Mastering Active Directory for Windows Server 2003
| 1969-12-31 00:00:00 | | 0 | Windows Server 2003
Master the Technology That Enables You to Master Network Management
Active Directory represents an enormous advance in network administration. It provides a vast set of powerful tools and technologies for managing a network within a native Windows environment. Mastering Active Directory for Windows Server 2003 is the resource you need to take full advantage of all it has to offer. You get a sound introduction to network directory services, then detailed, practical instruction in the work of implementing Active Directory and using all of its tools. This edition has been completely updated to address features new to Active Directory for Windows Server 2003. Coverage includes:
* Understanding the concept of a network directory service
* Understanding benefits specific to Microsoft's Active Directory
* Analyzing business needs
* Designing your Active Directory environment
* Developing and executing a roll-out plan
* Securing the Active Directory database
* Installing and configuring DNS under AD
* Creating users, groups, and objects
* Implementing group policies
* Modifying the Active Directory schema
* Controlling Active Directory sites
* Managing replication
* Performing backups and recoveries
* Migrating from both Windows NT and Novell environments
* Integrating Active Directory and Novell Directory Services
User review
It's ok for a primer
I have had this book on my shelf for awhile. I wanted to make room so I gave it a read.
Overall, it's an ok book for a primer. I don't know if it's a good choice for the beginner. Especially, if the beginner does not like reading theory.
Normally techno theory does not bother me. But for some reason, the theory chapters bored me. I don't know why they just did.
Keeping in mind the primer vision; I think greater detail could have been given to DNS since it is usually the culprit behind many AD problems.
I liked that the author spent some time on sites and replication as I have seen this cause many problems for new administrators.
There is a section on design but it's pretty small and the chapters on installation and management are ok.
There was little mention of the support tools (dcdiag, netdiag, replmon,,,.) which I think could be gone over more as they are often overlooked.
The final sections deal with migration of NT and Novell. I haven't come across a Novel conversion but I have performed the NT migration. Overall, it's ok but I would suggest the downloadable cookbook from Microsoft when it comes time to migrate. That is if there are anymore conversions going on.
Again this is an ok book for the noob but an experienced person probably will not like it.
I am not keeping my copy.
User review
I didn't want a novel. Didn't want to read about win2000 AD.
Robert writes well and is very entertaining, but I'm here to learn AD for window server 2003, not AD for window 2000 server. I was patient because I thought he was laying the ground work for the practical details for AD window 2003 but not only was it not detailed, but it was about AD window 2000. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
User review
Too much emphasis on theory, not enough hands on
The beginning of the ninth chapter is over 200 pages into the book and it begins like this. `Many people who read reference manuals such as this one often want to start `doing` right away, rather than read through the explanations until a complete understanding is in place before
taking any action.` Anyone who reads through the first 8 chapters will have become more than just a little impatient at the repetitive and long winded theoretical concepts that could have been scaled down to 2 chapters. Building on a theoritcal foundation is essential. However, way too much time and energy is focused in this area IMO.
User review
I like the book
While I'm pretty new to AD and have database backgrownd, I liked the book for two reasons: 1. AD explained in terms that are clear to me and 2. The author explains WHY's and provides background for features and behaviors
User review
Poor title, but great primer or overview for IT manager
My only substantive criticism of this book is its reluctance to define its audience, and correspondingly, using a title that misrepresents its content.
This is a book for a party that has former hands-on experience with a similar technology (e.g., X.500, NDS, LDAP) and needs to manage a Microsoft implementation. Or for a hands-on technician who is new to the technology in general.
The author is a former Novell employee and this is the third version of the book, so readers can expect some broad insights and no vendor bigotry. In many sections, one can tell that `Server 2003` was added to the text via `search and replace`, but it matters little, and Server 2003 was directly addressed in areas where it matters (i.e., global catalog servers, etc.).
Architects and implementers should pass on this one, but managers and consultants should pick it up.