Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed

What was once good just got better. Through the release of several feature packs, Microsoft has added 15 new features to their Windows Server 2003. As an IT professional, you are probably aware of what these features are and have installed them, but you may not be aware of what their full capability is and how to troubleshoot the system with them in place. Sams has published a second edition of the best selling Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed as an updated reference guide in response to these new features. Learn about the new Group Policy Management Console, Timewarp Client, Security Configuration Wizard and more as you plan, implement and administer your Windows 2003 environment.

Library Journal

Microsoft's April launch of Windows Server 2003 signaled a newer, modular strategy; the company intends to continue delivering additional components for at least six months postlaunch. This means that libraries, though needing to invest in guides to the new server OS, may need to upgrade more quickly than in the past for coverage of newer components. These four titles will help start the collection. Intended for Windows Server 2000 administrators who need to update their skills, Delta Guide eschews the basics for changes in the new OS, beginning with selecting an edition and moving through interface and policy changes, security enhancements, new command line tools, and more. Online sidebars bring users up to speed in areas where their Win2k knowledge is lacking. Buy in conjunction with more thorough guides that also address the needs of beginning administrators. Beginner's Guide and Teach Yourself target beginning administrators, teaching via step-by-step chapters. In Beginner's, the notes and "Ask the Expert" sidebars add useful info, progress checks mid-chapter help break up lengthy prose, and projects and mastery checks close chapters. Teach ends chapters with a summary and Q&A and includes similar notes and asides, falling somewhat short in explaining what to do when its step-by-step instructions fail. Beginner's, for example, goes by degrees through setting up nonplug and play printers, while Teach merely directs readers to the Add Printer Wizard. Both are good bets for all libraries. Meanwhile, Unleashed is a comprehensive reference for intermediate to advanced administrators. Lists of best practices contain tips to keep servers running smoothly, along with rules and recommendations integrated into each chapter; larger libraries can consider. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Rand Morimoto has been in the computer industry for more than 25 years and has authored, coauthored, or been a contributing writer on dozens of books on Windows 2003, Exchange 2003, security, BizTalk Server and remote and mobile computing. Rand is the President of Convergent Computing, an IT consulting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area that was one of the key early adopter program partners with Microsoft in implementing beta versions of Windows Server 2003 in production environments more than three years before the product's release. Besides speaking at more than 50 conferences and conventions around the world in the past year about tips, tricks, and best practices on planning, migrating, and implementing Windows Server 2003, Rand is also a Special Advisor to the White House on Cyber-Security and Cyber-Terrorism.

Michael Noel has been in the computer industry for more than 10 years and has been working with the latest in Windows, Exchange and SharePoint technologies since the early versions of the software. Michael is the coauthor of Exchange Server 2003 Unleashed and SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Unleashed from Sams Publishing, and has also been a contributing writer on books about Windows 2000, Exchange 2000 and Microsoft Operations Manager. Currently a Senior Consultant at Convergent Computing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Michael leverages his expertise in enterprise deployment and migration projects in his publications.

Kenton Gardinier has designed and implemented technical and business-driven solutions for organizations of all sizes around the world for more than 10 years. He is currently a Senior Consultant with Convergent Computing. He has also led early adopter engagements and implemented products such as Windows Server 2003, Exchange Server 2003 and SharePoint Portal Server 2003 prior to the products' release for numerous organizations. Kenton is an internationally recognized author and public speaker. His speaking engagements include various industry-renowned conferences and Webcasts. He has authored, coauthored, and contributed to several books on Windows, Exchange, security, performance tuning, network administration and systems management. Kenton has also written several magazine columns specializing in various technologies. He holds many certifications, including MCSE, CISSP and MCSA.

Omar Droubi is an experienced Northern California Computer and Network consultant. Omar has worked in this industry since 1994 and has focused his skills around the ever-evolving Microsoft server and desktop arena. Omar's specialties center around enterprise deployments, migrations, and server consolidation to the Windows Server 2003/Exchange Server 2003 server and messaging platform. Omar is also an expert at integrating Windows systems into heterogeneous environments. Omar is an MSCE and CCNA and has been a contributing writer on a Microsoft Exchange 2000 book and on occasion has written material for Microsoft, focusing on Windows 2000 server integration and optimization.