4 New CentOS Books Reshaping System Management in 2025

Discover authoritative CentOS books authored by leading experts including Neil Smyth and Mr. Wang Liang Ming, offering fresh insights for 2025 enthusiasts.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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The CentOS landscape changed dramatically in 2024, with shifts toward CentOS Stream and evolving cloud infrastructure demands. Staying current with these changes is crucial, especially as CentOS continues to underpin many enterprise environments and cloud deployments. This year’s new books capture those shifts, focusing on the latest system administration techniques, cloud integrations, and network monitoring essentials tailored for CentOS users.

These four books, penned by experts like Neil Smyth and Mr. Wang Liang Ming, provide practical guidance grounded in real-world usage. They explore core topics such as CentOS Stream 9’s deployment nuances, three-node OpenStack cloud setups, and securing network monitoring with Net-SNMP on CentOS 7. The authors' hands-on experience and clear explanations make these volumes valuable for both rising professionals and seasoned administrators.

While these books provide solid foundations and up-to-date practices, readers seeking content tailored to their unique CentOS use cases might consider creating a personalized CentOS book that adapts the latest insights specifically to their background, skill level, and goals. This approach ensures your learning stays aligned with emerging trends and practical needs.

Best for system administrators mastering CentOS 9
CentOS Stream 9 Essentials stands out by focusing on the newest iteration of CentOS, emphasizing practical skills for both beginners and experienced users. It covers everything from basic installation and desktop environment setup to advanced system administration tasks like virtualization and container management. This book is designed to help you navigate the complexities of CentOS Stream 9, making it relevant for IT professionals aiming to leverage the latest developments in the CentOS ecosystem. Its comprehensive approach addresses the needs of enterprise environments and those managing complex Linux infrastructures.
2023·294 pages·CentOS, Operating Systems, System Administration, Security, Virtualization

Drawing from the latest industry developments, Neil Smyth's book offers a clear and thorough guide to installing, administering, and deploying CentOS Stream 9 systems. You’ll find practical coverage for beginners on essentials like GNOME desktop setup, email and web server configuration, and system updates through App Streams. At the same time, it dives into advanced topics such as LVM, KVM virtualization, Secure Shell, and Linux Containers, making it a useful resource if you want to deepen your operational skills. The chapters on security, including firewall setup and user management, provide solid grounding for managing an enterprise-class OS. This book suits those ready to grow from foundational Linux use to robust system administration.

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Best for cloud engineers deploying OpenStack on CentOS
Mr. Wang Liang Ming’s book offers a detailed guide for deploying OpenStack on CentOS Stream 8, capturing the latest developments in cloud infrastructure management. This work consolidates verified procedures and solutions for building a three-node IaaS cloud, covering essential components like Keystone, Nova, and Neutron. Its hands-on methodology benefits system administrators and cloud engineers seeking practical, current knowledge on OpenStack deployments within a CentOS environment. By focusing on implementation challenges and resolutions, it stands as a pragmatic resource for mastering this advanced cloud computing task.
2023·152 pages·OpenStack, CentOS, Cloud Computing, Network Configuration, Virtualization

During his cloud computing lectures, Mr. Wang Liang Ming developed a practical guide for deploying an IaaS cloud platform using CentOS Stream 8 and OpenStack Yoga across three nodes. The book walks you through each critical step—from system design and virtual machine preparation to setting up Keystone for identity management and Neutron for networking—while addressing common challenges and their solutions. If you're aiming to build hands-on expertise in OpenStack deployment within a CentOS environment, this book offers a focused, experiment-verified roadmap. However, those looking for broader theoretical discussions may find its scope tightly technical and implementation-centric.

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Best for custom admin plans
This AI-created book on advanced CentOS administration is tailored to your background, skill level, and specific goals. By sharing what aspects you want to focus on—whether it's security, performance, or cloud integration—you receive content that matches your interests perfectly. This personalized approach helps you dive into the newest developments and emerging tools in CentOS for 2025 without sifting through unrelated material.
2025·50-300 pages·CentOS, System Administration, CentOS Stream, Security Enhancements, Performance Tuning

This tailored book explores advanced CentOS system administration techniques, focusing on your specific interests and expertise level to deepen your mastery. It covers the latest discoveries and developments in CentOS administration for 2025, including new tools, security enhancements, and performance tuning practices. By matching your background and goals, it reveals cutting-edge insights and practical applications to help you stay ahead in managing CentOS environments effectively. The personalized content allows you to explore emerging research and innovations relevant to your needs, providing a focused learning experience that accelerates your understanding and application of complex CentOS administration tasks.

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Best for network admins securing CentOS 7 monitoring
Introducing Net-SNMP stands out in the CentOS landscape by focusing specifically on configuring and securing the Simple Network Management Protocol on CentOS 7.x. This book walks you through the latest methods for setting up SNMP version 3, including encryption and custom monitoring setups, which are crucial for maintaining robust network observability. It benefits system administrators and network professionals aiming to enhance their CentOS monitoring capabilities with practical scripting extensions and trap configurations. This guide fills a niche for those seeking to deepen their understanding of network management tools within CentOS environments.
2023·90 pages·CentOS, SNMP, Network Monitoring, Security, Encryption

While working with system administration on CentOS 7.x, Camila Shaline identified the need for a clear, practical guide to configuring Net-SNMP, a critical network monitoring tool. In this book, you’ll learn how to set up Net-SNMP version 3 with a focus on security enhancements like encryption, as well as how to customize monitoring views, add traps, and extend functionality through scripting. The book breaks down complex configuration steps into manageable parts, making it accessible whether you're a system admin or network engineer looking to deepen your SNMP skills. If your work involves CentOS environments and network monitoring, this guide offers focused technical know-how without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for beginners configuring SNMP on CentOS 7
Venessa Passeri’s book offers a clear path to mastering Net-SNMP configuration on CentOS 7.x, focusing on the latest version 3 features. It breaks down the setup process into practical building blocks, covering encryption, custom views, traps, and scripting extensions that enhance monitoring capabilities. If you’re tasked with managing network devices on CentOS, this guide provides the focused, hands-on expertise needed to implement secure and customizable SNMP solutions efficiently.
2023·90 pages·CentOS, SNMP, Network Monitoring, Security, Encryption

After analyzing the challenges of managing network devices securely, Venessa Passeri developed this focused guide on configuring Net-SNMP for CentOS 7.x. You’ll gain hands-on skills in setting up SNMP version 3 with encryption, customizing monitoring views, and extending functionality via scripts—practical techniques that go beyond basic setup. The book’s building block approach breaks down complex configurations into manageable parts, ideal if you’re responsible for network monitoring or system administration on CentOS systems. This guide suits those seeking to deepen their understanding of SNMP security and customization without wading through unnecessary theory.

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Conclusion

Across these four books, clear themes emerge: mastering CentOS Stream 9’s modern system administration, leveraging CentOS for advanced cloud deployments like OpenStack, and securing network monitoring with practical SNMP configurations. Together, they chart a path from foundational skills to sophisticated, real-world applications essential for today’s CentOS environments.

If you want to stay ahead of trends or grasp the latest research, start with "CentOS Stream 9 Essentials" for comprehensive system knowledge. For cutting-edge implementation, combine Mr. Wang Liang Ming’s OpenStack deployment guide with the Net-SNMP books by Camila Shaline and Venessa Passeri to deepen your cloud and network monitoring expertise.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized CentOS book to apply the newest strategies and latest research directly to your unique situation. These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "CentOS Stream 9 Essentials" by Neil Smyth. It covers the fundamentals and advanced administration of CentOS Stream 9, providing a solid base before diving into specialized topics like OpenStack or Net-SNMP.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to CentOS?

Not at all. "CentOS Stream 9 Essentials" and "Net-Snmp" by Venessa Passeri are friendly to beginners, breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps while offering depth for growth.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with system basics in "CentOS Stream 9 Essentials," then move to cloud deployment with the OpenStack guide, and finally explore network monitoring through the Net-SNMP books for comprehensive coverage.

Do these books assume I already have experience in CentOS?

They vary. Some, like "Net-Snmp," provide foundational knowledge, while others, such as the OpenStack deployment book, expect familiarity with Linux and system administration concepts.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Introducing Net-Snmp" by Camila Shaline focuses on practical, step-by-step SNMP setup and security on CentOS 7, allowing you to implement network monitoring improvements immediately.

Can I get a CentOS learning experience tailored specifically to my needs?

Yes! While these expert books offer valuable insights, you can create a personalized CentOS book tailored to your background and goals, ensuring you focus on what matters most to you.

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