Customer Reviews

Mastering Windows Server 2003

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

This is one of many books on 2003 I own (I also have the MSPress MCSE 2003 Core books and the 7 deployment Kit books as well as the Admin Companion 2003). I wrote a review on the Server 2003 Admin Companion and gave that 5 stars. I bought this book as well to give me something to read because I was bored whilst interstate. Having read both books cover to cover here is my review.

Both books are about the same size and although the Admin Companion has a better sized (more readable) font, both remain legible. Minasi's book has a better DNS section, RIS, DFS, MMC, Software Deployment, registry and networking section, but lacks a SUS section. If you want info on SUS, buy the MSpress 70-290 guide or use Technet. The Admin Companions SUS section is a mere 2 pages, but at least they have one. From a sit down and read perspective, Mastering is better, laced with humor - its a good read. But both will serve as a reference on your shelf for a long time. I think Mastering explains things a little better, often using analogies mixed with humor. The Admin Companion is a little more to the point and this may gel with more experienced admins. For those that need their hands held, Minasi's book wins. As a side note, if you are an experienced admin and just want a quick ref guide, consider the 2003 pocket admin book.

As an (almost) complete Windows Server 2003 reference, there is no comparison - Minasi's book wins hands down. If you want a little more info about additional and very likely to be used MS Products and how they sit in your environment, ie. ISA Server, IEAK etc, then consider the Admin Companion, but it assumes a little more knowledge from the reader. Besides, if you need info about ISA etc, then you would seriously have rocks in your head if you didn't buy Shinders books.

You really cannot go wrong with either book, they are both well worth the money. Buy either or buy both, you will not be disappointed. If you only buy one, then I would consider Mastering to be the best choice. Without doubt, this is probably the most complete book I have ever read on any IT Topic.

There have been a couple of negative reviews on this book. I can only assume that those people never read this book properly. For the life of me, I have never heard such rot.

As a final note, having read the 4 core MCSE 2003 books. You will find that Mastering has more in this book than those 4 combined (except SUS) :). If you can read and understand everything in this book, and given how clear this book is - that is likely, you will have little trouble on the MS Exams. Now buy this book and stop wondering about it.

I have Minasi's Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 Mastering books. I would recommend Mastering Windows 2003 to most but I would also recommend Windows Server 2003 Inside Out. Having both books is a Godsend. Windows Server 2003 Inside Out has become my goto book for the indepth stuff especially monitoring, maintenance, Active Directory, networking, printing. Inside Out has the best coverage of DNS, DHCP, and TCP/IP. Mastering is still my goto book when I have to deal with Mac to Windows support or Unix to Windows issues or NetWare to Windows. Mastering is good for issues with older OSs like connectivity to Windows for Workgroup clients.

I have been taking classes in all facets of networking for the last 2 years. When I took a Windows Server 2000 class the instructor literally threw out the textbooks we were using for a book called "Mastering Windows Server 2000" by Mark Minasi. That book has been my server bible, until now. I bought the 2003 version and am very glad I did. Mark gives you all the technical details about the new product and provides step by step operations that you can follow as if you were looking at a lab book. He goes into great detail (which is very necessary) on all aspects of Windows Server 2003. There is a lot of insight as to what really works well, and what you should be aware of when implementing this product in a live environment. Lastly, Mark's writing style is simply a joy to read. Let's face it, networking books usually aren't the type thing you read and enjoy immensely, but with Mark's humor and witty analogies the material comes to life and leaves a lasting impression. If you're going to be using Server 2003, buying this book is a wise choice.

I received my copy of Mark Minasi's book, "Mastering Windows Server 2003", the other day. I don't normally sit down and read a technical book from front to back; however, once I started reading it, I just couldn't put it down! Mr. Minasi has a style of writing that makes even the driest of subject matter interesting. I like his examples of how to accomplish something, and at the same time tells the pitfalls and the "best practices". His sense of humor is appreciated. I already own Mastering Windows NT Server 4 and Windows 2000 Resource Kit both at work and at home. And, again, I have purchased this book for both. I use these books before I go searching anywhere else. His books have been the end of many a heated debate on how things should be implemented. You just can't go wrong with purchasing Mark Minasi's "Mastering Windows Server 2003".

Considering the book was written for and from Server 2003 RC-1 this book does a decent job of addressing key functionality. Minasi is a very likable writter that has a way to make sometimes very complex concepts not so complex. That said, probably half of this book could have been edited out which is simply his banter, often repetitive. It seems apparent that much of this book is verbatim from his 2000 book with just the product name updated. I wish these authors/publishers weren't so hot to get a book to market before everyone else that they lose sight of what's really important, the technology.

Some very important topics are extremely weak or lacking completely. The blurb about clustering is useless, no SUS, IPSec is weak, and the PKI stuff could have been better. The core sections are very good though: AD, group policy, and ancilary services (DNS, DHCP). I was particullarly impressed with the depth to which he covered replication.

Overall a good book.

I'm often leery of the computer books that try to cram everything about a given technology under one cover, but Mastering Windows Server 2003 proved the exception to the rule. I bought this book along with Russel and Crawford's Windows Server 2003 Administrator Guide, and I feel that Minasi's was the better of the two. This book covers all the major tasks you will be asked to do with Windows Server 2003. Beginners should buy this book.

I've come across several random problems when dealing with my own 2003 servers, and what makes Minasi's book superior is that the answer is always there. Disk usage, IPSec, Active Directory, IIS: all these topics are covered with satisfactory depth. I knew I had a comprehensive book when I needed to change the default drive letters of my Windows machine and found the answer within. The only negatives I would give this book are the padding (with the obligatory `History of the Internet') and the physical weight of the book. It is a one-stop-shop, however, so those complaints are largely trivial.

The Windows Server 2003 Administrator's Guide by Russel and Crawford covers similar material, but Minasi gives enough information to fully apply the knowledge. Russel and Crawford were just too brief in the sections that I needed, so I would recommend Mastering Windows Server 2003 over all the others I have read. Interestingly, many of the examples in both tomes are copied almost verbatim from the Microsoft website. It may be worth your time to look there before buying.

I wish more people who have IT jobs, who own Mr. Minasi's books and enjoy the benefits of his website, would actually write reviews for this book.

Some reviews posted here have been inordinately harsh. May I suggest to a potential purchaser of this book that if you find yourself being aggressively swayed against this book based upon the harsher reviews that you at least go to your local store and preview the book yourself. Maybe take an overview look at Chapter 2 of the book. I suggest this because if you are turned away from this book due to "unbalanced" criticism you may be turning away from what I have found to be a great resource.

Some unfair criticism is as follows:
1. Mr. Minasi states right up front that Windows Server 2003 is not a drastic change from Server 2002 (I am talking about the Operating Systems itself). Accordingly some of the info in this book is repeated from his Server 2002 book. If this is your first Minasi book however you will get the benefit of both Server 2003 and Server 2002 since Mr. Minasi discusses both - as needs to be done. It does obviously address the changes and issues that come with Server 2003
2. Some criticism has been that there is too much fluff. Some sections may seem too "basic" for the intermediate user but let me suggest this: First, Mr. Minasi fairly advises the reader in advance when a section may be too basic for the more experienced reader and he directs such a reader to skip that chapter and directs the more advanced reader to the appropriate chapter. Nonetheless, even as a person who has been employed in the IT field, I found some of his "basic" stuff a nice refresher.
3. On the issue of Mr. Minasi's co-authors: For those of us who have come to be very happy and comfortable with Mr. Minasi's writing style, we would prefer that the entire book be authored by him. However, like the doctor who often refers to the specialist, I believe Mr. Minasi's intent was to offer up the same. I can't know for sure obviously. I admit that I always prefer his writing. However, let's be fair in that many books are co-authored and no book is perfect. (though one completely authored by him might be more perfect).
4. Mr. Minasi is also fair in that right from the beginning he states that his book is not a book to prepare for an exam. This is true but may I suggest to serious IT "wanna bes" that this book is a great way to prepare for true understanding and can be purchased in conjunction with "cram" books. Don't sell that important facet of the book short.
5. As far as one true criticism: yikes the print is small. Accordingly, I have no rebuttal on this issue. However, I will say this: I will take one annoying small print book over several larger font-sized books that convey less.

I am neither a friend nor relative of Mr. Minasi's: simply a real life person who has worked in IT, had a system admin job and has and is benefiting from Mr. Minasi's book. I am sure there are other well written tech books, but this one is at the least worthy of being part of your library and at the most a great asset.

I am completely new to server software.

This book explains (in plain language and with great analogies) the concepts of what various servers are designed to do.

Also, it untangles the confusing mass of acronyms one encounters in trying to learn new software applications.

Since I am a rank beginner, I cannot comment on the technical aspects of the book. I am sure that certified professionals who are comfortable with Microsoft jargon will find it too wordy.

However, even they may appreciate the author's ability to simplify complicated concepts and document their development over time.

Cordially,
John Harper

Let's get something straight right off the bat: this book isn't short, brief, or for the faint of heart. It's nearly 2000 pages, it's heavy, and it's full of enough information to make your head explode...but that's the point. Windows, server especially, is a VERY complex operating system, with enough concepts, features and configuation options to fill 10 books of this length. What Minasi and his friends accomplish with Mastering Windows Server 2003 is to sum it all up in one place, and do it in a manner where it's useful as both a front to back tutorial, and a quick reference guide. His writing style is simple, to the point, and at times comical. He walks you through configuring nearly everything, step by step, but also explains things, in great detail...WHY you want to configure something in such a manner, and even warns that when you add the 2nd host to your Network Load Balancing Cluster there will be a long delay. It's little things like that which make this book shine.

I purchased this volume as part of the Windows XP/2003 box set. I've yet to be disappointed by the other texts as well.

Congratulations go to Minasi and his cohorts.

I'm only 1/3 of the way through the book (being 1600 pages), and I'm very satisfied with everything so far. The reason the book is so big is because it goes through every single step possible when discussing a topic. Plus it has tons of screen shots making sure you understand what's going on.

If you have never set up dns, dhcp, ris, etc (all I've covered so far), then this book will ensure you can do it blind folded on your own. Again, the reason the book is 1600 pages is because it works through pretty much everything.

Very clear to follow, even for beginners without Network+. Might be kinda repetitive for people with pretty good experience already (2000, NT).