Book recommendation for learning server management and Apache

Question

I'm currently managing a site that I feel could be optimized and utilized to be much faster, however, I'm having difficulty finding reliable information to do it. I find the Apache documentation to be a hard read, and too technical about things I don't have a strong grasp on.

I'm just looking for a good beginner/intermediate book about server administration to learn as much as possible about Apache, as well as how to create a nice secure, robust server that doesn't crash at the first hint of unusual traffic surges.

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

Answer 1

Apache Cookbook is a good place to start, with especial reference to Chapter 6 - Security.

These apache.org tips are the definitive bare-bones guide to Apache security.

Apache Security is a good follow up - probably not the best starting manual though.

ModSecurity Handbook is a guide for a dedicated Apache module (plugin) called: mod_security. This is quite advanced, so perhaps something to come back to after a few weeks/months of getting to grips with Apache.

Here's a basic (and older) walkthrough by Symantec.