. When things get complicated, and they always do in networking, she sticks to the main thread while pointing you toward other chapters or documents, as needed, if you find yourself sidetracked by another problem. I appreciate this. I've read too many technical books where, in trying to give you all the information you might need, the writer ends up losing me in the details.
The network troubleshooting chapter deserves mention in its own right. It's far from complete, but as a quick introduction to the basic Linux networking troubleshooting tools, it's quite nice.
This is not, let me repeat that, this is not an introduction to either the theory or practice of TCP/IP networking. For that, turn to Craig Hunt's TCP/IP Network Administration, third edition, for your start. It's also not a book for people whose main concern with networking is making the most of their Web or e-mail server.
But, if what you want is a clear guide to using Linux open-source software to create solutions for such common network requirements as creating a Linux-based Wi-Fi access point or modem server, using SSH (Secure Shell) for network management or making a firewall, this book is for you. It is one of the best practical guides I have ever had the pleasure of reading on making real-world answers to Linux networking requirements.
Linux Networking Cookbook is available from most online bookstores and well-provisioned technical bookstores. This O'Reilly book lists for $44.99.
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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