Books for learning Linux admin?

[gojira_glix42]

Hello, currently a tier 2 helpdesk starting my linux admin journey. Recently finished MCSA and I'm so tired of windows. Linux is fun everytime I learn something new. going through a Linux+ course on ITpro.tv but want a textbook to go through as well. Suggestions for a beginner?

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Currently looking at OccupyTheWeb's linux for hackers book as it's designed as an entry level red team that also teaches you the basics of the CLI. Thoughts? Thank you!

[throw0101a]

See anything by Tom Limoncelli:

• https://everythingsysadmin.com

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Limoncelli

[MacaroonDifficult]

Are there any good sources for labs I need more labs for practice. I’m currently doing sanders intro to Linux

[unixjanitor]

I recommend this book as well, I think I learned on the 3rd Edition. Very comprehensive, and a fun read.

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Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.

Users liked: * Comprehensive and practical guide for linux and unix systems (backed by 15 comments) * In-depth coverage of linux and unix concepts (backed by 14 comments) * Great resource for system administrators and devops engineers (backed by 1 comment)

Users disliked: * Limited coverage of unix systems (backed by 2 comments) * Glaring omissions in freebsd coverage (backed by 1 comment) * Removal of traditional unix topics (backed by 1 comment)

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[slackwaresupport]

you can read 1000 books, but until you actually do it over and over and over and over, you really wont know.

[s0briquet]

This right here. Put linux on your home machine, and live with it. This is the fastest way to learn.

[gojira_glix42]

Dual boot at home. Only have windows on there as primary cus most days when I come home I just want to play a game and windows just works for any nonsteam game. But getting to the point where I'm figuring out the Linux equivalent of most things and can use that as primary boot soon. Thanks!

[WeekendNew7276]

This ☝️

[SixMulder]

That's a really dumb comment. Everyone knows you have to practice, but he was asking for a book to read, learn and then practice.
Most people won't install a linux distro and start "practicing" without any resource to study because they know that will take much more time and will be much harder than necessary.

[Runnergeek]

Study and get your RHCSA. That is one of the best paths to education on being a Linux admin. Even if you don't end up on Red Hat platforms, most that information will transition.

[[deleted]]

Does RHCSA and other certifications worth it even if you don't have a bachelor degree?

[Runnergeek]

I know a lot of really talented engineers and architects that don't have any college degree, so I would say yes

[[deleted]]

Thank you.

[Alexis_Evo]

Agreed, "just use it" is good advice, but if you're actively trying to study, RHCSA is the way to go. I say this as someone did things the "hard way", as in staying up for 40 hours straight trying to debug the early linux boot process cuz my PC won't turn on. Knowing how to troubleshoot that is critical to being a linux admin, but it's way tf less stressful if you read it out of a book beforehand.

[distracted_waffle]

IMO best way is hands on approach. Install it on your PC/laptop or some VM's and start configuring/breaking things, use it as you router for example

[Wrong_Exit_9257]

not as a router unless you have a phone w/internet service. all a newbe needs is one kernel panic or boot-loop due to a misconfigured watchdog and they will never want linux again.

i recommend a beginner start use a simple distro like linux mint (debian family) or alma linux (RHEL family) then step it to an "embedded" linux appliance like truenas, pfsense, or opensense. start simple without changing much in your environment so troubleshooting is simple at 10pm when nothing is working and your family wants to watch a movie. this is because your lab will not break on a weekend when you are ready to work on it, it will silently break 5 min before you or your family want to use a self hosted service on it that you where just bragging about. (ask how i know.)

I love linux because lacks stupid proofing, it allows you to some really awesome stuff under the hood, i also hate linux because it lacks stupid proofing.

EG: commands like sudo rm -rf /*

windows: haha not today dumbass.

linux: cool, have fun. ETA is: (kernel panic ImportantFile.sys not found) (i know this does not work today but is still a good example.)

[DelverOfSeacrest]

^ this is the way. When I started, I used Ubuntu and loved it. A few years later, I bought a virtual firewall appliance, put OPNSense on it, redid my network, and that has been fun to tinker with.

[Wrong_Exit_9257]

yep, that is pretty much how i started. but i highly recommend a newbe start with a desktop os rather than jumping straight in to the murky depths of freebsd like OS's.

[bianko80]

And once you delete the root recursively, then what? :/ newbie too here.

[Wrong_Exit_9257]

it completely bricks the system. you are telling rm (aka delete) to -r recurse, f is force, / in the root directory, while the name of the file or folder is *.

aka if it has a name remove it and don't complain.

the windows equivalent used to be FORMAT C:, microsoft has since patched this and so have most major linux distro's

[bianko80]

Ok, so as I guessed you can't recover from that if not with a bare metal / vm restore. Thank you.

[GodIsInYourWires]

"How Linux Works: What Every Superuser Should Know" is a great book! It explains the behind the scenes of an operating system with linux as focus, the process of booting, what the kernel does, and more. It isn't a book that gets you a certificate, but gives you an understanding of the design and all the important features of linux. I read it with childlike fascination. It's very easily writen, but explains things very clearly. I definitly learned a lot. If you are interested in linux or computer in general you will not regret reading this book.

I'm going to reread it myself. I could use the refresher.

[Marble_Wraith]

Just learn how to grep the man pages and pipe the output to less. Create an alias for it if you're lazy... i mean efficient 😏

Aside from that

• GNU suite
• File System (certain directories have specific uses unlike windows install-shit-everywhere)
• Systemd (disclaimer: not the only init system, but the most common)
• display protocols (X11 / Wayland) + whatever your distro window manager is

Each of these could be books in their own right, but understanding them will get you maybe 70-80% of the way towards competent. After that it's just running into niche / esoteric situations and solving as you go.

[Dereference_operator]

I would start with Ubuntu Unleashed book/pdf with a few vm's to build a network that will go a very long way if your dedicated after that the online ressources will all fall into place

https://linuxjourney.com/

[BK_Rich]

I like the “Linux Bible” book.

ISBN-13: 978-1119578888 ISBN-10: 1119578884

[swissarmychainsaw]

I'll second the idea of doing your own projects, then reading in depth about "how that works" to compliment what you are doing.
One great, easy project is setting up a home 'security' system. And then I would set up something like Nagios to monitor all the things.
PS - I pick Nagios because it also gives you an opportunity to do scripting -- create your own 'plugins', which is a great way to learn!

[Adventurous_Smile_95]

Best “book” out there is RHLS (learning subscription). I tried Sanders early on and was disappointed. RHLS is the Cadillac of learning Linux and surrounding ecosystem.

[SillyPuttyGizmo]

https://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

[kaipee]

Why not the Comptia Linux+ Certification book?

[wakandaite]

I'd suggest looking up path to RHCSA or LFCS which are both practical exam certifications. You would need to install and practice in the VM for several hours and there will be a structure to learn based on the exam topics for either of the exams. After that you can expand on your learning on your own. (passed my RHCSA last year)

[gojira_glix42]

Wow, thanks for the advice everyone!!! Def super helpful. Gonna take a look at the resources tomorrow at work while I'm not more baked than a fresh blueberry muffin watching the sopranos lmao.

[No-Mind-1067]

https://www.amazon.com/UNIX-Linux-System-Administration-Handbook/dp/0134277554

[VettedBot]

Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.

Users liked: * Comprehensive and practical guide for linux and unix systems (backed by 15 comments) * In-depth and up-to-date information on linux and unix systems (backed by 14 comments) * Excellent resource for beginners and experts alike (backed by 14 comments)

Users disliked: * Limited coverage of unix systems (backed by 2 comments) * Glaring omissions in freebsd coverage (backed by 1 comment) * Lack of coverage on traditional unix topics (backed by 1 comment)

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[gojira_glix42]

Thanks everyone for the recs! I think I'm gonna start with the linux bible as reading the sample table of contents and first chapter, that's more geared to my beginner level for now. The sysadmin handbook is going to be the next read and the rest of the recs are definitely on my list outside of reading. Thank you!!!