Customer Reviews

Mastering Active Directory for Windows Server 2003 R2

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I picked up this book, I was expecting something that focused on the Server 2003 R2 specific Active Directory additions and changes, as the title somewhat implies. Instead, you are provided a Windows 2003 Active Directory from A to Z for administrators that includes sections on the R2 additions.

Pretty much everything you need to know about the AD is covered. It starts with a very good overview of AD components and objects, leading into design objective and considerations for implementing an AD configuration appropriate for your environment. Once implemented, quite a few chapters are dedicated to administration of user, group, computer, and printer object using both the standard GUIs as well as command line tools; beyond standard tasks, delegation and auditing are also well covered. Group Policy topics include software installation, Windows settings, templates, AD object inheritance, and general AD storage and handling, again via the native GUI as well as the add-on Group Policy Management Console. Replication is also covered. Surprisingly, the authors touch on Schema extension, but failed to provide a useful "how-to".

Insofar as R2 specific sections, Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and Identity Management for Unix both have very complete information for setup, configuration, troubleshooting, and administration both via the GUI as well as command line tools. I was disappointed in that Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) was only briefly mentioned at the beginning of the book, but never actually addressed.
Quite a few chapters are also dedicated to troubleshooting. These sections are well organized, easy to follow, and cover general troubleshooting methodology, available tools, and reference tables for understanding specific AD errors.

Two additional sections are included that may be of interest to some. The first is an introduction to / overview of -Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM). Not a complete overview of that product, but very detailed in how to use MOM to assist in troubleshooting AD events and issues. The second is an overview of ADSI scripting for administrators, less of a learning resource and more of a cookbook of specific task scripts administrators could find useful.

Although the book is often a little to "Microsoft is Super", and there are areas that contain a little too much history or background and could be paired down some, the writing style is otherwise easy to read and understand, keeping the reader as interested and as involved as is possible given what the topic as a whole. No assumptions about the reader's prior knowledge of the AD is assumed, making this not only a good learning source for some, but a reference guide for everyone as well. Although scripting is introduced, prior experience with VBScript is a must if you wish to really use that section, and you should not expect to walk away fully versed in ADSI. All in all, as it does cover the R2 additions, this is a good replacement text for other Windows 2003 AD titles.

This is the first AD book I have purchased, but I'm not completely new to AD. I have been working with AD for a while, but wanted something to take me to the next level. This book if very comprehensive. It's nice that scripting is included in this book and I don't have to buy another book for that. The scripting chapters are HUGE.

I like the style of this book. It introduces a topic, get's you familiar with it, then dives deep. I've read all but 3 or 4 chapters and love it. I've had it for about 6 weeks now, and still find myself referencing it almost daily.

This book is a fantastic resource for novices and experts alike. I relate this to a buffet of knowledge. If you are starving, there is plenty of content to fill you up. If you simply want to graze, there is enough high-level practical knowledge to appease.

The chapters are very well written and you can tell the authors have worked hard avoiding the "bland technical trap" that I so often encounter in this industry. These guys go above and beyond to educate while keeping you interested enough to keep turning pages.

Very good book, front to back, from design considarations to day-to-day work. Not too long either, gets to the point and delivers the message very well, easy read. I am an AD admin, so I bought the book for the management section, but have read the design chapters as well and I am really getting a good understanding now of what goes on in the mind of someone who designs AD.

Whether you are an AD novice or expert, this book is for you. The author's start with the basics and dig deep. Written in language that avoids boring the reader, the chapters held my attention start to finish. If you've EVER wanted to use scripts in AD, the scripting chapters will blow you away. Full of ready to use and easily modified scripts, as well as, a solid underpinning of windows scripting in general. If you administer AD, no other book comes close!

Even if you are just getting your feet wet on the subject of network administration, this book is your lifesaver in the deep sea of Windows 2003 R2 Active Directory administration. You'll appreciate the coverage of day-to-day tasks, troubleshooting suggestions, best practices, and AD optimization techniques. This book is very well written and will guide you through the variety of scenarios. A must have for a serious professional.

Very well put together book that will aid the system administrator new to Server 2003. It explains alot of the underlying functions needed to understand how/why Server 2003 acts/reacts.

Great book. With a MCSE Certificate, I still go back to this book for answers.

this brilliantly compiled reference makes Mark Menasi's work look like an afterthought scribbled on a cocktail napkin. This truly rivals The Da Vinci Code in its stunning, intriguing drama and adventures in AD scripting