MasteringActive Directory for WindowsServer 2003 R2 (Mastering)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 672 pages
• Published by: Sybex
• Edition: 1st Edition January 4, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0782144411
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0782144413
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 1.5 inches
• Weighs: 2.2 pounds

Reader Reviews
When I picked up this book, I was expecting something that focused on the Server 2003 R2 specific Active Directory additions and changes, as the title somewhat implies. Instead, you are provided a Windows 2003 Active Directory from A to Z for administrators that includes sections on the R2 additions. Pretty much everything you need to know about the AD is covered. It starts with a very good overview of AD components and objects, leading into design objective and considerations for implementing an AD configuration appropriate for your environment. Once implemented, quite a few chapters are dedicated to administration of user, group, computer, and printer object using both the standard GUIs as well as command line tools; beyond standard tasks, delegation and auditing are also well covered. Group Policy topics include software installation, Windows settings, templates, AD object inheritance, and general AD storage and handling, again via the native GUI as well as the add-on Group Policy Management Console. Replication is also covered. Surprisingly, the authors touch on Schema extension, but failed to provide a useful "how-to". Insofar as R2 specific sections, Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and Identity Management for Unix both have very complete information for setup, configuration, troubleshooting, and administration both via the GUI as well as command line tools. I was disappointed in that Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) was only briefly mentioned at the beginning of the book, but never actually addressed. Quite a few chapters are also dedicated to troubleshooting. These sections are well organized, easy to follow, and cover general troubleshooting methodology, available tools, and reference tables for understanding specific AD errors. Two additional sections are included that may be of interest to some. The first is an introduction to / overview of -Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM). Not a complete overview of that product, but very detailed in how to use MOM to assist in troubleshooting AD events and issues. The second is an overview of ADSI scripting for administrators, less of a learning resource and more of a cookbook of specific task scripts administrators could find useful. Although the book is often a little to "Microsoft is Super", and there are areas that contain a little too much history or background and could be paired down some, the writing style is otherwise easy to read and understand, keeping the reader as interested and as involved as is possible given what the topic as a whole. No assumptions about the reader's prior knowledge of the AD is assumed, making this not only a good learning source for some, but a reference guide for everyone as well. Although scripting is introduced, prior experience with VBScript is a must if you wish to really use that section, and you should not expect to walk away fully versed in ADSI. All in all, as it does cover the R2 additions, this is a good replacement text for other Windows 2003 AD titles. Comment | | (Report this)