Ubuntu Linux is a state-of-the-art operating system, and you need a book that's just as advanced. Along with being the most comprehensive reference to installing, configuring, and working with Ubuntu, A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux® also provides extensive server coverage you won't find in any other Ubuntu book.

Best-selling author Mark Sobell begins by walking you through every feature and technique you need to know, from installing Ubuntu-using the DVD included with the book-to working with GNOME, Samba, exim4, Apache, DNS, NIS, firestarter, and iptables. Sobell's exceptionally clear explanations demystify everything from system security to Windows file/printer sharing.

Sobell presents full chapters on using Ubuntu from the command line and GUI; thorough system administration and security guidance; and up-to-the-minute, step-by-step instructions for setting up networks and every major type of Internet server. Along the way, you'll learn both the "hows" and the "whys" of Ubuntu. Sobell knows every Linux nook and cranny: He's taught hundreds of thousands of readers and never forgets what it's like to be new to Linux. Whether you're a user, administrator, or programmer, this book gives you all you need and more.

Don't settle for yesterday's Unbuntu Linux book. Get the ONLY book that meets today's challenges and tomorrow's!

This book delivers
Deeper coverage of the command line and the GNOME GUI, including GUI customization
Coverage of important Ubuntu topics, such as sudo and the new Upstart init daemon
More practical coverage of file sharing with Samba, NFS, and FTP
More detailed, usable coverage of Internet server configuration, including Apache, exim4, and DNS/BIND
More state-of-the-art security techniques, including firewall setup using firestarter and iptables, as well as a full chapter on OpenSSH and an appendix on security
Deeper coverage of "meat-and-potatoes" system and network administration tasks from managing users to CUPS printing, configuring LANs to building a kernel
A more practical introduction to writing bash shell scripts
Complete instructions on how to keep your Linux system up-to-date using aptitude, Synaptic, and the Software Sources window
And much more, including a 500+ term glossary, five detailed appendixes, and a comprehensive index to help you find what you need fast

Features of this edition:
Includes a DVD with the full Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)
Covers both Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) and Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)
A new chapter on using the Perl scripting language
One chapter each on setting up and using these servers/clients: Samba, NIS/LDAP, NFS, DNS/BIND, Apache (httpd), OpenSSH, FTP (vsftpd), and exim4
A chapter on ufw, firestarter, and iptables with examples and a discussion of setting up different types of firewalls
Seven chapters on sytem administration including setting up a server, DHCP, the Linux filesystem, keeping a system up-to-date using Apt and aptitude, and setting up a LAN
Three chapters on bash (the Bourne Again Shell) including one chapter on shell programming (writing shell scripts)
Coverage of the GNOME desktop how to customize it
See the Preface for more details of coverage (PDF)

Mark G. Sobell is the president of Sobell Associates Inc., a consulting firm that designs and builds custom software applications for UNIX and Linux systems and provides training and support. He has more then 25 years of experience in working UNIX and Linux systems and is the author of many best-selling books, including A Practical Guide to the UNIX System, UNIX System V: A Practical Guide, A Practical Guide to Solaris, A Practical Guide to Linux, and A Practical Guide to Red Hat Linux (all from Addison Wesley), as well as A Practical Guide to Red Hat Linux, Third Edition and A Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming (both from Prentice Hall).

Some praise for the First Edition of A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux®
"Overall, I think it's a great, comprehensive Ubuntu book that'll be a valuable resource for people of all technical levels." - John Dong, Ubuntu Backports Team Leader and Ubuntu Forum Council Member.

"I am so impressed by how Mark Sobell can approach a complex topic in such an understandable manner. His command examples are especially useful in providing a novice (or even advanced) administrator with a cookbook on how to accomplish real-world tasks on Linux. He is truly an inspired technical writer!" - George Vish II, Senior Education Consultant, Hewlett-Packard Company.

"I would so love to be able to use this book to teach a class about not just Ubuntu or Linux but about computers in general. It is thorough and well written with good illustrations that explain important concepts for computer usage." - Nathan Eckenrode, New York Local Community Team

"I read a lot of Linux technical information every day, but I'm rarely impressed by tech books. I usually prefer online information sources instead. Mark Sobell's books are a notable exception. They're clearly written, technically accurate, comprehensive, and actually enjoyable to read." - Matthew Miller, Senior Systems Analyst/Administrator, BU Linux Project, Boston University Office of Information Technology

1272 pages
ISBN-10: 0-13-700388-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-700388-4
Published: Dec 30, 2008