Windows NT Server 4 Unleashed, Second Edition

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: I have been an NT server system administrator for some time now, and I can honestly say that I have been unable to solve a single NT problem with the aid of this book. Despite the massive amount of text, there is very little information here. There are windy, abstract explanations of the underlying technologies, but very little "howto" information. The examples given are unrealistic and the material is poorly organized and poorly cross-referenced. I was continually frustrated by the amount of time I spend combing this book for answers, only to find it had none. I simply gave my copy away.

Rating:
Summary: Very good for introduction
Review: I think that this book is perfect for the new-comer at NT technology. But if you are an administrator and you need a good troubleshooting and understanding tool there are not much you can gain from it.

Rating:
Summary: Good NT reference
Review: In the movie Shine, David Helfgott's music professor tells him that Rachmoninoff's 3rd concerto is a monster, a pterodactyl. In some ways, the Windows NT operating system is also a beast. While hidden under a attractive graphical user interface, NT is a complex set of interconnected systems, attempting to function as a symphony. What WindowsNT 4 Server Unleashed accomplishes it that it helps take away the general complexities of NT 4. If you enjoy network and NT, you will find these book to be both enjoyable and educational reading.

Getting a handle on NT requires knowledge in 4 general areas:

· NT architecture · Planning, Installation & Configuration · Administration & Management · Troubleshooting

In addition to these four areas, Windows NT Server 4 Unleashed takes you beyond the basics, and focuses on the particular strengths and formidable tasks of administering a Windows NT 4 server based network. It also shows how to manage both single and multiple domains, tips on improving system security and data integrity, and ways to optimize network performance. In addition, it goes into detail on the manner in which to successfully integrate Windows NT with other networks, such as NetWare, LAN Manager and Unix.

The book contains five parts. Part One of the book details the fundamentals of Windows NT. Many users mistakenly jump right into an NT installation without knowing the key fundamental concepts and components of NT. Knowing these fundamentals is critical for the long term success of a system.

As an example, the books states the importance of the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). Yet as Microsoft Technical Support has stated numerous times, many problems occur due to people installing hardware that is not on the HCL. Had they known the consequence of using non-compatible hardware, the support issue would have never transpired.

Part Two goes into the aspects of a complete NT Server installation and configuration. Topics included are:

· File system selection · Disk partitions & volumes · Networking and protocols · DHCP, WINS, DNS, · TCP/IP configuration · RAS · Principles of Browsing · Working with clients (MS-DOS, Windows, Unix, Macintosh

Completion of Part Two takes you to the half-way point of the book. At this juncture, you should have a pretty solid understanding of Windows NT Server and be able to perform a complete installation of a NT server and its peripheral software components.

Part Three goes into the actual management and administering of a network. Important concepts such as: user, group and remote administration. The registry, security and RAS are covered. This section is crucial due to the fact that the success or failure of a working and effective production network can be established here.

One of the key benefits of using NT Server is its Remote Access Services (RAS). RAS is included free with NT. RAS allows one to create a network connection to NT over a modem line. RAS allows an NT Server to have up to 256 simultaneous incoming modem connections. RAS allows NT to serve as an enterprise-level communications server. A new feature of RAS in Windows 4 is that it includes Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). PPTP allows you to take that same RAS connection and make it into a virtual private network. VPN offer a much greater amount of security Many organizations are moving to the NT platform on the influence of RAS alone.

Part Four of the book details crucial, but often neglected topics such as security and auditing. Many network administrators are so overwhelmed just putting out fires that they do not have the time or resources available to ensure that the security of a network is at a level where it should be. One of the key components of the NT architecture is its security model. Security is integrated into every component of NT.

Security can not be overlooked both from a practical standpoint and also from a legal standpoint. Now that NT is finding its way into production environments on hospitals wards, legal offices and other areas where confidentiality is critical, failure to properly secure a server and network could put an organization at risk for not performing due diligence. A little proactive security work can avoid litigation at a later date.

Part Five concludes the book with information about using NT as an applications server for Microsoft BackOffice and other Microsoft products, in addition on detailing how to use NT as an Internet and database server. Anyone whose environment includes SQL or Oracle should read this section in great detail.

NT also operates particularly well as an Internet server. One can easily place all of their Web, ftp, Newsgroup, and Telnet service onto a NT server. NT operates gracefully as a complete Internet gateway.

The book also includes a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM has an assortment of specialized NT specific 3rd-party tools. Applications included on the CD-ROM encompass items such as: web servers, disk and network utilities, excellent security utilities from SomarSoft, Inc., HTML tools and the source code and examples from the book. Some of the applications are out of date, but they can easily be updated from the vendors web site.

NT is a wild beast. But taming that beast is not so difficult as long as you have direction and control. WindowsNT 4 Server Unleashed allows you to tame the beast and take control of your NT network. If you want to master NT or responsible for NT systems, consider this book required reading.

Rating:
Summary: Good NT reference
Review: In the movie Shine, David Helfgott's music professor tells him that Rachmoninoff's 3rd concerto is a monster, a pterodactyl. In some ways, the Windows NT operating system is also a beast. While hidden under a attractive graphical user interface, NT is a complex set of interconnected systems, attempting to function as a symphony. What WindowsNT 4 Server Unleashed accomplishes it that it helps take away the general complexities of NT 4. If you enjoy network and NT, you will find these book to be both enjoyable and educational reading.

Getting a handle on NT requires knowledge in 4 general areas:

·NT architecture ·Planning, Installation & Configuration ·Administration & Management ·Troubleshooting

In addition to these four areas, Windows NT Server 4 Unleashed takes you beyond the basics, and focuses on the particular strengths and formidable tasks of administering a Windows NT 4 server based network. It also shows how to manage both single and multiple domains, tips on improving system security and data integrity, and ways to optimize network performance. In addition, it goes into detail on the manner in which to successfully integrate Windows NT with other networks, such as NetWare, LAN Manager and Unix.

The book contains five parts. Part One of the book details the fundamentals of Windows NT. Many users mistakenly jump right into an NT installation without knowing the key fundamental concepts and components of NT. Knowing these fundamentals is critical for the long term success of a system.

As an example, the books states the importance of the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). Yet as Microsoft Technical Support has stated numerous times, many problems occur due to people installing hardware that is not on the HCL. Had they known the consequence of using non-compatible hardware, the support issue would have never transpired.

Part Two goes into the aspects of a complete NT Server installation and configuration. Topics included are:

·File system selection ·Disk partitions & volumes ·Networking and protocols ·DHCP, WINS, DNS, ·TCP/IP configuration ·RAS ·Principles of Browsing ·Working with clients (MS-DOS, Windows, Unix, Macintosh

Completion of Part Two takes you to the half-way point of the book. At this juncture, you should have a pretty solid understanding of Windows NT Server and be able to perform a complete installation of a NT server and its peripheral software components.

Part Three goes into the actual management and administering of a network. Important concepts such as: user, group and remote administration. The registry, security and RAS are covered. This section is crucial due to the fact that the success or failure of a working and effective production network can be established here.

One of the key benefits of using NT Server is its Remote Access Services (RAS). RAS is included free with NT. RAS allows one to create a network connection to NT over a modem line. RAS allows an NT Server to have up to 256 simultaneous incoming modem connections. RAS allows NT to serve as an enterprise-level communications server. A new feature of RAS in Windows 4 is that it includes Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). PPTP allows you to take that same RAS connection and make it into a virtual private network. VPN offer a much greater amount of security Many organizations are moving to the NT platform on the influence of RAS alone.

Part Four of the book details crucial, but often neglected topics such as security and auditing. Many network administrators are so overwhelmed just putting out fires that they do not have the time or resources available to ensure that the security of a network is at a level where it should be. One of the key components of the NT architecture is its security model. Security is integrated into every component of NT.

Security can not be overlooked both from a practical standpoint and also from a legal standpoint. Now that NT is finding its way into production environments on hospitals wards, legal offices and other areas where confidentiality is critical, failure to properly secure a server and network could put an organization at risk for not performing due diligence. A little proactive security work can avoid litigation at a later date.

Part Five concludes the book with information about using NT as an applications server for Microsoft BackOffice and other Microsoft products, in addition on detailing how to use NT as an Internet and database server. Anyone whose environment includes SQL or Oracle should read this section in great detail.

NT also operates particularly well as an Internet server. One can easily place all of their Web, ftp, Newsgroup, and Telnet service onto a NT server. NT operates gracefully as a complete Internet gateway.

The book also includes a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM has an assortment of specialized NT specific 3rd-party tools. Applications included on the CD-ROM encompass items such as: web servers, disk and network utilities, excellent security utilities from SomarSoft, Inc., HTML tools and the source code and examples from the book. Some of the applications are out of date, but they can easily be updated from the vendors web site.

NT is a wild beast. But taming that beast is not so difficult as long as you have direction and control. WindowsNT 4 Server Unleashed allows you to tame the beast and take control of your NT network. If you want to master NT or responsible for NT systems, consider this book required reading.