Customer comments on this selection.
 Just a note about the paperback
Just so you know, the binding on this book is poorly done. Opening up the book into a flat position causes the pages to pop out. This was a paperback book; now I have a "noback" book. One star off for the publisher.
Everything you wanted to know about DHCP
The book is organized well, has an excellent index and provides detailed information from basic concepts through to advanced configurations, diagnostics and troubleshooting. I obtained this book because our organization had just deployed new DNS/DHCP appliances and there were problems with the DHCP failover configuration. This book provided as much detail as I could have asked for. It turned out that, (at the time of writing this review, Jan 2007) ISC DHCP failover is thoroughly broken. So although this book couldn't help me with our failover problem, I still recommend it for those who need a comprehensive DHCP reference.
An excellent DHCP book for learning and reference
I have been supporting and programming dhcp for many years and find the DHCP Handbook an excellent reference for DHCP operations on Linux.
 Excellent, in-depth coverage of DHCP
If you have to design, configure, and manage a complex DHCP environment, this book is an outstanding resource. I've used the first edition (first printing ;-) for years, and am in the process of purchasing the second edition. pIn that time I've configured or set configuration standards for dozens of DHCP servers running the ISC DHCP server and dozens more managed by Lucent's VitalQIP DHCP service. I have not personally configured or managed a Microsoft DHCP server, but I've walked many consultants through setting up DHCP servers from Microsoft, Cisco, Linksys, etc.pThe value of this book is its depth. Protocols, design considerations, conditional leases, client identification, authentication, failover, client issues, OS considerations, Dynamic DNS integration, migration between static and dynamic environments, and just about everything else you'll run into are well covered. pThe authors are actively involved in the development of DHCP standards and the ISC DHCP reference implementation, so it's difficult to find a more authoritative source. If you can't find your answer in the book, the authors are active on the DHCP mailing lists (http://www.isc.org/index.pl?/sw/dhcp/dhcp-lists.php).pThe wealth of information can be intimidating at first, but if you're dealing with a non-trivial environment it's worth it.
Er, as one of the authors...
...I feel the need to address some points raised in a rather negative review that was posted here on Amazon. The reviewer did not like the DHCP Handbook, and preferred an O'Reilly book on DHCP for Windows 2000. I haven't read the O'Reilly book, so I can't really comment on its content, but I am guessing that if you are a Windows 2000 administrator, it's quite good.pThe Microsoft DHCP server addresses a fairly narrow marketplace, and lacks some features that are present in the leading commercial and non-commercial DHCP servers. The DHCP Handbook provides some coverage of the Microsoft DHCP server, but does not specialize on the Microsoft product, so it is undoubtedly much less complete from that particular perspective - instead, the DHCP Handbook tries to provide general coverage of the DHCP protocol in a way that will be useful across a broad range of DHCP servers.pSo if, for example, you want a detailed presentation on the DHCP failover protocol, particularly on how to administer it, you will probably have to find it in the DHCP Handbook. Also, there is some good coverage of DNS updates. And of course there is some very detailed coverage of the ISC DHCP server, which a Windows 2000 DHCP administrator will probably find useless, but a Linux administrator might consider helpful.pIf all else fails, it's fairly thick, and might be useful in propping up your desk table if the floors in your office aren't level. :')pBTW, I gave the book four stars, because I think it covers the material well and is more complete than any competing book. I do not claim that our prose is the best, although any failings in that regard are probably mine and not Ralph's. As one of the authors I am obviously biased, so please take this rating with a grain of salt.pI am also the author of the ISC DHCP server and a developer on a team at Nominum that has produced an excellent commercial DHCP server, so my views on the Microsoft server may not be entirely accurate and should also be taken with a grain of salt - in particular, I have not played with the server that comes with WinXP server which, for all I know, dances circles around my paltry offerings.
|
