recommend Linux server 'how to' book

[Izi]

I am coming from a Windows background and have an OK knowledge of managing IIS, FTP, MS SQL, firewalls etc.

I want to get in to Linux, having never touched it before. Tonight I managed to get up ubuntu server running lamp easily, it only took 10 mins or so. However I have no idea how to manage the installation, never mind securely manage it.

Could anyone recommend a book / online resources for managing basic web servers running linux?

For example, I have no idea how to add virtual websites under apache, and my Google skills must be crap because I can't find anything searching either!

Thanks muchly.

 

[Izi]

just to update this thread: I managed to get ubuntu server up and running with lamp and webmin without to much trouble. In fact it was fairly easy in the end with only a couple sticking points.

Now downloading CentOS and going to have a play with a more industry standard distro.

I can muddle through and learn as I go. The problem always is being confident enough that I have secured the server properly before using it for real - I suppose that will come over time.

 

[Izi]

I'd take a look at securing it too though - sure it's pretty tight by default but more never ever hurts.

I might just being be being ignorant, but if I close all ports but SSH, FTP, HTTP & MySQL then as long as the root passwords are OK on those then I am pretty safe am I not?

Likewise, if I secure the ports that I want to be open to only my offices IPs then I am even more safe?

 

[Izi]

Assuming you keep the box (all software) well patched and all users have strong passwords then essentially yes. Until your plaintext FTP session is sniffed anyway

I'll SFTP

but thanks, its kind of the same as a windows box in that respect.