Amazon.co.uk Review
DNS provides the Net's address system, and Linux with BIND is a favourite way to implement a DNS server.
Linux DNS Server Administration assumes BIND 8.x, the version included with current Linux distributions.
Unlike other excellent books on the subject, O'Reilly's DNS and BIND, for example, it assumes you're running an up to date Linux distro, which means it can address Linux specific issues such as how to compile and run it, start and stop it as well as understanding, creating and maintaining the Linux scripts necessary for the correct operation of DNS and BIND.
Because Craig Hunt doesn't have to cover differences between Unices he's able to construct a more linear narrative as well as delving deeper into the subject. OK, you may not care how a DNS query is constructed at the machine level but the fine detail concerning, for example, the Resolver, could save you hours of anguish. The dissection of the various configuration files--most notably named.conf--will prove equally invaluable.
Some of the most useful information doesn't appear until halfway through the book. Performance tuning includes neat tips for speeding up large networks as well as saving money on small systems using dial-up Net connections. Perhaps the most useful section in these days of constant Net security breaches is the extensive coverage on securing and testing your DNS server. Even if you already run a DNS server this is worth a look.
The appendices include a BIND command reference as well as details on configuring NIS. Altogether, a must-have book for any Linux server administrator. --Steve Patient
Synopsis
The Domain Name Service (DNS) server translates Internet protocol (IP) addresses into the URLs humans use. Configuring the DNS server correctly is a key to networking Linux effectively. This text provides an advanced treatment of DNS.
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