Building a Server with FreeBSD 7 : A Modular Approach

The most difficult aspect of building a server to act as a file server, Web server, or mail server is the initial software installation and configuration. Getting your hands on the software is one thing; getting it all to function is another thing entirely. For many people, the only option is to hire an expensive consultant. Building a Server with FreeBSD 7 tackles the problem systematically, so readers can accomplish the task themselves efficiently and affordably using the freely licensed FreeBSD operating system. Instructions are very clear and straightforward, so the reader need only read and follow the directions. In addition to explaining how to install FreeBSD for the first time, this guide covers configuration of popular third-party software using the ports collection. It takes the pain out of assembling the pieces and putting them all together so the reader can build a server that just works. The most difficult part of building a server with FreeBSD, the Unix-like operating system, is arguably software installation and configuration. Finding the software is easy enough; getting everything up and running is another thing entirely. The only option for many people has been to hire a consultant. Building a Server with FreeBSD 7 is for those of us who prefer to build our own server. If you're a small business owner looking for a reliable email server, a curious Windows administrator, or if you just want to put that old computer in the closet to work, you'll learn how to get things up and running quickly. Then, once you have a working system, you can experiment, extend, and customize as you please. You'll learn how to install FreeBSD, then how to install popular server applications with the ports collection. Each package is treated as an independent module, so you can dip into the book at any point to install just the packages you need, when you need them. The book s modules cover topics like: Running common FreeBSD admin commands and tasks Managing the FreeBSD ports collection Installing third-party apps like Apache, Courier-IMAP, SpamAssassin, CUPS, Cyrus SASL, MediaWiki, and WordPress Setting up MySQL, NTP, ISC DHCP, ISC BIND DNS, PHP, OpenLDAP, OpenSSH, OpenSSL, and OpenVPN Building a Server with FreeBSD 7 will have you up and running fast, with minimum hassle. (Just be sure to send the money you save to the Unemployed Consultant Foundation.) This is the single most helpful computer book I have read. I have been dabbling with setting up a server for months. Today's servers utilize so many different technologies (HTTP, SQL, SSH, SSL, FTP, DNS, Mail) that just gathering the information to set up server with average features is a big task - especially if it is not your real job. It is pretty simple to find information on setting up a particular package, but not easy to get information to make it all work together.This book takes a very clear flowchart approach and tells you what to install and in what order. If you want a web server, a mail server, a file server, or some variant, this book will help you to build it. I know that seasoned system administrators frown on the scripted "type this and then this" approach to setting up a server but you have to start somewhere. This book will help you to set up a full fledged working and relatively secure server. From there if you want to learn more about a particular technology, great go right ahead and delve in deeper (with another more specific book.) You will after following the instructions in this book have a great platform to configure and expand.I have read several other books on different variants of BSD and this one really pulled it all together. Absolute FreeBSD, 2nd Edition covers installation, networking, security, network services, system performance, kernel tweaking, filesystems, SMP, upgrading, crash debugging, and much more, including coverage of how to: Use advanced security features like packet filtering, virtual machines, and host-based intrusion detection; Build custom live FreeBSD CDs and bootable flash; Manage network services and filesystems; Use DNS and set up email, IMAP, web, and FTP services for both servers and clients; Monitor your system with performance-testing and troubleshooting tools; Run diskless systems; Manage schedulers, remap shared libraries, and optimize your system for your hardware and your workload; Build custom network appliances with embedded FreeBSD; Implement redundant disks, even without special hardware; Integrate FreeBSD-specific SNMP into your network management system. - Publisher A guide to using FreeBSD 7 to build servers covers such topics as installation and booting, kernels, system security, disks and file systems, Web services, upgrading, software management, and system performance and monitoring. Bryan J. Hong. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.