MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide (EXAM 70-210) [Hardcover]

Inc. Syngress Media (Author), Thomas W. Shinder (Author), Debra Littlejohn Shinder (Author), Debra Littlejohn Shinder (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072123893 | ISBN-13: 978-0072123890 | Publication Date: September 15, 2000 | Edition: 1

The only classroom-based training and self-assessment system! Osborne's MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide provides 100% complete coverage of all official Microsoft objectives for exam 70-210. Based on 200,000+ hours of IT training experience, the book contains hundreds of practice exam questions and hands-on exercises. The CD-ROM features full CertTrainer CBT software with interactive tutorials and lab simulations, plus the new ExamSim adaptive test engine.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An extremely good package for both the beginner and the Windows NT-savvy administrator, the MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide straddles that fine balance between real-world networking experience and the testing-room world of multiple-choice questions, where the official "Microsoft" answer reigns supreme. There are some minor problems with the book's organization, a poorly written chapter or two, and some worries about the toughness of the book-given questions; but, most of this book is superb and well worth your money.

As opposed to many other MCSE guides, which throw pages' worth of dense writing at you, the guide breaks everything down into smaller sections. You barely can get through a page without noticing an exam tip being shouted out to you in bold type; or finding an on-the-job aside that informs you of a frequent problem that fledgling Windows 2000 users frequently make; or getting a full Windows 2000 walk-through, backed up with lots of screen shots, that tells you how to accomplish the task at hand. The continual mix of experience, test objectives, hands-on experience, and just plain learning make this book an easy read by MCSE standards (but, still, it's no Harry Potter).

However, that does not mean that the book is content-free; it's packed with networking goodness. The writing is very dense and sometimes tough to get through, but one of the strengths of the book is the way that the various parts work together to provide a coherent whole. If you're stumped by an in-depth understanding of, say, what the difference is between a "print device" and a "printer," the "On The Job" section will explain the reasons that network admins need to create several different printers for a single device--and understanding will blossom. Likewise, you might be tempted frequently to skim over a paragraph or two because it doesn't seem critical, but the sidebar "Exam Watch" warns you that this section is a frequently misunderstood (and important) topic for prospective MCSEs. The book's individual parts might not be the best in their respective fields, but as a gestalt you can rank them with anyone else.

There are some difficulties, however. There are one or two chapters--more notably the chapter on unattended installations and RIS servers--in which the writing seems very scattered; giving you individual facts here and there, but never, for example, really summing up the advantages and disadvantages of Windows 2000's various disk-replication features. The section on TCP/IP subnetting is rushed, too; and, while careful rereading might give you an idea of the math behind the binaries, you'd definitely have to read it more than a few times. Keep in mind that these chapters are notable because of their poor writing in a book that is distinguished by quality; so, don't be misled.

The organization, too, is sketchy, as the book maps precisely to the exam objectives--which are not particularly well organized. You'll find information on setting rights on shared folders and NTFS directories in chapter 4, but you won't learn how to connect to said directories until chapter 11. This gives the book a slightly meandering feel.

Exam questions are at the end of every chapter, and most of them are fairly tough--you won't find any easy "Who created the Internet?"-type questions here. But the questions don't go to the opposite end of the scale, either, lacking the purposely baroque scenario questions for which Microsoft has a new fondness. There is also no final MCSE exam in the book. But the exam disk gives much better questions and a full exam simulation; so, if you buy the book, be sure to make use of the electronic exam.

Overall, this book is a good start for a book learner (who will need to read at least three books without hands-on experience), and a potential one-stop shop for someone with access to a test network. A recommended read. --William Steinmetz

From the Back Cover

The Only Certification Study System Based on 200,000+ Hours of IT Training Experience

100% Complete Coverage—All official test objectives for exam 70-210 are covered in detail

• Hands-on Exercises -- Step-by-step instruction modeled after classroom labs
• Exam Watch -- Warnings based on thorough post-exam research identifying the most troublesome exam topics and how to answer them correctly
• Three Types of Practice Questions -- Knowledge, scenario, and lab-based questions, all with in-depth answers
• From the Classroom -- Discussions of important issues direct from the classrooms of Global Knowledge's award-winning instructors

Full coverage of the topics you need to review, including how to:

• Upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows 2000 Professional
• Perform an unattended installation of Windows 2000 Professional
• Manage and troubleshoot access to shared folders
• Connect to Local and Network Print Devices
• Implement, manage and troubleshoot disk devices
• Implement, manage, and troubleshoot input and output (I/O) devices
• Optimize and troubleshoot the performance of the Windows 2000 Professional desktop
• Configure and troubleshoot the TCP/IP protocol
• Implement, Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Local Group Policy

PLUS!

CD-ROM features full CertTrainer CBT software and the new ExamSim test engine -- more than 300 questions on CD

CertTrainer

• e-Training --Self-paced review of key Windows 2000 topics, including exam tips
• CertCam -- Instructional Windows 2000 animations with audio explanations
• In-depth Links -- Need more explanation? Topically relevant links provide detailed
• Skill Assessment --Test your knowledge with more than 230 challenging practice exam questions
• Score Reports --Indicate subject areas requiring further study

ExamSim

• Complete Practice Exam --A realistic MCSE exam with questions found only on the CD-ROM
• Two Testing Modes --Standard or adaptive
• Simulation Questions --Windows 2000 simulations challenge your applied skills
• Detailed Answers --Explain why the correct options are right and why the incorrect options are wrong

PLUS

• DriveTime --More than 30 minutes of CD audio for exam prep on the go
• E-book --Electronic, searchable version of the Study Guide

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 793 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072123893
• ISBN-13: 978-0072123890
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,180,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than enough information to pass the exam., August 19, 2000

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide (EXAM 70-210) (Hardcover)

AS a free lance reviewer I get to read and review hundreds of books and often I find several great books on every subject. Also as a freelance reviewer I never do comparative reviews, my reviews are based solely on the content of each book. This book ranks as one of the best for passing the 70-210 exams and will be a nice addition to my technical library.

The book starts from the beginning with installing, configuring and administration of 2000 professional, then you move to administration of the resources, file & print systems, troubleshooting, optimizing, networking, security and user accounts to make this one of the most complete books on the subject.

Each chapter breaks down the topics in the smaller more understandable sections and gives you exercises to perform along the way to enhance the learning process. There are also questions, labs, a two-minute drill and self-test in each chapter.

The book is also the perfect classroom book, as it seems to be tailored made for instructor lead classes. The book includes a cd-rom with CertTrainer, a lab simulator and ExamSim with adaptive practice exams. Finally there are over 30 minutes of audio material on the cd and also an electronic version of the book included.

The authors have left no stone unturned and have given you a great opportunity to pass the exam the first tie around. The book is priced under $50.00 and on-line you can purchase for less. Whether new the MCSE game or an old hand, this book will have you moving into the new millennium of computing!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Study Guide, November 29, 2000

By 

Aaron Chenoweth (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide (EXAM 70-210) (Hardcover)

I just passed the 710 exam after reading this book. The book covers everything that is on the exam and the CD is a great review tool (The first CD to come with a book that I found useful!) and after that it still makes a good reference tool for work. I read this book twice, did all the questions and practice questions in the book then read the Microsoft 710 Readiness Review Exam - and I was more than ready for the exam. Better than spending $500-$5000's for classes and felt I learned more than any computer review class I have taken. Good luck!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful, October 23, 2000

By 

Donald Regan (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MCSE Windows 2000 Professional Study Guide (EXAM 70-210) (Hardcover)

I just finished taking and passing the Professional exam, and I have to say this book is right on in regards to coverage. While I do have some quality hands on with the OS, this book detailed what i should expect on the exam, and covered the material fully. It really filled me in on the holes I had in my knowledge, and helped fill those holes. As a side note- do not skip the CD. I found the CD really helpful...