Overview
This book focuses on the design of a Windows 2000 environment, and how to develop an effective design and migration plan. You are lead through the process of developing a design plan by reviewing each pertinent issue, and provides expert advice on how to evaluate each issue as it applies to the your particular environment. Practical examples illustrate all these issues. The book begins with detailed coverage of how to evaluate the current network environment - what issues need to be considered, and how to evaluate those issues. Next, the process of developing a migration plan is explored. The book then examines how to develop a Windows 2000 environment, sharing the insight gained by actual deployments from RDP members. Next, the book discusses how to evaluate both the migration and development plans, making sure that all potential pitfalls have been avoided. It closes with a discussion of the future of Active Directory.
Synopsis
This book focuses on the design of a Windows 2000 environment, and how to develop an effective design and migration plan. You are lead through the process of developing a design plan by reviewing each pertinent issue, and provides expert advice on how to evaluate each issue as it applies to the your particular environment. Practical examples illustrate all these issues. The book begins with detailed coverage of how to evaluate the current network environment - what issues need to be considered, and how to evaluate those issues. Next, the process of developing a migration plan is explored. The book then examines how to develop a Windows 2000 environment, sharing the insight gained by actual deployments from RDP members. Next, the book discusses how to evaluate both the migration and development plans, making sure that all potential pitfalls have been avoided. It closes with a discussion of the future of Active Directory.
About The Author
Gary Olsen was selected in March, 1998, as one of four engineers with Compaq Services to participate in Microsoft's Windows 2000 RDP by working at the Redmond campus on the Enterprise Beta Support team. Specializing on the Domains team supporting Active Directory and domains issues, Gary supported Microsoft customers and Microsoft's Internal Technology Group through the implementation of Windows 2000. He has been intimately involved in learning, filing bug reports, and testing since the early days of the beta. Gary has also assisted in development and training of Compaq Customer Support engineers, and presented at several technical conferences and informal MS training sessions. In addition, he was a key player in the design, implementation and support of a large company-wide domain built to facilitate experimentation with the beta by Compaq employees. Gary received his M.S. degree in Computer-Aided Manufacturing and a B.S. in Industrial Education from Brigham Young University. He is also an MCSE.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewMicrosoft itself admits that enterprise Windows 2000 and Active Directory deployments require four times the design and planning effort as Windows NT 4.0 did. Now you can get help from Gary Olson, who helped build the Earth's largest Windows 2000 test domain -- and learned so much that Microsoft hired him for advanced training of its own engineering terms.
This book shines. First, Olson is one technologist who knows how to tie technical issues directly to business benefit. For example, the discussion of reciprocal replication points out why it is especially compelling for companies that use dial-up connections in Europe, and the discussion of Terminal Services points out that it can be used to support hardware not on Microsoft's strict HCL list, reducing migrating costs or spreading them over time.
Second, just as you'd hope, the book offers extraordinary technical insight. Instead of just outlining the options available in structuring your organizational units, Olson shows real Domain/OU structures and explains why the companies made the decisions they made. Instead of simply taking Microsoft's word for it, Olson shows you the results of real-world deployments, and suggests alternatives to the received doctrine (such as using Novell's Client32 for Windows 2000 instead of Microsoft's CSNW in mixed Windows/Novell environments).
Third, the book is newer than most Active Directory guides. It reflects the latest lessons learned, as well as the newest tools and Knowledge Base documents -- and it's full of references to additional source material. Bottom line: This is, by far, the best Active Directory book we've seen yet. (Bill Camarda)
Bill Camarda is a consultant and writer with nearly 20 years' experience in helping technology companies deploy and market advanced software, computing, and networking products and services. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.