This soup-to-nuts collection of recipes covers everything you need to know to perform your job as a Linux network administrator, whether you're new to the job or have years of experience. With "Linux Networking Cookbook", you'll dive straight into the gnarly hands-on work of building and maintaining a computer network. Running a network doesn't mean you have all the answers. Networking is a complex subject with reams of reference material that's difficult to keep straight, much less remember. If you want a book that lays out the steps for specific tasks, that clearly explains the commands and configurations, and does not tax your patience with endless ramblings and meanderings into theory and obscure RFCs, this is the book for you.You will find recipes for: building a gateway, firewall, and wireless access point on a Linux network; building a VoIP server with Asterisk; secure remote administration with SSH; building secure VPNs with OpenVPN, and a Linux PPTP VPN server; single sign-on with Samba for mixed Linux/Windows LANs; centralized network directory with OpenLDAP; network monitoring with Nagios or MRTG; getting acquainted with IPv6; setting up hands-free networks installations of new systems; Linux system administration via serial console, and a lot more.Each recipe includes a clear, hands-on solution with tested code, plus a discussion on why it works. When you need to solve a network problem without delay, and don't have the time or patience to comb through reference books or the Web for answers, "Linux Networking Cookbook" gives you exactly what you need.

Carla Schroder is a self-taught Linux and Windows sysadmin who laid hands on her first computer around her 37th birthday. Her first PC was a Macintosh LC II. Next came an IBM clone--a 386SX running MS-DOS 5 and Windows 3.1 with a 14-inch color display--which was adequate for many pleasant hours of Doom play. Then around 1997 she discovered Red Hat 5.0 and had a whole new world to explore.Somewhere along the way she found herself doing freelance consulting for small businesses and home users, supporting both Linux and Windows users and integrating Linux and Windows on the LAN, primarily Linux servers and Windows clients. She is the author of the Linux Cookbook for O'Reilly, and writes Linux how-tos for several computer publications.Carla is living proof that you're never too old to try something new; computers are a heck of a lot of fun; and anyone can learn to do anything. Visit tuxcomputing.com for more Carla stuff.