Planning for Windows 2000

Rating:
Summary: Read, Learn, Plan, and Deploy...
Review: As stated in the synopsis, the authors are members of the Windows NT 2000 Rapid Deployment Program and the book's content reflects their long-term experience with the product. If you are looking for details (e.g., defined processes, design trade-offs, etc.) concerning Win2000 planning, deployment, and administration, then I recommend this book. The text is concise, which makes the the book a quick read. Add the Win2000 Resource Kit to your list and your ready to deploy.

If you are looking for a high-level, functional overview of Win2000, then read "Introducing Microsoft Windows 2000 Server" and/or "Introducing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" from MS Press. These are good for an intro but not very useful once you start working with the product.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting mix of theory and specific deployment practices
Review: I like this book. I recommend it to anyone that needs to consult on deploying Windows 2000, and especially if you must work with migration from Windows NT 4.0. It's a combination of theory and practice. It is clear that the writers have already worked out several issues in their own company for consulting on Windows 2000. The Active Directory (AD) modeling is great. The writers give good examples of implementing AD and provide sound. There are several instances where the authors review migration software that should be considered in moving to Windows 2000. They cover in good detail the issues involved in migrating existing domains and file systems to Windows 2000. While there are sections on most key areas of Windows 2000, Active Directory deployment and methods of migrating from Windows NT 4.0 get the bulk of the detail. The book does contain some theory, especially on AD, but it is not a theory book. It's target is the real consultant that needs to think through the processes and issues of migrating. If you already have processes for consulting you may find the later section a little boring, but I think it's valid for the scope of the book. I recommend this book along side a more comprehensive Windows 2000 "Bible".

Rating:
Summary: Mostly covers domain planning in my opinion.
Review: The title of the book is Planning for Windows 2000 and that's partially true, except it mostly talks about the domain structures and DNS. Not too much info about Windows 2000 Server and Workstation and what you'll have to do differently than NT.

Rating:
Summary: Read this if you're planning for Windows 2000 !
Review: This book is a must-have for anyone in a position requiring them to plan for a migration to Windows 2000 products. It contains detailed notes on the best way to prepare for and plan a Windows 2000 deployment. Topics such as maintaining standards, designing the Active Directory, hardware considerations, designing a security plan, and how to simplify administration are addressed.

I read this book in 2 days. It was easy to read, informative,thorough, and well written. The final chapter, "Putting it all together" was an awesome way to end the book. In this chapter there were checklists for all of the topics listed above,as well as worksheets for estimating hardware needs and designing the network. I would recommend this book as a must-read for administrators and the first book on the agenda prior to planning a migration.

Rating:
Summary: Read this if you're planning for Windows 2000 !
Review: This book is a must-have for anyone in a position requiring them to plan for a migration to Windows 2000 products. It contains detailed notes on the best way to prepare for and plan a Windows 2000 deployment. Topics such as maintaining standards, designing the Active Directory, hardware considerations, designing a security plan, and how to simplify administration are addressed.

I read this book in 2 days. It was easy to read, informative,thorough, and well written. The final chapter, "Putting it all together" was an awesome way to end the book. In this chapter there were checklists for all of the topics listed above,as well as worksheets for estimating hardware needs and designing the network. I would recommend this book as a must-read for administrators and the first book on the agenda prior to planning a migration.

Rating:
Summary: Great Technical Information.
Review: This book provides great technical information with an eye towards the "Big Picture". This approach helps bring together the HOW and the WHY that many books just do not seem to capture. If you have to do a migration from NT 4.0 to 2000 then reading this book should be step 1 on your migration plan.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Get It!
Review: This book really stunk. Most of the content was unusable. I read the book in one day and was really frustrated with the lack of detailed information. I perfer the following book "Windows 2000 Server : Planning and Migration" by Sean Deuby. It was better organized with more tips from someone who has faced real life Windows 2000 issues.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Get It!
Review: This book really stunk. Most of the content was unusable. I read the book in one day and was really frustrated with the lack of detailed information. I perfer the following book "Windows 2000 Server : Planning and Migration" by Sean Deuby. It was better organized with more tips from someone who has faced real life Windows 2000 issues.