Windows Server 2008 Administrator's Companion [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Charlie Russel (Author), Sharon Crawford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735625050 | Publication Date: April 19, 2008

This comprehensive, one-volume guide delivers the details you need to successfully plan, deploy, administer, and support Windows Server 2008. The authors experts in Windows® technologies provide easy-to-follow procedures, practical workarounds, and key troubleshooting tactics for everyday, on-the-job results. Delve into core system administration topics, system features, and capabilities and get expert insights for administering Windows Server 2008. This reference delivers in-depth information on Active Directory® directory service, security issues, disaster planning and recovery, and interoperability with Linux and UNIX. It also includes coverage of Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0, virtualization, clustering, and performance tuning. With the ADMINISTRATOR S COMPANION, you get the in-depth information you need in a single volume. Includes a companion CD with a searchable eBook and sample utilities.

Key Book Benefits

Covers product deployment, administration, and support

Includes technical insights by industry experts

Provides easy-to-follow procedures, real-world troubleshooting tips, and workarounds

Features a companion CD with a searchable eBook and sample utilities

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charlie Russel is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for Windows Server and Security. As an information technology consultant, he specializes in combined Windows and UNIX networks.

Sharon Crawford is a veteran writer of computer books.

In addition, Charlie and Sharon are both regular contributors to the Windows XP Expert Zone on Microsoft.com and have coauthored several other books, including the Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Administrator s Companion and the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administrator s Companion, Second Edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1319 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (April 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735625050
• ASIN: B002VPEA5S
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of administering SBS 2008, April 13, 2009

By 

Paul Schnackenburg (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows® Small Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion (Pro - Administrator's Companion) (Hardcover)

This is an interesting book since it's aimed at two very different audiences. The first is a business owner who would like to know a bit more about SBS 2008 based networking and what goes on under the hood. The other is of course an IT consultant who support such networks for a fee. Make no mistake, SBS is now getting close to where a moderately IT savvy business owner or employee can do most of the day to day work themselves and only call in the "experts" when necessary.
For the first audience (business owner) this book is excellent. The how and the why is covered every step of the way and the importance of planning first is underlined throughout. Most technical concepts are explained in good depth. Some discussions might go a tad too deep but then again, if you want to run your own server you should know what's going on. Choosing server hardware, disk types and hardware RAID, UPS, spare parts and even backup power generators are all covered as is installation, including installation in a virtual environment.
Migration from SBS 2003 is covered (there's even a short sidebar on Jeff Middleton's swing migration) with in depth coverage of the "official Microsoft method". This is certainly something that I hope the average business owner will call in an IT person to plan and execute as there are many steps where things can go wrong. All the initial steps of configuration are covered as well as DFS, FSRM, directory quotas, file screening, printers, and connecting clients, RWW, WSUS and Backup & Recovery (even the excellent product DPM 2007 is mentioned). Planning for disaster recovery is explained thoroughly, including the DR benefits of running SBS in Hyper V.
Advanced topics include the role based approach in Windows Server 2008, Exchange 2007 configuration (including the difference between direct email delivery and using a Smart Host) and using email contacts. Wireless security is explained in detail as is the Windows Firewall and Group Policy. Using Group Policy Preferences (new in Win 2008/SBS 2008) for setting up drive letters is detailed as are the new Reports and configuring Alerts. Customizing the Companyweb SharePoint site including adding TSWebAccess links is covered as is installing and configuring the second server in the Premium edition. SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition for Small Businesses is also detailed along with using the second server as a Terminal Server with TSWebAccess and TSGateway
For the second type of audience the coverage is lighter. For anyone who's kept up with SBS 2008 through the various blogs and the Techlibrary on Technet there's not an enormous amount of new stuff in this book. That said there are some gems, such as a PowerShell script to control which Standard Users are able to logon to which client computers. Two factor authentication, including Scorpion Software's RWWGuard with AuthAnvil for RWW was also an eye opener. The authors effectively share their real world knowledge and experience of SBS throughout the book which is very beneficial.
Overall this book was a pleasure to read, it's well laid out and covers both target audiences well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much for those only looking to 'maintain' an SBS., February 16, 2009

By 

dt (Alpena, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Windows® Small Business Server 2008 Administrator's Companion (Pro - Administrator's Companion) (Hardcover)

The book has content written for two different audiences. Both a business owner wondering how to build a computer network as well as a consultant needing to know the specifics of the SBS products. Both will benefit from the knowledge obtained within this title.

The only complaint would be about the consistency of technical depth. While the book at times does an excellent job of explaining technical content, at other times it lacks the reasoning behind certain advice. In example: In an early chapter the author writes about the differences between KBps and kbps; however, the author does not explain the primary difference between a switch and a hub and the benefits. "Get a switch instead."

The book, although written for a small business, references many elements and topics that don't necessarily fit the SBS market. Although the information is beneficial, it may overwhelm a novice business owner looking for tips on how to maintain their IT infrastructure. Several of these references include discussions about data center, generators, and multiple server environments. Virtualization and DFS also fall into this realm. The book was completely lacking coverage of IPv6.

The book does an exceptional job expressing the importance of preplanning the project. An often overlooked aspect, the author drives this point to the reader. In every chapter of the book there is a listing of thoughts and considerations that should be made prior to installing the software product or initializing a specific feature.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential reference in you Windows Server 2008 Library, July 9, 2008

By 

Alan Le Marquand (Windsor, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Windows Server 2008 Administrator's Companion (Hardcover)

If you've looked around for books on Windows Server 2008 then you know you have choice. I've done the searches, not just for 2008, but for 2000 and 2003 before it. But for any version I look out especially for the Administrators Companions, they form the core of my reference material and have helped on numerous occasions in the past. So I would really recommend starting with this one and then supplementing it with the Resource kits as and when you need them.