The Practice of System and Network Administration

Thomas A. Limoncelli, Christina J. Hogan, Strata R. Chalup9780321492661, 0321492668

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 protйgй. 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 negotiationIt’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”

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Table of contents :
The practice of system and network administration, 2nd ed……Page 1
Contents……Page 8
Preface……Page 26
Acknowledgments……Page 36
About the Authors……Page 38
Part I: Getting Started……Page 42
1.1 Building a Site from Scratch……Page 44
1.4 Replacing Services……Page 45
1.6 Moving to/Opening a New Building……Page 46
1.7 Handling a High Rate of Office Moves……Page 47
1.8 Assessing a Site (Due Diligence)……Page 48
1.9 Dealing with Mergers and Acquisitions……Page 49
1.10 Coping with Machine Crashes……Page 50
1.11 Surviving a Major Outage or Work Stoppage……Page 51
1.12 What Tools Should Every Team Member Have?……Page 52
1.14 Why Document Systems and Procedures?……Page 53
1.16 Identifying the Fundamental Problems in the Environment……Page 54
1.18 Getting Projects Done……Page 55
1.20 Keeping Management Happy……Page 56
1.23 Coping with a Big Influx of Computers……Page 57
1.25 Coping with a Big Influx of New SAs……Page 58
1.28 Being New to a Group……Page 59
1.30 Looking for a New Job……Page 60
1.32 Increasing Total System Reliability……Page 61
1.34 Adding Features……Page 62
1.38 Improving the Team’s Follow-Through……Page 63
1.41 Protecting Your Job……Page 64
1.43 Setting Your Priorities……Page 65
1.45 Avoiding Stress……Page 66
1.48 What Should SA Managers Provide to Their Boss?……Page 67
2 Climb Out of the Hole……Page 68
2.1 Tips for Improving System Administration……Page 69
2.2 Conclusion……Page 77
Part II: Foundation Elements……Page 80
3 Workstations……Page 82
3.1 The Basics……Page 85
3.2 The Icing……Page 106
3.3 Conclusion……Page 108
4.1 The Basics……Page 110
4.2 The Icing……Page 125
4.3 Conclusion……Page 133
5 Services……Page 136
5.1 The Basics……Page 137
5.2 The Icing……Page 161
5.3 Conclusion……Page 167
6 Data Centers……Page 170
6.1 The Basics……Page 171
6.2 The Icing……Page 217
6.3 Ideal Data Centers……Page 220
6.4 Conclusion……Page 226
7 Networks……Page 228
7.1 The Basics……Page 229
7.2 The Icing……Page 258
7.3 Conclusion……Page 260
8 Namespaces……Page 264
8.1 The Basics……Page 265
8.2 The Icing……Page 278
8.3 Conclusion……Page 280
9 Documentation……Page 282
9.1 The Basics……Page 283
9.2 The Icing……Page 293
9.3 Conclusion……Page 299
10.1 The Basics……Page 302
10.2 The Icing……Page 309
10.3 Conclusion……Page 310
11 Security Policy……Page 312
11.1 The Basics……Page 313
11.2 The Icing……Page 356
11.3 Organization Profiles……Page 358
11.4 Conclusion……Page 362
12.1 The Basics……Page 364
12.2 The Icing……Page 377
12.3 Conclusion……Page 381
13.1 The Basics……Page 384
13.2 The Icing……Page 397
13.3 Conclusion……Page 401
14 Customer Care……Page 404
14.1 The Basics……Page 405
14.2 The Icing……Page 421
14.3 Conclusion……Page 426
Part III: Change Processes……Page 430
15.1 The Basics……Page 432
15.2 The Icing……Page 440
15.3 Conclusion……Page 443
16.1 The Basics……Page 446
16.2 The Icing……Page 453
16.3 Conclusion……Page 455
17 Change Management……Page 456
17.1 The Basics……Page 457
17.2 The Icing……Page 469
17.3 Conclusion……Page 473
18.1 The Basics……Page 476
18.2 The Icing……Page 490
18.3 Conclusion……Page 495
19 Service Conversions……Page 498
19.1 The Basics……Page 499
19.2 The Icing……Page 508
19.3 Conclusion……Page 511
20 Maintenance Windows……Page 514
20.1 The Basics……Page 516
20.2 The Icing……Page 533
20.3 High-Availability Sites……Page 536
20.4 Conclusion……Page 538
21 Centralization and Decentralization……Page 542
21.1 The Basics……Page 543
21.2 The Icing……Page 553
21.3 Conclusion……Page 560
Part IV: Providing Services……Page 562
22.1 The Basics……Page 564
22.2 The Icing……Page 575
22.3 Conclusion……Page 581
23.1 The Basics……Page 584
23.2 The Icing……Page 599
23.3 Conclusion……Page 603
24 Print Service……Page 606
24.1 The Basics……Page 607
24.2 The Icing……Page 617
24.3 Conclusion……Page 621
25 Data Storage……Page 624
25.1 The Basics……Page 625
25.2 The Icing……Page 652
25.3 Conclusion……Page 656
26 Backup and Restore……Page 660
26.1 The Basics……Page 661
26.2 The Icing……Page 684
26.3 Conclusion……Page 690
27 Remote Access Service……Page 694
27.1 The Basics……Page 695
27.2 The Icing……Page 703
27.3 Conclusion……Page 706
28 Software Depot Service……Page 708
28.1 The Basics……Page 710
28.2 The Icing……Page 723
28.3 Conclusion……Page 727
29 Web Services……Page 730
29.1 The Basics……Page 731
29.2 The Icing……Page 759
29.3 Conclusion……Page 763
Part V: A Management Practices……Page 766
30.1 The Basics……Page 768
30.2 The Icing……Page 784
30.3 Sample Organizational Structures……Page 786
30.4 Conclusion……Page 789
31 Perception and Visibility……Page 792
31.1 The Basics……Page 793
31.2 The Icing……Page 806
31.3 Conclusion……Page 814
32 Being Happy……Page 818
32.1 The Basics……Page 819
32.2 The Icing……Page 838
32.4 Conclusion……Page 856
33.1 The Basics……Page 860
33.2 The Icing……Page 890
33.3 Conclusion……Page 891
34.1 The Basics……Page 894
34.2 The Icing……Page 904
34.3 Conclusion……Page 910
35.1 The Basics……Page 912
35.2 The Icing……Page 935
35.3 Conclusion……Page 936
36 Firing System Administrators……Page 940
36.1 The Basics……Page 941
36.2 The Icing……Page 946
36.3 Conclusion……Page 947
Epilogue……Page 950
Appendixes……Page 952
Appendix A: The Many Roles of a System Administrator……Page 954
Appendix B: Acronyms……Page 980
Bibliography……Page 986
A……Page 996
B……Page 998
C……Page 999
D……Page 1004
E……Page 1008
F……Page 1010
H……Page 1012
I……Page 1015
L……Page 1016
M……Page 1018
N……Page 1021
O……Page 1024
P……Page 1025
Q……Page 1028
R……Page 1029
S……Page 1032
T……Page 1043
U……Page 1045
V……Page 1048
W……Page 1049
Y……Page 1052