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BOOK REVIEW By GREG SWAIN Complete reference for Red Hat Linux Red Hat Enterprise Linux & Fedora Edition: The Complete Reference, by Richard L. Peterson. Published 2004. Soft covers, 800+ pages, DVD, 185 x 230mm. ISBN 0-07-223075-4. $89.00. While there’s a wealth of information about Linux in its various guises on the Internet, the information is scattered like confetti. And of course, individual articles are often incomplete, disorganised or out of date. In short, you can waste an awful lot of time trying to track down that vital how-to information for a special Linux project or just to learn how Linux works. This comprehensive reference book fixes that problem, at least as it applies to recent Red Hat Linux Enterprise and Fedora editions. But don’t be put off if Red Hat doesn’t happen to be your favourite Linux flavour – the bulk of the information in this handy volume applies to other Linux flavours as well. This reviewer has long been a fan of Linux for its stability, its massive range of applications and its low cost. Indeed, most applications are open source and can be downloaded from the Internet for free. And no matter which flavour of Linux you buy, a vast range of applications will be included with the operating system on the CD or DVD (unlike Windows, where you have to pay extra). Puzzled already? Just think of Linux as an alternative operating system to Windows (complete with a graphical interface) and you have the basic idea. This book includes detailed information on just about any subject involving Red Hat Linux you care to nominate. It’s divided into seven parts with 38 chapters and it doesn’t make the mistake of assuming that 46  Silicon Chip you’re an experienced user or a guru. Instead, it begins by explaining what Linux is, then describes the installation procedure for Red Hat and Fedora Core Linux. From there, it moves on to describing how the interface works, particularly as it relates to the two main graphical environments, KDE and Gnome. It then gives details on command line basics, system configuration and network set-up. This information includes setting up a small local area network (LAN), setting up a virtual private network (VPN), and making a DSL (digital subscriber line) or wireless connection to an Internet Service Provider. Although it’s also suitable for beginners, most people interested in this book will have at least some knowledge of the capabilities of Linux. Want to set up an FTP server for your business or even for use at home? Chapter 21 shows you how, with detailed descriptions on deploying the alternative VSFTP and ProFTPd FTP server applications. How about a web server? Chapter 22 has that covered. Or maybe you want to set up a DNS server, or a DHCP server, or a file and print server – it’s all there. Or how about a mail server? Chapter 24 has the goods here, with detailed descriptions on deploying the alternative Postfix and Sendmail MTAs (Mail Transfer Agents). But that’s all just the tip of the iceberg. Other sections of this book detail network security, network administration tools, user management, journaling file systems, software and file system management, system and user administration (including configuration files and permissions), hard disk management (eg, creating RAID and LVM volumes) and firewalls. Indeed, Linux is an excellent choice when it comes to creating secure firewalls. It’s also easy to configure for network address translation (NAT) and IP masquerading, so that users on a private network can share an ADSL or cable Internet connection. Chapter 19 has all the details on this. As a matter of interest, many people with broadband Internet access now use a Linux box at home to act as a firewall and to provide access sharing. Once set up, the box is typically left running 24 hours a day. A Linux system also makes a great workstation, whether it be for basic office work, multimedia, email or just browsing the net (and the necessary applications are all included on the CD). As such, there’s lots of information on office and database applications (including OpenOffice, Koffice and SQL database systems), plus descriptions of popular Linux-based web, FTP, email and newsreader clients. These applications, along with the abovementioned server applications, are all automatically installed when you install Linux (or they can be installed later). As mentioned above, the book is logically divided into seven parts, with separate chapters in each part. These parts are: Part 1 – Getting Started; Part 2 – Environments; Part 3 – Applications; Part 4 – Security; siliconchip.com.au Part 5 – Red Hat Servers; Part 6 – System Administration; and Part 7 – Network Administration. The individual chapters are as follows: Chapter 1 – Introduction to Red Hat Linux; Chapter 2 – Installing Red Hat and Fedora Core Linux; Chapter 3 – Interface Basics; Chapter 4 – Red Hat System Configuration; Chapter 6 – Red Hat Network Configuration; Chapter 6 – Gnome; Chapter 7 – The K Desktop Environment (KDE); Chapter 8 – The Shell; Chapter 9 – Shell Configuration; Chapter 10 – Managing Linux Files, Directories and Archives; Chapter 11 – Office and Database Applications; Chapter 12 – Graphics Tools and Multimedia; Chapter 13 – Mail and News Clients; Chapter 14 – Web, FTP and Java Clients; Chapter 15 – Network Tools; Chapter 16 – Security; Chapter 17 – Internet Protocol Security (Ipsec); Chapter 18 – Secure Shell and Kerberos; Chapter 19 – Network Firewalls (Netfilter); Chapter 20 – Server Management; Chapter 21 – FTP Servers; Chapter 22 – Web Servers (Apache); Chapter 23 – Proxy Servers (Squid); Chapter 24 – Mail Servers (SMTP, POP and IMAP); Chapter 25 – Print Servers; Chapter 26 – News and search servers; Chapter 27 – Basic System Administration; Chapter 28 – Managing Users; Chapter 29 – Software Management; Chapter 30 – File System Management; Chapter 31 – Raid and LVM; Chapter 32 – Devices and Modules; Chapter 33 – Kernel Administration; Chapter 34 – Domain Name System; Chapter 35 – DHCP Server; Chapter 36 – NFS and NIS; Chapter 37 – Samba; Chapter 38 – Administering TCP/ IP Networks; Appendix A – About the DVD-ROM. Finally, the book includes a comprehensive index and comes with a bonus DVD that contains the Red Hat Fedora Core distribution, plus over 1500 applications (and the corresponding source code). In short, this is a book for both novices and advanced users alike. It contains a wealth of information and will prove particularly invaluable to anyone involved in looking after a Linux system or network. It’s available from SILICON CHIP Publications – see advert this issue. (G.S.) siliconchip.com.au Issues Getting Dog-Eared? Keep your copies safe with these handy binders H Heavy board covers with mottled dark green vinyl covering H Each binder holds up to 12 issues REAL VALUE A T $12.95 PLUS P& P H SILICON CHIP logo printed on spine & front cover H 80mm internal width H Buy five and get them postage free! Available only in Australia. Just fill in the handy order form in this issue; or fax (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 & quote your credit card number. Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy 2097 Car Projects, Volume 2 THE PROJECTS: High-Energy Universal Ignition System; High-Energy Multispark CDI System; Programmable Ignition Timing Module; Digital Speed Alarm & Speedometer; Digital Tachometer With LED Display; Digital Voltmeter (12V or 24V); Blocked Filter Alarm; Simple Mixture Display For Fuel-Injected Cars; Motorbike Alarm; Headlight Reminder; Engine Immobiliser Mk.2; Engine Rev Limiter; 4-Channel UHF Remote Control; LED Lighting For Cars;The Booze Buster BreathTester; Little Dynamite Subwoofer; Neon Tube Modulator Mail order prices: Aust: $14.95 (incl. GST & P&P); NZ/Asia Pacific: $18.00 via airmail; Rest of World: $21.50 via airmail Available from SILICON CHIP Or order by phoning (02) 9979 5644 & quoting your credit card number; or fax the details to (02) 9979 6503; or mail your order with cheque or credit card details to Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. March 2005  47