Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies: The Ultimate Administrator's Repair Manual [Paperback]

Chris Wolf (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321133455 | ISBN-13: 978-0321133458 | Publication Date: July 13, 2003

Countless books have been devoted to hardware troubleshooting, while software troubleshooting has been nearly completely ingnored. Ask any system administrator or help desk support technician where they could use help, and the answer is almost always "troubleshooting." Administrators continually struggle to resolve problems with technologies such as Active Directory, WINS, DHCP, and DNS. This book shows how, with the right methodology, you can systematically analyze and repair problems affecting an individual computer or an entire network. The author not only provides answers to some of the most puzzling Microsoft computer problems, but also presents the answers in the context of the troubleshooting methodology most highly regarded in the computer industry. Wolf covers both Microsoft and third party troubleshooting tools. Whether you are an end user looking to exert a new level of problem solving independence, or an experienced help desk analyst or systems administrator, this book will be an invaluable tool for repairing glitches on all the computers you manage.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Many IT professionals have long considered the practice of troubleshooting to be more of an art than a science. However, with the right methodology, anyone can systematically analyze and repair problems affecting an individual computer or an entire network. All it requires is an understanding of the technologies involved, knowledge of the available tools, and insight into the most common system and application issues.

Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies is the first complete guide to troubleshooting the vast interrelationships of Microsoft network technologies. This book begins by introducing readers to the fundamentals of networks and troubleshooting. After documenting the available Microsoft troubleshooting tools, the author then attacks technology-specific problems chapter by chapter. A concise technical introduction at the outset of each chapter quickly brings readers up to speed on the technologies involved.

Key topics covered include:

• Client-server issues, including XP-related problems
• Office XP application and file faults
• Disk failures
• Domain Name Service (DNS), including client configuration, server configuration and replication, zone configuration, and Active Directory integration
• Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), including server and database configuration and database replication
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), including DHCP clients and servers and relay agents
• Network and application services such as RIS, print services, terminal services, and DFS
• Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), including Network Address Translation (NAT), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Remote Access Servers (RAS)
• Active Directory (AD), including group policies, domains, trusts, replication, service integration, and security

In short, Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies is the ultimate ready reference for solving problems on Microsoft networks.

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About the Author

A senior training consultant with CommVault Systems, Chris Wolf specializes in network troubleshooting, clustering, and enterprise storage. A regular contributor to MCP, Windows, and .Net magazines, he is also the coauthor of two other books and a frequent speaker at conferences nationwide. Chris holds the following certifications: MCSE (Windows 2000), MCT, MCP, CCNA, Network+, and A+.

0321133455AB03242003

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Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (July 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321133455
• ISBN-13: 978-0321133458
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great synthesis and relavant information around. Worth the, August 1, 2003

By 

Todd Allen Myrick (Columbia, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies: The Ultimate Administrator's Repair Manual (Paperback)

This book is plain Awesome.

As an IT Pro with over 10 years experience supporting Microsoft Technology, Networks, and teaching classes, I find myself wishing that I had this book when I was starting out, and developing lesson plans.

It covers every aspect of troubleshooting, reviews many tools and their useage from both MSFT and some third parties.

What it didn't include, but will most likly have in future releases is the following.

Networking Tools the new MSFT NetBIOS / Browsing troubleshooting tool isn't covered because it is new.

No SQL coverage. More and More admins are supporting MSDE or SQL 2K lite technology, I think he should include a chapter about that.

No IIS coverage. More and More admins and helpdesks are gonna need skills troubleshooting IIS technologies. Look for a book from Brett Hill coming out soon.

No Exchange or SMTP coverage. The reason many people setup Microsot Networks in the first place is do provide groupware.

No Clustering Information. This guy works for Comm Vault. You would think he would cover clustering technology and troubleshooting.

Now for the Raves!

1. Great Tools review.
2. Great Os TS tips
3. Great Office TS Tips.
4. Great Network and Net service TS tips (DNS,WINS,DHCP,RRAS)
5. Great section on AD, and GPO's
6. Current, Covers Windows 2003 and XP.

BUY IT NOW!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading on every Helpdesk, October 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies: The Ultimate Administrator's Repair Manual (Paperback)

As the reviewer below noted I also wished it was more extensive. This author has done an outstanding job; everything that was covered was covered very thoroughly. Every technology in the book is covered from a troubleshooting perspective. There isn't the usual fluff about new features and installation. This book has a permanent place on my desk for quick reference

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Troubleshooting Book!, August 12, 2003

By 

Toms River Steve (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Troubleshooting Microsoft Technologies: The Ultimate Administrator's Repair Manual (Paperback)

This book is becoming my first reference when I need something explained or I need to troubleshoot. Written in a straight forward manner that is easy to understand. Lots of command-line tools explained. Included disk has good third-party tools. The fact that it also includes Windows 2003 and XP makes it relevant for today's Microsoft networks.