3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing, March 31, 2011
This review is from: Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 (Paperback)
After my Exchange 2003 crash I thought I would have everything I needed in 1 book to install and configure my new server, but, unfortunately, although the book takes you through a "lab" configuration, there is no mention of how a production server might be set up. This is what I needed; I was not running a lab or a test server. I needed the real information and struggled with the set up because of the lack of information in this book.
In addition, there is little or no mention of configuring OWA. Not everyone wants to run Outlook Anywhere. So this book falls short there.
I have tried to use this book as a reference, but I'm not finding it very useful.
I also have liked Jim McBee's books in the past and that is why I got this book. I am very disappointed that I didn't find it more useful.
If you are looking at this book because you need to configure a new production server, buy this book as a last resort only!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for newbies or updaters. No DAG cover though., June 21, 2010
This review is from: Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 (Paperback)
I read the first version of this book, I think it was Exchange Server 2000, and the newer editions have kept up with each new release of Exchange. Of course, Microsoft's documentation has also gotten better, but it still usually lacks the ability to bridge the gap between the complexity of the technology and what real people, even those of us with training, can quickly grasp when we need an immediate solution. I've looked at several Exchange books and I prefer McBee's conversational approach to writing and problem solving.
The best thing about the book is that it still serves as a great introduction to managing an Exchange organization, while also going into detail on newer technologies. It has lots of examples and a good balance of text to screen-captures. That really helps when you're trying to get others up-to-speed on the basic technology. The chapters on management tools and recipient administration (users, groups, etc...) provides the right amount of detail for quick reference and those who need training. The chapter on client access servers (CAS) is useful, especially on the area of setting up CAS servers during a migration. There is also an entire chapter on SharePoint integration. Just skimming these chapters can answer a lot of questions.
The chapter on roles based administration is good but was of limited use in my case, although I can see it being useful to an architect designing a system with many administrators with varying roles. The chapter on virtualization provides mostly broad recommendations. The chapter on e-mail archiving may be of use to those who aren't using a third party product.
The book is over 900 pages, but it is still missing a few topics I'd like to read more about, such as setting up database availability groups (DAGs) and best practices for ensuring high availability. If you want DAG coverage, this book is not for you. I would also like to see more step-by-step migration recommendations or a chapter that covers a migration, point-by-point, from start to finish. A chapter on certificates might be nice as well. On the whole, though, the book is very good, easy to read, and is useful to those with a range of pre-existing knowledge.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Rushed!, May 18, 2010
This review is from: Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 (Paperback)
I think Jim wrote an excellent 2003 book very detailed and concised. I even purchasse the Exchange 2007 SP1 book which was ok but it lacked in the SCR area at least for me. I also purchased the Exchange 2010 which I think was rushed due to the lack of DAG. I must say I am very disappointed. But I am still a supporter.
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