One of the secrets to the ever-increasing popularity of Windows Server can be found in the simplicity its administration. The easy-to-use GUI, consistent set of tools, and wizards that walk you through complex tasks allow you to install, configure and maintain Windows servers without any knowledge of programming or scripting languages or learning complicated command-line syntax. It's possible, in fact, to accomplish about 90% of all Windows administration without ever opening a command prompt or running a script! But what about the other ten percent of the time? While it's true that most common, day-to-day tasks of Windows administration can be performed from the GUI, it's not always the best way, especially with complex or repetitive tasks Scripts and command-line tools often provide a faster, more flexible approach. Windows Server Hacks reveals techniques that go well beyond basic management tasks found in most handbooks to help busy system administrators master the more powerful features of Windows Server. Windows Server Hacks focuses on scripts and other tools that will make your life as an administrator much easier. These tools, or hacks--quick and dirty solutions to problems, or clever ways of doing things--were created by other professionals who've also had to struggle to find solutions to administering Windows environments. You'll save valuable time using their scripts, tools, tips, and advice. Plus, you can easily learn to customize the scripts to create even more powerful tools for your own, specific needs. The book includes secrets of the masters in such areas as Active Directory, User Management, Group Policy, DNS and DHCP, File and Print, IIS, performance and security. The hundred, industrial strength hacks in the book range from those that deal with general administration to more esoteric hacks in the areas of network deployment, patch management, and backup and recovery. No matter which Windows server you use--NT, IIS, 2000, or 2003--this book will put the knowledge and expertise of veteran system administrators and hackers to work for you. Windows Server Hacks will make your life easier while expanding your understanding of the capabilities of Windows Server.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 7 Ratings

Ideal for the Windows Administrator - 2004-07-29
Reviewer Rating:
This squat 350 page book is filled with practical advice for anyone tasked with the administration of one or more Windows servers. It covers simple remote machine management, Active Directory, IIS, and the truly annoying Windows DNS issues. Screen shots are kept to a minimum and graphics are used effectively. Concepts are explained but not rat-holed and the topics covered are practical. The only thing keeping me from giving this a perfect ranking are the often longish code samples that are not annotated and could be referenced on the site as opposed to included in the text.

A must have for starting Windows administrators, definitely worth the look for experienced ones, particularly because of the condensed practical nature of the text with Microsoft Press books so often lack.

A seminal and invaluable reference shelf addition - 2004-07-09
Reviewer Rating:
Managing a Windows based system is almost always problematic for even the most experienced manager team. Enter Mitch Tulloch's Windows Server Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools which specifically focuses upon scripts and other tools that will make any and all Windows server maximize its utility while minimizing managerial resources to keep it operational and on-line. This 357-page compendium of tips, tricks and techniques is wonderfully well organized so as to have solutions and explanations at the beck and call of even the most novice Windows system user. Confidently recommended, Windows Server Hacks is a seminal and invaluable reference shelf addition.

Good book....but mislabled? - 2006-03-13
Reviewer Rating:
The definition of "hack" is as follows:
To write or refine computer programs skillfully.
To use one's skill in computer programming to gain illegal or unauthorized access to a file or network.

This is a good book.....the name should be changed, however, to "Windows Server Shortcuts and Tricks"....not "hacks".

The book has many good tips, tricks and shortcuts to make life easier for the administrator. I'm always buying books to make sure I am as knowledgeable as possible. This book has good information for my daily job tasks and I recommend it. But I was surprised not to find any "hacks" per se.....something using NMAP or another program used to attack NetBIOS....this is not THAT kind of book.

I didn't receive it - 2008-06-22
Reviewer Rating:
I didn't receive item yet. My order placed 22 may.

Thanks to correct situation.

Overall a good reference, but needs more examples - 2006-05-04
Reviewer Rating:
I had a need to run a .exe file on a remote machine. So I typed in the "ExecuteAll.vbs" script example from page 27. The script runs and prompts me for the information. But the command I feed to the script never executes on the remote server. The command can be run manually on the remote server. So I know the command is good. I even tried the command that's shown as an example and even that didn't work.

Overall the book is good. But more examples of different ways to utilize the scripts in the book would be a plus.

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