Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Windows Server 2003 System Administrator's Guide

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book provides precisely the level of information required for Windows Server 2003 migration, maintenance and functional improvements. The authors use an approach that reviews basic concepts and then marches directly into how-too examples. Unlike other Windows books that include hundreds of pages on trivial items, these authors have pinpointed the most important and complex elements of the operating system and made them easily understandable. They also provide helpful notes and precautionary statements in areas where an administrator should not venture without proper planning. This has saved my bacon more than once. In our Windows administration team there are dozens of titles available for reference ... this is the one book that always get to the heart of the issue.

I often choose books on Amazon based on the reviews I read here. In most cases, I get it right. However, I think I got it wrong this time.
I still do not understand who would give this book 5 stars. Did these reviewers actually use this book? Did they try to perform simple networking tasks using this book as a reference? Did they look for guidance when performing tasks that were familiar in Windows 2000 but done differently in Windows 2003? I did, and I was disappointed.
This book is full of a rehash of the online documentation. In fact, in some cases, it is scantier than the freely available documentation. You will be forced to read through reams of boring pages just to get to the stuff the authors really have to say.
If you want lectures about the history of Windows servers and the active directory, this is your book. But if you need a solid book that can help you answer those quirky networking questions then you'll have to look elsewhere. A book on networking administration ought to be task oriented. It should also have tons of troubleshooting tips. This one is full of fillers and useless information.
I rarely give negative reviews, but this book is an utter disappointment. I really regret buying it.

I have never written a book review before but I am extremely impressed by The Ultimate Windows Server 2003 System Administrator's Guide. It is written with authority yet very easy to understand. It begins with a forward by the Microsoft executive in charge of Windows ... that alone is a solid endorsement. However, the real proof came when I needed to understand otherwise foreign concepts like Active Directory and the various security technologies. The book gave me the theory and then provided very human instructions on how to pull these concepts together in the real world. I have six other Windows Server 2003 including the sub-standard Manasi book that has now become a door stop. The "Ultimate ... Guide" is always at my finger tips unless of course a co-worker borrows it.

Often I pick up an "administrator's guide" and find myself staring at 300 pages of screenshots explaining how to insert the CD-ROM for installation and resize the task bar for better time/date viewing, written by someone who appears to be learning the topic while writing the text. Rarely do I encounter a resource such as this book that not only intelligently covers the basics but successfully tackles advanced topics as well, leaving the reader's intelligence un-insulted and providing a reference guide that will serve you well long after your initial read.

The foundational information is here, from planning out the network on paper to installing and configuring the basic domain services. The deployment information is here, from server deployment to remote OS installations. General administration, including AD design, IP addressing, DNS, replication, user and group management, and group policies are all thoroughly discussed. More complex systems, such as VPN, security certificates, disaster recovery, terminal services, and indexing are also presented with just as much detail and knowledge as all other topics. Beyond what you would otherwise expect from this style of book are advanced topics that are typically not covered and therefore overlooked by many administrators. Such things as extending the AD schema, real-world security issues and solutions, clustering services, message queuing services, and a very extensive commands and utilities section are demystified, easily adding them to your skill list and making them a real possibility for inclusion in your environment.

The title also provides an introduction to Microsoft SMS, Microsoft MOM, and the Windows Script Host (WSH). These sections are there to inform you of their role within a network, not to provide a learning guide or reference for the technologies.

Those that have never administered a network before in their life, and are looking to this title as a student textbook should look elsewhere. Time is not spent covering the rudimentary basics that qualified IT professionals already have. Although a Windows background is very helpful, administrators of non-Windows networks looking to crossover will find this title inclusive of the background information they need to understand the Windows environment and to apply their current network administration knowledge. Every intrinsic Windows 2003 topic, from planning and deployment to management of core services, are covered in a logical and educated manner, providing you the information quickly and efficiently. Sections and appendices are well labeled and organized to make this not only an educational guide, but a desktop reference that will last you thru the life of the product. This is a must have for Windows 2003 administrators.

This book reads like a speech by a stuffed shirt: lots of words - very little actual content. There are numerous errors that show that this edition is a quick rehash of their 2000 edition (Windows 2000 listed where you would expect Windows 2003).

This book does an exceptional job of explaining the functions and features of Windows Server 2003. As an administrator responsible for managing many favors of Windows for a major university I particularly liked the cross references to older versions of Microsoft server products. Where functions or adminitsrative tools differed, a notation is provided so I can easily glide between the various operating systems.

The authors provided a straight forward approach to installation and an excellent review of new administrative tools. For anyone concerned with security, the book provides in deepth explanations and practical guidance ... almost 400 pages worth. The chapters on active directory and networking were also stand-out. As an administrator, I also appreciated the quick reference appendix to command line administration. This is a solid winner.

Like their previous work on Windows 2000 Server, the authors come closer to answering all the questions a SysAd has about Windows 2003 than any other I have ever seen. It provided in depth chapters, as well as example implementations in clear understandable language, and with an organizational structure that was easy to follow. A great book well worth the money!

When the Microsoft Senior Vice President of the Windows Division writes glowing reviews about a book and its authors, I take notice. Brian's Valentine's foreward to this book reflects my impressions ... a book that places Windows Server 2003 architecture and administrative issues in perspective and
then drills down to the internals. Microsoft's top Windows Server 2003 executive wrote a great review of the "Ultimate Windows Server 2003 Sys Admin Guide" instead of writing about competitive books from Microsoft Press ... and I believe he correctly selected this book as the best of breed.

I am impressed with the clear way the authors present a straight forward theoretical view of major features and then go directly into real world utilization issues. Here is a book that educates and provides solid guidance for administration.

I bought the book as a reference book and it has been able to provide me with easy to find and accurate answers each time I had to refer to it

This kind of book is the best choiche to learn about the 2003 server. It is clear and rich of useful example!