The problem is that there is no "universal" book to Linux, not even just one
focused on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Even Red Hat's own documentation on
Release 6 (EL6) [1] doesn't go far enough, deep enough. And even Red Hat has
many different sections beyond just the Enterprise Linux that cover many other
products that Enterprises deploy. There's no one, single, "good"
source, and many times you're going into specialized O'Reilly books,
upstream project documentation, or -- the one I personally search first when I
need to do anything -- Red Hat's Customer Portal [2].
For example, a lot of people say "just get a RHCE book" or "just run EL6
'Rebuild X'." But you're going to run into lot of core enterprise
infrastructure capabilities that aren't in the base EL6 manuals, and often
aren't rebuilt from SRPMs into various EL6 'Rebuilds'. You have to reference
additional, product documentation [3] from Red Hat beyond just EL6, and run a
Red Hat stack with appropriate RHN child channels. Of course, there is the
upstream option with a distribution like Fedora, and it might be the best if
you're just wanting to learn. Otherwise, one's back to RHN, the entitlements
and customer portal for many things when you're looking to deploy for the
enterprise (especially when something isn't rebuilt in an 'EL6 Rebuild').
With that said, I do have to recommend the long-running Negus "Bible" books,
and they make great references for newer users. They are well liked and rated
high, among his other Fedora/Red Hat off-shoots (other than the ones where he
attempts to tackle all distros). The only time I see negative reviews is if
someone buys too old of a book and expects newer coverage (e.g., 2008 or
earlier). If I had to suggest one for EL6, I'd look at his "Fedora Bible 2010
Edition" [4] which is based on Fedora 12. For the most part, EL6 is based on
Fedora 12 with Fedora 13 additions [5], and is very relevant. Not to
shortchange the author (sorry Chris ;), but the nice thing about the 2 year-old
editions is that you can you usually "try" them for $10 shipped (even new) via
various Amazon resellers (or even free via Google Books) and not be out much
money if they aren't as good off a reference.
NOTE: Anything Fedora 15 is likely too new, and even his "Fedora Bible 2011
Edition" [6] based on Fedora 14 was looking ahead to newer developments (e.g.,
systemd). Like the developers on Fedora, the author is going to have to write
about planned features from the Fedora pages months before Fedora ships, and
some things (e.g., systemd) slipped to the next release (e.g., 15).
-- Bryan
P.S. Now if you are looking to go the RHCSA/RHCE study route, be sure to take
the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Skill Assessment [7]. I would also look at
investing in a "Success Pack" [8], which bundles a free re-take, among other
things.
I.e., Although it's not as common of an assumption as it used to be in the
early days (when people equated the RHCE with the MCSE), the "Rapid Track" is
not a crash course to pass the exam. It is a review course for experienced,
well seasoned system administrators who already know most of the material in
and out, and need to hone their efficiency. If anything, the Skill Assessment
will size you up and let you know if you are even ready for the "Rapid Track."
For many seasoned administrators, the "Rapid Track" is not always best. Some
need not only RH254, but some are still weak in enterprise volume management
and need RH134 as well (while knowing the material of RH124 in and out).
E.g., I have saved several people in the past who thought they just needed the
RH300 bundle ("Rapid Track" class and EX200+EX300 exams, fka RH301 class and
RH302 exam-only for EL5), and would have been better served with the "SysAdmin
III" RH255 bundle [9] (RH254 class and EX200+EX300 exams, fka RH253 class and
EX302 exam-only for EL5). And yes, it is available in a "Success Pack" (just
that course with the exams). And it's courseware you'll reference regularly
after the class if you're new to it (although some of the prior RH253 for EL5
is more part of RH134 now, since RH254 for EL6 has expanded its coverage and
added more goodness since RH253 for EL5).
References:
[1] [Red Hat] "Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6"
http://docs.redhat.com/docs/en-US/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux/6/
[2] [Red Hat] "Red Hat Customer Portal"
https://access.redhat.com/
[3] [Red Hat] "Red Hat Product Documentation"
http://docs.redhat.com/
[4] [Negus 2010] "Fedora Bible 2010 Edition: Featuring Fedora Linux 12"
http://www.amazon.com/Fedora-Bible-2010-Featuring-Linux/dp/0470554193/
[5] [Fedora Project] "What's the relationship between rebuilds and Red Hat?"
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux#What.27s_the_relationship_between_rebuilds_and_Red_Hat.3F
[6] [Negus 2011] "Fedora Bible 2011 Edition: Featuring Fedora Linux 14" (likely
too new for EL6 material)
http://www.amazon.com/Fedora-Bible-2011-Featuring-Linux/dp/047094496X/
[7] [Red Hat] "Training Skills Assessment"
https://listman.redhat.com/training/skills_assessment/
[8] [Red Hat] "RHCSA and RHCE Certification Success Packs"
https://listman.redhat.com/training/specials/success/
[9] [Red Hat] Red Hat System Administration III with RHCSA and RHCE Exams"
https://listman.redhat.com/courses/rh255_red_hat_system_administration_3_and_rhce_exam/details/
----- Original Message -----
From: Mirko Vukovic <mirko.vuko...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 1:58 PM
I am looking for suggestions on good books for RHEL6.
I am not a total Linux newbee, but I am very far from a wizard. So, I
need something above the absolute beginner level. And it can be big:
letter format, 5-700 pages :-)
----- Original Message -----
From: Edmund White <ewwh...@mac.com>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 2:12 PM
I'd recommend "RHCSA/RHCE Red Hat Linux Certification Study Guide (Exams
EX200 & EX300), 6th Edition" by Michael Jang. It's available on Amazon.
_______________________________________________
rhelv5-list mailing list
rhelv5-list@redhat.com
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/rhelv5-list
