|
|
|
Perl @ Web Programming
Programming Shed : Programmer Store & Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
Perl Index - Perl Book :
Perl for System Administration
by David N. Blank-Edelman Paperback: 430 pages Dimensions (in inches): 0.91 x 9.19 x 7.06 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates ISBN: 1565926099; 1 Ed edition (January 15, 2000) The title of David N. Blank-Edelman's new book, Perl for System Administration, is strangely redundant and thankfully misleading. The soul and source of Perl's core competence is Unix system administration, and another O'Reilly tome on Perl tricks for managing backups would not have been welcome. But the subtitle Managing Multiplatform Environments with Perl communicates the essential task: how to administer heterogeneous Unix, Windows NT/2000, and Mac OS systems from the same Perl-based conceptual platform. Blank-Edelman introduces this diversity of notation to motivate a far-reaching discussion of system internals, and shows how Perl is a natural choice for cross-platform administration. The Unix and Windows "slash" path separators--"/" and "\", respectively--are like crossed swords, where the Mac OS uses the less- generally-known colon (":"). In lesser hands, this treatment still would have been about LAN backups, but Blank-Edelman's familiarity with network imperatives drives the synthesis. As the topics move beyond file systems, user accounts, and process control, the tripartite division in the discussion breaks down. Treatments of TCP/IP and e-mail feature discussions of NIS, WINS, DNS, and nslookup. The chapters on directory services and SQL database management--while apparently digressive--are inserted tactically to enable elegant approaches to the more mundane administrative tasks of sending and receiving e-mail and managing log files to maximize their utility. Blank-Edelman's keen pragmatism shines in the chapter on security in which noticing intrusion earlier instead of later draws on many of the skills that are developed throughout the book. Notably, each chapter ends with a recapitulation of Perl modules that were referenced in the preceding text. The eclectic tutorial appendices--an old revision-control system (RCS), the extensible markup language (XML), the database language (SQL), and two undermotivated and esoteric protocols (LDAP and SNMP)--are so brief as to function more as a Perl-free zone for shop talk than as valuable précis for their respective subjects. Delightfully, this is one of Perl's and O'Reilly's best written books. Blank-Edelman's wit buoys the argument without descending into the all-too-common parlance of sappy testimonials, hollow confessions, or the burdensome ornamentation of inside jokes and puns. -- Peter Leopold From Book News, Inc.: Blank-Edelman (computer science, Northeastern University) has served as system/network administrator for several multiplatform environments in the Boston area. This readable, self-help type book about Perl language and its uses is directed at non-specialists who know some Perl and work in system administration. Five tutorials, in RCS, LDAP, XML, SQL, and SNMP, are included. The paper binding is designed to open flat.Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR Book Description: Some people plan to become administrators. The rest of us are thrust into it: we are Webmasters, hobbyists, or just the default "technical people" on staff who are expected to keep things running. After some stumbling around repeating the same steps over and over again (and occasionally paying the price when we forget one), we realize that we must automate these tasks, or suffer endless frustration. Thus enters Perl. The Perl programming language lets you write quick yet powerful scripts for automating many administrative tasks. It's modular, it's powerful, and it's perfect for managing systems and services on many platforms. Perl for System Administration is aimed at all levels of administrators--from hobbyists to card-carrying SAGE members-- sysadmins on multi-platform sites. Written for several different platforms (Unix, Windows NT, and MacOS), it leads you through the pockets of administration where Perl can be most useful for sites large and small, including: • Filesystem management • User administration with a dash of XML • DNS and other network name services • Database administration using DBI and ODBC • Directory services and frameworks like LDAP and ADSI • Using email for system administration • Working with log files of all kinds • Security and network monitoring including SNMP Each chapter concentrates on a single administrative area, discusses the possible pitfalls, and then shows how Perl comes to the rescue. Along the way we encounter interesting Perl features and tricks, with many extended examples and complete programs. You can simply use the scripts included in the book as written or with minimal adaptation. But it's likely you'll also get a taste of what Perl can do, and start extending those scripts for tasks that we haven't dreamed of. Perl for System Adminstration doesn't attempt to teach the Perl language, but it is an excellent introduction to the power and flexibility of Perl, and whets your appetite to learn more. It's for anyone who needs to use Perl for system administration and needs to hit the ground running. Book Info: Covers the major computing platforms, including Unix, Windows NT and 2000, and MacOS. Shows how Perl can increase productivity in many areas, including managing user accounts, monitoring filesystems and processes, juggling network name services such as NIS and DNS, maintaining a secure network, and more. Softcover. DLC: Perl (Computer program language). Customer Reviews Reviewer: Damon Miller from Seattle, WA USA If you already use Perl for system administration you don't need this book. If you understand Perl, but are interested in learning more about system administration you might enjoy this book. If you're a sysadmin who doesn't know Perl (is there such an animal?), you should read this book. Fairly even coverage of Unix and Windows. Even a few Mac items thrown in. I was disappointed that this book didn't cover more advanced subjects. Reviewer: A reader from ISELIN, NJ,USA I happened to read this book from a friend of mine, David has really done a wonderful job. He has tried to clearly guide the Systems Administrators. The book explains the essential components of using perl for writing programs to perform day-to-day task and some crucial tasks. This is purely my opinion and am planning to buy a copy for my use. I feel it needs to be in the personal collection of every budding System Administrator. Reviewer: Dave Hoover from Wheaton, IL United States The biggest asset of this book is the author's expert knowledge of the three platforms (Unix, Windows NT/2000, Mac) and the in-depth coverage he gives to each. With almost every Perl sysadmin tool he covers, he outlines the OS-specific Perl modules necessary to make the tool work on any of the platforms. This book is truly unique in that regard. Reviewer: A reader from Reston, VA I was surprised to find a disclaimer at the beginning of the book on the places where it might NOT be a good idea to use Perl. Typically people take an all-or-nothing approach to toolsets like Perl. This might save some work where a small ksh script works ok - it's not always necessary to build a Perl program. The best part of the book is highlighting the art and craft of system administration, possibly better than most attempts at it that I've previously read. Even disregarding the excellent examples and specific code for same, this is good as another resource of the harried sysadmin. Somewhat less so for the Perl junkies, however. The biggest downside to this book is the inclusion of NT-specific constructs and concepts. Most system administrators won't touch NT, and most network administrators maintaining NT server farms probably won't touch Perl. This may be a bias of mine, of course. |
|
|
|
© 2005-2006, Programming Shed
|
