Michael W. Lucas is the author of several critically-acclaimed nonfiction books and assorted short fiction. His writing delves into themes of history and culture, often characterized by meticulous research and insightful perspectives. Lucas is known for a clear and accessible style that makes his work engaging for a broad readership.
The updated edition of Michael W. Lucas' comprehensive guide focuses on FreeBSD-based systems, incorporating advancements such as modern disk technologies, the ZFS filesystem, and IPv6 support. It also explores redesigned jail and packaging systems, along with virtualization, reflecting the significant developments in the last decade. This volume serves as an essential resource for users looking to navigate the latest features and improvements in FreeBSD.
OpenBSD, the elegant, highly secure Unix-like operating system, is widely used as the basis for critical DNS servers, routers, firewalls, and more. This long-awaited second edition of Absolute OpenBSD maintains author Michael Lucas's trademark straightforward and practical approach that readers have enjoyed for years. You'll learn the intricacies of the platform, the technical details behind certain design decisions, and best practices, with bits of humor sprinkled throughout. This edition has been completely updated for OpenBSD 5.3, including new coverage of OpenBSD's boot system, security features like W^X and ProPolice, and advanced networking techniques. You'll learn how to: –Manage network traffic with VLANs, trunks, IPv6, and the PF packet filter –Make software management quick and effective using the ports and packages system –Give users only the access they need with groups, sudo, and chroots –Configure OpenBSD's secure implementations of SNMP, DHCP, NTP, hardware sensors, and more –Customize the installation and upgrade processes for your network and hardware, or build a custom OpenBSD release Whether you're a new user looking for a complete introduction to OpenBSD or an experienced sysadmin looking for a refresher, Absolute OpenBSD, 2nd Edition will give you everything you need to master the intricacies of the world's most secure operating system.
Secure Shell (SSH) lets systems administrators securely manage remote systems. But most people only use the bare minimum SSH offers. Used properly, SSH simplifies your job. This book saves you from sifting a decade of obsolete online tutorials and quickly gets you running: SSH with the OpenSSH server and the PuTTY and OpenSSH clients. You will: Eliminate passwords. Manage access to your SSH server by users, groups, addresses, and more Securely move files around your network Forward graphic displays from one host to another Forward TCP connections Centrally manage host keys and client configurations Use SSH as a secure transport for other applications Secure applications run over SSH Build Virtual Private Networks with OpenSSH And more! This book simplifies the work of anyone using SSH. Small enough to read and implement quickly, exhaustive enough to include everything most of us need plus a little more. Master SSH with SSH Mastery.
Become a Better Writer through Deliberate Practice
This guide empowers aspiring writers to unlock their creative potential and develop their unique voice. It offers practical exercises, insightful tips, and motivational strategies to overcome common obstacles in the writing process. With a focus on self-discovery and personal growth, readers are encouraged to embrace their individuality and cultivate their writing style. The book serves as a supportive companion for anyone looking to enhance their skills and confidently express their ideas.
“Security. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”Transport Layer Security, or TLS, makes ecommerce and online banking possible. It protects your passwords and your privacy. Let’s Encrypt transformed TLS from an expensive tool to a free one. TLS understanding and debugging is an essential sysadmin skill you must have.TLS Mastery takes you Learn TLS. Because we’re sysadmins, and lies do not become us.(The Beastie and Tux editions are identical other than cover art.)
SNMPSimple Network Management Protocol Four lies in one acronym? It’s baroque. It’s arcane. And it’s everywhere. SNMP is one of those system management skills that people acquire by experience, stumbling through one horrid implementation after another and counting their knowledge by their scars. SNMP Mastery is your guide to the secret landscape of one of computing’s most mysterious tools. You will Stop stumbling through the SNMP minefield. Read SNMP Mastery today!
Become the Writer you Want to Be! A hundred thousand gurus offer contradictory writing secrets. You must outline! You must free write! You must write at a standing desk with your feet in cold oatmeal! The gurus are all correct- and all wrong. In Domesticate Your Badgers: Become a Better Writer through Deliberate Practice, full-time author Michael W Lucas demonstrates how to build a personalized plan to transform yourself into the best author you can be. Writing is a set of skills, and deliberately stocking your tool chest makes each piece you write better than the last. Want to be a pro? Use the same techniques pros use. Stop flailing. Start learning. No badgers were harmed in the writing of this book. Contains no badger or badger by-products. Regulations on badger domestication vary by location.
Michael W. Lucas is a network/security engineer with extensive experience working with high-availability systems. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Absolute BSD , Absolute OpenBSD , Cisco Routers for the Desperate , and PGP & GPG , all from No Starch Press.
