Sweet DNS

Comment from BRETT ROBSON
Time February 12, 2010 at 6:59 pm

This books gives an excellent theoretical understanding of DNS but fails on giving technical details on installation and trouble shooting. Getting this software running is not a simple process.

I don’t have the O’Reilly DNS book but based on the other O’Reilly books that I use, I would assume it has more help on installation atc. I would certainly suggest considering it first. Rating: 3 / 5

Comment from David K Yancy
Time February 12, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Okay, rarely do I rave about computer books … especially books on such dry topics as running a DNS server. I’m just one of those book buyers who tries to do a little pre-purchase research and who expects those books that I *do* purchase to at least meet their billing. But this book far surpassed what I expected from it!

Craig Hunt’s writing style could be compared to that of other tech writers like Mark Minasi or Tony Redmond (both of whom normally cater to the MS world, of course). This book reads like the author is speaking to you, moves quickly through the basics, spends just the right amount of time on the key issues, warns you of pitfalls you need to avoid, and gives you some important “heads up” pointers on things to look for down the road.

If you’re new to Linux and are tasked with setting up a reliable, fire and forget DNS server based off of the BIND package, this book is your ticket to getting it done right the first time. It’s both a hands-on tutorial and a light reference tome in one handy package. Worth the money and then some! Rating: 5 / 5

Comment from Gene Ballard
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:34 pm

I bought all of Craig’s Linux Library books but NFS and Samba. They are all great books and easier to read than O’Reilly but I find myself using my O’Reilly DNS and Bind book over this one because Craig doesn’t cover Bind 9 in detail such as rndc.

He also dropped the ball on giving complete info on how to install and configure Bind 9.

I hope the second edition is better. Until then, get O’Reilly’s DNS book. You’ll be glad you did. Rating: 3 / 5

Comment from Sean Nel
Time February 13, 2010 at 12:20 am

After strugling for two weeks trying to figure out Linux Server setups (specifically DNS) I got this book. This was the third book I bought (the other two just confused me more) and I wish I bought it first. It is clear and concise with good examples. It is readable and not just DBA-jargon and for once someone understood that if you are going to buy a book on how to set up a DNS, It means that you most probably are not familiar with all the little hidden details that needs to be remembered along the lines.

I would suggest this book to everyone, from the first-timers (newbies?) to the more proficient webmaster looking for some more internet security!

All I can say is “It’s a great book!” Rating: 5 / 5

Comment from John P. Hoke
Time February 13, 2010 at 2:57 am

If you can only buy one book for running BIND on Linux, this is your book. Craig Hunt walks you through configuring DNS for many straight-forward, day to day configurations, as well as some quite esoteric setups and needs. The coverage of security and BIND is quite good, with ample explanations of the security issues of running a DNS server, ways to stop the “common” hacks of BIND, and options to look into for greater security (DNSSec, dedicated DNS server, keysigning, etc). The book’s organization lends itself to reading cover to cover, picking up more details and better understanding as you go, while skipping areas that may or may not be germain to your particular situation (BIND 9, DNSSec etc).

This series of books from Sybex is turning out to be one of the best for Linux Administrators, the other titles (that I own) cover SAMBA and Apache, and are just as well written and compotent. While their are other books on BIND out there (such as DNS & BIND by O’Reilly) this one is the most approachable, and without sacrificing techinical details of an often misunderstood topic. Rating: 5 / 5