Customer Reviews

Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I love Jim McBee's work. I have been a fan since his "Exchange Server 2003 Advanced Administration" technical guide. But unfortunately, this book felt like it was put together in a hurry. Both the Authors do get to most of Exchange's 2010 features, but there really wasn't much info on DAG (Database Availability Group)?! There are a couple pages, here and there, with some paragraphs and an illustration, covering DAG - but that's it. No in-depth coverage of this great feature. Pretty odd.
Still, the book is somewhat informative. Again, it felt like they rushed to get this published, sacrificing material along the way.

Mr. McBee, sorry that I can't fully recommend this book, but I do LOOK FORWARD to future publications from you!

Bought this book before we upgraded from 2003 to 2010 as a tech overview. The material was cover well and done in a way that wasn't dull.

As always Jim McBee has released a great Exchange book with an outstanding job done by David Elfassy as well. I have bought ever edition of the Mastering Exchange books since 2003 and I always find them to be a great tool whenever I need to look up something quick or go over something again that I have forgotten.

If your looking to deploy Exchange 2010, Learn about the new features, or even prepare for the new Exchange 2010 certifications you can't go wrong with this book.

I been buying all exchange books from Jim McBee since exchange 2003 and this book is not good at all.. BIG difference from other Exchange 2000, 03 and 07 books..

Not too much technical details.. just the recommandations... also chapter 1 - 12 is just a waste.. part 2 is ok.

they added so much crap on this book beyond exchange 2010.

I read 60% and stoped it..

Bought Microsoft exchange 2010 pocket book and it is super good.
By the way I am certified in Exchange 2003 and 2007.
bought this book to get more depth knowledge about exchange 2010 but not good at all

I was sorely disappointed with this book. It does not describe in any detail how to set up one of the most fundamental new technologies in Exchange 2010 - the Database Availability Group (DAG). Without covering the new high availability functionality of Exchange 2010 this book is elementary at best. I bought the book looking for a training resource for my group of administrators at work, but after reviewing the material included I have to recommend that anyone other than a very small IT shop avoid it.

I recently purchased this book to use as a tool for getting up to speed on the new Exchange platform. My organization is planning on a migration from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010 later this year so I'm looking at accessing as many resources as possible. I picked up this book as soon as it was made available and have just now finished reading through it.

Overall I was fairly disappointed. Though the book does a good job job of introducing Exchange 2010 and going through all the new features and functionality, the chapter on migration from previous versions was severely lacking. The chapter only provides a few examples of the many possibilities of migrations paths and it only provides these examples from a high level perspective. The book and author does a poor job of walking the reader through a real-world migration, step by step, which, in my opinion, would have provided the most value to a IT technician looking for answers.

If your looking for history lessons on Exchange or want to be brought up to speed on the new features and basic administration of Exchange 2010, this book is adequate. However, if you are a seasoned Exchange vet looking for tools and specifc resources on migrating/upgrading from Exchange 2003, look elsewhere.

As an Exchange 2010 trainer and consultant, I try to differentiate between the "wants" and the "needs". This book is a "need", a "must have" book for the Exchange professional. This book is written by two of the most recognizable authorities in the Exchange community, David Elfassy and Jim McBee. David is a regular on the Exchange teaching/speaking circuit, and Jim is well-known for his other Exchange books, and his work with Microsoft and along the Pacific rim and Washington, D.C.. Their presentation is clear and concise, which is difficult considering the scope and the number of changes presented in the Exchange 2010 product. If you are contemplating the move to Exchange 2010 (and you should), get this book. You won't regret it, and it will soon become one of the more dog-eared references on your shelf (if it actually makes it onto the shelf - you might just keep it on hand on your desk!). I bring my copy along to class everytime I teach or consult on Exchange 2010, and I recommend it to all of my students in the U.S. and abroad.