The most important change in Windows 2000 is the inclusion of Active Directory, a fully qualified directory service. It's so important that if you're a systems administrator, you're likely to find coming to grips with Active Directory to be one of your biggest headaches. But it doesn't have to be that way, thanks to Windows 2000 Active Directory.

Written by a participant in the Windows 2000 Rapid Deployment Program, Windows 2000 Active Directory delivers the practical, hands-on information you need to manage your site. Instead of filling pages with a screen-by-screen description of the graphical user interface, it focuses on the tasks you need to perform to manage your organization's directory effectively. The heavy emphasis on scripting with the ADSI will help you automate tasks to achieve greater reliability and save time.

Windows 2000 Active Directory is divided into three sections:

• The Basics, which provides an overview of the Active Directory technology and a detailed introduction to AD features.

• Design, which describes mapping your organization's typology into the Active Directory schema; specific topics include the AD namespace and DNS, AD objects such as sites and domains, replication, group policies, and migration issues.

• Scripting, which covers the powerful capabilities of the Active Directory Services Interface (ADSI), including ADSI's use with ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), Active Server Pages (ASP), and Visual Basic (VB).

Windows 2000 Active Directory is a practical guide to the new technology for the overworked system or network administrator. Whether you're working regularly in the Windows 2000 environment or just evaluating Windows 2000 in order to understand the design issues involved, this book builds the solid foundation you need to understand Active Directory and use it effectively.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 32 Ratings

Unchallenged leader among AD books - 2009-06-23
Reviewer Rating:
I used this book to prepare for my 083-640 MCTS examination. It was the only book that had the depth required to address the new style simulation questions in the exam (even the Microsoft Press book lacked in this area).

I have been working with Active Directory for over 9 years, and found detail in this book that was not available anywhere else in this easy to navigate form.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to widen and deepen their understanding of Active Directory and commend Brian Desmond on a valuable and well put together book.

Another good O'reilly publication - 2009-05-28
Reviewer Rating:
I've been a fan of the O'reilly books for a number of years, and this book was no exception. It's full of good, practical information. It points out the strengths and weaknesses of Microsoft's AD and how to leverage it for maximum benefit. Good stuff.

Actively Directing - 2008-12-22
Reviewer Rating:
I bought this book to learn how to actively direct my cats. Boy was I in for a surprise to learn this book has NOTHING about cats in it!!!!!!

Very Handy Reference - 2008-03-24
Reviewer Rating:
Great book discussing all sorts of AD related features you may not use every day. I read this one cover to cover and I continue to reference it at least once or twice a week. I've owned each edition and each one has been better than the previous. Very up to date! Waiting for 4th edition with all the 2008 stuff to come out now.

What can I say? This book is necessary for any AD admin. - 2007-09-15
Reviewer Rating:
Not much to say, other than I finished this gem with a wealth of knowledge. You can really just jump around to interesting chapters, or read it cover to cover. This book covers everything from policies, to ADSI, to scripting.

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