NoStarch Press has released “How Linux Works — What Every Superuser Should Know.” The book targets competent Linux users who want to learn more about filesystems, the Linux boot process, system management, networking, shell scripts, and more.

Author Brian Ward's previous books include “The Linux Problem Solver” and “The Book of VMware.” He also authored the Linux Kernel HOWTO.

Topics include:

• The boot process
• Important system files, and how to manipulate them
• How boot loaders and modules work, so that readers can install a custom kernel
• Compiling from source using several common configuration systems
• Connecting machines to a network, building a network from scratch, and configuring a Samba server
• Backing up data, including which data needs to be backed up, what backup devices are available, what types of backups can be made, how to use the most common archivers, and which media you can back up to
• Printing systems, including networked print servers

“This book helps you tame a Linux system by learning how it works,” author Brian Ward explains. “After reading this book, I feel that you will understand how Linux systems programs behave, so you can pick up any system program and make sense of the documentation.”

The book costs $37.95, and is available now in bookstores or direct from the publisher. NoStarch Press also offers sample chapters covering the boot process and maintaining the kernel.

 
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