Understanding Linux Network Internals

Understanding the Linux Kernel

Linux(R) Patch Management : Keeping Linux(R) Systems Up To Date (Bruce Perens Open Source)

Applications

User Mode Linux(R) (Bruce Perens Open Source)

Format: Paperback
Author: Jeff Dike
ReleaseDate: 12 April, 2006
Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR
Rating:

awkward title
The latter is hence quite authoritative. Dike invented the User Mode Linux, as well as being the author of this book. It has several useful reasons for runnng "UML". Like being able to set up and test a network of such virtual machines, and to do this in an automated fashion. Whereas if you have a network of real machines, changing network configurations inevitably involves a lot of manual work.

But the acronym is quite unfortunate. It does not suggest a virtual machine setup at all. Even though his explanation of the title makes sense, to someone unfamiliar with the package, the title sounds like a simple teaching of linux user commands. Plus, to many programmers, UML now means Universal Markup Language. While acronym clashes may be inevitable, seeing UML many times in this text can cause recurring cognitive dissonance. Another reason why Dike should have chosen a different label.

Learn User Mode Linux from its developer


This book covers UML in depth, but also includes the thinking process Jeff Dike went through in its development and discusses the mistakes and trade-offs he made. UML is a great tool for all sorts of applications and projects, but the biggest attraction for me is the opportunity to learn more about the Linux kernel itself. You'll learn quite a bit about the kernel just from reading this and of course once you have it running, you can learn even more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. My only complaint is that the book assumes your Linux came with UML installed and doesn't even tell you what RPM you need if it didn't - it's user_mode_linux and you can find that and everything else you need at [. . . ].