Mac OS X Server Essentials Second Edition: A Guide to Using
and Supporting Mac OS X Server v10.5
Reviewed by Robert Pritchett
Authors: Schoun
Regan, David Pugh
Peachpit Press
http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321496604
Released: January
17, 2008
http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321509498
eBook Released: February 25, 2008
Apple Pro Training Series
Pages: 560
$48 USD eBook version, Paperback version - $60 USD, $66
CND, £43
GBP
ISBN-10: 0321496604
ISBN-13: 978-0321496607
Strengths: A good
book for learning to pass the Apple Technical & Training certification
exam.
Weaknesses: No
troubleshooting section. Not designed to become an instant SysAdmin for
Apple. No CD, as in the Tiger version of the book.
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Introduction
“The only Apple-certified book on
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, this comprehensive reference takes support technicians
and ardent Mac users deep inside their operating systems, covering everything
from networking technologies to system administration, customizing the
operating system, command-line programming, and more. Keyed to the learning
objectives of the Apple Certified Technical Coordinator certification
exam, the lessons in this self-paced volume serve as a perfect supplement to
Apple’s own training class and a first-rate primer for computer support
personnel who need to troubleshoot and optimize Mac OS X as part of their jobs.
Self-quizzes and chapter tests reinforce the knowledge gained along the way.”
What I Learned
At the time of this review the IT Instruction.com website
was down. If they use Mac servers…
Anyway, Apple has a training path and Peachpit is the
official source for books.
I had been asked by a prospective client to look at their
Mac servers a while ago and I realized this was one area I had no real
expertise in, so I figured I’d better bone up on what makes a Mac OS X Server
tick.
So after reading this book and answering the questions at
the end of each chapter I have a better idea on how to install and configure,
provide basic DNS Service, authenticate and authorize accounts, use Open
Directory and File Services, Host mail services, manage web services, use
collaborative services, implement deployment solutions and manage accounts.
I might even have enough knowledge know to be dangerous as a
Mac Sys Admin, however, that information is in another book.
What this book is shy on is information on troubleshooting
when things go south.
Conclusion
If you have a desire to become a guru on Mac OS X Server
v10.5, this is a good place to start. Other books will be needed to finish the
process, however. There is a very good reason this one is named “Mac OS X
Server Essentials” and is not all-encompassing.
It is an easy read and we are not expected to be gurus
already. This book is Graphics User Interface-based and not intended to be a
UNIX backend book.
