Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Administrator's Companion (Pro-Administrator's Companion) [Hardcover]

Charlie Russel (Author), Sharon Crawford (Author), Jason Gerend (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735620202 | ISBN-13: 978-0735620209 | Publication Date: April 7, 2004

Get your mission-critical network, messaging, and collaboration systems up and running quickly with the essential guide to administering Windows Small Business Server 2003. This reference details the features, capabilities, and technologies for both the standard and premium editions—including Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003, Windows SharePoint Services, SQL Server 2000, and Internet Information Services—in one volume. Packed with easy-to-follow procedures, real-world troubleshooting tactics, and under-the-hood insights, this ADMINISTRATOR’S COMPANION delivers the expert information you need for everyday, on-the-job results.

Discover how to:

• Install, upgrade, or migrate to Windows Small Business Server 2003
• Plan and implement network infrastructure, Internet access, and security services
• Customize Microsoft Exchange Server for your e-mail needs
• Administer user rights, shares, permissions, and Group Policy
• Manage disks and data storage, including backups and recovery
• Configure shared printers and fax services
• Manage connectivity for remote access and mobile devices, including wireless systems
• Set up an intranet site and Web server
• Create sophisticated, customer-facing websites
• Implement a reliable, scalable database solution
• Help insulate your network and improve performance with ISA Server 2000Get sample GPOs and an eBook inside.

CD features:

• Group Policy Objects (GPOs) you can adapt for your own use
• White papers covering various migration scenarios
• Fully searchable electronic version of the book

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charlie Russel is an information technology consultant, specializing in combined Windows and UNIX networks. He is also a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Windows Server and Security. Together with Sharon Crawford, Charlie authored the top selling Windows Server 2008 Administrator’s Companion by Microsoft Press as well as the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion. Charlie also co-authored the Windows Essential Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion.

Sharon Crawford is a veteran writer of computer books. Together with Charlie Russel, Sharon authored the top selling Windows Server 2008 Administrator’s Companion by Microsoft Press as well as the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (April 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735620202
• ISBN-13: 978-0735620209
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,051,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A wizard for the wizards, March 27, 2004

By 

John Jensen "crowking001" (PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Administrator's Companion (Pro-Administrator's Companion) (Hardcover)

If you can't seem to follow the directions of the wizards that come with SBS 2003 (or want a second opinion to confirm that what you're actually reading in the wizard dialog box is, in fact, what is printed there), then this book is for you! Maybe that's what "companion" means - you can follow along with the wizard. But if you're looking for something more, well, it is pretty in hardcover and should look impressive (albeit dusty) on your shelf.

However, if you're the type of person who is admining an SBS server, then you're probably somewhat technically proficient and probably require resources beyond what is to be found in this book. I bought it for help with two problems I was having, which after visiting the SBS 2003 community newsgroups I discovered lots of other folks are having. This book does not address these issues (DNS and XP Pro issue, the Nov 24 Sharepoint issue) nor does it provide you with the information needed to solve them. I also reviewed some of the other more common types of probs folks had and I don't think I could have fixed them just from the info in this book, either.

Frankly, you're better off with Microsoft's Knoweldge Base articles and the SBS 2003 Community group. But it is pretty, thick and impressive looking. Its just all style, little substance.

Edit: (...) yes, I read it (some parts many times over, searching for an answer). I've been running some flavor of Novell, NT or Windows servers for 15 years and have high expectations for after market references. I don't need a walkthrough for a wizard (who does?) - I need help with problems that aren't covered by the wizards. Just go to the community boards on MS' site and read the responses from the MS techs to see what kind of info you need to solve production environment problems. That info is not in this book and you can get it for free from MS KB articles and the boards. Just being honest.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised by the negative reviews, January 23, 2005

By 

sansai "sansai" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Administrator's Companion (Pro-Administrator's Companion) (Hardcover)

This book accomplishes exactly what it sets out to: Provide a clear guide for setting up and administering Windows SBS 2003. It assumes virtually no experience on the part of the reader - passing familiarity with Windows should be enough. And that is the goal of SBS 2003 - to let non-IT Pros enjoy the benefits of a Windows Server OS without spending a fortune in consultants.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Small Business Server 2003 STEP BY STEP, April 8, 2004

By 

Rashi (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 Administrator's Companion (Pro-Administrator's Companion) (Hardcover)

Would you buy this book if its title were the one above? Or how about: "Dummies Guide to SBS Server 2003", or even "Learn SBS Server 2003 in 24 Hours"?

With the advent of Small Business Server 2003 and the brand new underlying technologies found in Windows Server 2003, IIS 6.0, Exchange Server 2003, Sharepoint Services, and the .NET Framework, it was exciting for me to see this book was due for release in March, which later was pushed to April. I waited a long time to get it. To my great disappointment, the title of the book does not at all reflect the true substance in its contents. Part 1 of the book is all about basic understanding of Operating Systems and Basic Networks, which does nothing to shine a new light on the subject. So, excitedly, you rush through it to get to Part 2 of the book. "Aha!" you say to yourself: "Now we will learn all about this brand new system". However, you will find nothing more that a somewhat more-in-depth explanation of the SBS 2003 Wizards underlying the system, lots of information readily found in the Help files of the Operating System and its supporting systems. Indeed, the Hardcover format is impressive as the previous review talks about, and the book's thickness would have been a lot thinner if it were compiled into ONLY necessary information.