Reviews (9)

Very nice and complete introduction book
Before I encountered this book it was quite a bit of frustration in attempt to learn BSD and UNIX to the point I can really use it. For some reason there so many good books in a subject with one of two inclinations: or the book is too theoretical and very little of the real workflow provided or it is too down to earth and it is difficult to understand what is behind the sophisticated command line zingers.
Highly recommended for learning how a kernel works in practice
First of all you should be warned that this is not an introduction to get started with UNIX kernel programming. The Design of the UNIX Operating System by M.J. Bach provides a good general introduction to UNIX kernel programming. The design and implementation of the FreeBSD operating system is an excellent book to deepen knowledge of the UNIX kernel by looking how a current UNIX is implemented in practice. Even if you plan to write code for another kernel, working through the FreeBSD kernel with this book as a guide is a good excercise to become consious of the fundamental problems and solutions in kernel design. FreeBSD (or any of the other BSDs) is a good starting point, because the BSDs have relatively stable kernel subsystems and APIs due to the long cycles in BSD development.
The OTHER freeOS explained
A BSD Bible. I never could read the Bible. I do Believe ...
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Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Free computer software    6. FreeBSD    7. Miscellaneous Software    8. Operating Systems - General    9. Operating systems (Computers)    10. Computers / Operating Systems / General    11. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK   

Editorial Review

Because it's very popular among Internet service providers(ISPs), FreeBSD is likely the Unix flavor you work with when you Telnetinto the server that hosts a Web site. For that reason, it's worthhaving Read more

Reviews (26)

Fantastic!!!
This book is wonderful for the beginner who already knows about the ins and outs of computers. I installed freeBSD and was so impressed that I bought this book.It has already been an asset and I have learned a ton about this operating system and I am only in Chapter 4!
If you're new to FreeBSD, you will like it.
This book isn't for me.
I think that is a good book
I preorder this book, and waited by 2 months until it was published, but FreeBSD 6 really was a good choice. It is well wrote, but for my is necessary a better chapter reference, because I used it like a reference book and some time I need to look in the entire book to find a specific topic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computer Operating Systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Operating Systems    5. Free computer software    6. Internet - World Wide Web    7. Operating Systems - General    8. Operating systems (Computers)    9. Computers / Operating Systems / General    10. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)   

Reviews (10)

An excellent book with well explained working examples
I have to hand it to Mr. Comer and Stevens, they have done an excellent job writing a book that explains everything clearly with very well defined (and actually working) examples.
Like Cliff Notes
This is a great book and I see why some teachers chose it for grad students. I didn't do well in networks last semester because I had to learn BSD TCP/IP sockets from sources like book snippets my teacher gave me, man pages, and various Internet sources. The textbook I had to buy for class has almost no C code or any explanations about BSD sockets. So, I invested into this and the Richard Stevens (UNIX Network Programming) book. Both are excellent assests.
A Perfect Text
I have been using Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume III for almost ten years now to teach a graduate course on client server programming.I think it is perhaps the most perfect textbook ever written.Comer's code is exquisite and can be used to teach clear and efficient coding in C.His explanations are perfect.He says everything that needs to be said, and no more.His presentation about the foundation of all distributed computing is clear concise and on target.Students require some reminders about the fact that this book can't be read like a novel, or like any less competent textbook.They need to read and carefully consider each line.Comer includes everything that is needed in the book and its appendices.In every case, you see very careful and concise statements of how things really work.I just reread his chapter on NFS this morning and was reminded about how he can take the complex and invisible and make it completely understandable.
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Subjects:  1. Client/server computing    2. Computer - Internet    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Networks    5. Computers    6. Data Transmission Standards And Protocols    7. Data transmission systems    8. Internet - General    9. Internetworking (Telecommunica    10. Internetworking (Telecommunication)    11. Networking - Network Protocols    12. TCP/IP (Computer network proto    13. TCP/IP (Computer network protocol)    14. Computer Communications & Networking    15. Computers / Networking / Network Protocols   

Reviews (3)

A brief yet informative book that looks beyond the FreeBSD ports tree
I've been using FreeBSD in production environments since early 2000.I've also written articles on FreeBSD administration for magazines like Sys Admin.One of my favorite aspects of FreeBSD is its ports tree, which currently offers over 15,000 applications.Although the ports tree greatly simplifies installing software on FreeBSD, there's more to most programs than just installation.Bryan Hong's "Building an Internet Server With FreeBSD 6" (BAISWF6) helps readers take those few crucial steps past the ports tree, into the world of functional, deployed services.If you need a quick guide for a variety of popular open source software on FreeBSD, BAISWF6 is for you.
For new SysAdmins or those who want to build a server
I love a book that walks you through step by step. I am a system admin and PHP programmer but had little experience with FreeBSD. I needed a "big picture" view of how FreeBSD works and how it is configured. This book satisfied me.
FIRST OF IT'S KIND.....
It's about time someone made a straight forward and user friendly guide for FreeBSD.This book walked me through the entire process without needing any needing any further reference material.This is all you'll ever need for setting up a FreeBSD server. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Communications / Networking    4. Networking - General    5. Computers / Networking / General   

Editorial Review

This book describes the design and implementation of the BSD operating system--previously known as the Berkeley version of UNIX. Today, BSD is found in nearly every variant of UNIX, and is widely used for Internet services and firewalls, timesharing, and multiprocessing systems. Readers involved in technical and sales support can learn the capabilities and limitations of the system; applications developers can learn effectively and efficiently how to interface to the system; systems programmers can learn how to maintain, tune, and extend the system.Read more

Reviews (11)

Not bad.
This really filled the void between the amazing hands-on "Lions Book" and Maurice Bach's "The Design of the UNIX Operating System", introducing the reader to some more modern implementation of the UNIX operating system.
packed with facts, however there is little joy
If you are already a BSD kernel expert you might use this as a reference. If you're an advanced "userland" programmer who wants to start learning about kernel internels, this is one way to proceed but, it is very, very difficult. very good, nice, funny, professional kernel hacking
well, just see the authors,..Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Operating Systems    5. Operating Systems - General    6. Operating systems (Computers)    7. UNIX (Computer file)    8. Unix (Operating System)    9. Computers / Operating Systems / General    10. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)    11. Systems analysis & design   

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Reviews (23)

Recomended
Buying a good book specific to FreeBSD is not a simple task.
Recomended
Jimmy M. Fern�ndez
Very Very Very Good
A lot of effort went into compiling this book, and it shows.Virtually all aspects of FreeBSD administration are touched on.It is well written and concise (no fluff).Finally, a single source.No more scouring the web and newsgroups for answers on the basics.Well done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Client/server computing    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computer programs    4. Computers    5. Computers - Operating Systems    6. FreeBSD    7. Internet service providers    8. Operating Systems - General    9. UNIX (Computer file)    10. Web servers    11. Computers / Operating Systems    12. Computers / Operating Systems / General    13. Computers / Operating Systems / UNIX   

Reviews (54)

Excellent book on FreeBSD, maybe the only one you'll need
This is a very good book on FreeBSD. It touches on just about every aspect of installing, configuring, and running FreeBSD. It leans more towards desktop use then server use, but there is lots of good information on configuring network services. There is also a huge section just on networking itself.
A Must Have, But Could Be Better
The two books that I use most frequently when administering my FreeBSD server, are this one by Lehey and UNIX System Administration Handbook by Nemeth et al.Lehey's book is easy to understand, and covers most instances where FreeBSD varies from other Unix varieties.
Not the book to learn FreeBSD
I bought this book based on the reviews here.I know very little about using Unix.I flipped through the book and found it easy to read as well as covering all the topics that other books missed.What bothered me was the size of the book which made me think some topics might get skimmed over.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems    2. Computer Books: Operating Systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Operating Systems    5. Free computer software    6. FreeBSD    7. Operating Systems - UNIX    8. Operating systems (Computers)    9. Computer networks    10. Computers / Internet / World Wide Web    11. Computers / Operating Systems    12. Computers / Operating Systems / UNIX    13. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK   

Reviews (1)

A Solid Introduction to Network Programming
M. Tim Jones does a great job in "BSD Sockets Programming" of showing the reader step by step how to develop network applications, what to keep in mind, and what to look out for.His explainations are clear and well written.The major strength of this book is that it covers so many languages so well.There are a good set of refrence for each language and then many example implemntations in the Software Patterns section.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computer networks    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Design and construction    6. Internet programming    7. Internetworking (Telecommunica    8. Internetworking (Telecommunication)    9. Networking - General    10. Networking - Network Protocols    11. Programming - Software Development    12. Programming Languages - General    13. Programming languages (Electro    14. Computer Communications & Networking    15. Computer Programming    16. Technology / Engineering / Electrical   

Reviews (5)

Lots of sound information, but not what I hoped to read
Mastering FreeBSD and OpenBSD Security (MFAOS) more or less delivers on its subtitle: "Building, securing, and maintaining BSD systems."The book is chock full of absolutely sound administration advice from three experts with plenty of operational experience.I am also thrilled whenever I find a new BSD title on bookshelves.However, I believe a second edition of this book should be radically altered to better deliver value to the reader.
Well researched, illustrated and written
Another tight O'Reilly work. The text is tight. The illustrations are simple but effective. And the authors obviously know there stuff and have done a thorough job documenting it.
Wonderful book, just missing one thing...
I was really hoping to see a chapter on systrace or other advanced host-based security tools (HIPS and other kernel utils). All in all, the book is a nice addition to any security library. The basic ideas of risk management and confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA), are covered throughout the book. I would say this is a good reference to use in addition to the man pages for both operating systems. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Computer Security    4. Operating Systems - Linux    5. Operating Systems - UNIX    6. Security - General    7. Computer security    8. Computers / Computer Security    9. Computers / Security    10. Data security & data encryption    11. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)    12. Operating systems (Computers)    13. freebsd, openbsd   

Features

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Reviews (8)

Dont Bother
I just thought this book is not really that good.Most were not even hacks, but just basic usage.The only hacks book I really liked was by Rob - Linux Server Hacks.I would really recommend that one, even if you use bsd as it has true hacks with tar/ssh/etc.Try the Absolute OpenBSD book too.That is quite good and has a lot of info.

The best BSD book on the shelves, PERIOD.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, you will find this book extremely practical.Dru's solutions make building a BSD server from start to finish a snap.Buy this book as a supplement at the very least.5 stars!

Mac-Centric Review for Darwin/OS X Hackers
Originally reviewied for the Lower East Side Mac Unix Users Group:
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Web Programming    2. Computers    3. Computers - Operating Systems    4. Operating Systems - UNIX    5. Programming - General    6. Programming Languages - General    7. BSD, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, server, networking, administration, Unix, Dru Lavigne, Hacks, firewall, ports, ports collection    8. Computers / General    9. Computers / Operating Systems    10. Computers / Operating Systems / UNIX    11. Operating systems & graphical user interfaces (GUIs)   

Reviews (2)

Much Worse than the Second Edition
Let me sum it up for you briefly.
Great for beginner to intermediate
The FreeBSD Handbook is an essential book to have on the shelf of any FreeBSD user, administrator, or open source developer.It has everything one would need to get their FreeBSD system up and running, with examples and informative descriptions of all the various stages of setup.Covering things like installation, network setup, package selection and installation, multimedia (DVDs, CDs, mp3s) and even a whole chapter on Unix basics, for those who are new to the Unix environment.Overall an excellent book and a great reference too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computers    3. Computers - Operating Systems    4. Operating Systems - General    5. Operating Systems - UNIX   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computers    3. Computers - Operating Systems    4. Operating Systems - General    5. Operating Systems - UNIX   

Reviews (5)

Shallow coverage, especially for an inexperienced BSD user
This may be a complete reference in terms of topics covered, but it isn't one, in my view, in terms of FreeBSD coverage. That may be impossible, if you are going to title a book as such, I think you need to deliver -- at least better than the authors did.
Great overview of FreeBSD for beginners | ready reference fo
This is a great overview of FreeBSD for beginners and a great ready reference for experienced users.The clarity of the writing is wonderful, and makes the rather arcane subject of FreeBSD more accessible to general audiences.Works like this are very important to ensure that open source operating systems continue to spread among an audience which extends beyond the traditional open source community.It strikes a great balance between including all the necessary information and having too-much-information, which often turns users off.Great job!

Starter FreeBSD Book
This book can only be of use to those new to FreeBSD. I found that a lot of topics were too general and did not provide any in-depth information for more experienced users.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Integrated Systems    2. Computer operating systems    3. Computers    4. Computers - Operating Systems    5. Free computer software    6. FreeBSD    7. Networking - General    8. Operating Systems - Linux    9. Operating Systems - UNIX    10. Operating systems (Computers)    11. Computers / Operating Systems / UNIX    12. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK   

Reviews (4)

Great Book, but a bit confusing....
I am a complete FreeBSD newbie.I got this book hoping to be able to set up a FreeBSD server, and accomplished it with help from the book, but there were some differences and some confusing points in this book, but that's to be expected with revisions in FreeBSD itself.The only true complaint I have with this book is that it does not go into full descriptions on certain things; Example they begin talking about topic one, then branches off from there going into depth about topic two, then topic three, while your still wondering what topic one was still all about.That happened maybe twice in this book.Other than that, its a great beginners book.

The best way to learn UNIX
This book is by far the best source of info for those new to UNIX.It takes a step by step approach explaining all aspects of the FreeBSD environment and basic UNIX concepts.Even if you never install FreeBSD, this book is a great reference that is applicable to any UNIX/Linux environment.For you cheap skates, this same book is available on line at the FreeBSD website.

A Book to Hold in Your Hand
With this second edition, the FreeBSD Handbook comes of age. It even has an index now! Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers - Operating Systems    3. Operating Systems - UNIX   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Programming Languages - General    5. BSD, rootkits, rootkit, UNIX, unix, hacking, exploit, root, root access, FreeBSD, kernel, security, hacker    6. Computers / Languages / Programming    7. Computers / Programming Languages / General    8. Computers / Security    9. Data security & data encryption    10. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK   

Reviews (11)

The title says everything.
If you're looking for a tutorial that will guide you to install FreeBSD and recompile the kernel, you're looking in the wrong place. If you're an experienced network administrator/user who wants to take advantage of that knowledge with FreeBSD, you'll feel in heaven. Excellent introduction to freeBSD
This book reperesents an excellent introduction to freeBSD for andministrator experienced in working with Windows NT/2000. All the major topics are covered in a very readable way and readers are invited to make a decision as to where freeBSD will fit into their architecture - Mittelstaedt just presents the facts. All in all, the book is worth 5 stars for two reasons. Fistly, it achieved what it set out to do and secondly, it converted a cynic like me to freeBSD. Eneough said!

A Wealth of Shared Experience
Like the Unix System Administration Handbook, this book shares the author's extensive experience in the real world. So many computer books are merely rewrites of manuals touting the merits of software, but not this one.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer networks    3. Computers    4. Computers - Communications / Networking    5. Free computer software    6. FreeBSD    7. Networking - General    8. Operating Systems - UNIX    9. Unix (Operating System)   

Reviews (7)

FreeBSD from Linux user point of view
Installed and configured FreeBSD for the first time using this book. Very nice and easy to follow. Information goes far enough to allow the user/reader to take things further where needed - from other sources. The book covers the basics nicely. I came from linux and found the change over to be smooth. Nothing bad to say.

Great for UNIX beginners.
I do not know if all of the negative reviews are justified or well reasoned.I am somewhat familiar to Unix type OSes and was looking for something fundamental but not overly simple.
Do not buy this e-book
I cannot print a single page from this e-book. Sams do not respect your customers. Amazon do not say anything about this on yout site. I want my money back. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer programs    4. Computers    5. Free computer software    6. FreeBSD    7. Internet service providers    8. Operating Systems - UNIX    9. Operating systems (Computers)    10. UNIX (Computer program)    11. Unix (Operating System)    12. Computers / Operating Systems / UNIX    13. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK   

Reviews (1)

Incomplete, incosistent and - at best - questionable
[Review: long] Read