The Practice of System and Network Administration, 2/e

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 betterBuilding and running reliable, scalable services, including web, storage, email, printing, and remote accessCreating and enforcing security policies Upgrading multiple hosts at one time without creating havocPlanning for and performing flawless scheduled maintenance windowsManaging superior helpdesks and customer careAvoiding the "temporary fix" trapBuilding data centers that improve server uptimeDesigning networks for speed and reliabilityWeb scaling and security issuesWhy building a backup system isn't about backupsMonitoring what you have and predicting what you will needHow 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 visibilityPersonal skill techniques, including secrets for getting more done each day, ethical dilemmas, managing your boss, and loving your jobSystem 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 navigationThousands of updates and clarifications based on reader feedbackPlus three entirely new chapters: Web Services, Data Storage, and Documentation