By Paul Albitz, Cricket Liu
April 2001
Pages: 622
ISBN 10: 0-596-00158-4 |
ISBN 13: 9780596001582
(Average of 8 Customer Reviews)
This book has been updated—the edition you're requesting is OUT OF PRINT. Please visit the catalog page of the latest edition.
The latest edition is also available on Safari Books Online.
The fourth edition of DNS and BIND covers the new 9.1.0 and 8.2.3 versions of BIND as well as the older 4.9 version. There's also more extensive coverage of NOTIFY, IPv6 forward and reverse mapping, transaction signatures, and the new DNS Security Extensions; and a section on accommodating Windows 2000 clients, servers and Domain Controllers.
Full Description
- What DNS does, how it works, and when you need to use it
- How to find your own place in the Internet's name space
- Setting up name servers
- Using MX records to route mail
- Configuring hosts to use DNS name servers
- Subdividing domains (parenting)
- Securing your name server: restricting who can query your server, preventing unauthorized zone transfers, avoiding bogus name servers, etc.
- Mapping one name to several servers for load sharing
- Troubleshooting: using nslookup, reading debugging output, common problems
- DNS programming, using the resolver library and Perl's Net::DNS module
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Book details
Fourth Edition: April 2001
ISBN: 0-596-00158-4
Pages: 622
Average Customer Reviews: (Based on 8 Reviews)
Featured customer reviews
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, February 02 2004
DNS and Bind 4th Edition
O'Reilly: Paul Albitz and Cricket Liu
ISBN: 0596001584
Review
Suited well for either the entry-level computer user or the advanced network administrator, DNS and BIND is a concise guide to DNS basics an
d particulars of ISC's BIND. Those unfamiliar with DNS will find the preface an awakening to aspects of the operation of the internet most l
ikely previously taken for granted. After the importance of DNS is explained, the first chapter discusses the reasons, including a brief his
tory of the internet. From this point, the methods of operation are discussed, and an interactive fictional setup is performed, from choosin
g a domain name to configuring multiple DNS servers. Coming back to focus on specific topics in greater detail, such as the role of DNS in E
lectronic Mail, discussions on hierarchy and topology, advanced zone data configuration, and security, the work adequately fulfills the role
of essential desktop reference material. Particularly useful is the information regarding the operation of DNS and, specifically, BIND with
environments involving Active Directory, WINS, and other Microsoft implements. Whether you seek a well-organized guide and reference to adv
anced DNS administration, or are in the mood for a refreshing review and story-like overture and illustration of the Domain Name System, thi
s book deserves a complete read and it's place on your reference desk.
-jre
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, May 06 2003
Fantastic book, DNS isnt meant to be simple, but Oreilly make it simple enough, but not too simple.
This will probably be out of the depth of the average MSCE, so its probably not for people who arent interested in learning the specifics of dns outside the Microsoft Arena.
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, September 26 2002
I'm just a linux novice but after buying this book, I manage to setup complicated and secured DNS server.
Thank's Paul and Cricket!! Keep up the good work!
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, August 30 2002
Better even than the 3rd edition.
I used the 3rd edition as reference to fix a resolver problem in HP-UX. This involved bad nameserver maintenance from the parent. Having read half of the 3rd edition, and now nearly all of the 4th, I must say Cricket and Paul have truly improved on a great effort. This book gives everything you will need to manage DNS/BIND for version 4, 8 and 9. Anything more must be obtained from RFCs, of which there are numerous references. Thanks for the enjoyable reading.
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, December 06 2001
Very difficult to read. I have experience in several high and low level languages, but this book was hard to follow. Microsoft recommends this book in their NT 4 server-TCP/ip accelerated course. The course in no way prepares you for this book. Unless you are a Unix pro, this book will give you a headache. I suggest looking else where for DNS info.
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, October 19 2001
Not for the feint hearted. A book for the hardcore IT professional. Especially useful for designing and implementing diverse ISP and Internetwork oriented solutions. I specialise in Disaster Recovery solutions and projects requiring a high degree of security (Government and Banking solutions). I have found this book invaluable for utilising the flexible nature of 'Name Resolution' to extract and tweak the most out of the indeterminate nature of the Internet.
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, September 15 2001
I found this book, along with all the others on DNS and the Linux Documentation Project's docs, all disappointing.
In this book, the authors leave you guessing in a number of areas. This is a book for experts, so if you don't have any experience with DNS and Bind, forget it. Hire a consultant or go to university and start at the beginning.
In chapter 3, "Where Do I Start?" it gives some fairly shallow information on setting up zone files. Like I said, this is obviously a book for experts. It leaves you to guess in anumber of areas.
I couldn't even finish writing the zone files properly as covered in chapter 3. And when I did, following the instructions to the letter (of which there weren't many - I had to guess) I got errors all over the place.
All I was looking for was the basics. How to setup nameservers so I could have ns0.myname.com and ns1.myname.com and tell my hosting customers who host their domains on my machines to alter the DNS records of their domain to point to my nameservers, and how to setup www.myname.com as an alias for the domain or whatever. And how to add other domains, so I can host websites for others on my dedicated server.
I am sorely disappointed I spent money I couldn't afford to spend anyway, but had to. There's just nowhere else to turn.
I am wishing hard for "DNS and BIND for Dummies" written in clear, plain English, and which doesn't leave you guessing.
The information in this book is scant and for DNS/Bind experts only.
James Buchanan
Owner/Operator of a very small web hosting company
DNS and BIND, 4th Edition Review, May 01 2001
I've had my trusty 1st edition for quite a while but am disappointed that the new edition doesn't even mention "djbdns", at least I didn't find it in the index.
I'm not here to bash BIND -- I've deployed it at a number of .gov, .com, and ISP sites -- but the book is called _DNS & BIND_ and IMHO should at least mention other implementations of domain name servers.
I have found that as I start using the djbdns suite of tools, there is a different philosophy and approach at work and this frequently leads to insights on DNS rather than the _de facto_ BIND view. Equating the global DNS with a single implementation leads to monoculture; alternate implementations of Internet standards are important. They should be at least mentioned in an edition as recent as this.
Media reviews
"If you're a TCP/IP network administrator, these three books published by O'Reilly on networking {'DNS & BIND;' 'TCP/IP Network Administration;' 'Practical Unix & Internet Security'} are indispensable. These three guides are essential to managing a TCP/IP network."
--http://it-enquirer.com, March 2002
"The DNS bible...If you're an system administrator with responsibility for DNS management, this book is a must."
--Andrew Ward, Computer Shopper Feb 2002
"The work of Paul Albitz and Cricket Liu, now in its fourth revision, has long been considered a classic among systems administrators and network architects, particularly those with a Unix bent. Throughout, Albitz and Liu maintain their impeccable style, combining text and illustrative listings into an educational whole."
--David Wall, amazon.com
"One of the Top Ten Books for 2001."
--Peter H. Salus, login: Dec 2001
"generally considered to be the DNS admin's bible"
--David Coulson, Linux Format, August 2001
"Now into its fourth edition, updated to cover BIND 9, the O'Reilly textbook has already attained classic status. DNS and BIND can be found on the shelf, or more likely open on the desk, of most clued-up system administrators. Don't expect a fun read--the subject matter is a little dry for that--but if you like your Unix and want to truly understand how DNS works in general and in practice within your enterprise, this is the book to buy."
--Davey Winder, PC Pro, September 2001
"an essential reference for systems and network administrators."
--Elizabeth Zinkann, Sys Admin, August 2001
"another worthy book from O'Reilly...it is a worthwhile read for anyone involved in network or system administration, and essential reading and reference for any DNS Administrator."
--Nick Drage, Northants Linux Users Group, 27th July 2001
"an excellent resource for more information on managing DNS across network boundaries."
--Steve Blass , Network World, 06/25/01
"an invaluable reference on one of the fundamental building blocks of the Internet...an impressive contribution to professional computer reference shelf collections."
--James Cox, Midwest Book Review, June 2001
"Widely regarded as one of the best technical books ever published, 'DNS and BIND' is now out in its fourth edition. This update's a welcome one--the previous edition came out in 1998--and it pretty much guarantees that this book will remain a staple on network administrators' bookshelves for years to come."
--David Wall and Teri Kieffer, Amazon.com Delivers Computer Networking & Operating Systems, May 30, 2001
"To learn more about DNS configuration, the best book around is 'DNS and BIND' from the O'Reilly Nutshell series." --Laura Wonnacott, Infoworld, February 2001
"This is one of the first books I had in my collection and is perhaps the best work O'Reilly ever published. 'DNS and BIND' is written about the BIND (UNIX) version of DNS but much of the info pertains to both the NT and the UNIX versions. You will find many examples to show you how things should be set up. Even a beginner can quickly become a DNS expert after reading this book."
--www.mcseguide.com, March 2000
Reviews From Previous Editions:
"I consider this book to be essential documentation for anybody who is responsible for a domain."
--Adrian Wontroba, C Vu, September 1997
"I [am] the happy owner and user of...'DNS and BIND.' It has been a great help to me over the last few weeks as I have struggled as a 'newbie' to set up a plethora of domains for our clients."
--Godfrey N. Nix, C.Eng MBCS B.ScTech(Hons), Network Operations Manager East Midlands Network Ltd (emnet), http://www.emnet.co.uk
"I picked up my knowledge of DNS piecemeal, first as a user and then as a sysadmin running an inherited nameserver. And I learned most of what I know about nameserver maintenance the hard way--a process which would have been much less painful if I had had a copy of 'DNS and BIND' to guide me. If you are running a nameserver then I would definitely recommend ownership of your own copy. You may well be familiar with the basics already and you may not need the more esoteric information, but name service is sufficiently critical that getting the ordinary complexities right is essential. Albitz and Liu are excellent guides to both the main boulevards and the crooked side-alleys of the DNS."
--Danny Yee, Copyright (c) 1997 Danny Yee (danny@cs.su.oz.au) http://www.anatomy.su.oz.au/danny/book-reviews/ [Disclaimer: I requested and received a review copy of 'DNS and BIND' from O'Reilly & Associates, but I have no stake, financial or otherwise, in its success.]
"The bible for DNS and its associated lookup routines is 'DNS and Bind.'"
--Peter Collinson, Sun Expert, May 1998
"The best book on DNS that I know of is 'DNS and Bind' by Paul Albitz and Cricket Liu."
--Doug Shaker, Boardwatch, June 1995
"If you're going to st up a DNS Server, save yourself some headaches and get yourself a copy of the definitive book of the subject, 'DNS and Bind.'"
--Windows Sources, February 1995
"A clear, straightforward, and sometimes even lighthearted text to make the learning process as painless as possible."
--Robert Slade, Computer News, Vol II, Issue 10
"For any DNS question--general or specific--make sure to read 'DNS and Bind,' the seminal work by Paul Albitz and Cricket Liu. This book is what convinced me, in May 1994, that setting up services on the Internet was a learnable and doable proposition."
--Glenn Fleishman, NETGUIDE, August 1996
"To understand DNS, you'll need to consult the standard reference text, O'Reilly & Associates', 'DNS and Bind.'
--Jason Levitt, Information Week, October 21, 1996
"We recommend 'DNS and Bind' to help you get over the hump on this one. We've seen it make DNS pros out of many of the formerly lost."
--Jack Ricard, Boardwatch, February 1997
