Windows 2000 Active Directory

Rating:
Summary: An active guide to the Active Directory
Review: Active directory is an integral part of the security and maintanence of a Windows 2000 server and domain. The active directory design and architecture are considerably different from the domain model followed in Windows NT. Hence a clear understanding of the concepts of the active directory is an absolute necessity for anybody who aspires to be a Windows 2000 administrator.

'Windows 2000 Active Directory' by Joe Casad is an excellent introduction to Windows 2000 active directory. It begins with the discussion on the role of the active directory services in the Windows 2000 domain model. It gives insight to the active directory's use of open standards like DNS and LDAP together with employment of the most common naming conventions to ensure interoperability with other operating systems. It also discusses the migration or integration of the active directory with other directory services such as Novell's NDS as also the security and administrative delegation.

I woould rate this as an excellent book on the subject. It is an invaluable guide for all Win2000 domain admins.

Rating:
Summary: Difficult subject explained clearly and thoroughly
Review: After reading hundreds of pages in 2 different Microsoft Press books, I knew all of the components of Active Directory, but still did not understand its purpose or functionality. Within 14 pages of this book, it all made sense. This book is easy to read with great flow and still presents material in great depth.

I work as a Microsoft Certified Trainer and spend a lot of time looking for texts that are accurate, easy to understand, and thorough. In short, I have recommended this one to all of my fellow trainers for Win2K preparation and will consider it as a reference source for our students.

Rating:
Summary: Complex Issue, Complex Book...
Review: Although I appreciate the Authors insight and layout in the way OU's are described in this book, other issues are still vague and need more step by step examples.

As an NT 4 MCSE, I have taken the classes for MCSE 2000 certification and work with mixed mode Windows NT4 and Windows NT2K daily. There is alot of information in this book, though as you get deeper into security and group policies - some real world examples would be a huge help in understanding Active Directory.

We need some case study type examples for networks of 10 to 25 users, 50 to 100 users and also networks of 500 to 1000 users, with sample OU's and group policy settings - step by step. And also it would be nice to see the pros and cons of these sample networks with and with Active Directory installed.

This is a complex issue, the author has done a good job here with a wide and comprehensive overview on Active Directory - though I will be purchasing other books on Active Directory.

Rating:
Summary: all together disappointing
Review: Although I've read other books by Joe Casad which I liked, I'm disappointed with this book. I don't think its a book for someone who is a beginner or even someone who has a basic knowledge of active directory. I think this is geared for someone who has experience with NT and wants to upgrade to Win 2000 active directory. There's nothing wrong with that. But I think perhaps the author should have been more clear on that so that people like me don't have to waste time and money to find that out. I also think that there seems to be no order to the book. It jumps around from subject to subject. Maybe others would disagree, but I like to have a book that starts with basics and then works itself up. This book altogether has been a frustrating experience.

Rating:
Summary: all together disappointing
Review: Although I've read other books by Joe Casad which I liked, I'm disappointed with this book. I don't think its a book for someone who is a beginner or even someone who has a basic knowledge of active directory. I think this is geared for someone who has experience with NT and wants to upgrade to Win 2000 active directory. There's nothing wrong with that. But I think perhaps the author should have been more clear on that so that people like me don't have to waste time and money to find that out. I also think that there seems to be no order to the book. It jumps around from subject to subject. Maybe others would disagree, but I like to have a book that starts with basics and then works itself up. This book altogether has been a frustrating experience.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for W2K Administrators
Review: This book is an excellent examination of active directory. I particularly recommend this book for administrators moving from NT4 to W2K. Active directory represents the single biggest change from NT4 and for many folks represents the single biggest point of confusion in the migration.

Rating:
Summary: too good to believe !
Review: was suggested by a teacher. exellent guide for beginners like me. im new to win-200, its a really great for people like me. the book is well written, clear and consice. i would suggest it to any body who is new to active directory. active directory is based on dns, it does a wounderful job of explaining the dns server. chap 7 is the actuall part of installing the active directory which i belive is the appropriate time to do it once you have the basics covered from chap 1 - chap 6. Go for it.