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Reveals and illustrates the awesome power and flexibility of the command line, and the design and usage philosophies that support those traits. This understanding of how to extract the most from the Linux command line can help you become a better SysAdmin. Understand why many things in the Linux and Unix worlds are done as they are, and how to apply the Linux Philosophy to working as a SysAdmin.

The original Unix/Linux Philosophy presented foundational and functional tenets - rules, guidelines, and procedural methods - that worked well. However, it was intended for the developers of those operating systems. Although System Administrators could apply many of the tenets to their daily work, many important tenets were missing.

Over the years that David Both has been working with Linux and Unix, he has formulated his own philosophy - one which applies more directly to the everyday life of the System Administrator. This book defines a philosophy, and then illuminates the practical aspects of that philosophy with real-world experiments you can perform. Inspired by David´s real mentors, and dedicated to them, The Linux Philosophy for System Administrators is a mentor to SysAdmins everywhere; remember - "If you fail you learn."

What You Will Learn

Apply the Linux philosophy to working as a SysAdmin

Unlock the power of the knowledge you already have

Fully understand and access the vast power of the command line

Review the power of Linux as a function of the philosophies that built it

Who This Book Is For

If you want to learn the secrets that make the best Linux SysAdmins powerful far beyond that of mere mortals; if you want to understand the concepts that unlock those secrets; if you want to be the SysAdmin that everyone else turns to when the bytes hit the fan - then this book is for you.

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Part 1. Introduction

1. Introduction to the Linux Philosophy

2. Getting Ready

Part 2. Foundation

3. Data Streams

4. Transforming Data Streams

5. Everything is a File

6. Using the Linux FHS

Part 3. Function

7. Embrace the CLI

8: Be a Lazy SysAdmin

9. Automate Everything

10. Always use Shell Scripts

11. Test Early, Test Often

12. Use Common Sense Naming

13. Store Data in Open Formats

14. Use Separate Filesystems for Data

15. Make Programs Portable

16. Use Open Source Software

Part 4. Becoming Zen

17. Strive for Elegance

18. Find the Simplicity

19. Use your Favorite Editor

20. Document Everything

21. Back up Everything - Frequently

22. Follow your Curiosity

23. There is No Should

24. Mentor the Young SysAdmins

25. Support your Favorite Open Source Project

26. Reality Bytes

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David Both is a Linux and Open Source advocate who resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has been in the IT industry for over forty years and taught OS/2 for IBM where he worked for over 20 years. While at IBM, he wrote the first training course for the original IBM PC in 1981. He has taught RHCE classes for Red Hat and has worked at MCI Worldcom, Cisco, and the State of North Carolina. He has been working with Linux and Open Source Software for 20 years. David has written articles for OS/2 Magazine, Linux Magazine, Linux Journal and OpenSource.com. His article "Complete Kickstart," co-authored with a colleague at Cisco, was ranked 9th in the Linux Magazine Top Ten Best System Administration Articles list for 2008. He has spoken at POSSCON and All Things Open (ATO).

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