Getting Microsoft Windows Server 2003 up and running, either as a standalone or as part of a multi-site, multi-server network is a formidable task for anyone. O'Reilly's no-nonsense guide, Learning Windows Server 2003, 2nd Edition, gives you just what you need to get the job done. It provides you with the nuts and bolts for installing, configuring, securing, and managing Windows Server 2003-plus, it has been completely updated for Service Pack 1 and release R2.
Learning Windows Server 2003, 2nd Edition includes just enough theory for you to understand how the different features and systems work in this latest version of Windows. You'll come away with a firm understanding of what's happening under the hood of the system, but without feeling like you're taking a graduate course in OS theory. After its high-level overview, the book offers complete discussions and treatments of all of Server 2003's major components. You'll learn how to:
install Windows Server 2003
create and manage user accounts (with particular attention to Active Directory)
manage access to system resources, such as printers and files
configure and manage its numerous major subsystems
The book also features step-by-step procedures and discussions of complex concepts such as patch management, Active Directory replication, DFS namespaces and replication, network access quarantining, server clustering, Group Policy and other security tools, and IIS6 web server.
Whether you're an experienced system administrator or one who's just beginning, you'll turn to this practical guide again and again when you need to understand the massive product that is Windows Server 2003.
Chapter 1 Introducing Windows Server 2003
Changes from Windows 2000 Server
What Service Pack 1 Adds
What R2 Adds
Windows Server 2003 Editions
Hardware Requirements
The Last Word: Assessing the Release
Chapter 2 Installation and Deployment
Preparing to Install Windows Server 2003
Installing Windows Server 2003
Upgrading Previous and Existing Installations
Installing the R2 Components
Troubleshooting an Installation
Running an Unattended Installation
The Last Word
Chapter 3 File, Print, and User Services
New File and Print Server Features
Setting Up File-Sharing Services
NTFS File and Folder Permissions
Limiting Use of Disk Space with Quotas
The File Server Resource Manager
Using Offline Files and Folders
Using Shadow Copies
Backing Up Your Machines
Using the Encrypting File System
The Distributed File System
Understanding Print Sharing Services
Roaming User Profiles
Command Line Utilities
The Last Word
Chapter 4 Domain Name System
Nuts and Bolts
Zones Versus Domains
Resource Records
Using Primary and Secondary Nameservers
Building a Nameserver
Subdomains and Delegation
Dynamic DNS
Active Directory-Integrated Zones
Forwarding
The Split DNS Architecture
Backup and Recovery
Command-Line Utilities
The Last Word
Chapter 5 Active Directory
Active Directory Objects and Concepts
Building an Active Directory Structure
Understanding Operations Master Roles
Understanding Directory Replication
Migrating to Active Directory in Windows Server 2003
Jonathan Hassell is an author, consultant, and speaker residing in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jonathan's previous published works include RADIUS for O'Reilly Media and Hardening Windows for Apress. His work is seen regularly in popular periodicals such as Windows IT Pro Magazine, SecurityFocus, PC Pro, and Microsoft TechNet Magazine, and he speaks around the world on topics including networking, security, and Windows administration.
Clear, Concise and Comprehensive -- Highly Recommended
By nzkiwi
from Undisclosed
Comments about oreilly Learning Windows Server 2003, Second Edition:
The new 2nd edition of this book has been completely updated for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and release R2, and information on administration using command-line utilities has been added to each chapter.
This book is an extremely clear, concise, yet comprehensive guide to the server-specific features of Windows Server 2003 -- particularly features that are new or enhanced compared with Windows Server 2000. Coverage of topics like DNS and clustering, Active Directory and LDAP, Group Policy (with the new Group Policy Management Console) & the IntelliMirror application distribution system, volume shadow copy for automatic backup file versioning, offline files and folders (an improvement on the Windows briefcase), file indexing services, permission levels & security analysis with the new Security Configuration Wizard, IISv6, the .NET framework, VPNs, Radius & IPSec, is extremely good. The main focus is on deployment, administration & management tools.
This book seems far more useful than the MS Administrator's Pocket Consultant, and the only topics that seem to be omitted are mention of WSH (to go with the added information on command-line utilities), service recovery, and WINS for systems with pre-Windows 2000 legacy clients. Windows SharePoint Services get only brief mention. The appendix on features likely to be in Longhorn is a good bonus.
