Book Reviews

Pro Ubuntu Server Administration

The target audience of this text, as stated in van Vugt's introduction, is the "experienced administrator" who is already familiar with basic server admin tasks. The beginning chapters address installation and configuration, including imaging and diskless remote booting, but the chapters thereafter cover specific tasks, so feel free to jump around. Because this book uses the Ubuntu 8.04 LTS server as a model, I was pleased to see that all of the instructions and examples were specific to the distro, although most of what was written should apply more or less equally well to other Ubuntu editions. Also, I was pleased that the author held true to his assumptions and did his best to address an advanced admin audience, rarely drifting back into beginning or intermediate server admin content. The mid-range Ubuntu admin would be most attracted to this book, in that it really does show the reader how to get an enterprise-level server up and running quickly. What was missing in part was the in-depth information about what to do with it afterwards. However, the book does put forth quite useful information for the level of its audience – it's just that the level isn't quite as "high" as advertised. If you are an experienced Linux server admin and you want to ramp up to the high-intermediate or beginning advanced level, van Vugt's book is of value. Also, this book might be for you if you have Linux server admin skills but want to hone your understanding of the Ubuntu server specifically.

Sander van Vugt

Paperback, 424 pages

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