This practical guide has exactly what you need to work with Windows Server 2008. Inside, you'll find step-by-step procedures for using all of the major components, along with discussions on complex concepts such as Active Directory replication, DFS namespaces and replication, network access protection, the Server Core edition, Windows PowerShell, server clustering, and more. All of this with a more compact presentation and a tighter focus on tasks than you'll find in bulkier references. Windows Server 2008: The Definitive Guide takes a refreshing approach. You won't find the history of Windows NT, or discussions on the way things used to work. Instead, you get only the information you need to use this server. If you're a beginning or intermediate system administrator, you learn how the system works, and how to administer machines running it. The expert administrators among you discover new concepts and components outside of your realm of expertise. Simply put, this is the most thorough reference available for Windows Server 2008, with complete guides to:

• Installing the server in a variety of different environments

• File services and the Windows permission structure

• How the domain name system (DNS) works

• Active Directory, including its logical and physical structure, hierarchical components, scalability, and replication

• Group Policy's structure and operation

• Managing security policy with predefined templates and customized policy plans

• Architectural improvements, new features, and daily administration of IIS 7

• Terminal Services from both the administrator's user's point of view

• Networking architecture including DNS, DHCP, VPN, RADIUS server, IAS, and IPSec

• Windows clustering services --- applications, grouping machines, capacity and network planning, user account management

• Windows PowerShell scripting and command-line technology

With Windows Server 2008: The Definitive Guide, you to come away with a firm understanding of what's happening under the hood, but without the sense that you're taking a graduate course in OS theory. If you intend to work with this server, this is the only book you need.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 3 Ratings

Excellent Start - 2008-04-14
Reviewer Rating:
O'reilly does a wonderful job writing books in a logical well organized manner.

For a first edition I was hard pressed to find many obvious mistakes. They did their due diligence.

This book is written for the IT PRO, not someone looking to learn Active Directory or other services in Windows Server 2008 hoping to pass a paper cert test. It's assumed you have a broad understanding of Microsoft's culture and product lines and are looking for a practical review of technologies in 2008.

You don't have to be a AD guru to get a lot out of this book either. I would actually recommend it above Microsoft Press books, because instead of trying to indoctrinate you on a set of "standards" Hassell simply gives you a working set of parts under the hood. He doesn't get caught up on the politics or test taking.

I do not recommend this book as a project management guide to upgrading from 2003 to 2008. This isn't one of "those" books. Instead, it's a good book for someone exploring the idea and reasons for upgrading, by being exposed to what is inside 2008 Server first.

As with almost any O'Reilly book, I think this is a definite buy for your IT library. It's well priced too.

Not Quite Definitive but a great overview of Windows Server 2008 nonetheless - 2008-05-15
Reviewer Rating:
This book was obviously written before Windows Server 2008 was actually released and thus I don't think "The Definitive Guide" part of the title quite fits for the title. "A First Look" would be more appropriate instead.

It gives you a great overview of SOME of the new features but it isn't quite thorough as I have discovered a lot of features not even touched in the book. One example is that there is an entire chapter devoted to Active Directory but that chapter only covers the Domain Services role leaving you in the dark about the other Active Directory roles that you can pick from:

Active Directory Certificate Services
Active Directory Federation Services
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
Active Directory Rights Management Services

Here are some other roles that the book does not cover at all or barely mentions:

UDDI Services
Streaming Media Services
Print Services
Fax Server

Another thing to note about this book is that it is not a how to book. It does provide some instructions and examples but no where near enough to where you can use this book to start deploying Windows 2008 servers.

I would buy this book strictly if you don't know about the new features of Window Server 2008. It gives you a great overview of many of the features. If your looking for a how to or reference book, stay clear of this title to avoid disappointment

Just OK - 2008-10-05
Reviewer Rating:
Kind of expensive for an overview book, I wish that I had saved my money.

Do not use this book to prepare for the Microsoft exams, it's not detailed enough. The Microsoft Press book is better, but still not ideal.

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